|AFTER slumbering tranquilly for three or four hours in the arm-chair
Lord Derwentwater roused himself, and breakfasted with a very good
appetite on the simple fare provided for him by Dame Blacklaw.
He next occupied himself in examining some papers which he carried in a
small portfolio, and was still thus employed when Cheviot, who had never
left him, suddenly raised his head, and gave a low growl.
“He hears something,” observed Dame Blacklaw. “But there can be no
danger, or Nathan would have come to warn your lordship.”
After listening for a moment, Cheviot got up and began to whine, and the
door being opened, he rushed forth and a joyous bark was instantly heard
outside.
Curious to learn who was there, Lord Derwentwater hastily put up his
papers, and went out.
To his great surprise, he found the new-comer was his brother, who told
him in a few words what had taken place, and though the earl blamed
him for his imprudence, he felt greatly enraged against Sir William
Lorraine.
“I should like to drive these magistrates from the castle,” he said.
“If you are of that mind, it may still be done,” rejoined Charles. “But
for your express orders to the contrary, I would have shut the gates,
and shown them fight.”
“But no preparations had been made,” said the earl.
“There you are mistaken,” returned Charles. “I was quite ready. All the
tenants and retainers are stationed at the farm; all the horses have
been taken there; all the arms and ammunition have been removed from the
old tower, and deposited in one of the barns; all the grooms and active
men-servants are likewise at the farm.”
“And you have done all this without consulting me?” cried the earl.
“It was done at the urgent request of the countess,” replied Charles.
“She said, 'It is not fitting that the Earl of Derwentwater should hide
in hovels, when the gentry are in arms for their lawful sovereign. It
shall never be said that the officers came to Dilston to arrest him, and
were allowed to depart as they came. If no one else will do it, I will
drive them hence. I disuaded her from this bold step, but I agreed to
get all ready with the design of effecting your rescue if you should
fall into their hands.”
“You have done well, Charles,” cried the earl, “and I thank you. Let us
to the farm at once, and if the enemy are still at the castle we will
soon expel them.”
“This resolution is worthy of you, my lord,” said Charles. “I fear your
flight might have been misconstrued.”
Thinking Nathan might be useful, the earl bade him follow, and hastened
away with his brother.
VII.--HOW THE MAGISTRATES AND THE MILITIAMEN WERE FORCED TO QUIT THE
CASTLE.
|The farm to which reference has just been made, lay on the other side
of the castle, and was distant about half a mile from the woodcutter's
hut.
The earl and his companions, however, proceeded so expeditiously that
they were soon there, but as they were tracking a lane that led to
the farm buildings they encountered a man, who had evidently been
reconnoitring the place, and instantly secured him.
This proved to be Jesmond, and though armed, he did not offer any
resistance--probably thinking it would be useless. Disarming him, and
giving the weapons to Nathan, the earl told the latter to shoot the man
if he attempted to fly.
An additional guard was found in Cheviot, who had followed his master,
and cut off all chance of the prisoner's escape.
In some respects this was an important capture, and the earl hoped to
turn it to account. At any rate, he had ascertained that the party were
still at the castle, and felt sure he should take them by surprise.
On entering the farm-yard the earl found between thirty and forty
stalwart yeomen collected there.
All of them had got good strong horses, and had pistols in their
holsters and swords by the side. With them were half a dozen grooms. The
sight of these sturdy fellows sent a thrill through the earl's breast,
and he reproached himself with not having confided to them the defence
of the castle. They would have set up a shout on his appearance, but
he checked them. Very few minutes sufficed to arrange matters. All the
yeomen were quickly in the saddle.
Mounted on his favourite dapple-grey steed, which had been brought to
the farmyard, the Earl of Derwentwater put himself at the head of his
troop, and bade them follow him to the castle--but ere they arrived
there they received an important reinforcement.
Colonel Oxburgh, Captain Wogan, and the rest of that gallant little
band, who still held together, were then at Hexham, and having learnt
that the magistrates of Newcastle, attended by a party of horse-militia,
designed to arrest Lord Derwentwater, they set off to the earl's
assistance, and arrived in the very nick of time.
They were galloping up the chestnut avenue at the very time when the
earl brought his troop from the farm. An immediate explanation took
place; and on hearing how matters stood, Colonel Oxburgh exclaimed, “I
think we can take them prisoners.”
They then rode quickly forward, and finding that the whole of the
militiamen were in the court, they drew up in front of the gate, so as
to prevent the departure of the intruders.
After this successful manouvre, which was very quickly executed, Lord
Derwentwater and the principal persons with him advanced into the court.
Here all was confusion and dismay. Most of the militiamen had
dismounted, and were scattered about the court in a very disorderly
manner.
While their leader was shouting to them to mount, Lord Derwentwater
dashed up to him, and seizing his bridle, demanded his sword.
The officer held back for a moment, but seeing that the gate was
strongly guarded, and retreat impossible, he yielded, and the men did
not seem inclined to offer any further opposition.
Hitherto the magistrates had been inside the house, but they now came
forth to see what was going on, and no sooner had they done so than the
door was shut and barred behind them.
They were contemplating the scene with dismay, when Lord Derwentwater
and his friends came up.
“The tables are turned, you perceive, gentlemen,” said the earl, in a
mocking tone. “You have come here to arrest me, and are made prisoners
yourselves.”
“But your lordship won't detain us,” rejoined Sir William.
“I have no wish to put you to inconvenience, but I shall not let you go,
unless you engage to return direct to Newcastle.”
After a short consultation with his brother magistrates, Sir William
said, “We agree.”
“You must also deliver up the warrant, and undertake that no further
attempt shall be made to arrest me,” said the earl.
“Your lordship must feel that we cannot enter into such an engagement,”
replied Mr. Woodburn. “We will deliver up the warrant, but we cannot
tell what steps may be taken.”
“Well, I advise you not to come again on the like errand,” said the
earl. “One of your officers has fallen into my hands. I shall keep
him as a hostage, and if aught happens contrary to our present
understanding, I will most assuredly shoot him. Now, gentlemen, you are
free to depart as soon as you please.”
Thereupon, the magistrates came down from the perron, on the summit of
which they had been standing, and mounted their horses.
By this time all the militiamen were in the saddle, and ready for
departure. They muttered threats against the Jacobites, but were glad to
escape a conflict with them. When Jesmond found he was to be detained,
he begged hard to be set free; but his entreaties were disregarded.
The yeomen who had hitherto blocked up the gateway were now removed by
Charles Radclyffe, and there was nothing to prevent the departure of the
intruders, when a large upper window of the mansion was opened, and the
Countess of Derwentwater appeared at it.
In her hand she bore a silken banner, embroidered with the badge of the
Chevalier de Saint George. Waving the banner above the assemblage, she
called out in a loud clear voice, distinctly heard by all, “Long live
King James the Third! and down with the Hanoverian Usurper!”
Deafening shouts arose from the Jacobites, amidst which the magistrates
and the militiamen passed through the gateway.