“I am not in a mood for pity,” said the earl, sternly.
“No quarter given!” cried Marsh. “I repent me of the bargain I have made. Take back the money.”
“’Tis too late now,” said Standish. “Thy compact must be fulfilled. Guide me forthwith to the Private Acres.”
Then turning to the earl, he added: “Your lordship shall not have to wait long for admittance at the Bradshaw Gate.”
Putting himself at the head of a company of musketeers, and keeping Marsh beside him, Standish then proceeded cautiously towards the town.
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III
What passed between Colonel Rigby and Rosworm
RIGBY and his officers were greatly elated by their successful defence of the town. But they scarcely liked to acknowledge how much they owed to the skill of the great German engineer.
Rosworm had not taken an active part of the defence, but had explained his plans to Rigby, by whom they were carried out, with the result just described.
But though Rupert and Lord Derby had been repulsed, Rosworm felt certain the assault would be renewed, and with additional vigour, and he warned Rigby not to be too confident, since he had terrible foes to deal with, who were bent upon vengeance, and would not depart without it.
Rigby paid little heed to the counsel, for he now felt sure he could hold out till assistance arrived from Wigan, Blackburn, Manchester, and other places.
“Before to-morrow, I shall be reinforced by ten thousand men,” he said.
“But before to-morrow, the town may be taken,” rejoined Rosworm.
“I am not uneasy,” said Rigby. “After the reception given them I do not think the prince and Lord Derby will venture to make another assault. But should they do so, we shall repulse them again.”
“Keep out the cavalry and you are safe,” said Rosworm. “But should they once enter, the town is lost.”
“You have fortified the place so well that it is impregnable,” said Rigby.
“There is but one weak spot, and that the enemy will never discover,” said Rosworm.
“Ha! where is it?” inquired Rigby, somewhat uneasily. “I have not found it out myself. I thought the walls were perfect. I have been round them several times, and could detect nothing wrong.”
“The walls are quite secure, but there is a subterranean passage under the ditch that may be used as a sally-port,” replied Rosworm. “It leads to a place called the Private Acres.”
“Where is the entrance to this subterranean passage?” asked Rigby.
“In the cellar of a house belonging to one Stephen Marsh,” replied Rosworm. “The man is well affected towards the Parliament.”
“May be so,” said Rigby. “But the habitation ought to be guarded. I will give orders to that effect, but I must first go to the church, where two worthy ministers, Master John Harper, Pastor of Bolton, and Master John Fogg, Pastor of Liverpool, are offering up prayers.”
“I will cause a guard to be placed there myself, since you deem it needful,” said Rosworm. “But I desire to say a word to you respecting the prisoners who have been brought here from Knowsley by Captain Bootle. Do you intend to detain them?”
“Ay, till they are ransomed,” replied Rigby. “But I cannot bestow a thought upon them now.”
“Do you know where they are?”
“Not exactly,” replied Rigby. “I directed Bootle to provide them with a lodging, and he told me he had done so. As I have just said, I have not had time to think of them.”
“They are lodged in the very house we have just been speaking of—Stephen Marsh’s,”—said Rosworm. “The young damsel was greatly terrified by the assault, and offered me some jewels if I would deliver her and her father, and their Spanish servant. But I could not comply without consulting you. Will you take these jewels as a ransom, and let them go? They can depart by this subterranean passage.”
“Are they aware of the outlet?” asked Rigby.
“No; neither is Captain Bootle,” replied Rosworm.
“I will give the matter consideration,” said Rigby. “The prisoners are best here for the present.”
“But we may have another assault.”
“If so, they shall be removed to a safer place. When I have been to church—if nothing happens to prevent me—I will go to Marsh’s house.”