Preston Fight by W. Harrison Ainsworth

“You have rendered me a great service,” said the prince. “But where am I to go on board the sloop?-at Berwick?”

“No, my liege,” replied Lord Widdrington. “Since there is almost a certainty of fine weather, Captain Hawker will weigh anchor at nine o’clock, and fire a gun to let you know when he gets off the castle.”

The prince signified his approval of the arrangement.

“A boat shall be ready to take you to the sloop, so that your majesty may embark immediately,” said Forster.

Again the prince expressed his satisfaction, but he asked Mr. Forster if he had noticed the boat containing the armed men, that had crossed the Fairway, apparently to reconnoitre the castle.

“Those men were only fishermen, my liege,” replied the squire. “I felt sure they would move off, and so they did. It is not by those poor fellows that your majesty’s departure will be hindered.”

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VIII

How the Sheriff and his Troop were cared for

EARLY in the morning, Captain Wogan with his brother, and Mr. Talbot and his brother, set forth on horseback to patrol the country, and proceeded towards Dunstanborough stationing themselves at various points commanding the road.

They did not return till late in the afternoon, and then they brought no alarming intelligence. There were no signs whatever of the approach of the enemy. They had seen Sir John Webb’s carriage in the distance, but it came on so slowly that they had not waited for it.

Half an hour afterwards the carriage arrived, and then the prince learnt what had happened, and was greatly amused by Sir John’s description of the arrest made by the sheriff.

It appeared that the supposed royal prisoner was taken to Newcastle, where the mistake was quickly discovered, and the man set at liberty. Sir John was likewise allowed to proceed on his journey.

“The sheriff was very much mortified by the great blunder he had made,” remarked Sir John. “But I don’t think he will give up the pursuit, and I fear your majesty may expect a visit from him at Bamborough.”

“I hope I shall be gone before he makes his appearance,” said the prince. “To-night I set sail for France.”

“Since such is the case, I have only to wish your majesty a safe and speedy voyage,” said Sir John. “And I sincerely trust nothing may occur to interfere with your departure.”

A plan to be adopted in the event of any sudden emergency having been decided upon, the prince agreed to dine at the mansion, and the whole of the party assembled as before, with the addition of Sir John and Lady Webb.

All the servants had received their orders, so no apprehension was entertained of a surprise. The prince was not in very good spirits, and Dorothy, who sat next to him, did her best to cheer him.

The repast was about half over, when a servant hastily entered the room, and informed his master that the sheriff had arrived with a large posse of men.

On this the prince immediately arose, and in pursuance of the plan previously arranged passed through a window into the garden, where a servant was waiting to conduct him by a private entrance to the castle. No one else attended his highness.

The company remained at table; the prince’s chair being instantly removed, and the vacancy filled up. All this was the work of a few moments.

Shortly afterwards, the sheriff was ushered into the room, and seemed greatly surprised by the sight of so large a party, for which he was evidently unprepared.

While he was hesitating what to do, Mr. Forster arose, and greeting him in a friendly manner, said:

“I hope you are come to dine with me, Sir William. I shall be very glad of your company, I assure you.”

“But I have business of importance, sir,” cried the sheriff.

“We will discuss that after dinner,” said Forster.

“I am very sorry to interrupt you, sir, but-”

“Nay, I will take no refusal,” cried Forster, leading him to the table.

At a sign from Forster a chair was then brought, and placed next his own, and the sheriff was almost forced into it.