“Had not General Forster been our leader, the garrison would never have been in this strait,” said Colonel Mackintosh. “We might have been overcome, but we would not have died without inflicting some loss on our assailants.”
“‘Tis better as it is,” said Churchill. “I have to receive the paroles of honour of certain gentlemen that they will perform their promises, and then I will conduct you to General Wills.”
“We will ride on to the Fishergate outlet and await you there,” said Lord Derwentwater. “We care not to parade ourselves as prisoners.”
Colonel Churchill signified his assent, and the party separated.
| Go To Table of Contents |
IX
In what Manner the Hostages were received by General Wills
GENERAL CARPENTER was not present when the Earl of Derwentwater and Colonel Mackintosh were brought as hostages to Wills, but Brigadier Munden, Colonels Pitt, Wynn, and Stanhope were with him at the time.
The severe commander received the hostages very haughtily, and knitted his dark brows as he regarded them.
Lord Derwentwater comported himself with great dignity, but Colonel Mackintosh could scarcely restrain his anger, especially when Wills asked:
“Why have we not a Scotch nobleman? I required Lord Nithsdale or Lord Kenmure.”
“They declined to come, general,” replied Churchill.
“Methinks, the chief of the Clan Chattan might suffice,” said Mackintosh. “Had I refused to surrender not a Highlander would have laid down his arms.”
“And not one would have escaped,” rejoined Wills. “If you think you can stand against the king’s troops go back to the town, and I will immediately attack you.”
“If I take you at your word, I presume you will give General Forster a safe-conduct?” rejoined Mackintosh.
Wills looked fiercely at him, but made no response.
“If Colonel Mackintosh returns, I shall return, general,” said Lord Derwentwater, “and then the truce will be at an end. Attack us when you please, we shall be prepared for you.”
“Is this your decision, my lord,” cried Mackintosh, joyfully. “I am glad of it.”
“Hold!” exclaimed Wills, who did not desire that matters should take this turn. “Since the arrangement is partly concluded, I will not disturb it. By to-morrow these feelings of irritation will have calmed down, and then you will see that I have granted all I could.”
“Nothing has been granted,” said Colonel Mackintosh. “We shall be worse off to-morrow than we are to-day. Come with me my lord. Let us die together at Preston.”
“You cannot depart,” said Wills, authoritatively. “To-morrow you may have an opportunity of proving your bravery. To-night you must remain here. Let them be taken to their quarters, colonel,” he added to Churchill. “I am sorry I cannot offer you better accommodation.”
“Make no apologies, general,” said Lord Derwentwater, haughtily. “We know with whom we have to deal.”
They were then taken to a farm-house, where Parson Woods and his men were quartered, and where very inconvenient lodgings were found for them.
| Go To Table of Contents |
X
Brigadier Mackintosh dissuades the Earl of Wintoun from sallying forth
NO sooner did it become known that a capitulation had been agreed on than Lord Wintoun went to Brigadier Mackintosh, who so far from having retired to rest, was greatly on the alert, and entreated him to allow a strong body of his Highlanders to line the hedges on the Lancaster avenue, while he made a determined attempt at escape.
“I shall be accompanied by Major Nairn, Captain Philip Lockhart, Captain Shaftoe, and a dozen others, and we will either effect an escape or sell our lives dearly.”
“It is too late,” replied the brigadier. “My Highlanders could render you little assistance. The Lancaster avenue is now guarded by six squadrons of dragoons in addition to the former guard, so that you will infallibly be cut to pieces. Besides, hostages have been given, and that alone ought to deter you from making the attempt.”
“Then we must remain tamely here?” said Lord Wintoun.
“There is no help for it, my lord,” replied the brigadier. “If I had had my own way, things should never have come to this pass. We ought to have cut our way out before the arrival of General Carpenter.”
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131