The interview then terminated.
Bowing to the countess, who arose and returned the salutation, Sir Thomas Fairfax departed. He was attended by Major Farrington and Standish, and as he passed through the lines of musketeers, who were still stationed in the court-yard, there arose from them a loud shout, which was taken up by their comrades on the towers and ramparts.
“God save the Earl of Derby and the king,” resounded on all sides.
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V
How a Stand in the Park was destroyed by Rigby, and a Mill burnt
FAIRFAX rode back in a very thoughtful mood to Ormskirk, where he found Colonel Rigby, and told him his errand had been unsuccessful.
“I expected nothing else from that impracticable and imperious dame,” said Rigby. “Then the siege will commence at once?”
“No; I have given her a further delay of two days,” replied Fairfax.
“I am sorry for it,” said Rigby. “Nothing will be gained by the delay.”
“Perhaps reflection may induce her to submit, and I do not wish to treat her harshly,” observed Fairfax. “On the day after to-morrow, should I not hear from her in the interim, Colonel Morgan shall take a final message. Meantime, some slight work may be done. Within the park, at the south of the mansion, is a stand from which the earl used to shoot deer. Of late, it appears, this stand has been used as a receptacle for provisions—carcases of sheep and oxen—which have been secretly conveyed to the mansion. It must be destroyed.”
“It shall be,” said Rigby.
“There is also a windmill on the road to Newburgh, which I make no doubt the countess has found useful. No more corn must be ground there.”
“I will take care of that,” rejoined Rigby, with a laugh.
“My object is to cut off all supplies,” observed Fairfax; “and I believe the loss of that storehouse in the park, together with the windmill, will seriously inconvenience the garrison.”
“I doubt it not,” said Rigby. “Shall I instruct Captain Browne, the engineer, to draw the lines round the mansion?”
“Ay, that may be done, to show we are in earnest,” said Fairfax. “But no attack must be made till the siege is declared.”
Rigby immediately proceeded with a troop of horse to the stand in the south park. Three or four persons were within it, but they fled on the approach of the Parliamentarians, leaving behind them a large stock of meat and provisions.
After the structure had been demolished, Rigby took his men to the windmill. The place was unguarded, and no one was to be seen but the miller, who resolutely refused them admittance, and drew up the ladder, so that they could not reach the door, which was high up in the building. At the same time, he himself disappeared.
With some difficulty the ladder was got down, and a couple of troopers mounted it, but the foremost stopped at the door, for he discovered that the interior of the mill was on fire, and turning round, communicated this disagreeable information to his leader.
“Heed not the fire,” cried Rigby. “Go in and extinguish it.”
“It cannot be extinguished,” replied the man. “It burns furiously. I dare not enter.”
“What has become of the miller?” shouted Rigby.
“I see him not,” replied the trooper. “But most assuredly he will perish in the flames if he comes not forth instantly.”
“Look in once more, and tell me if there is much corn in the mill,” said Rigby.
The man did as he was bidden, but quickly drew back his head, and dashing down the ladder, upset his comrades on the lower steps.
In another moment the flames burst from the door and window.
As soon as the man had recovered speech, Rigby again put the question to him:
“Didst thou see much corn in the mill?”
“Yea, verily,” replied the man. “It seemed to me filled with corn.”
“Then let it burn,” cried Rigby, “and the miller with it.”
And without making an effort to save anything, he rode off, followed by his men.
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Vl
What happened in the Ruins of Burscough Priory