Another sortie was made that night by Standish and Chisenhale, accompanied by fifty musketeers — their object being to dismount the two pieces of cannon that had given the garrison so much trouble throughout the day. After a sharp conflict with the guard, during which Captain Chisenhale was slightly wounded, they succeeded in accomplishing their design.
Their triumph would have been complete, if they could have brought the two guns away with them, but this was impracticable.
The besiegers now began to show more activity and determination than they had hitherto displayed.
Provoked at the destruction of their little battery, they brought up a basilisk and a saker, two pieces of ordnance of smaller calibre than a culverin, and planted them against the gate-towers.
A misdirected shot from the basilisk entered the wicket, and killed one of the guard, but did not find its way to the court.
Immediately afterwards the gate was thrown open, and the drawbridge lowered, and a party of horsemen headed by Standish dashed out provided with ropes.
Seizing the two pieces of ordnance, they dragged them into the court, their own retreat being covered by the guns in the gate-towers.
Not a single man was lost on the occasion.
Hitherto, the Royalists had been uniformly successful, and had baffled all the attempts of the enemy, generally inflicting severe loss upon them.
But it was felt that these constant defeats would only make the besiegers more determined, and that their efforts to take the mansion would be redoubled.
The besieged had no fear of such a result, but to prevent it the utmost vigilance and activity were required.
CHAPTER XVII
Of the Preparations made for a Grand Sortie
BY this time the works of the besiegers had made great progress. Bulwarks had been cast up, but as yet all the batteries had not been mounted with cannon.
It was also certain that a mine had been commenced, which it was intended should pass under the moat, either for the purpose of blowing up some of the towers, or cutting off the water.
As the deep well from which the garrison was abundantly supplied was situated in the very centre of the castle, it would necessarily take the miners some time to reach it, and it was resolved to sink a countermine to meet them as soon as their course could be discovered.
Engineers were, therefore, posted in various places to listen for any sounds that might guide them in their task.
Notwithstanding all these disquieting circumstances the courage of the countess remained unshaken, and, indeed, rose higher than ever. Nor was uneasiness manifested by any one in the mansion. Even those not engaged in its defence were full of ardour.
But the person most interested in the siege was Gertrude. As we have shown, she took an active part in the defence of the house — carried messages and orders — mounted ramparts and towers — and watched the cannonier when he pointed his gun, and would have done more if she had been permitted. Her great desire was to attend a sortie, and she would have accompanied the first expedition habited in male attire, if the countess would have allowed her.
With this recklessness, she now passed hours in the postern-tower, accounted the most dangerous part of the castle, being most exposed to a sudden assault of the enemy. Here she could watch the progress of their fortifications, and could count the sakers, the periers, the minions, and falconets on their batteries.
One morning while engaged in her survey she perceived that the besiegers had begun a new fort on which they were most diligently employed.
Fixed on the summit of a rising ground at a short distance on the south-west, it commanded the whole of the mansion; but the position being too high for cannon, it was evident the battery was intended for a mortar, or a bombard, The sconce was circular, and surrounded by a rampart, which, as yet, was unfinished.
On making this discovery, Gertrude hastened to the countess, but her ladyship had already been informed of the new fort by Major Farrington and Standish, and had given orders that it should be destroyed, if possible.
Accordingly the cannoniers had just opened fire, and having killed two of the men, and driven away the rest, were knocking down the ramparts.
“We may check the work for a time,” said Standish. “But it is certain it will be resumed on the first opportunity.”
“No doubt the sconce is designed for the large mortar, with which we have been threatened,” observed Major Farrington.
“The monster shall be silenced as soon as he begins to roar,” said Standish. “Meantime, we must make another sortie, and destroy the works. The enemy have been too long unmolested, and have grown insolent.”
“I approve of your design,” said the countess. “But this time, you must take a large party with you, and do the work effectually. How say you, sir?” she added, to Major Farrington. “I think half the garrison should go forth on this occasion.”
“I am quite of your ladyship’s opinion,” replied Farrington. “We must inflict a blow upon them, calculated to shake their overweening confidence.”
“True,” rejoined the countess. “The near approach of those forts and batteries is unpleasant to me. You must give Captain Standish the command of this expedition.”
“In an affair of this kind, wherein so large a number of men will be concerned, more than one leader will be required,” said Major Farrington. “I therefore propose — with your ladyship’s approval — to divide the party into three squadrons — one squadron to be commanded by Captain Standish, another by Captain Farmer, and the third by Captain Molineux Radcliffe. This will prevent any jealousy.”
“You are right,” said the countess. “And I trust Captain Standish is satisfied with the arrangement.”
“Perfectly,” he replied. “I could desire no better.”
“Each officer can take his own lieutenant,” pursued Major Farrington.
“Mine shall be Bretergh,” cried Standish.
“I propose to make several other arrangements within the mansion,” said Major Farrington. “But before doing so, I desire to consult your ladyship.”
“Let me hear them,” she rejoined.
“First then, at the gates, which must be kept open, and the drawbridge down, I shall station Captain Ogle and a party of musketeers to defend the entrance. Should the enemy approach — though I do not deem it likely — the cannoniers will fire upon them from the towers and gate-house. The sally-port in the postern- tower shall be guarded by Captain Chisenhale with a party of men ready to succour our friends should they need aid. Captain Rawsthorne shall have charge of the musketeers upon the walls, while Captain Foxe shall be posted on the summit of the Eagle Tower, and with a pair of flags signal the movements of the enemy — so that our friends may know when to advance or retire.”
“Your plan seems well considered,” remarked the countess; “and if fully carried out, as I doubt not it will be, cannot fail to be successful. I have always thought that signals might be given from the Eagle Tower. I will be there myself. And you shall attend me, if you will, damsel,” she added to Gertrude.
“Your ladyship could not confer a greater favour upon me,” was the reply.
Soon afterwards, Major Farrington and Standish quitted the countess to make preparations for the proposed sortie.
Though the utmost activity prevailed within the garrison, no sign of it was manifest to the enemy, who began to think the besieged had taken alarm and were meditating a surrender. The besiegers therefore resumed the work they had suspended, and repaired the damage done to the sconce, intending to play the mortar with stones of eighty pounds weight on the following day.
CHAPTER XVIII
Of the Daring Deeds done by the Cavaliers in the Sortie; and how the New Fort was taken by Standish
At an early hour next day, Captain Foxe having received his orders from Major Farrington, mounted to the summit of the Eagle Tower, accompanied by a soldier bearing a pair of flags.
As soon as he had gained his post he looked around
to see whether anything indicated that the enemy suspected the meditated attack. But there was no unusual movement amongst them.
The morning was bright and clear, and he could perceive every object distinctly, without the aid of a spy-glass, though he had one with him.
Four camps were in view, but there was no unwonted stir in any of them. He saw the men assembling in answer to the morning call, and he likewise beheld small parties moving towards the trenches and fortifications to relieve guard. But the numbers were not greater than usual, nor did the besiegers quicken their march.
Satisfied with this distant survey, he next examined the fortifications, that now completely encircled the besieged mansion. No doubt these earth- works and batteries, though ill-provided with cannon, presented a very formidable appearance, and it seemed absolutely necessary for the security of the place that they should be destroyed.
Captain Foxe had just completed his survey, when turning round he perceived Gertrude, and bade her good-morrow.
“I am sent by the countess for information,” she said. “As you are aware, there is to be an early morning service for the officers and men chosen for the attack; and before proceeding to the chapel, her ladyship desired to know if all is quiet without.”
“Her ladyship need have no uneasiness,” rejoined Foxe. “The enemy suspects nothing. We shall take them by surprise — of that I am certain. If you are going to the chapel, I would entreat you to offer up a prayer for me.”
Promising compliance, Gertrude disappeared.
On returning to the countess she told her what she had heard, and the devout dame being freed from all immediate anxiety, proceeded with her daughters to the chapel, which was crowded with musketeers fully equipped for the conflict, and presented a very striking sight.
Never had Archdeacon Rutter preached a more animated sermon than he did on this occasion.
On the conclusion of the service, the three parties of musketeers, each under the command of a captain and lieutenant, were drawn up in the outer court, and after the countess had addressed a few words to them calculated to rouse their ardour, they prepared to sally forth upon the foe.
As the attacks, though made from various points, were to be simultaneous, it was no sooner ascertained that the two squadrons under the command of Captain Farmer and Captain Molineux Radcliffe were ready to issue from the sally-port in the postern tower, than the gate was thrown open, and the drawbridge lowered, and Standish and his men dashed out, while Captain Ogle with another party of musketeers, blocked up the gateway, so as to prevent all ingress of the enemy.
At the same time the walls were thronged with marksmen, under the command of Captain Rawsthorne and Lieutenants Walthew and Halsall.
The engineers in every tower stood beside their guns with lighted match in hand, and only awaited the order to fire.
Need we add that Captain Foxe was at his post?
Just before the attack began, the countess appeared on the Eagle Tower, attended by Gertrude. Captain Foxe did not allow himself to be distracted by their presence, but kept a careful look out.
For a few minutes the countess and her attendant spoke not a word, and strange to say, scarcely a sound seemed to reach them from beneath.
Their gaze was riveted upon the postern-tower.
Suddenly, the sally-port was opened, and from it poured out with astonishing rapidity a large band of musketeers with Captain Farmer at their head.
While they were forming, another party came forth with equal quickness, under the command of Captain Radcliffe.
Before commencing the attack, the two leaders turned their gaze towards the Eagle Tower, and saw that Captain Foxe waved the red flag to them to advance.
By this time the enemy had taken the alarm, and were gathering thickly in their fortifications, whence they fired upon their assailants, but could not check them in their onset.
Sustained by the musketeers and marksmen on the ramparts of the mansion, who were admirably directed by Captain Rawsthorne, the assailants scaled these bulwarks, and drove the engineers from their guns, killing several, and firing with deadly effect upon the soldiers who came to their relief.
While the conflict was raging in this quarter, Captain Standish, who had issued with his men from the gateway, had attacked another part of the works, and with equal bravery and success.
The attack had not lasted more than quarter of an hour, and already he had gained two batteries, and killed three men with his own hand.
But his main object was to spike the great mortar, and leaving Lieutenant Bretergh and those with him to deal with the cannon on the batteries, he forced his way to the rising ground on which the huge piece of ordnance was placed.
An attempt was made by the enemy to defend this little fort, but nothing could resist the impetuosity of Standish and his followers.
In an inconceivably short space of time they climbed the ramparts, and put the engineers to the sword after a brief struggle, and were consequently masters of the fort.
This daring exploit, witnessed from the walls and towers of the mansion, was hailed with shouts.
Striking the wide-mouthed and ponderous piece of ordnance with his sword, and regretting that its enormous weight prevented its removal, Standish ordered it to be spiked, and the work was effectually performed by one of the men who had come provided with a smith’s hammer and nails.
While this was going on, Standish looked up at the Eagle Tower and perceived that Captain Foxe was giving him a signal to retreat by waving a white flag in such a manner as to intimate that a large body of the enemy was advancing from the camp.
Compelled, however, to tarry for a few minutes longer, Standish looked around, and witnessed the end of a sharp conflict between Lieutenant Worral and the occupants of an adjoining battery.
Having sprung suddenly into the work, sword in hand, the valiant lieutenant had been instantly surrounded by a host of his foes, but he managed to defend himself against them all till Captain Farmer came to his assistance and delivered him.
At this juncture Standish caught sight of his friends, and responded to their shout of triumph by waving his sword.
Everywhere success had attended the Cavaliers in their onslaught, though the enemy trebled them in number, and were protected by forts and ramparts. The assailants were supported by the musketeers and cannoniers on the walls and in the towers of the castle; but the latter had to fire carefully for fear of injuring their friends.
But the Cavaliers were so impetuous that they scarcely seemed to need aid. Animated by a burning desire to chastise the insolence of the rebels, and inflict a severe blow upon them, they succeeded almost beyond expectation.
Many daring deeds were done that gave renown to those who performed them. A battery was taken single-handed by Captain Radcliffe, who slew seven men with his own hand, and a feat almost equally remarkable was achieved by Lieutenant Pesketh.
Ere long, a panic seized the besiegers, who had lost altogether more than fifty men. No prisoners were made by the Royalists, because they had found that the Parliamentarian commanders were unwilling to exchange them.
Thus the whole line of fortifications was abandoned, all the cannon were spiked, and as far as possible the works were destroyed. An immense number of muskets were taken.
For some moments the signal given by Captain Foxe was unheeded, the victors being unwilling to retire, but at length Captain Standish prepared to re-enter the castle, and the other leaders followed his example.
Though scattered about, the men were speedily got together, and the retreat was executed in very good order, albeit a troop of horse, under the command of Colonel Rigby, was close at hand at the time.
But no attempt at interruption was offered, and Rigby, though highly incensed, did not deem it prudent to expose himself to the fire of the garrison.
Thus Standish was allowed to cross the drawbridge, and pass through the gates unmolested, while equal good fortune befel Captain Farmer and Captain Molineux Radcliffe,
as they entered the postern-tower.
On descending from the Eagle Tower, the countess found the three victorious squadrons drawn up in the court-yard, and gave them a hearty greeting, telling them how much she was beholden to them, and how highly she appreciated their valour.
“I have always believed, and I now find I was right,” she said, “that I have nothing to fear from the enemy so long as I possess such valiant soldiers as you.”
“We have all vowed to defend your ladyship to the last,” cried the men enthusiastically. “And we will keep our oath. God bless the king and the Earl of Derby.”
And the court resounded with their shouts, which being taken up by the musketeers on the ramparts, were heard by Rigby and his troop, heightening the rage of the Parliamentary commander, and determining him to take ample revenge.
“Your ladyship will be pleased to hear,” said Standish, advancing, “that although we have slain many of the enemy, and brought away their arms, we have not left a man behind.”
“That is marvellous, and proves that Heaven is with us,” replied the countess. “We should be wanting in gratitude if we did not return thanks for the great mercy vouchsafed us.”
And accompanied by Archdeacon Rutter and her daughters, she proceeded to the chapel, where shortly afterwards all those who had been engaged in the recent conflict were assembled.
CHAPTER XIX
How a Council of War was held by the Besiegers; and how a Day of Fasting and Prayer was appointed by Fairfax
NOT satisfied with the damage done by the attack just described, the engineers in the towers kept up a constant fire upon the enemy, and strove to prevent them from repairing the fortifications, and unspiking the cannon.
In this manner the besiegers were harassed throughout the entire day, and at night they were alarmed by a fresh sortie conducted by Captain Chisenhale and Captain Ogle.
Though this sortie was on a small scale, and intended merely as an alarm, it was very well carried out, and produced a singular result.
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 775
