The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal '45
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"I do my best. I never listen to his saft nonsense. I never accept anyof the trinkets he offers me--but he winna be said."
"Continue to treat him coldly, and his assiduities will soon cease,"observed Beppy.
"I'm not so sure of that. If he persists I fear there'll be mischief,for he drives Erick furious."
"I hope it mayn't come to that, Helen," said Beppy, rather gravely."But much will depend on your discretion."
They then went on with their task in silence.
By this time they had made two or three dozen cockades, and whennearly as many more were finished, Helen expressed surprise that Erickhad not come to fetch her.
"He promised to come for me in an hour," she said, "and it's nowgettin' late."
"Don't make yourself uneasy," replied Beppy. "He'll be here soon.Where do you lodge to-night?"
"At the Angel in Market Street Lane. Why, there's a clock has juststruck nine. I must go. You'll please to excuse me, miss. I'll comebetimes to-morrow and help you to finish the cockades."
"Well, if you won't stay any longer, I'll send some one with you tothe Angel."
Helen declined the offer, saying she was not afraid to walk there byherself.
"But are you sure you can find the way?"
"Quite sure," replied Helen.
And thanking the young lady for her kindness, she bade her good-night,and took her departure.
CHAPTER VI.
CAPTAIN LINDSAY.
The moon shone brightly as Helen was crossing the churchyard, but shehad not gone far when she heard quick footsteps behind her, andthinking it must be Erick she stopped.
It was not her lover, but a tall Highland officer, whom she instantlyrecognised.
Surprised and alarmed at the sight, she would have fled, but CaptainLindsay, for it was he, sprang forward, and seized her arm.
"Let me go, I insist, sir," she cried indignantly.
"Not till I have had a few words with you, Helen," replied thecaptain. "I have been waiting an hour for you here. I found out thatMiss Byrom had taken you home with her, so I kept watch near the doorof the house for your coming forth. Erick, I knew, couldn't interruptus, for I had contrived to get him out of the way."
"He shall hear of your base design, sir," she cried, looking round forhelp. But she could see no one in the churchyard.
"Listen to me, Helen," said Captain Lindsay. "I am so passionately inlove that I would make any sacrifice for you. You must and shall bemine!"
"Never!" she cried, struggling vainly to get free. "I am plighted toErick, as ye ken fu' weel, and think you I wad break my vow to him?and for you, whom I hate!"
"Hate me or not, you shall be mine!" he cried. "Listen to reason, youfoolish girl. Erick cannot love you as I love you."
"He loves me far better--but I dinna mind that."
"If you wed him, you will only be a poor soldier's wife. With me youwill have wealth and luxury."
"Ye are merely wastin' yer breath, sir," she cried. "A' your argumentshave no effect on me. Were you to fill my lap with gowd, I wad flingit from me wi' scorn. I care na for wealth and luxury--I care only forErick."
"To the devil with him!" cried Captain Lindsay, fiercely. "You areenough to drive one mad. If you won't yield to persuasion, you shallyield to force. Mine you shall be, whether you will or not."
"And he would have clasped her in his arms, but she seized the dirkwhich hung from his girdle and held it to his breast.
"Release me instantly, or I will plunge this to your heart," shecried.
The energy with which she spoke left no doubt that she would executeher threat, and the baffled captain set her free.
At this moment assistance came. Erick could be seen hurrying towardsthem from the further side of the churchyard.
As soon as Helen perceived him she flung the dirk at Captain Lindsay'sfeet, and flew to meet her lover.
"What's the matter, lass?" cried the sergeant. "Has the villaininsulted you? If he has, he shall pay for it wi' his life."
"Na! na!" cried Helen, stopping him. "Ye shall na gae near him.There'll be mischief. You should ha' come sooner, Erick, and then thiswadna ha' happened."
"I could na come afore, lassie," replied the sergeant. "I now see thetrick that has been played me by this cunning villain; but he shallrue it."
"Ye shall na stay anither minute in this unchancy kirkyard," criedHelen, forcing him away with her.
Just as they went out at the gate, Helen cast a look back at CaptainLindsay, and saw him still standing, as if stupefied, on the spotwhere she had left him. He had not even picked up the dirk, for shecould distinguish it glittering in the moonlight at his feet.
CHAPTER VII.
A RESIDENCE IS CHOSEN FOR THE PRINCE.
At an early hour on the following morning, a carriage drawn by fourstrong horses, and attended by a mounted guard, entered the town.
It contained four persons, all of a certain importance. Chief amongthem was Lord Pitsligo, than whom no one in the Highland army was morebeloved and respected. The venerable Scottish nobleman was in fullmilitary costume, and would have ridden at the head of his regiment,had not his infirm state of health prevented him.
The next person whom we shall mention was Mr. John Murray ofBroughton, a gentleman of great ability, who acted as the prince'ssecretary and treasurer, and managed all his royal highness's affairsextremely well. Mr. Murray had a sharp intelligent countenance, andwore a suit of brown velvet with a tie-wig.
Opposite to him sat the prince's tutor and adviser, Sir ThomasSheridan, one of the numerous Irish gentlemen who had attachedthemselves to the cause of the Stuarts. Sir Thomas, who was a strictRoman Catholic, exercised almost as much influence over the prince asFather Petre once did over the prince's grandsire, James the Second.
Next to Sir Thomas sat a very brilliant personage, wearing a rich suitof sky-blue cloth trimmed with silver, laced ruffles, a laced cravat,and a three-cornered hat, likewise laced with silver. This was theMarquis d'Eguilles, an envoy from Louis the Fifteenth, who had broughtover a large sum of money and nearly three thousand stand of arms fromhis royal master. The marquis had the refined and graceful manner of aFrench courtier of the period, and carried a diamond snuff-box, whichwas always at the service of his companions.
As the persons we have described crossed the bridge, they looked withsome interest at the town they were just entering, and bowed in returnfor the shouts of the crowd, who had rushed out to greet them.
Seeing such a large and handsome equipage attended by an escort, thetownspeople naturally supposed it must be the prince himself, and whenthey found out their mistake, they did not shout quite so loudly.
The carriage drove to the market-place, where Lord Pitsligo and theothers descended at the Bull's Head. A substantial repast had beenprepared for them by order of Sir John MacDonald, to which they atonce sat down.
Before breakfast was over, Colonel Townley arrived, and at once joinedthe party. Several Jacobites likewise repaired to the inn andvolunteered their services to Mr. Secretary Murray, who received themvery affably, and introduced them to Lord Pitsligo.
Amongst the new-comers were Dr. Deacon and Dr. Byrom. Mr. Murray'sfirst business was to find a suitable residence for the prince duringhis stay in the town, and after consulting the two gentlemen we havenamed, he went out attended by Colonel Townley, the Marquisd'Eguilles, Sir Thomas Sheridan, and Dr. Byrom, to inspect theprincipal mansions in the place. Half a dozen soldiers went with themto keep back the crowd.
They first proceeded to Deansgate, where they examined a large housebelonging to Mr. Touchet, one of the chief merchants of the place; butthis was deemed unsuitable, being partly used as a warehouse, and wastherefore assigned to Lord Elcho.
Mr. Floyd's house, near St. Ann's Square, was next visited; a handsomemansion, ornamented with pilasters, having a Belvidere on the summit,and approached by a noble flight of steps, but it did not entirelysatisfy Mr. Murray, so he allotted it to Lord Pitsligo and Lord GeorgeMurray.
Mr. Marriott's house, in Brown-street, was assigned to the Earl ofKelly and Lord Ogilvy; Mr. Gartside's mansion was appropriated to theDuke of Perth; and a fine house in Market Street Lane, occupied by Mr.Marsden, was allotted to the Marquis of Tullibardine and Lord Nairne.
Good quarters having thus been provided for all the principalpersonages in the Highland army, there remained only the prince; andat length Mr. Dickenson's house, in Market Street Lane, was fixed uponas affording fitting head-quarters for his royal highness.
The mansion, one of the best in the town, was built of red brick, inthe formal taste of the period. Still, it was large and commodious,and contained some handsome apartments. Standing back from the street,it had a paved court in front surrounded by iron railings, and a loftyflight of steps led to the doorway.
A glance at the internal arrangements decided Mr. Murray in hischoice, and he gave orders that the house should be immediatelyprepared for the prince.
Some of the houses selected for the Jacobite leaders, we believe, arestill in existence, but Mr. Dickenson's mansion has been pulled down.After its occupation by the prince at the memorable period inquestion, it was always known as "The Palace."
Perfectly satisfied with the arrangements he had made, Mr. Murray lefthis companions behind, and took his way down Market Street Lane, thena narrow, but extremely picturesque thoroughfare, and abounding inancient habitations.
CHAPTER VIII.
INTERVIEW BETWEEN SECRETARY MURRAY AND THE MAGISTRATES.
In front of the Angel Inn, over the doorway of which hung a flag, anumber of young men were assembled, each being distinguished by awhite cockade. On horseback in the midst of these recruits wereSergeant Dickson, Helen Carnegie, and Rollo.
Halting for a moment to give some instructions to the sergeant andcongratulate him on his success, Mr. Murray passed on to themarket-place, where a large concourse was collected. Cheers greetedthe party, and attended them to the Bull's Head, at the door of whichtwo sentries were now stationed.
On entering the inn, Mr. Murray was informed by Diggles that themagistrates were waiting to see him; and he was then conducted to aroom on the ground floor, in which he found Mr. Walley and Mr. Fowden.
Courteously saluting them, he begged them to be seated at a tableplaced in the centre of the room, furnished them with a list of thehouses he had selected, and, after they had examined it, he proceededto give them some further directions as to the arrangements necessaryto be made for the prince.
"His royal highness will not dine till a late hour," he said. "Onlythe Duke of Perth, Lord George Murray, the Marquis of Tullibardine,Lord Pitsligo, the Marquis d'Eguilles, Sir Thomas Sheridan, and myselfwill have the honour of dining with him. The repast must be served inprivate."
The magistrates bowed.
"Another sumptuous repast, with the choicest wines you can procure,must be prepared at seven o'clock for forty of the principalofficers."
Again the magistrates bowed.
"We will do our best to content the prince," said Mr. Fowden. "Asregards the houses mentioned in this list, those for whom they havebeen chosen will find them ready for their reception. For how manymen, may we ask, will quarters be required?"
"For five thousand; and rations for the like number. But thecommanding officer, on his arrival, will give you precise orders, inobedience to which you will furnish the quarter-masters and adjutantswith the necessary warrants. Another important matter must be attendedto. As the prince's treasurer, I require that all persons connectedwith the excise, and all innkeepers, shall forthwith bring me the fullamount of their imposts, and all moneys in their hands belonging tothe Government--on pain of military execution."
"Public notice to that effect shall immediately be given," said Mr.Fowden; "but should the innkeepers or any others prove remiss we mustnot be blamed for their negligence."
"All defaulters will be shot to-morrow. Make that known," said Mr.Murray. "I trust, gentlemen," he added, rising, "that due honour willbe done to the prince on his arrival."
"It would be inconsistent with the office we hold, and might expose usto serious consequences, were we to give orders for publicrejoicings," said Mr. Fowden; "but we will take care the town shall beilluminated and bonfires lighted."
"That is all I could require from you, gentlemen. On the arrival ofthe prince, if you will attend at head-quarters, I shall have thehonour of presenting you to his royal highness."
"We are fully sensible of the great honour intended us," said themagistrates, hesitating; "but----"
"I see, gentlemen. You are afraid of compromising yourselves,"remarked Mr. Murray, smiling. "Make yourselves quite easy. I have adevice that will obviate all difficulty. A silk curtain shall be hungacross the audience-chamber. Of course you won't know who may bebehind the curtain--though you may guess."
"An excellent plan," cried the magistrates.
Bowing ceremoniously to the secretary, they then withdrew.
CHAPTER IX.
ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST DIVISION OF THE HIGHLAND ARMY. LORD GEORGEMURRAY.
Shortly after the departure of the magistrates, the bells of all thechurches in the town began to ring joyously, and were soon answered byloud and merry peals from the only church on the other side of theIrwell.
Summoned by this exhilarating clamour, multitudes flocked into thestreets, decked in holiday attire, and most of them crossed the bridgeinto Salford in expectation of witnessing the entrance of the Highlandarmy.
The weather was most propitious. Never was finer day seen in November,and the bright sunshine diffused general gaiety and good-humour amongthe concourse.
Good-looking damsels predominated in the crowd--Manchester has alwaysbeen noted for female beauty--and they were all exceedingly curious tobehold the handsome young prince and the Scottish chiefs.
There was a great deal of talk about the Insurrection of '15, but thiswas chiefly among the older people, for as the first rising took placebefore the young folks were born, they could not be expected to feelmuch interest in it.
It may seem strange that the approach of the much-dreaded Highlandersshould not have caused alarm, but by this time the inhabitantsgenerally had got over their fears, and were disposed to welcome theinsurgents as friends, and not treat them as enemies.
Among the fair sex, as we have said, the youth, courage, romanticcharacter, and good looks of the prince excited the greatest interestand sympathy. Whatever the men might be, the women were all Jacobites.
Meanwhile, the bells continued to peal joyfully, and multitudescrossed into Salford, and stationed themselves on either side of themain street, through which it was expected the prince and the armywould pass.
Everything looked bright and gay, and everybody--except a few moodyPresbyterians--appeared happy.
On the summit of the lofty tower of the collegiate church floated alarge standard fashioned of white, red, and blue silk. This broadbanner, which attracted great attention from the concourse, had beenplaced in its present conspicuous position by the management of TomSyddall.
The patience of the large crowd assembled in Salford was somewhatsorely tried. Those who had secured good places for the spectacle didnot like to leave them, and they had nothing to do but talk and jestwith each other; but at length the shrill notes of the bagpipesproclaimed that the Highlanders were at hand, and the trampling ofhorse was heard.
First to appear was a troop of horse commanded by Lord Strathallan.This was quickly followed by a regiment of Highlanders, with theirpipers marching in front.
The sight of these fine, stalwart men, in their picturesque garb, eacharmed with firelock, claymore, and dirk, and bearing a target on hisshoulder, caused the greatest excitement among the beholders, whocheered them lustily as they marched on.
The regiment was commanded
by Lord George Murray, one of the mostdistinguished and important persons in the prince's service, who hadbeen created a lieutenant-general of the Highland army. He was ayounger brother of the Marquis of Tullibardine. Lord George was notyoung, as will be understood, when it is mentioned that he wasconcerned in the outbreak of 1715; but he was still in the prime oflife, undoubtedly the boldest and ablest leader in the rebel forces,and the one best able to direct the movements of the present campaign;but though he was a prominent member of the council, his advice wasrarely taken, owing to the bluntness of his manner, which was highlydispleasing to the prince, as well as to several of his royalhighness's advisers.
In this respect Lord George offered a marked contrast to his rival thecourtly Duke of Perth, of whom we shall have occasion to speak anon.
Lord George Murray was tall, powerfully built, and possessed greatpersonal strength. A thorough soldier, of undaunted courage, andcapable of undergoing any amount of fatigue, he was unpopular from hisrough and somewhat contemptuous manner. His character could be easilyread in his haughty demeanour and strongly marked countenance. LordGeorge was attended by his aide-de-camp, the Chevalier de Johnstone.As he rode along and eyed the crowd on either side, his stern glancestruck terror into many a breast.
CHAPTER X.
THE DUKE OF PERTH.
Nairne's Athole men came next, and were followed by other fineHighland regiments, respectively commanded by General Gordon ofGlenbucket, Lord Ogilvy of Strathmore, and Roy Stuart. Each regimenthad two captains, two lieutenants, and two ensigns.