“Never will I raise the siege, colonel,” rejoined Lord Derby firmly, “unless by his majesty’s express command. The bloody strife must, therefore, continue. But be not too confident that you can maintain the town. That I have underrated your strength I freely admit—but in concluding you can hold out you are equally mistaken.”
“We can hold out till we are relieved, my lord,” said the governor. “Reinforcements are certain to be sent us by the Parliament.”
“But they may be cut off,” rejoined the earl. “Prince Rupert will take care they do not reach you.”
“We have little apprehension on that score, my lord,” said the governor. “Prince Rupert will be wanted by the king.”
“Then all my attempts at pacification are vain,” said the earl. “In an hour I shall recommence the attack. Be not surprised if we should visit the town to-night.”
“In that case I must prepare for your lordship’s reception,” rejoined the governor.
And courteously saluting the earl, he rode back to the town with his companions.
Scarcely was he gone when Sir Thomas Tyldes-ley informed the earl that a messenger had just arrived from the king.
“‘Tis Captain Galliard,” said Sir Thomas; “he has brought this letter for your lordship.”
Lord Derby hastily opened the despatch, and glanced at its contents.
In spite of his habitual self-command, he could not conceal his annoyance.
“Your lordship looks disturbed,” said Sir Thomas; “I hope you have not received bad news?”
“So bad that I scarcely like to mention them, Sir Thomas,” replied the earl. “His majesty has commanded me to raise the siege, and return to Warrington without delay.”
“But you will not obey the injunction, my lord,” said Tyldesley.
Lord Derby made no reply, but desired to speak with the messenger, whereupon Captain Galliard came forward.
“Are you acquainted with the contents of this despatch, sir?” asked the earl.
“No, my lord,” replied Galliard. “I received it from his majesty’s own hands, and he bade me tell your lordship that it must be instantly obeyed. I have ridden as hard as I could from Nottingham.”
“I would you had arrived an hour later, for the attack would then have commenced,” said the earl. “Never before did I feel inclined to disobey his majesty’s order. What shall I do, Tyldesley?”
“I dare not counsel you, my lord,” replied the other. “But I know what I would do myself.”
“No! no! I must not be disloyal,” cried the earl.
Then turning to Sir Alexander Radcliffe and the others, he said:
“Gentlemen, the attack will not be made. I have just received the king’s orders to raise the siege forthwith.”
They looked at each other in surprise and consternation.
“My lord,” said Sir Alexander Radcliffe, “the men will be greatly dissatisfied when they hear the order. They feel certain we should take the town to-day.”
“It cannot be helped,” rejoined the earl.
Then turning to Standish, he bade him cross the river at Ordsall, and proceed as quickly as he could to Salford to communicate the intelligence to Lord Molineux and Sir John Girlington.
“Take Captain Galliard with you,” he added.
Standish immediately rode off on his errand, accompanied by the messenger.
Nothing could exceed the dissatisfaction of the soldiers when the order was made known to them.
The arrival of Captain Galliard and his interview with the earl had been witnessed by Rosworm from the summit of the church-tower, and he at once inferred from the subsequent proceedings that the siege would be raised, and communicated his opinion to the governor.
The opinion seemed confirmed, when no attack was made.
All remained quiet throughout the day, and nothing was heard during the night, but when Rosworm looked from the church-tower next morn, the bridge was clear—the besiegers were gone from Salford, and from Alport Park, and had taken their ordnance with them.
END OF BOOK THE FIRST.
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BOOK THE SECOND
CHARLOTTE DE LA TRÉMOILLE, COUNTESS OF DERBY
I
Lathom House
ABOUT a week after the siege of Manchester had been raised in the manner previously related, the Earl of Derby, accompanied by Lord Molineux and Sir John Girlington, and attended by a large body of men, set out from Wigan—one of the few towns in Lancashire that remained perfectly faithful to the king, and took his way towards Lathom House.