“Lord Goring and Lord Jermyn are in the banqueting-hall with the countess,” said Lord Derby. “Shall I summon them?”
“No, I will go thither,” said the queen. “Come with me, fair demoiselle,” she added graciously to Gertrude. “I will provide you with a fitting disguise.”
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V
How Gertrude personated the Queen
ALL was arranged as Frank Standish had suggested, and a suitable riding-dress having been found for Gertrude, darkness had no sooner come on, than she rode forth from Lathom House, closely attended by Standish and followed by a party of well-mounted men-at-arms.
They took the road to Wigan, and had not proceeded more than two miles, when they entered a wood. It was here that Standish expected the attack would be made. Nor was he wrong in the calculation. They had not advanced far when the trampling of a large body of horse was heard behind them. At the same time an officer, who was recognised as Bootle, galloped quickly up, and shouted to them to surrender.
“We know the queen is with you,” he said. “She cannot escape. Yield her up quietly, and your lives shall be spared.”
“We will part with life sooner than yield up our charge,” replied Standish.
“Then we will cut you in pieces and take her,” cried Bootle.
“You will never assist at her capture, villain,” said Standish. “Take the reward of your treachery.”
And plucking a pistol from his belt, he fired, and Bootle fell from his horse, though not mortally wounded.
After this incident, Standish and his men continued to gallop on, but their progress was soon checked by another large party of Parliamentary troopers who were drawn across the road.
“Yield!” shouted Colonel Holland, who commanded the party in front. “If a single shot be fired, every man shall be put to death.”
Then riding up to Standish, he said:
“I know you are escorting the queen to Warrington. Where is she?”
Standish made no reply, and Colonel Holland repeated the question in a yet more authoritative and menacing tone.
“If her majesty were here I would never deliver her up to you with life,” said Standish.
“This denial is useless,” said Holland. “I can see her yonder, surrounded by your men, who vainly attempt to hide her.”
“That is not the queen,” said Standish. “Satisfy yourself on the point.”
“I am satisfied,” rejoined Colonel Holland. “I require no further proof. It will be time enough to put any questions to her majesty, when I have conveyed her safely to Manchester. You and your men must accompany me thither.”
“As prisoners?” demanded Standish.
“As prisoners. Resistance would be useless. I therefore recommend you to deliver up your arms quietly.”
The injunction was obeyed. Standish and his men were disarmed, but every respect was paid to her whom the Parliamentary leaders supposed to be the queen; and as Gertrude did not utter a word, and was not required to remove the half-mask that covered her face, no discovery was made.
Meanwhile both divisions of the rebel force had now formed a junction—the Royalists being placed in the midst, so that the important captive was well guarded.
At the head of the troop rode Colonel Holland, and he now took a road across a moor leading towards Bolton, whence he intended to diverge to Manchester. But he soon found he was followed by a company of horse, whose shouts convinced him they were Royalists.
Anxious to avoid an engagement with them, he quickened his pace, but it soon appeared that the Cavaliers had the swiftest horses, for they speedily overtook the rebels, and fell with great fury on their rear, killing several, and driving others into the morass.
Owing to the narrowness of the causeway, Colonel Holland was unable to wheel round, and sustained considerable loss before he could reach firm ground. He then formed as quickly as he could, and prepared to receive the Royalists, whom he found were commanded by the Earl of Derby in person.
A sharp conflict took place, but though the combatants were nearly equally matched in point of numbers, and fought well on both sides, it soon became evident that the Cavaliers were gaining ground. Colonel Holland, therefore, decided upon a retreat, but determined at the same time to carry off his royal captive, who was placed for safety at the rear.
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