The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  “You have it, my son! exclaimed the old Cavalier, extending his arms over his head. May the Father of Heaven, who supported our blessed king in his last hour, support thee in thine!”

  “Delay no longer, sergeant,” cried Stelfax, wishful to interrupt the scene. “Remove the prisoners, and wait my further orders in the hall of entrance.”

  Upon this, Clavering arose, and tearing himself from his father’s embrace, moved on.

  “Farewell, your honour,” said John Habergeon, halting a moment by his old master. “Give yourself no concern about me. I shall die a dog’s death at the hands of these cursed rebels — but what matters it? I have ever been a loyal subject to my king, and a faithful servant to the best of masters, and that will be my consolation at my last hour. May I take your hand at parting?”

  “Farewell, my faithful servant,” the old Cavalier replied, warmly grasping John’s rugged hand; “we shall not be long separated.”

  “It were but mockery to wish your honour long continuance in a world like this, where only roguery prospers — you were better out of it,” John said. “So, I hope we may soon meet in a place where rebels and regicides will never enter.”

  “Amen!” the colonel responded; “farewell, John! And farewell to thee, too, my poor fellow!” he added to Ninian, as the latter came up. “’Tis a pity thou shouldst be out off thus early. But they may spare thee on the score of thy youth.”

  “I will not ask grace at their hands on that plea — or any other,” Ninian replied, resolutely. “Trust me, I will not discredit your honour’s house. My last cry shall be,’ Confusion to old Noll, and long life and a speedy Restoration to the lawful ruler of this realm, his most sacred Majesty King Charles the Second!”

  “Gag him, if he dares give utterance to further treason,” roared Stelfax, furiously. “Away with them at once, sergeant! Wherefore dost thou suffer them to abuse my patience thus?”

  Upon this, Delves put the men in motion, and conducted the prisoners down the principal staircase to the entrance-hall, where Stelfax soon afterwards joined him.

  CHAPTER V.

  How The Captain Of The Ironsides Inspected.

  The Village Church, And Made Another Capture

  GREAT was the consternation throughout the Grange when it became known that Clavering Maunsel and the two others were captured. All the serving-men flocked towards the entrance-hall to satisfy themselves of the truth of the report, and the sad spectacle they there beheld left them no doubt of its correctness.

  In the midst of a circle of troopers, carabines in hand, stood the three prisoners; unbound, but deprived of all means of resistance. Clavering looked much depressed, but the other two cast defiant glances at the guard.

  Near approach to the prisoners being interdicted, the passage leading to the kitchen and buttery, which opened upon the entrance-hall, was thronged with anxious spectators. Here old Martin Geere, Giles Moppett, Elias Crundy, and others, were stationed, conferring amongst themselves in whispers, and timorously looking on. They had been told by Besadaiah Eavestaff, who was posted at the upper end of the passage, that the prisoners would be taken to Lewes and lodged within the castle, but this was all they could learn.

  The information, however, was not strictly correct. The captain of the Ironsides had no intention of departing immediately, having made up his mind to pass the night at the Grange. The capture of the fugitives did not occasion any change in his plans. A brief consultation with Delves as to the best means of disposing of the prisoners until the morrow, led the sergeant to suggest the village church as a temporary stronghold — churches, in those days, being not unfrequently used for such purposes, and even as stables. Stelfax thought the suggestion good, but in order to satisfy himself of its feasibility, he went forth with Delves to inspect the sacred structure.

  The little church, it will be remembered, was but a short distance from the Grange, standing on the slope of the opposite down, and the two Ironsides soon reached it. On entering the porch, the door proved to be locked, whereupon Stelfax despatched the sergeant to the adjacent rectory for the key. While Delves departed on the errand, his leader strolled about the churchyard, examining the venerable structure from different points of view — not with any feelings of reverence for its sacred character, or admiration of its architectural beauty, but merely with a view to its adaptation to the purpose of a temporary stronghold. All was still around. The evening was serene and beautiful. The sun had sunk below the western hill; and the low square tower of the church was darkly defined against the glowing sky. The only object not in harmony with the peaceful scene was the formidable figure of the Ironside in his martial accoutrements.

  Stelfax’s examination of the sacred fabric was quite satisfactory to him. The tower at the west end of the structure appeared to offer all he could desire in the way of security. It had no outlet to the churchyard; its windows were only three in number, placed at a considerable height from the ground, acutely pointed, and so narrow as to preclude all chance of escape by their means. If the interior of the tower corresponded with its outward appearance, it would suit the captain’s requirements admirably.

  Proceeding to the parsonage-house, Delves opened the door without troubling himself to knock at it, sought out Micklegift, and, on finding him, authoritatively demanded the key of the church. The Independent minister energetically refused to deliver it up, and hastily rising, strove to snatch it from a nail in the wall, against which it hung. But the sergeant was too quick for him, and possessing himself of the prize, departed with it.

  Delves then joined his leader, while Micklegift, sorely annoyed at the occurrence, flew to his garden, which was only divided from the churchyard by a wall, and soon managed to obtain a position whence, without betraying himself, he could, command their proceedings, and overhear their discourse — so long, at least, as they remained outside the church. From the few words which passed between them previous to their entering the sacred edifice, he ascertained their design, and resolved to thwart it.

  “So, this irreverend and unscrupulous soldier of the Republic,” thus ran his meditations, “whose doings put to shame and tarnish the actions of his mighty general, Cromwell — this base officer having had the good fortune to capture the young fugitive malignant and his followers, purposes to bestow his prisoners for the night in my church, as in a stronghold or place of duresse. It is well! Not for any love that I bear Clavering Maunsel — for, regarding him as a rival, I cannot but hold him in aversion; not for any desire I have to serve the Royalist cause, for I am strongly and conscientiously opposed to it; but because of the hatred I bear to this detested Stelfax, and because of the dishonourable treatment he hath shown me, will I confound his devices, and deliver these captives from their hands. Yea, I will set my wits to work to accomplish their liberation, and I doubt not of success.”

  While the Independent minister was forming this vindictive resolve, Stelfax and his companion had gained an entrance to the church, and the Roundhead leader found, on inspecting the interior of the tower, that the opinion he had formed of its security and fitness were fully justified. “If the place had been built for us,” he remarked to Sergeant Delves, as they stepped into the chamber, “It could not have been better contrived.”

  The interior of the church tower formed a small square chamber, very lofty in proportion to its height: — the room, as we have heretofore stated, being used, at the present day, as a vestiary. Above was a little belfry, which could only be entered by a trap-door in the ceiling; but, as a tolerably long ladder was required to reach this trap-door, and no ladder was at hand, little danger was to be apprehended in that direction. The walls were of solid masonry, coated with plaster and whitewashed. Internally, the tower was some feet lower than the ground outside it, so that the windows were elevated in like proportion from the floor, and far out of the reach of the tallest man. We have already shown that they were too narrow to allow even a slightly-built person to pass through them. The chamber was entirely
empty. The sole entrance to the tower was from the body of the church; the door being of stout oak, studded with flat- headed nails, and fitted into a pointed arch.

  Having completed their survey, Stelfax and the sergeant quitted the sacred fabric, locking the door as they went forth, and taking the key with them. As they passed through the churchyard, the Ironside leader made some observations upon the strength and security of the tower, and its suitableness for their present purpose, wholly unconscious that his observations reached the ears of Micklegift.

  Issuing from the little gate of the churchyard, the Ironsides were about to descend the green slope leading to the valley, when, to their surprise, they perceived a couple of horsemen dash suddenly down the steepest part of the escarpment on their left — the same hillside, in fact, only at a more abrupt declivity, on which the church itself was built. The horsemen were not more than a hundred yards off on first coming into sight, but while they themselves were fully visible to the Ironsides, the latter were screened from view by an intervening hedge, and a cluster of overhanging trees. Both horsemen were remarkably well mounted, and appeared to be making for the Grange. Stelfax and his companion stood still to watch their course. Something there was in the appearance of the horsemen that led both lookers-on to the conclusion that they were fugitive Cavaliers; and the curiosity of the Ironsides was greatly excited to learn who they were, and what could have brought them to the Grange, at a moment of such peril to themselves. Meanwhile, the supposed Royalists, totally unconscious of danger, galloped on, and were now almost at the gates of the mansion.

  “If yon madmen be malignants, as I take them to be,” cried Stelfax, with a laugh, “they will fall headlong into the lion’s den. To the house, sergeant, and let us assist in their capture!”

  So saying, he drew his sword, and closely attended by Delves, who likewise plucked forth his blade, he ran down the slope, and made for the house-gates with all possible despatch.

  Another instant confirmed the suspicions which both Iron-sides had entertained, that the horsemen were Royalists. Scarcely had the twain entered the gates, through which they rode with insensate haste and utter recklessness of consequences, than they were challenged by the sentinels posted within the court. At once comprehending the peril in which their inadvertence had placed them, the reckless horsemen endeavoured to back out. Seeing this, one of the troopers rushed towards the gates, in order to close them, and cut off their retreat, while the other, presenting his carabine, threatened to fire if they moved. Nothing daunted, however, the Cavalier against whom the musket was levelled, and who was but a short distance from the sentinel, having managed to draw his sword, struck the weapon from the man’s grasp. The carabine went off as it fell, but did no mischief.

  All this was the work of a minute, and so rapidly had the horsemen turned, that the one next the gates passed through them before the trooper could swing round the heavy iron frames to prevent his exit; while even the hinder Cavalier would have made good his retreat, if Stelfax and the sergeant had not come up at the juncture. Springing at the foremost horseman, Delves made an effort to arrest him, but the Cavalier, plunging spurs into his steed, dashed against him with such force as to hurl him to the ground; in which position the sergeant discharged his pistol at the fugitive, but without effect.

  Less lucky than his companion, who thus got off uninjured, the second Cavalier had to encounter Stelfax, who rushed up to him without hesitation, and, seizing his bridle, bade him surrender. The Cavalier replied by a desperate cut at the Ironside leader’s head, which might have cleared the way for him if it had taken effect; but Stelfax warded off the blow, and, catching hold of his antagonist, dragged him by sheer force of arm from his horse. The contest, though taking some time to narrate, had been, in reality, so brief, that no one else could take part in it; though several troopers rushed towards the scene of strife.

  The luckless Cavalier who had thus been captured by the stalwart Ironside leader, was tall and well proportioned. His attire was sad-coloured, and of Puritan plainness, and his locks cropped close to his head. Nevertheless, his looks and deportment did not agree with these symbols of Puritanism. He was a man of middle age, but of undiminished energies, as his hardy opponent had discovered.

  While holding the discomfited Cavalier in his iron grasp, Stelfax scanned his features for a short space; and then shouted to Delves, who by this time had regained his legs, demanding, “Tell me — whom dost thou hold this malignant to be?”

  “It is not Charles Stuart,” the sergeant replied, surveying the captive.

  “Charles Stuart! — tush! This man of middle age. Look again, and carefully. Hast thou beheld that face before?”

  “Yea, verily have I, and at Worcester,” the sergeant answered. “It is the face of one who, at that conflict, commanded the left wing of the army of Abijam, the son of Rehoboam. It is the Lord Wilmot.”

  “Thou art right,” Stelfax exclaimed. “It is the Lord Wilmot. Of a truth, this is an important capture — next to that of the Young Man himself, the most important that could have been effected, and the one that will give the greatest satisfaction to the Lord General. But though we have taken a commander of a division, the leader of the whole army may have escaped us. Peradventure, it was Abijam himself who hath just fled. Didst thou note the features and person of the man whom thou didst vainly essay to capture?”

  “I looked upon him as he charged me,” Delves replied; “and methought he was younger, and more active than this man, and of a swarthy complexion—”

  “’Tis he!— ’tis Charles Stuart in person! I am well assured of it,” Stelfax cried out in great excitement. “Sound boot and saddle! I will pursue instantly. I will scour the country round but I will have him.”

  “You are deceived, sir,” said Lord Wilmot, who had not hitherto uttered a syllable. “It is not the king who hath just ridden off. His Majesty is safe across the Channel.”

  “I will not take your word on that point, my lord,” the Ironside leader rejoined. “What ho!” he vociferated at the top of his stentorian voice. “My horse without a moment’s delay— ’tis well I kept him ready for instant service — three men to go with me. The rest shall remain here to guard the prisoners till my return. The fugitive is yet in sight; but I shall lose him if ye delay — quick, knaves, quick! Ha! he has gained the top of the hill — he disappears — he will escape me if ye loiter!”

  “Heaven be praised!” Lord Wilmot exclaimed, with irrepressible emotion.

  “Give praises to Heaven if I fail to take your young monarch, my lord, but not before. Here comes my horse,” cried Stelfax, vaulting into the saddle. “Lead our noble captive into the house, sergeant. Let his person be searched carefully, and then put him with the other prisoners. If I return not speedily, remove them all to the church tower, and keep strict watch over them. And hark ye, sergeant, if rescue be attempted, spare not, but smite.”

  “Fear nothing, captain,” Delves replied. “I will make a terrible example of all such as oppose our authority.”

  Three mounted troopers having by this time joined their leader, the little party struck spurs into their horses, and galloped along the valley, and then up the steep escarpment on the left, pursuing the course taken by the fugitive; while Lord Wilmot was led into he house by Delves and the other Ironsides.

  BOOK VI. THE DEVIL’S DYKE

  CHAPTER I.

  Showing How Ninian Escaped; And How The Other Prisoners Were. Taken To The Church Tower

  A CONFLICT, such as we described in the last chapter, between Cavalier and Roundhead, where the odds were so greatly against the former, could not fail to excite vividly the feelings of staunch partisans of the royal cause like Clavering and John Habergeon. But the person among the prisoners who profited by the confusion incident to the capture of Lord Wilmot and the flight of his companion was Ninian Saxby. While the attention of the guard was attracted to what was going on outside, the young falconer slipped suddenly between two of the soldiers, and, alm
ost at a bound, reached the entrance to the passage leading to the buttery.

  This passage was thronged with various members of the household, and amongst them was Ninian’s own father, who beheld with the utmost anxiety the daring attempt of his son. At the head of the passage Besadaiah Eavestaff was posted, carabine in hand. But he failed to impede the young falconer’s flight. Before he could level his gun, his arms were seized by those behind him, and Ninian was enabled to pass by. No sooner was he gone than the passage was blocked up, and it could not be cleared till pursuit was useless. Fortunately for Ninian, the patrol at the rear of the mansion had just been removed, so there was no further hindrance to his retreat.

  On being informed of the young falconer’s escape, which he learnt as he entered the hall with Lord Wilmot and the guard, Sergeant Delves was greatly enraged, and sharply reprimanding the troopers, especially Besadaiah Eavestaff, for neglect of duty, threatened to make a severe example of such of the household as had aided Ninian’s flight. The principal offender, and the person who had seized Besadaiah from behind, turned out, upon inquiry, to be the fugitive’s own father; but he, too, had disappeared. Delves was therefore obliged to content himself with clearing the passage from all intruders, which he did in a very summary manner. No great pains were taken to recapture Ninian. Though vexed at the occurrence, as knowing it would irritate Stelfax when it came to his knowledge, the sergeant did not like to diminish the guard by sending men to scour the country in quest of an escaped prisoner of little consequence, thereby endangering the security of his more important captives, Lord Wilmot and Clavering Maunsel.

  Stelfax’s orders in regard to Lord Wilmot were strictly obeyed. The Royalist nobleman was searched; but no letters or papers referring to the fugitive monarch, or calculated to give the slightest clue to his retreat, were discovered. Lord Wilmot smiled contemptuously as Delves scrutinized’ the tablets and pocket-book handed to him by the searchers. The memoranda contained in these little books were written in a cypher perfectly unintelligible to the sergeant; but though he could make nothing of the mysterious characters, Delves thought his leader might be able to unravel them, and he therefore put the books carefully into his pouch. Only a few pieces of gold were found in Lord Wilmot’s purse; so that he must have disposed of the large sum of money which he had obtained that morning from Zachary Trangmar. But of this the sergeant knew nothing, and consequently made no inquiries on the subject.