|While the whole insurgent army is feasting and carousing, we shall
repair to Wigan, and see what General Wills is about.
Wigan, a very different town from what it is at present, was filled with
soldiers. Besides Sir Henry Hoghton's six hundred militiamen, and three
regiments of foot, respectively commanded by Captains Sabine, Fane, and
Preston, there was a fine regiment of horse, commanded by Colonel
Pitt, and five regiments of dragoons, commanded by Major-General Wynn,
Colonels Honeywood, Dormer, Munden, and Stanhope.
Whether Wills was an able general may be questioned, but he was an
active and very determined man. Strongly built and well made, he had a
military bearing, and a stern, inflexible countenance. Obstinate he
was, but his obstinacy was very different from that of the incompetent
Forster. He could not be turned from his purpose by advice, but his
plans were carefully considered. He was in constant communication with
General Carpenter, but feeling' certain he could defeat the rebels
unaided, his great desire was to attack them before Carpenter came
up, so that he might gain all the glory of the victory. Therefore,
he hurried on his preparations--though not unduly so. Having a secret
correspondent in Preston, he knew the exact numbers of the force, and
was also aware of the utter incompetency of Forster, but he thought
the chief command might be taken, at the last moment, by the Earl of
Derwentwater. He had likewise some fears of Mackintosh, with whose
valour and skill he was well acquainted. Still, he felt sure of an easy
conquest, and was impatient to achieve it.
While General Wills was arranging his plans for the attack, Sir Henry
Hoghton came into his room, and said:
“Acting on a suggestion of your own, general, I have begged the
Presbyterian ministers in this neighbourhood--many of whom are well
known to me--to induce their congregations to assist me in this struggle
against Popery, and I am extremely happy to say I have succeeded--at
least, in one instance. The Reverend James Woods, Presbyterian minister
of Chowbent, has promptly and energetically responded to my appeal. The
worthy man has used such exertions that he has already got together a
troop of some forty or fifty active young men. For the most part they
are armed with scythes, fixed on straight poles, and bill-hooks, but
they are stout active young fellows, and will undoubtedly do good
service.”
“Are they here?” inquired Wills.
“They are, general,” replied Sir Henry. “And so is their pastor, the
Reverend James Woods.”
“I will see him at once,” replied Wills.
He then went forth with Sir Henry, and in front of the old house, where
he had fixed his quarters, he found a large party of stalwart-looking
young fellows, armed with the weapons described. At their head was a
sturdy-looking individual, of middle age, clad in a suit of black, and
having a well-powdered wig on his head. Notwithstanding his decidedly
clerical appearance, he had a brace of pistols in his belt, and a sword
girt by his side.
General Wills could not help smiling when he beheld him. Still, he
perceived at a glance that the parson would prove serviceable, and he
therefore gave him a hearty welcome.
“I am very glad to find, Mr. Woods,” he said, “that you have come to
assist the Government at this crisis. Rest assured your conduct will be
appreciated in the right quarter.”
“I and a portion of my flock have come to fight for the king, general,”
replied the minister. “We will uphold him against a Popish Pretender.
We are ready to take any part you may be pleased to assign us, and I
promise you the rebels shall meet with a stout resistance from us.”
“They shall,” cried the men, brandishing their scythes and bill-hooks.
“I thankfully accept your offer,” said Wills, “I am sure you promise no
more than you will perform. Tomorrow morning, at an early hour, I shall
march to Preston to give battle to the rebels, and you shall go with me,
or rather shall march on before me--so that you can take up a position
before I come up. Do you know Penwortham--about two miles below the
bridge over the Ribble?”
“I know the place well, general,” replied Woods. “It is on the south
bank of the river, which is there fordable.”
“Exactly. It is that ford I wish you to guard. I must tell you that it
may become a post of danger, as some of the rebels may attempt to escape
that way.”
“I don't care for danger,” said the valiant pastor; “and I hope I shall
take many prisoners.”
“If necessary, a party of men shall be sent to support you,” said Wills.
“I trust we shall not need support, general,” said the pastor,
resolutely. “Before the day is over I fancy my followers will have got
some better arms than they now possess.”
“Decidedly, you ought to have been a soldier, reverend sir,” observed
Wills. “You would have done credit to the profession. Now, will you
remain here for the night, or march on with your men to Chorley, so as
to have less to do to-morrow?”
“We will adopt the latter course, general,” replied the pastor. “We will
halt for the night at a small place called Whittle-in-the-Woods,
about six miles from Penwortham. We can take up our post early in the
morning. Have you any further orders to give me?”
“None,” replied Wills. “But I hope you will take some refreshment before
you set out on your march.”
“All is ready for you,” said Sir Henry Hoghton, advancing. “Come with me
and bring your men with you.” Parson Woods willingly complied with the
invitation, and, saluting the general in a military style, accompanied
Sir Henry to the mess-room of the militia, where a substantial repast
awaited him and his men.
Thoroughly recruited, and in very good spirits, the warlike pastor
commenced his march to Whittle-in-the-Woods.