“Thou askest by whom that proclamation touching the apprehension of the Man Charles Stuart hath been set up,” the messenger said. “Know, Wolston Maunsel, that it was I, Nehemiah Lift-up-hand, who placed it on the tree growing at thy gate. I did so at the bidding of Hezron Stelfax, Captain of the Lord-General Cromwell’s own chosen troop of Ironsides; the said valiant and God-fearing captain being now at Lewes.”
“Pluck it down, some of ye, and hew it in pieces,” the colonel ejaculated, wrathfully.
“Let any man remove it on peril of his life,” Nehemiah cried, taking a pistol from his belt. “I have placed the mandate before thy dwelling, thou son of Belial, and there it shall remain.”
As the words were uttered, the persons by whom the messenger was attended came up, and proved to be the emissary from Goldsmiths’ Hall, Thomas Sunne, Thomas Geere, and Increase Micklegift. The Independent minister, however, kept a little in the rear of the others.
“Do as I bid ye! On your fealty to me—on your allegiance to the king—I charge you pluck down that proclamation,” the colonel vociferated.
But no one stirred.
“Thy servants owe no allegiance to the son of the man who caused Israel to sin,” Nehemiah rejoined, “and who provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger by his vanities. Even as Elah, the son of Baasha, was slain by Zimri, captain of the chariots, so shall Charles, the son of Charles, perish by the hand of the great captain of our new Israel.”
“Take heed lest an Omri arise to depose thy murderous and rebellious leader,” the colonel retorted, carried away by passion, “and cause him to burn the king’s house over him, so that he perish by fire, like Zimri. Since none of you will pluck down that insolent placard, I will do so myself.”
Ere he could execute his rash purpose, however, the twang of a bow was heard, a quarrel whistled past, and plunged deeply into the bark of the tree, severing the cord by which the board was hung to a small branch. Whereupon, the proclamation instantly dropped to the ground.
A loud burst of laughter from his companions followed this proof of Ninian’s skill in the management of the cross-bow. But the young falconer took instantly to his heels; probably thereby escaping the vengeance of Nehemiah, who, on discovering the author of the mischief, discharged his pistol at him, but without effect.
The report of the pistol, echoing loudly through the valley, brought several other persons to the scene of action. Menacing cries arose at the same time from the colonel’s attendants, amongst whom were Eustace Saxby, Martin Geere, Giles Moppett, old Ticehurst, Elias Crundy, and the rest of our acquaintances, who had accompanied their master to the gate. But the most formidable demonstration was made by Ninian, who, having fled to the farmyard, presently returned at the head of a posse of rustics, armed with flails, pitchforks, and bills. These sturdy fellows, as they rushed up, surrounded Colonel Maunsel and Dulcia, like a bodyguard, uttering fearful threats against the Roundheads.
On the other hand, Nehemiah and his party had been materially reinforced, and maintained their ground resolutely. No sooner was the pistol fired by the state-messenger, than, apprehensive of mischief, Thomas Geere hurried off to all such cottages as were tenanted by Puritans, and in a very short space of time collected together some dozen or fourteen hinds, armed much in the same manner as Ninian’s companions. Chief amongst these upholders of the authority of the Rump Parliament was Morefruit Stone, a fanatic of such a morose-looking and ill-favoured aspect, that if his daughter Temperance had borne any resemblance to him, it is not likely she would ever have caused Patty Whinchat a moment’s jealous uneasiness.
A conflict seemed imminent; and if it took place, the passions of the men on both sides being fully roused, there could be no doubt that the consequences would be disastrous. It was this feeling that prevented the colonel from allowing his men to make an attack upon their opponents.
Taking up a position by the side of his father, Ninian began deliberately to bend his cross-bow with the gaffle, muttering to himself, as he did so,