“Have we any chance of escape now, think you?” asked Lord Wintoun.
“Very little, I fear,” replied the brigadier. “But we must be prepared to take advantage of any unforeseen circumstances to-morrow. It is not likely that any will occur-but it may be!”
| Go To Table of Contents |
XI
The Terms of the Treaty are accepted
A DISMAL day dawned on Preston.
The inhabitants had heard of the capitulation; but did not feel sure it would be carried out-many of the more timid being apprehensive that the town would still be the scene of a most sanguinary conflict.
In the opinion of these persons the Highlanders would not submit, but would make a most desperate attempt to sally forth, which would end in their extermination.
The English insurgents had made up their minds to surrender, and seemed hardly able to realise the position in which they were placed, for most of them displayed unaccountable indifference.
Perhaps, they persuaded themselves that clemency would be shown them. If so, they were mistaken. The town-hall was crowded with ladies who had passed the night there, and did not mean to quit the asylum till all was settled.
Once more, and for the last time, Captain Gordon ascended the church-tower at break of day, and looked around.
The besiegers had drawn so much nearer to the town, that they seemed now quite close at hand.
The militia had likewise quitted their position on the south bank of the Ribble, and stationed themselves near the upper end of the Wigan road.
In fact, the town was completely invested, and Captain Gordon saw at a glance that it would be impossible to break through such a cordon.
In the Churchgate and Fishergate the barricades were undisturbed, but no preparations were made for the renewal of the fight.
Brigadier Mackintosh was no longer at his post, and most of the Highlanders had retired to the houses, anxious to snatch a few hours’ rest, and certain they would be summoned when required.
No sound of bagpipes was heard.
The neglected batteries, deserted streets, and dejected air of such troopers as could be seen, offered a marked contrast to the formidable appearance of the besiegers. Captain Gordon felt that the contest was over, and desired to see no more.
Later on, all the English and Scottish leaders, with the exception of the two who had surrendered themselves as hostages, assembled at the Mitre, when it was finally agreed that the terms of the treaty should be accepted.
“My men are willing to submit,” said Mackintosh. “But they look upon themselves as sacrificed. Bitterly do I now reproach myself that I ever brought them to England against their will, and that I did not turn back at Lancaster. They might have helped the Earl of Mar to win a battle. Poor fellows! they will now be transported and sold as slaves. My heart bleeds for them.”
“We Scots have all cause to regret that we ever crossed the Border,” said Lord Kenmure. “But we have done our best for King James, and if we had been supported, we might have succeeded. We have had a High Tory general, yet not one of the party has joined us.”
“No one can have been more disappointed than myself,” said Forster. “If we had only reached Manchester-”
“Why did we not reach that town? tell us that,” cried Brigadier Mackintosh.
“I admit we ought not to have stayed so long in Preston,” said Forster. “But you all seemed unwilling to quit your quarters, and I apprehended no danger.”
“‘Tis idle to regret the past,” said Lord Widdrington; “you have complained of the absence of the High Church Tories, my lord,” he added, to Lord Kenmure. “But you cannot say that the Roman Catholics have failed you.”
“No, they have proved our staunchest friends,” replied Lord Kenmure. “And a braver and a better commander cannot be found than Lord Derwentwater.”
“In that we all agree,” said Lord Nithsdale and the other Scottish nobles.
“The hour at which the armistice expires is close at hand,” said Forster, “and we must therefore prepare to conclude this painful business properly. We will remain here, but all the officers-English and Scotch-must forthwith assemble within the churchyard to deliver up their arms. Let immediate orders be given to that effect,” he added to Charles Radclyffe and Captain Dalziel, who at once departed on the errand.