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diff --git a/42689-8.txt b/42689-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c9566b2..0000000 --- a/42689-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7352 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Cavalier, by Percy F. Westerman - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Young Cavalier - A Story of the Civil Wars - -Author: Percy F. Westerman - -Illustrator: Gordon Browne - -Release Date: May 11, 2013 [EBook #42689] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG CAVALIER *** - - - - -Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen - - - - -THE YOUNG CAVALIER - -[Frontispiece: _The next instant a pair of hands grasped the gunwale, -and the dripping head of a man appeared over the side._] - -THE -YOUNG CAVALIER - -A STORY OF THE CIVIL WARS - -BY -PERCY F. WESTERMAN -Author of "'Midst Arctic Perils," "Clinton's Quest" -"The Nameless Island," "The Young Cavalier" -"The Treasure of the Sacred Lake," etc. - -ILLUSTRATED BY GORDON BROWNE, R.I. - -London -C. Arthur Pearson Ltd. -Henrietta Street - -PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY -MORRISON AND GIBB LTD., LONDON AND EDINBURGH - - CONTENTS - CHAPTER - I. THE OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR - II. COLONEL NICHOLAS FIRESTONE - III. FRIEND OR FOE? - IV. THROUGH THE REBEL LINES - V. CONVOYING THE TREASURE - VI. EDGEHILL - VII. FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH - VIII. OUR ADVENTURE IN LOSTWITHIEL CHURCH - IX. MY MEETING WITH AN OLD FOE - X. ON BOARD THE "EMMA FARLEIGH" - XI. THE "HAPPY ADVENTURE" - XII. THE POWDER MINE - XIII. THE SIEGE OF ASHLEY CASTLE - XIV. SPIKING THE GUNS - XV. THE SECRET PASSAGE - XVI. WITHOUT THE WALLS OF CARISBROOKE - XVII. EXILED - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - The next instant a pair of hands grasped the gunwale, and the - dripping head of a man appeared over the side (Frontispiece) - - "I sprang into the sea" - - Colonel Firestone flung his arms about the man's waist, and - dragged him out of his saddle - - There was a yell of terror, and the robbers made a frantic effort - to rein in their steeds - - Seized by the arms and legs, the terrified rogue was hurled into - the river - - With undiminished speed the horse shot into space - - The darting rays fell on my face, and with a stifled cry of - terror the soldier turned to flee - - Ralph Granville and the pikeman were locked in an unyielding - embrace, and, before I could prevent the catastrophe, - Ralph was dragged through the embrasure and disappeared - -THE YOUNG CAVALIER - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR - - -WELL shall I ever remember the last day of August in the year of -grace 1642. The shadow of war, and civil war to boot, lay heavily -over the length and breadth of the kingdom, and the usually peaceful -Isle of Wight was no exception to the rule. - -It was owing to this fact that I, Humphrey Markham, was compelled to -remain at school during the holidays instead of spending them, as was -my wont, at my father's castle of Ashley, which lies betwixt the -borders of Hamptonshire and Sussex, hard by the town of Petersfield. - -The call of duty had obliged my father to travel northward to attend -on the King's person, so that, much to my disappointment, I was -compelled to forego one of my twice-yearly visits to my home. - -Yet, fortunately for me, I was not alone in my "exile," as I was -tempted to call it. My closest companion, Ralph Granville, a nephew -of the staunch Royalist, Sir Bevil Granville, of the Duchy of -Cornwall, also remained at school for similar reasons, as did a score -or more of other scholars, and, thanks to the kindness of the -dominie, we were permitted a considerable amount of freedom, the only -condition being that we should be within gates every night ere -sundown. - -On that fateful day, Granville and I had left Newport early in the -morning, and had wandered far over the country towards the frowning -heights of St. Catherine's Down, and already the afternoon had far -advanced ere we gained the summit of Pan Down, a lofty ridge of chalk -that overlooks the capital of the Isle of Wight on its southern side. - -Before us lay the town of Newport, the golden rays of the setting sun -falling athwart the yellow sandstone of the tower of St. Thomas' -Church, and the red-tiled roofs that clustered densely around the -dominating edifice. Beyond we could trace the narrow, thread-like -estuary of the Medina, as it carved its way between the low hills to -join the blue waters of the Solent; while, on the far side, we could -see the dim outlines of the Hamptonshire coast, separated by the -broad expanse of Southampton Water, the tree-clad masses of the New -Forest contrasting vividly with the eastern portion of the bare ridge -of Portsdown. - -Away on our left rose the stern, grey outlines of Carisbrooke Castle, -the Royal banner hanging limply in the still air from the flagstaff -on the summit of the keep. - -"Dost think these rebellious knaves will fight?" asked Ralph. - -"Fight? Nay," I replied. "A slight bickering here and there, and all -signs of defiance to His Majesty will be stamped out with a heavy -hand." - -"I don't know about that. Some of the adherents of the Parliament -seem to be made of stern stuff. For my part, I think there will be -fighting, and much of it." - -"And what of it? The King has but to raise his hand, and loyal -gentlemen from all parts of the kingdom will flock to his banner, -even as my father has already done." - -"What will you do if war breaks out?" - -"Do? Why, make my way over to Hamptonshire find out where my father -is, and join him." - -"But, Humphrey, you are only fifteen! What can a lad of fifteen do?" - -"A lot when he makes up his mind," I replied, stoutly. "Besides, I am -as tall and as strong as many a lad of nineteen." - -"Be that as it may, we must look to the present," rejoined Granville. -"'Tis nearly sunset, and, if we want to ramble afield to-morrow, it -behoves us to hurry back to-night, for the dominie will surely forbid -us leave if we are late in returning. Ah! What's that?" - -We were already stepping briskly down the grassy slope, when a dull -booming reached our ears. Instinctively we paused, and, looking in -the direction of the sound, which continued without intermission, we -saw a thick, white cloud of smoke rising in the direction of -Portsmouth. - -"A salute!" exclaimed Granville. - -"A salute, forsooth!" I replied, contemptuously. "'Tis an irregular -discharge of ordnance. Mark my word, they have come to hand-grips! -But 'tis no good purpose to tarry here; possibly, in the town we'll -hear tidings." - -So saying, we resumed our rapid pace, and, gaining the level road at -the foot of the down, we made for Shide, which lay betwixt us and -Newport. - -Hardly had we reached the outskirts of the little village, when the -noise of an approaching cavalcade caused us to stop and look behind -us. - -Riding furiously, with loose rein, came a score or so of horsemen, -richly dressed, and armed with swords and pistols, their curls -floating behind them in disorder. - -Next came a lumbering chariot, drawn by six horses with outriders, -and within it we had a momentary glimpse of a lady, stern-faced, yet -handsome withal. - -The carriage was immediately followed by a number of bronzed and -bearded soldiers, accoutred with breastplates, steel helmets, leather -breeches, and jack boots, each man carrying a musquetoon on his hip, -a pair of pistols in his holsters, and a stout broadsword hanging -from a cross-belt of buff leather, which was counterbalanced by a -fully charged bandolier. - -We had barely time to flatten ourselves against the chalk bank at the -side of the road before the troop had passed us, leaving a thick -cloud of white dust, which hung motionless in the still air for -several minutes after they had disappeared along the road leading to -the castle of Carisbrooke. - -Wondering what might be the meaning of this swiftly moving cavalcade, -we resumed our steps towards the town of Newport; but hardly had we -come within sight of the market-place when we perceived, by the great -concourse of townsfolk present, that something untoward was taking -place. - -At this all thoughts of gaining the school gates before sunset -vanished out of our heads, and, by dint of pushing and edging between -the tightly packed masses of people, we succeeded in working our way -to the forefront of the crowd. - -Standing on a flight of stone steps outside a half-timbered house was -a tall, lean, ill-conditioned man, dressed in a sombre garb of -russet, set off only by a plain white linen collar and a buff -sword-belt, while his thin, pale face, disfigured by a wide, -thin-lipped mouth, long nose, and small black ferrety eyes, was -surmounted by a steeple-crowned hat, which, resting on a pair of -huge, projecting ears, almost concealed his close-cropped hair. - -"'Tis the mayor," whispered Ralph. "Hark! He talks rank sedition." - -"And will ye, my friends," exclaimed this worthy magistrate in a -thin, piping voice, "allow this man, Charles, to ride rough-shod over -your heads? Or will ye join with the people of England in putting -down this sink of iniquity in our midst? What of our ancient rights -and privileges--have they not been trodden in the dust and our -birthright sold by this son of Belial for a mess of pottage? Up! up! -I say, and join in the undoing of the tyrant. Where is this man -Charles? He hath fled--fled from the City of London, and no man -knoweth whither! News hath arrived that the trainbands have sided -with the Parliament, the seaports have declared for liberty and -freedom, and even now George Goring holds Portsmouth against the----" - -"Nay, Master Mayor," shouted a bull-lunged spectator. "Therein thou -art wrong. Goring hath declared for His Majesty King Charles, whom -God preserve; and even now thy foul rabble yap round the gates of -that town, afraid to venture therein!" - -Cheers and groans greeted this announcement, and for the moment the -traitorous mayor was taken aback. - -"How know you that this be true, Master Rich?" he asked suspiciously. - -"Considering I came hither but this morning, I am well prepared to -abide by what I have said," replied the interrupter boldly. "And I -tell thee, Mr. Mayor, what thou hast said shall be duly recorded -against thee, and within a week thy head will grace the tower of St. -Thomas." - -Upon this there was a considerable tumult, some siding with the -Royalist, though the majority upheld the mayor, till above the noise -came a hoarse, authoritative voice shouting: - -"Way! Way! I ride on affairs of State!" - -The crowd gave way right and left, and, urging a restive horse -through the press, a mail-clad man rode towards the spot where the -mayor stood. - -The new-comer was a heavy, thick-set man, with a bronzed face, -pointed beard, and an upturned moustache, while his iron-grey hair -was cut close to his massive head. - -He was bareheaded, his steel cap hanging from his saddle-bow, and his -buff-coat and breast-plate were flecked with dust, while his steaming -and foam-covered steed showed that he had not spared the spur. - -"The chief magistrate of the town of Newport?" he demanded curtly. - -"I am he, worthy sir," replied the mayor, all bravado having, for the -moment, left him. - -Without speaking, the messenger put on his steel cap, drew his sword, -and saluted the startled mayor; then, returning the weapon to its -scabbard with military smartness, he handed him a sealed packet. - -Tearing the seals, the mayor read the contents of the letter in -silence, and then looked at the messenger as if undecided as to his -reply. - -"Read! Read it aloud!" shouted the crowd, and, his courage slowly -returning, the mayor raised his hand for silence, and then began to -deliver the message in an almost inaudible voice. - -"Louder! Louder!" was the cry and the chief magistrate handed the -letter to the clerk, who stood at his elbow. - -"'His Majesty, having raised his standard at Nottingham, doth hereby -confer upon me authority to take active measures against rebels now -assembled within the Isle of Wight, that lieth within my -jurisdiction. I hereby order and request all loyal and liege subjects -of His Majesty to repair to the castle of Carisbrooke. His Majesty -hath desired it to be known that, should the emergency and the great -necessity to which he is driven beget any violation of law, he hopes -it shall be imputed to the authors of this war, and not to him, who -hath so earnestly laboured to preserve the peace of the kingdom. ---Signed, Portland, Governor of the Wight.'" - -A confused babel of cheers, shouts, and groans greeted the governor's -message, and the mayor, noting that hostile demonstrations held the -uppermost hand, spoke up: - -"You see, my friends, the perjurers of our liberty would have the -blame placed upon the Commons and the people of England. This is an -infamous lie." - -Then, turning to the messenger: - -"Tell His Grace of Portland that the townsfolk of Newport are -prepared to repair to Carisbrooke--but to wrest the castle from the -hands of the malignants." - -"Crop-eared hound!" exclaimed the messenger, whipping out his sword. -"Had I not been enjoined to deliver the message to the mayors of -Newtown and Yarmouth ere midnight, I would right willingly give my -life's blood to hew that head from off thy shoulders," and, drawing -his horse almost on its haunches, the Royalist wheeled, and rode -defiantly through the crowd, with head erect and drawn sword, none -offering to bar his passage. - -"Up, and smite the sons of Belial!" was the cry, and the more -timorous of the townsfolk began to make for their homes. - -"Yea, up and smite them, hip and thigh!" exclaimed the mayor. "News -has this moment reached my ears that the wife of this malignant, the -Earl of Portland, has taken refuge in Carisbrooke Castle, and has -vowed to hold it against the Parliament and the people of England. -Repair to your homes, arm yourselves, and assemble in the -market-place within an hour, and I'll warrant that before to-morrow's -sun hath set the castle will be in our hands." - -Rapidly the crowd dispersed, and once more the thought of returning -to school crossed our minds. It was now quite dark. - -"Ralph," I exclaimed resolutely, "I've made up my mind. I'm not going -back to school." - -"Not?" - -"No, I'm going to offer my services to the King. I can use a musket, -push a pike, or wield a sword as well as a good many men." - -"Then I'm with you," replied Granville. "But where shall we go?" - -"Ah, where?" I replied, for that question had not occurred to me. -"Either to the castle, or else make for home; I know my father would -place no obstacles in my way." - -"The castle gates may be already closed," objected Ralph. "And, on the -other hand, how are we to get across to the mainland? How much money -have you?" - -"Two shillings," I exclaimed ruefully. - -"And I have but a crown--hardly enough to pay for a boat to take us -over! Never mind, we'll decide which course to take, and lay our -plans accordingly. A spin of the coin will decide--heads, -Carisbrooke; tails, Ashley." - -The coin flashed dully, and, peering at in the darkness, we found -that His Majesty's effigy had fallen head downwards. "Home it is, -Ralph!" I exclaimed. "Then how do you propose to journey there?" - -"Thus, I mean to take a boat from the quay. Didst notice that -evil-looking villain close to your elbow, who did continually applaud -that arrant traitor, the mayor?" - -"Ay, 'twas Cripps, the boatman." - -"The same; though I wot not that you knew him. As he sides with the -enemy, for such they be now, since the King has raised his standard, -it matters not what we take of his, for I'll warrant he'll not -hesitate to help himself, should the castle be taken and sacked. -Therefore, I propose to take his largest boat, drop down the river, -and cross to the Hamptonshire shore, which we can easily do in a -matter of four or five hours. But, hist! We are still going straight -towards the school, and someone approaches. 'Tis the dominie!" - -In the excitement of discussing our plans we had unconsciously turned -our steps towards St. James' Street, and were already within a few -paces of the Grammar School. Hastily drawing into a low doorway, we -awaited in breathless silence the passing of our master, and it was -with mixed feelings of regret and relief that we saw the dim outlines -of his familiar figure shuffle noiselessly by, though so intent on -some abstruse proposition that, even had we been in the roadway, I -doubt whether he would have observed us. - -Dear old dominie, in spite of all his apparent severities! Little did -I think of the events in store for me ere I saw his stern yet kindly -features once again. - -"Then, concerning arms and provisions," continued Granville. - -"That I have given thought to. There's Sutton, the armourer of -Holyrood Street. He is well acquainted with my father, having served -under him before he set up for himself in the island, and he will -willingly provide us with the proper equipment. Let us hasten -thither, for, if I mistake not, 'twill be a busy night for him." - -A few minutes' walk brought us to the door of the armourer's shop. -Not a light was visible, and the windows were shuttered and heavily -barred. - -I knocked, and, after a little while, finding there was no reply, I -knocked louder. - -"Who's there?" exclaimed a deep voice. "And what d'ye lack?" - -"'Tis I, Humphrey Markham." - -"Lord love you, Master Markham! What brings you here this time o' -night? Wait but a moment, and I'll unbar the door." - -The door was cautiously opened, and, followed by Granville, I -entered. The old armourer, holding a candle lantern, ushered us into -an apartment which comprised both a shop and a living-room, but, -contrary to its usual appearance, the place was practically bare. - -The armourer was a short, broad-shouldered man, with massive, -muscular arms that ill matched a pair of short, thin legs, which, as -if unequal to bear the weight of his body, had assumed a bow-like -appearance; while his round, good-humoured face was partially covered -by a thick crop of raven-black hair, which surrounded a bald and -shiny pate. - -"Ah!" he exclaimed, with a ringing laugh, as he noticed my perplexed -glances at the almost empty room. "Looks a bit different to when you -were here last? Well, Will Sutton can read the signs of the times -pretty clearly, I can assure you. Knowing that the arms would be -taken in the name of the people, I sent them up to the castle -yester-night, and I hold Colonel Brett's receipt for them. Already -the mayor has sent thrice for them, but this time he's too late." - -"We're come here to get some arms, also," I announced. - -"You, Master Markham! What for?" - -"To fight with, I expect. We are on our way to join my father." - -"'Tis grave news," he remarked. "Though you are but young, the King -will require every man fit to bear arms, I trove. Still, I think I -have sufficient to equip both you and your companion." - -"Now, concerning the payment----" - -"Nay, never mind that," he interrupted. "I have little doubt but that -His Grace the Earl of Portland will well repay me for what I have -already delivered; if not, I know too well that your father will -recompense me for any slight service I can do for his son. Come this -way, and we'll see what can be done." - -So saying, he took the lantern and went upstairs, we following. - -From under a bed he, with the aid of our united efforts, dragged out -a heavy box, and, throwing back the lid, disclosed a store of -weapons. - -"Here, Master Markham, is a fine piece of steel," he exclaimed, -handing me a sword in a black scabbard of Spanish leather. "Draw it, -and try its temper." - -An indescribable feeling of pleasure possessed me as I handled the -blade, which, even in the dim candle-light, flashed like a thousand -diamonds. - -"Don't be afraid of it," said the armourer as I cautiously bent the -steel with my hands. "A better piece of steel was never welded. See!" - -And, taking the beautiful weapon from me, he bent the tempered blade -till the point touched the guard, letting it fly back to its natural -position. - -"'Tis just suited to your height and strength, Master Markham, for a -greater mistake cannot be made than to give a man a heavier sword -than he can profitably wield; and, moreover, I pray you, remember it -has a point. I'll show you what I mean." - -So saying, he placed a small cube of oak upon a heavy stool, and, -retaining the light weapon, he gave me a heavy broadsword. - -"Now, young master, mind the beam overhead, and make a shrewd stroke -at that junk of wood." - -Grasping the broadsword, I raised my arm till the point touched the -beam, then, putting all my strength into the blow, I struck at the -wooden block. The next instant the blade had sunk deep into the stool -on which the block had been standing; but, to my surprise, the block -itself was nowhere to be seen. - -"Well," asked the armourer, laughing, "where is the junk of oak?" - -"Truly, I know not, unless I have shorn it in two! My arm aches with -the force of the blow." - -"Did I not tell you that this weapon had a point?" he exclaimed, -producing the light sword, on which the cube was firmly fixed. "'Tis -what might have happened in actual fight. Whilst you were bringing -the heavy blade down I pinked the wood with the light one, and you -were not one whit the wiser. Now, take the weapon, and remember the -words they engrave on trusty blades, 'Never sheath me, save in -honour.' Here, too, is a sword for your friend, not quite so fine as -yours, but a goodly blade withal. And here are a brace of small -pistols apiece, with a score of charges in a waterproof case. How are -you going to cross over?" he added. - -In a few words I told him. - -"Capitally planned," he exclaimed. "Cripps, the waterman, was one of -those rogues who would have despoiled anybody of his stock. You know -the channel?" - -"Passably." - -"'Tis easy; keep well in the centre, and you'll not go far wrong. -'Twill be high water at one hour before midnight, but, when you get -to Cowes Castle, drop anchor and pretend to fish till you see the -tide making to the east'ard. A matter of five or six hours that'll -be; but 'twill be no use starting before, and then you'll have a fair -tide right the whole way over. What place do you make for?" - -"Portsmouth, I hope." - -"They say the place is assailed by the rebels, though perchance they -do not keep a strict blockade." A few more words of good advice, and -we took our leave of the kindly armourer, who also provided us with -food; then, walking boldly through the now deserted streets, we came -to the quay. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -COLONEL NICHOLAS FIRESTONE - - -NEARLY a score of boats of various sizes were moored to the quay, -their outlines barely discernible against the placid surface of the -dark water. - -Handing my sword to my companion, I carefully lowered myself into the -nearest boat, and made my way slowly from one to the other, till I -found the one we sought. - -Fortunately, the oars had been left on board, and, what was more, a -small sail rolled round a short mast lay on the thwarts. The craft, -though barely fifteen feet in length, had plenty of beam, so that, -although cumbersome to row, it would doubtless prove an able boat -under sail. - -As I had had considerable experience in the art of managing a boat, -having frequently made short voyages with the fishermen during the -holidays, I had no misgivings as to the handling of this craft, -although Granville did not regard my capabilities in the same light -as I did. - -"Hasten," I whispered, fearful lest some belated passer-by might -overhear us; "jump in, and cast off that rope." - -It was the work of a few moments to stow the arms carefully away, -unfasten the rope that held the boat to the side of the quay, and to -push off. Then, by dint of slow and careful strokes, we urged the -heavy craft towards the centre of the channel, and pointed its bow in -the direction of Cowes. - -A few minutes' steady rowing sufficed to take us clear of the -buildings lining the quay, and, looking astern, our eyes becoming -more accustomed to the darkness, we could see the tower of St. -Thomas' Church standing out against the blackness of the night. - -Not a sound came from the town, save the occasional barking of a dog; -but in the direction of Carisbrooke a subdued roar, like the distant -sound of waves breaking on the shore, came faintly to our ears, and -from the summit of the keep we could discern the flare of the wood -fires as the garrison plied the cressets with more fuel. - -"They lie thick around the castle," remarked Ralph. "And spare not -their lungs though it seems that they have not yet opened the -attack." - -"No," I replied, "I can hear no sounds of ordnance. Perchance they -are afraid to attempt an escalade, for 'tis certain Colonel Brett -will not hesitate to fire on the rebels, should they draw nigh the -walls." - -After all, it was better for us that fate, or, rather, the spin of a -coin, decided against our throwing in our lot with the garrison of -Carisbrooke, for we afterwards learnt that there were but three days' -provisions, and but four small barrels of powder within the fortress, -the garrison of which was composed mostly of invalided and wounded -soldiers from the Scottish wars. So it came about that the valiant -Countess of Portland appeared on the ramparts with a lighted match in -her hand, and threatened to fire the first cannon on the rebels, and -to hold the castle to the last extremity, unless she and the garrison -were permitted to march out with all the honours of war. The rebels, -little knowing the weakness of the defenders, and probably glad of -the opportunity of foregoing the risk of combat, gladly agreed to the -Countess' terms, and on the following day the garrison retired in -good order to Yarmouth. - -The tide was now running out, yet, in spite of steady labouring at -the heavy oars, it was a matter of nearly two hours ere we reached -the mouth of the river, where the two castles of Cowes kept watch and -ward, though whether for or against the King we knew not. - -Mindful of the armourer's warning, we cast anchor close to the edge -of a mud-bank, and waited till the tide turned, for there was little -or no wind, so that 'twould have been a forlorn hope to attempt to -stem the adverse current. - -For over an hour, as it seemed (for we were unable to measure the -time), we lay thus, talking of the future, yet during that space -neither did the tide show signs of slackening, nor did the dawn -commence to show in the east. - -Suddenly, through the darkness, came the flashes of muskets, fired in -quick succession, and a babel of voices at no great distance, while a -bullet whistled above our heads, causing us to lie cowering under the -frail shelter of our boat's side. - -Other shots came at intervals, till at length the firing ceased, and -we summoned sufficient courage to sit up and look around. - -"What's amiss?" asked Granville. - -"Nay, I cannot tell," I replied, "unless it be that one of the -castles has been attempted." - -"The firing was too close for that," he rejoined. "Much too close to -my liking." - -"And mine also." - -We relapsed into silence, straining our ears for every sound. -Presently we heard above the confused noise of men's voices the -creaking of tackle and the sound of oars being thrown into a boat. - -"They are lowering a boat from some ship near at hand," I whispered. -"Quick, now! Get the fishing tackle, and cast the lines overboard, -or we are undone." - -Hastily we groped in the stern-locker for the lines; but, just as we -were about to make them ready, we heard a sullen splash in the water -close to our craft. - -The next instant a pair of hands grasped the gunwale, and the -dripping head of a man appeared over the side. - -I doubt who was the more confused--we, at the sudden apparition, or -the swimmer at the sight of two figures in what he had reasonably -thought to be an empty boat, for we had been both kneeling on the -bottom boards engaged in clearing the lines. - -"Hist!" he whispered. "If ye be true King's men, give me shelter." - -"Right willingly," I replied in a low voice, and, leaning over the -side so that the gunwale almost dipped, we seized the man's clothing -and helped him on board. - -"A sorry shelter, but one that doth not come amiss," he remarked, -noticing that our craft was entirely open. "I see a sail rolled up -yonder; cover me up, and, if ye bear any love for His Majesty, betray -me not. They will be looking for me here anon." - -It was no time for questions or explanations. The fugitive crept -underneath the forward thwarts and curled himself into a small -compass by the side of the mast, which we had already stepped in -order to lose no time when the tide changed. - -Quickly I unfurled the sail, and, tossing it over the thwart, I -noticed with considerable satisfaction that it fell in apparent and -natural disorder over the place where the man lay huddled up. - -Then, putting a brave face on the matter, we cast our lines and -waited. - -Before long we heard the sound of oars, and, rowing aimlessly hither -and thither, there came a large boat. In the bows stood a man holding -a lantern, which cast long reflections on the rippling waters, and no -doubt dazzled more than served him. - -"He's gone, sure enow, Baldwin," exclaimed a voice. "That first -volley must have settled him." - -"I was nearer than that at Newburn, and a whole platoon missed me," -was the scornful reply. "Pull more this way, I pray you." - -"Even if we had missed him," answered the other, "he had his -jack-boots on when he jumped overboard. Against the tide he can do -nothing." - -"Pull this way, I say again," interrupted the man with the lantern. -"I see a boat." - -In another moment the pursuers' craft rubbed alongside our boat, and -the light was flashed in our faces. - -"Who be you, young masters?" exclaimed the holder of the lantern -roughly. "And what are ye doing at this time o' night?" - -"Fishing, sir. We be come from Newport," I replied, imitating as well -as I could the tongue of the fisher-folk, though my heart was in my -mouth. - -"Didst see a man swimming?" - -"Nay," I replied truthfully enough, for the fugitive had finished -swimming the moment he had grasped the gunwale. "But we were sore -afraid of the shots." - -"What hast got under that sail?" he demanded suspiciously, holding -the lantern above his head and shortening a small pike which he held -in his right hand. - -"Shame on thee, Baldwin," exclaimed another man. "Wouldst spoil an -honest fisher-folk's sail with a pike thrust? Come on, let's away; we -are but losing time." - -The men released their hold of our gunwale, and their boat, drifting -rapidly with the tide, disappeared in the darkness, only the faint -glimmer of the lantern betraying their whereabouts. - -"They're gone," I whispered to the fugitive. - -"Yes, I know it," he replied; "but, with all due respect to you, I'll -tarry here longer, for I am in no mood to take to the waters again. -Canst put me ashore in a little while?" - -"Where would you land?" - -"It matters little, though I have a preference for the Hamptonshire -coast, if gold can work the oracle." - -"'Tis not a matter for payment," I replied with as much dignity as I -could command. "And if you're for the King, we'll gladly place you on -the nether shore, for, as fate would have it, we ourselves purpose -journeying to Portsmouth." - -"I perceive by your manner of speech that you are not fisher-folk," -he continued, "though I cannot judge by your appearance. -Nevertheless, I shall be heartily glad to stretch my cramped limbs -once more, and then we'll talk further on the matter." - -"Be careful that you do not raise your voice," I continued. "The -sound travels afar on the water, especially on a quiet night." - -"Ay," he assented, throwing off the sail and stretching his huge -legs, which were still encased in jack-boots, under the thwarts. "Now -I feel more at ease. Did I have but a pipe of stinging tobacco and a -jugful of strong waters I'd be content. But why do you wait here at -anchor?" - -"Till the tide turns." - -"Then a murrain on the tide, say I. Twice hath the tide treated me -scurvily. Once as we left the port of Cherbourg, and again off Hurst -Castle, where but for the force of the current I could easily have -swum ashore. Knowing that you have not betrayed me, I'll tell my -mission. Hast ever heard of Nick Firestone?" - -"I remember my father speaking highly of one Nicholas Firestone, who -gained great and honourable distinction in the Low Countries." - -"Great, I admit, but I must needs cavil at the honourable, though -'twas only when hard pressed that I had to think of a whole skin -before honour. And who is thy father?" - -"Sir Reginald Markham, of Ashley, in the county of Hamptonshire." - -"As good and brave a knight that ever set hand on hilt. And I'll -warrant his eye is as keen and his arm as strong as it was when he -and I fought side by side in the retreat from Rhé. Certes! A dozen -such as he and things would have gone far different in that miserable -affair." - -"And what of your mission?" I asked, curious to know what -circumstances had caused him to swim off to our boat. - -"I'll tell you. Upon my person, sealed, and proof against water, I -bear despatches in cipher from the King of France, to be delivered at -all costs to His Majesty, the purport being unknown to me, though I -know it is of inestimable value. Another trusted messenger, bearing a -duplicate, has left for Dover, and a third has sailed from Cherbourg -to Fowey. The last has the better chance, seeing that Cornwall is -ever devoted to His Majesty." - -"True, true, Master Firestone," exclaimed Granville, speaking to him -for the first time. - -"Then I take it you are of Cornish stock? I rejoice to hear it, -though I know not your name; but, at the same time, I would inform -you that I am Colonel, and not Master, Firestone." - -"And he is named Ralph Granville," I informed him. "But concerning -your perilous voyage?" - -"I left Cherbourg four days agone in the barque _Endeavour_, of -Lymington, and the first intimation of the inevitable rupture 'twixt -the King and his rebellious Parliament occurred in a rude fashion by -the Endeavour being boarded when off the Needles by the ship -_Bonaventure_, lately held by His Majesty, but recently seized by the -rebels, and forming part of the fleet that lay against Portsmouth." - -"Though we carried naught that might be reckoned as munitions of war, -some of the officers of the _Bonaventure_ recognised me, and, -thinking rightly that I was on the service of the King, they detained -me, searching my baggage and person for any documents. Therein they -were foiled, but how I'll explain anon. Finding nothing, they clapped -me in a close and dirty cabin on the _Bonaventure's_ main deck, -allowing me to take the air on deck every four hours." - -"At yester-midday the vessel came up under all sail through the -Solent Channel, and stood over so close to Hurst Castle that I hoped -to seize the chance of jumping overboard and swimming ashore; but so -strong flowed the tide, surpassing the trotting pace of a horse, that -the _Bonaventure_ was swept back and compelled to anchor in one of -the bays on the island shore." - -"With the turn of the tide we made the harbour of Cowes, and again -anchored for the night. Here I feigned sickness, and asked to be -brought up on deck, and, fortune favouring me, I sprang into the sea, -followed by a volley from the muskets of the soldiers on board, for, -to give the men credit, they stood more quickly to their pieces than -I expected." - -"It was a narrow escape, for one of the bullets grazed my hand, and -several splashed up the water all around; but, thanks to Providence, -I found myself swimming straight for your boat, and the rest you are -well acquainted with. But now, Master Markham, I perceive that the -tide runs but weakly, and the breeze is springing up. Actions, not -words, must prevail, for in another half an hour day will be -breaking." - -We immediately set about getting the boat under way, and, pulling up -the anchor, shipping the rudder, and hoisting sail, we slipped -quietly out of the harbour, and shaped a course in the direction -which we supposed Portsmouth to lie. - -While these preparations were going on, the dawn began to glimmer in -the east, and I could now see what our new companion was like, though -he still sprawled on the bottom boards, fearful lest he should be -seen from the _Bonaventure_, which we could dimly make out away -towards the western side of the harbour. - -Colonel Nicholas Firestone was now revealed in the person of a tall -and wiry-looking man, yet possessing a massive frame, which carried -little beyond bone and muscle. - -His face was thin, while a mass of deep wrinkles covered his cheeks -and forehead, which a short dark brown pointed beard, upturned -moustachios, shaggy eyebrows, and a thick crop of grizzled hair all -but concealed. He was soberly dressed, so that his apparel, which, -being wet, clung to his frame, gave no indication as to whether he -was for or against the Crown. - -[Illustration: _"I sprang into the sea."_] - -As far as we could judge, he was unarmed, but, strangely enough, his -feet were still encased in heavy riding boots and spurs. - -As we rounded the Castle Point the sun rose above the horizon a deep -red ball of fire, while the wind, which hitherto had been light, now -increased, causing the little craft to plunge and stagger as she -breasted the short, steep waves. - -Glancing astern, we saw the _Bonaventure_ still at anchor, though her -sails were shaken loose, ready to get under way. - -"'Twill be a good half-hour before she can follow, and, should the -breeze hold, as I think it will, we'll be well over to the opposite -shore ere then," remarked Colonel Firestone, raising himself slowly, -as if cramped by the long confinement, and awkwardly making his way -aft to the stern-sheets. "So it matters little whether they see us or -not, though, I doubt not, they have a perspective-glass or two -bearing this way." - -"There are several ships of war ahead," I exclaimed, pointing in the -direction of a number of dark objects standing out clearly against -the light almost on the skyline. - -"We must hug the shore closely and take our chance. A small craft -like this might escape notice." - -Even as Colonel Firestone spoke a cloud of smoke, followed by a -muffled report, sprang from one of the ships, and immediately the -firing became general. The attack upon the town of Portsmouth had -been renewed. - -From where we were the fortress was invisible, being hidden by a -long, low tongue of shingly beach, surmounted by a thick belt of -furze; but, judging by the direction of the sounds, we concluded that -Goring was offering a stubborn resistance. - -At length, with wind and tide, we rounded the intervening shore, and -the town came into full view. I knew the place but slightly, having -only passed through it on my journeys 'twist Ashley and Newport, but -Firestone showed that he was no stranger to the fortress. - -"The rebels press closely on all sides save the eastern," he -exclaimed. "Look, they have thrown up batteries on Gosport shore, -and by the smoke I perceive the northern side is assailed also. See -the Royalist batteries on the Platform--they are not backward, and -the Round Tower holds its own. Canst make out the tower of the church? -Is it afire, or have they mounted cannon therein?" - -"I cannot tell," I replied. "The smoke lies over all like a cloud, -though 'tis certain the town is afire in more places than one." - -"Ay, it is not to be expected that the town comes off scatheless. -Dost see that stone fortalice to the east of the town? 'Tis Southsea -Castle, which in truth is the key of the position. Betwixt it and the -Platform is a stretch of beach, whence, if we can effect a landing, -'tis but an easy matter to gain the postern." - -"Before so doing we must run the gauntlet of the rebel ships." - -"Ay, but perchance they'll be too busy to mind us." - -Bidding us lie down, the colonel took the helm, and, standing boldly -over towards the beach, we passed between the ships and the town -batteries, the shot flying thickly overhead, though, fortunately, as -both sides were firing at long range, the cannon-balls attained the -highest point in their trajectory above our heads, save a few that, -either by accident or design, fell unpleasantly close to us. - -We had arrived within half a mile or so of the beach when we saw that -the nearest warship had lowered a couple of boats, which started in -close pursuit of us. - -Without a moment's hesitation Nick Firestone called upon me to take -the tiller, and, grasping the heavy oars, he rowed strongly towards -the shore, the boat, under oars and sail, making a long wake astern. - -"They gain on us," he muttered. "Hast weapons on board?" - -"A brace of pistols apiece," I replied, telling Granville to produce -them from the stern-locker. - -"Handy enough at twenty paces," was his contemptuous remark, "though -they may serve to gain our end. Load all four, Master Granville, and -place them by my side." - -A stern chase is ever a long one, yet the two pursuing boats came on -apace, each urged by twelve rowers, whose efforts were encouraged by -their officers. - -Meanwhile the batteries ashore, seeing that something untoward was -happening, began to fire at our pursuers, though their aim was wild, -and bid fair to harm us as well as our foes. - -Suddenly a bullet struck our light mast, and, cutting through the -halyards, brought the sail down with a run. - -Uttering a fierce exclamation, Firestone tore away the folds of the -canvas that enveloped him, and, calling on me to keep the boat on her -course, resumed rowing, though I imagined it to be a forlorn hope, -for, glancing over my shoulder, I saw one of the rebels' boats was -but six lengths astern. - -Even as I looked a huge column of water sprang into the air, and fell -in a shower of spray to the accompaniment of a crashing and rending -of wood and shrieks and shouts of surprise and terror. A chance shot -from the batteries had wrought havoc with the leading boat, and her -crew were struggling in the water. - -The second boat made to the rescue, and at the same moment we saw a -troop of dragoons riding furiously along the shore from the -Castle--yet, though within easy range, they forbore to fire on their -discomfited foes. - -Another twenty strokes and our craft's forefoot grounded on the -beach. - -We were safe within the lines of the beleaguered fortress. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -FRIEND OR FOE? - - -SCRAMBLING awkwardly ashore, Colonel Firestone made straight for the -captain of the dragoons, while, having secured our arms, Granville -and I followed, leaving the boat to its fate. - -It was the first time we had seen our companion on dry land, and I -was struck by his peculiar gait as he shuffled his jack-booted feet -in a very indifferent manner of walking. - -The captain of dragoons, a slender, dandified man, looked with -mingled astonishment and amusement at the strange figure approaching -him. - -"Who are you, fellow, and what is your condition?" he demanded in an -affected drawl. - -"Why should I declare my name?" replied Firestone sternly, his voice -belying his appearance. "Sufficient it is to state that I am on the -King's service." - -"I am but doing my duty," rejoined the officer, though with -considerably less affectation. - -"Then do it. Conduct us to Colonel Goring. I am indebted to you for -your good services, Captain whatever your name may be, but I tell you -plainly I like not your style." - -"Chaloner is my name," said the other haughtily. - -"And mine, since you have so far unbended, is Nicholas Firestone, -holding His Majesty's commission as colonel. Perchance, Captain -Chaloner, my name is not wholly unfamiliar to you?" - -Instantly the other's manner underwent a complete change. - -"A thousand pardons," he exclaimed, "though, by the manner of your -arrival, I was misled." - -And, ordering three of his men to dismount, he offered their steeds -to Firestone, Granville, and me. - -By this time the rebel boat had picked up the crew of her unfortunate -consort, and, heavily laden, was slowly making her way back to the -nearest man-of-war, still under fire from the guns of the fortress. - -Meanwhile the troop had remounted, the three steedless dragoons were -told to follow without delay, and at the word of command the party -set off towards the town. - -Our road lay between the sea on the left hand and a large expanse of -furze-covered common on the right, with hardly a building to break -the deadly monotony of the landscape. As far as I could see, there -was not a natural piece of ground that was twenty feet above the -level of the sea. - -Before us rose the fortifications of Portsmouth, and as we drew -nearer we saw that the damage done by the rebels' shots was -considerable, the Gothic tower of the church and several of the -houses being very severely handled. - -The cannonade continued without intermission, several of the shots -from the ships ploughing the ground in front and behind us, and, -though neither Firestone nor the troopers paid the slightest -attention to them, Granville and I were considerably startled, while -Captain Chaloner was manifestly ill at ease. - -Outside the walls we dismounted, the dragoons holding the horses -under the shelter of a low bank of shingle, and, led by Chaloner, we -crossed a narrow wooden bridge and reached the postern. Here the -captain gave the countersign, and the next moment we were in the town -of Portsmouth. - -"Where is Colonel Goring, sirrah?" demanded Chaloner of a man who -wore the Governor's livery. - -"On his way to breakfast, sir." - -Upon this we directed our footsteps towards the Governor's house, -where, with little delay, we were ushered into Goring's presence. - -Although he professed great pleasure in meeting Colonel Firestone -once more, George Goring's delight seemed somewhat too effusive to be -genuine. Nevertheless, he gave orders for the paymaster to advance -twenty pounds to meet our present needs, and wrote out an order on an -armourer in St. Nicholas' Street to equip us with whatever weapons or -armour we required. - -"You must be our guest for some time to come, willing or unwilling," -he exclaimed, "for the force of the Parliament hems us in by land and -sea." - -"But I must needs hasten to the King's camp," remonstrated Firestone. - -"Then your wits must find a way, for a dog can scarce crawl out of -the town without being shot at. 'Tis a mystery how you managed to get -in." - -"Then I'll get out by the same means as I came in," replied our -friend stoutly. "But tell me, can you hold the town?" - -For answer Goring held up a large iron key which hung from his waist -by a strong chain. - -"Dost see this?" he asked pompously. "I swear 'fore God that as long -as I live the key, which is that of the Town Mount Gate, shall never -fall into the hands of the King's enemies." - -"Amen," replied Firestone piously. "But how goes the garrison? -Are the munitions and provisions like to last out?" - -"Powder and shot in plenty. Twelve hundred and fifty barrels of -powder lie in the Square Tower, and two hundred in the vaults of the -Town Mount; but of provisions we are sorely short. Witness my -breakfast, a piece of rusk bread and a herring. If you will do me the -honour, comrade, perchance we may find enough for us all." - -We were certainly nearly famished with hunger, and even a sorry meal -of bread and fish, washed down with ale, was welcome. - -Finally, the Governor dismissed us, saying that pressing work was -before him, and we filed out of his presence. - -At the door I happened to glance behind me, and to my surprise I saw -a waiting-man stealthily thrust a paper into Chaloner's hand; but, -treating the matter as of small moment, I soon forgot the incident. - -In the street we parted, the captain expressing his intention of -returning to his post, for he had been entrusted with the holding of -Southsea Castle, which Colonel Firestone had described as the key of -the position, while the colonel, Granville, and I repaired to a -lodging in Little Penny Lane. - -Tired with our exertions, though 'twas but eleven o'clock in the -morning, we retired and rested well till the following day. - -We were early abroad, for Colonel Firestone was anxious to obtain -proper arms and equipment on the strength of Goring's order. - -At the armourer's in St. Nicholas' Street he carefully selected a -stout and heavy broadsword, a pair of pistols, and a petronel, while -a breastplate, tassettes, and a steel cap with barrets completed his -soldierly equipment. - -Strangely enough, he still retained his salt-stained jackboots, -refusing the suggestion that a pair of Spanish riding-boots would -better suit his purpose. - -The armourer had no difficulty in fitting me with a breastplate and -steel cap, for my frame was as great as many a man's; but Granville's -slighter build was encased in a steel covering which fitted so -loosely that I could not refrain from jesting with him on the matter. - -"Never mind, Master Granville," said Firestone. "A few months' active -service and I'll warrant you'll fill it right enow." - -There was nothing about our appearance to mark us as cavaliers, save -our long hair, and I remarked this to Firestone. - -"Faith," he replied, "I am well aware of it, though 'tis a small -matter to conceal our locks under our steel caps. But, as 'tis -certain we must break away and join the King as soon as possible, -strategy must needs play its part." - -"And your plan----?" - -"Is to find a way out--how, I know not at present. The countryside -must be alive with these rebels, so that we must be prepared where -necessary to give and receive hard knocks. As your father, Sir -Reginald, is with the King, 'tis best to make for Ashley, gain -definite information, and then ride northwards as hard as we can -travel." - -"What think ye of Goring?" I asked boldly. - -He looked strangely at me for a moment, then replied - -"He is a vainglorious boaster. Already he has played the turncoat, -and, in spite of his brave words, I'll warrant he'll betray his trust -and Chaloner, who holds Southsea Castle, is no better." - -Thereupon I told him of the message stealthily conveyed by the -serving-man. - -"I would you had told me of this before, and I would have challenged -the young pup on the spot. Nevertheless, I'll mark him well, and at -the first sign of treachery I'll make him answer to the King with his -life." - -A few days after our arrival in the beleaguered town, Colonel -Firestone, who had been entrusted with the keeping of the postern by -which we had entered, returned to our lodgings after dark with a look -of intense excitement on his face. - -"You are both young, but active and fit to be trusted," he exclaimed. -"Art willing to adventure your lives in a hazardous service?" - -We both assented. - -"Then, hearken! My doubts concerning Goring's lukewarmness and -Chaloner's treachery are gaining ground. Did I not say that who holds -the castle commands the town? Yet Chaloner has withdrawn most of his -dragoons and quartered them in the town, where they are no better -than common musketeers! In the castle there are left but twenty -pikemen, five dragoons, and twenty musketeers, and, though the castle -is likely to be attempted at any time, Chaloner comes nightly into -the town to carouse with the Governor. Moreover, I saw him give a -missive to the same man who acts as servant at Goring's house, and I -feel certain that the man has left for the rebel lines." - -"Then what do you want us to do?" - -"I mean to return with Chaloner to the castle to-night, you -accompanying us. Then, should the rebels attempt an escalade, I'll -seize Chaloner if he play false, and hold the castle against them, -should the garrison stand by me." - -"And if not?" - -"Then I'll slay the traitor with my own hands, and in the darkness -we'll attempt a passage through the rebels' lines!" - -"And now," he continued, as he made ready his arms, "it wants but two -hours to midnight, yet in that time much remains to be done. Let us -be up and doing." - -"Yes," repeated Colonel Firestone, as he finished charging his -pistols, "it is time for us to be up and doing." - -So saying, he led the way from the house, and, keeping well in the -shadows, we traversed several side streets till we gained the -Landport Gate, hard by the Town Mount. Thence, after a few whispered -words with the guard, we passed through the gateway, crossed the -moat, and were soon in the flat, open country that lies without the -walls. - -A walk of less than half a mile brought us to a few deserted houses, -standing hard by a ruined windmill, for at the commencement of the -siege the inhabitants of Coleharbour, as this hamlet is called, had -abandoned their homes and taken refuge in the town. 'Twas well for -them that they did, for, being in the line of fire, the buildings had -already suffered from the batteries of both forces. - -Taking up our position in the angle of a partially demolished -outbuilding, we waited. Nor were we kept long in suspense, for -gliding stealthily along the road a cloaked figure loomed up in the -darkness. - -'Twas the man who had left for the rebel camp with some secret -message from the treacherous captain. - -"Now!" exclaimed the colonel, and, dashing out upon the startled man, -we bore him to the ground. - -In a few minutes he was bound and gagged, and left to await discovery -in the doorway of one of the houses, while we were speeding back to -the town with a written message to Captain Chaloner in our -possession. - -At the Landport Gate Firestone led us into a well-lighted room, where -we could examine the intercepted letter. Fortunately, it was not -sealed, but merely secured by a silken cord. - -"Ah!" exclaimed the colonel. "'Tis as plain as daylight: '_Before the -morning watch, I say; before the morning watch_.' Chaloner will -receive his message, but let him take heed." - -So saying, he refolded the missive, giving it to a pikeman to deliver -to Chaloner at the Governor's house. - -"Will he not want to know why his messenger has not delivered the -letter in person?" I asked. - -"Where wine is in the wit is out," replied Firestone oracularly. "But -now, to the postern! The hour is at hand!" - -Just before midnight we waited close to the postern for the faithless -captain, and, before a quarter of an hour had passed, two cloaked -figures, reeling with the effects of strong drink, staggered towards -us. - -"Hist! 'Tis Goring and Chaloner," whispered Firestone, dragging us -into a recess. - -Our companion had already given instructions to the guard, who, -turning out smartly, saluted their worthless Governor, Goring. - -"Fare thee well, Chaloner," said the latter unsteadily and with mock -sadness. "I feel that I'll not see thee to-morrow." - -It was a lengthy parting, but at length Goring returned towards his -quarters, while Chaloner, hardly able to return the salute of the -guard, staggered across the footbridge over the moat. - -Hardly had he gained the open ground when Firestone gave the signal, -and we followed, treading softly lest the captain should hear us -while still within hailing distance of the fortifications. - -It was a clear night, and we could distinctly see the lurching figure -of our quarry against the sky-line. Away at Spithead the stern -lanterns of the blockading ships glimmered like gigantic glow-worms, -while away to the north flickered the watch-fires of the rebels' -camp. - -When Chaloner had covered half the distance 'twixt the town and the -castle, Colonel Firestone increased his pace, and overtook the -drunkard. - -The captain showed no sign of alarm at our approach, merely stopping -and looking at us in a half-dazed manner, then resuming his -staggering gait. - -"Captain Chaloner, we bear you company to the castle to-night," -announced Firestone sternly. - -"Delighted, I'm sure," replied he, turning and extending his hand, -almost falling through the effort of standing still. - -Without replying, the colonel seized his shoulder in a vice-like -grip, and urged him towards the castle. - -At the gateway we were challenged by a sleepy pikeman, and Chaloner -mechanically giving the countersign, we gained the courtyard. Save -for the pikemen, the castle appeared to be deserted, the guns -standing unattended on their platforms, with neither match nor charge -at hand, while, from a small outbuilding, came sounds of revelry. - -Presently, from one of the embrasures, arose the dark, great-coated -figure of a man, and, descending by a stone staircase, the watcher -made towards us, producing a lantern from the folds of his cloak. At -least, then, one man was on the alert. - -"Who are you?" demanded Firestone. - -"Sergeant Lawson, sir." - -"Then take your captain to his quarters, and lock him in," continued -the colonel. "And turn out those rascals I hear yonder." - -Chaloner meekly submitted to be led away, and on his return the -sergeant expressed his fears that an attack was imminent. - -"What is to be done, sir," he exclaimed, "when the men are drunk and -full of insubordination, taking Captain Chaloner as their example? -Already the rebels are under arms, but whether they intend to attempt -the castle or the town I know not." - -Telling the sergeant to follow him, Firestone crossed over to the -soldiers' quarters, where, in all stages of drunkenness, the men lay -across the table or on the floor, heedless of their duty and -indifferent to their danger. - -Without a moment's hesitation, the colonel seized the nearest man, a -big, bull-necked dragoon, and with the least apparent effort flung -him headlong out into the open air. Another and another followed, but -the fourth, a pikeman, drew his sword. - -The next instant the weapon was flying across the room, and its owner -lying stunned upon the floor. Seeing they had a man to deal with, the -rest followed, forming up in the courtyard with more or less military -precision. - -They were immediately despatched to carry powder and shot to the -platforms, port fires were lighted, and the guns manned; yet our -leader knew that little reliance was to be placed upon the besotted -garrison, Sergeant Lawson being the only dependable man. - -"Listen, sergeant," exclaimed Colonel Firestone "How many horses are -there within the walls?" - -"Fifteen, sir." - -"I take it you are resolved to support us?" - -"To the death, sir." - -"Then see to it that four of the best horses are -saddled and tethered close to the gate." - -We then began a tour of the platform, the colonel admonishing the -semi-stupefied men, or, in some instances, appealing to their -loyalty, while he personally undertook the sighting of every piece of -ordnance, taking care that they were properly charged and primed. - -Hardly had these preparations been completed than the steady tramp of -armed men sounded through the darkness, and presently a line of -lighted matches gleamed along the entire landward front of the -castle. With quickening pulse I watched the approach of the -assailants, wondering dimly what the end would be, as I cast about a -musket, and made ready to fire. - -Then came the sounds of men's voices singing in a deep bass, and I -could distinguish the words of the 68th Psalm: - -"_Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered._" - -One of our men uttered come coarse jest, but our leader sternly -reproved him, and in silence we awaited the attack. - -Suddenly a voice hailed us from the rebel ranks: - -"Surrender to the forces of the Parliament of the Realm of England!" - -"We hold no parley with rebels!" shouted Colonel Firestone. "Another -step, and we open fire!" - -Hardly were the words out of his mouth than a raucous voice came from -a window of the keep. - -"Go away, men, go away." - -A shout of derisive laughter from the rebels greeted this speech of -the tipsy Chaloner. By the light of a port fire I could see our -leader biting his lip to conceal his anger. - -"Your reply?" demanded the rebel officer. - -"This!" shouted Firestone, and, seizing a match, he applied it to the -nearest cannon. - -A blinding flash and a deafening roar was succeeded by a hundred -spurts of flame from the darkness beneath us, and the next moment we -could hear the hurried tramp and the hoarse cries and shouts of the -assailants as they rushed forward to the attack. - -Hardly had the first scaling ladder been placed against the wall, -when our rascally garrison threw down their arms and bolted from the -platforms. - -In vain Firestone cut two down; panic had done its work, and, as the -heads of the first of the stormers appeared over the parapet, only -the colonel, Granville, Sergeant Lawson, and I remained. - -Seeing that resistance was useless, Firestone called on us to follow, -and, descending to the courtyard, we reached the tethered horses just -as the rebels, with shouts of triumph, were driving the -panic-stricken garrison into the keep. - -Cutting loose our steeds, we mounted, and, with sword and pistol, -rode slowly towards the gateway. Here the sergeant unbarred the door -and threw it suddenly open, and before the rebels, who were making -for the gateway, were aware of our intention, the drawbridge had -fallen with a run, and the four riders were urging their horses -through the dense mass of men. - -Taken by surprise, the musketeers, their pieces discharged and -unloaded, gave way right and left, and, although a few pikemen -amongst them tried to bar our way, our weight was irresistible. - -I have a dim recollection of shearing off the head of an opposing -pike, and seeing its holder's terror-stricken eyes, as he went down -beneath my horse's hoofs. There was a crackle of pistol-shots, a -flashing of steel, and we were through, tearing madly across the -broad expanse of common on our bid for safety! - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THROUGH THE REBEL LINES - - -We were by no means out of danger, for the whole of the Portsea -Island, save the small portion occupied by the town of Portsmouth, -was held by the rebels, and the difficulty was to avoid meeting any -straggling bands of soldiers before we could cross the narrow creek -that separates the island from the mainland. - -Drawing rein under the shelter of a thicket, we debated as to the -best course to pursue, Sergeant Lawson, owing to his long residence -in the castle, being well acquainted with the by-paths over the -eastern side of the island. - -Fortunately, none of us sustained serious hurt in the brief encounter -with our assailants, although Lawson's face bled freely from a slight -flesh wound in the cheek, and my left arm had received a heavy blow, -though at the time I was unaware of it. - -"We lack the countersign," quoth the sergeant. "Had we that -knowledge, we could well pass for members of Ridge's troop." - -"As we have it not, 'tis useless waiting here, for daylight will be -on us anon, and the precious time will have been wasted," said -Colonel Firestone. "Our horses seem fresh enough for fifty miles, so -lead on, sergeant, and we'll follow." - -After a time the common and marsh land gave place to a narrow lane, -running between tall hedges. Here we slackened down to a slow trot, -the sound of the horses' hoofs being muffled by the thick dust. - -Away on our right burned the watch-fires of one of the rebel -outposts, while at a greater distance on our left gleamed the lights -of the main rebel camp. - -At a cross-road Sergeant Lawson reined in his steed, and held up his -right hand in warning. We could distinguish the steady clatter of -hoofs. - -"How many think ye, sergeant?" - -"But one, sir." - -"Then bar his passage at all costs." - -Concealed behind the tall hedge, we waited in breathless suspense the -approach of the solitary rider, Firestone, Sergeant Lawson, and I -dismounting and giving the reins to Granville. - -Waiting till the horseman was almost within arm's length, we then -dashed forward. The colonel seized the stranger's bridle arm, whilst -Lawson gripped the reins of his steed. - -"Surrender yourself, or resist at your peril," hissed Firestone. - -For answer the man struck spurs to his horse, and attempted to draw a -pistol; but the colonel's sinewy arms were around his waist, and, -with a mighty heave, flung him out of the saddle, while the sergeant -assisted to hold him down, his iron fingers clutching at the throat -of the fallen man. - -'Twas a rebel without doubt, as, worn crosswise over his left -shoulder, was an orange scarf. Gamely he tried to free himself, till, -realising the helplessness of his position, he ceased his efforts and -lay motionless. - -"Of what regiment are ye?" demanded Firestone, thrusting forward his -grim face till it almost touched that of his prisoner. - -[Illustration: _Colonel Firestone flung his arms about the man's waist, -and dragged him out of his saddle._] - -"Colonel Garth's dragoons," was the reply. - -"And who holds the bridge at Hilsea?" - -"Ridge's regiment of foot." - -"And the countersign?" - -The prisoner made no reply, and Firestone repeated the question, -without result. - -"A charge from your bandolier, sergeant." - -Lawson handed a cartridge to the colonel, who, deliberately breaking -the paper, ostentatiously scattered the grains of powder over the -right knee of the prostrate man. - -"Make ready flint and steel, sergeant," said our leader. "Now, -sirrah," he added to his prisoner, "for the last time--the -countersign?" - -The man was still silent for a moment then he answered sullenly: - -"'The sword of Gideon.'" - -"Ah, we have it," explained Firestone. "Now, help me truss this man -up." - -A few moments sufficed to bind our prisoner, a gag being placed in -his mouth, while our leader tied his scarf over his own shoulders. -Lawson thereupon removed the man's pistols from his holsters, and -hobbled his horse. Our captive was lifted to the other side of the -hedge, and in high spirits we remounted and resumed our way. - -Hardly had we ridden two hundred yards, however, when, to our -surprise, we heard a shout followed by the sound of a galloping -horse. - -"A plague on the man!" exclaimed Firestone. - -"He has slipped his bonds, and has ridden to give the alarm. Ten -thousand countersigns will avail little, should he reach the bridge -before us!" - -Relentlessly we spurred our steeds, and, in a quarter of an hour, we -drew rein before Portsbridge. By the glow of a huge wood fire we -could see the motionless, yet alert, forms of the musketeers and -pikemen mounting guard, while the firelight flickered on the gaping -muzzles of a park of artillery. - -"'Twill be touch and go, should the password be false," muttered the -colonel, and, loosening our swords in their scabbards, we trotted -daringly towards the outpost. - -The countersign satisfied the sentries, but, on gaining the far side -of the creek, an officer demanded who we were and what was our -business. - -"Captain Hosea Smith, and dragoons, of Garth's regiment, with -despatches for Colonel Voysey at Petersfield." - -"How fares our cause against the malignants?" - -"The castle has fallen." - -"The enemies of the Lord are as ripe corn before the sickle. Pass, -captain, and fare ye well." - -We lost no time in taking our departure, for already my quick ear -detected the sound of approaching horsemen along the distant -Portsmouth road; and barely had we left the outpost a hundred paces -behind us when a fierce hubbub arose from the Parliamentary troops, -while a musket-shot gave the alarm that something was amiss. - -"They'll be at our heels within five minutes," exclaimed Lawson. -"Ride straight for the hill!" - -Clattering through the sleeping village of Cosham, we turned aside -from the main road that leads to the City of London, and gained the -grassy sward, and I began to realise that our horses were slowly and -laboriously climbing a long and steep ascent. - -At the summit was a hard chalk road, and here we dismounted to rest -our weary steeds, and, throwing ourselves on the damp grass, we -listened intently for any sounds of pursuit. - -We were at a considerable height above the sea, for almost below us, -as it seemed, were the watch-fires of the rebel outpost at -Portsbridge, which we had ridden through but twenty minutes before. -The camp was in a state of uproar, men shouting, horses neighing, -while from the road below came the sounds of a body of horses rapidly -galloping in the direction they had supposed us to have taken. - -At length the day began to dawn, and, led by Sergeant Lawson, whose -knowledge of the country was surprising, we descended the hill by a -more gradual slope, keeping a safe distance from, but following the -general direction of, the London road. - -At intervals we passed several countrymen, who gazed at us with -open-mouthed astonishment, for as yet the horrors of this disastrous -civil war had not been brought home to them. The common hind still -ploughed his land or tended his sheep, careless of the affairs of the -kingdom, but before long the constant levy upon his crops, by -foragers of both sides, goaded the peasant into a state dangerous -both to Royalists and rebels. - -On emerging from a wood hard by the village of Catherington, I saw -before us a tall, grass-covered hill crowned by a windmill, and, to -my delight, I recognised a well-known landmark within sight of our -castle of Ashley. - -Boldly crossing the deserted highway, we rode through the village of -Chalton, every step of the way now being familiar, and, just as the -sun appeared above the downs, we came in sight of my ancestral home. - -Snugly ensconced between two lofty spurs of the South Downs, Ashley -Castle, though more of a dwelling than a fortress, was well able to -be put in a state of defence, and, in the absence of artillery, which -an enemy would be at great pains to draw over the rough hill-roads, -it could be relied upon to withstand a lengthy siege. - -Notwithstanding the early hour, the castle was astir, thick clouds of -smoke arising from the kitchen chimneys, while at the gate stood a -pikeman, his steel headpiece glittering in the rays of the sun. - -The drawbridge over the moat was raised, and, on our approach, there -was a rush of armed men to the walls, and, though the garrison -appeared but few in number, it was not lacking in watchfulness. - -Removing my steel cap, I waved it above my head, and, being instantly -recognised, the drawbridge slowly sank into position, and we passed -beneath the gateway, where my mother and sister were awaiting us. - -In a few words I introduced my companions, and explained the -circumstances of my home-coming, and, to my surprise, my mother -expressed her approval of my action in leaving Newport. - -Telling the grooms to take charge of our horses, and giving -directions for a meal to be spread, she led the way to the great -panelled hall. - -"You are just in time, Humphrey," she said. "In a few days a -wain-load of supplies for His Majesty leaves the castle, and ye can -bear it company." - -"Where is my father?" - -"With the King, but I wot not where that may be. Sir Reginald sent a -letter, which arrived here yesternight, asking for the supplies to be -sent to Oxford, though at the time of writing he was in camp at -Shrewsbury, whither the King had journeyed from Nottingham." - -"And what supplies are we sending, mother? Surely the King's army is -not in such need of food that it must needs be provisioned from -Ashley?" - -"Nay," she replied, with a sad smile. "Royalty needs, and loyalty -must. Look around the hall, Humphrey. The sideboard and yonder -shelves--dost notice the difference?" - -"They are bare," I exclaimed. "Where is the silver plate--the wassail -bowls and our silver-gilt chargers?" - -"Gone to the smelting-pot," replied my mother, in a tone of triumph -mingled with regret. "Fifty stout pikemen and twenty musketeers will -they provide!" - -After our repast, Granville and I went to the kitchen, where, in a -huge smelting-pot, the remains of our family plate were at molten -heat, old Giles, the butler, having been appointed founder, a task -which he performed as if brought up to it from his youth, although -many were the sighs he gave as the rich vessels, over which he had -spent much care, vanished into the pot. - -On the flagged floor were moulds of sand and clay, into which the -molten metal was ladled, for it was necessary, in view of the dangers -of the road, to convey the silver in as compact a form as possible. - -With the exception of Wat, the pikeman who was on guard at the -drawbridge on our arrival, and a lad of about fifteen years of age, -the whole of our male servants, twenty in all, remaining in the -castle, were over sixty years of age, for the able-bodied men my -father had taken with him. Nevertheless, such was the faithfulness -and devotion of these servants that, in spite of their years, they -were ready to defend the castle to the last extremity, should things -come to the worst. - -From the kitchen we made our way towards the tower, for Ralph had -expressed a wish to be shown the whole of the castle. - -Passing through the great hall, we saw Colonel Firestone sitting in a -high-backed chair, one slippered foot resting on a stool, while the -other, still cased in his worn and stained jack-boot, was thrust out -as stiff as a ramrod. He was smoking, blowing huge clouds of tobacco -smoke that surrounded him like a shroud; but, seeing us, he removed -his pipe and called me by name. - -"I would fain journey with the waggon," said he, "for 'tis safer, and -I'll warrant that my despatches will reach His Majesty before those -messengers who attempt to pass through Dover and Fowey. That -excellent lady, your mother, hath commended you to my care, and, by -your conduct of yester-night, I wish for no better charges. For the -present, then, we'll be comrades three." - -Both Granville and I were delighted with the news; but, on leaving -the apartment, my companion remarked, "Didst notice anything strange -about Colonel Firestone?" - -"In what way?" - -"Why, his jack-boot. Methinks he sleeps in it, for never have I seen -him without it," said my friend. - -"Perchance, like many a veteran, he feels at ease only when booted -and spurred; still, he is a fine old soldier, and a right worthy -gentleman." - -Through the picture gallery we passed, giving but slight heed to the -portraits of my ancestors, and, on gaining the leads, we found that -four culverins and two small pieces of brass ordnance had been -carried thither from the armoury and placed so as to command the -approach to the gateway. At the south-western angle of the building -stood the tower, which is entered by a narrow doorway from the roof, -on which we were standing. - -A spiral staircase of forty-five steps brought us to the summit, -whence a magnificent view over a tract of well-wooded country -extended southwards, terminating with a glimpse of the sea, but on -the other quarters the tall outlines of the beautiful South Downs -restricted the outlook. - -"What a fine home you have, Humphrey," exclaimed Granville -enthusiastically. "Is the castle very old?" - -"This part is," I replied. "There are dungeons underneath, and secret -passages all over the place, though the entrance to the secret -passages is built up. The hall and the guest-chambers are new, my -grandsire having had them built less than fifty years ago, on his -return from Hispaniola." - -"And Ashley Castle will belong to you some day?" - -"I suppose so," I replied carelessly, for I had hardly before given -thought to the matter. - -"And those dungeons and passages--how I should like to explore them!" - -"We may some day, but the present important matters leave no time for -that," I answered, little thinking the service those secret passages -were to render in times to come. - -Several days passed in active preparations for our journey. The -smelting of the silver had been completed, our field equipment -provided, and a great part of the time was spent in martial -exercises, Colonel Firestone and the sergeant devoting great -attention in teaching us the use of the broadsword, with which weapon -we became quite proficient. - -On the day previous to that fixed for our departure, news arrived -that Portsmouth had fallen, and we learned of the manner in which -Colonel Goring had fulfilled his boasting promise. - -On the morrow, after the capture of Southsea Castle, the rebels -turned the guns upon the town, whereupon the Governor threatened to -fire the magazine, and level every building in the place by the -explosion. It was, no doubt, an idle threat, but Goring hoped to -excuse his conduct by such empty bragging. - -In the end the rebels agreed to terms of honourable surrender, the -garrison being permitted to march out with drums beating, matches -lighted, and colours flying, while Goring was allowed to take ship -for the Low Countries. - -Then it was that he took the key of the Town Mount magazine, the same -that he had shown us, and cast it into the sea, thereby redeeming his -plighted word. - -Very bitter was Colonel Firestone when he heard the news, vowing that -he would denounce Goring to his Royal master, and expressing his -intention of being the means of having the traitorous Chaloner -hanged, should he fall within his clutches. - -But it was no time for revengeful thoughts, for the time had come -when immediate action was required on our part to carry out the task -of conveying the treasure from the castle to the Royal camp. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -CONVOYING THE TREASURE - - -THE morning of our departure dawned grey and misty, while a keen, -damp wind stirred the tree-tops, though it was not sufficient to -disperse the wreaths of vapour that obliterated every object beyond -the distance of a few yards from us. - -The waggon stood in the courtyard, four powerful dray horses being -already harnessed to it. The silver bars were compactly stowed away -in the bottom of the wain, covered by a layer of straw. On this were -placed a number of articles intended for my father's and our own -personal use, including an air bed, my sire having mentioned that the -effects of a hard bed on the ground had begun to show in the nature -of rheumatism. - -This contrivance had but lately been introduced, and, in the words of -the worthy Richard Royston, in his treatise on fortification, "it is -blown up to bear its owner from the damp and unwholesome humidity of -the earth, the which I call a 'ventilet,' signifying a bed of wind." - -Above the chattels came another load of straw, hiding everything, -while a tarpaulin protected the contents from the rain. - -Colonel Firestone was to play the part of a country yeoman, wearing a -plain buff coat over his armour, though he carried his sword and -pistols openly, for it was the custom, nay, a necessity, for -travellers to go armed when making far journeys. - -Roger, the waggoner, had pistols close at hand in the cart, though I -had my doubts, as did the colonel, whether his natural stupidity and -timidity would ever be overcome should we be molested; but Walter, the -pikeman, who rode within the waggon, was made of sterner stuff, and -could be relied upon in a tight place. - -Granville and I, together with Sergeant Lawson, all soberly clad and -armed, were to ride at some distance behind the waggon, so as to -present the appearance of a party of travellers having no interest in -the convoy and we had agreed, when putting up for the night, to treat -Colonel Firestone as a chance acquaintance, so as to disarm any -suspicions which the presence of a body of armed men would give rise -to. - -The final farewells were said, and the gates were thrown open. Then, -with a dull rumble, the waggon lumbered over the lowered drawbridge, -and our journey to the King's camp at Oxford had begun. - -Directly we struck the highway we took up the order agreed upon; but -so slow was the pace that Granville and I exercised our steeds by -galloping over the green sward which bordered the road on either -side, though keeping well within sight of our precious charge. - -Up the tedious ascent of Butser Hill the waggon crawled at a snail's -pace. At frequent intervals parties of horsemen passed us, either -bound for London, or else making towards Portsmouth, and, though most -of them were undoubtedly rebels, they hindered us not, though many -were the sour and distrustful glances they shot at us. - -Hard by the town of Petersfield the waggon turned oft to the left, to -avoid the town, which, rumour said, was full of the Parliamentary -troops, and, moreover, the inhabitants of Ashley Castle were well -known to the countryside. - -Winchester was, we learned, in the hands of the Royalists, and -thither we directed our way, intending to cross the downs to Newbury, -and so on to Oxford, our only fear being that we should fall in with -the Parliamentarians marching to join the Earl of Essex. - -It was nearly sunset ere the waggon turned in under the archway of -the King's Head, and a quarter of an hour later Granville and I -galloped up, followed by Lawson. - -Granville and I having arrived at the inn, I demanded in an imperious -voice accommodation for the night, asking at the same time whether -there were other travellers staying there? - -"None save a country gentleman and a merchant from Southampton," -replied the landlord. "Right worthy company you'll find them, sirs." - -"I hope so, too," I replied, and, dismissing the sergeant, for whom -lodging was provided above the stables, Granville and I joined the -colonel, keeping up the pretence by craving the liberty of -introducing ourselves to him and to the merchant of Southampton, who -gave his name as Henry Cutler. - -The latter was a keen-eyed, black-browed man, with pale, thin -features, and lank, raven hair. His dress was rich and even gaudy, -while his long, white fingers were loaded with rings. - -The conversation flagged somewhat till Firestone called for a bottle -of Canary, and presently the colonel and the merchant were trying to -outvie each other by telling tales of their adventures both at home -and in the countries of western and southern Europe. - -"I do perceive that ye are Royalists and honest men," remarked the -merchant, fixing his keen eyes on us each in turn. "Therefore, I'll -take ye into my confidence, an ye be willing." - -"I will not promise you that I'll take you into mine," replied -Firestone bluntly. - -"I do not ask it," continued the other carelessly. "I can read most -persons' minds like an open book. For example, you, young sirs, are -journeying to give your personal services to His Majesty. And you, -sir, are an old soldier, who also is on the same errand?" - -"How knowest thou that?" inquired the colonel, with considerable -amazement. - -"Never mind," replied the other, with a slight smile. "But, that -being so, why should we not travel together? I am taking a present to -His Majesty, which will, I trove, relieve him of all anxiety -regarding money matters. To be brief, I tell you, in confidence, I -possess the secret of the philosopher's stone, concerning which so -many wise men have laboured in vain." - -"What!" exclaimed Firestone, "canst convert base metal into gold and -silver?" - -"Ay, and I'll prove it forthwith," replied the merchant calmly. -Producing a small glass bottle from his pocket, he held it up for our -inspection. - -"'Tis not a stone, but a powder that works the marvel," he continued. -"The secret thereof was bestowed upon me by Master Hans Oest, the -world-known alchemist of Antwerp. See, here is a piece of lead. Take -and examine it carefully, lest you say it is not base metal." - -The piece of lead was eagerly handed round, the colonel cutting it -with a knife to make certain that there was no deception about it. - -"With this powder, lead becomes silver; silver becomes gold, though -its virtues cannot produce gold from lead, through the medium of -silver. I see an earthenware platter yonder; wouldst mind handing it -to me?" - -In breathless silence we watched the merchant place the bar of lead -on the platter and carefully sprinkle a small quantity of the powder -upon it. - -With a taper, he applied a light to the powder, and immediately there -appeared a fierce blue light which dazzled our eyes, and a thick -yellowish smoke that made us gasp for breath. - -The light disappeared as quickly as it had come, leaving us blinking -in the sudden change from the brilliant glare to the semi-darkness of -the room; but, when our eyes grew accustomed to the change, there, on -the plate, lay a bar of pure silver! - -"And now, concerning the conversion of silver into gold?" asked -Colonel Firestone. - -"Ah, I have excited thy curiosity, then?" - -"I would see the whole business through." - -"Then ye shall, though, by necessity, it takes longer than doth the -production of silver. Hast any silver articles upon your person?" - -"None, save a crown or two." - -"Silver, if tarnished, doth not lend itself to the action of the -powder," continued Master Cutler, looking at the dull coins which the -colonel had produced. "I see a silver tankard yonder. I'll take -liberties with it, for, without doubt, our host will not object. But -one important thing must be seen to. Hast gold on thy person?" - -"A small sum," replied our companion. - -"And you, sir?" - -"Ten broad pieces," I replied. - -"And you?" - -"Five," said Granville. - -"Then take them away, and leave them in your sleeping places, for -'tis impossible to create gold where gold is already present." - -So, acting on these instructions, we obediently placed our money, -some fifty pounds in all, upon a table in one of the other rooms, and -returned eagerly to see the marvellous effects of the Antwerp -alchemist's powder. - -"I read your thoughts, sir," remarked the merchant to Firestone on -our return. "Do you not think that by craft I changed the lead bar -for a like one of silver hidden in my sleeve?" - -"Ay, I did," replied the colonel bluntly and truthfully. "But now I -know that 'tis impossible to have a tankard of that size concealed -about your person." - -"I will be frank with you, and entrust some of the precious powder -into your keeping, and, lest ye think that I am a common charlatan, -I'll absent myself from your company for a while. But, mark well -these directions. Gold, of necessity, takes longer to produce than -silver; therefore, when the powder is sprinkled on yonder tankard, -and fire applied, count from one up to three hundred, exercising -faith and patience in the counting thereof. I'll stand just without -the door, and await your summons." - -Bowing gravely, Master Cutler left the room, closing the door -carefully behind him. - -"He seems fair and above board," remarked the colonel. "Come on, -let's to work." - -The tankard was placed in the centre of the table, and Colonel -Firestone proceeded to scatter the grains of powder on its broad rim, -and on the bottom of the bowl. - -"Forty good ounces of solid gold will not be amiss," he said -meditatively. "By my faith, I see no reason why, considering the good -cause, our waggon-load of silver should not reach His Majesty in the -form of virgin gold." - -I applied a light to the powder, and, as it spluttered, flared up, -and smoked villainously, the colonel counted in a slow, sonorous -voice. - -Before he had finished fifty the room was full of dense, choking -vapour, and the powder was nearly consumed, yet there were no signs -of the expected change. - -At a hundred the flame had died out, leaving only the candlelight -shining dimly through a dense yellow fog, so that we could not see -whether the silver was in a state of transition or not. - -At three hundred the colonel was well-nigh stifled, an his voice -reduced to a mere croak. Lifting up the tankard, he bore it close to -the candelabra and examined it carefully. Then he burst into a loud, -hearty laugh. - -"Come in, Master Cutler; come in, and see the result of our -handiwork," he shouted. "Your powder has played ye false this time!" - -There was no reply. Simultaneously, our jaws dropped in amazed -disappointment, whilst the colonel dashed to the door and flung it -open. - -Master Henry Cutler had vanished! - -With vague suspicion in our minds, we rushed towards our room, but, -before we had covered half the length of the darkened corridor, I -tripped over a bar of wood, which had been placed there by design, -and fell headlong, Granville and Colonel Firestone joining me company -in a struggling heap on the floor. - -Hastily regaining our feet, we burst into the bedroom. - -Our worst fears were realised, for our gold had likewise vanished. -"Fool! Dolt that I am," shouted the colonel furiously; "could I but -lay hands on the rogue!" - -Alarmed by the noise, the landlord appeared, while in the street a -crowd of citizens collected, thinking, by reason of the dense cloud -of smoke that poured from the house, that a fire had broken out. - -By our foolish simplicity our host's silver tankard was spoiled, our -money had been stolen, and the thief had got clear away in the -confusion. And next morning, in order to pay for our accommodation -and the damage done, we were obliged to take a bar of silver from the -waggon and sell it at a third of its value to a rascally silversmith. -So, lighter in pocket, yet improved in wisdom, we resumed our -journey. - -Over the extensive down towards Whitchurch our progress was tediously -slow, so that Granville and I rode on ahead with Sergeant Lawson, -keeping, as usual, to the grass by the roadside. For some distance -there was not a tree to break the deadly monotony of the landscape -but at length we came in sight of a small clump of firs hard by the -highway. - -Here we were compelled to take to the road again, and barely had our -horses' hoofs struck the hard ground than there came a shout for -help. - -Without a moment's hesitation, Sergeant Lawson set spurs to his -horse, and, dropping the reins and drawing sword and pistol, dashed -towards the wood, guiding his steed solely by his knees. We followed, -sword in hand, and as we gained the edge of the clump of firs we -heard the sound of heavy bodies crashing through the brushwood on the -farther side. - -Bound to the tree trunk was a man, his head bleeding from the effects -of a blow from a bludgeon, and his pockets turned inside out. At his -feet lay the pieces of a broken sword, while, a short distance away, -a horse was tethered to a branch. - -[Illustration: _There was a yell of terror, and the robbers made a -frantic effort to rein in their steeds._] - -With a couple of swift strokes of his sword, the sergeant severed the -ropes that bound the luckless stranger; then, calling on us to -follow, he urged his horse through the grove in pursuit of the man's -assailants. - -The latter had already gained possession of their horses, and were -riding at break-neck pace across the open country. There were but two -of them, well mounted and lightly clad, while we were encumbered with -armour, and were riding heavy cavalry horses. Nevertheless, we held -them in hot pursuit, neither gaining nor losing perceptibly. - -After a while we straggled somewhat, I being well in front, Lawson a -hundred yards or more behind, and Granville still farther away, while -the two highwaymen kept closely together. At length I found myself -gaining on them, and, in the excitement of the chase, I forgot the -peril I was running, for they could well afford to turn and attack me -before the sergeant came up. - -At intervals I saw them turn their crape-covered faces and glance at -me over their shoulders, till suddenly they both wheeled, whipped out -pistols, and fired. - -They missed, though I felt the bullets whizz past my head and, unable -to rein in my horse, I felt myself being carried straight towards the -two robbers, who, drawing hangers, waited my approach. - -When within a few paces they hurled their discharged weapons full at -my head, one grazing the top of my steel cap, while the other I -turned aside with my sword. - -Whether I liked it or not, I had to close, and, turning slightly, I -avoided passing between them, as they had intended. Our blades met -without effect; then, on succeeding in drawing in my horse, I found -that the Villains had resumed their flight, but in a slightly -different direction to their previous course, and that this incident -had enabled Lawson to gain considerably. - -My senses were cooled by the encounter, so, permitting the sergeant -to overtake me, we rode in company, regardless of Ralph, who was -still floundering along a quarter of a mile behind, our eyes fixed -upon the two fugitives. - -Suddenly we heard a yell of terror, and saw a frantic effort on the -part of the robbers to pull in their steeds. For a brief moment it -seemed as if the horses were sliding on their haunches, their riders -leaning back till we could see the tips of their noses above their -black masks as they tore at the animals' reins. Another instant and -they had disappeared, and it was only the greater stretch of -intervening ground that saved us from a similar fate. - -Hastily dismounting, we cautiously approached the place where the -villains had disappeared, and, to our horror, we found that they had -fallen down an unfenced pit, the like of which abound in the chalk -downs of the south of England, their presence being almost invisible -even at a close distance, save to a trained eye. - -Looking over the treacherous edge, we saw a mangled heap of -motionless men and horses at the bottom of the pit. - -"It has saved us a dirty business," remarked the sergeant grimly, -"for, had we taken them alive, 'twould have meant a long wait at the -nearest town when we had handed them over to the authorities." - -"Are they killed?" I asked. - -"Ay," replied he. "'Tis certain they were strangers in this part, and -knew not the existence of this pitfall." - -"We can do no good staying here," I observed as Granville rode up, -spent and breathless with his exertion. "Let's make our way back to -the road." - -It was a long ride, for in the excitement of the pursuit time and -distance had been ignored, but, on regaining the highway, we found -that Colonel Firestone and the man we had rescued in timely fashion -were engaged in wordy strife, the latter having possessed himself of -his horse. - -After tendering his thanks at our opportune arrival, the stranger -exclaimed, "I see ye are all birds of a feather, and, in accordance -with the times, we should now be flying at each other's throats. But -I rejoice, in spite of party strife, that Englishmen are still -willing to help one another in adversity." - -"But you have not proved to me that you are in the right," said the -colonel courteously. - -"Neither can I convince you that you are in the wrong," replied the -other. "Like the rest of the nation, you have your opinion, and I -have mine, though, I trove, we need not go the length of forcing our -opinions at the sword's point, especially as you are the stronger." - -"Nay, I bear ye no ill-will," exclaimed Colonel Firestone, "and these -gentlemen are only too pleased to render you a slight service." - -"Which at some time I may be able to repay," replied the Roundhead. -"My name is Dawe, captain in Waller's troop; with your permission, -I'll bear you company to Whitchurch, till we are clear of this -robber-infested country." - -In spite of his antagonistic principles, Captain Dawe proved to be a -level-headed and well-bred man, far different from most of the rebel -officers whom I met in after times, though, as we rode together, he -talked on military matters with little reserve, whereby our leader, -with well-feigned disinterestedness, gained much information as to -the disposition and strength of the rebels in the field. - -However, his presence saved us from an unpleasant incident at -Whitchurch, where we encountered a company of rebel foot, marching -towards Andover and Salisbury, for, on declaring himself and showing -his commission to the captain of the soldiers, they refrained from -searching our waggon. - -Here we parted, Captain Dawe setting out for the west by the same -road as the rebel foot were going, while we pursued our way northward -towards Newbury, where we halted for the night. - -The following day we arrived at Oxford without further incident, and, -duly handing over the treasure to the officer in charge of the Royal -treasury, we awaited definite information of the Royal Army before -setting out to join the King's forces in the field. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -EDGEHILL - - -DURING our stay at Oxford various reports and rumours reached us -concerning the position of the King's forces, and at length definite -information was brought that the Royalists were marching from -Shrewsbury to give battle to the Earl of Essex, who was supposed to -be retiring to prevent the King's advance on the rebel City of -London. - -Colonel Firestone deemed it impracticable to attempt to join the -Royal camp with the rebels lying betwixt it and us; so we were forced -to remain in galling inactivity till the road northward should be -free of the enemy. - -Early one morning a spent and mud-stained horseman drew in his jaded -steed at Carfax, and immediately the news spread that the King had -gained Banbury, thus putting himself between the rebels and London, -while a battle was imminent on the following day. - -Without a moment's delay we set out for the Royal camp, our party -consisting of Colonel Firestone, Granville, and myself, with Sergeant -Lawson and Wat in attendance, while two spare horses carried our -baggage. - -Two hours' hard riding brought us in sight of the town of Banbury, -outside of which were the tents of the Royalists. On reporting -ourselves to Prince Rupert--for we were to be attached to his troop -of horse--we were shown to a tent and told to rest, yet to hold -ourselves in instant readiness for an attack on the rebel forces. - -But rest for us was an impossibility. Granville wandered about the -lines, to see whether any of his Cornish relatives were serving in -the Prince's cavalry, while I naturally wished to see my father as -soon as possible, though I was told that Sir Reginald Markham was -away on special service, and would not return to the camp before -nightfall. - -Colonel Firestone wished to hand his precious documents personally to -the King; I never saw the papers, and often wondered where he kept -them; and, on being informed that His Majesty was not within the -camp, and that his whereabouts were to be kept secret, the colonel's -disappointment was most marked. - -He was resolved, like many other officers, to fight under Rupert's -standard as an ordinary gentleman, and, seeing that it was impossible -to approach His Majesty, he spent the time writing, reading -pocket-books on military matters, and overhauling his weapons. - -Just as the sun was setting, a small band of horsemen dashed into the -camp, and, dismounting, made their way to the Prince's tent, and one -of the party I knew full well. It was my father. - -"Wait a moment, Humphrey," exclaimed Colonel Firestone, "and I'll go -with you. Your sire will not be long with the Prince, I trove." - -Together we made our way through the press of roystering soldiers, -till we reached the tent, where two armed troopers kept guard over -Prince Rupert's person, and in less than five minutes my father -reappeared. - -He greeted me with great affection, commending my loyal resolution in -throwing in my lot with the King's forces, assuring me that there -were many youths of gentle birth who were also in the field. - -"And hest not a word of welcome for an old comrade?" exclaimed my -companion. - -"Nay, I know you not," replied my father, looking steadfastly into -the colonel's face. Then, after a pause, he exclaimed: - -"Why, 'tis Nick Firestone!" - -"The same," replied the colonel, wringing my father's hand. "Have I -changed so much that my old companion-in-arms cannot call me to name? -How is it with thee?" - -"A man may change much in a score years," said my father, "but, -thanks to an active life, I feel as strong and as well as in the dark -days of 'twenty-seven, save that my legs are somewhat cramped with -rheumatism, though my arm is as strong as of yore. Where lies your -tent?" he asked. - -"Next but one to your own, sir," I replied. "At least, that is what I -have been told." - -"'Tis well," he replied, "for twelve hours in the saddle is apt to -give one a keen hunger, to say nothing of an aching frame." - -"I have brought an air bed for you from home," I exclaimed. - -"An air what, forsooth?" asked my father. - -I hastened to explain the nature of this admirable contrivance as -given by worthy Master Royston, and, on arriving at our lines, I sent -Lawson to get the novel article from the baggage. - -We talked till late in the evening, my parent plying me with -questions concerning affairs at home, and telling us of the events of -the last few weeks. - -"Dost know that, according to the rebel order, Ashley Castle no -longer belongs to the Markhams?" asked my father. - -"Nay, sir," I replied. "What dost thou mean; is it a jest?" - -"Hardly a jest, Humphrey. Only yester-night we surprised a rebel -despatch-bearer on the road near Stratford, and amongst other papers -was a list of manors and castles to be bestowed by the Parliament on -their chief supporters, and amongst the places named was mine own -castle." - -"And on whom is it bestowed?" - -"On one Captain Chaloner." - -"Captain Chaloner!" exclaimed Firestone. "Why, 'tis the man who -allowed the rebels to seize Southsea Castle, the same who was hand in -glove with the turncoat, Goring." - -"He's to gain possession of Ashley Castle first," rejoined my father -grimly; "and 'tis certain that, so long as my wife keeps watch and -ward, no doubly-dyed rebel will set foot over my threshold--but how -came Portsmouth to fall, considering it was well fortified and -supplied with munition of war?" - -We thereupon had to tell my father the events that led to Goring's -feeble and faint-hearted pretence of holding the town for the King, -and, at the story of Chaloner's treacherous incapacity, my parent -shook his fist in impotent rage. - -At length it was time for us to retire to our own tent, and, having -inflated the air-bed for my father's use by means of a pump, we bade -him good night. - -Late into the night sounds of revelry disturbed the camp, men gaming -or singing in uproarious discord, till gradually the babel died away, -and silence reigned over the sleeping town of tents, broken only by -the frequent voices of the sentries on guard without the lines. - -It was my first experience of camp life, and sleep seemed a stranger to -me. The hard ground found out the weak places in my anatomy, till my -shoulder-blades and hips were sore and aching, for as yet I knew -nothing of the old campaigners' trick of hollowing out the earth to -accommodate these protuberances and I lay and longed for the dawn. - -Suddenly an alarm echoed through the stillness of the night, and -instantly the camp was alive with men rushing hither and thither. - -Our tent turned out to a man, and, putting on our steel caps, and -buckling on our sword-belts as we ran, we formed up in an irregular -line outside the camp, in expectation of a sudden attack, yet, though -an outpost of musketeers discharged their weapons, there came no -answering volley from the supposed enemy. - -Nor was the alarm confined to our lines, for, on our left, the -musketeers of Sir Jacob Ashley's infantry were also formed up with -matches lighted, and on our right the cannoniers under Sir John -Heyden were advancing their ordnance to meet the attack. - -In the midst of the confusion a tall, dark figure mounted on a -restive horse rode towards us, followed by a body of cavalry. - -It was Prince Rupert. - -"Back to your tents, gentlemen!" he shouted, and it seemed that his -voice was broken with suppressed laughter. "'Tis but a false alarm!" - -And ere long the whole camp knew the cause of the sudden uproar--my -father's air-bed had burst, and, finding himself flung all of a heap -on the ground, he had imagined, being roused from sleep, that the -rebels were upon us, and had raised the shout that roused the camp! - -Daylight found the camp astir, for, with the knowledge that the -rebels were within ten miles of us, excitement ran high. For my part, -I must confess the principal thought that ran uppermost in my mind -was not that of the coming conflict, but a vague uneasiness as to -what was happening at home--whether that traitorous villain, -Chaloner, had actually made an attempt to secure Ashley Manor, -illegally bestowed upon him by the very side he had professed to -abhor. - -Firestone, on his part, was in a state of feverish anxiety, for, -though, like an old soldier, he was longing for the clash of arms, he -was burning with impatience to deliver his despatches personally to -His Majesty, this being the express injunction laid upon him ere he -quitted the French court. - -But again his hopes were thwarted, for the King had, we now learned, -gone overnight to sleep at Nellthorpe House, and, up to the actual -moment of the army taking up a battle formation, he had not put in an -appearance, as a council was being held in the town of Banbury. It -was considerably after midday ere we received orders to march, and, -on gaining the brow of a steep hill, I saw the rebel host in close -array on the plains beneath us. - -Presently I heard the dull boom of a cannon away on our left, -followed by a heavy fire, to which the rebels answered, though not so -vigorously. - -But we were not left long in that suspense which is so trying to the -nerves of a soldier, for Prince Rupert, standing in his stirrups, -waved his sword for our cavalry to advance. - -Prince Rupert having given the signal for the cavalry to advance, I -set my teeth tightly, spurred my steed, and joined in the charge, -being in the second rank, with Firestone on my left and my father on -my right. - -Before us lay the dense serried masses of Essex's cavalry, but, to my -surprise, just before the trumpets sounded the charge, a whole troop -of the enemy suddenly rode towards us with signs of friendship. -Wheeling by our right, they fell in with our cavalry, and at once -prepared to charge their former comrades. - -This troop, I afterwards learned, were Sir Faithful Fortescue's -troopers, who had but recently returned from Ireland; but, being -unable to make their way to the Royal camp, had feigned to throw in -their lot with the rebels until a favourable opportunity occurred to -declare themselves openly. - -The next instant we were launched at full gallop upon the rebel -cavalry, and of what happened during the next few moments I have but -a dim recollection. It was cut, thrust, and parry. Men went down, -still striking madly at their assailants, whilst riderless horses -added to the confusion; but I knew that we had the best of the -struggle, because we were ever advancing. - -Suddenly Firestone's horse plunged violently and fell on its knees, -while its rider, slipping from off his saddle, rolled over, vainly -endeavouring to throw himself clear of his floundering steed. - -At that moment one of the rebel dragoons, a veritable Anak, received -a cut in the face, and, half blinded and maddened by the pain, he -slashed furiously right and left. - -I wheeled to escape the resistless sweep of his sword, and, to my -horror, I saw the weapon bury itself in Colonel Firestone's leg, -shearing through jack-boot, limb, and even the saddle. - -The next instant I was urged onward by the rush of the combatants, -and, much as I desired to, I was unable to help my luckless comrade. -In a few minutes the rebel cavalry had broken and were in hot flight, -while at their heels came our triumphant troopers, slashing and -hewing at the fugitives without mercy. - -In the excitement of the pursuit time and distance were forgotten, -till at length, breathless and triumphant, our cavalry gave up the -chase, re-formed, and prepared to return to that part of the field of -battle where, by the sound of heavy firing, we knew the contest still -raged furiously. - -Before this was done, however, we were assailed by a body of rebel -horse, which, launching itself on our rearguard, played havoc till -driven off by superior numbers. - -When at length we regained our former position we were confronted by -a solid phalanx of pikemen and musketeers, who presented such a -redoubtable appearance that Prince Rupert hesitated to order a fresh -charge. So with an occasional cannonade the battle ended just as -night drew in upon the scene. - -"Hast seen Colonel Firestone?" asked Granville, as he wiped his -dust-and blood-stained face with a handkerchief of delicate cambric. - -"Down yonder, I fear," I replied sadly, indicating the darkening -plain on which the indistinct forms of the fallen could still be -seen. "I saw him hurled from his horse with his leg shorn off at a -single blow." - -"Perchance he still lives." - -"But I could scarcely believe that. He is more likely to have bled to -death," said I. "Be that as it may, however, we'll make an effort to -find him." - -And, giving our horses in charge of a camp follower, we sought out -Sergeant Lawson, who willingly agreed to accompany us. - -Bending as we went--for the enemy's matches still glimmered in -readiness to open fire--we cautiously made our way over the ground in -the direction clearly indicated by the slain who fell during our -brilliant charge. - -Here and there maimed horses still kicked and writhed in agony, while -at intervals a man would implore our pity and help, though most of -the slightly wounded had managed to regain the shelter of our lines. -At length we came upon a confused jumble of men and horses, and -pinned down by the weight of his dead charger lay our hapless friend. - -By our combined efforts we managed to extricate his body from beneath -the animal, and to our great surprise and intense delight the brave -colonel opened his eyes. - -A brief examination showed that his right leg had been cleanly hewn -through, the upper part of his boot still remaining over his knee; -but again with infinite surprise I noticed that there was no trace of -blood, and the next instant the truth flashed across my mind. - -Colonel Nicholas Firestone had a wooden leg! - -Stooping down, Lawson grasped the colonel under his arms, while -Granville lifted his remaining leg, and cautiously we began our -perilous journey back to the camp; but hardly had we gone a few paces -when Firestone whispered: - -"Bring the pieces with you, Humphrey. My severed leg, I mean, for -'tis of much consequence that this be done." - -Wondering what he meant, yet loth to thwart what I took to be the -whim of a half-dazed man, I returned, picked up the severed boot with -its wooden contents, and overtook my comrades, and half an hour later -we were safely within the Royal lines. - -Here, with considerable difficulty, we procured a rough litter, and, -placing our wounded friend upon it, we bore him towards the camp, in -company with a constant stream of burdens, for the most part far -sadder than our own. - -As we approached I noticed a group of officers standing in a -respectful attitude at a short distance from a slender, heavily -cloaked figure. Instinct told me it was our Sovereign, who, having by -his courage inspired his troops to fight a brilliant though -indecisive action, was not slow in sympathising with those who had -fallen in his cause. - -"'Tis the King," I whispered to our wounded companion. - -"Then hand me my severed leg," he rejoined with astonishing -imperativeness. - -My surprise prevented me from asking the reason, and without a word I -did as he requested. - -As the litter approached His Majesty, I noticed Firestone feverishly -employed in taking the remains of his wooden leg from the encasing -leather boot, and, having done this, he began to unscrew a portion of -the limb. A few turns and the leg came apart, disclosing a cavity, -from which the colonel drew a lightly rolled packet of papers. - -"Art badly hurt?" asked His Majesty, as the glimmer of a lantern fell -upon the figure in the stretcher. - -"No, sire," replied Firestone cheerfully. "'Tis not a case for the -surgeon; a carpenter will suffice." - -"How so, sirrah?" exclaimed the King with astonishment. - -In a few words Colonel Firestone explained the circumstances, and -handed the precious despatches to His Majesty. - -Tearing open the covering, the King called for the lantern to be -brought nearer to enable him to read the contents, and by the feeble -light I saw his clear-cut features brighten as he perused the -message. - -"Gentlemen," he explained, addressing the officers in attendance, "we -have just received an important and encouraging message from our -cousin of France, but of this more anon. But why didst thou risk -these papers in the battlefield instead of handing them to us?" he -added, addressing Colonel Firestone. - -"Acting under direct orders, sire," he replied, "that these -despatches were to be given only into Your Majesty's hands." - -"And yet with these in your possession you risked your life and these -despatches on the battlefield?" - -"My life is my own, and I chose to risk it in Your Majesty's cause," -replied Firestone stoutly. "But as for the papers, I took precautions -to ensure them reaching Your Majesty's hands should I have fallen." - -"We'll not ask a gallant soldier to explain the matter," said the -King, "for 'tis certain his arrangements were well made. The fact -remains that he has performed his mission to our satisfaction, a -matter which we will bear in mind." - -And, motioning the stretcher-bearers to proceed, the King returned -the colonel's salute and directed his attention to the next arrival -of that seemingly endless procession. - -Having seen our charge safely within his tent, we sent for a -carpenter to replace his severed stump, a task which, though roughly -performed, the colonel considered satisfactory. But the severe -shaking he received by his fall prevented his taking the field again -that night, and we were compelled to leave him and again take our -place in the line of battle. - -All that night and during the next day we lay under arms, both sides -facing each other, yet refraining from exchanging shots, and as -evening drew in we were greatly surprised and not a little delighted -to see the rebel army withdrawing in the direction of Warwick. - -The approach of winter necessitated both armies going into winter -quarters, and, having obtained permission to withdraw, my father, -accompanied by Colonel Firestone and myself, determined to return -to Ashley, while Ralph Granville set out for his Cornish home. - -He and I were sorry indeed to part company, and, sure enough, there -came times, of which you are now to hear, when I could have done well -with so trusty a friend at my right hand. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH - - -ASHLEY CASTLE presented its wonted appearance as my father and I -approached it on our return journey. - -The banner of the Markhams still proudly floated over the tower, the -drawbridge was still guarded by a pikeman in the Markham livery, and -the smoke still floated upwards from the kitchen chimneys in the keen -autumnal air. - -"Heaven be praised!" exclaimed my father, raising his plumed hat, and -I knew that a great load had been lifted from his mind--a burden -which I felt hardly less deeply than did he. - -The warm-hearted greeting over, we eagerly asked for tidings -concerning the renegade, Captain Chaloner, but on this matter we -could not obtain any information, for, although it was known that the -rebel captain had had the castle bestowed upon him by the Parliament, -he had taken no active steps to secure possession of it. - -Relying on the loyal support of his tenantry, my father knew that -there was little chance of a surprise, yet he in no wise relaxed his -vigilance. - -Every available firearm was carefully examined, barrels of powder -bought and stored in the capacious cellars, while piles of shot were -placed in readiness by the side of the small pieces of ordnance on -the leads of the hall. Vast quantities of imperishable provisions -were collected, and an additional well was sunk within the inner -courtyard, so that our water supply was assured. - -Yet our preparations were seemingly in vain. Many months passed, and -still no rebel Chaloner appeared to press his claim, while my father, -owing to his increasing infirmities, was compelled, much against his -will, to remain at home instead of giving his services to His Majesty -in the field. - -Colonel Firestone, however, had taken part in the affairs of -Chalgrove Field and Newbury, and from time to time news came from him -concerning the progress of the fearful civil war. - -At length, in the month of May, 1644, the colonel himself arrived at -Ashley Castle with the news that he was on his way, by Royal command, -to take part in the operations in the west against the rebels under -the Earl of Essex, and, at the colonel's suggestion, my father -consented to let me go with him, greatly to my satisfaction. - -Two years had made a great difference in my appearance. Although but -very little taller, I had increased in girth, being broad-chested and -full-limbed, while few would believe that I was but seventeen years -of age. Thanks to clean-living and plenty of exercise in martial and -open-air pursuits, I was strong, muscular, and active, yet withal -(though I say it) I was of sound judgment, quick to act, and blessed -with no small stock of intelligence. - -It was a long journey by way of Winchester, Salisbury, and Exeter, -but with little adventure we crossed the Tamar at a place called -Calstock, and reached the Duchy of Cornwall. - -It was nearly night when we reached this village, a collection of -stone-built cottages rising in tiers from the west side of the river, -which here describes a magnificent curve between lofty banks of -tree-clad hills. - -Our arrival caused no little stir amongst the villagers, for armed -men were comparatively scarce in the neighbourhood, as the troops of -either party, who were continually pouring into the Duchy, usually -entered by the road betwixt Tavistock and Callington, or else between -Plymouth and Saltash. - -"Is there a decent and well-conducted inn hereabouts?" asked my -companion, addressing a red-haired fellow in a grey smock. - -"What do 'ee say?" replied the countryman, scratching his poll in -obvious perplexity. - -"An inn, dolt! An inn." - -"There be one up yonder," said the man in a singsong voice. "'E be -called the King's 'Ead, if 'ee be for the King, and the Stamford -Arms, if 'ee be for the Parleymun. It be no worry to we, anyway." - -"Let's try the King's Head," I remarked. "Though 'tis to be hoped -that those who dub it after the Earl of Stamford may be not present." - -"So be it," replied my companion, and riding up to the door of the -inn, we dismounted and knocked. - -From within came the sound of many voices engaged in lively -conversation, and, finding that our summons was unanswered, Firestone -pushed open the door and entered. - -At the end of a stone passage was another door, partly opened, and to -our surprise a well-known voice was heard: - -"This, gentlemen, fully demonstrates the sovereign virtues possessed -by my inimitable powder, of which I am agreeable to sell small -portions at the price of one penny--one penny only, I say. Each -portion capable of acting on four ounces of lead. 'Tis only in the -goodness of my heart that I offer this priceless powder to His -Majesty's subjects, and----" - -"'Tis the arrogant rogue who bested us at Winchester!" I whispered. - -"Ay! I knew it the moment I heard his voice. Listen." - -"I ask no man to buy," continued the huckster. "'Tis to be regarded -as a gift--no, sir, it must not be used under an hour, being but this -evening made up--as a gift, I repeat; but to prevent an injudicious -distribution, I am compelled to ask but one penny for this small -quantity. I have demonstrated its powers to you, as I have done -before princes of the blood, knights and gentlemen in London, York, -Lincoln, Norwich, Exeter----" - -"And Winchester, you rogue!" exclaimed the colonel, bursting into the -room. "Where are our fifty pounds in gold?" - -The self-styled merchant of Southampton was terrified at the sight of -our sudden appearance. His knees smote together, his jaw dropped, and -his lank, raven hair almost stood upright. - -Gripping his shoulder, I forced him against the wall, and, thrusting -back his sleeve, we discovered a cube of lead similar in shape to the -one of silver which still lay on the table. Seeing the deception, the -crowd, who had regarded us with little favour, began to cast -imprecations on the impostor. - -"We'll have this on account," said Colonel Firestone, pocketing the -silver. "And now turn out his purse." - -Eleven pounds in gold and over a pound in silver and copper were -shaken out on the table, the wretched man making no resistance. - -"Thirty-eight pounds to the had. What say you, sirrah?" demanded the -colonel sternly. "Is it the hangman at Bodmin, where perchance -thou'lt be cropped by the ears and branded on the face, and finish by -dangling at the end of a stout hempen rope? What say you, I repeat?" - -The wretch had sunk on his knees, mumbling incoherently. Suddenly he -whipped out a long knife from the folds of his boot and lunged -viciously, like a cornered rat, at the colonel. But ere the blow -struck home I kicked the weapon from his grasp, sending it spinning -to the low, raftered ceiling, where it stuck and vibrated with the -force of its ascent. - -"Wouldst add attempted murder to the list of your accomplishments?" -asked Firestone contemptuously. "'Tis a pity we cannot waste time to -see thee spinning round at the end of a halter, but we must needs -take the law into our own hands. Canst swim?" - -The man shook his head. - -"Then up with him and cast him into the river," continued my -companion, addressing the surrounding throng. - -Eager hands seized the wretched purveyor of quack powders and bore -him towards the river, Firestone and I following at the heels of the -crowd. - -"Shall us tie a stoane round the neck of he?" asked one of the -villagers. - -"Hither, my friend," replied Firestone, and as the man came nearer he -continued in a low voice, inaudible to the miserable rogue: "We do -not mean to kill the man, Get ready a rope to throw to him. And canst -swim?" - -"Ay," replied the villager. "Only the other day they gave I a jar o' -small beer for swimmin' from Morwell'm----" - -"Then I'll give you another if you have to go in and fetch him out; -but don't go in, mind you, unless I give you word." - -At the edge of the river was a small stone quay, below which the -water flowed gently, only a few feet from the top of the wharf, it -being nearly high tide. It was nearly dark, but the other bank was -just discernible. - -The men who had been cheated out of their hard-earned spending money -entered into the punishment of the rascal with a will. Seized by the -arms and legs by half a dozen lusty quarrymen, the terrified rogue -was swung to and fro for a few seconds, his screams for mercy adding -to the zest of his tormentors. Then, to the accompaniment of a loud -shout, the men hurled him far into the river, where he disappeared -with a heavy splash. - -"He must be dead. He sank like a stone," I exclaimed, after what -seemed to me a long interval. - -"We've overdone it," shouted the colonel excitedly. "Quick, you; -after him. Perchance he was winded by the fall," he added to the man -who had boasted of his swimming prowess. - -But before the man could throw off his heavy boots, the lank black -hair of the Southampton merchant--as he termed himself, though -falsely, as we knew too well--appeared above the surface, half-way -across the stream, and with astonishing swiftness he struck out for -the opposite shore. - -"Why, the villain has cheated us again," I exclaimed. "See, he swims -well." - -"Try him with your pistols, sir," said the host of the inn. - -"Nay, let him go, for he deserves it by his cunning," replied -Firestone, and in silence we saw his dim outline draw itself from the -water, and, rat-like, slink to cover in the shelter of the woods. - -We returned to the inn, where Colonel Firestone repaid the men who -had been duped by the rascal's ingenuity, out of the remaining money, -retaining the leather purse as a trophy of the encounter, while our -popularity was further assured by our host being ordered to broach a -barrel of old ale at our expense, and till late in the night the -simple countrymen sat carousing, singing quaint songs in their -strange dialect, in blissful disregard of the fact that nearly the -whole kingdom was torn asunder by civil war. - -Next morning we were up betimes, and amid the cheers of the -villagers, who had gathered to wish us good-speed, we resumed our -journey westward, intending to reach Tregetty Castle, the Granvilles' -home, before sunset. - -Barely had we gone a couple of miles when the road, which was little -better than a narrow lane, descended abruptly into a deep and dark -valley, the pine trees throwing a sombre shade over our path. - -Suddenly three horsemen appeared, reining in their horses to bar our -path. There was no mistaking their intentions, and by their buff -coats, iron caps, and clean-shaven visages we knew them to be -Roundheads. - -"Straight at them!" exclaimed Firestone, drawing sword and pistol, -while I followed his example; but ere we could close, their numbers -were increased by nearly a score. - -Wheeling our horses, we essayed flight, but at the same moment a -swarm of dismounted men leapt from the banks in our rear. We were -hopelessly trapped. - -Resistance was useless, and in a moment the troopers were upon us. We -were deprived of our weapons, and rough hands seized us, binding our -arms tightly behind our backs, while with many ribald jests at the -hapless malignants they urged our horses in the same direction that -we had been going. - -But before we emerged from the valley the troopers halted, save a -sergeant, who disappeared by a narrow path on the left-hand side of -the lane. In a few minutes he returned, accompanied by two of the -rebel officers, and with an involuntary exclamation of surprise and -dismay I recognised one of them to be the traitor, Captain Chaloner. - -Close behind him, his face distorted with a malevolent grin, was -another acquaintance, Master Henry Cutler, the Southampton "merchant," -whom, but a few hours previously, we had seen swimming across the -Tamar. - -"You have them securely, I hope, sergeant?" said Chaloner, rubbing -his gloved hands in evident enjoyment. - -"Safely bound, eh?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"'Tis well. Now, sirrahs, what have you to say for yourselves? -Malignants and robbers to boot, ye are arrested in the name of the -Parliament of England and charged with robbing with violence this -man, Henry Cutler. What have ye to say?" - -"My purse! My purse!" exclaimed the huckster, producing his leather -bag from the colonel's pocket. "See, sir, this proves my story. My -papers are still in it." - -"They are guilty beyond doubt," replied Chaloner, "e'en though they -speak not a word. Hi! Bring hither the halters!" he shouted to a -trooper. - -Without delay a noose was placed round each of our necks, while -another trooper climbed to the lowermost branch of a pine tree that -overgrew the road. - -After one or two attempts he caught the ends of the ropes, passed -them over the bough, and let the free end fall to the ground. Five or -six men grasped each rope and awaited the signal to haul us, kicking -and struggling in our death agonies, from the backs of our horses. - -In those awful moments my senses were completely numbed. I was dimly -conscious only of the noise of the trickling stream and the notes of -the feathered songsters overhead. Even this ignominious ending by -being hanged did not seem to trouble me, for I understood in a -measure the meaning of the words, "The bitterness of death is past." -What I could not quite understand was the fact that our executioners -delayed their work. - -Then, above the babbling of the stream, I heard the sound of horses -rapidly approaching, and, the mist clearing before our eyes, I saw a -knot of Parliamentary officers gallop up. - -"What's this? Who commands this troop?" demanded the senior officer, -a tall, thin, yet not unpleasant-looking man, whose clear-cut -features were partly hidden by a heavy bristling moustache and a tuft -of hair on his chin. - -"I, sir, Captain Chaloner," replied that worthy, saluting with his -drawn sword. - -"Then pray explain the circumstances of this summary act; are these -prisoners of war?" - -"They are malignants, murderers, and highway robbers to boot," said -Chaloner. - -"Nay, sir, 'tis false," interjected Colonel Firestone. "We are -soldiers of His Majesty, 'tis true, but neither murderers nor -highwaymen. I look to you, sir, to protect us from the indignity of -being strung up without the chance of a word in our defence." - -"I will go further into the matter anon," said the Roundhead officer. -"Captain Chaloner, where is the rendezvous of your troop?" - -"At the town of Lostwithiel, sir." - -"Then take your prisoners thither. I hold you responsible for their -safety and custody. Be assured," he added, addressing us, "that you -will have a fair and impartial trial. If found guilty of robbery, on -my solemn word I'll have you strung up as a warning to others; if -not. I must needs keep you as prisoners of war." - -Chaloner again saluted as his superior and his officers rode off; -then, scowling blankly with ill-concealed hatred, he ordered his -troop to fall in, and, with Firestone and I still bound in their -midst, the Roundheads set off at a trot towards their headquarters. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -OUR ADVENTURE IN LOSTWITHIEL CHURCH - - -THE troopers kept up their rapid pace, as if anxious to reach the -shelter afforded by Lostwithiel without delay, and as we proceeded -the nature of their anxiety became apparent. - -A burly dragoon rode between us, sternly checking any attempt at -conversation, while the sergeant, who had possessed himself of my -sword--the gift of the armourer at Newport--placed a couple of men, -armed with petronels, immediately behind us, giving them orders to -shoot us through the head at the first sign of an attempt to escape. - -This order was, I felt certain, given to the sergeant by Chaloner, -who would have been only too glad to get us out of the way, knowing -that we were acquainted with his past treachery, and also because he -was aware of the fact that I was the son of Sir Reginald Markham, who -still held Ashley, in spite of the Parliamentarian mandate bestowing -it upon the renegade. - -Long before midday we had passed through Liskeard, where the -inhabitants were manifestly in sympathy with us, though overawed by -the menaces of Chaloner's troopers. - -About four miles beyond the town we came to the fork roads, where one -road leads to Bodmin and the other to Lostwithiel, and hardly had we -proceeded a hundred yards along the latter when two dragoons, who had -been riding some distance ahead, came back at a gallop with the -intelligence that a troop of malignant cavalry were drawn up beyond -the brow of the hill. - -My spirits rose at the thought of a rescue, though, at the same time, -it occurred to me that, should an affray take place, Chaloner would -have no scruples in shooting us, and putting the blame on the bullets -of our friends. - -The Roundheads lost no time in preparing to receive the threatened -attack. The dragoons dismounted, one man in every three being told -off to hold the reins of their comrades' horses. We were sent to the -rear under guard, while the soldiers vigorously plied their swords, -cutting down brushwood and small branches of trees which they placed -across the road to render more difficult the charge of their -opponents. - -In a few moments we saw the cavalry appear, and, drawing up against -the sky-line, they halted, while their leaders trotted slowly -forward, as if to reconnoitre the Roundheads' position. - -Apparently, however, the Cornish Royal troops thought the numbers of -their enemies too great to attempt an onslaught, for, greatly to my -disappointment, the horsemen wheeled and retired, amidst the ironical -laughter and gibes of our captors. - -But the Roundheads had reckoned too lightly with their enemies, for -shortly afterwards the Royalists appeared in our rear, opening a -steady fire at long range. - -Chaloner was manifestly ill at ease, and, as usual, his craven spirit -showed itself in its true colours. With the opening of the rearguard -action he took his place at the head of the troop, exhorting them to -increase their pace till their progress was little better than a -flight. - -On our part, Colonel Firestone and I were subjected to the awkward -predicament of being under the fire of our own party, the bullets -whistling unpleasantly above our heads. Although several of the -dragoons essayed to make a stand, their pursuers drove them back with -the loss of three killed and five wounded, till at length the chase -ended at Lostwithiel Bridge, by the timely arrival of a strong body -of musketeers from the Roundhead stronghold. - -Here Chaloner handed us over to a captain of pikemen, who conducted -us to the church, where, still bound, we were placed in a corner of -the sacred edifice under a strong guard. - -The floor of the nave was strewn with straw, some twenty or more -horses being stabled here, while gathered in small groups were the -rough soldiery, polishing their arms.[1] - -Presently there entered an officer, whom I recognised in a moment. It -was Captain Dawe, the man we had befriended when attacked by robbers -near Whitchurch, and the recognition was mutual, though the Roundhead -captain placed his finger meaningly on his mouth. - -"Why are these men trussed up in this fashion?" he demanded. - -"By Captain Chaloner's orders, sir," replied one of the men who -mounted guard over us. - -"'Tis unduly harsh. Cast off those ropes. Have they been questioned?" - -"I know not, sir." - -"Then stand aside while I obtain information of the malignant -forces." - -Our bonds were unfastened, and we stood upright, glad to stretch our -cramped limbs. - -"More I dare not do," said Captain Dawe in a low tone. "But seize the -first chance of escape, for 'tis certain this Captain Chaloner is -intent on your deaths. Your outposts are in possession of Restormel -Castle. Dost know where it lieth?" - -"No," I replied. - -"But a mile and a half from the north gate. Gain it, and all will be -well, for I foresee that we are sore beset by your troops. To-night, -perchance, I'll try to make your way still easier, but till -then--farewell." - -Our benefactor went out, while our guards resumed their places, one -having brought us some food, which we ate with avidity, having been -without refreshment since early morning. Then, making ourselves as -comfortable as the hard oak pews would permit, we feigned sleep. - -Immediately after Captain Dawe's departure a scene of rioting began, -ending in an uproar that filled me with disgust. - -"Can we sit here idle, and gaze upon this vile work?" I whispered -fiercely to my companion, for I was beside myself with fury. - -"Not I," replied Firestone. - -"Then let's fall upon them," I exclaimed in a low voice. - -The next instant I had pushed aside our guards and sprung on the pew, -the colonel following almost as quickly, in spite of his wooden leg. - -Before the noisy fellows could grasp the meaning of our sudden -onslaught, I had seized the leading spirit by the throat. With an -almost superhuman effort, I dashed his head against the font, the -stonework stopping his blasphemy for the time being. - -Firestone served another in a similar manner, and, as if by mutual -agreement, we dashed towards the doorway leading to the tower. Up the -spiral staircase we flew, and, before the first of the astonished -rebels had grasped the situation, we had gained the wooden ladder -leading to the belfry. - -In another moment we had drawn the wooden ladder up after us, and lay -breathless and panting, yet safe for the present, upon the floor of -the steeple. - -Anon we heard growls of the soldiers, who, having reached the top of -the stone staircase, had found the ladder removed. - -"On your head be the blame, Hosea Standfast," exclaimed one of the -troopers. - -"Nay, why on mine?" replied another. "You were told off to keep watch -and ward as well as I." - -"A truce to your bickering," interrupted a third, "and help to get -your men down. Send a messenger to Captain Chaloner, and inform him -of the circumstances." - -"Cannot we secure them without the captain knowing aught of the -matter?" asked the first speaker. "Try, but I'll warrant the rogues -will sit tight," replied the third man, evidently a corporal of -horse. - -Threats, persuasions, and entreaties met with no results, for, -intoxicated with the success of our attempt, we laughed at the -discomfited soldiers, till at last one of them reluctantly departed, -to inform the renegade, Captain Chaloner, of our escapade, and in a -very short time that infuriated officer made his appearance, -accompanied by a file of musketeers. - -"I'll fetch you down," he exclaimed, and immediately ordered the -musketeers to make ready their pieces. - -Peering cautiously over the edge of the trap-door, I could see the -men lighting their matches, and casting about to load. Observing -these preparations, I assisted Colonel Firestone to clamber astride -the top of a large bell, while I followed his example, for, though -the stout oak planking of the belfry floor might not be proof against -the bullets, it was certain that the huge metal cylinders would form -ample protection. - -We had not long to wait before a musket was fired, the report making -a prodigious noise, while the bullet struck the floor with a dull, -heavy thud. - -The next shot passed between a crevice in the rough timbers, and hit -the lip of the bell, which gave forth a resonant ring. - -The intermittent fusillade continued for about ten minutes, and, -although the bells were struck at least a dozen times, we came off -unscathed, keeping up a running fire of derisive remarks at the -enraged captain and his impotent musketeers. - -"I'll have you yet," shouted the renegade, beside himself with fury, -and, ordering his men to follow, he led the way down the spiral -staircase. - -"I wonder what he intends to do next?" I remarked to my companion, as -we stepped from our unsteady perches and gained the floor. - -"He'll stop at nothing," replied the colonel. "But we'll know soon -enough. In the meantime haul up those ropes, for methinks we'll have -need of them ere long." - -We pulled up the bell-ropes as far as the knots for the ringers' -hands would allow, then set laboriously to work to chafe through the -stout hempen cords by the edge of one of the bells. We had barely -sawn through three ropes, and detached their other ends from the -massive wheels, when we heard the noise of scuffling feet hastily -making the way up the worn steps of the spiral staircase, accompanied -by the unmistakable rustle of straw. - -[Illustration: _Seized by the arms and legs, the terrified rogue was -hurled into the river._] - -"They are going to burn us out," I exclaimed. - -"Trying to, you should say," replied Firestone. "Unless they actually -set fire to the steeple, which Heaven forfend, we can laugh at them." - -Piling a heap of straw and hay on the stone floor of the tower -immediately below the trap-door of the belfry, the rebels called on -us once more to come down. - -The only reply was a piece of wood, small 'tis true, but thrown with -unerring aim. It caught one of the soldiers fairly on the top of his -bare head, for he had removed his steel cap, and, with a yell of -pain, he dashed for the doorway of the spiral staircase, not knowing -in his fright whether he had been shot at or not. - -Coming into violent contact with another man who was bringing up some -more straw, the twain fell in a confused heap, and we could hear them -bumping and jolting down the narrow steps. - -"Capitally done, Humphrey!" exclaimed the colonel. "Had we but a -goodly store of missiles, we could hold them at bay." - -"Which we have not, unfortunately," I rejoined. - -Experience had taught the rebels a lesson, for, having donned the -steel cap, another soldier set match to the heap of straw, and the -next instant a pillar of flame shot upwards, the fiery tongues -actually licking the sides of the trap-door, by which we were lying. - -But to destroy us by fire was not their object, for one of the men -soused the fiercely-burning mass with water. The clear flame gave -place to a dense column of blinding smoke, and in a few seconds we -were choking and coughing furiously. Firestone gripped me by the -shoulder, and, forcing our way through the smoke, we reached a little -doorway in one of the hexagonal sides of the steeple, which gave -access to a narrow platform surrounded by a parapet. - -Here we stood, once more in God's good sunshine, half blinded and -suffocated. Drawing in the pure air to our smoke-laden lungs, we had -no thoughts for anything but the delights of the life-restoring -atmosphere, till the thud of a bullet on the stonework close to our -heads warned us that our enemies had expected our appearance, and -were firing at us from the street. - -Instinctively we dropped behind the parapet, lying in the lead -gutters, still taking in copious draughts of air, while from the -doorway through which we had emerged came thick columns of smoke. - -Bullets still pattered thickly against the stonework of the steeple, -while, in addition to the reports of the muskets, the hoarse shouts -of the baulked rebels added to the din. - -After a while we plucked up courage, and, raising ourselves -cautiously, we looked over the edge of the parapet. - -In spite of our danger, we could not help admiring the prospect. -Bathed in the slanting rays of the setting sun, the town of -Lostwithiel and the surrounding country made a delightful picture, -that, were it not for the presence of the rebels, would have been -typical of an English countryside. - -On the east beyond the red-tiled roofs of the timbered houses we -could see the road by which we had come, looking like a white thread -amidst the dense masses of dark green foliage and the lighter tints -of the well-laden fields. Across the silver thread that showed the -course of the Foy stream was the old stone bridge, its townward end -closed by a rough barricade, through the gaps of which were four -pieces of ordnance trained to command the road. - -Here were strong parties of pikemen and musketeers supporting the -gunners, while, on the north side of the town, the rebels were -actively engaged in throwing up earthworks. Further up the valley, on -the low hills to the left, we could discern a small castle, on which -a flag hung motionless in the still air. - -"Canst make out yonder standard?" asked Firestone, indicating the -flag. - -"Nay, 'tis o'er far," I replied. - -"It must be the castle of Restormel, of which Captain Dawe spoke. -That being so, 'tis the standard of the Hoptons that flies over it." - -"The rebels are in a great state of activity," he continued, "and, -judging by their defence works, I trove that they expect an attack. -But we must keep an eye on the trap-door, lest the rogues make an -attack under cover of the smoke." - -By this time the fire had died out, and, though the atmosphere within -the belfry was charged with choking fumes, we could breathe with but -little difficulty. Looking down, we saw the lower room was deserted, -and the ominous silence filled us with misgivings. - -The sun had set, and twilight was drawing in apace. Thirst and hunger -began to make their presence felt, and in desperation I suggested to -Firestone that, when it grew dark, we should descend by means of the -bell-ropes knotted together, and take the risk of capture rather than -starve where we were. - -"Yes," he replied shortly. "We can but try." - -We immediately set about unfastening the remaining ropes, out of -which we made one stout rope of double thickness, sufficiently long -to reach the ground. - -The oppressive silence still continued, although from the church -itself came the discordant sounds of the lawless soldiery. - -"Hist! Someone comes!" I whispered, as the now familiar noise of -footsteps stumbling up the spiral staircase became audible. - -"For the last time, dogs!" came Chaloner's voice--"will you give -yourselves up?" - -"This is not Southsea Castle," I replied sneeringly. "We do not give -up without sufficient cause." - -"Then take the consequences," replied the renegade. "For a barrel of -powder is even now placed underneath the tower, and in five minutes -you will be blown skywards. Fare ye well, and a pleasant journey!" - -And, with a mocking laugh, he disappeared. - -The horror of the situation held us spell-bound. - -Here we were eighty feet above the ground, with a barrel of powder -ready to burst asunder the very foundations of the tower, while above -us was a mass of stone another seventy feet in height, or -thereabouts, which, at the moment of the explosion, would crumble, -collapse, and bury us beneath its stupendous weight. - -Nor was escape possible, for the churchyard was filled with rebels, -and we knew full well that to accept Chaloner's offer of surrender -was to deliberately throw away our lives, seeing that the man would -have had us shot in cold blood under the plea of armed resistance. -Colonel Firestone was the first to recover his composure. - -"Perchance, 'tis but an idle threat," he exclaimed. "Yet, even if -they fire the powder, its effects may not be so disastrous as they -think. I call to mind the springing of a mine at the causeway of Rhé, -when those nearest escaped nearly scot-free, and the greatest damage -was done by the falling stones on the Frenchmen, who caused the -explosion. Nevertheless, if we are to die, let's get to the open air -once more." - -Taking the ropes with us, we made our way out on to the parapet. - -It was now dark. But few lights twinkled in the houses of the town, -though the watch-fires of the troops surrounded Lostwithiel like a -circle of glimmering points of light. Looking straight down, we could -distinguish the heads and shoulders of the troops in and around the -churchyard. - -"Why not lower ourselves on to the roof of the nave?" I exclaimed. - -"The idea seems good," replied Firestone, and we immediately ran -round the leads to the opposite side of the tower. Twenty feet below -was the ridge of the tiled roof that sloped down on either side to a -parapeted gutterway. - -"Fools we were not to have thought of this before," exclaimed the -colonel. "Quick! Make fast the rope round this piece of stonework. -Once we gain the roof, we are safe." - -The rope was secured but, just as I was about to clamber over the -edge, there was a glimmer of a match on the farthest end of the roof, -then a flash, and a loud report, and a bullet whizzed past our heads. - -"The rogues have done us!" muttered the colonel. "They have placed -musketeers on the roof to shoot us down." - -Hastily crouching behind the sheltering stonework, we drew up the -rope and waited, in dead silence, for the threatened catastrophe. - -In obedience to an order, there was a hasty stampede on the part of -the rebels from the church, and, in our anxiety, we imagined we could -hear the spluttering of the slow-match. - -Regardless of the possibility of being shot at, Colonel Firestone -stood erect and defiant, his figure showing clearly against the -starlit sky. - -"God save the King, and confusion to all his enemies!" he shouted, -receiving in reply a chorus of ribald jests and laughter. - -"Stand firm, Humphrey," he exclaimed, gripping my hand. "'Tis soon -over, if 'tis to be." - -Silence had now fallen upon the crowd of rebels and townsfolk, the -former eager to see the result of their vile work, the latter, -doubtless filled with grief at the wanton destruction of their -venerable edifice, which for nearly four hundred years had been the -pride of this Cornish borough. - -Suddenly the massive tower shook like a leaf. There was a blinding -flash, a deafening roar, a cloud of sulphurous smoke, followed by the -rattle of hundreds of pieces of stonework. Gasping and nearly blinded -and deafened by the explosion, I could not for a minute grasp the -fact that I was still alive. Gradually it dawned upon me that I was -not injured, and that, moreover, I was still on the tower. Then I -stretched out my hand, and, to my delight, I gripped that of Colonel -Firestone. - -"Art hurt, Humphrey?" - -"Nay, I think not--only shaken. And how is it with you?" - -"Little the worse. We must brace ourselves together, for now is our -time. Canst slide down the rope?" - -"I hope so." - -"Then explore the roof of the nave, for 'tis certain the men have -taken themselves away ere the explosion. I must needs stay here to -cover your retreat if needful, and also to guard against an attempt -by the trap-door. We need not fear for lack of missiles, I take it." -In truth the parapet was littered with broken tiles, each of which -would make an effective impression if hurled at a man's head. - -I swung myself over the ledge and descended the rope. At length one -foot touched the roof, and instinctively I put out my other to gain a -footing, but, to my surprise, there was a gaping hole. I had lighted -upon one of the massive oaken rafters of the nave, for the explosion -had stripped the whole of the tiles off the roof close to its -junction with the tower. - -Even as I looked down the evil-smelling smoke was still filtering -through the ragged gaps between the beams. Men with torches and -lanterns were already pouring into the building. - -Fortunately for us, the effects of the explosion had followed the -line of least resistance. The massive outer walls of the tower had -withstood the shock, but a thin wall separating it from the nave had -been blown into the church, and, as I said before, the roof had borne -the brunt of the catastrophe. - -Steadying myself by the rope I walked cautiously down the beam, till -I gained the lead-lined parapet. Here I made fast the rope, and -proceeded on my tour of inspection, keeping a careful watch lest any -of the rebels should have remained on guard on the leads. - -At length I neared the part above the east window, when suddenly I -stumbled over the body of a man. It was one of the rebels who had -fired at us on our previous attempt to descend. He still lived, -having been only stunned by a fragment of flying masonry that had -caught him on the right temple. - -Just then I heard men's voices. A detachment of rebels was coming up -to the roof by means of a ladder. Retracing my footsteps, I paused -but for a moment to relieve the senseless soldier of his musket and -bandolier; then, seizing the rope, I swung myself back to where my -comrade was anxiously awaiting me. - -"Is it safe to make the attempt?" he asked. - -"Nay, the rebels are even now on the roofs. Listen!" - -I showed him the musket I had gained possession of, whereat he -expressed great approval. - -"We must needs wait till the small hours of the morning," he -continued. "And the best way to forget one's hunger is to gain sleep. -I'll take the first watch, so the sooner you fall asleep the quicker -you'll forget your troubles." - -So saying, he took the musket, loaded and primed it, and sat down at -the edge of the trap-door. For my part I lay down on the dust-covered -floor of the belfry, and, worn out by hunger, fatigue, and -excitement, I fell into a dreamless slumber. - -I was awakened by Firestone shaking me by the shoulder. - -"Time to be up and doing," he exclaimed. - -It was broad daylight, and the sun's rays played strongly upon the -blackened stonework of the tower, and across the gaping rafters of -the roof of the nave. - -"Why did you not waken me before?" I asked reproachfully, for the -colonel presented a sorry appearance; his gaunt features were drawn -with hunger, his face blackened with smoke and dirt, and his, clothes -smothered with dust and particles of charcoal. - -"You wanted rest more than I," he replied, with a grim smile. "A few -hours' vigil makes but little difference to a war-worn veteran. But -see!" he added, holding up an arrow for my inspection. - -At first I thought the rebels had resorted to this bygone instrument -of offence in the hope that its noiseless flight might have taken us -unawares. Its point was blunted, but whether by design or by reason -of its striking the stonework I knew not. - -"'Twas shot by a friendly hand," continued Colonel Firestone. "Here -is a paper that was folded round the shaft." - -Taking the scrap of paper, I saw written in a scrawling hand: "_Be o -goode cheere, for the rebells are leaving Listithiel this day._" - -"I would be fuller of good cheer had I a square meal!" replied I, -dolefully, as a savoury smell was wafted to our nostrils. - -We looked cautiously over the parapet. Through the shattered roof we -could see the floor of the church, where several of the rebels were -engaged in cooking their food in large iron cauldrons suspended from -rough tripods, the fires being fed with pieces of oak, which the -troopers had relentlessly hacked from the pews. The soldier whom I -had found insensible in the gutterway had been removed, but the fork -of his musket still remained. Soldiers were busily engaged in -clearing away the mass of rubble that blocked the entrance to the -spiral staircase leading to the tower, so it was evident that they -had not despaired of taking us--a further proof of the vindictiveness -of the renegade Chaloner. - -Could I gain possession of the musketeer's rest before the passage -was cleared, a means would be at our disposal whereby we could obtain -much-needed food; so, descending by the rope, I reached the shelter -of the parapet of the nave, and immediately secured the instrument -left behind by the wounded sentinel. - -It was about five feet in length, made of wrought iron, and -terminated in a double prong. - -Requesting the colonel to throw me a length of rope, of which, -fortunately, we had plenty, I bent the rest into the form of a large -hook. To this I secured one end of the rope, then, leaning cautiously -along one of the beams, I slowly lowered my improvised fishing tackle -down into the interior of the church. - -To my delight, none of the soldiers noticed the descent of the hook, -owing possibly to the smoke, and by dint of careful manoeuvring I -succeeded in hooking a large iron pot that, full of savoury stew, was -boiling over a brisk fire. - -The next instant, amid the shouts of the astonished and enraged -rebels, pot and tripod were being rapidly drawn upwards; but ere I -could secure my prize, a musket-shot pierced the bottom of the -vessel, tearing a ragged hole. By the time I had unhooked the pot -nearly the whole of the precious contents had escaped, but Colonel -Firestone and I had the great satisfaction of breaking our fast by -making a sorry meal from the sticky mixture that still adhered to the -sides of the utensil. - -Later on, though still in the early morning, we could discern large -bodies of troops pouring into the town from the direction of -Liskeard, and 'twas evident that the rebels had met with a reverse. - -But we had no time to observe what was going on outside the town, for -our own lives were in jeopardy. - -Having cleared away the rubbish that obstructed the staircase, the -musketeers, with fierce shouts, began the ascent. - -"Stand to it," exclaimed Firestone, encouragingly, as a bullet -whizzed close to my head. "Can we but hold our own for another five -minutes, all will be well!" - -"Shall we open fire on them?" I asked, making ready with the musket I -had taken from the insensible man on the roof. - -"Nay," replied the colonel. "Keep them in ignorance of the fact that -we possess a weapon. Then, if the rebel Chaloner appears, I'll put a -bullet through his traitorous head." - -But the musketeers contented themselves by firing several volleys up -through the floor of the belfry, which, however, as we took the same -precaution as heretofore, did us no harm. After a while they went -down again, leaving a soldier on guard. - -We kept perfectly quiet, so that, evidently thinking we were without -the steeple, the man relaxed his vigilance, and, seating himself in a -low wooden chair, he drew a portion of a loaf and some cheese from -his pocket. - -Following this he produced a pipe and a metal box of tobacco, and, -after looking from the food to the tobacco with evident indecision, -he leant back in the chair, stretched his limbs, and gave a terrific -yawn. - -I could see Firestone's eyes fixed longingly on the tobacco, while I -looked with equal avidity upon the bread and cheese. In a moment my -mind was made up. Holding up the end of the rope to my companion, who -nodded knowingly, I gathered myself up at the edge of the trap-door -and made ready to spring. - -I alighted fairly and squarely on the shoulders of the unsuspecting -rebel. He fell backwards in one direction, I in another; but I was -instantly on my feet, and, seizing the man's musket, prepared to stun -him should he offer resistance. But he lay motionless whether the -fall had killed him or merely deprived him of his senses, I knew not. - -Gathering up the food, tobacco, and pipe, and hitching the end of the -rope round the man's musket, I swarmed up to our place of refuge, and -drew up the weapon. - -Hardly had I done so when the rest of the party, alarmed by the -noise, rushed up the stairs, only to find to their mystification the -senseless body of their comrade. - -The sight of the muzzles of the two muskets caused them to beat a -hasty retreat, although we suffered them to remove the body of their -luckless fellow-soldier. - -Assured of no further molestation in this direction, we went out on -to the leads, and found that at that very moment an attack was being -made upon the rebel position, both sides keeping up a continuous -artillery fire, though the defence was conducted in a spiritless -manner that promised a speedy release from our captivity. - -We shared the captured food, and the colonel filled the pipe, which -fortunately had been unused, lighting it with a portion of the -slow-match obtained with the bandolier we had previously taken. - -Suddenly my companion pointed to a company of men forming up in the -churchyard. - -"There he is--there's that villain Chaloner," he exclaimed, and, -starting to his feet, he seized and levelled his musket. But as he -applied a match I struck up the piece, and the bullet went singing -over the house-tops. - -The colonel turned on me, livid with anger. - -"Why this foolishness?" he demanded. - -"We are not assassins," I replied. - -"That man with his treachery has placed himself without the pale," he -retorted. "Therefore I am justified in shooting him like a dog. Mark -my words, Humphrey, you'll rue the day you made me miss my aim." - -"Nevertheless, 'tis a craven act to shoot a man unawares. I, too, -have an account to settle with Chaloner, and with more cause than you -have, I trove; but Heaven forfend that I strike him after the manner -of a hired assassin." - -Happily, Firestone soon regained his accustomed composure, and, after -reloading his piece, we watched the progress of the assault. - -A ring of smoke encircled the town, for the cavaliers had drawn a -cordon round it, and already their advanced works were within -musket-shot of the bridge, whence the cannon behind the bridge kept -up a steady fire on the attackers. - -It was low tide, and the river ran but an insignificant stream, -barely two feet in depth beneath the arches. Even as we looked we -heard a flourish of trumpets, and with a wild, irresistible rush a -squadron of Royalist cavalry, with loose rein and flowing mane, -charged headlong for the bridge as only our horsemen can charge. - -Saddles were emptied, but, regardless of the losses, the attackers -deployed right and left, plunged into the river, and the next instant -the barricade was charged in the rear, and the gunners cut down or -made prisoners. - -The horsemen were ably seconded by a strong body of Cornish pikemen -and musketeers, and, the guns being turned to command the principal -approach to the bridge, the town was at the mercy of the Royal -troops. - -There was a roll of drums, and, bearing a white flag, a rebel officer -rode from the headquarters of the Parliamentarian army towards the -Royal lines. - -"They are treating for terms," exclaimed the colonel. "While the -armistice lasts, there's no reason why we should not try to take -advantage of it." - -And without let or hindrance we did indeed descend the tower, pass -through the now deserted church, and gain the street. Soon we were -safely within the outposts of the Royal army. - -We were immediately taken to a tent, where the Royalist officers were -engaged in drafting out the terms of capitulation, and, thinking we -might be of service to them, they asked us for an account of our -adventure. - -"Chaloner, say you? Chaloner, the renegade?" - -"The same, sir," replied Firestone. - -"Mark him down. Mark him down, scrivener," exclaimed one of the -officers, addressing a scribe who was laboriously writing out the -terms of surrender at a roughly constructed table. - -"Him we must have at any price. Let me think. His name will be third. -There's the rebel Colonel Hobbs, formerly a waggoner, who ruthlessly -burned Pentillie; the ex-miller, Captain Gale, who unlawfully strung -up five of our men at Looe; and the traitor Chaloner. The other -officers we will suffer to depart on parole." - -While the clerk's quill pen was scratching and spluttering over the -parchment, the officer turned to us once more. - -"You were on the way to join the Cornish army. What regiment did you -intend serving in?" - -"In Sir Bevil Granville's." - -"In Sir Bevil Granville's? But I grieve to say Sir Bevil is dead, and -the regiment well-nigh cut to pieces at Cropredy Bridge." - -"And his son----" - -"Sir Ralph Granville, as he must now be styled, has joined his sorry -remnant to the command of Sir Ralph Hopton." - -"Then under Sir Ralph Hopton will suit us." - -"'Tis well. Malpas!" he shouted to a sergeant who was on guard -without the tent. "Conduct these gentlemen to the camp of Sir Ralph -Hopton, for, methinks, rest and refreshment will not come amiss. Fare -ye well." - -With a salute we left the staff-officer's tent, and, under the -guidance of the sergeant, we were taken to a spot where a triple Line -of weather-worn tents and rough huts of boughs and bushes marked the -temporary camp of the redoubtable Royalist. - -Here we were hospitably received, for, though in common with most of -the cavaliers, there was scarcely a gold piece to be found amongst a -score of them, such was their devotion to His Majesty, both in -personal service and gifts of money, they gave us plenty to eat and -insisted on our going to sleep. - -When I woke up I found, to my joy, Ralph Granville sitting at my -side. A complete change of apparel and a serviceable equipment of -armour and weapons were placed at our disposal, which, I afterwards -learnt, were contributed from the joint store of this particular -company. - -"How goes it with you, Ralph?" I exclaimed, wringing my friend's -hand. - -"Passably," he replied, "though 'tis but the fortune of war." - -"I heard of your father's gallant end." - -"Ay. My father and twenty-two of our tenantry fell before Waller's -pikes, and now I have just heard that our house at Tregetty has been -burnt to the ground, so nothing remains but my sword." - -I hardly knew what to reply. For all I knew I might even now be in a -similar position. Ashley Castle might be razed to the ground, and my -parents dead beneath its ruins. It was, as Ralph had observed, the -fortune of war, and we had but to look around and see the devastating -effects of this struggle, in which Englishmen were flying at each -other's throats. - -Further conversation was interrupted by the trumpets sounding the -assembly, and, mounting our chargers--two passable horses which had -belonged to two cavaliers who had fallen in the charge on Lostwithiel -Bridge--Firestone and I took our places in the ranks of our new -comrades, Granville being my left-hand man. - -Everyone was in high spirits, for the articles of capitulation had -been accepted by the rebels, and we were even now on our way to -witness the surrender of the Parliamentary army of the west. - -Other regiments had preceded us, and by the time we crossed the old -bridge once more, this time in the midst of a troop of horse with -standards flying, and not as prisoners in the centre of a body of -sour-faced Roundheads, the greater part of the King's army was drawn -up in a long double line. - -Our troop formed up facing the church, and as I looked up at the -smoke-blackened tower and shattered roof I could not help wondering -how near we had been to death, and how Providence had safely guided -us through perils innumerable. - -My reveries were cut short by a roll of drums, followed by a hoarse -order, which was taken up all along the double line by the company -commanders. Instantly the swords of the cavalry flew from their -scabbards, while the pikemen stood to their pikes and musketeers -shouldered their pieces. - -The march of the surrendered army was about to begin. - -[1] It must be borne in mind that Humphrey Markham's narrative deals -with the Civil War from the standpoint of an ardent young Royalist. -Both sides were doubtless guilty of many excesses. - -[Illustration: _With undiminished speed the horse shot into space._] - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -MY MEETING WITH AN OLD FOE - - -FOR over an hour a continuous stream of men in soiled buff coats -passed in more or less military precision. Their arms, save those of -the officers, had been piled or stacked, their colours handed over, -and their cannons, most of which they themselves had spiked, were -already parked and placed under a strong guard. - -In many instances the men were still suffering from wounds, bandaged -heads and limbs in slings being numerous. - -The completeness of the surrender was, however, marred by the fact -that on the previous night the rebel Earl of Essex had escaped from -the town and taken boat to Fowey, whence, we afterwards learnt, a -brig had conveyed him to Plymouth. - -Nor was the renegade Chaloner to be found amongst the prisoners, much -to the Royal commander's disappointment; whether he were dead or -alive no one knew. The other two rebel officers, Hobbs and Gale, -against whom serious counts were proved, had already been strung up -in front of the Shire Hall. - -Sixty of the common rank and file alone were retained, and under a -strong guard these were compelled to cleanse out the dishallowed -church and to restore it, as far as possible, to its former -condition. - -Directly the surrender was completed, the troops were dismissed, -precautions being taken against a surprise, though 'twas evident that -the rebellion in this part of Cornwall had been stamped out. - -As soon as we were at liberty Colonel Firestone and I turned our -horses over to the care of a camp follower, and made our way to the -place where the rebels' arms had been given up, for I was anxious to -regain my sword, while my companion was equally solicitous on behalf -of his own weapons. - -As we passed by the Shire Hall, before which the bodies of the two -rebel officers still swung to the gaze of a curious throng of -soldiers and townsfolk, we saw the crowd being parted by a body of -armed men, who had great difficulty in preventing the infuriated -townspeople from tearing a prisoner from their midst, while shouts -and threats filled the air. - -Planting ourselves firmly in the midst of the crowd, so that the -armed guard would pass within a few feet of us, we jostled with the -surging mass, till at length we could see the features of the -prisoner. - -Instinctively an exclamation of surprise burst from my lips. Stripped -of coat and doublet, his face cut and bruised and stained with dried -blood and dirt, was--not Chaloner, but the so-called Southampton -"merchant," the charlatan Cutler! - -Half dead with fear, his legs hardly able to support his trembling -body, the wretched man was urged onwards by his guards, as, with his -hands pressed to his ears as if to shut out the threats and -execrations of the crowd, he was marched towards the provost's -quarters. - -"What has he done?" I asked, laying a detaining hand on the shoulder -of a dragoon who, carrying the trickster's torn coat, was following -the guards. - -"Done?" he replied. "Dost know the villain?" - -"I know that he has done us more than once," I replied grimly. - -"I trove he'll do you no more, for he'll dance at the end of a rope -within the hour," said the soldier, preparing to move on. "For he has -been caught in the act of robbing the dead." - -"Then we've seen the last of Master Cutler," remarked my companion as -we resumed our way. "At least, unless we see his body gracing a -gallows." - -Upon arriving at the ground where the arms of the surrendered army -had been deposited, we were somewhat dismayed at the magnitude of our -task; but upon our applying to the camp marshal for permission to try -and recover our weapons, that officer was able to inform us of the -probable place where Chaloner's dragoons had stacked their arms. - -Muskets had been piled in a military manner, but stands of pikes, -swords, pistols, breastplates, morions, Swedish feathers, and other -arms of offence and defence lay heaped in indescribable disorder. - -For over an hour we searched without success, till I suggested that -we might question some of the prisoners who had been retained to -clean out the church, and, my comrade falling in with the idea, we -returned to the scene of our recent adventures. - -After a short conversation with the captain of the guard, an officer -of Hopton's troop, with whom Firestone was acquainted, we entered the -building. - -"There's our man," exclaimed the colonel, pointing to the sergeant of -dragoons who had so brutally used us on the day of our capture by -Chaloner. - -"Come hither, sirrah," said Firestone, and the man, now thoroughly -frightened, obeyed. - -"What did you do with our arms when your men mishandled us?" - -"I know not," stammered the man. - -"Think again," continued my companion, "or we must needs refresh your -failing memory." - -"I know not," repeated the sergeant. - -"Two rebels even now dance at the end of a rope outside the Shire -Hall," remarked Firestone in a dry, casual sort of voice. "They -murdered their prisoners and burnt the houses of loyal Cornishmen; -methinks I know of a third who ill-treated men having the misfortune -to fall into his hands." - -"I did but carry out mine orders," replied the dragoon. - -"Brutality is not necessary to the obedience of orders," snapped -Firestone. "Come, now, say where our arms were placed, or the provost -will have speech with you, with the great possibility of the gallows -to finish up with. Now, sirrah, what say you?" - -"They were sold at Liskeard." - -"To whom?" - -"To the host of the 'Stag.'" - -"For how much?" - -"A barrel of cider." - -"You rascal!" shouted Firestone, shaking his fist in the man's face. -"You rascal! To sell the arms of two loyal gentlemen for a barrel of -cider. Get back to your work, you prick-eared rebel, lest I forget -myself." - -And, wild with rage, my comrade stalked out of the building. - -For my part my indignation was almost as great, and I resolved at the -earliest opportunity to regain possession of my sword, the gift of -the armourer of Newport. However, as the countryside was overrun with -the remnants of the surrendered army, it was deemed wise to defer the -journey for a few days at least. - -One morning, however, I was seized with a sudden impulse to ride -alone over to Liskeard, a distance of twelve miles, and to offer a -reasonable sum to the innkeeper for the weapons, or, failing to -obtain them in this manner, to threaten him with a visit from our men -for illegal trafficking with rebels; and, having executed my mission, -the result would be a pleasant surprise to Nick Firestone. - -It was after midday ere I obtained the necessary permission from the -provost to leave the camp, and, having made an excuse to my comrade, -I saddled my horse and rode off. - -This animal was not the one I had ridden from home, neither was it -the passable nag that I had had given me on joining Hopton's camp, -but a powerful black charger which I bought immediately after the -surrender of the rebel army, and was, in consequence, ignorant of its -temper. - -In under two hours I arrived at Liskeard, where I found the host of -the "Stag" most amenable to my request, and, protesting that he had -been compelled to take my sword and a brace of pistols belonging to -Firestone in payment for the cider, he handed them over in -consideration of the sum of a crown--a far less amount than I had -expected to have had to pay. - -Delighted with the success of my mission, I had refreshment, and -afterwards set out on my journey back to the camp. But I had barely -covered half the distance when my horse began to show symptoms of -restlessness, and before I was fully aware of the fact, it suddenly -plunged, bounded forward, and, regardless of my effort to retain it, -tore headlong over the dusty road. - -Thinking it would soon tire itself out, and consoling myself that I -was still going in the direction of the camp, I let the creature have -a loose rein, till at length it suddenly turned, cleared a low stone -wall with a bound, and headed across a field. - -Now I sought to rein in the frantic animal, but in vain. Across -country it tore, till it reached a wild tract of open country two -miles from the highway, and, sinking to its knees in a marsh, I was -able to leap from the saddle. - -Tugging at the exhausted creature's reins, I succeeded in extricating -it from the bog-land; then, loth to take further risk, I walked it in -the direction from which I had come. - -At length I espied a stone hut, or hovel, from which a thin column of -smoke was rising. In the excitement of my wild ride I had failed to -notice it before. As I drew nearer I saw that at one time it must -have been an ancient British cromlech, a massive slab of granite -resting upon two uprights. A rough wall of stone had converted the -cromlech into a rude dwelling, and here apparently human beings -existed. Door there was none, a gap in the wall serving that purpose. - -The soft, springy turf deadened the sound of my approach, and, -gaining the entrance, I stooped down and peered within, having tied -up my horse to a thorn bush, and taken the precaution of holding one -of my pistols in my hand. - -In front of the fire a hare was roasting on a rough spit, while the -smoke and the sudden change from the glare of the sunlight made it -impossible to distinguish things clearly. Lying on the ground was a -man. He was fast asleep, and even my voice failed to rouse him. The -floor of this singular dwelling had been excavated to a depth of -about two feet below the surface of the ground outside, so that there -was a height of nearly seven feet between the floor and the roof of -solid rock. - -I stepped within and stirred the sleeper with my foot. - -With a sudden start he awoke and jumped to his feet. It was Captain -Chaloner! - -It was Captain Chaloner, in spite of his scared face, unkempt hair -and beard, his torn and travel-stained clothes. Doubtless he thought -that a troop of horse stood without. - -"Yield yourself, Captain Chaloner," I exclaimed, holding up my cocked -pistol. - -"I yield," he replied, without hesitation, somewhat to my -discomfiture, for I knew not where I was, neither did he know that I -was alone, so what was I to do with my prisoner? - -"Make ready to go," I continued, "for we must needs journey to -Lostwithiel." - -"Promise me that your men will not harm me," he said imploringly, -whereat I unthinkingly informed him that there was no one without. - -"Then on what authority do you arrest me?" he exclaimed, with a -sudden change of tone. - -"The authority of right and might," I replied, showing him the pistol -once more. "You must needs walk five paces ahead of me, and at the -first sign of escape I shoot you down." - -"What must needs be," he rejoined. "But, Master Markham, consider a -moment. I am of opinion that the matter of Ashley Castle being -bestowed upon me is the cause of your hatred towards me, though I -swear it was not through my asking." - -"You are right, though I'll not believe you did not ask it to be -conferred upon you." - -"Then why seek my life?" - -"I do not seek your life, although by doing my duty I have little -doubt but that you'll be hanged for your treachery. Had I not struck -up the barrel of a musket, you would certainly have been shot down -from the tower of Lostwithiel Church when you tried your utmost to -burn or blow us up." - -"Good lad! Good lad!" sneered Chaloner. "I thank you for the -service." - -"And now make ready," I continued, ignoring his insolent manner. "For -'tis late in the afternoon, and we must needs be in camp ere sunset." - -"Since you are alone, Master Markham, can you not forego the honour -of taking me into the Royalist camp? Consider, sixteen good miles of -rough road, darkness long before we arrive there, and the chance of -meeting some of my men. For, look you, I am not alone. Furthermore, -if you let me go free, I'll promise, on my word of honour----" - -"Your word of honour!" I repeated scornfully. - -"Ay, I'll swear it, if you will, that I'll hand over the deed of -settlement of Ashley Castle, and take ship overseas till the war be -at an end. I mean what I say," he continued as I shook my head at his -base proposal. "See, I have the document here." - -Stooping down, he lifted up a pile of clothing that lay on the floor. - -There was a sudden flash, a loud report, and I reeled backwards with -a sharp pain like a hot iron searing through my shoulder. - -I had a dim recollection of firing my pistol straight at him as he -still remained huddled on the floor, and seeing him half spring to -his feet, only to fall forward with convulsive struggles. Then, with -a red mist swimming before my eyes, I staggered to where my horse was -tethered, clambered into the saddle, and gave spur. - -After a while my senses became clearer. My left arm was paining me, -while a dark stain flooded the shoulder and front of my doublet. My -horse had settled down to a trot, though whither 'twas bearing me I -knew not nor Hardly cared. I had some consolation in the thought that -I was being borne somewhere, and, providing I could keep my saddle, -all would be well at the next village or homestead I came to. - -The sun was close on the time of setting, and by the fact that its -ruddy glare came from the direction slightly behind my right -shoulder, I knew we were heading southwards. - -As my senses returned the pain of my wound increased, the incessant -jolting causing the blood to flow freely. I could not help wondering -what might have been my fate had I fallen from the saddle during the -period of unconsciousness, for my feet were firmly wedged in the -stirrups, and, if unable to disengage them, I would have been a -shapeless mass of shattered pulp. I had seen a similar thing at -Edgehill, and knew full well what it meant. - -At length the horse gained the summit of a lofty hill, and before me -stretched the seemingly boundless expanse of the English Channel, a -gentle declivity of about half a mile separating me from the water, -though on either hand a spur of the hill in what must be a pair of -rugged headlands. - -Suddenly the horse was seized with the same unseen terror that had -caused it to bolt on the highway. It reared almost on its haunches, -and only by keeping a tight grip on its mane with my sound arm was I -able to retain my seat. Then, with its freshly-found wind, the -startled animal bounded forward. - -"'Tis time to cry halt," I exclaimed to myself, and, putting all the -strength of my unwounded limb into the pull, I strove to rein in the -animal, as I saw that what I took to be a gentle slope actually -terminated in a cliff, though considerably lower than the adjacent -portions of the coast. - -My efforts, as before, were useless, and only tended to increase the -horse's pace and fury. Several times I tried to turn its head, but in -spite of this the animal kept straight for the sea. - -Not a moment was to be lost. I determined to shoot the brute and risk -a headlong fall on the soft turf. Forgetting my wound for the moment, -I took the reins in my left hand. Then, drawing my remaining pistol -from its holster, I snapped it at the horse's forehead but, to my -dismay, there was no report. - -The weapon had missed fire. - -At that moment I realised that there were persons riding to my aid. -At least a score of horsemen were galloping furiously down the spur -on my right, with the evident intention of intercepting my runaway -steed and diverting its flight. Some of them had carbines, and made -ready to fire, though I had misgivings as to their marksmanship. But -the efforts of the horsemen were in vain; my horse thundered past the -leader at more than twenty paces, and, defying pursuit, continued its -mad flight. - -Throwing away the useless pistol, I drew my sword, determined to slay -the animal before it carried me to destruction; but before I could -shorten the blade for a stroke we had gained the edge of the cliff. - -The horse gave a neigh, whether of triumph or of terror I knew not, -and with undiminished speed shot into space. In a few brief seconds I -must have turned completely round; I saw the red sheer face of the -cliff appear to shoot upwards, the air whistled past my head, and -with a heavy splash my horse and I struck the surface of the water -simultaneously. - -Then everything became a blank. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -ON BOARD THE "EMMA FARLEIGH" - - -I AWOKE to consciousness with the sensation of being tossed upon the -waves, though, fortunately, not in them. - -I was lying upon the wet deck of a small fishing craft; my head was -supported by a coil of rope, while my coat and doublet had been -removed and a bandage placed around my shoulder. My left arm was in a -sling. - -A man was kneeling by my side to prevent my being slung bodily to -lee'ard with the heel of the craft, for a steady breeze hummed -through the rigging, making the vessel lie over to it as she tore on -her course, while ever and again a sting of salt spray came dashing -over the low bulwark. - -It was just growing light, a grey misty morning, while in the east a -rosy red betokened the dawning of a stormy day. - -"Better?" asked the man with a peculiar grunt, as I opened my eyes. - -"Where am I?" I asked drowsily. - -"Safe aboard th' _Emma Farleigh_," he remarked, "an' well-nigh -half-way over." - -"Over where?" I exclaimed wonderingly. - -The man regarded me for a few moments with mouth agape. - -"You'd best bide quiet a bit," said he. "Maybe you'll still be -wandering in t' head." - -"No, I am not," I maintained. "I was shot at, and my horse carried me -over the cliff. But where is this craft bound for?" - -The man did not answer me, but whistled down a small hatchway. - -"Here, Dick, on deck wi' ye." - -A man appeared, his burly head surmounted by a shock of matted red -hair, and his ruddy face hidden by a long beard of similar hue. - -"I be afeard Maäster Jarge be queer in 'is 'ead," whispered the first -seaman in a loud aside. "He axed where we was bound for." - -"France, Maäster Jarge, France," said the ruddy one in a tone that -was meant to be soothing. "Us'll drop ye safe in Cherbourg afore -night if this breeze 'olds." - -"I am not Master George, whoever he may be," I exclaimed with -considerable heat. "And I don't want to go to France, so why am I -being taken there?" - -Both men looked at me in astonishment. - -"Lie down an' bide quiet a bit, maäster," repeated the first. - -"What? Will you not take my word for it?" I shouted, raising myself -on my elbow. "I am Humphrey Markham, of Hopton's Regiment, now in -camp at Lostwithiel." And as I proceeded briefly with my tale, I saw -the look of incredulity on the men's faces give place to expressions -of astonishment. - -"Put your hellum hard up," shouted Dick to the steersman. "And let we -get back as fast as us can. 'Twould ha' been a sorry pass if we hadna -taken the broad pieces from they afore us started." - -"You'll not be from Carnwall, young maäster?" asked one of the -fishermen. - -"No, from Hamptonshire," I replied. "But I know several people in -Cornwall, and my greatest friend is Master Ralph, or, rather, Sir -Ralph Granville, of Tregetty." - -"I knows Tregetty well," said Dick. "Two brothers o' we were on th' -estate. But why Sir Ralph? I thought as 'twas Sir Bevil." - -"Sir Bevil has fallen in the fight with twenty of his followers," I -replied. - -"Fifty curses o' St. Winnow on the rebels," exclaimed the Cornishman, -shaking his fist in the direction of the invisible English coast. -"But, ne'er mind, young maäster, a frien' o' Sir Ralph be a friend o' -we; us'll put ye ashore safe an' sound." - -"Breeze be freshenin', Dick," shouted the man at the tiller. "'Twill -be as much as us can do to make Plymouth." - -"Keep her at it as close as she'll lie," replied Dick, giving a swift -glance to windward. "One port's as good as another to we, for a bit." - -I felt hungry and thirsty, and one of the men brought me a kind of -pasty and a cup of cider, and as I ate they told me, in a rich -Cornish burr, of the circumstances that led to my being rescued from -the sea. - -The _Emma Farleigh_, of the port of Looe, had been engaged to cruise -off Lantivet Bay, in order to embark the young Squire of Trevarthake, -who, having slain in a duel a relative of an influential gentleman of -Bodmin, sought to flee the country. - -News of his intended flight had been noised abroad, and a party of -horsemen had tried to intercept him. These were the men whom I had -seen, and who tried to get between me and the sea just before my -horse took a flying leap. In mutual ignorance, I took them to be -friends, and they imagined me to be the man they were to arrest. - -The crew of the _Emma Farleigh_ saw me take the leap from the cliffs -full forty feet above the sea, and never doubting that I was the -young Squire of Trevarthake, they lowered a small boat and picked me -up in an unconscious condition, and, strange to say, my sword was -still gripped tightly in my right hand. They had, they told me, to -force my fingers from the hilt. - -When they had me safe on board the _Emma Farleigh_ they found that I -had a pistol bullet embedded in my left shoulder, but, being ignorant -of surgery and unable to extract the ball, they washed and bandaged -the wound the best they were capable of doing, and now, finding that -I was not the Squire of Trevarthake, they had put their vessel about -and were making for land. - -About midday the wind veered and increased to a regular gale from the -sou'-west, and with the least possible show of canvas the staunch -little craft flew before the howling tempest. - -I begged to be allowed to remain on deck, but Dick and his crew were -obdurate, and insisted on carrying me below, where in a small and -stuffy cabin I was tossed hither and thither, racked with pain, and -showing symptoms of fever, while at every pitch of the vessel I -thought she was plunging to the bottom. How long I remained below I -know not, but suddenly the hatch was lifted off, and a flood of -bright light filled the little compartment. The next instant Dick and -one of his crew crawled down the steep ladder, and, lifting me in -their arms, began to make their way back on deck. - -Directly I was taken on deck they closed down the hatch, and, laying -me on the heaving, slippery planks, passed a rope round my body to -prevent my being thrown against the lee bulwarks. All three men were -on deck, looking anxiously ahead. As the vessel heeled I could see a -range of lofty rugged cliffs, its foot being beaten by a long line of -boiling white water, which at intervals leaped high against the dark, -frowning face of the rock. - -"Can ye do't?" asked one of the men in a stentorian voice that was -barely audible above the howling of the wind. - -"Must, or sink," shouted Dick grimly as he relieved the man at the -long tiller. - -We had reached the end of the line of cliffs that terminated in a -towering peak, dropping sheer into the sea, and, having cleared this -iron-bound shore, Dick thrust his huge bulk against the tiller. - -Slowly the _Emma Farleigh's_ head swung round, and now right ahead I -could see a bay of storm-tossed water, with a rocky, though lower, -line of cliffs in the background, and a long line of milk-white foam -stretching from shore to shore. - -With a roll that threatened to shake the masts out of her, the _Emma -Farleigh_ was soon in the thick of it; broken water poured over the -bows and both quarters at the same time, while Dick was heaving at -the tiller to try and keep the boat on her course. - -Crash into the line of white foam she bore; there was a shock that -made the vessel quiver from keel to truck; another heave, followed by -a slighter yet sickening thud; then, as if sliding down a steep hill, -the _Emma Farleigh_ glided into deep water. - -We had crossed the bar. - -Now the high land sheltered us, and, gliding over a nearly calm sea, -the craft ascended a narrow creek, on the left side of which I could -distinguish a castle bristling with guns, while the light played upon -the steel caps and morions of the soldiers, who were intently -watching our progress. - -Then a little straggling village came in sight, and at an order the -sails fell on deck in a confused heap, the anchor was dropped, and -the staunch little craft lay riding to her hempen cable against the -swift-running tide. - -"Where are we?" I asked faintly. - -"Salcombe," he replied. "An' yon's Fort Charles that still holds out -for the King." - -And even as I looked everything seemed to fade from my view, and I -sank senseless on the deck. - -* * * * * - -When I opened my eyes I found myself in a wainscoted room, with large -beams running across the ceiling. - -I particularly noticed these beams, possibly because they were the -first objects that met my eyes, for I was lying in bed. Spotlessly -white were the bedclothes, sweet-smelling flowers were placed about -the room, while through the open casement window I could see a -stretch of placid water with boats passing up and down, while the -hillside in the distance was covered with yellow fields of ripening -grain. - -"Where am I?" I asked myself, and "Why am I here?" And gradually I -remembered the incidents that had taken place during the eventful -period since I left the camp at Lostwithiel. - -I tried to raise myself, but a dull pain in my shoulder and an utter -feeling of weakness prevented me, and I had perforce to lie still and -think. - -Presently the door was quietly opened and a woman came softly into -the room. - -She was middle-aged, with calm, sweet-natured features, and her linen -frills and ruffs were as white as snow. She noticed that I was awake, -and coming over to my bedside, she asked me how I felt. - -I replied that I hardly knew what to say, and then asked where I was, -and what was I doing here? - -"The _Emma Farleigh_ has left," she told me. - -"Left," I repeated blankly. "When?" - -"Three weeks agone," she answered. - -"Have I been here three weeks?" I asked, amazed. - -"More than that; 'twill be four come next Thursday. Now, drink this, -and try to sleep once more, for you've been very ill." - -Obediently I did as I was told, and after a long sleep I awoke -feeling considerably refreshed. - -"Art better, Master Markham?" asked my most attentive nurse. - -"Ay, mistress; but what is your name, and how came you to know mine?" - -"They of the Cornish fishing boat that brought you here told me about -you," she replied, smiling. "And my name, an it please you, is -Widdicombe." - -"How can I thank you for your kindness, Mistress Widdicombe? But tell -me, how came I here?" - -Briefly she told me that the men of the _Emma Farleigh_ had brought -me ashore, and, filled with compassion--for, she said, I bore a -strong resemblance to her only son, who had been slain at Stratton -fighting bravely for His Majesty--she had brought me to her house. -Here a surgeon from Fort Charles, skilled in the treatment of -gun-shot wounds, had probed and extracted Chaloner's bullet, and for -nearly four weeks I lay unconscious. - -During that time either Mistress Widdicombe or her husband, who was a -sergeant of foot under Sir Edmund Fortescue, had watched day and -night at my bedside, and I undoubtedly owed my life to the generous -devotion of this worthy Devonshire couple. - -Thanks to a healthy constitution, together with the fact that I had -led a rigorous outdoor life, my wound healed rapidly, and before the -autumn leaves had begun to fall I was able to get about. - -My intentions for the future were torn by various influences. My duty -towards my home urged me to return to Ashley Castle, for even now the -Roundheads might be hammering at its gates, though, thanks to my -pistol-shot, I had little to fear from the renegade, Captain -Chaloner, while my sense of duty towards my sovereign called me to -rejoin the army in Cornwall. - -Then came the news of the second affair at Newbury, and that the King -had retired into winter quarters at Oxford. - -"'Tis no use thinking to rejoin your comrades in Cornwall, Master -Markham," remarked Sergeant Widdicombe one morning as he came from -Fort Charles, where the work of strengthening that fortress was -progressing rapidly. - -"And why not?" I asked anxiously, fearing that some disaster had -overtaken the King's forces in the west. - -"Because the army is disbanded," he replied. "News has just arrived -that the rebellion has been stamped out beyond the Tamar. Only a few -fortresses are to be garrisoned, and the rest of the troops have been -dismissed." - -I could not help feeling glad at this intelligence, as my mind could -now be made up as to what course I ought to pursue, and I resolved to -bid adieu to my kindly benefactors directly I was strong enough to -undertake the journey home. - -At length Sergeant Widdicombe was ordered to ride over to Dartmouth -Castle with a party of men to bring back some barrels of powder, and, -as it was a chance for me to begin my homeward journey, it was -arranged that I should accompany him, for there were greater -possibilities of getting a passage on a vessel from Dartmouth than -there were from a little fishing village like Salcombe. - -Mistress Widdicombe, I could see, was sad at the thought of my -leaving, and, for the matter of that, so was I, for I had taken a -great liking for the kind, motherly Devonshire woman. - -However, the time for parting arrived, and I braced myself up to say -good-bye. Mistress Widdicombe was sitting in the large tiled -living-room, and as I entered I saw to my delight something I had -never hoped to see again, for on the oaken table lay my sword. - -Stained with sea water was the Spanish leather scabbard, yet the -metal hilt looked as fresh as of yore. Almost reverently I drew the -blade, and, marvellous to behold, the steel glittered like a ray of -light. - -"I thought 'twould be a surprise for you, Master Markham," exclaimed -the good dame, as I lovingly handled the trusty blade. "Dick brought -it home the day before he sailed. Sure, 'twas dull and tarnished with -sea water, but a little polishing soon set that right. But now, -Master Humphrey, you must needs be off. May God be with ye and take -care of ye." And with a hearty sounding kiss that completely took me -aback, the motherly Mistress Widdicombe pushed me out of the room, as -if unable to control her feelings. Such was indeed the case, for as I -passed by the window I saw her sitting by the table with her head -buried in her arms. - -The sergeant, her husband, saw her too. - -"Poor old Mary," he exclaimed. "'Tis like losing a second son. Faith! -I never saw her so much downcast since the news o' Peter's death at -Stratton." - -The soldiers were already waiting in the boat we took our places, and -were soon shooting across Salcombe Harbour, and as we reached the -little quay at Portlemouth I saw a white kerchief fluttering from the -window of the house I had just left. - -I waved my hand in return; then, with a gulping sensation in my -throat, I turned away. A huge lumbering waggon, drawn by six powerful -horses, was awaiting us. Telling me to take my place within, Sergeant -Widdicombe gave the order, and the convoy set out on the road to -Dartmouth. - -After we had gained the summit of a long steep hill, the sergeant -gave his horse to a trooper to lead, and joined us in the waggon. It -was slow work, continually up and down, and I asked my companion why -they had gone by road instead of by an easier passage by sea. - -"You'll see anon," he replied gravely, and immediately changed the -subject. - -It was early morn when we started, and about noon we reached the -brink of a steep declivity. Below us was a stretch of level road, -quite two miles in length, which separated the sea from a lagoon-like -expanse of water. - -At the end of the road, as far as I could see, the land rose to a -great height, terminating in frowning cliffs, while away in the -distance several rocky islands broke the sky-line. - -But what attracted my attention most was the presence of a number of -men-of-war, their lofty yellow and black sides shining in the -brilliant sunshine as they rode at anchor about a mile from the -shore. - -"There," exclaimed Sergeant Widdicombe, indicating the ships--"there -is the reason why we could not sail round. The rebel fleet keeps a -strict blockade upon Dartmouth." - -"Then I cannot take ship from Dartmouth?" I asked. - -"A small vessel might slip out and stand in between the rocks you see -yonder," he replied. "But that is no affair of mine, though you'll -find out soon enough." - -"Think we can manage it, Fox?" he continued, addressing a trooper, -"or shall we take the inland road, though 'tis far more hilly?" - -"'Twill be safe enow if half the troop ride inside the waggon and the -rest follow us later with the led horses," replied the man addressed. - -"Very well, then," said Widdlcombe, "we can but try." - -So half the soldiers dismounted and took their seats under the -covered waggon; two more, putting waggoners' smocks over their buff -coats and stowing their iron caps under the seat, accompanied the -cart, one driving, the other sheltering close to the side of the -hood. - -The rest of the troopers, with their comrades' horses, remained -behind under cover of a clump of trees, and at the word of command -the waggon began to descend the hill. - -Directly it gained the level road, the driver whipped up the horses, -and the cumbersome wain jolted along at a quick pace but barely had -it gone a hundred yards than we saw boats being lowered from the -rebel ships. - -"Don't spare the whip," exclaimed Sergeant Widdicombe. "Heaven -forfend they do not open fire." - -"'Tis useless for the men to tarry behind," urged Fox, the corporal. -"Make them ride on ahead and hold the road." - -In obedience to a signal the rest of the troopers galloped up, and, -soon overtaking us, gained the rising ground in front. The horses -strained at their traces, the waggon swayed, groaned, and rattled, -and all the while Widdicombe kept a sharp eye on the advancing boats. - -As the keel of the first touched the sand, we tore past the place -where the rebels had intended to cut us off, greatly to their rage -and mortification; and at the rate at which we were going pursuit -seemed hopeless, and the soldiers gave vent to a hearty cheer. - -But their exultation was short-lived, for at that moment a cloud of -smoke burst from the side of the nearest ship, and the next instant -our two leading horses were stricken down by a round shot. - -It was the work of a few seconds to cut the traces and drag the -mangled carcases from the road, but with the reduced number of our -team the progress of the waggon was proportionately slower, and it -was evident that our pursuers would overtake us. - -When we reached the foot of the steep road that wound its way up the -hillside in a gigantic curve, the jaded beasts were exhausted. -Jumping from the waggon, the soldiers strove their utmost to push it -up the incline, but after less than twenty yards the hopelessness of -the task became apparent. The rebels, breathless with running, were -less than a hundred yards behind. - -"Swing the waggon round!" shouted Widdicombe. "And cut the traces." - -The next instant the heavy waggon was drawn across the road, while -the horses were led further up the hill to the shelter of a dense -wood. - -Unslinging their petronels and ordering their muskets, the troopers -lay behind the waggon or under the cover afforded by the rocks by the -roadside, whilst I, unable by reason of my arm being still in a sling -to load a pistol, could only wait, sword in hand, for the possibility -of the rebels coming within sword's reach. - -There were at least eighty of the enemy against our twenty-two men, -though the nature of our position counted for much. Had Widdicombe so -wished, he could, by abandoning the waggon, easily have made a -retreat, all his party being mounted, but flight was far from his -thoughts. - -"Lie down!" he exclaimed sternly to me, and barely had I taken -shelter behind a fern-clad bank than both sides opened fire. - -Splinters flew from the woodwork of the waggon, bullets knocked up -little clouds of white dust as they struck the road behind us, yet -with the greatest coolness the sergeant continued to give the words -of the firing manual to his trained men, as, blowing, priming, -casting about, and discharging their pieces, the soldiers of the -convoy kept up a steady fire upon the enemy. - -Thick smoke enveloped us, but through the drifting vapour I could get -an occasional glimpse of the Roundheads, who, in an ever-increasing -semicircle, strove to take us in front and on our right flank. Our -left, fortunately, consisted of an almost sheer face of rock. - -"Two men are down, sergeant," exclaimed a white-faced soldier on my -left. He was a mere boy compared to me in size, though no doubt -older, and it was his first time under fire. - -"What odds if twenty are down?" retorted Widdicombe grimly. "Go on -firing," and plucking up courage by the sergeant's example, the -recruit bore himself right manfully. - -For half an hour the firing continued, without the rebels gaining any -material advantage, but Widdicombe began to look grave, for I knew -his thoughts were on the limited supply of ammunition. - -Another man was down, writhing with a ball through his shoulder, and -in addition five men had expended their charges. These latter he sent -to remount their horses in readiness to cover their retreat. - -"We must needs abandon the wain, Master Markham," he said. "Though I -call you to witness I did my best to save it." - -"'Tis but a waggon," I replied, wondering at the stubbornness with -which he defended it. - -"Ay," he replied. "But most of Sir Edmund Fortescue's gold plate is -hidden between the double bottom!" - -Just then two of the men who were lining the roadside knelt up and -discharged their pieces at some of the rebels who daringly attempted -to scale the rocks on our right, and on looking to see the nature of -the attack, Widdicombe gave a shout of encouragement. - -"A rescue! A rescue!" - -Splashing through the shallows of the lake past which we had come was -a whole regiment of horse. - -Re-forming on the level road, they drew swords, and with loose rein -dashed to take our foes in the rear. A few remained behind, and, -unslinging their musketoons, opened fire on the boats, causing the -boat-keepers to push off in terror. - -Caught in a trap, the rebel fire slackened, and although a few shots -fired from the ships whistled over our heads or rolled harmlessly -along the soft ground, nothing could stop the headlong charge of the -Royalist horse. - -Like a whirlwind the cavalry were upon their demoralised foes, and -after a few sweeps of glittering blades as the remainder of the -rebels, who still showed fight, fell before the resistless onslaught, -the combat was over. - -The timely yet unexpected arrival of Forde's regiment of horse from -Dartmouth saved the convoy, and the rebel fleet, under Admiral -Batten, had the mortification of seeing thirty-two soldiers and -seamen marched off as prisoners of war, while twenty-eight more were -killed, either during their attack upon us or in the charge of the -horse. - -"Ay, 'tis the last of Sir Edmund's gold plate," remarked Sergeant -Widdicombe as he rejoined me, "though none of the regiment save I -knew of it. The first part was sent to His Majesty at the -commencement of the war, and all that Sir Edmund has left is the -silver, though, methinks, that must also go for the upkeep of Fort -Charles." - -Without further incident the convoy reached Dartmouth Castle. The -sergeant handed in his precious charge and received the required -barrels of powder; then, having brought me to the notice of a captain -who was responsible for the transport service, he bade me farewell. - -Generous at heart, courageous in body, Sergeant Widdicombe had gained -my greatest admiration and esteem, and as he went I felt that another -link of friendship--the second that day--had been ruthlessly severed. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -THE "HAPPY ADVENTURE" - - -"WOUNDED, and wants to go home, eh?" was the comment of the Governor -of Dartmouth Castle, when Captain Dixon, the transport officer, made -known my request. "Beshrew me, 'tis but a continuous stream of men -from Dorset and Hamptonshire clamouring for passages, and most of -them unscathed. What's thy name?" - -I told him, and his abrupt manner changed. - -"A relation of Sir Reginald Markham, of Ashley, perchance?" - -"His son." - -"I know Sir Reginald well by name, though I cannot call him to mind. -Yet I would not be doing my duty if I refused to aid the son of a -loyal cavalier. Let him have a passage by the first vessel, Dixon, if -he be willing to take the risk of capture." - -For the next three days I was at liberty to look around the town, for -until Batten's squadron relaxed its vigilance or a kindly fog swept -down upon the sea, escape was almost an impossibility. - -The journey by road was not to be thought of, for the Roundhead cause -was strong in Dorchester, Poole, Salisbury, and, in fact, nearly -every village and town in Wiltshire and Dorset, and no man, not a -declared Parliamentarian, could travel through those districts in -safety. - -On the morning of the fourth day after my arrival a thick mist hung -over the harbour, blotting out everything more than a hundred yards -away. The outlines of the hamlet of Kingswear could just, and only -just, be discerned, while the ships in the river looked like enormous -shadows as they swung to the strong tide. - -"Bestir yourself, Master Markham," said Captain Dixon, "if you want -to get away to-day. The _Happy Adventure_ is to make an attempt to -sail in an hour's time, if the mist holds." - -As my personal belongings consisted solely in what I stood up in, my -preparations were soon completed, and in five minutes I was being -rowed off to the vessel which, if Providence willed, was to take me -homewards. - -The _Happy Adventure_ was a large fishing-smack, which had the -reputation of being the fastest sailer betwixt Start Point and -Portland Bill, yet withal she was bluff-bowed and had a good amount -of freeboard. - -Her crew consisted of three men and a boy, besides which there were -two passengers, a cornet of Lyle's Horse, and myself. - -She was to bear despatches to Littlehampton, whence the cornet had to -ride with the precious missives to Arundel Castle, as the Governor of -Dartmouth thought that the quickest and safest method of -communicating with that castle would be by water. - -The huge brown sails were hoisted and the moorings slipped, and with -a cool breeze that swept down from the hills in sudden squalls, the -_Happy Adventure_ headed for the open sea. The blurred images of the -castle and St. Petrox appeared to glide past on our starboard hand, -and the next instant the coast was blotted out in the ever-increasing -fog, which soon grew so thick that we could scarce see from one end -of the boat to the other. - -Away on our larboard bow came the dull roar of beating surf, but the -master treated this with perfect composure. - -"'Tis but the Mewstone," he remarked. "We must stand in more if we -would avoid the rebels' boats. Bear away, George," he added, -addressing the helmsman, "and try to clear the rock by the boat's -length." - -As we approached the roar became louder, but above the noise of the -breakers we heard the sound of oars, and a hoarse voice shouted, -"Heave-to!" - -"Ay! ay!" replied the master, rushing to relieve the man at the -tiller. - -"What! You are not going to give up without an effort?" exclaimed the -cornet. But with an oath the master bade him hold his tongue. - -Ahead a boat loomed through the mist, manned by a dozen rowers, with -several musketeers in her stern-sheets. The men's matches were -lighted, and their muskets at the ready. - -"Heave-to, once more, I say, and throw us a line," shouted an -officer. - -"I hear you, sir," replied the master. "Down sail!" he shouted to the -crew; but, obeying a motion of his hand, the men remained motionless. - -The next instant the master had thrown his whole weight against the -tiller; the _Happy Adventure_ seemed to swing round as if on a pivot, -and her bluff bows crashed into the rebels' boat. - -A shattering of wood, a chorus of shouts and shrieks, and the stout -craft had overridden the frail long-boat, Then, within a little more -than an oar's length of the towering pinnacle of rock under our lee, -the _Happy Adventure_ spun round and resumed her course, the mist -swallowing up the figures of the struggling men, though for long -their cries were heard above the roar of the surf. - -"I owe you an apology for mistrusting you," exclaimed the cornet, -holding out his hand to the imperturbable master; but the stiff old -sea-dog of Devon only bade him remember he was but a mere passenger, -whereupon my fellow-voyager retired in confusion. - -This was our only meeting with the vessels of Batten's squadron, and -with the favouring breeze that soon dispersed the mist, the _Happy -Adventure_ bore steadily eastwards. - -Shortly after midday the Bill hove in sight; then the wind failed, -and until darkness set in the smack was rolling in the oily waters of -Lyme Bay, with the distant sounds of the terrible Race being faintly -borne to our ears in the calm atmosphere. - -About an hour after dark the cornet and I went to sleep, having only -the rough comfort afforded by a heap of sails but, thanks to our -hardy life, we slept none the worse. - -Our rest was fated not to be of long duration, for we were aroused by -the master giving orders in a loud and excited voice. - -Springing to our feet, we peered into the inky blackness of the -night, and straight ahead we saw a row of glimmering lights arranged -in series of three, of which the middle one was slightly higher than -the two outside. - -They were the stern lanterns of a fleet. - -"We are overhauling them fast," said the master "though we can scarce -hope to pass by them ere daylight. If we are to avoid them we must -needs stand in Poole Bay." - -"I care not what ye do, as long as we are not taken," replied the -cornet, who still smarted under his previous rebuff. - -The breeze had freshened again, and we had run past Portland and -were, so the master told us, abreast of St. Alban's Head. Resolving -to stand more inshore, he altered the helm, and gradually we brought -the endmost lights under our quarter. - -Day dawned and found us within a couple of miles to leeward of the -squadron, with Christchurch Head about four miles to larboard. We -were soon perceived, for a frigate altered her course and fired a gun -for us to bring to, whereupon the master, seeing flight out of the -question, ordered the _Happy Adventure_ to shorten sail, at the same -time sending us down below. - -In the cramped, close cabin we were unable to see what was taking -place, though we heard the hails from the frigate and our master's -replies. - -"Luff up under my stem and let's have a look at you," shouted an -authoritative voice. "Where are you from, and where are you bound?" - -"From Poole to Cowes," answered the master. - -"And the cargo?" - -"Clay." - -"Lay-to while I send a boat," shouted the officer, and we distinctly -heard the scurrying of bare feet and the creaking of the tackle as -the seamen prepared to lower one of the quarter-boats. - -"They'll have us right enough," whispered the ensign, as he prepared -to rush on deck to throw his despatches, already weighted with lead, -into the sea; but even as his foot was on the ladder we heard the -voice continue, "Carry on with you." The bos'un's whistle sounded, -and we heard the blocks creak as the frigate's yards were swung -round. - -Our vessel also resumed her course, and after some time had elapsed -the cornet insisted on leaving the cabin. - -"Who told you to come on deck?" bawled the master, his speech -accompanied by a string of nautical oaths. "You jack-booted, -brainless weathercock your tin figurehead has undone us!" - -His words, though unceremonious, were quite true, for the frigate was -keeping a sharp eye on us, and perceiving the cornet's steel cap -emerge from the hatchway, the rebels concluded that they had made a -mistake in not searching us. - -Her yards were trimmed once more, and she started in pursuit. A spurt -of flame followed by a cloud of smoke burst from one of her bow -ports, and a shot struck the water fifty yards from our quarter, -rebounding twice ere it sank. - -Making sure that every stitch of canvas was drawing, the master kept -the _Happy Adventure_ on her course, casting anxious glances over his -shoulder at the pursuing frigate, which was barely two miles astern. - -"We gain a little," he remarked after a while, as the shots fell -farther and farther astern; but ahead was a belt of flat calm, and -unless the breeze held our capture seemed inevitable. - -The rest of the squadron had borne away more to the south'ard, -heading towards the Needles Channel. Astern the frigate was crowding -on sail, ahead were the guns of Hurst Castle, and we knew that we -were fairly entrapped. - -[Illustration: _The darting rays fell on my face, and with a -stifled cry of terror the soldier turned to flee._] - -The cornet suggested running the vessel ashore, but to this proposal -the master gave a stern refusal. - -"We have a chance, a bare chance," he said. "And as long as my craft -floats I'll take it." - -Fortunately the breeze held in front of us, the belt of unruffled -water receding still farther as we progressed, and the _Happy -Adventure_ showed that her reputation for sailing was no idle one. -The frigate, too, finding that we were out of range had ceased -firing, but had set her royals. - -Staggering under her press of sail, she evidently found that the wind -was too much for her, and shortly afterwards we could see the royals -being clewed up. Then a blinding rain set in, almost blotting out the -outlines of our pursuer, whereat the master whistled blithely. - -"Edge her off a bit," he ordered, "or we'll be hard and fast -aground." And, to my surprise, the smack was steered, not as I -thought towards the open sea, but nearer the shore. Though I dare not -question this fiery-tempered son of Devon, he doubtless saw the look -of inquiry on my face. - -"'Tis the Shingles, young sir," he explained. "A vast bank just below -the surface. If yon vessel holds on her course she'll run herself -aground." - -The frigate did not attempt to sheer off, and, as the master had -predicted, she struck hard, her fore-topmast going by the board. - -"That's settled her for the nonce," remarked the master. "But now for -the guns of Hurst Castle." - -Once more we were to be shown the art of "bluffing." Trusting to his -proverbial luck, the master steered direct for the fortress, instead -of heading away for the more distant shore of the Isle of Wight. - -Hurst is not a large castle; it is merely a stone fort, heavily -mounted with guns, and occupies the extremity of a low spit of -shingle. Between it and the island the tide was surging in a manner -the like of which I had never seen before, Tumbling and rolling in a -confused mass of broken water, the sea was running as fast as a horse -can trot--at least, that is what it appeared to me--but close to the -castle a strong eddy was making in an opposite direction to the main -flood. - -Into this eddy the _Happy Adventure_ was steered. The frigate was now -nearly lost in the rain cloud, though we could see that she was still -fast aground. Against the counter-current the smack only just held -her own, and, edging so close to the fortress that we could almost -have jumped on to the beach, she came within easy hailing distance. - -"What ship is that?" shouted an officer, whose appearance could not -be taken for anything else than a rebel. He was supported by a file -of musketeers, while we could see some gunners cluster round a piece -of ordnance, that grinned at us through a wide embrasure. - -"The _Happy Adventure_, of Poole. We are chased by the malignants. -Can we take shelter in Keyhaven?" - -"What is the name of the ship?" - -"I know not; she is a frigate, and is aground on the Shingles." - -"Carry on, and bring up in the haven." - -"Very good, sir." - -The smack kept close inshore, making slow progress till the entrance -to the narrow creek behind the castle became visible then, before the -rebels could understand that they had been tricked, the _Happy -Adventure_ shot into the main tide, and with the wind and current was -quickly out of gunshot. - -We saved our tide right through the Solent. At the sight of Cowes -Harbour my thoughts flew back to the finding of staunch old Nicholas -Firestone. I often wondered whether I should see him again. And Ralph -Granville, too, where was he? - -Then the low-lying fortifications of Portsmouth were seen three miles -or more on our larboard bow, and the sight of Southsea Castle, over -which the rebel flag was doubtless floating, brought back memories of -the double-dealing Chaloner. I had an easy conscience concerning the -slaying of that man, for he was both a traitor to the King and a -personal enemy to our house. - -"I'll stand in a bit, young sir," said the master, pointing to a low -tree-clad shore. "Maybe, a fisherman will take you ashore. 'Tis the -mouth of Chichester Harbour you can see yonder, and 'twill save you a -long journey, though I cannot place you ashore here myself." - -Fortunately there were fishermen at work just below the Outer Pole -Sands, and one of them expressed his willingness to land me. A -quarter of an hour later the _Happy Adventure_ was nearly lost to -sight as she headed through the drizzling rain towards the Looe -Stream. - -The fishing-boat, a frail-looking craft with a tall, narrow sail set -up by a single halyard on a slender mast, after the fashion of these -parts--for there were half a dozen similar craft racing for the -harbour--was not long in making the passage up the mud-banked -channel, and just as the sun was setting I set foot in my native -county once more, at the town of Emsworth. After giving the fisherman -one of my two remaining shillings, I inquired the way, and stepped -briskly out in the gathering darkness, knowing that a good many miles -lay between me and Ashley Castle. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE POWDER MINE - - -THE night was dark. The drizzle had increased to a continuous -downpour, rendering walking a matter of difficulty, and from the time -I left Emsworth till the time I came within sight of my father's home -I never met a solitary wayfarer. - -It must have been nearly midnight ere the black masses of the castle -loomed indistinctly against the darkness, and at the sight of the -familiar building my heart throbbed violently. - -It was a certain amount of satisfaction to find that the castle had -not been reduced to a heap of stone, like many I had seen in various -parts of the country; but the question arose in my mind, Did it still -belong to the Markhams, or were my people driven out by the rebels? - -A solitary light gleamed through the narrow window above the -gatehouse, so that I knew that watch and ward was being kept. The -drawbridge was raised, and at my feet were the dark waters of the -moat. - -I shouted, but my voice was lost in the howling of the wind. Groping -around, I found a small stone, which I hurled at the door, smiling to -myself, in spite of my fears, at the strange method of craving -admittance to mine own home. - -Instantly the light was extinguished, and a voice shouted: - -"Who goes there?" - -"A friend," I replied, unwilling to disclose my identity. "I would -see Sir Reginald Markham." - -There was a short interval, and then torches flared on the -battlements, the light falling on steel morions and breastplates. -Then the drawbridge fell, and ere I could cross a tall figure -advanced to meet me. - -For a moment I hesitated, but the light of the lantern he held above -his head fell on his features, and I recognised, to my great joy, the -soldierly features of Sergeant Lawson. - -At the same time the darting rays fell on my face, and with a stifled -cry of terror and amazement the soldier turned to flee. - -"Stand firm, sergeant," I exclaimed, "I am no ghost." - -Thereupon he returned, almost overthrowing me in his delight. - -"Mind my arm, sergeant," said I, laughing, for he had not perceived -that it was in a sling. "Fie on you! One moment you run from me, and -the next you would push me into the moat." - -I was instantly surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastic retainers and -servants, and directly I was in the gateway the drawbridge was drawn -up. A man ran to convey the news to my father, and before long I was -welcomed home not only by my parents, but also by Colonel Firestone -and Ralph Granville. - -In spite of the lateness of the hour, we remained talking, -questioning and cross-questioning, while I attacked a hearty supper -with great spirit, being well-nigh famished. - -It appeared that directly my absence was noticed a strong body of -troopers, led by Firestone and Ralph, and accompanied by a -skilled Cornish tracker, had gone out to search for me. They traced -my horse's footsteps when it had turned from the highway, and had -followed it to the cromlech. Here they found one of Firestone's -pistols and saw drops of blood and a number of diverging tracks, so -that they concluded I had been waylaid, robbed, and murdered. - -Upon the disbandment of the army in Cornwall Colonel Firestone -resolved to ride to Ashley to break the news, and Granville, now that -his father was killed and himself made homeless, agreed to accompany -him, so that everyone thought I was dead, and hence honest Sergeant -Lawson's terror at what he took to be a supernatural appearance. - -For my part, I told them briefly of my adventures, and when I -narrated how I had shot down the treacherous Captain Chaloner, I saw -my father's face visibly brighten. Yet it seemed strange that the -search party had not found the caitiff's body, and that fact gave me -some misgivings, although I argued that some of the captain's friends -must have removed and buried his corpse. - -Then I asked how it fared with them at home. - -"'Tis not as bad as it might be," replied my father, who, alas! had -aged considerably through the combined attacks of old age, infirmity, -and trouble. "We must, of necessity, lie close within doors, for -there is no telling when the rebels will appear over the hill. No -doubt we owe much to the fact that His Grace of Winchester still -keeps the Roundheads at bay, although for eighteen months they have -laid close siege to his house at Basing." - -In truth, Ashley Castle was nominally in a state of blockade, for -within a few miles a large force was engaged in trying to reduce the -Marquis of Winchester's stronghold, while bodies of rebels roamed -with little opposition throughout the length and breadth of the -country, robbing with impunity, committing acts of sacrilege, and -burning down the dwellings of all who offered resistance. - -The next morning I could form some idea of the state of affairs. - -Before I had left for the west much had been done towards putting the -castle into an efficient state of defence, but the recent changes -astonished me. A clump of trees that grew within a hundred yards of -the gate had been cut down, as they were regarded as being capable of -affording protection to musketeers at close range. The outer walls -had been banked up with earth, so that a steep slope led directly -from midway up the walls to the edge of the moat. This would render -the task of escalade considerably harder, while it afforded -additional protection against heavy ordnance. Most of the tenantry -lived within the castle, and, when not busy collecting provisions, -were employed upon making gabions, which were placed around the walls -to give better protection to the gunners. - -In a state of prolonged suspense we passed the winter, and with the -return of spring our anxieties increased. - -My father, by reason of his growing infirmities, was unable, much -against his will, to rejoin the King's forces, and ere the summer was -well advanced he was scarce able to walk. But it was the news of the -terrible disaster to His Majesty's forces at Naseby that literally -broke his loyal spirit. - -One morning he called me to his room, where I found him sitting at a -table littered with papers. - -"You are now eighteen years of age, Humphrey," he began, "and up to -the present I have little fault to find with you, whether it be in -home matters or in conduct in the field. May you continue in the way -you have gone, and, above all things, remember to be an upright and -God-fearing subject of His Gracious Majesty." - -"Now concerning our private affairs," he went on, after I had made -fitting reply. "I have much to speak about, and must needs do so -quickly, for I fear my days are drawing to a close. Here are the -deeds and other documents relating to the castle. In these troublous -days 'tis not safe to trust to a lawyer, hence these papers I have -kept here. They must be concealed in safety at all costs, for, mark -ye well, Ashley Castle will be invested within a week, though I may -not live to see it." - -Keenly alive though I had been to my father's precarious state, these -last words gave me a shock. But it was no time for me to display -weakness. I sought to rally him, but he persisted. - -"As 'tis unwise to lock up the secret solely within your own breast," -he resumed, with a splendid fortitude, "for any day might see you -stricken down, I would charge you to share the knowledge of the -hiding-place with those worthy gentlemen Sir Ralph Granville and -Colonel Firestone, who, I feel sure, will not betray their trust. -Therefore I leave the matter entirely in your hands, knowing that you -will prove worthy of my confidence." - -So saying, he handed me a packet containing the legal documents, -which I took away to my own room till I could conveniently dispose of -them. - -On my return with Ralph and Colonel Firestone, my father asked me to -assist him to rise, and, leaning heavily on my shoulder--which was by -now perfectly healed--he led the way towards the underground cellars, -where the provisions of an imperishable nature had been stored, my -comrades following closely. - -Through a narrow grated window the pale light that entered was barely -enough to see with, but, with a confidence only gained by -familiarity, my father limped towards the furthermost wall. Here four -massive pillars, supporting the groined arches of the roof, were -walled in by stonework of a more recent date. - -"Now follow carefully what I am about to do," said he, and touched a -concealed spring. Part of one of the pillars swung round, disclosing -a yawning cavity; yet so closely did the moving stonework fit the -rest of the column that the most practised eye would fail to detect -the mechanism, especially in the dim light. - -Taking a lantern from a bench, my father directed me to close the -sliding door and set light to the candle. - -This I did, and reopening the secret aperture, my father painfully -crawled through, and we followed. There was a dry, musty smell about -the vault, and, as our eyes grew accustomed to the feeble light, we -saw barrels and barrels ranged along the floor. - -"Hold well the lantern," said my father, giving it into my hands. "A -slip and we are all undone, for every cask contains powder." - -"Then there is no chance of our running short of ammunition," -remarked Firestone. - -"Nicholas," exclaimed my father reproachfully, "'tis not for that -purpose. I would have you remember that the magazines are nearer the -ordnance, according to the custom of warfare. See," he exclaimed, -raising his voice and speaking with considerable vehemence. "Here is -a train, and I have sworn that no rebel shall set foot within Ashley -Castle. I require each of you to promise me that, should the castle -be rendered untenable, you will fire the train." - -We gazed at him in amazement, for his resolution filled us with -mingled consternation and admiration. - -"Nay," he continued, with a faint smile, "I would not that ye -sacrificed your lives heedlessly, for see, I have provided a means of -escape. Stoop down, Humphrey, and wrench at that iron ring in the -floor." - -Handing the lantern to Granville, I bent and grasped the ring. - -Putting forth all my strength, I lifted a square stone, revealing a -deep hole, while the uppermost of a flight of steps became visible. - -"There is your retreat," resumed my father. "When needs must, enter -fearlessly and pursue your way to the remote end, taking care to -close two doors on the way. 'Tis a lengthy step, and where it emerges -will doubtless surprise you. There is a secret door at the far end, -which can be opened only from within. 'Tis easily done, but, I pray -you, do so with care, and, above all things, take torches with you. -Now, promise me, my son, and you, too, my friends, that my wishes -shall be carried out?" - -In that chamber, filled with potent horror, we made a solemn promise; -then, replacing the stone and retracing our way, we returned to the -great hall. - -"Devotion to His Majesty has impoverished most of us," continued my -father, "and we are not exceptions. Of actual coin of the realm I -have but little. Here is a bag filled with crowns give to every man -of the garrison four apiece ere the castle falls, of the residue -share it amongst yourselves. And now, Humphrey, get ye gone and -conceal the papers I have spoken of, and see me on your return." - -Accompanied by my two companions, and bearing the precious documents -in a stout iron chest, I stole out by the postern, crossed the -drawbridge, and made for the wooded downs. Here under the spreading -roots of a gnarled oak we buried the box, taking care that no curious -or prying eyes were about, and carefully replacing the turf over the -spot. 'Twould be against mine own interests to indicate the -particular tree, though any one of us could find it without -difficulty. This done, we returned home, and I hastened to acquaint -my father of the accomplishment of the deed. - -"'Tis well," he exclaimed feebly, for the exertion of the morning had -sore tried him, and he had taken to his bed. - -"Now, concerning your mother, sister, and yourself," he went on after -a lengthy pause. "Directly I am no more, send your mother, with your -sister, away to her brother's house at Midhurst, so that they may be -spared the horrors of war. For their future I have provided. As for -yourself, 'twould be unwise, should the castle fall, to retire to -Midhurst, for it is but jeopardising your liberty and destroying your -mother's retreat, and bringing the vengeance of the rebels upon that -most harmless and peace-loving man, your uncle. Therefore, 'tis best -that you return to the Isle of Wight, and settle in obscurity till -the King's star shall rise again, and to that end I have placed the -sum of five hundred pounds into the hands of that most worthy man, -Doctor Scott, your former dominie." - -After a few more instructions he gave me his blessing and sent me to -bring my mother to his bedside. - -Master Cox, the surgeon of Catherington, was soon in attendance, and -he expressed his opinion that the end was nigh. Thereupon we sent for -Dr. Palmer, the vicar of our church at Chalton. - -The less I dwell on the events of the next few hours the better it is -to my peace of mind; sufficient it is to say that ere midnight my -father had quitted this earthly wilderness, and that I was Sir -Humphrey Markham. - -We laid him to rest within the little church at Chalton, half the -garrison standing to their arms while the rest attended the -obsequies. Two days later I sent my mother and sister with an ample -escort to Midhurst, as I had been directed, and thereupon took over -the task of preparing to hold the castle. - -In this I was ably assisted by the colonel and Ralph, both of whom -signified their intention of fighting to the last. - -At length the tedious suspense came to an end, for one afternoon -towards the end of September two farmers rode hotspur to the castle -with the news that two regiments of foot and one of horse were on -their way to reduce our stronghold. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE SIEGE OF ASHLEY CASTLE - - -THE strength of our little garrison was but thirty-three men, of whom -but seven had had experience in the art of war. Yet I felt certain -that every one of the defenders could be trusted to the core, and -would acquit himself right manfully, and a glance at their set, -resolute features strengthened my opinion. - -Of provisions we had plenty, while the two wells relieved us of all -anxiety regarding the supply of water. Ammunition, too, was -sufficient for a twelve months' siege, so that, provided the rebels -did not bring ordnance, we felt able to hold out till a turn in the -King's affairs might free us from the unwelcome attentions of the -Roundhead forces. - -Over the grassy sward of the rolling down poured the rebel cavalry, -thinking, no doubt, to take us by surprise by their sudden -appearance. The slanting rays of the sun glinted on the armour-clad -troopers of Old Noll's own regiment of Ironsides (who had been -detached from the siege of Basing House) and on the musketoons of a -strong body of dragoons. - -Finding the drawbridge raised, the rebel horse halted, and in serried -masses on the steep hillside they presented a mark too tempting to -ignore. Sergeant Lawson gave the signal, the gunners applied their -linstocks, and next instant our ordnance had opened fire. - -This was more than they expected, for the guns, being well masked by -the gabions, were invisible to the rebels, though the latter soon -became acquainted with their contents, and, with shouts of baffled -rage, they wheeled and withdrew out of range, leaving two of their -number on the ground, while several others were wounded. - -"First blood," exclaimed Firestone, with a laugh. "But we'll have the -whole swarm about our ears ere long." - -It was as he said. The infantry took up an extended position on the -downs on either hand, and began to throw up rough earthworks, while -the horse, moving towards the open ground to the south of the castle, -completed the hedging circle of steel. - -"They are without ordnance," I remarked to the colonel, as we watched -in silence the closing of the hostile lines. - -"That is true," he replied. "Yet their artillery might be following, -for 'tis impossible for the ordnance to keep pace with the foot over -this hilly country. But see, a pair of horsemen advancing." - -"They bear a white flag," exclaimed Granville. - -"Keep our men in hand," said Firestone. "And let us learn the meaning -of this parley." - -When within two hundred yards of the gateway the rebel horsemen -halted, and one blew a long note on the trumpet. - -Hoisting a white flag had not occurred to us, so before we could -reply one of our men had to hasten to the living-apartments and -procure a tablecloth. This we fastened to a pike, and held it aloft -over the gateway. - -Upon this the envoys advanced without hesitation. One was a young -cornet of dragoons, the other but a common trooper. - -At the edge of the moat they drew rein, waiting doubtless for the -drawbridge to be lowered, but this was not our intention. - -"Your message, sir?" I asked. - -"My message is for the ears of Sir Humphrey Markham, now within the -residence known as Ashley Castle." - -"I am he," I replied. "And if your message cannot be heard by ears -other than mine, 'tis best left unsaid." - -"Have it then," said the cornet. "'Tis this: General Cromwell offers -a safe-conduct to Sir Humphrey, his officers and garrison, on certain -conditions, amongst which the castle must be delivered, without -malicious damage, into the hands of Captain Chaloner." - -"Captain Chaloner?" I asked amazedly. - -"Ay, Captain Chaloner. I trove he is already known to you? Failing -which, the castle will be carried by storm, and no quarter given to -the garrison or inmates." - -"Is that all?" - -"Verily, 'tis enough," replied the cornet haughtily. "And most -comprehensive, even to a malignant." - -"Withdraw, sir!" I exclaimed hotly, "or your flag of truce will not -protect you. This message to the renegade Chaloner: If he want the -castle, let him come for it in person!" - -"Which he will do ere long," retorted the cornet, and, wheeling his -horse, he galloped back to the rebel lines. - -So I had not slain Chaloner, after all. The news astounded me. Surely -the villain must bear a charmed life. But I resolved to take the -first opportunity of preventing the recreant officer from ever -setting foot within the castle, save as a prisoner or a corpse. - -The enemy lost no time in ordering the attack. The dismounted -dragoons and musketeers, under cover of their trenches and the woods -nearest the castle, opened a hot fire, and soon there was a -semicircle of white smoke drifting lazily upwards in the still air -of that memorable afternoon. - -[Illustration: _Ralph Granville and the pikeman were locked in an -unyielding embrace, and, before I could prevent the catastrophe, -Ralph was dragged through the embrasure and disappeared._] - -We paid no heed to their fire, being well protected by the walls and -gabions. Of arms we had plenty, every man having not less than six -loaded muskets lying within arm's length, while each piece of -ordnance was loaded to the muzzle with small shot. - -After a while the rebels, thinking no doubt that their fire had -demoralised us, sent out a strong body of pikemen. Many of them bore -bundles of hay and straw; others long planks and ladders, with which -they hoped to cross the moat and carry the walls by storm. - -The most experienced commander would have found no fault with our -men, for in perfect silence and under complete control they kept -behind the breastworks, ready to spring up and open a furious fire on -the advancing pikemen. Firestone, his head enclosed in a steel -motion, walked slowly up and down the roof of the hall, smoking a -long clay pipe, which he removed at intervals to give a word of -advice to the men on the handling of their pieces. - -Granville and I took up our position on the gatehouse tower, where -ten of the best of our musketeers were held in readiness, while at -the narrow window of the ground floor more men were placed to open -fire on those of the pikemen who succeeded in reaching the brink of -the moat. - -"Are any of our men hit?" I asked of Sergeant Lawson, who had just -joined us with a message from Colonel Firestone. - -"No, sir," he replied. "The sly dogs lie close." - -"'Tis well. Can we but keep them unscathed till the time to open -fire, 'twill enable them to keep their courage up, for 'tis -disheartening to see a man fall and be unable to reply to the rebels' -fire. Not that I want to lose a single man, though 'tis too much to -expect to come out without a scratch." - -Meanwhile the pikemen had been advancing slowly, as if inclined to -husband their strength for a final rush. The loads that some of them -were bearing also accounted for their slow progress, for those who -carried only their arms would not outstep their comrades. With them -was a sprinkling of dismounted dragoons, but I failed to see at their -head my especial enemy, Chaloner, though, knowing the man's natural -cowardice, I was not surprised. - -It was not till the close ranks of the pikemen were within twenty -yards of the moat that the order to fire was given, and -simultaneously thirty muskets and three pieces of ordnance crashed -their contents into the press. - -It seemed as if the solid wall of men was beaten down by a single -blow, for when the smoke had cleared away, most of the pikemen were -lying in a confused, struggling heap. Those who were not killed or -wounded had been overthrown by the shock and the surprise, or dragged -down by their stricken comrades. - -A few here and there were left standing, and, joined by those who -were not touched, they pressed dauntlessly forward to the forlorn -attack. In spite of the fact that they were our foes, I realised that -they were Englishmen--and Englishmen of the good old fighting stock. - -Staggering onward with their heavy burdens, the attackers strove to -throw a bridge across the moat, but the hay and straw merely floated -on the surface, the planks were too short, and the ladders too -fragile to use as a means of crossing; and then, and only then, -seeing the hopelessness of the assault, the pikemen slowly retired, -bearing with them their dead and wounded comrades, on whom our men -refrained from firing. - -The besiegers had learnt a rough lesson, and henceforward contented -themselves by drawing a closer line of rough trenches round the -castle. For the next five days they did not offer to make an attack, -though at most unexpected intervals a volley would be fired from all -sides into our position, probably in the hope of striking some of us -down, or keeping us in a state of suspense. - -At night we durst not show a light, otherwise there would be a heavy -fire poured in its direction, but later we adopted a plan of placing -shutters over all the apertures commanding the outside of the castle, -and we were in consequence free from molestation during the hours of -darkness. - -If the rebels thought to starve us out, they were greatly -disappointed, for food there was, as I have said, in plenty. The -inaction told on the men's nerves more than anything else, and so, -partly in the hope of keeping them actively employed, and also for -the purpose of tricking our foes, Firestone ordered the garrison to -make a number of dummy men dressed in old buff coats, breastplates, -and steel caps. - -These were shown just above the walls, and our men derived great -amusement by moving them slowly to and fro, while the rebels merely -wasted their ammunition. - -Under the hail of musket bullets the windows of the great hall had -suffered considerably, the stained glass being shattered and the -delicate tracery splintered and chipped beyond repair. Thanks to the -stout oaken boards, however, none of the missiles entered the -apartment, though at times there was a continuous rattle like the -noise of a drum upon these serviceable barricades. - -On the morning of the sixth day of the siege we sustained our first -casualty. A musketeer, one of the two farmers who had brought in the -news of the rebels' advance, was drawing water from the well in the -courtyard when a shot struck him in the forehead, laying him out dead -beside the bucket he had just raised. - -From the nature and direction of the wound, 'twas evident the -Roundheads had opened a dropping fire with reduced charges, and for -the future none but mail-clad men were allowed to cross the -courtyard. - -That night, in order to convince our foes that we had food in -abundance, we lowered ten sheep from the battlements to graze on the -scanty pasture between the wall and the moat, keeping the ropes still -fastened to them, so as to recover their carcases should any of the -animals be struck down by a chance shot. By this means we also -husbanded our supply of provender. - -Granville, tired of the monotony of our position, next proposed that -we should make a sortie on the first favourable night, but to this I -would not agree, seeing that no good was likely to arise out of the -enterprise, though many valuable lives might be lost; but shortly -afterwards we had an episode that provided sufficient excitement to -satisfy my comrade's ardour. - -It was a dark night. The rain beat down in blinding torrents, and, -exposed to the fury of the elements, our sentinels on the battlements -had a down-hearted task. Firestone, having had a very heavy day, was -fast asleep, but Granville and I determined to keep watch all night, -visiting the men at their posts at frequent intervals to prevent a -possible surprise. - -We had discarded our defensive armour, and drawing our cloaks tightly -around our bodies, we ascended the battlements for the third time -that night. - -At length we came to the lowest part of the walls, which here were -not more than thirty feet above the level of the moat, the inner edge -of which was not more than twenty feet from the base of the -stonework. - -The sentinel was at his post, and reported nothing amiss, but just as -we were midway between his post and the next we heard a grating sound -against the coping. It was barely audible above the hiss of the -beating rain, but fortunately we stopped to discover the meaning of -it. - -Through the darkness loomed the top rungs of a scaling-ladder and the -steel cap of a rebel pikeman. - -Without a moment's hesitation Granville leant over the wall and -gripped the intruder by the throat, calling out to me to push away -the ladder. - -Seizing a ramrod and giving the alarm, I put my whole might into the -thrust. - -The ladder was heavy with armed men, yet my strength prevailed, and I -felt the mass of men and timber tremble as it slowly rose to a -vertical position. Then, to the accompaniment of cries of terror, the -ladder fell backwards, and, to my horror, I found that Granville and -the pikeman were locked in an unyielding embrace, and ere I could -prevent the catastrophe, Ralph was dragged through the embrasure and -had disappeared. - -There was an appalling crash of broken wood and falling steel, a -heavy splash, and another outburst of shouts and cries. - -Meanwhile the guard had arrived, and the rest of the garrison were -soon under arms, yet we were loth to open fire for fear of hitting -Granville, and also we dared not show a light. - -At length there came the sound of retreating footsteps, and then all -was quiet. - -"He is either dead or a prisoner," said Colonel Firestone, who, clad -in nothing but his invariable jackboots, long cloak, and steel -headpiece, had been one of the first of the sleeping garrison to -arrive on the scene. - -"If he be a prisoner, we must rescue him," I cried. - -"Who's for a rescue party?" - -Several men signified their willingness to attempt the hazardous -work, but Firestone refused to listen to the proposal, pointing out -the hopelessness of the undertaking, when by now my companion, if not -dead, would be beyond help within the rebels' lines. - -While we were still debating, there came the report of a musket from -the gatehouse; and fearing another attack, half of our party hurried -to the spot. - -"There's a knocking at the postern, sir," explained the sentry, "but -I wouldn't open it." - -"Quite right, quite right," replied Firestone, and striding over to -the wicket, he threw open a sliding hatch; then, keeping well to the -side for fear of a treacherous shot, he demanded, "Who goes there?" - -"'Tis I, Granville," came my comrade's well-known voice. - -With a shout of delight I made to unbar the gate, but Firestone laid -a detaining hand on my arm. - -"Art alone?" asked the colonel. - -"Yes, save for a half-drowned rebel," replied Granville, with a -slight laugh, and fearing no surprise, we thereupon threw open the -postern. - -The next instant my companion came into the torchlight, pale, -drenched to the skin, and with blood streaming from a cut on his -forehead, while with him he brought the insensible body of a man, -whose booted legs trailed heavily over the stone cobbles. - -"Do what you can for the rogue," he said breathlessly, for the man, -cased in breastplate and leather coat, was no light weight. - -"Art hurt?" I asked anxiously. - -"'Tis but naught," he replied, "though I would fain get rid of these -wet clothes." - -While changing his garments he told us of what occurred after he had -been dragged over the wall. Fortunately, he had been thrown clear of -the ground, and, still gripping his foe, he had fallen headlong into -the moat, which at that place was barely five feet in depth. - -With the shock of the sudden plunge the pikeman had relaxed his grip, -and, weighted down by his armour and accoutrements, he would have -surely been drowned had not Ralph held on to him and dragged his -senseless body to the edge of the moat. Keeping perfectly still in -the darkness, with the water up to his neck, Granville allowed the -rest of the discomfited rebels to recross the moat and make their way -back to their camp. Then, directly everything was quiet, he emerged -from his hiding-place, dragged the still insensible pikeman to the -postern, and regained the shelter of the walls. - -The rest of the night passed without incident, but next morning a -tangle of broken ladders showed that the scalers had all but -succeeded in effecting an entry. - -Then the question arose what was to be done with our prisoner? He had -now recovered, and seemed grateful to us for his good treatment. - -At first it was suggested that he should be sent back, as we could -ill afford the trouble of keeping him in ward and also of feeding -him; but Colonel Firestone pointed out that he might come in useful -as a hostage or for purpose of exchange, so he was placed under guard -in one of our underground chambers beneath the gatehouse. - -Later on in the day Firestone interrogated him, and obtained the -disquieting information that several pieces of heavy ordnance were -expected from the camp before Basing House, and that Cromwell, having -heard of Captain Chaloner's cowardice (he having refused to lead his -dragoons at the first assault), had ordered him to be the first in -the breach, under the penalty of being shot as a disgrace to the -Parliamentarian arms. - -"Depend upon it," remarked Firestone, as he concluded his statement, -"before to-morrow we shall be in a tight corner." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -SPIKING THE GUNS - - -HARDLY had the colonel spoken these words than there came a loud -shout from one of the men on the roof. - -"The cannon, sir--six of them!" - -With grave faces we ascended to the leads, and looking in the -direction of the road to Chalton, we saw the heavy pieces of ordnance -descending the hill, the horses making slow progress on the slippery -chalk surface, which, by reason of the heavy rains, was little better -than a quagmire. - -"The fools have learnt wisdom," grumbled the colonel, as he saw the -cannon unlimbered while still beyond musket range. Not even our small -ordnance could throw a ball that distance, so we were perforce to -remain inactive under a destructive fire. - -Seeing that it would be madness to keep the garrison at their posts, -I ordered the men to withdraw and take shelter within the courtyard, -where, save for an occasional dropping fire from the musketeers, they -were in comparative safety, the double thickness of the walls -preventing the cannon-balls from passing completely through. - -Hardly was the last man down than a sudden roar burst upon our ears, -followed by an appalling crash of falling masonry. - -The bombardment had commenced, - -"If this continue, we shall have nothing but a breastwork of fallen -stone to protect us," exclaimed Granville. - -"'Tis better than nothing at all," replied the colonel, who was -calmly smoking his pipe. "Rubble masonry will serve the purpose -better than standing walls. Look!" he exclaimed, pointing through a -window. "'Twould have been farewell to us all had we remained on the -roof." - -The second discharge had blown in a part of the hall, and the roof, -together with the culverins, had fallen in with a crash and a thick -cloud of dust. - -"It has cut off our retreat to the cellars," cried Granville, -crestfallen. - -"There is another entrance from the buttery," I replied. "But 'tis -not yet time to think of retreat." - -The cannonade continued for over an hour, during which time -thirty-two men clustered in helpless suspense against the inner wall; -though at intervals the colonel, dauntless in danger, made his way -through the ruined hall to make sure that the pikemen were not -advancing to the assault. - -The firing had been directed almost at one spot, with the intention -of making a wide breach, and in this object the rebels succeeded. To -our surprise, however, we heard a trumpet sound a parley, and another -envoy appeared summoning us once again to surrender at discretion, -otherwise a general assault would be made at daybreak on the morrow. -To this proposal we gave a stern refusal. - -"At daybreak to-morrow," quoth the colonel. "It gives us a chance. -Now is the proper time to ask for volunteers, and to-night I'll lead -a party to attempt to spike the guns." - -Both Ralph and I expressed our intention of accompanying him, but to -this he objected, saying that our place was within the walls of the -castle. Upon calling for volunteers, not less than twenty showed -their willingness to make the attempt, and of these Colonel Firestone -selected six. - -For the rest of the day we were unmolested, and making the most of -this respite, we set about strengthening the battered walls and -repairing the breach with a wall of rough masonry faced with earth -and straw. - -As night drew on, the men selected for the forlorn attempt were -mustered. Each of these was provided with a hammer and a couple of -steel spikes, and in addition they were armed with swords and -pistols. - -The colonel gave the word in a low tone, and in perfect silence -handgrips were exchanged, and the little party filed out through the -postern. - -Directly they had vanished through the darkness, the rest of the -garrison manned the walls, where, with matches ready to light, we -waited in deadly silence the result of the hazardous enterprise. - -We relied upon the guns being in the same position they had occupied -during the day. Although well in the rear of the rebel lines, they -commanded a clear front, so that, had the enemy neglected to post -sentinels in the intervening gap, our men would doubtless be able to -reach the object of their endeavours without hindrance. - -Half an hour elapsed without any signs of the movements of our -friends, though several of the watchers declared they heard the blows -of the hammers as the spikes were driven in--a manifest -impossibility, owing to the distance between the castle and the guns. - -Suddenly the darkness was pierced by a bright flash, followed by a -report of a musket. - -Other flashes came in quick succession, and the next instant the -whole of the rebel lines became a ring of spitting fire. - -The sortie had been discovered, and the besiegers in the trenches, -not knowing the cause of the alarm, had expected a sudden attack, and -in a panic had opened fire on all sides. - -For over a quarter of an hour the fusillade continued, till we could -hear the trumpets sounding and the voices of the rebel officers -calling to their men to desist then all became quiet. - -Although the postern was ready to be opened at the first signs of -their return, none of our gallant friends reappeared, so with -sorrowful hearts we realised that seven good men were lost to our -little garrison. - -Even had Firestone succeeded in spiking the guns, our position was -indeed desperate. Scarce a mere handful of worn men remained to hold -the shattered walls; and, at any moment, the rebels were likely to -throw all their foot into the breach to attempt to carry the castle -by escalade. - -Would we see the setting of the morrow's sun? None could say. - -"Poor old Firestone," said Granville. "I fear we shall never see him -again. He ought never to have gone." - -"His leg was against him; he never had a fair chance," I replied. - -"Then why did we allow him to go?" - -"Ah, why?" I echoed bitterly. - -Brave in conflict, crafty and wary in danger, and possessed of iron -nerve, Firestone was undoubtedly a severe loss to us. Strangely -enough, when he proposed to lead the forlorn hope, none of us gave a -thought to his one physical defect. On horseback he was the equal of -any man, but when on foot the circumstances were totally different, -and we blamed ourselves for letting him go. - -For us sleep was out of the question; and, impatiently pacing the -ruined terrace, we awaited the dawn. - -At length the pale grey sky began to brighten in the east. A thick, -rolling mist filled the valley, while above the banks of vapour the -dark, tree-clad downs assumed distorted and indistinct shapes. - -Now, of all times, was the rebels' opportunity, but though the breach -was lined with our musketeers, there came no sign of the promised -assault. - -As the day drew on the slanting rays of the rising sun gradually -dispersed the mist, and presently we could see the rebel lines, -marked by thin columns of smoke, where the men were preparing their -morning meal. Then the ground on which the cannon had stood became -visible, but instead of the six pieces of ordnance only three -remained, each surrounded by a crowd of soldiers. - -As we looked, one of the guns was limbered up, and made off in the -direction of Chalton village, and shortly afterwards another -followed. - -Only one now remained, its muzzle threateningly trained on the -castle, yet 'twas evident that something was amiss, for men were hard -at work on it. - -"Firestone has not thrown himself away without reason," I exclaimed. -"See, they must have spiked every gun." - -"Five of them hopelessly so, it seems," replied Ralph. "Though -perchance this one is not totally disabled, and even yet we may get a -taste of it." - -"The threatened attack at daybreak has not taken place, -nevertheless," I observed. "The rebels are not standing to their -arms." - -"Perchance they await the support of an artillery fire. But let's to -breakfast, for later on we may have other work on hand." - -We lost no time in falling in with Granville's suggestion, and -immediately after we set the men to work on constructing thick wooden -mantlets, under the cover of which we still further repaired the -breach in the walls. - -Unfortunately, a great part of the dislodged masonry had fallen -outwards, almost filling in the moat immediately in front of the -weakest part of our defences; but behind the breach we built up a -second wall, breast high, backed by a platform of earth, so that we -could the better hold our own in a chance hand-to-hand conflict. - -Barely had we completed these preparations when there came the deep -boom of a cannon. The rebels had unspiked their sole remaining piece -of ordnance, and were renewing the attack. - -The first shot, being totally unexpected, was particularly -disastrous, for three men were struck down, two being killed -outright, and one grievously wounded. - -While the cannonade lasted, we, as before, could do nothing, but -presently we observed the pikemen and musketeers massing in solid -ranks, slightly to the left of the line of fire of the cannon. Then -two dismounted officers made their way to the front, and took a long -and careful look at our defences. - -"There's Chaloner!" I exclaimed, pointing to one of the pair, who -were clad in complete breast and back pieces over their buff coats, -and wore steel motions protected by guards. These accoutrements were -not worn by the dragoons, and Granville remarked about the fact. - -"'Tis certain the rogue makes himself secure from pike-thrusts," he -remarked, with a scornful laugh. - -The rebel ranks were set in motion, and, with matches lighted and -pikeheads gleaming in the sunlight, they advanced to the attack, the -pikemen in the centre and the musketeers on either flank. - -So intent were we on the oncoming danger that we almost failed to -notice a solitary horseman riding furiously down the hill-side from -the clump of trees, from which he had emerged. - -Spurring towards the deserted trenches, his horse cleared them at a -single bound, and ere either we or the rebels could grasp the meaning -of it, the rider was halfway across the intervening ground. - -"'Tis Firestone!" exclaimed Ralph and I simultaneously; and we were -not mistaken. The musketeers had now opened fire on the daring rider, -and the bullets whistled past him on all sides, some tearing up the -turf under his horse's hoofs; but he seemed to bear a charmed life, -and, untouched, he gained the edge of the moat. - -As he slipped from the saddle a bullet struck down his horse, but -without hesitation the colonel jumped into the moat, and was soon -safely within the postern. - -It was no time for explanations, so, picking up a musket, he took his -stand with us at the breach, and prepared to receive the shock of -battle. - -We lay close for fear of the musketeers' fire, till the first line of -pikemen, headed by Chaloner, gained the foot of the breach; then, -pouring in a heavy discharge of muskets, we caused the line of pikes -to waver. But by sheer dint of numbers they pressed on, shouting, "No -quarter!" - -Pistol and musket shots still rang out, a thick smoke enshrouding -both sides, but the brunt of the work was done by sword-cut and -pike-thrust. Men shouted in anger, or shrieked in mortal pain, but -still the slashing and hewing continued with unabated fury. - -For my part, carried away by the heat of the struggle, I was -unconscious of what was taking place beyond my immediate front; but -presently I found myself face to face with my arch-enemy, Chaloner. - -Doubtless his faith in his armour and the fear of Cromwell's threat -had tamed his spirit of cowardice, for he fought bravely. Defending -myself from his sweeping cuts, I succeeded in delivering some thrusts -that, were it not for his steel plating, would have been mortal. - -At length I put in a thrust beneath his guard, and the blade struck -home through the bars of his helmet. - -With a cry, he turned; but ere he could get clear my sword passed -between the top of his back-plate and the unguarded part of his -bended head. Had he carried his head erect this would have been -impossible, but his cowardly instinct caused him to assume that -posture, and 'twas his undoing. - -Before I could withdraw my blade I saw the butt of a musket -descending upon my head, and, with a blinding red glare before my -eyes, I lost consciousness. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE SECRET PASSAGE - - -WHEN I came to, I found myself lying on the grass of the courtyard, -with my friends Granville and Colonel Firestone kneeling by my side. - -The former had a blood-stained scarf bound round his head, while -Firestone's steel cap bore a dent that was a silent testimony to his -valour. It was nearly dark, but there was sufficient light to see -that on the ground were several motionless objects that but a few -short hours before had been the living defenders of my home. - -The assault had failed, but the solitary gun still kept up a steady -fire. - -"How goes the day?" I asked feebly, for my head was whirling, and my -throat parched with thirst. "We hurled them back," replied Ralph. -"Chaloner's dead we found his body in the breach. At the last moment, -when we thought everything was lost, one of the rebels raised a cry -that the breach was mined, and they gave back in confusion." - -"And how have we fared?" - -"Badly. Nine good men killed, and five sorely wounded. There are not -ten men left whole. I fear we cannot withstand another onslaught." - -"Then we must make use of the secret passage!" I exclaimed, starting -painfully to my feet. "None can say that we have not borne ourselves -with honour." - -Beyond being knocked senseless by the musketeers weapon I was unhurt, -and after partaking of food and drink, I felt stronger, though weak -in the limbs. For some unexpected reason the rebels did not offer to -renew the attack, and in consequence we were able to enjoy a good -night's sleep. - -Early the following day we had the mournful task of burying the -bodies of those who had fallen in the defence of the castle. -Especially mournful 'twas as far as I was concerned, since I had -known every one of them, save one, from my earliest days. The -exception was Sergeant Lawson, who, after slaying four men with his -own hand, was shot down at close range by a musketeer. - -This done, we inspected the breach, where the bodies of the slain -rebels lay thick. - -As I looked at Chaloner's corpse, stiff and cold, with the -dishonourable wound in the back of his neck plainly visible--for in -falling his helmet had come off--I could not help remembering my -father's injunction never to let the renegade's footsteps cross our -threshold. - -I had indeed carried out my sire's instructions, for my enemy had -never planted his feet within our walls, though 'twas a near thing. - -While at breakfast--the last meal I was fated to partake of within -those walls--I questioned the colonel concerning the spiking of the -guns. - -"'Twas of little avail," he replied. "The mischief was already done. -Had we managed it before the breach was made, the result might have -been different, and we could still make good our defence. True, we -spiked them, but the rebels discovered us ere we made a proper -business of the last. I gave the word that each man should look to -himself, but I fear they were all overtaken and shot down. For my -part, I knew that running was out of the question, so I crawled -beneath the gun till those in pursuit had passed by. Then I made good -my escape to the woods, but did not hesitate to steal a horse -belonging to a rebel officer, and biding my time, rejoined you. As I -said, 'twas of little avail, and a matter which anyone could -perform." - -"A gallant deed, notwithstanding," replied Granville warmly. - -"A truce to compliments, young sir," rejoined the colonel. "Look -yonder!" - -One glance sufficed to show that the rebels were massing for another -attack, and if we wished to save ourselves, no time was to be lost. - -Our first act was to convey our wounded to the entrance to the secret -passage, leaving a man with a lighted lantern to facilitate our -retreat. This done, we deliberated whether we should give the rebels -warning of our intentions of blowing up the castle, or involve as -many of them as possible in the explosion. - -Firestone favoured the latter course, arguing that they were rebels, -that they refused us quarter, though forsooth we had not asked it, -and also that such were the usages of warfare; but Granville and I -were opposed to his suggestion. - -"They are Englishmen, though they be rebels," I argued, "and the men -are acting under the orders of their officers. For my part, I have -the satisfaction of knowing that Chaloner will never own this heap of -stones, though the rebels seek to gain possession of the castle; but -that is no reason why I should like to take life heedlessly." - -"As ye will, then," grumbled the colonel. "You were ever a strange -lad in such matters. Then we had better take immediate steps to -acquaint them with the fact." - -We then liberated our sole prisoner, and bidding him inform the -Roundhead officers that we intended to blow up the castle, and -warning them to keep away, as they valued the safety of their men's -lives, we sent the captured pikeman back to the rebel lines. - -Meanwhile I had sent a man to the stables for the purpose of shooting -our six remaining horses, for though I could not bear to see the deed -done, 'twas better than to leave them to the mercy of a horde of -rebels, supposing they survived the explosion. - -Mustering the survivors of our little band, I informed them, much to -their surprise--for they had fully expected to perish to a man in the -assault--that we were able to evacuate the castle without further -loss of life. - -I next paid them according to my father's orders, thanking them for -their loyal services both to His Majesty and to our house. Thereupon -they gave three lusty cheers, showing that their courage and -patriotism even in danger and defeat were undiminished. - -Led by Granville, the men marched in good order and without undue -haste through the powder magazine, and down the steps leading to the -underground passage. Firestone and I tarried to give a final glance -back; then, descending the shattered staircase of the tower, we made -our way to the magazine. - -Here a double train was already laid, and a light close at hand. With -the utmost deliberation Firestone applied a flame to each of the -sinister ribbons; then, after making sure that both were well -kindled, we hurried down the steps to the passage that led to safety. - -By the glare of a pair of torches and a lantern we could see our way -without difficulty, though our progress was slow by reason of the -transport of the wounded men. The tunnel was paved with rough slabs -of stone, while the walls and arched roof were composed of flints set -in hard cement. The smoke from the torches dispelled any noxious -odours, but of damp we found no trace. - -We passed three massive doors in quick succession, and bearing in -mind my father's warning, we closed and bolted them as we passed. -Then, in silence, broken only by the dull rumble of our feet that -re-echoed along the hollow passage, we slowly continued our way. - -Suddenly there was a deep boom like the noise of distant thunder, and -the solid ground beneath our feet trembled with the shock. - -The explosion had taken place. Ashley Castle was no more! - -Neither Granville nor Firestone spoke to me, for which I felt -thankful, my heart being too full of grief and mortification. Like -Ralph, I was now homeless, and except for the fact that I had not -laid down my life, I had paid the price of loyalty to the utmost -farthing. - -Of the future I cared not one jot, though before I was clear of the -passage my thoughts, thanks to the buoyancy of youth, assumed a more -hopeful nature. - -We must have walked for the best part of half an hour, and I was -wondering where we should emerge, being ignorant of the direction of -the tunnel, when the men who were on in front halted. - -"The place is blocked up!" exclaimed one of them, who, holding a -torch, was examining the rough flintwork. - -Firestone and I were quickly at the spot, and we too could see no -signs of an aperture, the tunnel ending in a half-moon-shaped wall. - -"Surely we are not caught like rats in a trap!" asked Firestone. -"Your father doubtless never explored the passage?" - -"He would not have shown it us had it been a trap," I replied. -"There must be some signs of a doorway or secret entrance. Perchance -we have already passed it." - -"If we cannot find it, we have tools wherewith we can dig a way out," -said the colonel, indicating our weapons, which we one and all, save -the wounded men, retained. "I'll warrant the surface of the ground -is not ten feet above our heads." - -"If the passage leads under the Downs, it may be five hundred," -exclaimed Ralph moodily. - -"Talking will not find it, so let's to work," said the colonel -cheerfully, and taking a torch from one of the men, he began to -retrace his footsteps, looking both at the sides and roof of the -tunnel as he went. - -"The air seems fresh enough," he said. "So we need not fear -suffocation for a while, at any rate. But there's no sign of an -opening, though your father expressly mentioned 'twas easy enough to -find." - -At length he returned to the end of the passage, where we had -remained, endeavouring to dislodge some of the flints with a stout -knife, but without avail. The man who had built that passage must -have meant it to last, for the cement was as hard as the flints. - -"Let me mount on your shoulders," said I to one of the men, a tall, -broad-shouldered farmer from Compton. From this height I could -examine the roof, which at no part was more than seven feet in -height, though my face was almost touching the jagged flints of the -crown of the arch. - -In one place it looked as if a crack existed in the cement, and -taking the knife from its owner's hands, I scratched the point -against the supposed joint in the stonework. - -My efforts met with no success, but just at that moment the knife -slipped from my hand and fell to the ground. A shout from Firestone -caused me to look down in alarm. - -"Has it struck your foot?" I asked anxiously. - -"Foot? No," he replied. "Fool that I was not to have thought of it -before. Look at the knife!" - -The steel was deeply embedded in the floor. - -I descended from the farmer's shoulders, and stood by while the -colonel directed a man to remove the thick deposit of dust that -everywhere covered the floor of the tunnel. This done, a square of -wood with a rusted iron ring in its centre was laid bare. - -"'Tis evident we must go down ere we go up!" remarked Firestone, with -a laugh. "Now--pull together!" - -Accordingly, the big farmer and another strong yeoman tugged at the -ring, but the next instant they were sent crashing into the stone -wall of the tunnel, which alone saved them from falling backwards, -with the rusted iron held firmly in their hands. - -"It has broken off short we must be careful lest we are unable to -make use of what is left in the ring," cautioned the colonel, and -directing the men to secure a better grip of the fragment of iron -that still remained in the slab by means of a strip of cloth, while -others used their weapons as levers, the barrier between us and -freedom was removed. - -Another short flight of steps, followed by a passage less than twenty -feet in length and lower than the one we had just traversed, -terminating in a spiral staircase. - -At the top of these steps was a massive stone slab, balanced on a -heavy iron pivot, while two strong bolts kept it in position, so that -it could not be moved, save from the side on which we were. - -Remembering that extreme caution was necessary, we carefully withdrew -the bolts, and slowly pushed the stone, Without a sound, the whole -slab turned easily on its pivot, and, to my great surprise, I found -that we were looking into a building, while my astonishment was even -greater when I discovered it was none other than Chalton Church! - -Many a time had I noticed a large tomb in one corner of the church, -with a brass showing the effigy of a knight with his legs crossed at -the knees and his feet resting on a lion, while I had often tried to -decipher the almost illegible writing, "Ci gist..." But up to that -very moment I had not the faintest idea, nor had anyone else in or -around Chalton, I feel certain, that the tomb was in reality not a -tomb, but the egress from a secret tunnel from Ashley Castle. - -It was a tedious struggle to worm our bodies through the narrow slit; -especially so was it with the wounded men, and deep groans -involuntarily rose from their lips as we literally dragged their -helpless forms through the aperture. - -At length we succeeded, and as we closed the movable slab we heard a -faint click. The bolts on the inside had by some ingenious mechanism -slipped back into their places, and the exit from the underground -passage was firmly closed. Nothing short of the demolition of the -spurious tomb would ever reveal the secret tunnel. - -Fortunately, the church was deserted, and no one had witnessed our -appearance; not that any of the villagers would have betrayed us, for -they were stamped with unswerving loyalty, but for the benefit of -those who were to inhabit Ashley Castle at some future date (for I -had a presentiment that a new castle would rise phoenix-like from the -scorched ruins of the old) it was undesirable that the secret should -be public property. - -I then addressed the sorry remnant of my faithful garrison once more, -urging them to return as quickly and secretly to their homes as they -were able, and requested them honourably to preserve the secret of -their means of escape. - -This they promised most readily to do, and after telling the men, ere -they set out for their homes, to take their wounded comrades across -to the Red Lion till they should recover--for Master Anthony, the -worthy host, was as staunch a Royalist as could be found in -Hamptonshire--I bade them farewell. - -Then, accompanied by Firestone and Ralph, I crossed the little green, -and entered this inn, where I made arrangements for the accommodation -of the wounded, forcing Master Anthony, much against his wish, to -accept a sum of money to recompense horn for his assistance. - -As the rebel horse was swarming over the neighbourhood--nay, over the -whole county--'twould be unwise for the three of us to travel -together, so we resolved to separate and each take his own chance. -But before doing so we had a farewell dinner, the last we were likely -to have together for many a long day, while our host kept a careful -watch for fear of roving parties of the rebel troops. - -Firestone had resolved to make his way westward once more, and -naturally Granville desired to do the same, so they agreed on a -rendezvous at Stoney Cross, in the heart of the New Forest, the -colonel journeying by way of Southampton, and Ralph through -Bishopstoke and Romsey. Each agreed to wait three days for the other, -and if one failed to keep this tryst, the other would continue his -journey alone, concluding that some misfortune had befallen his -would-be companion. - -For my part, I was determined to seek a quiet retreat in the Isle of -Wight, and to live there in strict seclusion till the dawn of better -days. Little did I dream how Fate was to cross my wish, and what -exciting times were in store! - -In the midst of setting our plans word was brought that a body of -rebel horse was approaching. Our wounded men were already placed in -bed in the upper rooms of the inn, and Master Anthony concealed us in -some huge barrels that stood on a low oaken bench at one end of the -large drinking-room. - -Barely were we safely hidden than the door was unceremoniously thrown -open, and several soldiers--a dozen at least by the noise they made -strode into the room. - -Roughly ordering the landlord to bring them drink, and plenty of it, -they sat down, removed their steel caps, and began to discourse on -the events of the day. - -They were, judging by the manner of their conversation, dragoons of -Chaloner's regiment, and held their late leader in scant respect, for -they even expressed satisfaction at his death. Rough soldiers they -were, with a true contempt for cowardice, and Chaloner's behaviour on -several occasions had not escaped their notice; while, on the other -hand, they confessed to a certain amount of admiration at our -desperate deed of self-sacrifice, for, in common with every man in -the rebel host that had lain around the castle, they firmly believed -that the devoted garrison had perished in the explosion. - -The barrels in which we had taken refuge were large, so that we were -by no means cramped, but the one in which I lay hidden was encrusted -with dried lees of wine, and before long I was seized with an -uncontrollable desire to sneeze. Clapping both hands on my mouth, I -strove to suppress the sound. - -"What's that noise?" demanded one of the dragoons. There was -instant silence in the room, though I felt my heart thumping -violently against my ribs. Had I not stood in the centre of the cask, -I felt certain the barrel would have shaken. - -"Ho, there!" shouted one of the soldiers, bringing his tankard down -with a crash upon the oak table. "Come hither, rascal!" - -I heard Master Anthony shuffling down the stoneflagged passage. - -"What do yonder casks hold, sirrah?" demanded the dragoon. - -"They are empty, sir," replied the landlord, in a trembling voice. - -"Empty, thou lying rogue? I heard someone sneeze!" - -"'Twas I, sir. A bad cold, I assure you," pleaded the landlord. - -"You are getting light-headed in your cups, Dick!" exclaimed another -half-tipsy trooper. "But I'll swear there's good liquor in those -casks." - -Master Anthony vehemently protested that they were empty. Then, to my -horror, I heard another man exclaim: - -"Stand aside, you knock-kneed ale-seller! A pistolbullet will show -whether you speak the truth." - -"Wouldst spoil a good man's casks?" protested the landlord; but his -words were of no avail, and I heard the dragoon cock his pistol. - -There were, I remember, four of these casks in a row, and three were -occupied by us, while one of the two middle ones was empty. There was -a chance that the empty one would be the target of the rebel's -pistol, but directly I heard the sound of the pistol being cocked, I -squeezed myself close to one side of the cask, so that my body was -clear of the centre. Then I braced myself up, resolving, even if I -were hit, to endeavour to suppress a cry lest I and my companions -should be discovered. - -It seemed ages ere I heard the report, and with a splintering of wood -a hole was drilled through the cask where I stood, the bullet passing -close to my knees, and burying itself in the opposite side. - -"The old rascal is right, the cask is empty," said one of the men, -with a laugh. - -"I'll wager a tankard of cider that you'll not nick my mark," -exclaimed the soldier who had fired. - -"Done cried the other. I tell you, you've lost already." - -"A truce to this foolery," interrupted another, evidently a sergeant. -"We must needs be back in the camp outside Basing ere dark, and 'tis -well over a good twenty miles. To horse! To horse, I say!" - -Grumbling and swearing, the soldiers trooped out of the inn, and for -the present our peril was past. - -At dusk three men in rustic garb emerged from the Red Lion. One set -off at a swinging pace down the lane leading to Clanfield, the second -strode with awkward gait along a pathway over the hills towards -Horndean, and the third, carrying a load of faggots, turned off down -the Havant road. 'Twas the parting of the three staunch comrades. - -My love-locks had been shorn close to my head, a rough smock covered -a suit of worn clothes that would ill become even a farmer, while the -faggots I bore served a twofold purpose. They formed a fitting -complement to my disguise as a countryman, while in the centre of the -bundle reposed my trusty sword, which I would not part with under any -circumstances. - -I had thought to return under cover of darkness to the thicket on the -downs where I had buried the iron box containing the deeds and other -documents relating to my home. But on further consideration I came to -the conclusion that 'twould be best to let the box remain till a more -convenient season. - -So, shouldering my burden, I took a long last look in the direction -of the distant ruined castle, and then set off resolutely along the -southern road. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -WITHOUT THE WALLS OF CARISBROOKE - - -I TOOK up my abode in a little cottage overlooking Wootton Creek in -the Isle of Wight, hard by the village of Wootton. It was a peaceful -spot, where the tide of war had not swept, though near enough, 'tis -true, to see the scenes of many a stern conflict in former days. - -On either side of the creek, well-wooded hills sloped down to the -water's edge when the tide was up, or to the fringe of the mudflats -when 'twas low water. Just within shelter of the land the creek was -of sufficient depth to float a few fishing boats, whence a narrow, -winding channel led to the blue waters of the Solent. - -My life, or rather existence, at Wootton was of a particularly quiet -nature. I lived at peace with my neighbours, and though at first they -were certainly inquisitive to the extreme, after a while they found -that nothing could be obtained of my former life, and in consequence -I was little troubled in that respect. - -I thought it advisable to adopt another name, and finally I selected -that of Giles White, which seemed sufficiently common to avoid -further inquiries of my antecedents. - -Of the events that were taking place in the kingdom at large I heard -but little for a time. - -Of Colonel Firestone and Ralph Granville I heard not a word. Whether -they were alive or dead, and how they had fared after leaving -Chalton, remained a mystery as far as I was concerned, yet I had a -conviction that ere long things would mend, and that I should once -again see my old comrades. - -Then news began to come in apace. A fisherman brought the tidings -that His Majesty had escaped from the power of the Independents, and -had sought refuge at Titchfield House, whence he had been escorted by -Colonel Hammond to the castle of Carisbrooke. To me, a loyal -Cavalier, the news was encouraging, for, though nominally a prisoner, -the King was within a few miles of the place where I existed in -comparative poverty and obscurity. - -One evening I was returning in a small boat from a day's fishing off -the mouth of the creek, and just as I was rowing past the little hard -on the Fishbourne side, I saw three men standing under the trees. For -a while they watched me intently, then one of them called, "Ho, -fisherman, can you put us across?" - -"Right willingly," I answered, inwardly smiling at their mistake, -which was natural enough under the circumstances, and running the -boat aground, I told them to jump in. - -"What sort of road lieth betwixt here and Newport?" inquired one, a -dark-featured man dressed in russet cloth, and armed with rapier and -pistols. - -"Hilly, but not easily mistaken," I replied. "'Tis an hour and a -half's good walk." - -Two of the men were sitting astern, and one in the bows. As we neared -the opposite side of the creek I turned my head to see how the boat -was heading, and, to my surprise, the stranger who sat in the bows -gave me a resounding smack on the back. - -"Markham!" he cried. "By the powers! What are you doing here--and in -this garb?" - -In a moment I recalled the man's features 'twas Captain Dixon, the -same who was the transport officer at Dartmouth Castle. A few words -sufficed to explain my presence in the Isle of Wight then the captain -interrupted me by asking: - -"And you know the island well?" - -"As a fox knows its lair." - -"Then come with us if ye be a true Cavalier. In Brading Harbour lies -the _Happy Adventure_. I trove you remember her full well? Peste! A -wretched mess we have made of things up to now, for we have been -hopelessly lost amid these winding lanes. Canst lead us to -Carisbrooke ere midnight?" - -"With ease," I replied confidently. - -"Then do so, and a greater service to His Majesty you'll never again -perform." - -By this time the boat had reached the opposite shore, and tying it -safely to an iron ring, I set off briskly for the hill, the three -cavaliers panting at my heels. Seeing that they were armed, I left -them for a time to get my sword from the cottage, then once more we -resumed our journey. - -Naturally, I was curious to know the nature of our midnight errand, -and the three officers (for they were all of Sir Henry Cary's -regiment) were not loth to tell me. - -"With the blessing of Heaven we hope, ere dawn, to have his sacred -Majesty safely aboard the _Happy Adventure_, and well on his way to -France!" explained Captain Dixon. "All preparations are complete; -swift horses are in readiness in Carisbrooke Village, where -Fire--Fire----" - -"Firestone?" I asked eagerly. - -"Nay, but I cannot call the man's name to mind." - -"'Tis Firebrace, His Majesty's page," explained another, Major -Hosken. - -"Ay, Firebrace. Well, where Firebrace has arranged to meet us." - -"His Majesty is a close prisoner?" - -"Close after a fashion, though not so unguarded as before poor -Captain Burley's blundering attempt at rescue. No good came of it, -for His Majesty was detained within the walls, and Burley was hanged, -drawn, and quartered for his pains. Heaven forfend that will not be -our lot." - -"Burley had courage, but lacked caution, and his hotheadedness was -his undoing. We, I take it, have laid our plans aright, using -discretion tempered with bravery. Therein lies the difference; though -we be willing to risk our lives in His Majesty's cause, we take good -care to keep open every possible channel of escape." - -Talking of their possibilities of success, the three officers kept up -the hot pace I had set, and it was just before eleven as we descended -the steep hill leading into Newport. - -The familiar streets of the old town were almost deserted, and, -unchallenged, we passed along the High Street, and gained the -outskirts on the Carisbrooke side. - -In the village hard by the church, a man, his features muffled in a -dark cloak, was waiting under the shadow of a row of trees. Feigning -to ignore him, we passed on; but bef ore we had gone a few steps he -tapped thrice with a stick against the stump of a tree. Thereupon we -retraced our footsteps, and the man introduced himself as the royal -page, Firebrace. - -Without further parley, for each man seemed thoroughly to understand -his work, we turned down N a side street, through which a brook -babbled, the rippling of the water sounding in the night air. Then we -began to climb the steep hill on which the castle stands. - -Neither lights nor any other signs of human beings were to be seen, -and without misadventure we gained the base of the barbican. Here we -took shelter in the dry moat, concealing ourselves underneath the -centre of three low arches that carried the road from the outwork of -the embattled gateway. - -Captain Dixon pulled out a gold watch, and holding it close to his -face, announced in a low tone that it was a quarter to twelve. Then -we heard the tramp of the musketeers relieving guard, every sound of -the instructions given to the sentry at the barbican being distinctly -audible. - -"'Tis Captain Titus," whispered Firebrace, "and he is with us." - -This seemed to be the case, for we heard him tell the musketeer to -pay no attention to any sounds he might hear without the castle, and -to this the man readily complied, he also being a party to the -enterprise. - -"Now 'tis time," whispered the page; and walking swiftly along the -bed of the dry moat, we at length came to a part of the castle where -the walls were considerably lower than the rest. Here a stout rope -was dangling from the battlements. - -"Five minutes will decide whether we have set our heads in a rat trap -or not," said Major Hosken. "Now, Dixon, you first--up you go." - -Seizing the rope with both hands, the captain swung himself lightly -up the sheer face of the wall, and instantly afterwards a shake of -the hemp announced that he had reached the battlements in safety. -Firebrace followed, and I ascended third, followed in turn by Hosken, -while the remaining officer stayed without to facilitate our descent. - -I found myself on a narrow stone ledge, protected on its outer side -by a parapet breast-high, while the inner side was unfenced. A slip -or a false step in the dark, and we should have fallen a depth of -thirty feet on the ground of the base-court. - -With the air of a man who knows his business, Firebrace led the way -along the narrow pathway for about twenty paces. Here a flight of -stone steps afforded a descent to the ground, while but three yards -away rose the outlines of a detached building. - -"'Tis the Great Hall--His Majesty's apartments," whispered the page, -as we gained the level of the basecourt. "Watch yonder window." - -We had not long to wait, for the hour of twelve was striking. -Everything was perfectly still, and though a light gleamed through a -window in the gatehouse, there were no signs of any of the guards. - -Presently there came the sound of a casement being cautiously opened, -and we could see a white face looking down between the bars of a -window on the first floor. - -Instantly we uncovered, then expectantly awaited His Majesty's -appearance. The end of a stout rope fell at our feet, and then the -head of our royal master emerged betwixt the bars of the window. - -For a brief space we waited in suspense. Then---- - -"I am stuck fast!" exclaimed the King in a low voice. - -"Nay, sire," said the page. "Where Your Majesty's head passes through, -your body will surely follow." - -"Nay, I repeat, I cannot move either forward or backward," said the -King, with a long-drawn groan, wrung from him by the result of his -exertions. - -Whilst he stuck I heard him groan again and again; yet we could not -come to help him, even though Dixon climbed the rope, and grasping -the bars with his hands, tried in vain to wrench them asunder--at the -risk of his neck had the iron given way suddenly. - -In five minutes the attempt was at an end, for His Majesty, using the -cord to force his way back into the room, succeeded in freeing -himself from the embraces of the iron bars. Then, having suffered the -devoted captain to kiss his hand, he retired; whereupon Dixon, -muttering softly under his breath at our impotence, slid softly to -earth. - -For a few moments more we waited beneath the window. Why we tarried I -know not, unless we thought that some miracle would bring our royal -master to our side. - -Then his room became illuminated, and bearing a candle in his hand -(which he set in the window as a prearranged sign that he had -abandoned the attempt, though we knew to our cost that such was the -case already), the King stood before the window, the light shining on -his classic features. - -As if in final benediction, he raised his right hand in token of -farewell, then, as we brought our swords to the salute, he -disappeared from view. - -'Twas fated to be the last glimpse I had of the face of the Royal -Martyr. - -I was recalled to the danger of my position by Dixon's hand being -laid on my shoulder, and regaining the wall, we slid down the rope to -the moat, where we communicated the dismal news of our failure to our -comrade. - -Then, descending the hill, we each selected a horse, and were soon -galloping down the road to Newport. - -* * * * * - -Firebrace, the page, remained in the village, but I accompanied the -officers as far as the ford across the creek at Wootton. - -They wished me to retain the horse I was using, but, much against my -will, I was obliged to refuse, for the presence of the animal at my -cottage would give rise to well-founded suspicions. Then, having set -them on the right road to Brading Harbour, I bade them farewell, and -sick in mind and tired in body, I walked back to my humble dwelling. - -Yet I could not sleep, and after tossing restlessly on my bed till -daylight streamed into the room, I dressed and went out. A strong -easterly wind had sprung up with the rising of the sun, and looking -in the direction of Spithead, I saw the drawing sails of a small -vessel bowling along on her westward course. - -It was the _Happy Adventure_. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -EXILED - - -AGAIN, as far as I was concerned, time pursued its even course, and -in my retreat I had little cause to complain of the manner of life I -was leading, were it not for the galling fate of circumstances that -had befallen my King and country. There were hundreds of brave -Cavaliers, ruined by their devotion, who lurked in obscurity and -sequestration, awaiting the time when their swords were once more to -fly from their scabbards in the defence, and for the honour, of His -Majesty, so that I comforted myself that in my present position I was -by no means an exception. - -One dark evening in the month of November I was returning from a long -ramble through the woods of Quarr, and on gaining the little hard on -the Fishbourne side of the creek, where I had left my boat, I saw the -dark sails of a large craft of strange rig glide past up the channel. -I say strange, but 'twas strange only as far as the locality was -concerned, for I could have staked my all that those sails were cut -in the West Country. - -The vessel passed on, and disappeared in the darkness, but by the -sound of the creaking tackle and shouts of the crew I knew she had -dropped anchor just above the pool where the fishing craft are wont -to lie. - -Now it happened that just at the spot where this craft had brought up -there is what the fishermen call a "hard bottom," rocks and large -stones abounding, upon which a vessel would do herself an injury when -she grounded at low tide; so, as I had to pass the craft on my -passage over o the other side, I thought it but right that I shoul -warn the crew, who were obviously strangers, of their danger. - -The flood tide was making strongly, and it required but a few strokes -to bring me alongside the new arrival as she fretted at her hempen -cable in the swirl of the swift-running flood. - -With the least perceptible jar my little boat rubbed sides with the -larger craft, and standing up, I held on to the bulwarks of the -latter and peered through the gloom to try and find some of her crew. - -The deck was deserted, but from a half-open hatch came the gleam of a -lamp that shot upwards through the thick night vapour, like a stray -shaft of light that finds its way into the dusty atmosphere of a -darkened room. - -Judging by the sounds of the different voices, the boat carried a -large crew, and for a moment I hesitated to hail them, fearing they -might be a gang of smugglers, who, in these troublous times, often -added piracy to the list of their numerous accomplishments. But, to -my surprise, I heard a well-known voice exclaim: "Yet before we -adventure ourselves in this matter, I would fain seek out Sir -Humphrey Markham." - -Caution was no longer necessary, and pounding on the deck with my -fist, I called: - -"Ralph! Ralph! 'Tis I--Humphrey." - -The next instant Ralph Granville rushed up through the hatch, closely -followed by Nick Firestone. - -"Come aboard! Come aboard, Humphrey!" exclaimed Ralph. Then, as I -came within range of the light, he continued: "And to think we -should find you in the garb of a fisherman or woodman!" - -"Which, I perceive, is a like garb to that which you yourselves are -wearing," I replied, laughing, for there was little difference -between our dress and that of the crew, amongst which I recognised -Dick, the master of the _Emma Farleigh_. - -Then I realised that I stood once more on the deck of the staunch -little craft that effected my rescue from the sea, when my horse -carried me willy-nilly over the cliffs of the Cornish coast. - -"Come below and tell us how you have fared this long while," -exclaimed Firestone. "And how came ye to find us?" - -"Find you?" I repeated. "'Twas by pure chance that I saw you come in, -not knowing who and what you were. But what brought you in hither?" - -"To look for you, knowing that you were somewhere about in these -parts. Our business is of a stern nature. Look behind you." - -Ranged along the bulkhead of the cabin were several musketoons, -pistols, boarding-pikes, and heavy swords known to seamen as -cutlasses, while two swivel guns completed the armoury. In addition -to Granville, Firestone, and myself, there were ten lusty seamen, all -Cornishmen of the good old sea stock, crowded into the little cabin, -their bronzed, bearded faces gleaming with zeal and intelligence. - -"Turned pirate to build up the fortune of your home, Ralph?" I -asked jocosely. - -"Nay, lad, nay. 'Tis an affair of duty and honour. In short, we hope -to have His Majesty aboard the _Emma Farleigh_ or her consort, the -_Three Brothers_, within a couple of days. Dost remember his futile -attempt to escape during the spring?" - -"Ay," I replied. "Seeing that I had a hand in it." - -"Then fie on you for a bungler, Humphrey. But to continue the story -of our plans. The _Three Brothers_ lies in Newtown River, within an -hour's ride of Carisbrooke. Thither we will repair, and joining -hands, there will be sufficient men to surprise the castle and effect -a rescue. Then hey for France! Wilt join with us?" - -"There is no need to ask me," I replied. "But will it be an' easy -task, think you? Colonel Hammond, I hear, has been removed. He was -ordered to Windsor but yesterday week, and Colonel William Sydenham -has been given the charge of His Majesty's person." - -"Sydenham? I know him to be a red-hot fanatic," remarked Firestone; -"and, moreover, a thorough soldier, though he be a rebel. Our task -is rendered doubly difficult." - -"Nevertheless, we must see the thing through," added Ralph -resolutely. "Now, Humphrey, if you have any preparations to make, -hurry on with them, for we must needs be at the rendezvous without -undue delay." - -Accordingly I hurried ashore, took a change of clothing, my sword, -and a few small articles of value, since I knew not whether I should -ever return; then, locking the door, I left the key in the hands of -an old fisherman, one Robert Young, who had oftentimes before looked -after my dwelling when I had occasion to be away for long. - -When I returned on board, a steady south-easterly breeze was blowing -down the creek, and in a very little time the sails were hoisted, and -the _Emma Farleigh_ glided over the tide towards the Solent. - -The night was bitterly cold, but, with Dick in charge on deck, there -was no necessity for us to remain without; so we retired to the -cabin, there to talk over our respective adventures after we had -separated at Chalton. - -By and by there was a scurrying of feet on deck, and we heard Dick's -powerful voice shout, "Mind your helm, there." - -Rushing on deck, we saw the dim outlines of a vessel disappearing -astern of us, and even as we looked a light flashed thrice in quick -succession above her sides. - -"Quick, there, show a flare!" ordered the master and in obedience one -of the crew replied with a similar signal, which was replied to with -another succession of six flashes. - -"'Tis the _Brothers_, sure enough," said Dick; "I wonder what they are -doing out here?" - -With the dark water churning up under her forefoot our consort drew -up under our lee, and a hasty conversation took place between the two -masters, to the effect that the crew of the _Three Brothers_ had -heard that the King was to be taken from Carisbrooke over to Hurst -Castle that morning, and they feared he would be conducted thence to -London. - -"Are you sure of it?" shouted Firestone. - -"Ay. Walter heard it direct from one of the sofdiers at an inn near -Yarmouth, and a coach has already lef t for the castle." - -"Then we are too late," exclaimed the colonel, turning to Ralph. -"Unless we can intercept the vessel that bears him across the Solent." - -"Can we manage that?" asked Granville of the master. - -"If us keeps out o' range o' the guns at Hurst Castle, 'twill be safe -enow," replied Dick. "An' I'll warrant never a ship on these -waters'll show 'er 'eels to the likes o' we." - -"Then speak with the Brothers, and desire them to bear us company. -Sink or swim, I'll have this craft laid alongside the vessel that -bears His Majesty across the Solent." - -For the rest of the night the crew were busily engaged in setting up -the swivel guns, bending the larger and lighter sails in the place of -the heavier winter canvas, and leaving nothing untouched that would -increase our speed; and as the grey dawn stole across the eastern -sky, we found ourselves standing close in shore within a short -distance of Worseley Tower, hard by the little town of Yarmouth. - -We observed a small sloop lying at anchor just off the tower, while -several soldiers on shore were intently watching us. Presently a boat -pushed off from the land, and an officer ordered us roughly to stand -farther off. - -"Can us not fish here?" asked Dick, who with two others alone -remained on deck. - -"No, sirrah," replied the officer. "For all I know, you and your other -boat may be looking for fish that does not swim in the sea. Get you -gone, I say." - -There was no help for it. We could have seized the officer, but that -deed would not have helped us, for the rebels would have delayed -putting His Majesty across till a sufficient number of ships had -assembled to guard his passage, or else they might have sent him from -Cowes to Titchfield Haven. - -So the two vessels stood out from shore, the _Emma Farleigh_ leading, -with the _Three Brothers_ close astern. The wind had fallen very -light, and we barely moved through the water. A slight haze hung -around, entirely blotting out Hurst Castle from our view. - -"If this fog becomes no thicker, 'twill serve our purpose well," -commented the colonel, as we came on deck once more. But, happening -to look shorewards, we observed with great uneasiness that we were -being simply borne through the narrow channel by the irresistible -force of the tide. - -In vain we tried to hold our own, but the wind was not sufficient to -enable us to do so, and we observed with dismay that the breeze blew -strongly off Yarmouth, while we were practically becalmed. - -Then, to our mortification, we saw a party of soldiers hurry on board -the sloop, a cloaked, bent figure in their midst, and in utter -helplessness we saw the vessel shake out her sails, and heeling over -to the breeze, stand on her way towards the frowning walls of Hurst -Castle. - -Our efforts to rescue His Majesty had failed. - -A feeling of depression had seized upon everyone on board both our -vessels, and for a long time we breasted the tide at twenty yards -apart, without any fixed plan or purpose. - -At length Firestone suggested that, to avoid needless risk, and the -consequences of an already existing suspicion, the _Three Brothers_ -should return to the west, while the _Emma Farleigh_ should land me -at Wootton, and follow at her leisure. This was agreed to, and an -hour later our former consort was a mere speck against the western -sky. - -By this time the sun had completely dispersed the mist, and Hurst -Castle stood out clearly against the dark, tree-clad outlines of the -New Forest. With the now favouring tide we made for the eastward once -more, Firestone and Granville having promised to be my guests at my -humble dwelling for a few days, until we had gathered definite news -of the fate of our royal master. - -But our plans were doomed to receive a rude shock, for, as we rounded -Old Castle Point, and were just opening out the entrance to the -creek, we saw a small boat rowing hurriedly towards us. - -As it drew nearer I recognised the rower as the old fisherman, Robert -Young, and calling to us to shake the vessel up in the wind, he came -alongside. - -"Don't 'e go back home, as you value your life, Master White," he -exclaimed breathlessly. - -"Why?" I inquired, a sudden suspicion flashing through my mind. - -"'Cause a pack of rascally soldiers have taken charge of your -cottage. They say that you are a Royalist, and that a price is set on -your head. They've ransacked everything in your house, and I had -great trouble to steal away and warn you. I'd flee, if I were you, -while there is yet time." - -"The man has given you good advice, and 'tis certain you ought to -profit by it," remarked the colonel. "And we, too, are like to put -our heads in a noose should we venture ashore. Clearly England is no -place for us." - -"So it seems," I replied despondently. - -"Then there remains but one course open to the three of us," he -continued. "Abroad we may seek refuge until such time that we can -adventure our persons in a more successful enterprise. What say you?" - -To this we all agreed, and after a consultation with Dick, the latter -agreed to land us at Havre, in consideration of a certain sum of -money; and before night the white cliffs of the Isle of Wight had -vanished beneath the horizon. - -* * * * * - -Very little remains to be told. Directly we landed on French soil we -hastened to offer our services to the Prince of Wales. - -And here, in a strange land, we await, in common with a devoted and -ever-growing band of loyal English refugees, the time when His -Gracious Majesty King Charles II will, with the blessing of God, -wrest his inheritance from the rebels, at whose lawless hands we have -so grievously suffered for King and country. - -THE END - - - -Transcribers notes: - -- Near the end of chapter III: - [One of our men uttered "come" coarse jest] is probably - [One of our men uttered "some" coarse jest] - -- Halfway chapter VIII: - [and waited, in dead silence, for the "threatened" catastrophe.] - is probably - [and waited, in dead silence, for the "threatening" catastrophe.] - -- Halfway chapter VIII: - [for the rebells are leaving "Listithiel" this day.] - is probably - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Young Cavalier, by Percy F. 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