EDGEHILL
DURING our stay at Oxford various reports and rumours reached us
concerning the position of the King's forces, and at length definite
information was brought that the Royalists were marching from
Shrewsbury to give battle to the Earl of Essex, who was supposed to
be retiring to prevent the King's advance on the rebel City of
London.
Colonel Firestone deemed it impracticable to attempt to join the
Royal camp with the rebels lying betwixt it and us; so we were forced
to remain in galling inactivity till the road northward should be
free of the enemy.
Early one morning a spent and mud-stained horseman drew in his jaded
steed at Carfax, and immediately the news spread that the King had
gained Banbury, thus putting himself between the rebels and London,
while a battle was imminent on the following day.
Without a moment's delay we set out for the Royal camp, our party
consisting of Colonel Firestone, Granville, and myself, with Sergeant
Lawson and Wat in attendance, while two spare horses carried our
baggage.
Two hours' hard riding brought us in sight of the town of Banbury,
outside of which were the tents of the Royalists. On reporting
ourselves to Prince Rupert--for we were to be attached to his troop
of horse--we were shown to a tent and told to rest, yet to hold
ourselves in instant readiness for an attack on the rebel forces.
But rest for us was an impossibility. Granville wandered about the
lines, to see whether any of his Cornish relatives were serving in
the Prince's cavalry, while I naturally wished to see my father as
soon as possible, though I was told that Sir Reginald Markham was
away on special service, and would not return to the camp before
nightfall.
Colonel Firestone wished to hand his precious documents personally to
the King; I never saw the papers, and often wondered where he kept
them; and, on being informed that His Majesty was not within the
camp, and that his whereabouts were to be kept secret, the colonel's
disappointment was most marked.
He was resolved, like many other officers, to fight under Rupert's
standard as an ordinary gentleman, and, seeing that it was impossible
to approach His Majesty, he spent the time writing, reading
pocket-books on military matters, and overhauling his weapons.
Just as the sun was setting, a small band of horsemen dashed into the
camp, and, dismounting, made their way to the Prince's tent, and one
of the party I knew full well. It was my father.
"Wait a moment, Humphrey," exclaimed Colonel Firestone, "and I'll go
with you. Your sire will not be long with the Prince, I trove."
Together we made our way through the press of roystering soldiers,
till we reached the tent, where two armed troopers kept guard over
Prince Rupert's person, and in less than five minutes my father
reappeared.
He greeted me with great affection, commending my loyal resolution in
throwing in my lot with the King's forces, assuring me that there
were many youths of gentle birth who were also in the field.
"And hest not a word of welcome for an old comrade?" exclaimed my
companion.
"Nay, I know you not," replied my father, looking steadfastly into
the colonel's face. Then, after a pause, he exclaimed:
"Why, 'tis Nick Firestone!"
"The same," replied the colonel, wringing my father's hand. "Have I
changed so much that my old companion-in-arms cannot call me to name?
How is it with thee?"
"A man may change much in a score years," said my father, "but,
thanks to an active life, I feel as strong and as well as in the dark
days of 'twenty-seven, save that my legs are somewhat cramped with
rheumatism, though my arm is as strong as of yore. Where lies your
tent?" he asked.
"Next but one to your own, sir," I replied. "At least, that is what I
have been told."
"'Tis well," he replied, "for twelve hours in the saddle is apt to
give one a keen hunger, to say nothing of an aching frame."
"I have brought an air bed for you from home," I exclaimed.
"An air what, forsooth?" asked my father.
I hastened to explain the nature of this admirable contrivance as
given by worthy Master Royston, and, on arriving at our lines, I sent
Lawson to get the novel article from the baggage.
We talked till late in the evening, my parent plying me with
questions concerning affairs at home, and telling us of the events of
the last few weeks.
"Dost know that, according to the rebel order, Ashley Castle no
longer belongs to the Markhams?" asked my father.
"Nay, sir," I replied. "What dost thou mean; is it a jest?"
"Hardly a jest, Humphrey. Only yester-night we surprised a rebel
despatch-bearer on the road near Stratford, and amongst other papers
was a list of manors and castles to be bestowed by the Parliament on
their chief supporters, and amongst the places named was mine own
castle."
"And on whom is it bestowed?"
"On one Captain Chaloner."
"Captain Chaloner!" exclaimed Firestone. "Why, 'tis the man who
allowed the rebels to seize Southsea Castle, the same who was hand in
glove with the turncoat, Goring."
"He's to gain possession of Ashley Castle first," rejoined my father
grimly; "and 'tis certain that, so long as my wife keeps watch and
ward, no doubly-dyed rebel will set foot over my threshold--but how
came Portsmouth to fall, considering it was well fortified and
supplied with munition of war?"
We thereupon had to tell my father the events that led to Goring's
feeble and faint-hearted pretence of holding the town for the King,
and, at the story of Chaloner's treacherous incapacity, my parent
shook his fist in impotent rage.
At length it was time for us to retire to our own tent, and, having
inflated the air-bed for my father's use by means of a pump, we bade
him good night.
Late into the night sounds of revelry disturbed the camp, men gaming
or singing in uproarious discord, till gradually the babel died away,
and silence reigned over the sleeping town of tents, broken only by
the frequent voices of the sentries on guard without the lines.
It was my first experience of camp life, and sleep seemed a stranger to
me. The hard ground found out the weak places in my anatomy, till my
shoulder-blades and hips were sore and aching, for as yet I knew
nothing of the old campaigners' trick of hollowing out the earth to
accommodate these protuberances and I lay and longed for the dawn.
Suddenly an alarm echoed through the stillness of the night, and
instantly the camp was alive with men rushing hither and thither.
Our tent turned out to a man, and, putting on our steel caps, and
buckling on our sword-belts as we ran, we formed up in an irregular
line outside the camp, in expectation of a sudden attack, yet, though
an outpost of musketeers discharged their weapons, there came no
answering volley from the supposed enemy.
Nor was the alarm confined to our lines, for, on our left, the
musketeers of Sir Jacob Ashley's infantry were also formed up with
matches lighted, and on our right the cannoniers under Sir John
Heyden were advancing their ordnance to meet the attack.
In the midst of the confusion a tall, dark figure mounted on a
restive horse rode towards us, followed by a body of cavalry.
It was Prince Rupert.
"Back to your tents, gentlemen!" he shouted, and it seemed that his
voice was broken with suppressed laughter. "'Tis but a false alarm!"
And ere long the whole camp knew the cause of the sudden uproar--my
father's air-bed had burst, and, finding himself flung all of a heap
on the ground, he had imagined, being roused from sleep, that the
rebels were upon us, and had raised the shout that roused the camp!
Daylight found the camp astir, for, with the knowledge that the
rebels were within ten miles of us, excitement ran high. For my part,
I must confess the principal thought that ran uppermost in my mind
was not that of the coming conflict, but a vague uneasiness as to
what was happening at home--whether that traitorous villain,
Chaloner, had actually made an attempt to secure Ashley Manor,
illegally bestowed upon him by the very side he had professed to
abhor.
Firestone, on his part, was in a state of feverish anxiety, for,
though, like an old soldier, he was longing for the clash of arms, he
was burning with impatience to deliver his despatches personally to
His Majesty, this being the express injunction laid upon him ere he
quitted the French court.
But again his hopes were thwarted, for the King had, we now learned,
gone overnight to sleep at Nellthorpe House, and, up to the actual
moment of the army taking up a battle formation, he had not put in an
appearance, as a council was being held in the town of Banbury. It
was considerably after midday ere we received orders to march, and,
on gaining the brow of a steep hill, I saw the rebel host in close
array on the plains beneath us.
Presently I heard the dull boom of a cannon away on our left,
followed by a heavy fire, to which the rebels answered, though not so
vigorously.
But we were not left long in that suspense which is so trying to the
nerves of a soldier, for Prince Rupert, standing in his stirrups,
waved his sword for our cavalry to advance.
Prince Rupert having given the signal for the cavalry to advance, I
set my teeth tightly, spurred my steed, and joined in the charge,
being in the second rank, with Firestone on my left and my father on
my right.
Before us lay the dense serried masses of Essex's cavalry, but, to my
surprise, just before the trumpets sounded the charge, a whole troop
of the enemy suddenly rode towards us with signs of friendship.
Wheeling by our right, they fell in with our cavalry, and at once
prepared to charge their former comrades.
This troop, I afterwards learned, were Sir Faithful Fortescue's
troopers, who had but recently returned from Ireland; but, being
unable to make their way to the Royal camp, had feigned to throw in
their lot with the rebels until a favourable opportunity occurred to
declare themselves openly.
The next instant we were launched at full gallop upon the rebel
cavalry, and of what happened during the next few moments I have but
a dim recollection. It was cut, thrust, and parry. Men went down,
still striking madly at their assailants, whilst riderless horses
added to the confusion; but I knew that we had the best of the
struggle, because we were ever advancing.
Suddenly Firestone's horse plunged violently and fell on its knees,
while its rider, slipping from off his saddle, rolled over, vainly
endeavouring to throw himself clear of his floundering steed.
At that moment one of the rebel dragoons, a veritable Anak, received
a cut in the face, and, half blinded and maddened by the pain, he
slashed furiously right and left.
I wheeled to escape the resistless sweep of his sword, and, to my
horror, I saw the weapon bury itself in Colonel Firestone's leg,
shearing through jack-boot, limb, and even the saddle.
The next instant I was urged onward by the rush of the combatants,
and, much as I desired to, I was unable to help my luckless comrade.
In a few minutes the rebel cavalry had broken and were in hot flight,
while at their heels came our triumphant troopers, slashing and
hewing at the fugitives without mercy.
In the excitement of the pursuit time and distance were forgotten,
till at length, breathless and triumphant, our cavalry gave up the
chase, re-formed, and prepared to return to that part of the field of
battle where, by the sound of heavy firing, we knew the contest still
raged furiously.
Before this was done, however, we were assailed by a body of rebel
horse, which, launching itself on our rearguard, played havoc till
driven off by superior numbers.
When at length we regained our former position we were confronted by
a solid phalanx of pikemen and musketeers, who presented such a
redoubtable appearance that Prince Rupert hesitated to order a fresh
charge. So with an occasional cannonade the battle ended just as
night drew in upon the scene.
"Hast seen Colonel Firestone?" asked Granville, as he wiped his
dust-and blood-stained face with a handkerchief of delicate cambric.
"Down yonder, I fear," I replied sadly, indicating the darkening
plain on which the indistinct forms of the fallen could still be
seen. "I saw him hurled from his horse with his leg shorn off at a
single blow."
"Perchance he still lives."
"But I could scarcely believe that. He is more likely to have bled to
death," said I. "Be that as it may, however, we'll make an effort to
find him."
And, giving our horses in charge of a camp follower, we sought out
Sergeant Lawson, who willingly agreed to accompany us.
Bending as we went--for the enemy's matches still glimmered in
readiness to open fire--we cautiously made our way over the ground in
the direction clearly indicated by the slain who fell during our
brilliant charge.
Here and there maimed horses still kicked and writhed in agony, while
at intervals a man would implore our pity and help, though most of
the slightly wounded had managed to regain the shelter of our lines.
At length we came upon a confused jumble of men and horses, and
pinned down by the weight of his dead charger lay our hapless friend.
By our combined efforts we managed to extricate his body from beneath
the animal, and to our great surprise and intense delight the brave
colonel opened his eyes.
A brief examination showed that his right leg had been cleanly hewn
through, the upper part of his boot still remaining over his knee;
but again with infinite surprise I noticed that there was no trace of
blood, and the next instant the truth flashed across my mind.
Colonel Nicholas Firestone had a wooden leg!
Stooping down, Lawson grasped the colonel under his arms, while
Granville lifted his remaining leg, and cautiously we began our
perilous journey back to the camp; but hardly had we gone a few paces
when Firestone whispered:
"Bring the pieces with you, Humphrey. My severed leg, I mean, for
'tis of much consequence that this be done."
Wondering what he meant, yet loth to thwart what I took to be the
whim of a half-dazed man, I returned, picked up the severed boot with
its wooden contents, and overtook my comrades, and half an hour later
we were safely within the Royal lines.
Here, with considerable difficulty, we procured a rough litter, and,
placing our wounded friend upon it, we bore him towards the camp, in
company with a constant stream of burdens, for the most part far
sadder than our own.
As we approached I noticed a group of officers standing in a
respectful attitude at a short distance from a slender, heavily
cloaked figure. Instinct told me it was our Sovereign, who, having by
his courage inspired his troops to fight a brilliant though
indecisive action, was not slow in sympathising with those who had
fallen in his cause.
"'Tis the King," I whispered to our wounded companion.
"Then hand me my severed leg," he rejoined with astonishing
imperativeness.
My surprise prevented me from asking the reason, and without a word I
did as he requested.
As the litter approached His Majesty, I noticed Firestone feverishly
employed in taking the remains of his wooden leg from the encasing
leather boot, and, having done this, he began to unscrew a portion of
the limb. A few turns and the leg came apart, disclosing a cavity,
from which the colonel drew a lightly rolled packet of papers.
"Art badly hurt?" asked His Majesty, as the glimmer of a lantern fell
upon the figure in the stretcher.
"No, sire," replied Firestone cheerfully. "'Tis not a case for the
surgeon; a carpenter will suffice."
"How so, sirrah?" exclaimed the King with astonishment.
In a few words Colonel Firestone explained the circumstances, and
handed the precious despatches to His Majesty.
Tearing open the covering, the King called for the lantern to be
brought nearer to enable him to read the contents, and by the feeble
light I saw his clear-cut features brighten as he perused the
message.
"Gentlemen," he explained, addressing the officers in attendance, "we
have just received an important and encouraging message from our
cousin of France, but of this more anon. But why didst thou risk
these papers in the battlefield instead of handing them to us?" he
added, addressing Colonel Firestone.
"Acting under direct orders, sire," he replied, "that these
despatches were to be given only into Your Majesty's hands."
"And yet with these in your possession you risked your life and these
despatches on the battlefield?"
"My life is my own, and I chose to risk it in Your Majesty's cause,"
replied Firestone stoutly. "But as for the papers, I took precautions
to ensure them reaching Your Majesty's hands should I have fallen."
"We'll not ask a gallant soldier to explain the matter," said the
King, "for 'tis certain his arrangements were well made. The fact
remains that he has performed his mission to our satisfaction, a
matter which we will bear in mind."
And, motioning the stretcher-bearers to proceed, the King returned
the colonel's salute and directed his attention to the next arrival
of that seemingly endless procession.
Having seen our charge safely within his tent, we sent for a
carpenter to replace his severed stump, a task which, though roughly
performed, the colonel considered satisfactory. But the severe
shaking he received by his fall prevented his taking the field again
that night, and we were compelled to leave him and again take our
place in the line of battle.
All that night and during the next day we lay under arms, both sides
facing each other, yet refraining from exchanging shots, and as
evening drew in we were greatly surprised and not a little delighted
to see the rebel army withdrawing in the direction of Warwick.
The approach of winter necessitated both armies going into winter
quarters, and, having obtained permission to withdraw, my father,
accompanied by Colonel Firestone and myself, determined to return
to Ashley, while Ralph Granville set out for his Cornish home.
He and I were sorry indeed to part company, and, sure enough, there
came times, of which you are now to hear, when I could have done well
with so trusty a friend at my right hand.