“Such noble conduct is worthy of you, madam,” said Rosworm. “You set an example to your enemies which they will do well to follow.”
With another profound salutation, he turned to depart.
After bidding adieu to his daughter, he joined the officer, who was waiting for him, and they were conducted by Standish and a guard to the gate.
On the way hither, they encountered Captain Chisenhale and Captain Ogle. Both of them bowed to him and the former remarked:
“We shall be glad to see you here again, colonel, in the same character.”
In another minute Rosworm had passed through the wicket at the side of the gate, crossed the drawbridge, and was riding with the messenger and a sergeant who had accompanied him on his errand towards the camp.
On the way thither, he looked back once or twice at the beleaguered mansion, but made no remark, nor did he answer any questions put to him by his companion.
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XIV
A Traitor punished
A MIST rendered it very dark that night, and one of the sentinels stationed on the ramparts at the back of the castle, fancying he heard some one swimming across the moat, fired in the direction of the sound, but missed his aim owing to the obscurity.
It was subsequently discovered that one of the soldiers—the same who had delivered the secret letter to Rosworm—had got out at the postern gate, and favoured by the darkness had effected his escape in the manner described.
This circumstance being mentioned to Standish, caused him some uneasiness, for though he could not account for the man’s flight at that juncture, he felt certain he was a traitor.
After some discussion with Captain Chisenhale and Lieutenant Bretergh, these two officers resolved to anticipate any attack that might be made by the enemy, and give them another alarm in the trenches.
Accordingly, about an hour later accompanied by thirty musketeers, they proceeded to the postern tower, part of which stood on the further side of the moat, and beyond the palisades, and issuing forth from a small door strongly cased with iron, marched swiftly and silently towards the trenches.
But they were not so successful as on the previous occasion. The enemy were more on the alert, and had placed sentinels on the breastwork.
Though these men could not distinguish the sallying party, they were warned of their approach by the lighted matches carried by the musketeers, and gave the alarm; whereupon their comrades instantly quitted the trenches, and speeded towards an adjoining wood; whither they were chased by Chisenhale and his company.
Sheltered by the trees, the fugitives sustained little loss, and only three or four were killed.
One prisoner was likewise made, and this proved to be Ralph Thorold, the man who had just escaped from the garrison.
When brought back to the mansion, and interrogated by Major Farrington, Thorold confessed that he had been in communication with Captain Bootle, but refused to declare how the letters had been brought to him.
Adjudged to die the death of a traitor, he was hanged at an early hour next morning from the battlements of the postern tower in full view of the trenches.
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XV
How a Letter sent by the Earl of Derby to Fairfax was brought by Captain Ashhurst to the Countess
NEXT morning, Captain Ashhurst rode with a flag of truce to the gates of the castle, and sought an interview of the countess; stating that he had an important message to deliver to her from Sir Thomas Fairfax.
Though wearied out with propositions ending in nothing, her ladyship consented to receive him, and the messenger was conducted by Standish to the presence-chamber, where he found her with Major Farrington and Archdeacon Rutter.
Captain Ashhurst’s manner was extremely respectful, and offered a marked contrast to the insolent deportment that generally characterised a Parliamentary officer.
Bowing to the countess, he informed her that Sir Thomas Fairfax had just received a despatch from the Earl of Derby, and had sent it for her perusal.”
“It is here, madam,” he continued, handing it to her, “and it is the general’s opinion that this letter will have more weight with you than any message he could send.”
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