William Harrison Ainsworth

by Guy Fawkes, or the Gunpowder Treason

  Not judging it prudent to land, they continued to ply the oars, until fatigue compelled them to desist, and they had placed some miles between them and their pursuers.

  "Long before this, the Earl must have given up the chase," observed Catesby. "We must return before daybreak, and either land our powder near the Parliament House, or take it back to the vault at Lambeth."

  "We shall run equal risk either way," replied Fawkes, "and, having ventured thus far, we may as well go through with it. I am for landing at Westminster."

  "And I," rejoined Catesby. "I do not like giving up a project when I have once undertaken it."

  "You speak my sentiments exactly," returned Fawkes. "Westminster be it."

  After remaining stationary for about an hour, they rowed back again, and, aided by the stream, in a short time reached their destination. The fog had in a great degree cleared off, and day began to break as they approached the stairs leading to the Parliament House. Though this was not what they desired, inasmuch as the light added to the risk they would have run in landing the powder, it enabled them to ascertain that no one was on the watch.

  Running swiftly in towards a sort of wharf, protected by a roofed building, Catesby leapt ashore, and tied the skiff to a ring in the steps. He then desired Fawkes to hand out the powder as quickly as he could. The order was promptly obeyed, and in a few minutes several barrels were on the strand.

  "Had you not better fetch Keyes to help us, while I get out the rest?" observed Fawkes.

  Catesby assented, and hurrying to the house, found Keyes, who was in great alarm about them. He instantly accompanied the other to the wharf, and by their united efforts the powder was expeditiously and safely removed.

  Chapter II - The Traitor

  *

  The habitation, to which the powder was conveyed, adjoined, as has already been stated, the Parliament House, and stood at the south-west corner of that structure. It was a small building, two stories high, with a little garden attached to it, surrounded by lofty walls, and belonged to Whinneard, the keeper of the royal wardrobe, by whom it was let to a person named Ferris. From the latter it was hired by Thomas Percy, one of the conspirators, and a relative of the Earl of Northumberland,—of whom it will be necessary to speak more fully hereafter,—for the purpose to which it was now put.

  Having bestowed the barrels of powder carefully in the cellar, and fastened the door of the house and the garden-gate after them, the trio returned to the boat, and rowed back to Lambeth, where they arrived without being noticed. They then threw themselves upon the floor, and sought some repose after their fatigue.

  It was late in the day before they awoke. Garnet and Oldcorne had been long astir; but Viviana had not quitted her chamber. Catesby's first object was to examine the packet he had obtained from the Earl of Salisbury, and withdrawing to a corner, he read over the papers one by one carefully.

  Guy Fawkes watched his countenance as he perused them, but he asked no questions. Many of the documents appeared to have little interest, for Catesby tossed them aside with an exclamation of disappointment. At length, however, a small note dropped from the bundle. Catesby picked it up, opened it, and his whole expression changed. His brow grew contracted; and, springing to his feet, he uttered an ejaculation of rage, crying, "It is as I suspected. We have traitors among us."

  "Whom do you suspect?" cried Fawkes.

  "Tresham!" cried Catesby, in a voice of thunder,—"the fawning, wily, lying Tresham. Fool that I was to league him with us."

  "He is your own kinsman," observed Garnet.

  "He is," replied Catesby; "but were he my own brother he should die. Here is a letter from him to Lord Mounteagle, which has found its way to the Earl of Salisbury, hinting that a plot is hatching against the state, and offering to give him full information of it."

  "Traitor! false, perjured traitor!" cried Fawkes. "He must die."

  "He shall fall by my hand," rejoined Catesby. "Stay! a plan occurs to me. He cannot be aware that this letter is in my possession. I will send Bates to bid him come hither. We will then charge him with his criminality, and put him to death."

  "He deserves severe punishment, no doubt," replied Garnet; "but I am unwilling you should proceed to the last extremities with him."

  "There is no alternative, father," replied Catesby. "Our safety demands his destruction."

  Garnet returned no answer, but bowed his head sorrowfully upon his breast. Bates was then despatched to Tresham; and preparations were made by the three lay conspirators for executing their fell design.

  It was agreed, that on his arrival, Tresham should be seized and disarmed, and after being interrogated by Catesby touching the extent of his treachery, should be stabbed by Guy Fawkes. This being resolved upon, it became a question how they should act in the interim. It was possible that, after the loss of his papers, some communication might take place between the Earl of Salisbury and Lord Mounteagle, and through the latter with Tresham. Thus prepared, on the arrival of Bates, Tresham, seeing through their design, instead of accompanying him, might give information of their retreat to the officers. The contingency was by no means improbable; and it was urged so strongly by Garnet, that Catesby began to regret his precipitancy in sending the message. Still, his choler was so greatly roused against Tresham, that he resolved to gratify his vengeance at any risk.

  "If he betrays us, and brings the officers here, we shall know how to act," he remarked to Fawkes. "There is that below which will avenge us on them all."

  "True," replied Fawkes. "But I trust we shall not be obliged to resort to it."

  Soon after this, Bates returned with a message from Tresham, stating that he would be at the rendezvous at nightfall, and that he had important disclosures to make to them. He desired them, moreover, to observe the utmost caution, and not to stir abroad.

  "He may, perhaps, be able to offer an explanation of his conduct," observed Keyes.

  "Impossible," returned Catesby. "But he shall not die without a hearing."

  "That is all I desire," returned Keyes.

  While the others were debating upon the interrogations they should put to Tresham, and further examining the Earl of Salisbury's papers, Garnet repaired to Viviana's chamber, and informed her what was about to take place. She was filled with consternation, and entreated to be allowed to see Guy Fawkes for a few moments alone. Moved by her supplications, Garnet complied, and presently afterwards Fawkes entered the room.

  "You have sent for me, Viviana," he said. "What would you?"

  "I have just heard you are about to put one of your companions to death," she replied. "It must not be."

  "Viviana Radcliffe," returned Fawkes, "by your own desire you have mixed yourself up with my fortunes. I will not now discuss the prudence of the step you have taken. But I deem it necessary to tell you, once for all, that any attempts to turn me from the line of conduct I have marked out to myself will fail. Tresham has betrayed us, and he must pay the penalty of his treason."

  "But not with his life," replied Viviana. "Do you not now perceive into what enormities this fatal enterprise will lead you? It is not one crime alone that you are about to commit, but many. You constitute yourselves judges of your companion, and without allowing him to defend himself, take his life. Disguise it as you may, it is assassination—cold-blooded assassination."

  "His life is justly forfeited," replied Guy Fawkes, sternly. "When he took the oath of secrecy and fidelity to our league, he well knew what the consequences would be if he violated it. He has done so. He has compromised our safety. Nay, he has sold us to our enemies, and nothing shall save him."

  "If this is so," replied Viviana, "how much better would it be to employ the time now left in providing for your safety, than in contriving means of vengeance upon one, who will be sufficiently punished for his baseness by his own conscience. Even if you destroy him, you will not add to your own security, while you will commit a foul and needless crime, equal, if not exceeding in atrocity that you
seek to punish."

  "Viviana," replied Fawkes, in an angry tone, "in an evil hour, I consented to your accompanying me. I now repent my acquiescence. But, having passed my word, I cannot retract. You waste time, and exhaust my patience and your own by these unavailing supplications. When I embarked in this enterprise, I embraced all its dangers, all its crimes if you will, and I shall not shrink from them. The extent of Tresham's treachery is not yet known to us. There may be—and God grant it!—extenuating circumstances in his conduct that may save his life. But, as the case stands at present, his offence appears of that dye that nothing can wash it out but his blood."

  And he turned to depart.

  "When do you expect this wretched man?" asked Viviana, arresting him.

  "At nightfall," replied Fawkes.

  "Oh! that there were any means of warning him of his danger!" she cried.

  "There are none," rejoined Fawkes, fiercely,—"none that you can adopt. And I must lay my injunctions upon you not to quit your chamber."

  So saying, he retired.

  Left alone, Viviana became a prey to the most agonizing reflections. Despite the strong, and almost unaccountable interest she felt in Guy Fawkes, she began to repent the step she had taken in joining him, as calculated to make her a party to his criminal conduct. But this feeling was transient, and was succeeded by a firmer determination to pursue the good work she had undertaken.

  "Though slight success has hitherto attended my efforts," she thought, "that is no reason why I should relax them. The time is arrived when I may exert a beneficial influence over him; and it may be, that what occurs to-night will prove the first step towards complete triumph. In any case, nothing shall be wanting to prevent the commission of the meditated atrocity."

  With this, she knelt down and prayed long and fervently, and arose confirmed and strengthened in her resolution.

  Meanwhile, no alteration had taken place in the purposes of the conspirators. Night came, but with it came not Tresham. Catesby, who, up to this time had managed to restrain his impatience, now arose, and signified his intention of going in search of him, and was with difficulty prevented from carrying his threat into execution by Guy Fawkes, who represented the folly and risk of such a course.

  "If he comes not before midnight, we shall know what to think, and how to act," he observed; "but till then let us remain tranquil."

  Keyes and the others adding their persuasions to those of Fawkes, Catesby sat sullenly down, and a profound silence ensued. In this way, some hours were passed, when just at the stroke of midnight, Viviana descended from her room, and appeared amongst them. Her countenance was deathly pale, and she looked anxiously around the assemblage. All, however, with the exception of Fawkes, avoided her gaze.

  "Is he come?" she exclaimed at length. "I have listened intently, but have heard nothing. You cannot have murdered him. And yet your looks alarm me. Father Garnet, answer me,—is the deed done?"

  "No, my daughter," replied Garnet, sternly.

  "Then he has escaped!" she cried, joyfully. "You expected him at nightfall."

  "It is not yet too late," replied Fawkes, in a sombre tone; "his death is only deferred."

  "Oh! do not say so," she cried, in a voice of agony. "I hoped you had relented."

  At this moment a peculiar knock was heard at the door. It was thrice repeated, and the strokes vibrated, though with different effect, through every bosom.

  "He is here," cried Catesby, rising.

  "Viviana, go to your chamber," commanded Guy Fawkes, grasping her hand, and leading her towards the stairs.

  But she resisted his efforts, and fell on her knees.

  "I will not go," she cried, in a supplicating tone, "unless you will spare this man's life."

  "I have already told you my fixed determination," rejoined Fawkes, fiercely. "If you will not retire of your own free will, I must force you."

  "If you attempt it, I will scream, and alarm your victim," she replied. "Mr. Catesby," she added, "have my prayers, my entreaties, no weight with you? Will you not grant me his life?"

  "No!" replied Catesby, fiercely. "She must be silenced," he added, with a significant look at Fawkes.

  "She shall," replied the latter, drawing his poniard. "Viviana!" he continued, in a voice, and with a look that left no doubt as to his intentions, "do not compel me to be your destroyer."

  As he spoke, the knocking was repeated, and Viviana uttered a prolonged and piercing cry. Guy Fawkes raised his weapon, and was about to strike, but his resolution failed him, and his arm dropped nerveless to his side.

  "Your better angel has conquered!" she cried, clasping his knees.

  While this was passing, the door was thrown open by Catesby, and Tresham entered the room.

  "What means this outcry?" he asked, looking round in alarm. "Ah! what do I see? Viviana Radcliffe here! Did she utter the scream?"

  "She did," replied Viviana, rising, "and she hoped to warn you by it. But you were led on by your fate."

  "Warn me from what?" ejaculated Tresham, starting. "I am among friends."

  "You are among those who have resolved upon your death," replied Viviana.

  "Ah!" exclaimed Tresham, making an effort to gain the door, and draw his sword.

  In both attempts, however, he was foiled, for Catesby intercepted him, while Fawkes and Keyes flung themselves upon him, and binding his arms together with a sword-belt, forced him into a chair.

  "Of what am I accused?" he demanded, in a voice tremulous with rage and terror.

  "You shall learn presently," replied Catesby. And he motioned to Fawkes to remove Viviana.

  "Let me remain," she cried, fiercely. "My nature is changed, and is become as savage as your own. If blood must be spilt, I will tarry to look upon it."

  "This is no place for you, dear daughter," interposed Garnet.

  "Nor for you either, father," retorted Viviana, bitterly; "unless you will act as a minister of Christ, and prevent this violence."

  "Let her remain, if she will," observed Catesby. "Her presence need not hinder our proceedings."

  So saying, he seated himself opposite Tresham, while the two priests placed themselves on either side. Guy Fawkes took up a position on the left of the prisoner, with his drawn dagger in his hand, and Keyes stationed himself near the door. The unfortunate captive regarded them with terrified glances, and trembled in every limb.

  "Thomas Tresham," commenced Catesby, in a stern voice, "you are a sworn brother in our plot. Before I proceed further, I will ask you what should be his punishment who violates his oath, and betrays his confederates? We await your answer?"

  But Tresham remained obstinately silent.

  "I will tell you, since you refuse to speak," continued Catesby. "It is death—death by the hands of his associates."

  "It may be," replied Tresham; "but I have neither broken my oath, nor betrayed you."

  "Your letter to Lord Mounteagle is in my possession," replied Catesby. "Behold it!"

  "Perdition!" exclaimed Tresham. "But you will not slay me? I have betrayed nothing. I have revealed nothing. On my soul's salvation, I have not! Spare me! spare me! and I will be a faithful friend in future. I have been indiscreet—I own it—but nothing more. I have mentioned no names. And Lord Mounteagle, as you well know, is as zealous a Catholic as any now present."

  "Your letter has been sent to the Earl of Salisbury," pursued Catesby, coldly. "It was from him I obtained it."

  "Then Lord Mounteagle has betrayed me," returned Tresham, becoming pale as death.

  "Have you nothing further to allege?" demanded Catesby. As Tresham made no answer, he turned to the others, and said, "Is it your judgment he should die?"

  All, except Viviana, answered in the affirmative.

  "Tresham," continued Catesby, solemnly, "prepare to meet your fate like a man. And do you, father," he added to Garnet, "proceed to shrive him."

  "Hold!" cried Viviana, stepping into the midst of them,—"hold!" she exclaimed, in a voice so
authoritative, and with a look so commanding, that the whole assemblage were awe-stricken. "If you think to commit this crime with impunity, you are mistaken. I swear by everything sacred, if you take this man's life, I will go forth instantly, and denounce you all to the Council. You may stare, sirs, and threaten me, but you shall find I will keep my word."

  "We must put her to death too," observed Catesby, in an under tone to Fawkes, "or we shall have a worse enemy left than Tresham."

  "I cannot consent to it," replied Fawkes.

  "If you mistrust this person, why not place him in restraint?" pursued Viviana. "You will not mend matters by killing him."

  "She says well," observed Garnet; "let us put him in some place of security."

  "I am agreed," replied Fawkes.

  "And I," added Keyes.

  "My judgment, then, is overruled," rejoined Catesby. "But I will not oppose you. We will imprison him in the vault beneath this chamber."

  "He must be without light," said Garnet.

  "And without arms," added Keyes.

  "And without food," muttered Catesby. "He has only exchanged one death for another."

  The flag was then raised, and Tresham thrust into the vault, after which it was restored to its former position.

  "I have saved you from the lesser crime," cried Viviana to Guy Fawkes; "and, with Heaven's grace, I trust to preserve you from the greater!"

  Chapter III - The Escape Prevented

  *

  Viviana having retired to her chamber, apparently to rest, a long and anxious consultation was held by the conspirators as to the next steps to be pursued. Garnet was of opinion that, as the Earl of Salisbury was aware of a conspiracy against the state being on foot among the Catholics, their project ought to be deferred, if not altogether abandoned.

  "We are sure to be discovered," he said. "Arrests without end will take place. And such rigorous measures will be adopted by the Earl, such inquiries instituted, that all will infallibly be brought to light. Besides, we know not what Tresham may have revealed. He denies having betrayed our secret, but no credit can be attached to his assertions."