Guy Fawkes; or, The Gunpowder Treason: An Historical Romance

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  CHAPTER X.

  THE FATE OF THE PURSUIVANT.

  Assisted by the stream, and plying his oars with great rapidity, GuyFawkes soon left the town far behind him; nor did he relax his exertionsuntil checked by Humphrey Chetham. He then ceased rowing, and directedthe boats towards the left bank of the river.

  "Here we propose to land," observed the young merchant to Viviana. "Weare not more than a hundred yards from Ordsall Cave, where you can takerefuge for a short time, while I proceed to the Hall, and ascertainwhether you can return to it with safety."

  "I place myself entirely in your hands," she replied; "but I fear such acourse will be to rush into the very face of danger. Oh! that I couldjoin my father at Holywell! With him I should feel secure."

  "Means may be found to effect your wishes," returned Humphrey Chetham;"but, after the suffering you have recently endured, it will scarcely beprudent to undertake so long a journey without a few hours' repose.To-morrow,--or the next day,--you may set out."

  "I am fully equal to it now," rejoined Viviana, eagerly; "and anyfatigue I may undergo will not equal my present anxiety. You havealready done so much for me, that I venture to presume still furtherupon your kindness. Provide some means of conveyance for me and forFather Oldcorne to Chester, and I shall for ever be beholden to you."

  "I will not only do what you desire, Viviana, if it be possible,"answered Chetham; "but, if you will allow me, I will serve as yourescort."

  "And I, also," added Guy Fawkes.

  "All I fear is, that your strength may fail you," continued the youngmerchant, in a tone of uneasiness.

  "Fear nothing then," replied Viviana. "I am made of firmer material thanyou imagine. Think only of what _you_ can do, and doubt not my abilityto do it, also."

  "I ever deemed you of a courageous nature, daughter," observed Oldcorne;"but your resolution surpasses my belief."

  By this time the boat had approached the shore. Leaping upon the rockybank, the young merchant assisted Viviana to land, and then performedthe same service for the priest. Guy Fawkes was the last to disembark;and, having pulled the skiff aground, he followed the others, who waitedfor him at a short distance. The night was profoundly dark, and the paththey had taken, being shaded by large trees, was scarcely discernible.Carefully guiding Viviana, who leaned on him for support, the youngmerchant proceeded at a slow pace, and with the utmost caution.Suddenly, they were surprised and alarmed by a vivid blaze of lightbursting through the trees on the left.

  "Some building must be on fire!" exclaimed Viviana.

  "It is Ordsall Hall,--it is your father's residence," cried HumphreyChetham.

  "It is the work of that accursed pursuivant, I will be sworn," said GuyFawkes.

  "If it be so, may Heaven's fire consume him!" rejoined Oldcorne.

  "Alas! alas!" cried Viviana, bursting into tears, "I thought myselfequal to every calamity; but this new stroke of fate is more than I canbear."

  As she spoke, the conflagration evidently increased. The sky wasillumined by the red reflection of the flames; and as the party hurriedforward to a rising ground, whence a better view could be obtained ofthe spectacle, they saw the dark walls of the ancient mansion apparentlywrapped in the devouring element.

  "Let us hasten thither," cried Viviana, distractedly.

  "I and Guy Fawkes will fly there," replied the young merchant, "andrender all the assistance in our power. But, first, let me convey you tothe cave."

  More dead than alive, Viviana suffered herself to be borne in thatdirection. Making his way over every impediment, Chetham soon reachedthe excavation; and depositing his lovely burthen upon the stone couch,and leaving her in charge of the priest, he hurried with Guy Fawkestowards the Hall.

  On arriving at the termination of the avenue, they found, to their greatrelief, that it was not the main structure, but an outbuilding which wasin flames, and from its situation the young merchant conceived it to bethe stables. As soon as they made this discovery, they slackened theirpace, being apprehensive, from the shouts and other sounds that reachedthem, that some hostile party might be among the assemblage. Crossingthe drawbridge--which was fortunately lowered,--they were about to shapetheir course towards the stables, which lay at the further side of theHall, when they perceived the old steward, Heydocke, standing at thedoorway and wringing his hands in distraction. Humphrey Chethamimmediately called to him.

  "I should know that voice!" cried the old man, stepping forward. "Ah!Mr. Chetham, is it you? You are arrived at a sad time, sir--a sadtime--to see the old house, where I have dwelt, man and boy, sixty yearsand more, in flames. But one calamity has trodden upon the heels ofanother. Ever since Sir William departed for Holywell nothing has goneright--nothing whatever. First, the house was searched by the pursuivantand his gang; then, my young mistress disappeared; then it was rifled bythese plunderers; and now, to crown all, it is on fire, and willspeedily be burnt to the ground."

  "Say not so," replied the young merchant. "The flames have not yetreached the Hall; and, if exertion is used, they may be extinguishedwithout further mischief."

  "Let those who have kindled them extinguish them," replied Heydocke,sullenly. "I will not raise hand more."

  "Who are the incendiaries?" demanded Fawkes.

  "The pursuivant and his myrmidons," replied Heydocke. "They came hereto-night; and after ransacking the house under pretence of procuringfurther evidence against my master, and carrying off everything valuablethey could collect--plate, jewels, ornaments, money, and evenwearing-apparel,--they ended by locking up all the servants,--exceptmyself, who managed to elude their vigilance,--in the cellar, andsetting fire to the stables."

  "Wretches!" exclaimed Humphrey Chetham.

  "Wretches, indeed!" repeated the steward. "But this is not all thevillany they contemplate. I had concealed myself in the store-room,under a heap of lumber, and in searching for me they chanced upon abarrel of gunpowder--"

  "Well!" interrupted Guy Fawkes.

  "Well, sir," pursued Heydocke, "I heard the pursuivant remark to one ofhis comrades, 'This is a lucky discovery. If we can't find the steward,we'll blow him and the old house to the devil.' Just then, some one cameto tell him I was hidden in the stables, and the whole troop adjournedthither. But being baulked of their prey, I suppose, they wreaked theirvengeance in the way you perceive."

  "No doubt," rejoined Humphrey Chetham. "But they shall bitterly rue it.I will myself represent the affair to the Commissioners."

  "It will be useless," groaned Heydocke. "There is no law to protect theproperty of a Catholic."

  "Where is the barrel of gunpowder you spoke of?" asked Guy Fawkes, as ifstruck by a sudden idea.

  "The villains took it with them when they quitted the store-room,"replied the steward. "I suppose they have got it in the yard."

  "They have lighted a fire which shall be quenched with their blood,"rejoined Fawkes, fiercely. "Follow me. I may need you both."

  So saying, he darted off, and turning the corner, came in front of theblazing pile. Occupying one side of a large quadrangular court, thestables were wholly disconnected with the Hall, and though the fireburnt furiously, yet as the wind carried the flames and sparks in acontrary direction, it was possible the latter building might escape ifdue precaution were taken. So far, however, from this being the case, itseemed the object of the bystanders to assist the progress of theconflagration. Several horses, saddled and bridled, had been removedfrom the stable, and placed within an open cowhouse. To these Guy Fawkescalled Chetham's attention, and desired him and the old steward tosecure some of them. Hastily giving directions to Heydocke, the youngmerchant obeyed,--sprang on the back of the nearest courser, and seizingthe bridles of two others, rode off with them. His example was followedby Heydocke, and one steed only was left. Such was the confusion andclamour prevailing around, that the above proceeding passed unnoticed.

  Guy Fawkes, meanwhile, ensconcing himself behind the court-gate, lookedabout for the barrel of gunpowder. For some time he cou
ld discover notrace of it. At length, beneath a shed, not far from him, he perceived asoldier seated upon a small cask, which he had no doubt was the objecthe was in search of. So intent was the man upon the spectacle beforehim, that he was wholly unaware of the approach of an enemy; andcreeping noiselessly up to him, Guy Fawkes felled him to the ground witha blow from the heavy butt-end of his petronel. The action was notperceived by the others; and carrying the cask out of the yard, Fawkesburst in the lid, and ascertained that the contents were what they hadbeen represented. He then glanced around, to see how he could bestexecute his purpose.

  On the top of the wall adjoining the stables he beheld the pursuivant,with three or four soldiers, giving directions and issuing orders.Another and lower wall, forming the opposite side of the quadrangle, andbuilt on the edge of the moat, approached the scene of the fire, and onthis, Guy Fawkes, with the barrel of gunpowder on his shoulder, mounted.Concealing himself behind a tree which overshadowed it, he watched afavourable moment for his enterprise.

  He had not to wait long. Prompted by some undefinable feeling, whichcaused him to rush upon his destruction, the pursuivant ventured uponthe roof of the stables, and was followed by his companions. No soonerdid this occur, than Guy Fawkes dashed forward, and hurled the barrelwith all his force into the midst of the flames, throwing himself at thesame moment into the moat. The explosion was instantaneous andtremendous;--so loud as to be audible even under the water. Its effectswere terrible. The bodies of the pursuivant and his companions wereblown into the air, and carried to the further side of the moat. Ofthose standing before the building, several were destroyed, and all moreor less injured. The walls were thrown down by the concussion, and theroof and its fiery fragments projected into the moat. An effectual stopwas put to the conflagration; and, when Guy Fawkes rose to the boilingand agitated surface of the water, the flames were entirelyextinguished. Hearing groans on the opposite bank of the moat, he forcedhis way through the blazing beams, which were hissing near him; andsnatching up a still burning fragment, hastened in the direction of thesound. In the blackened and mutilated object that met his gaze, herecognised the pursuivant. The dying wretch also recognised him, andattempted to speak; but in vain--his tongue refused its office, and witha horrible attempt at articulation, he expired.

  Alarmed by the explosion, the domestics,--who it has already beenmentioned were confined in the cellar;--were rendered so desperate bytheir fears, that they contrived to break out of their prison, and nowhastened to the stables to ascertain the cause of the report. Leavingthem to assist the sufferers, whose dreadful groans awakened somefeelings of compunction in his iron breast, Guy Fawkes caught thesteed,--which had broken its bridle and rushed off, and now stoodshivering, shaking, and drenched in moisture near the drawbridge,--and,mounting it, galloped towards the cave.

  At its entrance, he was met by Humphrey Chetham and Oldcorne, whoeagerly inquired what had happened.

  Guy Fawkes briefly explained.

  "It is the hand of Heaven manifested by your arm, my son," observed thepriest. "Would that it had stricken the tyrant and apostate prince bywhom our church is persecuted! But his turn will speedily arrive."

  "Peace, father!" cried Guy Fawkes, sternly.

  "I do not lament the fate of the pursuivant," observed Humphrey Chetham."But this is a frightful waste of human life--and in such a cause!"

  "It is the cause of Heaven, young sir," rejoined the priest, angrily.

  "I do not think so," returned Chetham; "and, but for my devotion toViviana, I would have no further share in it."

  "You are at liberty to leave us, if you think proper," retorted thepriest, coldly.

  "Nay, say not so, father," interposed Viviana, who had been anunobserved listener to the foregoing discourse. "You owe your life--yourliberty, to Mr. Chetham."

  "True, daughter," replied the priest. "I have been too hasty, andentreat his forgiveness."

  "You have it, reverend sir," rejoined the young merchant. "And now,Master Heydocke," he added, turning to the steward, "you may return tothe Hall with safety. No one will molest you more, and your presence maybe needed."

  "But my young mistress--" said Heydocke.

  "I am setting out for Holywell to join my father," replied Viviana. "Youwill receive our instructions from that place."

  "It is well," returned the old man, bowing respectfully. "Heaven shieldus from further misfortune!"

  Humphrey Chetham having assisted Viviana into the saddle, and the restof the party having mounted, they took the road to Chester, whileHeydocke returned to the Hall.