|While crossing a wide moor, they perceived a party of horsemen coming
towards them, and understood from the shouts of these persons that they
must be friends.
On a nearer approach the insurgents discovered that the leader of the
party was Lord Widdrington. He had just returned from his visit to
Lancashire, and had brought with him a very important document, which
he was extremely anxious to show to the leaders of the expedition, as it
could not fail to govern their future plans.
Upon this, a general halt was called, and the commanders and officers
having assembled, Lord Widdrington read his paper to them.
It was to the effect, that if the combined forces of the Scottish
Lowlanders and Highlanders, who had risen for King James the Third,
would direct their march to Lancashire, the High Church Tories of
Manchester and the neighbourhood, and the whole of the Roman Catholic
gentry of Lancashire and Cheshire, would rise in a mass, and join them
with an army of twenty thousand men.
“Twenty thousand men!” exclaimed Lord Kenmure. “Are you certain of this,
my lord?”
“I am certain that our appearance in Lancashire will be the signal of
a general rising,” replied Lord Widdrington. “There is a very strong
Jacobite feeling throughout the county. But the inhabitants will not
rise till we appear.”
“Then we must go to Lancashire,” said Lord Kenmure.
“In three days we shall be in the heart of the county,” said General
Forster.
“And surrounded by a host of friends,” cried Lord Widdrington. “I have
had promises from all quarters. And you will see that this document
bears a number of important names. The first signature is that of my
brother-in-law, Mr. Townley, of Townley. The second is that of Mr. Ralph
Standish, of Standish. Next follows Sir Francis Anderton, of Lostock.
Then come Mr. Shuttle-worth, of Shuttleworth, Mr. Richard Chorley, of
Chorley, Mr. Gabriel Hesketh, of Whitehall, near St. Michael's-le-Wyre,
and Mr. John Leyburne, of Natesby--all men of good family.”
“But all Roman Catholics, I suppose?” said Lord Ken-mure.
“True, my lord--but they are none the worse for their religion. But
there are many other names on the list. Pray look at the document.”
“It is not needful,” replied Lord Kenmure. Then turning to the others,
he added, “I am of opinion that we ought forthwith to quit Scotland and
march to Lancashire. How say you, my lords and gentlemen? Shall it be
so?”
A hearty response was given in the affirmative, with but one dissentient
voice--that of Lord Wintoun.
“I am still as much opposed to the plan as ever.” said his lordship. “I
have entire faith in Lord Widdrington's representations. I know he is
incapable of deceiving us; but I place no reliance on the promises of
support he has received. If the Lancashire Jacobites meant to rise, they
would not wait for our coming.”
“You do not know them as well as I do, my lord,” said Lord Widdrington.
“I can assure you they are in earnest.”
“If you despair of the expedition, my lord, leave it,” said Lord
Derwentwater. “But do not throw cold water upon it.”
“No, it shall never be said that the Earl of Wintoun deserted King
James's cause,” rejoined the other. “But the day will come when you will
bitterly regret that you did not follow my counsel.”
“Meantime, we are well content to march to Lancashire,” said Lord
Derwentwater.
“Ay, to Lancashire! to Lancashire!” cried several voices.
The matter being now settled, orders were given to march to Langholm.
Brigadier Mackintosh, however, had a difficult task to get his men to
move. When they understood it was decided that the force should march
into England, a portion of the Highlanders again rebelled, and refused
to proceed further.
Once more the brigadier tried the effect of persuasion, and partly by
promises--partly by threats--induced the men to follow him.
They went on very reluctantly for three or four miles, till they drew
near the Esk, when the mutineers separating themselves from their
comrades, ran towards the river, with the intention of crossing it and
flying towards Ecclefechan.
But the brigadier was beforehand with them, and plunging into the
stream, drew his sword, and swore he would cut down the first who
entered the water.
His aspect was so grim and terrible that he held them in check for a
few minutes, during which he was able to reassert his authority, and
eventually he succeeded in driving a great number of them back to the
ranks.
The confederate forces halted at Langholm, but did not rest there for
the night, as it was deemed advisable by the Scottish leaders to enter
England without delay. Accordingly they marched on to Longtown, in
Cumberland.
On that very day, Brigadier Stanwix, Governor of Carlisle, with sixty
militiamen, had ridden over to Longtown, but could obtain no precise
information respecting the movements of the rebels. They had been
heard of at Hawick, but it was thought they would turn to the west,
and crossing the mountains, join the Earl of Mar. No suspicion was
entertained that they were marching into England. In fact, as we have
shown, their own plans were undecided, until they met Lord Widdrington.
General Carpenter likewise was misled by the intelligence he received,
and followed the insurgents no further than Jedburgh. Receiving no
further tidings, and being in great want of forage for his troops, he
then returned to Newcastle.
Thus owing to a variety of circumstances, the rebels gained two days
on their enemies. They took every possible precaution to prevent their
arrival at Longtown from becoming known, and were marching joyously to
Brampton, in Gilsland--a small place near Naworth Castle--before it was
even suspected they were in England.