Despite all the firing and the danger to which she was exposed, she had mounted daily — sometimes more than once — to the summit of the Eagle Tower.
One day she was at her post, and surrounded by her usual attendants, when Major Farrington showed her that the engineers in a battery beneath were pointing a culverin against the tower on which she stood. The countess looked on undismayed, and smiled as the shot flew harmlessly past. Shortly afterwards a demi-cannon was fired from an adjacent battery, its mark being evidently the same as the culverin. Shot after shot from both pieces of ordnance followed at short intervals, but the tower remained untouched.
“I would counsel your ladyship to descend,” said Major Farrington, who had watched this display with anxiety. “Those cannoniers have evidently got orders to demolish this tower, and they will not desist from the attempt, unless we stop them. Shall I direct our engineers to fire upon them? They will not do so without orders.”
“Have we sufficient powder?” inquired the countess, in a low voice.
“Enough for this purpose,” he replied. “Not more.”
“Then let the enemy fire on,” said the brave lady. “We must reserve our scanty stock for a more important occasion.”
“I am certain Rigby is in the nearest battery with the culverin,” said Major Farrington. “I can see him now.”
“Say you so?” said the countess, almost fiercely. “Then, by Heaven, he shall not insult me thus. Give instant orders to return the fire. At any hazard we will silence them.”
“I am right glad your ladyship has so resolved,” said Major Farrington, as he departed on the errand.
Not till she had enjoyed the gratification of seeing the demi-cannon dismounted by her own engineers did the countess quit her post.
She then descended to the court, feeling perfectly satisfied with the answer she had given to Rigby’s insolent challenge.
But her triumph was of short duration. While she was talking to Major Farrington, who had come to meet her, a shot from the culverin struck an angle in the Eagle Tower, making a large breach in the wall, and demolishing part of the staircase.
“Your ladyship has just got down in time,” observed Major Farrington. “That shall be the last stroke of Rigby’s malice.”
And he made good his word. The culverin did not fire another shot, both engineers being killed.
CHAPTER XXII
How a Summons was sent by Rigby to the Countess to yield up the Castle and sue for Mercy to the Parliament; and of the Answer she returned
THAT night it was very dark and well adapted for a sortie, but as the officers were not allowed to sally forth in consequence of the scarcity of powder, they resorted to a device to annoy the enemy, that proved perfectly successful.
Balls of clay, furnished with a lighted match, such as were used by the musketeers, were flung from the ramparts towards the enemy’s works, and quickly attracted the attention of the sentries, who thought an assailing party was at hand.
The alarm was instantly given. Drums were beaten, and shortly afterwards, muskets and periers were fired in the direction of the lights.
For a short time this went on, to the great delight of the spectators on the ramparts, when the besiegers finding the lights continue motionless, suddenly ceased firing. Shouts of laughter from the ramparts explained the trick played upon them.
Next morning the besiegers began to shout loudly in their turn, being evidently desirous of attracting the attention of Major Farrington and the officers of the garrison to a fresh stock of grenadoes and bombs that had just arrived at the works. These they displayed ostentatiously, and pointing significantly to the fort in which the mortar was placed, vociferated at the top of their voices:
“We will soon send you some of them.”
Burning with rage, the men would fain have responded to these insults with their guns, but were forbidden to fire.
But the sight of the grenadoes made Major Farrington feel very anxious, and he had a long conference with the countess, during which he represented to her, without any attempt at disguise, the extreme danger to be apprehended from a shower of these terrible projectiles.
Two other persons only were present at the conference. These were Archdeacon Rutter and Captain Standish, but though deeply interested, they offered no opinion.
“The time has arrived,” said the countess, after some minutes’ reflection, “when a heavy blow must be struck against the enemy. At any risk — at any cost — we must deprive him of that mortar.”
“Unquestionably, that would be the heaviest blow that could be dealt him,” rejoined Farrington. “But I doubt if it can be accomplished.”
“I have no such doubt,” said the countess, in a determined tone. “But be the result what it may, the attempt shall be made, and without delay. How say you, Captain Standish?” she added, to him. “Are there not officers and men within the garrison willing to undertake this perilous task?”
“Assuredly, madam,” he rejoined. “There is not an officer or man in the garrison who would refuse to execute any command given him by your ladyship. The more hazardous the task, the better he would like it.”
“I spoke not of zeal or courage,” said Major Farrington; “but I fear that the bravest and most devoted men will find it impossible to remove that mortar.”
“It must be brought away,” said the countess.
“It shall be, madam,” rejoined Standish. “Some plan shall be devised for its removal, of which Major Farrington himself will approve.”
“I am glad to find you are so sanguine,” observed the countess. “But I repeat there must be no delay. The plan must be executed forthwith.”
Just then, Captain Chisenhale entered, and informed the countess that a trumpeter was at the gate, and brought her ladyship a letter from Colonel Rigby.
“From Rigby!” she exclaimed. “How dares he write to me? Send back the messenger.”
“Let me counsel your ladyship to hear what he has to say,” remarked Archdeacon Rutter. “You cannot then reproach yourself hereafter.”
“That is good advice,” she rejoined. “I will see him. Let the man come to the parade. I will read the letter publicly, that all who list, may hear my answer.”
“With your ladyship’s permission, I will make that known,” said Captain Chisenhale.
And he bowed and departed.
Shortly afterwards, the countess proceeded to the parade accompanied by her attendants.
A great number of musketeers were assembled to hear what she had to say to the messenger, who was standing in their midst.
The man, who had a trumpet suspended from his shoulder, bore himself bravely, and returned the fierce looks thrown at him. He had a letter in his belt, and delivered it to Captain Chisenhale, by whom it was handed to the countess.
While reading the missive she seemed scarcely able to control her indignation, and when she had done, she called out in a loud voice:
“You shall all hear the message sent me by that insolent fellow Rigby. He tells me this is his last letter, that he will write to me no more, and summons me to yield up to him Lathom House, and all the persons within it, all arms and munitions, and sue for mercy to Parliament. Furthermore, he requires me to return my final answer before two o’clock to-morrow. What think you of this letter?”
Cries of indignation resounded on all sides, and menacing looks were cast at the messenger.
“Come forward, fellow,” cried the countess to the man, who tremblingly obeyed. “It were a fitting reward for thy presumption to hang thee up at my gates.”
“Nay, spare me, I pray your ladyship,” cried the poor wretch, seeing how eager all around were to execute the threat. “I could not refuse obedience to Colonel Rigby’s command.”
“Nay, I waste not my anger on thee. Thou art merely the instrument of a traitor, and shalt go back in safety. Tell the insolent rebel how I received his letter,” she added, tearing it in pieces. “Tell him I deride his summons. Never shall he h
ave Lathom House — never! Rather than surrender it to him I will burn it in his sight. We will all perish together. Myself, my children, my soldiers, and my household will seal our loyalty and religion in the same flame. This is my final answer.”
As she concluded, loud acclamations arose, and the assemblage shouted with one voice, “We will all die for our noble lord and lady! God save the king!”
With these shouts ringing in his ears, the Trumpet was hurried to the gate, and thrust forth ignominiously, glad to escape with life.
When he got back to Rigby, he told him what had happened, and added, that in his opinion the garrison would never surrender.
“I expected no other answer from that furious woman,” he said. “But thou art mistaken as to the garrison. It cannot withstand our next assault.”
“Wherefore not?” demanded the Trumpet.
“Because they have no powder,” replied Rigby. “That I have just found out.”
“I can scarcely think it from what I have just seen and heard,” said the Trumpet.
“’Tis certain, nevertheless,” rejoined Rigby.
CHAPTER XXIII
Showing how the Great Mortar was captured by Standish and Chisenhale
IMMEDIATELY after the departure of the Trumpet, all the officers of the garrison were summoned to a council, at which it was decided that an attempt should be forthwith made to bring away the mortar, as it was felt that the capture of this terrible engine would inflict the heaviest blow on the enemy, and serve to raise the flagging spirits of their own men.
The best mode of carrying out the enterprise was then discussed, and various plans were suggested; the boldest of which, proposed by Captain Standish, met with the approval of the countess and Major Farrington, and was therefore adopted.
It was next settled that the sortie should be made about half an hour before daybreak on the morrow, and the utmost caution was to be observed, so as not to alarm the sentinels of the enemy.
The officers appointed to the dangerous service by the countess were Captains Standish and Chisenhale, with Lieutenants Bretergh and Walthew. But all were to be employed. To Captains Ogle and Foxe the command of the main guard was entrusted. Captain Rawsthorne had charge of the sally-port. Captain Molineux Radcliffe had command of the marksmen and musketeers; and the post assigned to Captain Farmer, with a party of fifty men, was the parade. Moreover, he had charge of the gateway.
Not only was employment found for every man in the garrison, but the whole of the household, which numbered more than a dozen stout serving-men, had a special duty to perform. They were to be under the command of the steward and Trioche, and were to aid a company of soldiers in levelling the ditch.
No objection was made by any of them. On the contrary, they were proud to be thus employed, and only begged that each of them might be provided with a pistol to be used against the enemy if an opportunity offered.
Never had the garrison been so excited before, because they had never before such a difficult and dangerous task to perform, and even the boldest felt that success was uncertain.
Major Farrington retracted the opinion he had at first expressed as to the impossibility of the feat, but he was secretly anxious; and even the countess herself, despite her undaunted demeanour, was not free from internal misgiving.
The besiegers remained tolerably quiet during the remainder of the day, and only indulged in an occasional shot from a saker or a perier.
Rigby made no experiment with his new grenadoes and fire-balls, reserving them for the following afternoon, when the countess was informed that he had invited Colonel Holland, the governor of Manchester, and several others to witness the destruction of her house.
When this was told her by Major Farrington, she simply remarked:
“I am glad he has asked so many of his friends to witness his own discomfiture.”
None of the garrison retired to rest on that night — neither did the countess.
Long before it was light all were prepared. Captain Radcliffe was on the ramparts with his marksmen and musketeers, and Captain Farmer had assembled his men on the parade.
Provided with strong ropes, shovels, and other implements, the serving-men were ready to set forth, under the command of Trioche and the steward.
It was still dark, when the sally-port was opened, and two companies of musketeers, each numbering fifty men, came forth, respectively commanded by Standish and Chisenhale.
So noiseless were their movements, that their approach was not discovered till they got under the cannon of the battery nearest them, the ramparts of which they scaled in spite of the desperate resistance of the soldiers, and put all within the fort to the sword.
The noise of this conflict roused all the besiegers from their slumber, but the assailants had successfully accomplished their first object, and secured themselves a retreat. Moreover, they had obtained a fresh supply of powder.
Leaving Bretergh and Walthew with a sufficient number of men to hold the fort, Standish and Chisenhale fought their way along the trenches to the battery on which the mortar was placed.
They were followed in their march by the party of serving-men, not one of whom manifested the slightest fear, though it was their first fight.
The sconce in which the mortar was placed was guarded by fifty men, who fired upon their assailants as they came on, but could not check their advance, and did them little injury.
From the position of this fort, which has been described as on a rising ground, it was soon found by the Royalists that their muskets were useless. They therefore picked up some of the large stones lying about, and hurled them over the ramparts. The clatter of these missiles on the steel headpieces was prodigious. Many of the soldiers were stunned and fell to the ground. Others fled. Taking advantage of their confusion, the assailants quickly cleared the ditch surrounding the fort, and scaling the ramparts, killed several of the enemy, and put the rest to flight.
Having thus secured their prize, they gave a loud shout, which was returned by their comrades in the battery they had first taken, and again by the musketeers on the postern-tower and on the walls of the castle.
The time had now come when the assistance of the serving-men, who had attended them during the attack, was required.
These stout fellows, who, it has been said, were provided with the necessary implements, soon contrived to level the trench, while the musketeers pulled down a portion of the ramparts.
A passage being thus made for the mortar, it was dragged by a score of strong hands from the sconce, then down the side of the mound, and across the now levelled trench.
Thus much was accomplished without opposition. But the enemy were resolved to prevent the removal of the great engine.
A large party of musketeers rushed forward with shouts and attacked the successful Royalists, who returned their fire, and a sharp conflict ensued.
However, it did not last long. Aided by Captain Molineux Radcliffe from the walls of the castle, which were within musket-shot, Standish and Chisenhale were soon able to disperse the foe, and moved on as fast as they could with their prize towards the gateway.
Two other attempts were made to check their retreat, but were equally unsuccessful.
The victors were now joined by Bretergh and Walthew with the party from the battery first taken, and their force was sufficient to repel any attack. So they moved on tranquilly under the guns of the garrison.
They had good reason to be satisfied with the result of the sortie. Not only had they secured the grand prize for which they had come forth, but what was nearly as important, they had obtained a large supply of powder; so that they were now quite easy on that score.
In addition to all these things, snatched from the very teeth of the foe, they brought back with them a great number of muskets, three drums, and five prisoners — the latter captured at the battery from which the mortar was taken.
As the victors entered the gates they were welcomed by the guard with shouts and other demonstr
ations of delight, but this was nothing compared to the frantic enthusiasm manifested by the soldiers collected in the court-yard at the sight of the mortar.
They could scarcely believe that the terrible engine that had caused them so much alarm was standing before them. They struck it with their guns, they spurned it, they leaped upon it, they danced round it, and committed a hundred extravagances.
“Ah! monster,” cried one of them, who had jumped inside it, and tried to make it ring with the butt-end of his gun, “we have thee now, and will not let thee go.”
“Little did Rigby think when he had thee cast, in the hope that thou wouldst accomplish our destruction, that thou wouldst soon be turned against himself, and help to deliver us from him.”
This speech was received with loud cheers and laughter by all who heard it, and the mortar rang like an anvil with the blows dealt against it.
The officers did not attempt to check the exuberant delight of the men, for they were almost as much excited themselves.
The countess, who was in the court-yard with her daughters and her customary attendants, was enchanted by the spectacle. The shouts and demonstrations of the men delighted her. She felt that their confidence — if it had been at all shaken — was completely restored, and that henceforth all would go on well.
After watching the spectacle for a few minutes, she desired Major Farrington to bring before her Standish, Chisenhale, and the other officers, who had assisted in the glorious undertaking, and publicly thanked them for the great service they had rendered her.
“I do not hesitate to declare,” she said in a loud voice, that all might hear her words, “that by your bravery and gallantry you have rescued us all from a cruel foe. You have saved this ancient pile from destruction by fire, and all within its walls from death, for I would have perished rather than yield, and I know full well you would all have died with me!”
“We would!” responded a hundred voices.
Allowing these vociferations to subside, she again addressed the officers.
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 777
