“Rebellion must be punished with severity, madam, or it can never be effectually crushed,” replied the chaplain; “and though no doubt many innocent persons perished with the guilty in this terrible siege, the earl could not distinguish between them. The blame must rest with those evil-minded persons who compelled their fellow-townsmen to defy the king’s authority. ‘Tis to be hoped that the fate of Lancaster will prove a warning.”
“The warning, I fear, will be disregarded,” said the countess. “The rebels will retaliate. The castle is still occupied by the garrison, and will cost a long siege ere it can be taken.”
“In my opinion, madam, the garrison will surrender,” rejoined Rutter. “The capture of the town is a great blow. We shall soon hear more good news.”
“It comes!” cried Gertrude, who had been anxiously looking out for another messenger. “I see a small party of horsemen galloping hither.”
All eyes were instantly turned in the direction towards which she pointed.
“You must be mistaken, girl,” said the countess. “I can perceive no horsemen.”
“You will behold them presently, madam,” replied Gertrude. “They are hidden by the trees.”
Almost as she spoke, the troop appeared, and the Lady Henriette Marie called out:
“Yes, there they are! The Cavalier at their head is Captain Standish.”
“Standish!” exclaimed the countess. “Then, of a surety, he brings good tidings.”
“Was I not right, madam?” said Doctor Rutter. “I doubt not the castle has been taken.”
“Surrendered—not taken,” rejoined the countess. “I am heartily glad of it.”
Just then the leader of the little troop, which was approaching very rapidly, descried the party on the Eagle Tower, and waved his feathered hat to them.
The action caused great excitement among the beholders, and the young ladies Stanley, as well as Gertrude, waved their kerchiefs in reply.
“May we go down and meet him, dearest mother?” said the Lady Henriette Marie.
Beseeching looks were cast by all the others at the countess, who willingly assented, and the whole party descended to the court-yard.
By the time they got there, Standish and his followers had nearly reached the mansion, and a loud shout from the warders at the gate, and musketeers on the walls, greeted them, as they crossed the drawbridge.
Perceiving the countess and those with her in the court, Standish hastily alighted and hurrying towards her would have flung himself at her feet if she had not stopped him.
“Your news—your news?” she cried.
“My lord has recovered Preston,” he replied.
“Indeed!” she exclaimed, in astonishment. “When I last heard of him, he was at Lancaster, and about to besiege the castle.”
“His lordship left Lancaster last night, madam, and this morning, he surprised Preston. He is now master of the town.”
“A great achievement, and quickly performed,” she rejoined. “It will redound to his lordship’s honour.” She then asked in an anxious tone, “Has there been much slaughter?”
“None whatever, madam. His lordship bade me tell you that not a man has been killed.”
“I am truly glad to hear it. This clemency may be set against the havoc at Lancaster.”
“His lordship would gladly have spared the people of Lancaster, madam; but they refused his summons, being compelled to do so by the commanders of the garrison.”
“Had the garrison been put to the sword I should not have grieved,” said the countess; “but I pity those poor souls.”
“They do not all deserve your pity, madam—nor can they complain, since, as I have shown, they brought this punishment upon themselves.”
Here Doctor Rutter interposed.
“Shall we proceed to the chapel, madam,” he said, “and offer up thanks to Heaven for the victory vouchsafed us, and for the preservation of the earl from his enemies?”
“I was about to make the suggestion, reverend sir,” said the countess. “Our first duty is to Heaven, and if we neglect it, we cannot hope that our cause will continue to prosper.”
By this time, all the officers of the garrison had come up, and manifested the greatest satisfaction, when they learnt that Preston had been recovered.
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How Hoghton Tower was blown up
COLONEL NICHOLAS STARKIE, of Huntroyd, a staunch Parliamentary leader, who had previously defeated Sir Gilbert Hoghton at Hintfield Moor, having learnt that Sir Gilbert had marched with Lord Derby on Lancaster, resolved to surprise Hoghton Tower, and suddenly appeared before it with three hundred men, and some cannon, and firing a shot against the gates summoned the commander to surrender.