Читать книгу The Leaguer Of Lathom - William Harrison Ainsworth - Страница 15

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IN the conflict at the barrier in Deansgate, Frank Standish, who accompanied Sir Gilbert Gerard, had his horse shot under him, and while on the ground received a thrust from a pike in the arm, that prevented him from using his sword, and he was therefore obliged to surrender.

Taken to the college, where his wound was dressed, he was still in the surgeon's hands, when Rosworm came into the room with some other prisoners, and recognising him, asked if he was badly hurt.

"Not much," replied the young man.

"You look very faint," said the engineer. "My house is close by; go there and get a cup of wine. My daughter will attend to you. I shall return shortly. I will be answerable for him," he added to the guard.

This was enough. As soon as the surgeon had finished his task, Standish was allowed to depart, and at once repaired to Rosworm's dwelling.

He found Gertrude in the houseplace, examining a musket, which she had been cleaning. She seemed greatly surprised to see him.

He told her he was a prisoner and wounded, and added that her father had sent him to the house to be cared for.

"In that case you are welcome," she said. "Sit down, I pray you."

He gladly complied, and opening a cupboard, she filled a drinking-cup with wine and set it before him.

"You have been unlucky," she remarked, as he emptied the cup. "Your lord has not found it so easy to take the town as he expected."

"No," he replied. "The inhabitants may thank your father for the defence they have been able to make. Had he not been here to aid the rebels, Lord Derby would now be master of the town. But I see you have just laid down a musket. Have you used it?"

"Not yet," she replied. "My father will not allow me to go forth, or I should have done."

"He is quite right," said Standish. "You are better at home."

"I do not think so," she rejoined. "I cannot hear the thunder of the cannon or the rattle of musketry without longing to mix in the fray. Where were you wounded?"

"In an attack on the Deansgate barrier," he replied. "My horse was shot under me, and I received a thrust from a pike ere I could rise. For a moment I thought all was over with me."

"Would I had been there to help you!" she exclaimed.

"I wish you had," he rejoined. "I met with bad usage. Although I had surrendered, the leader of the town-guard, Captain Cranage, would have cut me down, if Captain Bradshaw had not prevented him."

"That was a base act," she cried. "I do not like these Roundheads, but their cause is just."

"Do not mistake," cried Standish. "Their cause is not just. They are rebels, and have thrown the whole kingdom into confusion. It grieves me to think that your father has joined with them. Ah! there the psalm-singing knaves are at work again," he added, as voices were heard outside singing a hymn.

As the hymn ceased, the door opened, and the stalwart figure of Captain Cranage was seen.

"That is the man who would have slain me when I had surrendered," remarked Standish.

"What do I behold?" cried Cranage. "Has a Papist and a malignant taken refuge here. My men shall drag him forth, and put him to death."

"I will resist!" cried Standish, springing to his feet.

Then recollecting that he was disabled, and without a sword, he looked confounded.

"He must not be molested," interposed Gertrude. "My father has sent him."

"This is the second time since I have surrendered that you have threatened to take my life," said Standish. "I am a prisoner on parole."

"Thou hast richly deserved death," said Cranage; "and had I been in command at the Deansgate barrier, thou shouldst have died. Thou wert present when the houses were set on fire."

"What of that?" cried Gertrude. "The men had received their orders from Lord Derby. Did you think this officer would prevent them?"

"I know not," said Cranage. "But since you plead for him, fair damsel, I will spare him."

"I would not owe my life to thee," said Standish, contemptuously.

"If you take him hence, you will greatly offend my father," remarked Gertrude.

"Then I will abide his coming," said Cranage, seating himself. "Give me a cup of wine, I pray you, fair damsel. I have had much hard work, and would fain recruit my forces."

Gertrude again repaired to the cupboard and set a flask before him.

"I drink to your health, fair damsel," he said, eyeing her tenderly as he filled his glass. "You are aware that we have gained a complete victory over the malignants. We have beaten them off in every attack, and their cannon have not done us any hurt."

"It is not well to exult," said Gertrude. "The fight is not over yet."

"The Lord is with us, therefore we cannot fail," said Cranage. "Ere many days, the town will be delivered from the enemy."

"Should it be so, it will have been preserved by Colonel Rosworm alone," said Standish. "To him the entire credit of the defence is due."

"Humph!" exclaimed Cranage. "Methinks we have done our part."

And he was proceeding with some further self-laudation, when Rosworm himself came in, accompanied by Colonel Holland.

Standish bowed to the governor, who courteously returned the salutation.

"I have some intelligence that will be satisfactory to you, Captain Standish," he said. "The Earl of Derby has just sent an officer to propose an exchange of prisoners. I have agreed to the proposition. You will, therefore, be exchanged for Captain Booth, who was captured in a sally that he made yesterday.

"I rejoice to hear it, colonel," replied Standish. "I have been very well treated since I have fallen into your hands—still I shall be glad to get back."

"You will be able to inform Lord Derby as to our condition," said the governor.

"I shall give his lordship a correct report, rest assured, colonel," replied Standish.

"That is all I desire," said the governor. "Captain Cranage," he continued, turning to that personage, who had risen on his entrance, "I notice that you have a small party of men outside."

"I have, colonel," replied the other. "Have you any orders?"

"Conduct Captain Standish to the Deansgate barrier, where he will be exchanged for Captain Booth. At the same time, his sword must be restored to him."

"It shall be done, colonel," replied Cranage. "Come with me, sir," he added to Standish.

"Adieu, captain," said Rosworm. "You have not had a long captivity to endure."

"Nor has it been disagreeable," replied Standish, glancing at Gertrude. "I am much beholden both to you and your daughter."

Formally saluting the governor, and bowing to Rosworm and Gertrude, he went forth with Cranage, who did not like the task imposed upon him, but could not decline it.

Many a scowling look was fixed upon Standish as he passed through the streets with his guard, and many a deep malediction reached his ear.

As usual, crowds were collected in the marketplace, singing hymns, or listening to preachers. The triumphant looks of these persons showed they were exulting in their success.

As the firing from the enemy's battery had ceased, Deansgate was full of soldiers, but they readily made way for Cranage and his party. On arriving at the barrier, they found Captain Bradshaw, with a guard drawn up beside him. In the midst of the guard were half a dozen Royalists—officers and men.

On the further side of the barrier was Captain Windebank, on horseback, attended by a small party of dragoons. He had brought Captain Booth and Captain Hyde, with five Parliamentary soldiers to be exchanged.

All the prisoners on either side being now assembled, the exchange was promptly effected.

The Republican officers and men were welcomed with shouts, while the Royalists, attended by the escort, marched on to the battery, where they were greeted in like manner by the artillerymen. Here Standish received Captain Windebank's hearty congratulations on his release.