|Lord Denventwater was close to his own domains, and a messenger having
been sent to Dilston to acquaint the countess with the arrival of the
insurgent army at Hexham, she immediately rode over thither, accompanied
by Dorothy Forster, who was staying with her at the time.
Though rejoiced to see her husband, the countess appeared greatly
disappointed that so little had been achieved, and told the earl she
would rather have heard from him at Newcastle, than have seen him at
Hexham.
Nor did Dorothy Forster show more consideration to her brother, but
blamed him severely for quitting Warkworth.
“What could we do there?” cried the general. “We should have been cut
off from a junction with our Scottish allies and compelled to
surrender.”
“Now you have lost the whole of the coast from Barnborough to
Newcastle,” cried Dorothy.
“One daring deed has been done,” said the earl. “The fort on Holy Island
has been surprised by Lancelot Errington. But I fear he will not be
able to hold it.”
“You ought to go to his succour,” said Dorothy to her brother.
“You expect impossibilities from us,” replied the general.
“Nothing is impossible,” rejoined Dorothy. “I shall never be content
till you have fought a battle and gained a victory. I do not like a
retreat.”
“Women know nothing of warfare,” said the general, shrugging his
shoulders.
Just then an express arrived from Lord Kenmure, saying that he had
arrived at Rothbury with the whole of his force, and desired to know
whether he should remain there, or advance.
“Bid him advance!” cried Dorothy.
“Methinks I had best resign my command to you,” observed the general.
“But I must beg you to cease this interference.” Then addressing the
messenger, he said, “Go back to his lordship and say I will join him
to-morrow at Rothbury.”
“Hold, General,” cried the countess. “Had you not better give this
matter some consideration?”
“It requires none,” replied Forster. “Take my message to Lord Kenmure,”
he added to the messenger, who immediately departed.
After some further conversation, the countess and Dorothy, who had not
dismounted, rode back through the woods to the castle.
Meanwhile, Charles Radclyffe and Captain John Shaftoe had set off to
Dilston with a dozen men, and after searching the old tower and some
other places, brought back all the arms they could find.
A very important matter had now to be settled, which had already been
too long deferred. This was the organisation of the force, and in
carrying out this necessary measure Colonel Oxburgh was of utmost use.
After some deliberation it was decided that the division commanded by
General Forster should consist of five troops, of which that of the
Earl of Derwentwater ranked first, and was to be commanded by Charles
Radclyffe and Captain John Shaftoe, whom we have just mentioned. The
second troop, belonging to Lord Widdrington, was to be commanded by
Captain Thomas Errington of Beaufront, who had formerly been in the
French service, and was brother of Lancelot Errington, who had just
surprised Holy Island.
The third and forth troops, were respectively commanded by Captain
John Hunter and Captain Robert Douglas, the first of whom had been a
contraband trader of great daring and skill, and the other a Border
farmer, who had been employed by Forster in searching for horses and
arms, and had been extraordinarily successful.
Some objection was made to these two persons on the score of position,
but it was urged by Forster that they would be of great use.
The fifth and last troops was commanded by Captain Wogan.
The first and second troops were composed of gentlemen, who were quite
as well mounted and well armed as their leaders. Many of them had
thoroughbred horses--much better adapted for speed than endurance--and
the rest were provided with hunters. Not being able to procure military
saddles, they were obliged to content themselves with those in ordinary
use; and their equipments were by no means complete. Still, in spite of
these drawbacks, they presented a very gallant appearance when drawn up
in the market-place to proclaim King James.