The Young Cavalier: A Story of the Civil Wars

by Percy F. Westerman

  Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen

  THE YOUNG CAVALIER

  [Frontispiece: _The next instant a pair of hands grasped the gunwale,and the dripping head of a man appeared over the side._]

  THEYOUNG CAVALIER

  A STORY OF THE CIVIL WARS

  BYPERCY F. WESTERMANAuthor of "'Midst Arctic Perils," "Clinton's Quest""The Nameless Island," "The Young Cavalier""The Treasure of the Sacred Lake," etc.

  ILLUSTRATED BY GORDON BROWNE, R.I.

  LondonC. Arthur Pearson Ltd.Henrietta Street

  PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BYMORRISON AND GIBB LTD., LONDON AND EDINBURGH

  CONTENTS CHAPTER I. THE OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR II. COLONEL NICHOLAS FIRESTONE III. FRIEND OR FOE? IV. THROUGH THE REBEL LINES V. CONVOYING THE TREASURE VI. EDGEHILL VII. FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH VIII. OUR ADVENTURE IN LOSTWITHIEL CHURCH IX. MY MEETING WITH AN OLD FOE X. ON BOARD THE "EMMA FARLEIGH" XI. THE "HAPPY ADVENTURE" XII. THE POWDER MINE XIII. THE SIEGE OF ASHLEY CASTLE XIV. SPIKING THE GUNS XV. THE SECRET PASSAGE XVI. WITHOUT THE WALLS OF CARISBROOKE XVII. EXILED

  LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

  The next instant a pair of hands grasped the gunwale, and the dripping head of a man appeared over the side (Frontispiece)

  "I sprang into the sea"

  Colonel Firestone flung his arms about the man's waist, and dragged him out of his saddle

  There was a yell of terror, and the robbers made a frantic effort to rein in their steeds

  Seized by the arms and legs, the terrified rogue was hurled into the river

  With undiminished speed the horse shot into space

  The darting rays fell on my face, and with a stifled cry of terror the soldier turned to flee

  Ralph Granville and the pikeman were locked in an unyielding embrace, and, before I could prevent the catastrophe, Ralph was dragged through the embrasure and disappeared

  THE YOUNG CAVALIER

  CHAPTER I

  THE OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR

  WELL shall I ever remember the last day of August in the year ofgrace 1642. The shadow of war, and civil war to boot, lay heavilyover the length and breadth of the kingdom, and the usually peacefulIsle of Wight was no exception to the rule.

  It was owing to this fact that I, Humphrey Markham, was compelled toremain at school during the holidays instead of spending them, as wasmy wont, at my father's castle of Ashley, which lies betwixt theborders of Hamptonshire and Sussex, hard by the town of Petersfield.

  The call of duty had obliged my father to travel northward to attendon the King's person, so that, much to my disappointment, I wascompelled to forego one of my twice-yearly visits to my home.

  Yet, fortunately for me, I was not alone in my "exile," as I wastempted to call it. My closest companion, Ralph Granville, a nephewof the staunch Royalist, Sir Bevil Granville, of the Duchy ofCornwall, also remained at school for similar reasons, as did a scoreor more of other scholars, and, thanks to the kindness of thedominie, we were permitted a considerable amount of freedom, the onlycondition being that we should be within gates every night eresundown.

  On that fateful day, Granville and I had left Newport early in themorning, and had wandered far over the country towards the frowningheights of St. Catherine's Down, and already the afternoon had faradvanced ere we gained the summit of Pan Down, a lofty ridge of chalkthat overlooks the capital of the Isle of Wight on its southern side.

  Before us lay the town of Newport, the golden rays of the setting sunfalling athwart the yellow sandstone of the tower of St. Thomas'Church, and the red-tiled roofs that clustered densely around thedominating edifice. Beyond we could trace the narrow, thread-likeestuary of the Medina, as it carved its way between the low hills tojoin the blue waters of the Solent; while, on the far side, we couldsee the dim outlines of the Hamptonshire coast, separated by thebroad expanse of Southampton Water, the tree-clad masses of the NewForest contrasting vividly with the eastern portion of the bare ridgeof Portsdown.

  Away on our left rose the stern, grey outlines of Carisbrooke Castle,the Royal banner hanging limply in the still air from the flagstaffon the summit of the keep.

  "Dost think these rebellious knaves will fight?" asked Ralph.

  "Fight? Nay," I replied. "A slight bickering here and there, and allsigns of defiance to His Majesty will be stamped out with a heavyhand."

  "I don't know about that. Some of the adherents of the Parliamentseem to be made of stern stuff. For my part, I think there will befighting, and much of it."

  "And what of it? The King has but to raise his hand, and loyalgentlemen from all parts of the kingdom will flock to his banner,even as my father has already done."

  "What will you do if war breaks out?"

  "Do? Why, make my way over to Hamptonshire find out where my fatheris, and join him."

  "But, Humphrey, you are only fifteen! What can a lad of fifteen do?"

  "A lot when he makes up his mind," I replied, stoutly. "Besides, I amas tall and as strong as many a lad of nineteen."

  "Be that as it may, we must look to the present," rejoined Granville."'Tis nearly sunset, and, if we want to ramble afield to-morrow, itbehoves us to hurry back to-night, for the dominie will surely forbidus leave if we are late in returning. Ah! What's that?"

  We were already stepping briskly down the grassy slope, when a dullbooming reached our ears. Instinctively we paused, and, looking inthe direction of the sound, which continued without intermission, wesaw a thick, white cloud of smoke rising in the direction ofPortsmouth.

  "A salute!" exclaimed Granville.

  "A salute, forsooth!" I replied, contemptuously. "'Tis an irregulardischarge of ordnance. Mark my word, they have come to hand-grips!But 'tis no good purpose to tarry here; possibly, in the town we'llhear tidings."

  So saying, we resumed our rapid pace, and, gaining the level road atthe foot of the down, we made for Shide, which lay betwixt us andNewport.

  Hardly had we reached the outskirts of the little village, when thenoise of an approaching cavalcade caused us to stop and look behindus.

  Riding furiously, with loose rein, came a score or so of horsemen,richly dressed, and armed with swords and pistols, their curlsfloating behind them in disorder.

  Next came a lumbering chariot, drawn by six horses with outriders,and within it we had a momentary glimpse of a lady, stern-faced, yethandsome withal.

  The carriage was immediately followed by a number of bronzed andbearded soldiers, accoutred with breastplates, steel helmets, leatherbreeches, and jack boots, each man carrying a musquetoon on his hip,a pair of pistols in his holsters, and a stout broadsword hangingfrom a cross-belt of buff leather, which was counterbalanced by afully charged bandolier.

  We had barely time to flatten ourselves against the chalk bank at theside of the road before the troop had passed us, leaving a thickcloud of white dust, which hung motionless in the still air forseveral minutes after they had disappeared along the road leading tothe castle of Carisbrooke.

  Wondering what might be the meaning of this swiftly moving cavalcade,we resumed our steps towards the town of Newport; but hardly had wecome within sight of the market-place when we perceived, by the greatconcourse of townsfolk present, that something untoward was takingplace.

  At this all thoughts of gaining the school gates before sunsetvanished out of our heads, and, by dint of pushing and edging betweenthe tightly packed masses of people, we succeeded in working our wayto the forefront of the crowd.

  Standing on a flight of stone steps outside a half-timbered house wasa tall, lean, ill-conditioned man, dressed in a sombre garb of
russet, set off only by a plain white linen collar and a buffsword-belt, while his thin, pale face, disfigured by a wide,thin-lipped mouth, long nose, and small black ferrety eyes, wassurmounted by a steeple-crowned hat, which, resting on a pair ofhuge, projecting ears, almost concealed his close-cropped hair.

  "'Tis the mayor," whispered Ralph. "Hark! He talks rank sedition."

  "And will ye, my friends," exclaimed this worthy magistrate in athin, piping voice, "allow this man, Charles, to ride rough-shod overyour heads? Or will ye join with the people of England in puttingdown this sink of iniquity in our midst? What of our ancient rightsand privileges--have they not been trodden in the dust and ourbirthright sold by this son of Belial for a mess of pottage? Up! up!I say, and join in the undoing of the tyrant. Where is this manCharles? He hath fled--fled from the City of London, and no manknoweth whither! News hath arrived that the trainbands have sidedwith the Parliament, the seaports have declared for liberty andfreedom, and even now George Goring holds Portsmouth against the----"

  "Nay, Master Mayor," shouted a bull-lunged spectator. "Therein thouart wrong. Goring hath declared for His Majesty King Charles, whomGod preserve; and even now thy foul rabble yap round the gates ofthat town, afraid to venture therein!"

  Cheers and groans greeted this announcement, and for the moment thetraitorous mayor was taken aback.

  "How know you that this be true, Master Rich?" he asked suspiciously.

  "Considering I came hither but this morning, I am well prepared toabide by what I have said," replied the interrupter boldly. "And Itell thee, Mr. Mayor, what thou hast said shall be duly recordedagainst thee, and within a week thy head will grace the tower of St.Thomas."

  Upon this there was a considerable tumult, some siding with theRoyalist, though the majority upheld the mayor, till above the noisecame a hoarse, authoritative voice shouting:

  "Way! Way! I ride on affairs of State!"

  The crowd gave way right and left, and, urging a restive horsethrough the press, a mail-clad man rode towards the spot where themayor stood.

  The new-comer was a heavy, thick-set man, with a bronzed face,pointed beard, and an upturned moustache, while his iron-grey hairwas cut close to his massive head.

  He was bareheaded, his steel cap hanging from his saddle-bow, and hisbuff-coat and breast-plate were flecked with dust, while his steamingand foam-covered steed showed that he had not spared the spur.

  "The chief magistrate of the town of Newport?" he demanded curtly.

  "I am he, worthy sir," replied the mayor, all bravado having, for themoment, left him.

  Without speaking, the messenger put on his steel cap, drew his sword,and saluted the startled mayor; then, returning the weapon to itsscabbard with military smartness, he handed him a sealed packet.

  Tearing the seals, the mayor read the contents of the letter insilence, and then looked at the messenger as if undecided as to hisreply.

  "Read! Read it aloud!" shouted the crowd, and, his courage slowlyreturning, the mayor raised his hand for silence, and then began todeliver the message in an almost inaudible voice.

  "Louder! Louder!" was the cry and the chief magistrate handed theletter to the clerk, who stood at his elbow.

  "'His Majesty, having raised his standard at Nottingham, doth herebyconfer upon me authority to take active measures against rebels nowassembled within the Isle of Wight, that lieth within myjurisdiction. I hereby order and request all loyal and liege subjectsof His Majesty to repair to the castle of Carisbrooke. His Majestyhath desired it to be known that, should the emergency and the greatnecessity to which he is driven beget any violation of law, he hopesit shall be imputed to the authors of this war, and not to him, whohath so earnestly laboured to preserve the peace of the kingdom.--Signed, Portland, Governor of the Wight.'"

  A confused babel of cheers, shouts, and groans greeted the governor'smessage, and the mayor, noting that hostile demonstrations held theuppermost hand, spoke up:

  "You see, my friends, the perjurers of our liberty would have theblame placed upon the Commons and the people of England. This is aninfamous lie."

  Then, turning to the messenger:

  "Tell His Grace of Portland that the townsfolk of Newport areprepared to repair to Carisbrooke--but to wrest the castle from thehands of the malignants."

  "Crop-eared hound!" exclaimed the messenger, whipping out his sword."Had I not been enjoined to deliver the message to the mayors ofNewtown and Yarmouth ere midnight, I would right willingly give mylife's blood to hew that head from off thy shoulders," and, drawinghis horse almost on its haunches, the Royalist wheeled, and rodedefiantly through the crowd, with head erect and drawn sword, noneoffering to bar his passage.

  "Up, and smite the sons of Belial!" was the cry, and the moretimorous of the townsfolk began to make for their homes.

  "Yea, up and smite them, hip and thigh!" exclaimed the mayor. "Newshas this moment reached my ears that the wife of this malignant, theEarl of Portland, has taken refuge in Carisbrooke Castle, and hasvowed to hold it against the Parliament and the people of England.Repair to your homes, arm yourselves, and assemble in themarket-place within an hour, and I'll warrant that before to-morrow'ssun hath set the castle will be in our hands."

  Rapidly the crowd dispersed, and once more the thought of returningto school crossed our minds. It was now quite dark.

  "Ralph," I exclaimed resolutely, "I've made up my mind. I'm not goingback to school."

  "Not?"

  "No, I'm going to offer my services to the King. I can use a musket,push a pike, or wield a sword as well as a good many men."

  "Then I'm with you," replied Granville. "But where shall we go?"

  "Ah, where?" I replied, for that question had not occurred to me."Either to the castle, or else make for home; I know my father wouldplace no obstacles in my way."

  "The castle gates may be already closed," objected Ralph. "And, on theother hand, how are we to get across to the mainland? How much moneyhave you?"

  "Two shillings," I exclaimed ruefully.

  "And I have but a crown--hardly enough to pay for a boat to take usover! Never mind, we'll decide which course to take, and lay ourplans accordingly. A spin of the coin will decide--heads,Carisbrooke; tails, Ashley."

  The coin flashed dully, and, peering at in the darkness, we foundthat His Majesty's effigy had fallen head downwards. "Home it is,Ralph!" I exclaimed. "Then how do you propose to journey there?"

  "Thus, I mean to take a boat from the quay. Didst notice thatevil-looking villain close to your elbow, who did continually applaudthat arrant traitor, the mayor?"

  "Ay, 'twas Cripps, the boatman."

  "The same; though I wot not that you knew him. As he sides with theenemy, for such they be now, since the King has raised his standard,it matters not what we take of his, for I'll warrant he'll nothesitate to help himself, should the castle be taken and sacked.Therefore, I propose to take his largest boat, drop down the river,and cross to the Hamptonshire shore, which we can easily do in amatter of four or five hours. But, hist! We are still going straighttowards the school, and someone approaches. 'Tis the dominie!"

  In the excitement of discussing our plans we had unconsciously turnedour steps towards St. James' Street, and were already within a fewpaces of the Grammar School. Hastily drawing into a low doorway, weawaited in breathless silence the passing of our master, and it waswith mixed feelings of regret and relief that we saw the dim outlinesof his familiar figure shuffle noiselessly by, though so intent onsome abstruse proposition that, even had we been in the roadway, Idoubt whether he would have observed us.

  Dear old dominie, in spite of all his apparent severities! Little didI think of the events in store for me ere I saw his stern yet kindlyfeatures once again.

  "Then, concerning arms and provisions," continued Granville.

  "That I have given thought to. There's Sutton, the armourer ofHolyrood Street. He is well acquainted with my father, having servedunder him before he set up for himself in the island, and h
e willwillingly provide us with the proper equipment. Let us hastenthither, for, if I mistake not, 'twill be a busy night for him."

  A few minutes' walk brought us to the door of the armourer's shop.Not a light was visible, and the windows were shuttered and heavilybarred.

  I knocked, and, after a little while, finding there was no reply, Iknocked louder.

  "Who's there?" exclaimed a deep voice. "And what d'ye lack?"

  "'Tis I, Humphrey Markham."

  "Lord love you, Master Markham! What brings you here this time o'night? Wait but a moment, and I'll unbar the door."

  The door was cautiously opened, and, followed by Granville, Ientered. The old armourer, holding a candle lantern, ushered us intoan apartment which comprised both a shop and a living-room, but,contrary to its usual appearance, the place was practically bare.

  The armourer was a short, broad-shouldered man, with massive,muscular arms that ill matched a pair of short, thin legs, which, asif unequal to bear the weight of his body, had assumed a bow-likeappearance; while his round, good-humoured face was partially coveredby a thick crop of raven-black hair, which surrounded a bald andshiny pate.

  "Ah!" he exclaimed, with a ringing laugh, as he noticed my perplexedglances at the almost empty room. "Looks a bit different to when youwere here last? Well, Will Sutton can read the signs of the timespretty clearly, I can assure you. Knowing that the arms would betaken in the name of the people, I sent them up to the castleyester-night, and I hold Colonel Brett's receipt for them. Alreadythe mayor has sent thrice for them, but this time he's too late."

  "We're come here to get some arms, also," I announced.

  "You, Master Markham! What for?"

  "To fight with, I expect. We are on our way to join my father."

  "'Tis grave news," he remarked. "Though you are but young, the Kingwill require every man fit to bear arms, I trove. Still, I think Ihave sufficient to equip both you and your companion."

  "Now, concerning the payment----"

  "Nay, never mind that," he interrupted. "I have little doubt but thatHis Grace the Earl of Portland will well repay me for what I havealready delivered; if not, I know too well that your father willrecompense me for any slight service I can do for his son. Come thisway, and we'll see what can be done."

  So saying, he took the lantern and went upstairs, we following.

  From under a bed he, with the aid of our united efforts, dragged outa heavy box, and, throwing back the lid, disclosed a store ofweapons.

  "Here, Master Markham, is a fine piece of steel," he exclaimed,handing me a sword in a black scabbard of Spanish leather. "Draw it,and try its temper."

  An indescribable feeling of pleasure possessed me as I handled theblade, which, even in the dim candle-light, flashed like a thousanddiamonds.

  "Don't be afraid of it," said the armourer as I cautiously bent thesteel with my hands. "A better piece of steel was never welded. See!"

  And, taking the beautiful weapon from me, he bent the tempered bladetill the point touched the guard, letting it fly back to its naturalposition.

  "'Tis just suited to your height and strength, Master Markham, for agreater mistake cannot be made than to give a man a heavier swordthan he can profitably wield; and, moreover, I pray you, remember ithas a point. I'll show you what I mean."

  So saying, he placed a small cube of oak upon a heavy stool, and,retaining the light weapon, he gave me a heavy broadsword.

  "Now, young master, mind the beam overhead, and make a shrewd strokeat that junk of wood."

  Grasping the broadsword, I raised my arm till the point touched thebeam, then, putting all my strength into the blow, I struck at thewooden block. The next instant the blade had sunk deep into the stoolon which the block had been standing; but, to my surprise, the blockitself was nowhere to be seen.

  "Well," asked the armourer, laughing, "where is the junk of oak?"

  "Truly, I know not, unless I have shorn it in two! My arm aches withthe force of the blow."

  "Did I not tell you that this weapon had a point?" he exclaimed,producing the light sword, on which the cube was firmly fixed. "'Tiswhat might have happened in actual fight. Whilst you were bringingthe heavy blade down I pinked the wood with the light one, and youwere not one whit the wiser. Now, take the weapon, and remember thewords they engrave on trusty blades, 'Never sheath me, save inhonour.' Here, too, is a sword for your friend, not quite so fine asyours, but a goodly blade withal. And here are a brace of smallpistols apiece, with a score of charges in a waterproof case. How areyou going to cross over?" he added.

  In a few words I told him.

  "Capitally planned," he exclaimed. "Cripps, the waterman, was one ofthose rogues who would have despoiled anybody of his stock. You knowthe channel?"

  "Passably."

  "'Tis easy; keep well in the centre, and you'll not go far wrong.'Twill be high water at one hour before midnight, but, when you getto Cowes Castle, drop anchor and pretend to fish till you see thetide making to the east'ard. A matter of five or six hours that'llbe; but 'twill be no use starting before, and then you'll have a fairtide right the whole way over. What place do you make for?"

  "Portsmouth, I hope."

  "They say the place is assailed by the rebels, though perchance theydo not keep a strict blockade." A few more words of good advice, andwe took our leave of the kindly armourer, who also provided us withfood; then, walking boldly through the now deserted streets, we cameto the quay.