“Let me see it,” said the countess. “Ay, truly, it is from my lord, and sent from Castle Rushen,”
And she could not help pressing her lips to the signature.
Seeing her so much moved, Captain Ashhurst augured well for the success of his mission.
But as she read the letter, her aspect entirely changed, and she looked stern and resolved.
After showing the letter to her advisers, who returned it without a word, she said:
“His lordship writes in error. Unaware of the propositions already made by Sir Thomas Fairfax, and of my rejection of them, he desires an honourable and free passage for myself and my children, being unwilling to expose us to the danger and suffering of a lengthened siege.”
“Exactly so, madam,” replied Captain Ashhurst; “and I am instructed by Sir Thomas Fairfax to say that if your ladyship wills it, he will readily grant his lordship’s request.”
“Tell Sir Thomas Fairfax I am much beholden to him for his consideration in referring the matter to me,” she rejoined. “But I must beg that he will henceforth treat with my lord. When I receive my husband’s express commands I will obey them, be they what they may. But till I am assured that his lordship desires me to yield up this castle, I will neither quit it, nor make any terms for its surrender.”
Both Major Farrington and Doctor Rutter looked at her approvingly, but neither spoke.
“Pardon me, madam,” said Captain Ashhurst, “if I venture to observe that the Earl of Derby’s wishes are plainly conveyed in this letter. Had not his lordship felt that you ought to surrender, he would not have written in these terms to the general. For that reason Sir Thomas has sent you the letter.”
“And I thank him again for his courtesy, and for choosing you as his messenger,” replied the countess. “Take back the letter to your general, and tell him that till I learn my lord’s pleasure I abide where I am, and wait the event in full confidence of Heaven’s support.”
Seeing that the audience was at an end, Ashhurst retired, and was conducted to the gate by Standish.
“Yours is a noble lady,” he said; “and it is impossible not to sympathise with her. For her own sake I wish she would surrender.”
“She has nothing to fear,” rejoined Standish.
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XVI
How two Pieces of Ordnance were seized by Standish
ON that night, despite a constant fire from the postern tower, the besiegers contrived to bring up a demi-cannon and a culverin, and placed them on the summit of the rising ground beyond the moat.
Next morning the cannoniers on the opposite towers tried ineffectually to dislodge these pieces of ordnance. Several shots were fired from the newly-erected battery against the walls of the mansion, but without doing any material damage.
Afterwards a higher range was taken. Two or three battlements were broken, and a musketeer who imprudently showed himself on the ramparts was killed.
This was regarded as a great achievement by the enemy, who raised a loud shout; but their exultation was soon over, for within a quarter of an hour two of the cannoniers were killed.
Another sortie was made that night by Standish and Chisenhale, accompanied by fifty musketeers—their object being to dismount the two pieces of cannon that had given the garrison so much trouble throughout the day. After a sharp conflict with the guard, during which Captain Chisenhale was slightly wounded, they succeeded in accomplishing their design.
Their triumph would have been complete, if they could have brought the two guns away with them, but this was impracticable.
The besiegers now began to show more activity and determination than they had hitherto displayed.
Provoked at the destruction of their little battery, they brought up a basilisk and a saker, two pieces of ordnance of smaller calibre than a culverin, and planted them against the gate-towers.
A misdirected shot from the basilisk entered the wicket, and killed one of the guard, but did not find its way to the court.
Immediately afterwards the gate was thrown open, and the drawbridge lowered, and a party of horsemen headed by Standish dashed out provided with ropes.
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