The Leaguer of Lathom by W. Harrison Ainsworth

With him was Captain Standish, who had only joined on the previous day. The second troop was commanded by Sir Gilbert Hoghton.

On the earl’s appearance before the recently captured town, the fortifications of which showed how much it had suffered from the recent assault, Colonel Assheton immediately sallied forth at the head of a force trebling that of the Royalists.

A very sharp conflict ensued, during which many were slain on both sides, but at length the earl was compelled to retreat. He did so, however, in very good order, and rode with his company to Lathom House.

END OF BOOK THE THIRD.

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BOOK THE FOURTH

THE SURRENDER OF WARRINGTON

I

The Countess proposes to write to Prince Rupert

NATURALLY, the unexpected return of the Earl of Derby to the castle under such circumstances caused great consternation.

The whole garrison got under arms. As soon as his lordship had ridden through the gate with his followers, the drawbridge was raised, and preparation was made for attack.

After dismounting in the court-yard, the earl immediately retired with the countess, and told her all the reverses he had sustained—how he had been thwarted in his intended assault of Manchester—how his best troops had been taken from him—and how Wigan had been captured.

“Wigan captured!” exclaimed the countess, in amazement. “I heard it had been attacked—but I knew not it was taken.”

“It was taken yesterday by Colonel Assheton, and is now in the hands of the rebels,” replied the earl, despairingly. “Only Warrington and this stronghold are left me. All else is gone.”

“Do not despair, my dear lord,” she said, striving to cheer him. “Fortune will take a turn.”

“I fear not,” he replied. “Things will get worse, instead of better. Warrington is certain to be attacked by the rebels, but it is well fortified and well garrisoned, and may hold out for a time; but if the whole county is in the hands of the rebels, I cannot maintain it. As the king will not have me with him, I must perforce retire to the Isle of Man.”

“Not yet, my dear lord—not yet,” remonstrated the countess. “All is not lost. I will write to Prince Rupert to come to our assistance, and I doubt not he will accede to the request.”

“You are mistaken, my dear heart. Goring and Jermyn, and the rest of the king’s advisers, who are hostile to me, will not let him,” observed the earl.

“Nevertheless, I will write,” she said; “and I will send the letter by Frank Standish.”

“A better messenger could not be found,” rejoined the earl. “If the prince will bring a sufficient force to Lancashire, all will be right. But I fear—”

“Have no fear, my lord,” cried the courageous dame. “All will yet be well. Go forth, I pray you. See your children. Show yourself to the officers of the garrison. I will join you as soon as I have written the letter to Prince Rupert.”

Very much cheered by his discourse with the countess, the earl proceeded to the great hall, where he found his daughters with Doctor Rutter, and embraced them tenderly, and then cordially greeted the chaplain.

After this, he went forth into the court-yard, where all the officers of the garrison were assembled.

Putting on as cheerful a countenance as he could assume, he thus addressed them:

“You have heard we have just lost Wigan, and it is doubtless a very heavy blow to us, and a great gain to the rebels, but rest assured we shall recover the town. Meanwhile, we have Warrington, which is strongly fortified, and which we can hold till we receive assistance from the king.”

“I hope the assistance may not be delayed, my lord,” said Captain Chisenhale.

“When his majesty learns how we are situated, I trust he will send Prince Rupert to our assistance,” said the earl.

These words, and the tone in which they were spoken, produced an excellent effect on the officers, who had been much depressed by the loss of Wigan.

The earl next carefully inspected the whole garrison, and by his manner inspired confidence in the men.