|JUST then a great tumult was heard outside, and the ladies flew to the
windows, which looked upon the street, to see what was the matter.
The disturbance was caused by the arrival of some five or six
well-mounted gentlemen, each attended by a dozen armed retainers on
horseback, so that they formed quite a troop. A shouting crowd followed
them, adding to the noise.
General Forster, who had likewise rushed to the window, was greatly
delighted by the sight, since it could not be doubted that these
gentlemen had come to join his forces. They had stopped at the entrance
to his quarters, and were told by one of the sentinels stationed at
the gate, that the general was then at Lord Derwentwater's house on the
opposite side of the street.
At this juncture, however, Lord Widdrington came forth, and shook hands
very heartily with one of the recruits, a very fine-looking man.
“Who is that handsome and distinguished-looking person?” said the
countess to her lord, who had followed her to the window.
“That is Mr. Townley, of Townley,” replied the earl. “He is Lord
Widdrington's brother-in-law, and belongs to one of the oldest families
in Lancashire. I am rejoiced to see him here.''
“And so am I,” cried Forster, joyfully. “Mr. Townley is a great
acquisition. But who is the person next him?”
“I can tell you,” replied Mrs. Scarisbrick. “He is Mr. Shuttleworth of
Shuttleworth Hall, and belongs to as old a family as Mr. Townley.”
“Bravo!” exclaimed Forster.
“The gentleman next him,” said Father Norham, who had now come up, “is
Sir Francis Anderton, of Lostock Hall--a strict Roman Catholic. I know
him well. Next him is another Roman Catholic, Mr. Richard Chorley, of
Chorley.”
“Who comes next?” inquired F orster.
“Mr. Gabriel Hesketh, of Whitehall, near St. Michael's-in-Wyre,” replied
Mrs. Scarisbrick. “The young gentleman with him is his son, Mr. Cuthbert
Hesketh. Then comes Mr. John Leyburne, of Natesby Hall.”
“But one remains--Mr. Ralph Standish, of Standish,” said Lord
Derwentwater. “He is nearly related to Mr. Townley.”
“All these gentlemen belong to the old religion,” observed Father
Norham.
“It must be owned that the Roman Catholics have proved loyal to King
James,” said Forster.
“If the High Church Tories support us equally well we cannot fail,” said
Lord Derwentwater.
“Oh! we are quite sure of them,” said Forster. “But I must go and
receive our distinguished recruits. I must beg your lordship to come
with me,” he added to Lord Derwentwater.
They were about to leave the room, when the door was thrown open and
Lord Widdrington entered with Mr. Townley, whom he presented to General
Forster, stating that he was come to join the insurgent force, and
Forster had scarcely welcomed him, when the other gentlemen came in, and
were presented in like manner.
This little ceremony gone through, Forster expressed his high
gratification at the adherence of such distinguished persons, and said:
“To prove how sensible I am of the importance of your accession,
gentlemen, you will understand that you all join with the rank of
captain, and I am quite certain you will do credit to the troops you
will command.”
This courteous act, as judicious as good-natured, gave great
satisfaction to the gentlemen, and was suitably acknowledged.
Lord Derwentwater then came forward, and welcomed them in his turn,
offering to provide them all with quarters in his large house.
“My servants will show you the rooms I have to spare, gentlemen,” he
said, “and if you like them, they are quite at your disposal.”
Thanks were offered his lordship for the obliging offer, but it
was eventually arranged that Mr. Townley and Mr. Standish should be
quartered with General Forster, while the others gladly agreed to become
Lord Derventwater's guests.
These matters being arranged, the gentlemen were presented by his
lordship to the countess, and by General Forster to his sister and Mrs.
Scarisbrick.
Shortly afterwards another arrival took place. This was Mr. Richard
Gascoigne, a Roman Catholic gentleman, belonging to an Irish family of
some distinction. A person of very refined manners, Mr. Gascoigne was a
friend of Colonel Oxburgh, by whom he was presented to General Forster,
and like those who had preceded him was complimented with the rank
of captain. Mr. Gascoigne was very handsome, and seemed to make
a favourable impression upon the ladies--particularly upon Mrs.
Scarisbrick. The general offered him quarters, which he very gladly
accepted.
Several other important additions were made to the force in the course
of the day; but it was remarked that they were all Roman Catholics.
Notwithstanding the promises of support from that party, not a single
High Church Tory joined.
When questioned as to this strange falling off on the part of his
friends, General Forster declared he could not account for it. However
it was quite clear that the insurgent army was considerably augmented.
On the second day after their arrival at Preston, the rebels numbered
more than four thousand men.