The Leaguer of Lathom by W. Harrison Ainsworth

“Why should not a gate be opened to us at Liverpool?” said the prince.

“The man must be found to do it,” remarked the earl.

“Here he is,” said Rupert, as Standish, who had just dismounted, entered the prince’s tent.

After salutations had passed the prince said:

“You have heard, Colonel Standish, that the first attack on the town has been repulsed?”

“I have, your highness,” was the reply. “But your next attack will be successful.”

“Lord Derby thinks we ought to proceed by a regular siege. That is too slow for me. I want to join the Marquis of Newcastle at York and not waste time here. Can you open a gate for us as you did at Bolton?”

“To do so you must scale the walls,” observed the earl. “They are high and the ditch is deep. The chances are a thousand to one against you.”

“The more hazard the more honour,” said Standish. “If your highness will give me a detachment of your best soldiers, pontoons and scaling ladders, I will manage to get to the top of the walls. Once there, your highness shall enter Liverpool.”

“I know you do not make rash promises,” said the prince, well pleased. “You believe you can accomplish what you say. But you must see the fortifications and judge ere you decide.

“I should like to see them, your highness, but I have no doubt as to my decision.”

“If you hold to your determination, another assault shall be made to-morrow,” said the prince.

“I would not damp your ardour, Colonel Standish,” observed the earl. “But if you make the attempt I fear you will never behold your spouse again.”

“Fortune has hitherto favoured me, my lord, and will not desert me now.”

| Go to Table of Contents |

XIII

Death of Standish

NEXT morning, before daybreak, in pursuance of the prince’s orders, the whole of his force was under arms, and a general movement was made towards the town, but slowly and cautiously, so as not to alarm the garrison.

From the Beacon Hill, on the brow of which Prince Rupert with the Earl of Derby and Lord Caryl Molineux were stationed, the town, with its fortifications, its castle, fort, and harbour, with the grand river flowing past, could be dimly descried.

The three personages were watching the advance of the army, preparatory to joining the attack.

In the van was a regiment of cuirassiers, led by Colonel Standish, which was marching towards the gate at the entrance of Dale-street.

At this gate were two large pieces of ordnance, and besides the usual guard, it had a troop of horse to defend it.

Facing it was a battery, just erected by the besiegers, that mounted three heavy guns.

As yet neither besieged nor besiegers had fired a shot.

But the prince and his companions did not remain long near the Beacon.

After looking on for a few minutes, they galloped down the hill, and each was at his post before the roar of the castle guns announced that the advance of the Royalists was perceived.

At the same time the battery opposite Dale-street opened fire, and being answered by the cannon of the gate, a sort of duel took place between the engineers on either side, that seemed likely to end in favour of the besiegers, two of their shot having already burst through the stout oak framework.

Meanwhile, the other gates were likewise attacked by Lord Derby and Lord Caryl Molineux, and defended with equal vigour.

Several ineffectual attempts were likewise made by the besiegers to scale the walls by means of ladders placed in pontoons.

Everywhere, indeed, the most determined resistance was offered by the besieged, and a ceaseless fire was kept up by them from the walls, which were shielded, as we have described, by bags of wool. Moreover, the large shot thrown by the castle guns, caused great destruction wherever they alighted.

Apparently, no advantage had been gained by the Royalists at any point, except at the entrance of Dale-street, and the captain of the guard, fearing the gate would soon be battered down, ordered the troop of horse stationed there to sally forth and dislodge the cannon at the battery.