CAPTAIN WEIR.
Muffled in a plaid shawl, and otherwise disguised, as we have said,
the prince passed unrecognised through the guard, and taking his way
down Market Street Lane, proceeded to a short distance, and then
halted to allow Atherton to overtake him.
In uncovering the lower part of his face to speak to the young man,
Charles betrayed himself to an individual who had seen him come forth
from the mansion, and suspecting his condition, had followed him
cautiously.
This person, whose name was Weir, and who acted as a spy to the Duke
of Cumberland, had conceived the daring idea of capturing the prince,
and sending him prisoner to the duke, whose head-quarters were at
Lichfield. He had been stimulated by the hope of a large reward to
undertake this desperate project. A price of thirty thousand pounds
had been set upon Charles Edward's head, and though Weir shrank from
assassination, he had no scruples as to capturing the prince, neither
was he deterred by the extraordinary danger of the attempt. All he
wanted was an opportunity to execute his design.
Captain Weir, as he was styled, though he had no real military rank,
usually acted alone, but on this occasion he had three subordinate
officers with him, on whose courage and fidelity he could perfectly
rely. They were now close at hand, watching his movements, and waiting
for orders. Like himself, they were all well armed.
Signing to these personages to follow him, Captain Weir continued to
track the prince's course down Market Street Lane.
Meanwhile, the young Chevalier was marching along quietly, with
Atherton by his side, never for a moment imagining he was in danger,
or even that his disguise had been detected.
Scores of Highland soldiers were in the street, but none of them knew
their commander-in-chief. Had they done so, they would have formed a
guard round his person. But this was precisely what Charles objected
to. Wherever there was a crowd he strove to avoid it; but the
obstructions were frequent. He was rejoiced, however, to perceive that
the white cockade everywhere prevailed, while such observations as
reached him indicated that the populace was decidedly favourable to
his cause.
It was such honest expressions of opinion as these that he desired to
hear, and where a group of persons were talking loudly, he stopped to
listen to their discourse.
As may well be supposed, he cared little for the illuminations except
as evidencing the goodwill of the townsfolk, but he was struck by the
picturesque appearance of the old houses when thus lighted up. After
several halts from one cause or other, he and Atherton at last reached
the market-place.
Here, in the centre of the area, was a large bonfire, with a great
crowd collected round it. Moreover, a barrel of ale, provided by the
magistrates, had just been broached, enabling the crowd to drink the
prince's health, coupled with that of his august sire, James the
Third, in flowing cups.
Much amused by the scene, Charles stopped to look at it, as well as to
examine the curious picture presented by the illuminated market-place.
While he was thus occupied, a sudden movement in the throng separated
him from his attendant, and he was endeavouring to free himself from
the press when a strong grasp was laid upon his arm.
The person who had thus seized him was no other than Sergeant Dickson.
"Unmuffle, and show your face, if you be not ashamed of it," cried the
sergeant. "I suspect you are a Hanoverian spy. I have heard there are
some in the town, and you don't look like a Highland officer."
"Hands off, fellow," said the prince, authoritatively. "Help me out of
the crowd."
"Help you to escape! not I!" cried Dickson. "Unmuffle, I say, and let
us see your face."
Several of the bystanders now called out, "A spy! a spy!" and Charles
would have been unpleasantly circumstanced, if Helen Carnegie, who was
near the sergeant, had not interposed.
"You are wrong, Erick," she cried. "This is no spy. Release him."
But the sergeant was not inclined to part with his prisoner, and was
only prevented from plucking the covering from his face by Atherton,
who by this time had forced his way up.
A word breathed in the ear of the sergeant instantly changed the
complexion of affairs, and he was now just as anxious to get the
prince off as he had before been to detain him.
"All right," he shouted. "His royal highness has not a better friend
than this noble gentleman. I'll answer for him. Stand back! stand
back! my masters, and let the gentleman pass."
Vigorously seconding these injunctions with his strong arm, he cleared
a way for the prince, who was soon out of the crowd; and this being
accomplished, the sergeant humbly besought pardon for his maladroit
proceeding.
"You ought to have known me under any disguise, sergeant," was the
prince's good-natured reply. "You are not half so sharp-witted as
Helen. She knew me at once."
"I canna take upon mysel to declare that, your highness," replied the
Scottish lassie, who had followed in their wake; "but I ken'd fu' weel
ye were na a fawse spy, but a leal gentleman."
"Well, sergeant, I am willing to overlook your fault for Helen's
sake," said Charles.
"I shall na sae readily forgive mysel," replied the sergeant. "But in
truth my thoughts were runnin' on spies. May I be permitted to attend
your highness?"
"No, I forbid you to follow me," said Charles.
So saying, he marched off with Atherton, leaving the sergeant greatly
chagrined by the interdiction.
"This'll be a gude lesson t' ye, Erick," observed Helen. "In future,
ye'll ken the prince when you see him, whether he be muffled in a
shawl or na."
"Come wi' me, lassie. I'm resolved to follow his highness at a
respectful distance. The night's not ower yet, and something tells me
I may be useful to him."
"Ye ought na to disobey orders, Erick; but sin ye win gang yer ain
gate, I'll e'en gae wi' ye."
With this they followed in the direction taken by Charles and his
companion, but before reaching the bottom of Old Mill Grate, they lost
sight of them. The sergeant questioned a person whom he saw standing
at the corner of the street, and was told that two officers had gone
towards the bridge. The information was not altogether correct, but
the person who gave it was Captain Weir.
Scarcely was the sergeant gone, when a man on a powerful steed came
up, and dismounting, delivered the horse to Weir, who was evidently
waiting for him.
Accompanied by this man, who marched by his side, Weir rode along
Hanging Ditch, and soon overtook his two myrmidons, who were following
the prince. They pointed out their intended captive about fifty yards
in advance.
"I need not repeat my instructions," said Weir, bending down as he
addressed them, and speaking in a low voice. "But I again enjoin you
to use the utmost despatch. Success mainly depends upon the celerity
with which the work is done. If I can secure him, I will answer for
the rest. Now go on, and draw a little nearer to him."
With this, he dropped slightly behind, got ready a belt, which he
meant to use, and examined the holsters to see that the pistols within
them were all right.
Had Charles Edward been playing into their hands he could not have
taken a course more favourable to the designs of these desperate men.
His intention had been to return by the collegiate church; but he was
deterred by the uproarious crowds collected round the two large
bonfires burning at the back of the venerable fabric, and proceeded up
Withy Grove, by the advice of Atherton, who being well acquainted with
the locality, explained to him that he could easily and expeditiously
regain his head-quarters by crossing an open field on the right at the
top of this thoroughfare.
When Weir and his accomplices found that the prince had elected this
course they felt sure he was delivered into their hands.
At the rear of the small and scattered tenements, then constituting
Withy Grove, were extensive gardens, and beyond these, as already
stated, there were two or three fields, as yet entirely unbuilt upon.
Into these fields the prince and his attendant now turned, but the
place looked so gloomy, from its contrast with the lights blazing in
the distance, that Atherton thought it would be prudent to turn back.
Charles, however, having no fear, determined to go on.
Shortly afterwards, a real alarm occurred. A horseman, accompanied by
three men on foot, suddenly entered the field. At first, neither the
prince nor Atherton imagined that their design was hostile, but they
were quickly undeceived. Before he could offer any effectual
resistance, Charles was seized by two strong men, who bound his arms
behind his back, and twisting the shawl over his mouth, prevented him
from uttering an outcry.
At the same time, the horseman dealt a blow at Atherton with a hanger,
which the young man avoided, but he had next to defend himself against
the attack of the third ruffian on foot, so that he could render no
immediate assistance to the prince.
While he was thus engaged, the two desperadoes who had seized Charles
lifted him from the ground, and despite his struggles, set him on the
horse behind their leader, with his face towards the crupper, while
Weir passed a broad leather belt round his waist, so as to secure him,
and was in the act of buckling it in front, when the bridle was seized
by Atherton, who, by a lucky thrust, had delivered himself from his
assailant.
Just in time. In another minute rescue would have been impossible.
Hitherto, not a shot had been fired; but Weir now drew a pistol, and
levelling it at Atherton, bade him instantly retire on peril of his
life.
The gallant young man, however, still held on, but was unable to use
his sword, owing to the rearing of the steed.
Weir then fired, but missed his mark, the shot taking effect in his
horse's head. With a cry of pain the mortally-wounded animal broke
away, but almost instantly sank to the ground and rolled over.
Unbuckling the belt, Weir disengaged himself as quickly as he could
from the prostrate steed, and full of rage that his attempt should be
thus foiled, the miscreant might have raised his hand against the
defenceless prince, if loud shouts had not warned him that assistance
was at hand. He then sought safety in flight, and was speeding towards
the back of the field, followed by his men, two of whom had been
severely wounded by Atherton.
The shout that had alarmed Weir proceeded from Sergeant Dickson and
Tom Syddall.
When he was on his way to the bridge, the sergeant encountered the
barber, and the latter satisfied him that the prince had not gone in
that direction.
His suspicions being excited, Dickson turned back instantly, and
Syddall accompanied him--Helen, of course, continuing with her lover.
Some information picked up caused them to turn into Withy Grove, and
they had just tracked that thoroughfare, and were debating whether
they should go on to Shude Hill, when the noise of a conflict was
heard in the field on the right.
"My forebodings have come true," cried the sergeant, "some villains
are attacking the prince."
As the words were uttered, the report of a pistol increased their
alarm.
Shouting lustily, Erick drew his claymore, and dashed into the field,
followed by Helen and Syddall.
Though too late to render assistance, the sergeant was in time to help
Atherton to liberate the prince. By their united efforts Charles was
soon on his feet, and freed from his bonds.
"I trust in Heaven that your highness has sustained no harm?" cried
Atherton, anxiously.
"No, I am entirely uninjured," said Charles, in a cheerful voice. "I
have to thank you most heartily, Captain Legh, for freeing me from
villains whose design was evidently to carry me off as a prisoner to
the Duke of Cumberland."
"I think I have sufficiently punished two of the villains," said
Atherton, "but it enrages me that their leader, and doubtless the
contriver of this atrocious scheme, has escaped."
"He may yet be captured," cried the sergeant. "Tom Syddall was with me
when I entered the field, and has gone in pursuit. He will give the
alarm."
"Then I must hasten to head-quarters, and show myself," said the
prince, moving on.
But after walking quickly for some forty or fifty yards, he was
compelled to halt.
"I am more shaken than I thought," he said. "Give me your arm, Helen,
I must have some support."
Proceeding in this manner, he had nearly reached the limits of the
field, and was approaching an unfinished street that communicated with
Market Street Lane, when a sudden light revealed a picket of Highland
soldiers. At the head of the party, several of whom carried torches,
was Colonel Ker, accompanied by Colonel Townley and the Chevalier de
Johnstone.
In another moment, a wild and joyful shout announced that the
Highlanders had discovered their beloved prince. They rushed forward
in a body, and the foremost flung themselves at his feet, while those
behind gave vent to their delight in another ringing shout.
Colonel Ker did not choose to interrupt this demonstration; but, as
soon as it was over, he advanced with the two distinguished officers
just mentioned, and all three offered their congratulations to his
royal highness on his escape.
After warmly thanking them, Charles called Atherton forward, and told
them that he owed his deliverance entirely to the young man's gallant
conduct, explaining what had been done, and concluding emphatically
with these words, "But for Captain Legh, I should at this moment be a
prisoner."
Naturally, the young man was much gratified by these observations, as
well as by the praises bestowed on him by Colonel Ker and the others,
but he received their commendations with great modesty.
The prince then asked Colonel Townley how he had heard of the attack
made upon him, and learnt that the alarming news had been brought by
Tom Syddall.
"Syddall came to me," said Colonel Townley, "and I immediately took
him to Colonel Ker, as his statement might not have been credited."
"Where is he?" demanded Charles. "I must thank him for what he has
done."
"After explaining where your highness would be found, Syddall begged
to be allowed to go in quest of the villains who had assailed you,"
said Colonel Ker, "being fully persuaded that he could accomplish the
capture of their daring leader, and as Colonel Townley knew the spot
where your royal highness would be found, I did not refuse the
request."
"If the villain should be captured to-night," said Charles, "which I
think scarce likely, let him be brought before me at once. I will
interrogate him myself."
"Your commands shall be obeyed," rejoined Ker. "Shall we now return to
head-quarters?"
"By all means," replied Charles. "But march slowly."
Colonel Ker was about to give orders, when another party of soldiers,
having a prisoner in their midst, was seen advancing along the
unfinished street. The party was guided by Tom Syddall, who carried a
torch.