Preston Fight Part 30

III.

General Forster wishes to capitulate

FROM his post on the church-tower, Captain Gordon had witnessed these proceedings and reported them to Brigadier Mackintosh.

Though not disheartened, the brave old Highlander felt that the situation was one of the utmost peril, and could perceive only one way of extricating himself from it, but this he was unwilling to adopt, unless joined by his English allies, and he felt sure that Forster had not resolution enough for such a course of action.

His men, however, could hardly be restrained. No sooner did they discover that they were pent up in the town, than they wished to sally forth, sword in hand, and cut their way through the enemy.

The brigadier told them it was too soon-that they must wait till night-and if nothing happened in the interim, he would lead them forth.

Colonel Mackintosh's men were equally impatient, and though they saw the squadrons of dragoons posted near the Lancaster avenue, they would have attempted to cut a pa.s.sage through them, if allowed.

Meanwhile a conference took place at the Mitre between General Forster, the Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter, Lord Widdrington, and Colonel Oxburgh.

As it was now evident that the town was completely blocked up, and could not hold out long, it was necessary that some terms of surrender should immediately be made.

Lord Derwent.w.a.ter recommended that a council of war should be called at once, at which all the Scottish leaders should a.s.sist, but Forster would not accede to the proposition.

"If Mackintosh and the rest are consulted, we shall never be able to make good terms with Carpenter and Wills," said Forster. "Let them treat for themselves."

"But it will not be fair to treat without them," observed the earl.

"Nothing whatever will be done, if Mackintosh is consulted," said Lord Widdrington. "Our estates I fear will be confiscated, but we must make an effort to save our lives."

"I fear the attempt will be useless," said Lord Derwent.w.a.ter. "And I would die rather than do aught dishonourable."

"There is nothing dishonourable in what I propose," said Forster; "but I feel certain the Scots will never consent to a surrender."

"Yes, they would consider themselves degraded by such submission," said Lord Derwent.w.a.ter.

"If they choose to throw away their lives they must do so," said Lord Widdrington. "But do not let us act thus rashly."

"I am acquainted with General Wills," said Colonel Oxburgh, "and if you desire it, I will propose a treaty to him. Rest a.s.sured, I will a.s.sent to no disgraceful terms."

Lord Derwent.w.a.ter was still very unwilling that the step should be taken without consulting Brigadier Mackintosh, but he yielded at last to the representations of Lord Widdrington and Forster.

IV.

Colonel Oxburgh proposes Terms of Surrender to Wills

ABOUT half an hour later, Colonel Oxburgh, preceded by a trumpeter on horseback, rode out of the Fishergate.

He was immediately stopped by the guard, but on explaining his errand, was conducted by a sergeant and two dragoons to Wills's tent, which was about a quarter of a mile off.

General Wills was seated at a small table in the centre of the tent, when Colonel Oxburgh was announced by a sentinel.

Wills raised his head, and looking at him very sternly, demanded his business.

"You will guess it without difficulty, I think, general," replied Oxburgh. "I am come to propose that the insurgent force shall lay down their arms in the confident expectation that you will recommend them for pardon to the king."

"Entertain no such expectation, sir," rejoined Wills, still more sternly. "I will not treat with rebels. Those for whom you plead have killed many of the king's subjects, and deserve death."

"But since they are willing to submit, general, I hope that consideration may be shown them," said Oxburgh.

"Expect none from me, sir," rejoined Wills, harshly. "Clemency is thrown away on rebels. Go back to those who sent you. Tell them, if they lay down their arms, and submit themselves prisoners at discretion, I will prevent my soldiers from cutting them to pieces, and spare their lives till his majesty's pleasure is known. That is all I will promise."

"Do you require an immediate decision, general?

"I will give you an hour-no more," replied Wills.

"I am greatly disappointed, general," said Colonel Oxburgh. "I expected very different terms from you."

"I have already told you that I will make no terms with rebels such as you," rejoined Wills. "If you are not satisfied, return to the town, and an hour hence-to the minute-I will attack you, and put you to the sword."

"Do you mean me to understand, general," said Oxburgh, looking at him steadfastly, "that King George will show us no mercy?"

"I do not say that," replied Wills. "Nor do I hold out any promise. Your best chance of obtaining mercy is by surrendering yourselves prisoners at discretion."

Finding nothing more could be obtained, Colonel Oxburgh departed.

V.

Captain Dalziel has a Conference with Wills

INQUIRING glances were thrown at the envoy as he rode through the Fishergate barricade, but he went on till he was stopped by Brigadier Mackintosh, who said to him in a fierce voice: "What means this cessation of arms? Why have you quitted the town? You have been sent by Forster to propose a treaty for capitulation-and without privity or concurrence of the Scots."

"General Forster has betrayed us-has sold us!" cried several Highlanders. "We will shoot him."

"No treaty has been agreed upon," cried Oxburgh in a loud voice, so that all might hear. "I have seen General Wills, who demands an unconditional surrender from all-Scotsmen as well as Englishmen. An hour is granted for consideration-but a fourth part of the time has already expired," he added, consulting his watch.

"What say you, my men?" cried Mackintosh. "Will you surrender?"

"Never!" they cried. "We will die sword in hand."

"I warn you that no quarter will be given," said Oxburgh.

"We will neither give nor take quarter," cried the Highlanders. "We will show the Southrons how brave men can die."

"Then I am to understand, brigadier, that you utterly refuse the terms?" said Oxburgh.

"Utterly!" replied Mackintosh.

Just then General Forster was seen coming along on horseback, accompanied by the Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter and Lord Widdrington.

Fearing some mischief might happen in the present infuriated state of the Highlanders, Oxburgh signed to the general to go back, and the brigadier also called to his men energetically to keep quiet, but despite the interdiction, several shots were fired.

Fortunately Forster escaped, but he would not expose himself further. Turning round, he galloped back towards the market-place, followed more deliberately by the two n.o.blemen.

Immediately afterwards, the Earl of Nithsdale, the Earl of Wintoun, the Earl of Carnwath, and his brother Captain Dalziel, rode up to the spot, and stopping Colonel Oxburgh, who was about to depart, demanded an explanation.

"We have been betrayed by Forster-that is all that can be told," cried Mackintosh, scornfully.

"General Forster is no traitor, my lords," said Oxburgh, firmly. "I have just seen Wills, who refuses to make any treaty with us, and insists that we shall lay down our arms. Our answer must be given within an hour, and but little of it now remains."

"We have had no time for deliberation," said Lord Carnwath.

"Perchance, if you go to General Wills in person, my lords, you may obtain some further respite," said Oxburgh. "I can obtain nothing."

"Shall I go as representative of the Scottish forces?" said Captain Dalziel.

"Go at once, or it will be too late. You have not many minutes left," said Oxburgh.

"Do you agree to the step, brigadier?" asked Captain Dalziel.

"Act as those desire who have more to lose than I have," said Mackintosh.

"Then go," cried the three Scottish n.o.bles.

Thereupon, Captain Dalziel rode forth, and preceded by the same trumpeter who had attended Colonel Oxburgh, made all haste to General Wills's tent.

A conference was granted him.

"Are you aware of the terms I have offered to Colonel Oxburgh?" said Wills. "They apply to the whole rebel army-English and Scots. I can make no distinction."

"But the Scottish chiefs, whom I represent, request some further time-say till seven o'clock tomorrow morning-to consult as to the best mode of delivering up our forces. It will not be an easy matter."

"If you find it difficult, leave it to me," said Wills, with a stern smile. "I cannot grant the delay you request without consulting General Carpenter-but you shall hear from me."

And with a haughty bow he dismissed him.

VI.

How Forster learnt that he had been betrayed

AFTER riding away from the exasperated Highlanders, Forster alighted at the town-hall, and meeting Charles Radclyffe and Captain Shaftoe told them what had happened.

"I believe Brigadier Mackintosh has ordered his Highlanders to shoot me," he said. "My life will not be safe."

"Do not think it, general," rejoined Charles Radclyffe. "The brigadier is incapable of such an act. But you had better not expose yourself while the negotiation for the surrender is going on."

"I shall take care not to do so," he replied. "I shall remain here for an hour. I want to see Mrs. Scarisbrick."

"Mrs. Scarisbrick!" exclaimed Charles Radclyffe. "Have you not heard?"

"Heard what?" exclaimed Forster, looking at him in surprise. "I have heard nothing. I have not seen her this morning. I expected to find her here."

"She is here," said Charles Radclyffe. "But I cannot explain. Come with me, and you shall know all."

Not without a strange misgiving did Forster follow him along a pa.s.sage on the ground floor, at a door in which an elderly female was stationed.

"Here you will find her," said Charles Radclyffe, in a strangely significant tone.