As to the Ironside leader himself, he remained for more than two hours in the colonel’s chamber, where, as we have already stated, he caused a wood fire to be lighted, and where subsequently a copious repast was served him, of which he partook. His meal ended, it occurred to him to make an external examination of the house; but, on going forth, he did not allow the room to remain untenanted, leaving Sergeant Delves and three troopers within it, and giving them strict orders on no account to go forth, even for a moment, until his return.
IV
OF THE MESSAGE SENT BY MICKLEGIFT TO STELFAX; AND OF THE PLAN FOR ENSNARING THE FUGITIVES DEVISED BY THE LATTER
ALL the sentinels were at their posts as Stelfax went his rounds, and nothing to excite suspicion had occurred. He next visited the stables, and, as matter of precaution, directed that his own charger, and half a dozen troopers’ horses, should be kept saddled and bridled. This done, he proceeded to the garden, in order to study the architecture of the back part of the mansion. The massive chimney in which the lurking-hole was contrived stood on this side of the building, and projected far from the wall, rising from its base in gradations like those of a buttress. Stelfax easily made out the position of the hiding-place, but could detect no other recess of the kind. He was in the act of measuring the projection of the chimney, when Helpless Henly brought word that two persons were at the outer gate, desiring speech with him. On inquiry, these individuals proved to be Nehemiah Lift-up-hand and Lawrence Creek. Stelfax consenting to see them, Henly departed, and presently returned with the two men. Very grave salutations passed between the Ironside leader and his visitors.
“We have come to thee, valiant captain,” premised Nehemiah, who acted as spokesman, “on behalf of the godly Master Increase Micklegift, to remonstrate with thee on thy behaviour towards him, and to see if thou wilt make him some amends for the maltreatment he hath received.”
“Ye will lose your labour, good sirs,” Stelfax rejoined, sternly. “I will make Master Increase Micklegift no amends. I have driven him from the house, and forbidden him to return to it.”
“This we know, captain,” said Nehemiah, “and we grieve that thou shouldst have so far stretched thy authority against the good man. He meant thee well, and in his humility and Christian charity is willing to overlook the dishonourable treatment he hath experienced, and to be reconciled unto thee.”
“I rejoice to hear it,” Stelfax rejoined. “Is this the sum of his message to me?”
“No, captain,” said Nehemiah. “The good man wishes to be allowed to confer with thee.”
“A mere pretence to obtain admission to the house,” thought Stelfax. “He desires to confer with me, thou sayest?” he added aloud. “On what matter?”
“Nay, I am not in his confidence, valiant captain,” Nehemiah replied; “but I know that his business is of moment.”
“Ere I make a reply, I would put a question to thee in my turn, good master messenger. Said he aught to thee concerning the daughter of the Episcopalian divine, Master Beard?”
“Yea, verily, he told me thou hadst threatened to take her away as thy captive,” Nehemiah answered. “But he added, that he felt assured thou wouldst not carry thy menace into effect, inasmuch as he could show thee cogent reasons against it.”
“And what, I prithee, were those weighty reasons of his, good master messenger? Did he mention them?”
“He hinted, as the phrase is, that he had an offer to make to thee, provided thou wouldst engage to leave the damsel unmolested.”
“I knew it!” exclaimed Stelfax. “Take back my answer, good master messenger, and say unto Micklegift that I reject his proposal, whatsoever it may be. I will have nought to do with him. He is faithless and perverse, and in league with the Amalekites, and if he presents himself again within this dwelling while I am here, I will cause him to be driven forth with blows and fustigation. Say this to him, without circumlocution.”
“Since thou thinkest thus unjustly of the worthy man, captain, nothing more can be said,” Nehemiah rejoined. “I scarcely like to add what he desired us to declare unto thee in case a deaf ear should be turned to his remonstrances.”