No intelligence had been received from Sir John Seaton, but it could not be doubted that when that brave commander heard of Lord Derby’s attack upon Lancaster, he would hasten to the assistance of the town and garrison.
Lord Derby was quite aware of the difficulties in which the garrison was placed. He knew they not only wanted powder and match, but provisions, since several hundreds of the townspeople had taken refuge in the castle, and must be fed. He also knew that the well would soon be drained, and the want of water and food must compel a speedy surrender.
He therefore determined to press the siege with the utmost vigour, and was detailing his plans at a council of war held in the town-hall, when a sudden change was caused by important intelligence brought him by his scouts from Preston.
That very night it appeared Sir John Seaton was about to march from Preston with fifteen hundred musketeers and some troops of horse to the relief of Lancaster.
Lord Molineux, Sir Thomas Tyldesley, and the other commanders and captains who assisted at the council, looked aghast, but Lord Derby seemed quite undismayed.
“Since Sir John Seaton is coming to Lancaster, we must go to Preston,” he said; “but by a different route. Doubtless, he will march through Garstang. Our route must, therefore, be by Cockerham, Kirkland, and Catterall. We will set forth at dusk with our whole force.”
“It will be dark in an hour, my lord,” said Sir Thomas Tyldesley. “The men are scattered about the town, and cannot be got together in that time.”
“They must,” said the earl. “Preston must be attacked to-night, and before dawn it will be in our hands.”
“A bold stroke, and I doubt not it will prove successful,” observed Lord Molineux.
“Deprived of all its strength, the town can offer no resistance, and must surrender,” said Sir John Girlington.
“Ay, the Royalists will not be afraid to declare themselves,” said Lord Molineux.
“They will welcome us as deliverers,” said Sir Gilbert Hoghton. “Sir John Seaton could not have served us better than by this movement.”
“‘Twill be a good exchange,” said Lord Derby. “Preston is of more importance to the king than Lancaster; and having recovered it, we will summon Blackburn.”
“Nothing would please me better than to punish that insolent town,” said Sir Gilbert Hoghton.
“Ere many days you shall have the satisfaction you desire, Sir Gilbert,” rejoined the earl. “But, first, we must secure Preston. Let the men be got together forthwith. But mark! no trumpets must be sounded; or our purpose will be suspected, and information sent to the enemy.”
“Tidings of Seaton’s design cannot yet have reached the garrison,” remarked Lord Molineux.
“I will not answer for it,” replied Lord Derby. “But if Colonel Holcroft finds we have quitted the town, he will infallibly pursue us, and endeavour to impede our march.”
“We ought not then to set out till it is quite dark,” observed Sir John Girlington.
“We must quit the town by different outlets,” said the earl; “and our rendezvous must be Ashton, on the left bank of the Lune. Now to collect the men.”
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VIII
How Preston surrendered to the Earl of Derby
BY dint of great exertion on the part of the commanders and officers, the men belonging to each corps were got together at the appointed time, and marched secretly out of the town, as Lord Derby had directed.
The chief difficulty was with the billmen and clubmen, who were very reluctant to abandon their spoil, but being told that they would certainly be cut to pieces if found there by Sir John Seaton, they contented themselves with what they could carry off.
Lord Derby was the first to arrive at the place of rendezvous, but the others were not long behind.
It was now dark, but from this point the town presented a terrible spectacle. Many houses were still burning in various quarters, and a lurid light was thrown on the walls and keep of the castle.
Dreadful as was the scene, it produced little effect upon the beholders, most of whom rejoiced to think that Sir John Seaton would find the town untenable on his arrival.