FRIEND OR FOE?
SCRAMBLING awkwardly ashore, Colonel Firestone made straight for the
captain of the dragoons, while, having secured our arms, Granville
and I followed, leaving the boat to its fate.
It was the first time we had seen our companion on dry land, and I
was struck by his peculiar gait as he shuffled his jack-booted feet
in a very indifferent manner of walking.
The captain of dragoons, a slender, dandified man, looked with
mingled astonishment and amusement at the strange figure approaching
him.
"Who are you, fellow, and what is your condition?" he demanded in an
affected drawl.
"Why should I declare my name?" replied Firestone sternly, his voice
belying his appearance. "Sufficient it is to state that I am on the
King's service."
"I am but doing my duty," rejoined the officer, though with
considerably less affectation.
"Then do it. Conduct us to Colonel Goring. I am indebted to you for
your good services, Captain whatever your name may be, but I tell you
plainly I like not your style."
"Chaloner is my name," said the other haughtily.
"And mine, since you have so far unbended, is Nicholas Firestone,
holding His Majesty's commission as colonel. Perchance, Captain
Chaloner, my name is not wholly unfamiliar to you?"
Instantly the other's manner underwent a complete change.
"A thousand pardons," he exclaimed, "though, by the manner of your
arrival, I was misled."
And, ordering three of his men to dismount, he offered their steeds
to Firestone, Granville, and me.
By this time the rebel boat had picked up the crew of her unfortunate
consort, and, heavily laden, was slowly making her way back to the
nearest man-of-war, still under fire from the guns of the fortress.
Meanwhile the troop had remounted, the three steedless dragoons were
told to follow without delay, and at the word of command the party
set off towards the town.
Our road lay between the sea on the left hand and a large expanse of
furze-covered common on the right, with hardly a building to break
the deadly monotony of the landscape. As far as I could see, there
was not a natural piece of ground that was twenty feet above the
level of the sea.
Before us rose the fortifications of Portsmouth, and as we drew
nearer we saw that the damage done by the rebels' shots was
considerable, the Gothic tower of the church and several of the
houses being very severely handled.
The cannonade continued without intermission, several of the shots
from the ships ploughing the ground in front and behind us, and,
though neither Firestone nor the troopers paid the slightest
attention to them, Granville and I were considerably startled, while
Captain Chaloner was manifestly ill at ease.
Outside the walls we dismounted, the dragoons holding the horses
under the shelter of a low bank of shingle, and, led by Chaloner, we
crossed a narrow wooden bridge and reached the postern. Here the
captain gave the countersign, and the next moment we were in the town
of Portsmouth.
"Where is Colonel Goring, sirrah?" demanded Chaloner of a man who
wore the Governor's livery.
"On his way to breakfast, sir."
Upon this we directed our footsteps towards the Governor's house,
where, with little delay, we were ushered into Goring's presence.
Although he professed great pleasure in meeting Colonel Firestone
once more, George Goring's delight seemed somewhat too effusive to be
genuine. Nevertheless, he gave orders for the paymaster to advance
twenty pounds to meet our present needs, and wrote out an order on an
armourer in St. Nicholas' Street to equip us with whatever weapons or
armour we required.
"You must be our guest for some time to come, willing or unwilling,"
he exclaimed, "for the force of the Parliament hems us in by land and
sea."
"But I must needs hasten to the King's camp," remonstrated Firestone.
"Then your wits must find a way, for a dog can scarce crawl out of
the town without being shot at. 'Tis a mystery how you managed to get
in."
"Then I'll get out by the same means as I came in," replied our
friend stoutly. "But tell me, can you hold the town?"
For answer Goring held up a large iron key which hung from his waist
by a strong chain.
"Dost see this?" he asked pompously. "I swear 'fore God that as long
as I live the key, which is that of the Town Mount Gate, shall never
fall into the hands of the King's enemies."
"Amen," replied Firestone piously. "But how goes the garrison?
Are the munitions and provisions like to last out?"
"Powder and shot in plenty. Twelve hundred and fifty barrels of
powder lie in the Square Tower, and two hundred in the vaults of the
Town Mount; but of provisions we are sorely short. Witness my
breakfast, a piece of rusk bread and a herring. If you will do me the
honour, comrade, perchance we may find enough for us all."
We were certainly nearly famished with hunger, and even a sorry meal
of bread and fish, washed down with ale, was welcome.
Finally, the Governor dismissed us, saying that pressing work was
before him, and we filed out of his presence.
At the door I happened to glance behind me, and to my surprise I saw
a waiting-man stealthily thrust a paper into Chaloner's hand; but,
treating the matter as of small moment, I soon forgot the incident.
In the street we parted, the captain expressing his intention of
returning to his post, for he had been entrusted with the holding of
Southsea Castle, which Colonel Firestone had described as the key of
the position, while the colonel, Granville, and I repaired to a
lodging in Little Penny Lane.
Tired with our exertions, though 'twas but eleven o'clock in the
morning, we retired and rested well till the following day.
We were early abroad, for Colonel Firestone was anxious to obtain
proper arms and equipment on the strength of Goring's order.
At the armourer's in St. Nicholas' Street he carefully selected a
stout and heavy broadsword, a pair of pistols, and a petronel, while
a breastplate, tassettes, and a steel cap with barrets completed his
soldierly equipment.
Strangely enough, he still retained his salt-stained jackboots,
refusing the suggestion that a pair of Spanish riding-boots would
better suit his purpose.
The armourer had no difficulty in fitting me with a breastplate and
steel cap, for my frame was as great as many a man's; but Granville's
slighter build was encased in a steel covering which fitted so
loosely that I could not refrain from jesting with him on the matter.
"Never mind, Master Granville," said Firestone. "A few months' active
service and I'll warrant you'll fill it right enow."
There was nothing about our appearance to mark us as cavaliers, save
our long hair, and I remarked this to Firestone.
"Faith," he replied, "I am well aware of it, though 'tis a small
matter to conceal our locks under our steel caps. But, as 'tis
certain we must break away and join the King as soon as possible,
strategy must needs play its part."
"And your plan----?"
"Is to find a way out--how, I know not at present. The countryside
must be alive with these rebels, so that we must be prepared where
necessary to give and receive hard knocks. As your father, Sir
Reginald, is with the King, 'tis best to make for Ashley, gain
definite information, and then ride northwards as hard as we can
travel."
"What think ye of Goring?" I asked boldly.
He looked strangely at me for a moment, then replied
"He is a vainglorious boaster. Already he has played the turncoat,
and, in spite of his brave words, I'll warrant he'll betray his trust
and Chaloner, who holds Southsea Castle, is no better."
Thereupon I told him of the message stealthily conveyed by the
serving-man.
"I would you had told me of this before, and I would have challenged
the young pup on the spot. Nevertheless, I'll mark him well, and at
the first sign of treachery I'll make him answer to the King with his
life."
A few days after our arrival in the beleaguered town, Colonel
Firestone, who had been entrusted with the keeping of the postern by
which we had entered, returned to our lodgings after dark with a look
of intense excitement on his face.
"You are both young, but active and fit to be trusted," he exclaimed.
"Art willing to adventure your lives in a hazardous service?"
We both assented.
"Then, hearken! My doubts concerning Goring's lukewarmness and
Chaloner's treachery are gaining ground. Did I not say that who holds
the castle commands the town? Yet Chaloner has withdrawn most of his
dragoons and quartered them in the town, where they are no better
than common musketeers! In the castle there are left but twenty
pikemen, five dragoons, and twenty musketeers, and, though the castle
is likely to be attempted at any time, Chaloner comes nightly into
the town to carouse with the Governor. Moreover, I saw him give a
missive to the same man who acts as servant at Goring's house, and I
feel certain that the man has left for the rebel lines."
"Then what do you want us to do?"
"I mean to return with Chaloner to the castle to-night, you
accompanying us. Then, should the rebels attempt an escalade, I'll
seize Chaloner if he play false, and hold the castle against them,
should the garrison stand by me."
"And if not?"
"Then I'll slay the traitor with my own hands, and in the darkness
we'll attempt a passage through the rebels' lines!"
"And now," he continued, as he made ready his arms, "it wants but two
hours to midnight, yet in that time much remains to be done. Let us
be up and doing."
"Yes," repeated Colonel Firestone, as he finished charging his
pistols, "it is time for us to be up and doing."
So saying, he led the way from the house, and, keeping well in the
shadows, we traversed several side streets till we gained the
Landport Gate, hard by the Town Mount. Thence, after a few whispered
words with the guard, we passed through the gateway, crossed the
moat, and were soon in the flat, open country that lies without the
walls.
A walk of less than half a mile brought us to a few deserted houses,
standing hard by a ruined windmill, for at the commencement of the
siege the inhabitants of Coleharbour, as this hamlet is called, had
abandoned their homes and taken refuge in the town. 'Twas well for
them that they did, for, being in the line of fire, the buildings had
already suffered from the batteries of both forces.
Taking up our position in the angle of a partially demolished
outbuilding, we waited. Nor were we kept long in suspense, for
gliding stealthily along the road a cloaked figure loomed up in the
darkness.
'Twas the man who had left for the rebel camp with some secret
message from the treacherous captain.
"Now!" exclaimed the colonel, and, dashing out upon the startled man,
we bore him to the ground.
In a few minutes he was bound and gagged, and left to await discovery
in the doorway of one of the houses, while we were speeding back to
the town with a written message to Captain Chaloner in our
possession.
At the Landport Gate Firestone led us into a well-lighted room, where
we could examine the intercepted letter. Fortunately, it was not
sealed, but merely secured by a silken cord.
"Ah!" exclaimed the colonel. "'Tis as plain as daylight: '_Before the
morning watch, I say; before the morning watch_.' Chaloner will
receive his message, but let him take heed."
So saying, he refolded the missive, giving it to a pikeman to deliver
to Chaloner at the Governor's house.
"Will he not want to know why his messenger has not delivered the
letter in person?" I asked.
"Where wine is in the wit is out," replied Firestone oracularly. "But
now, to the postern! The hour is at hand!"
Just before midnight we waited close to the postern for the faithless
captain, and, before a quarter of an hour had passed, two cloaked
figures, reeling with the effects of strong drink, staggered towards
us.
"Hist! 'Tis Goring and Chaloner," whispered Firestone, dragging us
into a recess.
Our companion had already given instructions to the guard, who,
turning out smartly, saluted their worthless Governor, Goring.
"Fare thee well, Chaloner," said the latter unsteadily and with mock
sadness. "I feel that I'll not see thee to-morrow."
It was a lengthy parting, but at length Goring returned towards his
quarters, while Chaloner, hardly able to return the salute of the
guard, staggered across the footbridge over the moat.
Hardly had he gained the open ground when Firestone gave the signal,
and we followed, treading softly lest the captain should hear us
while still within hailing distance of the fortifications.
It was a clear night, and we could distinctly see the lurching figure
of our quarry against the sky-line. Away at Spithead the stern
lanterns of the blockading ships glimmered like gigantic glow-worms,
while away to the north flickered the watch-fires of the rebels'
camp.
When Chaloner had covered half the distance 'twixt the town and the
castle, Colonel Firestone increased his pace, and overtook the
drunkard.
The captain showed no sign of alarm at our approach, merely stopping
and looking at us in a half-dazed manner, then resuming his
staggering gait.
"Captain Chaloner, we bear you company to the castle to-night,"
announced Firestone sternly.
"Delighted, I'm sure," replied he, turning and extending his hand,
almost falling through the effort of standing still.
Without replying, the colonel seized his shoulder in a vice-like
grip, and urged him towards the castle.
At the gateway we were challenged by a sleepy pikeman, and Chaloner
mechanically giving the countersign, we gained the courtyard. Save
for the pikemen, the castle appeared to be deserted, the guns
standing unattended on their platforms, with neither match nor charge
at hand, while, from a small outbuilding, came sounds of revelry.
Presently, from one of the embrasures, arose the dark, great-coated
figure of a man, and, descending by a stone staircase, the watcher
made towards us, producing a lantern from the folds of his cloak. At
least, then, one man was on the alert.
"Who are you?" demanded Firestone.
"Sergeant Lawson, sir."
"Then take your captain to his quarters, and lock him in," continued
the colonel. "And turn out those rascals I hear yonder."
Chaloner meekly submitted to be led away, and on his return the
sergeant expressed his fears that an attack was imminent.
"What is to be done, sir," he exclaimed, "when the men are drunk and
full of insubordination, taking Captain Chaloner as their example?
Already the rebels are under arms, but whether they intend to attempt
the castle or the town I know not."
Telling the sergeant to follow him, Firestone crossed over to the
soldiers' quarters, where, in all stages of drunkenness, the men lay
across the table or on the floor, heedless of their duty and
indifferent to their danger.
Without a moment's hesitation, the colonel seized the nearest man, a
big, bull-necked dragoon, and with the least apparent effort flung
him headlong out into the open air. Another and another followed, but
the fourth, a pikeman, drew his sword.
The next instant the weapon was flying across the room, and its owner
lying stunned upon the floor. Seeing they had a man to deal with, the
rest followed, forming up in the courtyard with more or less military
precision.
They were immediately despatched to carry powder and shot to the
platforms, port fires were lighted, and the guns manned; yet our
leader knew that little reliance was to be placed upon the besotted
garrison, Sergeant Lawson being the only dependable man.
"Listen, sergeant," exclaimed Colonel Firestone "How many horses are
there within the walls?"
"Fifteen, sir."
"I take it you are resolved to support us?"
"To the death, sir."
"Then see to it that four of the best horses are
saddled and tethered close to the gate."
We then began a tour of the platform, the colonel admonishing the
semi-stupefied men, or, in some instances, appealing to their
loyalty, while he personally undertook the sighting of every piece of
ordnance, taking care that they were properly charged and primed.
Hardly had these preparations been completed than the steady tramp of
armed men sounded through the darkness, and presently a line of
lighted matches gleamed along the entire landward front of the
castle. With quickening pulse I watched the approach of the
assailants, wondering dimly what the end would be, as I cast about a
musket, and made ready to fire.
Then came the sounds of men's voices singing in a deep bass, and I
could distinguish the words of the 68th Psalm:
"_Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered._"
One of our men uttered come coarse jest, but our leader sternly
reproved him, and in silence we awaited the attack.
Suddenly a voice hailed us from the rebel ranks:
"Surrender to the forces of the Parliament of the Realm of England!"
"We hold no parley with rebels!" shouted Colonel Firestone. "Another
step, and we open fire!"
Hardly were the words out of his mouth than a raucous voice came from
a window of the keep.
"Go away, men, go away."
A shout of derisive laughter from the rebels greeted this speech of
the tipsy Chaloner. By the light of a port fire I could see our
leader biting his lip to conceal his anger.
"Your reply?" demanded the rebel officer.
"This!" shouted Firestone, and, seizing a match, he applied it to the
nearest cannon.
A blinding flash and a deafening roar was succeeded by a hundred
spurts of flame from the darkness beneath us, and the next moment we
could hear the hurried tramp and the hoarse cries and shouts of the
assailants as they rushed forward to the attack.
Hardly had the first scaling ladder been placed against the wall,
when our rascally garrison threw down their arms and bolted from the
platforms.
In vain Firestone cut two down; panic had done its work, and, as the
heads of the first of the stormers appeared over the parapet, only
the colonel, Granville, Sergeant Lawson, and I remained.
Seeing that resistance was useless, Firestone called on us to follow,
and, descending to the courtyard, we reached the tethered horses just
as the rebels, with shouts of triumph, were driving the
panic-stricken garrison into the keep.
Cutting loose our steeds, we mounted, and, with sword and pistol,
rode slowly towards the gateway. Here the sergeant unbarred the door
and threw it suddenly open, and before the rebels, who were making
for the gateway, were aware of our intention, the drawbridge had
fallen with a run, and the four riders were urging their horses
through the dense mass of men.
Taken by surprise, the musketeers, their pieces discharged and
unloaded, gave way right and left, and, although a few pikemen
amongst them tried to bar our way, our weight was irresistible.
I have a dim recollection of shearing off the head of an opposing
pike, and seeing its holder's terror-stricken eyes, as he went down
beneath my horse's hoofs. There was a crackle of pistol-shots, a
flashing of steel, and we were through, tearing madly across the
broad expanse of common on our bid for safety!