|RUDELY awakened from his slumbers at a far earlier hour than he usually
allowed himself to be disturbed, by the intelligence that Wills was
marching to attack him with his whole force, and scarcely able, even
then, to credit the unwelcome news, and with an aching head, General
Forster attired himself in haste, and, ordering a small troop of horse
to attend him, rode forth to reconnoitre.
On reaching the Ribble Bridge, he found a party of Highlanders placed
there, and was informed by Colonel Farquharson, who commanded them, that
the king's army was certainly approaching.
Still doubting, the general rode on for a few miles further, when he
descried the vanguard of the enemy, and quickly turned back.
In the interval the Highlanders had left the bridge, their place being
taken by three hundred of Lord Derwentwater's men, under the command of
Captain Shaftoe. Angry that this change should have been made without
his sanction, Forster ordered Shaftoe to abandon the bridge and return
to the town.
The order was very reluctantly obeyed. Captain Shaftoe would fain have
proceeded to Penwortham to dislodge Parson Woods, but was not allowed.
Immediately on his return to the town, General Forster summoned a
council of war, which was attended by all the English and Scottish
leaders. They were quite alive to the danger of their position, and
evidently had very little reliance either on the judgment or skill of
their commander.
Under these circumstances the advice of Brigadier Mackintosh was
urgently requested by Lord Derwent-water and others.
“You have greater military experience than any of us, brigadier,” said
the earl. “What plan do you suggest?”
“Will you follow out my plan, if I offer it?” said the brigadier.
“We will,” replied the earl. “If we waste time in discussion, the enemy
will be upon us.”
“Aweel, then,” said Mackintosh. “It will be useless to defend the
bridge, since the river is fordable in many places, nor do I think it
would be safe to risk a battle outside the town, because the Highlanders
have not yet learned to face cavalry. Nothing frightens them so much as
a charge of horse. For this reason I would have the battle take place
within the town, where the cavalry, of which the enemy's force chiefly
consists, will be least serviceable, and where the Highlanders will
fight well. Barricades and intrenchments can be thrown up in different
parts of the streets, so as to impede the advance of the enemy, and a
destructive fire can be poured upon them from the roofs and windows of
the houses.”
All approved of the plan, except Forster, and he was overruled.
“How many barricades shall we require?--and where do you propose to
erect them?” said Lord Widdring-ton.
“Four will suffice,” replied the brigadier. “In fact, we haven't time to
form more The first shall be placed a little below the church, and as it
is likely to be the chief object of attack, I will take the command of
it myself.”
“Why not make it at the extreme end of the street, so as to prevent the
entrance of the enemy?” said Forster.
“There are so many lanes and avenues thereabouts that I should require
more men than I possess to defend the post,” replied the brigadier. “The
second barrier will be best placed, in my opinion, at the back of the
house now occupied by Lord Derwentwater, and I would have it commanded
by Lord Charles Murray.”
“I accept the post,” replied the gallant young nobleman.
“The third barrier should be in the Fishergate,” pursued the brigadier;
“and it would be well served by Lord Strathmore's men, under the command
of Captain Douglas.”
“I am glad you have named me to a post of danger, brigadier,” said
Captain Douglas. “I'll do my best to maintain it.”
“The last battery must be near the windmill in the Lancaster avenue.”
said the brigadier; “and I will confide it to my kinsman, Colonel
Mackintosh, and his men.”
“I'll take it,” replied the colonel; “and keep it--as long as I can.”
“And now let us set to work at once,” said the brigadier. “We haven't a
minute to lose.”
Thereupon they all went forth, and each person, to whom the construction
and command of a barricade had been committed, called his men together,
and proceeded to the appointed spot.
Such extraordinary exertions were made, and so many hands employed, that
in an incredibly short space of time intrenchments were thrown up, and
strong barriers formed.
The Earl of Derwentwater and Charles Radclyffe, assisted in person in
the formation of the Churchgate barrier. Stripping off their coats they
worked like pioneers, and were greatly encouraged by the presence of the
countess and Dorothy Forster.
As soon as the Churchgate barrier was completed, two of the ship
guns brought from Lancaster were placed upon it and entrusted to the
management of Tom Syddall and some of his men.
While these defensive preparations were going on, all the houses in
Church-street and the Fishergate were filled with Highlanders and
dismounted troopers, ready to fire upon the enemy from window, roof, and
cellar.
In these two streets were the best houses of the town, and here
Brigadier Mackintosh anticipated that the chief attack would be made.
The church, as already mentioned, was surrounded by an extensive
churchyard, and here--as the most available place for the purpose--a
strong force was collected.
On the north side of the edifice were posted the Low-landers and
Northumbrian gentlemen--the latter being now dismounted--under the
command of Colonel Ox-burgh and Colonel Brereton, who had lately joined
as a volunteer.
On the south side were planted the Borderers, likewise dismounted, under
the command of Captains Douglas and Hunter.
In a small street adjoining Sir Henry Hoghton's house, a small barrier
had been formed by Captain Wogan and his regiment.
All the reserves were posted in the market-place, and here were kept the
horses of the dismounted troopers.
While the barriers were being formed, General Forster, attended by a
small party of men, rode from point to point to give directions, which
were not always obeyed.
Having finished his survey he entered the town-hall, where a great
number of ladies had taken refuge--among whom was Mrs. Scarisbrick--and
assured them they had nothing to fear.
“The enemy will never be able to penetrate the centre of the town,” he
said. “All the fighting will take place at the barricades. We shall soon
force them to retreat.”
“I am glad to find you are so confident,” said Mrs. Scarisbrick. “For my
own part I confess I feel very uneasy--though I don't doubt the bravery
of our troops.”
“My preparations are so well made that we are quite unassailable,” said
Forster. “The barriers will never be passed. Lady Derwentwater and my
sister entertain so little apprehension of the result of the attack that
they do not mean to quit Sir Henry Hoghton's house, but will station
themselves on the roof to witness the attack on the battery.”
“I begin to think I should like to see the commencement of the attack,”
remarked Mrs. Scarisbrick. “It must be a very curious sight. And since
you say there is no danger----”
“I don't say so,” interrupted Forster. “On the contrary, there is very
great danger. Stay where you are. You are quite safe here.”
“No, I _will_ go,” she cried. “My curiosity is aroused. You shall take
me to Sir Henry Hoghton's house.”
“Don't ask me!” he cried. “I won't do it.”
The lady, however, being determined, he was obliged to comply.
Ordering a trooper to follow him with his horse, he conducted her to
Church-street, which was now full of soldiers, and left her at the
entrance to Sir Henry Hoghton's house. She would not allow him to go
further, saying, she could easily find her way to the roof.
II.--WHAT THE COUNTESS AND DOROTHY BEHELD FROM THE SUMMIT OF THE
MANSION.
|No position in the town, except, perhaps, the tower of the church,
commanded so good a view of the proceedings as was obtained from the
summit of this lofty mansion.
Part of the roof was flat, and protected by a balustrade, and it was
here that the countess and Dorothy Forster were stationed.
They had come there, after witnessing the completion of the barricade
at which the earl had assisted, and contemplated the scene with
extraordinary interest.
From this spot they could clearly distinguish the movements of the
enemy. They saw General Wills issue from the Wigan lane with his
infantry and cavalry, and draw up in the fields to survey the town, and
they could not help contrasting the appearance of the king's soldiers
with that of their own undisciplined troops.
After a time, they saw two brigades of horse and dragoons move off
towards the other side of the town, and though these troops soon
disappeared, the object of the movement was clear.
An attack was about to be made on the Lancaster avenue. Nor could it
be doubted that a simultaneous attack would be made on the south by the
forces left behind.
This conviction sent a thrill of terror through the breasts of the
two lookers-on. But they were reassured when they perceived that both
streets were now very strongly guarded--that the trenches were completed
and cannon mounted on the barricades--that not only were troops thickly
planted at the barriers, but the roofs and windows of all the houses
were occupied by Highlanders and other soldiers--that the churchyard,
which was almost opposite them, was full of troops--showing that if the
enemy was ready to make the attack, their friends were prepared for a
gallant defence.
Nor was this all. Looking towards the Broadway at the back of the
garden, they could descry the barricade commanded by Lord Charles
Murray, and saw that it was guarded by a large party of Highlanders,
while the advanced guard of Northumbrian gentlemen, commanded by Captain
Wogan, could likewise be seen posted at the end of a narrow street at
the left.
In a word, all the approaches, so far as discernible, seemed well
protected. The access to the market-place from Church-street was blocked
up by cavalry.
Nor could they entertain any doubt that the preparations on the other
side of the town were equally efficient. They felt sure that the
Lancaster avenue would be well guarded by Colonel Mackintosh and the
Clan Chattan. The spectacle thus presented to their gaze dispelled any
misgivings, and filled them with ardour.
At this juncture Lord Derwentwater appeared on the roof, attended by
Father Norham and Newbiggin.
“You must quit this place immediately,” he said. “The attack is about
to commence. Father Norham and Newbiggin will take you to the town-hall,
where you will be safe.”
“We shall see nothing at the town-hall,” said the countess. “I don't
think we are in the least danger here.”
“You cannot remain,” said the earl. “The lower part of the house is
occupied by Captain Innes with a party of Highlanders, and when the
attack commences, some of them will come to the roof.”
“Let us stay till then,” entreated Dorothy. “We must see the
commencement of the attack.”
“I will not stir from the post at present,” said the countess.
“I shall never forgive myself if any disaster occurs,” said the earl. “I
ought not to have consented to your remaining here so long. Why did you
not yield to my entreaties? Had you set out yesterday, you would now be
far on the road to Dilston.”
“You must blame me more than the countess, my lord,” said Dorothy. “I
besought her to stay, and she yielded to my request.”
“Commit no further errors,” said Father Norham. “Quit this dangerous
position immediately, and repair to the town-hall as suggested by his
lordship.”
“Must we really go?” said the countess, with an appealing look to the
earl. “Do let us stay for a few minutes longer!”
“Well, I consent,” he replied. “But only on the condition that you
depart when Father Norham deems it prudent to do so. I commit them to
your care, father.”
“Be sure I will watch over them, my son,” replied the priest.
“Newbiggin, I need not give any commands to you,” said the earl. “You
will attend to your lady and Miss Forster.”
“With my life,” replied the butler.
Scarcely had the earl taken his departure than Mrs. Scarisbrick made her
appearance on the roof, and took up her station by the other ladies.
“I am just in time,” she said, after greetings had passed between.
“General Forster says there is no danger here.”
“I hope not,” replied Dorothy. “But we shall not remain here long.”
Meantime, the Earl of Derwentwater had proceeded to the adjacent
barrier, and taken up a position with Brigadier Mackintosh, who had
likewise been joined by Lord Kenmure and the Earls of Wintoun and
Nithsdale.