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