|Early in the morning, Captain Wogan with his brother, and Mr. Talbot
and his brother, set forth on horseback to patrol the country, and
proceeded towards Dunstan-borough, stationing themselves at various
points commanding the road.
They did not return till late in the afternoon, and then they brought no
alarming intelligence. There were no signs whatever of the approach of
the enemy. They had seen Sir John Webb's carriage in the distance, but
it came on so slowly that they had not waited for it.
Half an hour afterwards the carriage arrived, and then the prince learnt
what had happened and was greatly amused by Sir John's description of
the arrest made by the sheriff.
It appeared that the supposed royal prisoner was taken to Newcastle,
where the mistake was quickly discovered, and the man set at liberty.
Sir John was likewise allowed to proceed on his journey.
“The sheriff was very much mortified by the great blunder he had made,”
remarked Sir John. “But I don't think he will give up the pursuit, and I
fear your majesty may expect a visit from him at Bamborough.”
“I hope I shall be gone before he makes his appearance,” said the
prince. “To-night I set sail for France.”
“Since such is the case, I have only to wish your majesty a safe and
speedy voyage,” said Sir John. “And I sincerely trust nothing may occur
to interfere with your departure.”
A plan to be adopted in the event of any sudden emergency having been
decided upon, the prince agreed to dine at the mansion, and the whole
of the party assembled as before, with the addition of Sir John and Lady
Webb.
All the servants had received their orders, so no apprehension was
entertained of a surprise. The prince was not in very good spirits, and
Dorothy, who sat next to him, did her best to cheer him.
The repast was about half over, when a servant hastily entered the room,
and informed his master that the sheriff had arrived with a large posse
of men.
On this the prince immediately arose, and in pursuance of the plan
previously arranged passed through a window into the garden, where a
servant was waiting to conduct him by a private entrance to the castle.
No one else attended his highness.
The company remained at table; the prince's chair being instantly
removed, and the vacancy filled up. All this was the work of a few
moments.
Shortly afterwards, the sheriff was ushered into the room, and seemed
greatly surprised by the sight of so large a party, for which he was
evidently unprepared.
While he was hesitating what to do, Mr. Forster arose, and greeting him
in a friendly manner, said:
“I hope you are come to dine with me, Sir William. I shall be very glad
of your company, I assure you.”
“But I have business of importance, sir,” cried the sheriff.
“We will discuss that after dinner,” said Forster.
“I am very sorry to interrupt you, sir, but----”
“Nay, I will take no refusal,” cried Forster, leading him to the table.
At a sign from Forster a chair was then brought, and placed next his
own, and the sheriff was almost forced into it.
Jesmond, who had entered the dining-room at the same time as his
superior officer, stationed himself behind the chair, wondering what
would happen next, but not venturing to interfere.
“What will you take, Sir William--some venison? There is a fine haunch
at the other end of the table.”
“You ought to take a prisoner, Sir William,” whispered Desmond.
“So I will presently,” replied the sheriff in the same tone. “But I will
begin with the venison. Is the Pretender here?”
“I don't see him, Sir William,” replied the official, looking round
inquisitively at the guests. “But I can't quite distinguish the features
of the persons at the bottom of the table. Stay! there is some one
rather like him next to Sir John Webb.”
“Be quite sure you are right,” said the sheriff. “It won't do to make a
second mistake.”
Meantime, the venison was brought, and proved so good that the sheriff
made no objection to a few more slices. At the same time he very readily
accepted Mr. Forster's challenge to a glass of claret.
He was now in a much better humour, and partook of several other dishes,
and repeatedly emptied the goblet which was constantly replenished by
the butler.
The generous wine did its duty, and he almost forgot his errand. He
had no one now to remind him of it, for Jesmond had been lured to the
sideboard by the butler, and a flask of claret proffered him. He did not
decline the attention. Since his chief was enjoying himself he did not
see why he should not follow his example.
But it was not merely Mr. Forster who was attentive in the extreme to
his unwelcome guest. Lord Derwentwater and Lord Widdrington, with both
of whom Sir William Lorraine was well acquainted, though political and
religious differences kept them apart--these two proud nobles, we say,
quite unbent, and were excessively complaisant, inviting him to take
wine, and conversing very familiarly with him.
Sir John Webb pursued the same course, and as he drank a glass of wine
with the sheriff, he gave him a knowing look, just to remind him of the
recent adventure. Sir William laughed very good-humouredly.
Thus the dinner went on, and the sheriff became yet more cheerful,
as was naturally to be expected, for he had now drunk a good deal of
claret.
With the removal of the cloth, the ladies disappeared, for they knew
what was likely to occur, and then an immense bowl of punch was placed
before the host for the delectation of such as preferred that pleasant
beverage to claret.
Unfortunately for himself, Sir William yielded to the seduction. At
that precise juncture he meant to have assumed an authoritative air,
preparatory to carrying out the business that brought him thither; but a
bumper of punch caused him to postpone it to a later moment.
Jesmond was no longer there to watch over him, and incite him by his
observations.
That vigilant official had been taken to the butler's pantry, where he,
too, had his share--somewhat more than his share of a strong bowl of
punch. Punch was his weakness, as well as that of the sheriff, and he
found the temptation irresistible.
It must not be supposed that while their leader was thus cared for, the
yeomen were neglected. On the contrary they were very well attended to.
They were told that the sheriff had ordered them to dismount, and they
very readily obeyed. Their horses were accommodated in the squire's
roomy stables, and they themselves were conducted to the spacious
servant's hall, where all that was left--and it was no slight matter--of
the abundant dinner was set before them, together with as much strong
ale as they chose to drink. They were not served with punch, like their
betters, but they were offered usquebaugh, and we may be sure they did
not refuse the stimulating liquor, which nearly resembled whisky, pretty
freely.