“Our prisoners had a subtle demon to aid them, captain,” replied Delves. “Strong waters were treacherously introduced with the provisions from the house, and robbed the men of their senses, so that they were no longer under my control. I say not this in my own defence, but in explanation. The truth will appear upon inquiry, if I be brought before a court-martial.”
“Why didst thou not snatch the mischievous drink from the besotted fools?” demanded Stelfax.
“Alack, captain, all my efforts were unavailing. They resisted, and would not be bidden. But this was only part of a scheme, which I believe to have been devised by the Independent minister, Increase Micklegift. Men were hidden within the church, who came forth suddenly to aid in liberating the captives.”
“All this shows how culpably negligent hath been thy conduct,” said Stelfax. “A notable example will be made of thee.”
“Reproach me no more, captain,” cried Delves. “Your words are not needed to sharpen the stings of my own conscience. Oh! if I be not discarded from the service, no departure from duty shall ever again be laid to my charge.”
“Misconduct like thine cannot be lightly passed over, I tell thee,” returned Stelfax, somewhat appeased, though not choosing to let it appear that he was so. “Thou hast suffered a prisoner of great importance to escape from thee. Thou wert made responsible—body for body—for the security of the Lord Wilmot, who was committed to thy charge. How wilt thou answer for his evasion?”
“Even as you yourself have said, captain, with mine own body,” the sergeant returned.
“Go to! dolt. Think’st thou thy worthless carcase, or those of all thy mutinous comrades, will weigh with the Lord General against the head of this malignant nobleman? A great prize has been lost through thy negligence. I have hunted down Lord Wilmot’s companion, and brought him back captive, and thou mayst guess how it would have gladdened our general to receive the twain from my hands. Thou thyself wouldst have been advanced in his favour. I make little account of young Maunsel and the others, but the Lord Wilmot is a great loss.”
“But may he not be recaptured?” said Delves. “Release me from these bonds, and I will not rest till I bring him back to you, dead or alive. Fear nothing! I have no desire to escape punishment, but am wishful to repair the mischief I have done.”
“Be it so, then,” said Stelfax, after a moment’s reflection. “I will give thee a chance of redeeming thy errors. Untie those cords, and set him free,” he added, to the men near him.
The order was instantly obeyed, and the like grace was accorded to Besadaiah, who humbled himself, as the sergeant had done, promising better conduct in future.
Long before this, the troopers shut up in the tower had been let out, but they kept aloof, as long as they could, from their incensed leader. How the church bell had been rung was then explained. One of their number, aided by his comrades, who lifted him on their shoulders, after the manner practised by professional tumblers, had contrived to catch hold of the bell-rope, which had been tied up at a point supposed to be out of reach. The bell was then tolled without difficulty. The Ironside leader’s anger being by this time considerably abated, he contented himself with sharply reprimanding all the minor culprits. But the state in which Helpless Henly and the two other drunken troopers were found did not admit of their conduct being passed over so lightly. Causing the bandages to be removed from their mouths, but not suffering the cords with which they were bound to be taken off, their leader left them in this state to sleep off the effects of their drunken revel. While mustering the men, it suddenly occurred to him to inquire from Delves whom he had sent to the stables.
“I have sent no one,” the sergeant replied. “If any have gone thither, it must be the cunning malignants who carried off our weapons and accoutrements.”
“Thou art right!” exclaimed Stelfax. “Fool that I was, not to perceive this sooner! These men were seen and challenged by the sentinel, who took them for comrades because they were accoutred like us, and gave the watchword. Let us to the stables at once—though I fear the birds are flown. In that case we must scour the country for them.”