The Young Castellan: A Tale of the English Civil War

by George Manville Fenn

  CHAPTER EIGHT.

  BEN MEANS BUSINESS.

  With his blood seeming to effervesce in his veins from the excitement hefelt, Roy placed the writing-materials in front of his mother and thenhurried out, crossed the drawbridge, and made for the little gate tower,where, upon hearing steps, the old retainer came out, bent of head andstooping, with one ear raised.

  "Master Roy's step," he said; and as the boy came closer: "Yes, it'syou, sir; just like your father's step, sir, only younger. What's thenews, Master Roy?"

  "Bad, Jenk,--civil war has broken out. Father is well and with hisregiment, but there is great trouble in the land. I'm going to put thecastle in a state of defence. Shut the gate again and keep it close.No one is to come in or out without an order from my mother or from me."

  "That's right, Master Roy, sir; that's right," piped the retainer."I'll just buckle on my sword at once. She's as sharp and bright asever she was. Nobody shall go by. So there's to be a bit of a war, isthere?"

  "Yes, I'm afraid so, Jenk."

  "Don't say afraid so, Master Roy; sounds as if you would be skeart, andyour father's son couldn't be that. But nobody goes by here withoutyour orders, sir, or my lady's, and so I tell 'em. I'm getting on a bitin years, and I can't see quite as well as I should do, not like I used;but it's the sperrit as does it, Master Roy."

  "So it is, Jenk; and you've got plenty in you, haven't you?"

  "Ay, ay, ay, Master Roy," quavered the old man, "plenty. Up at thehouse there they get talking about me as if I was so very old; but I'lllet some of 'em see. Why, I want five year o' being a hundred yet, andlook at what they used to be in the Scripter. I'll keep the gate fast,sir--I did this morning, didn't I, when they three dragoons come up?"

  "Yes, capitally, Jenk--but I must go. I'm busy."

  "That's right, sir--you go. Don't you be uneasy about the gate, sir.I'll see to that."

  "Yes," said Roy to himself, "it is the spirit that does it. Now Iwonder whether I've got spirit enough to do all the work before me!"

  He hurried back over the drawbridge, and glanced down into the clearmoat where he could see the great pike lying, but he did not stop tothink about catching it, for he hurried on to the servants' hall,drawing himself up as he felt the importance of his position, and uponentering, the three troopers, who were seated at a good substantialmeal, all rose and saluted their colonel's son.

  "Got all you want, men?" said Roy, startling himself by his decisive wayof speaking.

  "Yes, sir; plenty, sir," said the man who bore the despatch. "MasterMartlet saw to that."

  "That's right. Now, look here, of course we want you and your horses tohave a good rest, but when do you think you'll be ready to take adespatch back?"

  "Take a despatch back, sir?" said the man, staring. "We're not to takeanything back."

  "Yes; a letter to my father."

  "No, sir. Colonel Sir Granby Royland's, orders were that we were tostop here and to help take care of the castle."

  "Were those my father's commands?" cried Roy, eagerly.

  "Yes, sir, to all three of us--all five of us, it were, and I'm sorry Icouldn't bring the other two with me; but I did my best, didn't I,lads?"

  "Ay, corporal," chorused the others.

  "Oh, that's capital!" cried Roy, eagerly. "It relieves me of a gooddeal of anxiety. But my father--he'll expect a letter back."

  "No, sir; he said there was no knowing where he would be with theregiment, and we were to stay here till he sent orders for us torejoin."

  "Where is Martlet?" asked Roy then.

  "Said something about an armoury," replied the corporal.

  Roy hurried off, and in a few minutes found the old soldier busy with abottle of oil and a goose feather, applying the oil to the mechanism ofa row of firelocks.

  "Oh, here you are, Ben," cried Roy, excitedly. "News for you, man."

  "Ay, ay, sir, I've heard," said the old soldier, sadly. "More rust."

  "Yes, for you to keep off. My father's orders are that the castle is tobe put in a state of defence directly."

  Down went the bottle on the floor, and the oil began to trickle out.

  "But--but," stammered the old fellow, "what does her ladyship say?"

  "That she trusts to my father's faithful old follower to work with me,and do everything possible for the defence of the place. Hurrah, Ben!God save the king!"

  "Hurrah! God save the king!" roared Ben; and running to the wall hesnatched a sword from where it hung, drew it, and waved it round hishead. "Hah! Master Roy, you've made me feel ten years younger withthose few words."

  "Have I, Ben? Why, somehow all this has made me feel ten years older."

  "Then you've got a bit off me that I had to spare, Master Roy, and goodluck to you with it. Then," he continued, after listening with eagerattention to Roy's rendering of his father's orders, "we must go to workat once, sir."

  "Yes; at once, Ben."

  "Then the first thing is to order the gate to be kept shut, and that noone goes out or in unless he has a pass from her ladyship or from you."

  "Done, Ben. I have been to old Jenk, and he has shut the gate, andbuckled on his old sword."

  "Hah! hum! yes," said the old soldier, rubbing one of his ears; "thatsounds very nice, Master Roy, but," he continued, with a look ofperplexity, "it doesn't mean much, now, does it?"

  "I don't understand you."

  "Why, sir, I mean this: that if any one came up to the gate and wantedto come in--`Give the pass,' says Jenk. `Haven't got one,' says whoeverit is. `Can't pass, then,' says Jenk, and then--"

  "Well, yes, and then?" said Roy. "Why, sir, if he took a good deepbreath, and then gave a puff, he'd blow poor old Jenk into the moat.He's a good old boy, and I don't want to hurt his feelings, but we can'tleave things at the gate like that."

  "But it would break his heart to be told he is--he--"

  "Too rusty to go on, sir," said Ben, grimly. "But it would break herladyship's heart if we didn't do our duty, and we shan't be doing thatif we leave our outwork in the hands of poor old Jenk."

  "What's to be done?"

  "I know, sir. Tell him the gate's very important, and that he must havetwo men with him, and let him suppose they're under his command."

  "That's it, capital!" cried Roy. "Then we must place two men there withhim at once."

  "Ye-e-es, sir," said Ben, drily. "But who are we to place there--ourselves?"

  Roy looked hard at Ben, and Ben looked hard at Roy.

  "You see, sir, we've got the castle and the weepuns, but we've nogarrison. That's the first thing to see to. Why, when those threetroopers have gone back with their despatch, we shall have as good asnobody."

  "But they're not going back, Ben. Father's orders are that they're tostay."

  "Three trained soldiers, sir, to start with!" cried Ben. "Me four, andyou five. Why, that's just like five seeds out of which we can grow alittle army."

  "Then there are the men-servants."

  "Well, sir, they're more used to washing cups and cleaning knives, andplate, and horses; but we shall have to lick 'em into shape. Let's see,there's the three men indoors, the groom, and coachman, that makes fivemore."

  "And the two gardeners."

  "Of course, sir! Why, they'll make the best of 'em all. Twelve of us."

  "And Master Pawson, thirteen."

  "P'ff! him!" cried Ben, with a look of contempt. "What's he going todo? Read to the sentries, sir, to keep 'em from going to sleep?"

  "Oh, he'll be of some use, Ben. We mustn't despise any one."

  "Right, sir; we mustn't: so as soon as he comes back--he's gone over toParson Meldew's--"

  "Yes, I know."

  "You tell him to get to his books and read all he can about sword andpike wounds, and how to take a bullet out of a man when he gets hit.Then he can cut up bandages, and get ready knives and scissors andthread and big needles."

  "Do you mean in case of wounds, Ben?"

  "Why,
of course, sir."

  "But do you think it likely that we shall have some--"

  "Rather queer sort of siege if we don't have some damage done, sir.Well, that settles about Master Pawson. Now, what next?"

  "The men at the farm, Ben."

  "Yes, sir; we ought to get about ten or a dozen. They're good stoutlads. We must have them up at once and do a bit of drilling. Theyneedn't stay here yet, but they can be got in order and ready to come inat a moment's notice. Next?"

  "All the tenants must be seen, Ben. They'll all come too, and drillready for service if wanted."

  "And that means about another twenty, I suppose, sir."

  "Yes, or more, Ben."

  "If they're staunch, sir."

  "Ah, but they would be. My father's own tenants!"

  "I dunno, sir. If times are going to be like we hear, you'll findpeople pretty ready to go over to the strongest side."

  "Oh, nonsense! There isn't a man round here who wouldn't shout for theking."

  "Quite right, sir," said Ben. "I believe that."

  "Then why do you throw out such nasty hints?"

  "'Cause I've got my doubts, sir. Lots on 'em'll shout for the king, butif it comes to the pinch and things are going wrong, I want to know howmany will fight for the king."

  "Every true man, Ben."

  "Azackly, sir; but, you see, there's a orful lot o' liars in the world.But we shall see."

  "Well, we've got to keep the castle, Ben."

  "We have, sir, and keep it we will, till everybody's about wounded ordead, and the enemy comes swarming and cheering in, and then they shan'thave it."

  "Why, they'll have got it, Ben," said Roy, laughing, but ratheruncomfortably, for the man's words as to the future did not soundpleasant.

  "Ay, and I shall take it away from 'em, sir; for if the worst comes tothe worst, I shall have made all my plans before, and I'll do a bit o'Guy Fawkesing."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Why, I should ha' thought you'd ha' understood that, sir."

  "Of course I do; but how could you blow up the castle?"

  "By laying a train to the powder-magazine, knocking the heads out of acouple o' kegs, and then up it goes."

  "Powder--magazine--kegs?" cried Roy. "Why, we haven't one, and I wantedto talk to you about getting some. How's it to be done?"

  "By going to your father's lib'ry, sir, and opening the little drawer ashe keeps locked up in the big oak table. There's the keys there."

  "Yes, of the wine-cellars, Ben; but no--Oh, absurd!"

  "Is it, my lad? I think not. Think it's likely as your grandfather andhis father would have had swords and pikes and armour, and big guns andlittle guns, and not had no powder to load 'em with?"

  "Well, it doesn't sound likely, Ben; but I'm sure we have none here."

  "Well, sir, begging your pardon for contradicting my master, I'm sure aswe have."

  "Down in the cellars?"

  "Down in one of 'em, sir."

  "But I never knew."

  "Perhaps not, sir; but I've been down there with your father, and Idon't suppose it's a thing he'd talk about. Anyhow, there it is, shutup behind three doors, and I'll be bound to say dry as a bone. It'svery old, but good enough, may be. All the same, though, Master Roy,the sooner we try what it's like the better, and if you'll take myadvice you'll have one of the big guns loaded and fired with a goodround charge. That'll try the gun, scale it out, and give 'em a hintfor miles round that, though Sir Granby's gone to the wars, his son's athome, and his dame too, and that they don't mean to stand any nonsensefrom a set o' crop-eared rascals. That'll do more good, Master Roy,than a deal o' talking, and be less trouble."

  "We must do it at once, Ben," said Roy, decidedly.

  "The first thing, sir; and, by the way, as we're going to begin to getour garrison together, it'll be as well to make a little show. If I wasyou, I'd put on a pair of buff boots, wear a sword and a sash always,and I don't say put on a lot of armour, but if you'll let me, I'll takethe gorget off that suit of Italian armour, and you can wear that."

  "But it will look so--" said Roy, flushing.

  "Yes, sir; but we've got to look so," said the old soldier, decidedly."It makes people respect you; and if you'll be good enough to give me myorders, I'll take to a buff coat and steel cap at once."

  "Very well, do so," said Roy. "But I will not promise to make any showmyself."

  "But you must, sir, please, for her ladyship's sake. Look here, MasterRoy, you'll be calling the tenants and labourers together, and you'llhave to make them a speech."

  "Shall I?" said Roy, nervously.

  "Why, of course, sir, telling 'em what their duty is, and calling upon'em to fight for their king, their country, and their homes. Yes,that's it, sir; that's just what you've got to say."

  "Well, Ben, if I must, I must."

  "Then must it is, sir; but if they come here to the castle, and you'relike you are now, they'll be only half warmed up, and say that MasterRoy can talk, and some of 'em'll sneer and snigger; but if you come outwhen they're all here, looking like your father's son in a cavalier hatand feathers, with the gorget on, and the king's colours for a sash, ay,and buff boots and spurs--"

  "Oh, no, not spurs when I'm walking," protested Roy.

  "Yes, sir, spurs,--a big pair with gilt rowels, as'll _clink-clink_ withevery step you take; they'll set up a cheer, and swear to fight for you,when you've done, to the death. And look here, Master Roy, when you'vedone speaking, you just wave your hat, and chuck it up in the air, as iffine felts and ostridge feathers weren't nothing to you, who called upon'em all to fight for the king."

  Roy drew a deep sigh, for his follower's words had nearly made himbreathless.

  "We shall see," he sighed.

  "Yes, sir, we shall see," cried Ben. "So now, if you please, sir, Iwon't wait to be getting into my buff jerkin now, but I'll take yourorders for what we're to do first."

  "Yes, Ben; what ought we to do first?"

  "Well, sir, it's you as know. You said something about strengtheningthe guard at the gate."

  "Oh, but I say, Ben, that was you said so."

  "Only as your mouthpiece, sir."

  "But it sounds silly to talk about strengthening the guard at the gatewhen we've only got old Jenk, and no regular sentry to put there."

  "Never you mind about how it sounds, sir, so long as it's sense," criedBen, striking his fist into his left palm. "We've got to make ourgarrison and our sentries out of the raw stuff, and the sooner we beginto sound silly now the better. It won't be silly for any one who comesand finds a staunch man there, who would sooner send a musketoon bulletthrough him than let him pass."

  "No, Ben, it will not, certainly. Whom shall I send?"

  "Well, sir, if I was you, I'd do it as I meant to go on. You give me myorders, and I'll go and enlist Sam Rogers in the stable at once, bringhim here fierce-like into the armoury; put him on a buff coat, buckle ona sword, and give him his bandoleer and firelock, and march him downwith sword drawn to relieve guard with old Jenk."

  "But he'll be cleaning the troopers' horses, and begin to laugh."

  "Sam Rogers, sir? Not him. He'll come like a lamb; and when I marcheshim down to the gate, he'll go out like a lion, holding his head up withthe steel cap on, and be hoping that all the servant-girls and the cookare watching him. Don't you be afraid of him laughing. All I'm afraidof is, that while he's so fresh he'll be playing up some games with hisfirelock, and mocking poor old Jenk."

  "Pray, warn him, then."

  "You trust me, sir. Then, when that's done, perhaps you'll give theorders to find quarters for our new men, and tell 'em that they're torest till to-morrow by your orders; and after that there's thedrawbridge and portcullis."

  "Yes; what about them?"

  "Why, sir, you know how they've been for years. You must have 'em seento at once; and, if I was you, I'd have the portcullis seen to first,and the little sally-port door in the corner of the tower. We sha
llwant half a dozen men. I'm a bit afraid of the old bars and rollers,but we shall see."

  "Order the men to come, then, when you've done, and let us see, and geteverything right as soon as possible."

  Ben saluted in military fashion, and marched off to the hall, where Royheard him speak in a cheering, authoritative voice to the new-comers,and then came out to march across to the stables, which were in thebasement of the east side of the castle, with their entrance between thebuilding and the court; but the gate-way that had opened into thecourt-yard had been partly closed up when that was turned into aflower-garden, and the archway was now covered with ivy.

  Roy went up to one of the corridors beneath the ramparts, and watched,out of curiosity, to see how the groom would take his new orders.

  He was not long kept in suspense, for the sturdy young fellow came outtalking eagerly with Ben and turning down his sleeves. Then they wentinside, through the great gate-way to the armoury, and in an incrediblyshort space of time came out together, the groom in steel jockey-shapedcap with a spike on the top, buff coat, sword, and bandoleer, andshouldering the clumsy firelock of the period.

  As they reached the archway, Ben stopped short, drew his sword, said afew words in a sharp tone, and marched off, with Sam Rogers keepingstep; while a muttering of voices told of how strangely matters hadturned out according to old Ben's prophecy, for, on turning to see whatit meant, Roy saw down through one of the narrow windows that the wholeof the household had turned out to do likewise. But there was nogiggling and laughing, for the women seemed to be impressed, and themen-servants were shaking their heads and talking together earnestlyabout the evil times that had come.

  Another sound made Roy turn sharply in the other direction to see hismother approaching.

  "Then you have begun, my son," she said, gravely.

  "Yes, mother. The sentry was set, after a long talk with Martlet."

  "You need not speak in that apologetic tone, my boy," said Lady Royland,quietly. "I see the necessity, and I am sure you are doing well. Now,come and tell me more of your plans."

  She led the way to the library, and as they entered Roy glanced towardsthe big oak table standing at one end; his eyes fixed themselves uponthe small drawer, and he seemed to see a rusty old key lying there, onewhose wards were shaping themselves plainly before his eyes, as he toldof his arrangements with the old soldier.

  "Yes, you have begun well, Roy," said Lady Royland at last. "And whatMartlet says is quite true."

  "But you would not dress up as he advises, mother?" protested Roy,rather bashfully.

  "Dress up? No, my boy; but I would put on such things as a cavalier andan officer would wear under such circumstances,--a gorget, sword, boots,hat and feathers, and the king's colours as a scarf. Why, Roy, yourfather would wear those in addition to his scarlet coat."

  "Yes, mother; but he is a soldier."

  "So are you now, Roy," said the dame, proudly. "And so must every manbe who loves his king and country. Martlet is quite right, and I shallprepare your scarf and feathers with my own hands."

  "Why, mother," cried the boy, wonderingly, "how you have changed sinceeven a short time ago."

  "So has our position, Roy, my son," she said, firmly. "Who's there?"

  The butler entered.

  "Benjamin Martlet would be glad, my lady, if Master Roy would come andgive him his instructions, and, if you please, my lady, he wishes me tohelp."

  "And you will, I am sure, Grey?"

  "Oh, yes, my lady," said the man, eagerly; "but I was afraid yourladyship might be wanting something, and no one to answer the bell."

  "I want my servants, Grey, to help me to protect their master'sinterests while he is forced to be away in the service of the king. CanI count upon that help?"

  "Yes, my lady, to a man," cried the old servant, eagerly.

  "I thought so," said Lady Royland, smiling proudly. "You will go, then,Roy, and see what Martlet is to do."

  Roy was already at the door, and five minutes later he was standing inthe gate-way with every man employed about the place, the three troopersbeing fast asleep, exhausted by their long journey down from town.