The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal '45

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  "She is not alone," added Jemmy. "Helen Carnegie is with her."

  Charles hesitated for a short time, and said, "I would have avoidedthis, if possible. But let them come in."

  Beppy was then ushered in by Jemmy, and made a profound obeisance tothe prince.

  Behind her stood Helen, who seemed quite overwhelmed with grief.

  "I trust your highness will pardon me," said Beppy. "I have consentedto accompany this poor heart-broken girl, and I am sure you willlisten to her, and if possible grant her prayer."

  "I will readily listen to what she has to say," replied the prince, ina compassionate tone; "but I can hold out little hope."

  "Oh, do not say so, most gracious prince!" cried Helen, springingforward, and catching his hand, while he averted his face. "For thelove of Heaven have pity upon him! His death win be my death, for Icanna survive him. Ye haven a mair leal subject nor a better sodgerthan Erick Dickson. Willingly wad he shed his heart's bluid for ye!Were he to dee, claymore in hand, for you, I should not lamenthim--but to dee the death o' a red-handed murtherer, is not fit for abrave man like Erick."

  "I feel the force of all you say, Helen," replied Charles, sadly."Erick is brave and loyal, and has served me well."

  "Then show him mercy, sweet prince," she rejoined. "He is nomurtherer--not he! Pit the case to yersel, prince. Wad ye hae seen themistress o' yer heart carried off, and not hae slain the base villainwho took her? I ken not."

  "'Tis hard to tell what I might do, Helen," observed Charles. "But therules of war cannot be broken. A court-martial has been held, and haspronounced its sentence. I must not reverse it."

  "But you are above the court-martial, prince," she cried. "You canchange its decree. If any one is guilty--'tis I! Had I not come wi'Erick this wad never have happened. He has committed no other fawt."

  "On the contrary, he has always done his duty--done it well," said theprince. "Both Colonel Johnstone and Colonel Townley have testifiedstrongly in his favour. But I required no testimony, for I well knowwhat he has done."

  "And yet ye winna pardon him?" she cried, reproachfully.

  "I cannot, Helen--I cannot," replied Charles. "My heart bleeds foryou, but I must be firm."

  "Think not you will set an ill example by showing mercy in thisinstance, prince," she said. "Erick's worth and valour are known. Saebeloved is he, that were there time, hundreds of his comrades wad beghis life. If he be put to death for nae fawt, men win think he hasbeen cruelly dealt with."

  "You go too far, Helen," said the prince, compassionately, "but I donot blame your zeal."

  "Pardon me, sweet prince--pardon me if I have said mair than I ought.My heart overflows, and I must gie vent to my feelings, or it willbreak! Oh, that I were able to touch your heart, prince!"

  "You do touch it, Helen. Never did I feel greater difficulty in actingfirmly than I do at this moment."

  "Then yield to your feelings, prince--yield to them, I implore you,"she cried, passionately. "Oh, madam!" she added to Beppy, "join yourprayers to mine, and perchance his highness may listen to us!"

  Thus urged, Beppy knelt by Helen's side, and said, in an earnestvoice:

  "I would plead earnestly with you, prince, to spare Erick. By puttinghim to death you will deprive yourself of an excellent soldier, whoseplace you can ill supply."

  "Very true," murmured Charles. "Very true."

  "Then listen to the promptings of your own heart, which counsels youto spare him," she continued.

  For a moment it seemed as if Charles was about to yield, but heremained firm, and raising her from her kneeling posture, said:

  "This interview must not be prolonged."

  Helen, however, would not rise, but clung to his knees, exclaiming,distractedly:

  "Ye winna kill him! ye winna kill him!"

  Jemmy removed her gently, and with Beppy's aid she was taken from theroom.

  CHAPTER IX.

  TOGETHER TO THE LAST.

  For a few minutes after her removal from the cabinet, Helen was in astate of distraction, but at length she listened to Beppy'sconsolations and grew calmer.

  She then besought Captain Dawson to take her to the guard-chamber,where Erick was confined. Before going thither she bade adieu toBeppy. It was a sad parting, and drew tears from those who witnessedit.

  "Fare ye weel, dear young leddy!" she said. "May every blessing leetupon your bonnie head, and on that ov yer dear, gude feyther! Mostlike I shan never see you again on this airth, but I hope you winsometimes think o' the puir Scottish lassie that loo'd ye weel!"

  "Heaven strengthen you and support you, Helen!" cried Beppy, kissingher. "I trust we shall meet again."

  "Dinna think it," replied the other, sadly. "I hope and trust we maymeet again in a better world."

  Beppy could make no reply--her heart was too full.

  Embracing the poor girl affectionately, she hurried to her father, whowas waiting for her, and hastily quitted the house.

  Helen was then conducted to the guard-room in which the sergeant wasconfined.

  Erick was seated on a wooden stool near a small table, on which alight was placed, and was reading the Bible. He rose on her entrance,and looked inquiringly at her.

  "Na hope, Erick," she said, mournfully.

  "I had nane, lassie," he replied.

  They passed several hours of the night in calm converse, talking ofthe past, and of the happy hours they had spent together; but at lastHelen yielded to fatigue, and when the guard entered the chamber hefound her asleep with her head resting on Erick's shoulder.

  The man retired gently without disturbing her.

  Meanwhile, the warrant, signed by Lord George Gordon, appointing theexecution to take place at seven o'clock in the morning, had beendelivered to the Chevalier de Johnstone, as commander of the corps towhich the unfortunate sergeant belonged, and all the necessarypreparations had been made.

  There was some difficulty in arranging the execution party, for thesergeant was so much beloved that none of his comrades would undertakethe dreadful task, alleging that their aim would not be steady. NoHighlander, indeed, could be found to shoot him.

  Recourse was then had to the Manchester Regiment, and from this corpsa dozen men were selected.

  The place of execution was fixed in an open field at the back ofMarket Street Lane, and at no great distance from the prince'sresidence.

  The Rev. Mr. Coppock, chaplain of the regiment, volunteered to attendthe prisoner.

  Helen slept on peacefully till near six o'clock, when a noise, causedby the entrance of Colonel Johnstone and Mr. Coppock, aroused her, andshe started up.

  "Oh! I have had such a pleasant dream, Erick," she said. "I thought wewere in the Highlands together. But I woke, and find mysel here," sheadded, with a shudder.

  "Well, you will soon be in the Highlands again, dear lassie," he said.

  She looked at him wistfully, but made no answer.

  "Are you prepared, sergeant?" asked Colonel Johnstone, after biddinghim good morrow.

  "I am, sir," replied Dickson.

  "'Tis well," said the colonel. "In half an hour you will set forth.Employ the interval in prayer."

  Colonel Johnstone then retired, and the chaplain began to perform thesacred rites, in which both Erick and Helen took part.

  Just as Mr. Coppock had finished, the sound of martial footsteps washeard outside, and immediately afterwards the door was opened and theprovost entered the chamber, attended by a couple of men. Behind themcame Colonel Johnstone.

  "Bind him," said the provost to his aids.

  "Must this be?" cried Dickson.

  "'Tis part of the regulation," rejoined the provost.

  "It need not be observed on the present occasion," said ColonelJohnstone. "I will answer for the prisoner's quiet deportment."

  "You need fear nothing from me, sir," said Dickson.

  "I will take your word," rejoined the provost. "Let his arms remainfree," he added to the men.

  The order to march be
ing given, the door was thrown open, and allpassed out.

  Outside was a detachment from the corps to which Sergeant Dickson hadbelonged. With them was the execution party, consisting of a dozenpicked men from the Manchester Regiment, commanded by Ensign Syddall,who looked very sad. The detachment of Highlanders likewise lookedvery sorrowful. With them were a piper and a drummer. The pipes weredraped in black, and the drum muffled. Though the morning was dull anddark, a good many persons were looking on, apparently much impressedby the scene.

  Having placed himself at the head of the detachment, Colonel Johnstonegave the word to march, and the men moved slowly on. The muffled drumwas beaten, and the pipes uttered a low wailing sound very doleful tohear.

  Then came Erick, with Helen by his side, and attended by the chaplain.

  The sergeant's deportment was resolute, and he held his head erect. Hewas in full Highland costume, and wore his bonnet and scarf.

  All the spectators were struck by his tall fine figure, and grievedthat such a splendid man should be put to death.

  But Helen excited the greatest sympathy. Though her features wereexcessively pale, they had lost none of their beauty. The occasionalquivering of her lip was the only external sign of emotion, her stepbeing light and firm. Her eyes were constantly fixed upon her lover.

  Prayers were read by the chaplain as they marched along.

  The execution party brought up the rear of the melancholy procession.As it moved slowly through a side street towards the field, the numberof spectators increased, but the greatest decorum was observed.

  At length the place of execution was reached. It was the spot wherethe attempt had been made to capture the prince; and on that dull anddismal morning had a very gloomy appearance, quite in harmony with thetragical event about to take place.

  On reaching the centre of the field, the detachment of Highlandersformed a semicircle, and a general halt took place--the prisoner andthose with him standing in the midst, and the execution partyremaining at the back.

  Some short prayers were then recited by Mr. Coppock, in which both thesergeant and Helen joined very earnestly.

  These prayers over, the sergeant took leave of Helen, and strained herto his breast.

  At this moment, her firmness seemed to desert her, and her head fellupon his shoulder. Colonel Johnstone stepped forward, and took hergently away.

  The provost then ordered a handkerchief to be bound over thesergeant's eyes, but at the prisoner's earnest request this formalitywas omitted.

  The fatal moment had now arrived. The detachment of Highlanders drewback, and Erick knelt down.

  The execution party made ready, and moved up within six or seven yardsof the kneeling man.

  "Fire!" exclaimed Syddall, and the fatal discharge took place--doublyfatal as it turned out.

  At the very instant when the word was given by Syddall, Helen rushedup to her lover, and kneeling by his side, died with him.

  Her faithful breast was pierced by the same shower of bullets thatstopped the beating of his valiant heart.

  CHAPTER X.

  MR. JAMES BAYLEY.

  In spite of the exertions of the magistrates, only a very small sumcould be obtained from the inhabitants of the town, upon which anothermeeting took place at the Bull's Head, and a deputation was formed towait upon the prince.

  Accordingly, a large body of gentlemen proceeded to the prince'shead-quarters, and some half-dozen of them, including the twomagistrates and Mr. James Bayley, were ushered into thecouncil-chamber, where they found Charles and his secretary.

  Mr. Fowden, who acted as spokesman, represented to the prince theutter impossibility of raising the money, and besought that thepayment might be excused.

  Charles, however, answered sternly:

  "Your fellow-townsmen have behaved so badly that they deserve noconsideration from me. The subsidy must be paid."

  "I do not see how it can be accomplished," said Mr. Fowden.

  "If it is not paid by one o'clock, you will incur the penalty,"rejoined Mr. Murray. "Meantime, stringent measures must be adopted. Iam aware, Mr. Bayley, that you are one of the wealthiest merchants ofthe town, and I shall therefore detain you as a hostage for thepayment. If the money is not forthcoming at the appointed time, weshall carry you along with us."

  "Surely your royal highness will not countenance this severity," saidMr. Bayley, appealing to the prince. "I have not slept out of my ownhouse for the last two years, and am quite unable to travel. If I amforced off in this manner I shall have a dangerous illness."

  "I cannot part with you, Mr. Bayley," said the prince. "But I will putyou to as little personal inconvenience as possible. You shall have mycarriage."

  "I humbly thank your royal highness for your consideration, but Istill hope I may be excused on the score of my age and infirmities."

  "You cannot expect it, Mr. Bayley," interposed Mr. Murray. "Your caseis not so bad as that of the two magistrates, who will certainly beshot if the money is not forthcoming."

  "We have done our best to raise it, but we find it quite impossible,"said Mr. Fowden. "The amount is too large. I do not think there isfive thousand pounds in the whole town."

  "I am sure there is not," added Mr. Walley, with a groan.

  "Since you give me this positive assurance, gentlemen," said Charles,"I consent to reduce the amount to half. But I will make no furtherconcession. Meantime, Mr. Bayley must remain a prisoner."

  "I pray your royal highness to listen to me," said the old gentleman."By detaining me you will defeat your object. If I am kept here I cando nothing, but if you will allow me to go free I may be able toborrow the money."

  Apparently convinced by this reasoning, Charles spoke to hissecretary, who said:

  "Mr. Bayley, if you will give the prince your word of honour that youwill bring him the sum of two thousand five hundred pounds in twohours, or return and surrender yourself a prisoner, his royal highnessis willing to set you at liberty."

  "I agree to the conditions," replied the old gentleman.

  With a profound obeisance to the prince, he then withdrew with themagistrates.

  Accompanied by the rest of the deputation, who had waited outside inthe hall, Mr. Bayley returned to the Bull's Head, where a conferencewas held.

  After some discussion, Mr. Bayley thus addressed the assemblage: "Yousee, gentlemen, the very serious position in which I am placed--andour worthy magistrates are still worse off. The money must beraised--that is certain. Let us regard it as a business transaction.You shall lend me the sum required. I and my friend Mr. Dickenson willgive you our promissory notes at three months for the amount."

  The proposition was immediately agreed to. The meeting broke up, andin less than an hour the money was brought to Mr. Bayley. Promissorynotes were given in exchange, and the sum required was taken to Mr.Murray by the two magistrates, who were thus freed from furtherresponsibility.

  CHAPTER XI.

  THE VISION.

  Nearly a fortnight had passed since Constance's return to RawcliffeHall, and during that interval much had happened. Sir Richard had beenlaid in the family vault. The interment took place at night, and waswitnessed only by the household, the last rites being performed byFather Jerome. Mrs. Butler and her daughter were now inmates of thehall, but the old lady seldom left her chamber. Gloom seemed to havesettled upon the mansion. The two young damsels never strayed beyondthe park, and rarely beyond the garden. As yet, they had received notidings of the Highland army, except that it had arrived at Derby.They knew nothing of the retreat, and fancied that the prince was onhis way to London. The next news they received might be of a gloriousvictory--or of a signal defeat. Rumours there were of all kinds, butto these they attached no importance.

  It was a dark dull December afternoon, and the principal inmates ofthe hall were assembled in the library. A cheerful fire blazed on thehearth, and lighted up the sombre apartment. Father Jerome was readingnear the window. Mrs. Butler was reciting her prayers, and the twogirls were c
onversing together, when the door opened, and anunexpected visitor entered the room. It was Atherton. Uttering a cryof delight, Constance sprang to her feet, and was instantly folded tohis breast.

  Before he could answer any questions, Monica rushed up to him, andsaid:

  "Oh! relieve my anxiety. Is Jemmy safe?"

  "Safe and well," replied Atherton. "He is in Manchester with theregiment, but Colonel Townley would not allow him to accompany me."

  "What am I to understand by all this?" cried Constance.

  "All chance of our gaining London is over," replied Atherton. "Theprince has retreated from Derby, and is now returning to Scotland."

  "Without a battle?" cried Constance.

  "Ay, without a battle," he replied, sadly.

  "I can scarcely believe what I hear," cried Monica. "I would rather asanguinary engagement had taken place than this should have happened."

  "The prince was forced to retreat," rejoined Atherton. "The Highlandchiefs would proceed no further."

  "Will Jemmy retire from the regiment?" cried Monica.

  "No, he will proceed with it to Carlisle. I shall go there likewise. Ihave obtained leave from the prince to pay this hasty visit. I mustreturn in the morning. We may yet have to fight a battle, for it isreported that the Duke of Cumberland is in hot pursuit, and MarshalWade may cut off our retreat."

  "I will not say that all is lost," observed Constance. "But it seemsto me that the prince has lost all chance of recovering the throne.His army and his friends will be alike discouraged, and the attemptcannot be renewed."