The Scottish nobles behaved with great dignity, and were treated with the utmost respect by Lord Forrester, who made no remark calculated to give them pain.
For the first time in his life Brigadier Mackintosh’s courage forsook him.
Kissing the hilt of his claymore, as he gave up the weapon, he said in broken accents:
“Farewell, old friend! I never thought to part with you, save with life!”
The ceremony was soon over, for Lord Forrester did not needlessly prolong it. Before departing, he said, addressing the assemblage:
“An hour hence, General Carpenter will enter the town to receive his prisoners. By that time, the entire rebel force must be drawn up in the market-place to surrender arms. None must be absent, on any pretence whatever, and on pain of severe punishment. For the execution of this order, I look to you, General Forster, to you, my Lord Derwentwater, to you, my Lord Widdrington, to you my lords,” turning to the Scottish nobles, “to you, brigadier, and to you, Colonel Mackintosh.”
“My lord,” remonstrated the brigadier, “an hour is but a short time to bring together a number of unruly Highlanders-”
“It must suffice,” interrupted Lord Forrester. “You could get them ready for action in that time.”
“True, my lord,” replied the brigadier. “But a surrender is different. They will have to be driven to the place.”
“Colonel Mackintosh, I trust you see no difficulty?” said Lord Forrester, turning to the chief.
“None, my lord,” was the reply. “My clansmen will die with me, if I bid them.”
“In an hour, then,” said Forrester as he quitted the room.
Mounting his horse, and attended by the guard, bearing the arms, he galloped off to General Carpenter’s quarters.
“What has been done?” asked Carpenter.
“The business is settled,” replied Lord Forrester. “An hour hence the entire rebel force will surrender in the market-place.”
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XIV
The Two Generals enter the Town
AMID the sound of trumpets and drums, General Carpenter entered the conquered town at the head of two regiments of dragoons. He was accompanied by the Earl of Carlisle and Lord Lumley, and had with him Colonels Churchill and Molesworth, and a brilliant staff of officers.
As he rode slowly along Church-street, by which avenue he made his entrance, he looked with some curiosity at the blackened remains of the houses, and other evidences of the fight. For a few minutes he halted on the spot where the barricade had been reared, and explained what had been done to the noblemen with him, giving Brigadier Mackintosh full credit for his plan of defence.
“The barriers could not have been better placed,” he said; “and though the town must have succumbed to Wills, it might have held out for another day-perhaps till now.”
With these remarks, with which Churchill and Molesworth entirely concurred, he proceeded towards the market-place, noticing everything as he rode on.
Meanwhile, martial strains resounding at the north side of the town, announced the entrance of General Wills and four regiments of dragoons by the Lancaster avenue.
Wills was attended by Brigadiers Pitt and Dormer, and, like General Carpenter, had a staff of officers with him. He had not the curiosity to look around, and scarcely troubled himself to consider where the Windmill barricade had been situated.
In addition to the dragoons, just mentioned, three regiments of foot, commanded by Lord Forrester, Captain Sabine, and Captain Fane, entered by the Fishergate avenue, and proceeded towards the market-place.
Notwithstanding this imposing military display, very few persons were to be seen in the streets, and but few shouts welcomed the victors.
In the market-place, a very striking, but very sad spectacle was to be seen, and this attracted all the townsfolk who could find access thither.
Here, as enjoined by the conquerors, all the insurgent troops were drawn up preparatory to a general surrender.
Yes! they were all there-with the exception of General Forster. Lord Derwentwater’s troop, commanded by Charles Radclyffe and Captain Shaftoe, and comprising all the handsome young gentlemen, of whom so much has been said-Lord Widdrington’s troop, commanded by Captain Errington and Captain Gascoigne-the moss-troopers and Borderers, commanded by Captains Douglas and Hunter, and the troop commanded by the brave Wogan.