And he bowed and departed.
Shortly afterwards, the countess proceeded to the parade accompanied by her attendants.
A great number of musketeers were assembled to hear what she had to say to the messenger, who was standing in their midst.
The man, who had a trumpet suspended from his shoulder, bore himself bravely, and returned the fierce looks thrown at him. He had a letter in his belt, and delivered it to Captain Chisenhale, by whom it was handed to the countess.
While reading the missive she seemed scarcely able to control her indignation, and when she had done, she called out in a loud voice:
“You shall all hear the message sent me by that insolent fellow Rigby. He tells me this is his last letter, that he will write to me no more, and summons me to yield up to him Lathom House, and all the persons within it, all arms and munitions, and sue for mercy to Parliament. Furthermore, he requires me to return my final answer before two o’clock to-morrow. What think you of this letter?”
Cries of indignation resounded on all sides, and menacing looks were cast at the messenger.
“Come forward, fellow,” cried the countess to the man, who tremblingly obeyed. “It were a fitting reward for thy presumption to hang thee up at my gates.”
“Nay, spare me, I pray your ladyship,” cried the poor wretch, seeing how eager all around were to execute the threat. “I could not refuse obedience to Colonel Rigby’s command.”
“Nay, I waste not my anger on thee. Thou art merely the instrument of a traitor, and shalt go back in safety. Tell the insolent rebel how I received his letter,” she added, tearing it in pieces. “Tell him I deride his summons. Never shall he have Lathom House—never! Rather than surrender it to him I will burn it in his sight. We will all perish together. Myself, my children, my soldiers, and my household will seal our loyalty and religion in the same flame. This is my final answer.”
As she concluded, loud acclamations arose, and the assemblage shouted with one voice, “We will all die for our noble lord and lady! God save the king!”
With these shouts ringing in his ears, the Trumpet was hurried to the gate, and thrust forth ignominiously, glad to escape with life.
When he got back to Rigby, he told him what had happened, and added, that in his opinion the garrison would never surrender.
“I expected no other answer from that furious woman,” he said. “But thou art mistaken as to the garrison. It cannot withstand our next assault.”
“Wherefore not?” demanded the Trumpet.
“Because they have no powder,” replied Rigby. “That I have just found out.”
“I can scarcely think it from what I have just seen and heard,” said the Trumpet.
“‘Tis certain, nevertheless,” rejoined Rigby.
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XXIII
Showing how the Great Mortar was captured by Standish and Chisenhale
IMMEDIATELY after the departure of the Trumpet, all the officers of the garrison were summoned to a council, at which it was decided that an attempt should be forthwith made to bring away the mortar, as it was felt that the capture of this terrible engine would inflict the heaviest blow on the enemy, and serve to raise the flagging spirits of their own men.
The best mode of carrying out the enterprise was then discussed, and various plans were suggested; the boldest of which, proposed by Captain Standish, met with the approval of the countess and Major Farrington, and was therefore adopted.
It was next settled that the sortie should be made about half an hour before daybreak on the morrow, and the utmost caution was to be observed, so as not to alarm the sentinels of the enemy.
The officers appointed to the dangerous service by the countess were Captains Standish and Chisenhale, with Lieutenants Bretergh and Walthew. But all were to be employed. To Captains Ogle and Foxe the command of the main guard was entrusted. Captain Rawsthorne had charge of the sally-port. Captain Molineux Radcliffe had command of the marksmen and musketeers; and the post assigned to Captain Farmer, with a party of fifty men, was the parade. Moreover, he had charge of the gateway.