The colloquy then ended, and Colonel Holland set out out on his return to Manchester.
| Go to Table of Contents |
XXV
Of Asaph the Avenger, and the terrible Crime he committed
FOR three days the besiegers remained perfectly quiet, keeping close within the trenches, and not firing a single shot.
Since they had removed all their large cannon the opportunity seemed favourable for making another nocturnal attack, and accordingly, on the second night, Captain Ogle sallied forth with a dozen musketeers. He was fired upon by a party who were lying in ambush near the postern-tower, but sustained no damage, and brought back more powder and match, together with a prisoner, who declared that he possessed some intelligence of the utmost importance, but refused to communicate it to any one, save the countess herself.
This being reported to her ladyship by Captain Ogle, she resolved to question him, and he was brought before her for that purpose on the following morning.
The interrogation took place in a room adjoining the great banquet-hall.
The prisoner was a strongly-built man with harsh features, and his closely-cropped hair and deportment proclaimed him a rigid Puritan.
His accoutrements were a buff coat and boots, but he had been deprived of his head-piece and belt, and, as was supposed, of all weapons.
He was guarded by a couple of musketeers, who could not force him, even with blows, to make an obeisance to the countess.
She was seated in a high-backed chair, and on either side of her were her daughters, Gertrude, Archdeacon Rutter, Major Farrington, and Standish.
The prisoner surveyed the assemblage sternly, and slightly started when his eye fell upon Gertrude. The damsel had noticed him at the same time, and observed to the countess:
“I recognise the man. He calls himself Asaph the Avenger, and is accounted one of the saints. He was well known to my father.”
“I like not his looks,” replied the countess. “He seems to me of an evil disposition, and full of hatred and malevolence.”
“Such is his character, madam,” said Gertrude. “For my own part I never could endure him.”
At this moment Asaph, who had hitherto been silent, lifted up his voice, and addressing Gertrude, said:
“What dost thou here, in the habitation of Jezebel, thou daughter of a holy and valiant man? It grieveth me to the heart to find thee whom I loved so well, abiding with the enemy.”
“Hold thy peace, thou psalm-singing hypocrite,” cried Captain Ogle, striking him with the flat of his sword. “Thou saidst thou hadst important information to give her ladyship. What is it?”
“I have to tell her that Colonel Holland, the righteous governor of Manchester, is bringing large reinforcements to Colonel Rigby. She will therefore be compelled to submit to the mercy of Parliament.”
“Art thou a messenger from Rigby, fellow?” demanded the countess, angrily.
“The man was taken prisoner last night in the trenches,” said Captain Ogle.
“I could easily have escaped, as this officer can testify, if he will speak the truth,” said Asaph. “But I allowed myself to be captured, because I desired to speak to thee—to warn thee that if thou dost continue to slaughter the saints, thou wilt be cut off by a sudden and violent death—thy soldiers will be slain—thine house destroyed, and turned into a nest of owls, and a den of dragons.”
“Take him hence,” cried the countess, fiercely. “I said I would hang the next messenger sent to me. This man has dared to usurp the office and shall not escape the penalty attached to it. Take him hence, and hang him from the walls that all his comrades may behold his punishment.”
Before any movement could be made to execute this stern decree, Gertrude threw herself at the countess’s feet, and cried:
“Spare him, madam, spare him, I implore you! It will more accord with your noble character and humane disposition to pardon such a miserable caitiff than to put him to death. He is beneath your resentment.”
The words and the tone in which they were uttered produced an impression on the countess, and seeing it, Gertrude arose and turning to Asaph, said:
“Down on thy knees, rash man. Sue for mercy, and thou shalt obtain it.”