Mr Groocock, afraid of alarming the ladies, had not informed them of
the warning he had received, but as soon as he had an opportunity of
speaking to Sir Ralph he told him what had occurred; and of the
precautionary measures he had taken.
"I suspect the old mad woman has practiced on your credulity," observed
Sir Ralph. "However, do as you think fit, it may be as well to be
prepared, in case that fellow Gaffin should venture on so daring a deed.
With so many gentlemen in the house, backed by the servants, he will
not think of attacking the hall."
"I suspect, Sir Ralph, that desperate as he is, there is nothing he
would not dare to do."
The steward, fearing that some mistake might occur had ridden over to
Morbury, to beg that Mr Shallard would see that the men he had applied
for were sent in time. It was fortunate that he went, for Mr Shallard
had been away from home though expected back every minute. Mr Groocock
anxiously waited his return. He arrived at length, when the steward
explained his object, and asked if he had not received a letter he had
sent about it. Mr Shallard found it on his table with several others.
"Here is also a requisition," he said, glancing at another letter, "from
the Misses Pemberton to obtain protection for Downside. She has been
warned as you were, by an old mad woman, and she assures me that she
feels confident the warning should not be disregarded. Though I have no
great fears on the matter, my gallantry compels me to ride over there at
once to afford the ladies such security as the presence of a gentleman
can give; and I will beg that a body of fencibles may be sent to arrive
soon after dusk. If no more men can be spared, we must obtain a few
cavalry, as fortunately some troops arrived here a few days ago, and are
to remain a short time to obtain recruits in the neighbourhood. I will
see their commanding officer, and take care that they are sent off in
time to reach Texford by dark. You may go home, therefore, Mr
Groocock, with your mind at rest on the subject. They will soon be at
your heels, and you will, I daresay, look after them and see that they
are provided with a supply of good cheer, such as soldiers expect under
the circumstances."
"No fear of that, Mr Shallard," answered the steward. "I must no
longer delay, for I am already late, and with my own good will I would
rather not be out after dusk, considering the sort of people likely to
be abroad."
"By-the-bye, I have not congratulated you on Lieutenant Castleton's safe
return. I received the news from Miss Pemberton just as I was leaving
home yesterday, and nothing has given me greater pleasure in life. A
fine young fellow your future baronet, and I heartily wish that all
difficulties in the way of his happiness may be overcome. He will prove
a worthy successor to his excellent uncle. I have no doubt about that,
though neither you nor I, Mr Groocock, can properly wish him to come
into possession for many years."
"I wish that all were like him. He will make a kind master whoever
serves him, but my head will be laid at rest before then," answered the
steward, with a sigh. "However, I must be on my journey," and Mr
Groocock, shaking hands with the lawyer, mounted his cob and rode back
towards Texford.
The family at Texford were assembled in the drawing-room. Dinner had
been put off, as they were every minute expecting the arrival of Harry
and his friends, and Sir Ralph, usually so calm, kept moving about the
room, frequently expressing his surprise that they had not come.
"I hope nothing has happened to them," he said to himself. "Is it
possible that they can have encountered that fellow Gaffin and his
ruffian crew?"
Julia in vain endeavoured to understand what the Marquis and Lord
Frederick were saying to her, but could only give the vaguest of
replies.
The window of the back drawing-room, which looked towards the park, was
open. Sir Ralph had looked out several times in the hopes of hearing
the carriage wheels. He rang the bell, and a servant appearing, he
ordered dinner to be served.
"By-the-bye," he asked, "has Mr Groocock returned from Morbury?"
"No, Sir Ralph," was the answer.
"Let me know when he comes," said the baronet.
At that instant the sound of a shot was heard; it came from the
direction of the park gate. It was followed by several others.
"What can that mean?" asked most of the gentlemen in a breath.
Sir Ralph, without answering, rang the bell violently, when the butler
hurried into the room with a look of alarm.
"Tell the servants to get their arms, and have the shutters of all the
lower rooms closed. Gentlemen," he added, turning to his guests, "if
any of you have firearms or swords, pray get them. I received a warning
that the house was to be attacked by a desperate gang of smugglers, but
took no notice of it, though I fear from these sounds I ought to have
done so."
Most of the gentlemen, who had fowling-pieces or pistols with them,
hurried off to get them ready. Lady Castleton sank on the sofa, another
lady fainted, and two shrieked out in their terror, believing that the
next instant they should see the ruffians breaking into the house.
Julia endeavoured to calm her mother and their guests, while Sir Ralph
went to the front door to see that it was bolted and barred. At that
moment he heard carriage wheels rolling at a rapid rate up the avenue.
Again several shots were heard much nearer than the first. He ordered
the door to be opened. The horses, panting and foaming, were pulled up
by the postillion, and Harry sprang out of the chaise, followed by
General Sampson. They both turned round to assist out another person,
while a fourth leaped from the box.
"Drive round to the coachyard, and tell the grooms to close the gates,"
cried Harry, while he led the stranger up the steps. On seeing his
father he greeted him affectionately.
"We were fired on by a band of ruffians, but as we returned their salute
briskly, they did not venture to come to nearer quarters. They may,
however, be following, and we should be prepared for them." Sir Ralph
was on the point of giving some further directions to the servants, when
General Sampson and his companion reached the hall. Sir Ralph started,
and gazed with a bewildered look.
"Who are you? Speak. I well remember those features," he exclaimed.
"And I remember yours, Ralph," said the stranger, stepping forward and
taking his hand. "However, we will say no more on the subject at
present. Your son and General Sampson know me as Mr Hastings; let me
retain that name till we can converse in private. In the meantime,
continue your preparations to receive the ruffians, who are close at
hand. Thanks to the speed at which we were driving, the volley they
fired did us no harm."
Sir Ralph seemed scarcely to comprehend what Mr Hastings said, but
continued gazing in his face without replying.
General Sampson, at once comprehending the state of affairs, took upon
himself the command of the garrison, and ordered the servants to see
that all the other entrances to the house were closed. He then
requested those who had firearms to load them with ball, and to be ready
to make use of them if required. Scarcely had he done so than a
thundering knock was heard at the door, and a man from the outside
announced himself as a sergeant from the -- Dragoons, who had been sent
over from Morbury with a party of fifteen men to guard the Hall.
On this the door was opened, when a fine soldier-like fellow appeared,
who requested to know where he should post his men.
"My orders are to remain here if Sir Ralph Castleton wishes it, but if
not, to proceed to Downside Cottage, at Hurlston. As the smugglers, or
whatever they are, caught sight of us just as we entered the avenue,
they are not likely to attack this place."
Harry, who had just been receiving his mother's and sister's embraces,
heard what was said.
"Let some of your men accompany me, and I will show them the way to
Downside," he exclaimed; and he directed one of the servants to bring a
horse round without a moment's delay.
"Where are you going, Harry?" exclaimed Sir Ralph, recovering himself,
on seeing Harry hurrying down the steps. "The troopers will look after
the ruffians."
"To assist those who require protection," answered Harry. "There is no
time to be lost."
"Just like him," cried General Sampson. "The ruffians won't stand a
charge if he leads it. I'll be after you, Harry. One of you get me a
horse."
"Thank you, general," exclaimed Lady Castleton, "We cannot tell what
these desperate men will venture to do, and you may be of the greatest
assistance."
"I must not wait though for you, general," said Harry, mounting. "What
is the matter?" he asked of the groom who assisted him on his horse.
"Oh sir," said the groom, "there has been murder, we fear, already. Mr
Groocock's cob has just galloped in from across the park with blood on
his saddle, and it's too clear that the steward has been killed, or the
animal would not have come home without him."
"This is terrible," said Harry; "poor old man. Go some of you and
search for him. I must not delay." Turning to the sergeant, he added,
galloping on--"Do you and your men accompany me."
The sergeant mounted his horse and followed him. The troopers were
found drawn up at the entrance of the avenue, while in the distance were
seen a large band of wild-looking fellows armed in a variety of ways,
some on horseback, and others on foot, apparently watching the movements
of the soldiers, by whose timely arrival they had been prevented from
entering the park.
The sergeant ordered his men to follow.
"Those are the fellows who fired at the carriage, and were nearly
overtaking it when we came up, I can swear to that," he said.
"We must seize their leader, and as many as we can get hold of, or they
may still attack the Hall," answered Harry.
"The sooner we are at them the better, though I fear they will not stand
us," cried the sergeant. "Charge, my lads, and get hold of the fellow
on the black horse. I saw him fire two shots."
And putting spurs to their horses, they dashed on.
As they were galloping along, and before they had gone many paces,
Harry, to his grief, saw the apparently dead body of the steward lying
close by the road-side, where he had, it seemed, fallen when shot. He
could not stop to ascertain whether he was dead or alive.
The smugglers still held their ground not two hundred yards off. Harry
recognised Miles Gaffin, who, by his actions, was evidently endeavouring
to induce his followers to advance to the encounter. As the well
disciplined little band drew near them, the ruffian's courage gave way.
The men on foot rushed off on either side. The horsemen stood a moment
longer, and at Gaffin's command fired a volley, but directly afterwards,
though superior in numbers, knowing well how ill able they were to
resist the charge of the troopers, they wheeled round their horses, and
galloped off in the direction of Hurlston. Gaffin was the last to turn.
He quickly overtook the rest, and pushing through them on his fleet and
powerful horse, soon took the lead. Though vastly superior in a charge,
the troopers' horses were ill able to come up with the active steeds of
the lightly-armed smugglers. The latter kept well ahead, though Harry
urged his companions not to spare the spur. As openings occurred free
of trees, first one of the smugglers rode off, then another, others
following, some going on one side, some on another, till a small band
only held together, led by Gaffin, who had, however, distanced them
considerably. Believing, probably, that he was going to desert them,
the remainder, swearing loudly at his cowardice, following the example
of the first, began to disperse, several throwing themselves from their
horses, and making their way through the thick brushwood, where the
troopers had little hopes of overtaking them.
"Keep the fellow on the black horse in sight," shouted Harry. "He is
the man, I doubt not, who murdered the steward. Let some of your men
accompany me, and follow him with the rest."
The sergeant gave the order as Harry requested, and half the men
continued on with Harry towards Downside, while Gaffin was seen to be
making by the nearest road for the mill. His object apparently was to
take shelter within it, and to sell his life dearly, or he might hope to
conceal himself till he could make his escape by some secret passage, or
by other means with which he alone was acquainted.
The thickening gloom of evening rendered all objects indistinct. The
sergeant and his men, however, kept the smuggler in sight till they saw
him reach the downs on which the mill stood, where his figure was
distinctly visible against the sky. It was but for a moment, for at the
same instant, a party of the sea-fencibles who had been concealed behind
the mill, started up, and several shots were fired at him. It was not
seen whether any had taken effect; the horse and rider disappeared, at
it seemed, over the edge of the cliff. The troopers expected as they
reached the spot to see him dashed to pieces on the sands, but he had
reached the bottom in safety by a pathway which a desperate man alone
would have ventured to take. They caught a glimpse of him as he
galloped along the sands towards the south.
"We must follow him, my lads, or he will escape after all," said the
sergeant, though, as no one dared descend the path Gaffin had taken, the
troopers were compelled to take their way round by a circuitous road
till they could gain the level of the beach. By that time the daring
smuggler was lost to sight.
In the meantime, the foot soldiers hurried along the top of the downs to
stop him should he desert his horse and attempt to escape by climbing up
the cliffs and make his way across the country.
The sergeant and his men made comparatively slow progress over the
sands. They discovered too that the tide was rising, and had good
reason to fear that they might be caught under the cliffs, and be
carried off by the sea which was rolling in with a sullen roar.
The sergeant at the same moment fancied he could discern the figure of a
horseman at some distance ahead, close under the cliffs, and already
surrounded by water. The steed was plunging and rearing, while the
rider in vain endeavoured to urge him forward. Presently, both together
disappeared, overwhelmed by a sea which rolled in, and broke in masses
of spray against the foot of the cliff. Not far off a dark object,
which might have been a boat, was seen.
However, the advancing sea warned the sergeant that he and his men must
beat a rapid retreat, or run the risk of losing their horses, if not
their lives. They had, indeed, to plunge through the sea up to their
horses' girths before they regained the end of the cliff, where they
were once more in safety.