|A DISMAL day dawned on Preston.
The inhabitants had heard of the capitulation, but did not feel sure it
would be carried out--many of the more timid being apprehensive that the
town would still be the scene of a most sanguinary conflict.
In the opinion of these persons the Highlanders would not submit, but
would make a most desperate attempt to sally forth, which would end in
their extermination.
The English insurgents had made up their minds to surrender, and seemed
hardly able to realise the position in which they were placed, for most
of them displayed unaccountable indifference.
Perhaps they persuaded themselves that clemency would be shown them. If
so, they were mistaken. The town-hall was crowded with ladies who had
passed the night there, and did not mean to quit the asylum till all was
settled.
Once more, and for the last time, Captain Gordon ascended the
church-tower at break of day, and looked around.
The besiegers had drawn so much nearer to the town, that they seemed now
quite close at hand.
The militia had likewise quitted their position on the south bank of the
Ribble, and stationed themselves near the upper end of the Wigan road.