by G. A. Henty
CHAPTER XX.
WITH THE SCOTCH ARMY.
While trying and executing Montrose for loyalty to the king, the Scotswere themselves negotiating with Charles, commissioners having come overto Breda, where he was living, for the purpose. They insisted upon hisswearing to be faithful to the Covenant, to his submitting himself tothe advice of the Parliament and Church, and to his promising never topermit the exercise of the Catholic religion in any part of hisdominions. Charles agreed to everything demanded of him, having all thetime no intention whatever of keeping his promises. While he wasswearing to observe everything the Scots asked of him, he was writing toOrmonde to tell him that he was to mind nothing he heard as to hisagreement with the Scots, for that he would do all the Irish required.Charles, indeed, although but a young man of twenty, was as full ofduplicity and faithlessness as his father, without possessing any of thevirtues of that unfortunate king, and the older and wiser men among hisfollowers were alienated by his dissolute conduct, and by the manner inwhich he gave himself up to the reckless counsels of men like Buckinghamand Wilmot.
Harry heard with deep regret the many stories current of the evil lifeand ways of the young king. Had it not been for the deadly hatred whichhe felt to Cromwell and the Puritans for the murder of Sir ArthurAshton, and the rest of the garrison and people of Drogheda, in coldblood, he would have retired altogether from the strife, and would haveentered one of the continental armies, in which many Royalist refugeeshad already taken service. He determined, however, that he would join inthis one expedition, and that if it failed he would take no further partin civil wars in England, but wait for the time, however distant, when,as he doubted not, the people of England would tire of the hard rule ofthe men of the army and conventicle, and would, with open arms, welcomethe return of their sovereign.
Early in June the king sailed for Scotland, accompanied by the regimentwhich Harry had raised, and a few hundred other troops. He landed thereon the 16th. The English Parliament at once appointed Cromwellcaptain-general and commander-in-chief of all the forces raised and tobe raised within the commonwealth of England. A few days later he leftLondon, and on the 23d of June entered Scotland with sixteen thousandmen. King Charles, to whom Harry had been presented by Prince Rupert asone of his father's most gallant and faithful soldiers, received him atfirst with great cordiality. As soon as he found, however, that thisyoung colonel was in no way inclined to join in his dissipations, thathis face was stern and set when light talk or sneers against religionwere uttered by the king's companions, Charles grew cold to him, andHarry was glad to be relieved from all personal attendance upon him, andto devote himself solely to his military duties. Upon landing inScotland, Harry, with his regiment, was encamped in the valley betweenEdinburgh Castle and the high hill called Arthur's Seat. A few daysafter his arrival he, with Jacob, who was now raised to the rank ofmajor, and William Long, who was one of his lieutenants, entered thepalace of Holyrood, where the king's court was held. Here were gathereda motley assembly. A few English Cavaliers, many loyal Scotch nobles andgentlemen, and a large number of somber men of the Covenant. Next toCharles stood a tall man, whom Harry instantly recognized. Argyll, forit was he, stared fixedly at the young colonel, who returned his lookwith one as cold and haughty.
"This is Colonel Furness, my lord earl," the young king said. "One of myfather's bravest and most devoted followers."
"I seem to have met the gentleman before," the earl said.
"You have," Harry replied coldly. "At that time the Earl of Argyllthreatened to torture me into betraying the secrets of his majesty, andwould, I doubt not, have carried his threat into effect had I notescaped from his hands. The times have changed, and the Earl of Argyllnow stands beside his king, but I, sir, have not forgotten the past soeasily." So saying, with a deep bow to the king, Harry passed on.
"Harry," whispered Donald Leslie, a young Scotch officer who had joinedthe ranks of his regiment as captain at Hamburg, "hitherto I havethought you the wisest and most discreet of men. I cannot say as muchnow. It would have been safer to walk into a den of lions than to insultthe old red fox. He was never known to forgive, and those who offend himhave a short life. Beware, colonel, for henceforth you carry your lifein your hand."
"My sword is as sharp as his," Harry laughed, as they issued into theopen air.
"I doubt it not," Leslie said, "but it is with daggers rather thanswords that Argyll fights, and with secret plottings more than either.Edinburgh swarms with Campbells, any one of whom would think no more ofrunning you through at his lord's command than he would of killing arat. Mark my words, before a week is out you will be engaged in somebroil or other."
Jacob and William Long heard with great disquietude the remarks of theyoung Scotch officer, which they knew sufficient of Argyll to be awarewere perfectly true. They resolved that they would maintain a carefulwatch over their friend, and that night they charged Mike, who was now atall, active young fellow of seventeen, to keep the strictest watch ashe followed his master in the streets, and to have pistol and swordalways in readiness.
Two days later Harry had the first evidence of the truth of Leslie'sprediction. He was walking up the High Street, accompanied by Jacob,while Leslie and two or three of his officers followed a short distancebehind, when three or four Scotch nobles were seen approaching. One ofthese, Colonel Campbell, of Arrain, a tall and powerful figure, inpassing jostled roughly against Harry.
"S'death, sir!" he exclaimed. "Do you think that you are in England,that you can take up the whole of the road?"
"I'm as much entitled to the road as yourself," Harry said hotly; "youpurposely jostled me."
"Well, sir, and what if I did?" Colonel Campbell replied. "If you don'tlike it you have your remedy," and he touched his sword significantly.
"I will meet you, sir," Harry said, "in an hour's time at the foot ofthe Castlehill."
The colonel nodded, and accompanied by his kinsmen strode on.
"Jacob, you and Leslie will act with me?" Harry asked.
"Willingly enough," Leslie replied. "But it is a bad business. Campbellhas the name of being one of the best swordsmen in the Scottish army.Of course he has been set on to attack you."
"I have been fighting," Harry said, "for the last ten years, and was nota bad swordsman when I began. Unless I mistake, I am as powerful a manas Colonel Campbell, and I fear not him or any man."
At the time appointed Harry, accompanied by his seconds, was upon theground, where five minutes later they were joined by Colonel Campbell,with two of his kinsmen. While the principals divested themselves oftheir cloaks and doublets, the seconds compared their swords. They wereof entirely different fashion, Harry's being long and straight withsharp edges, while Colonel Campbell's was a basket-hilted sword, alsostraight and double edged, and even larger and much heavier thanHarry's; each had brought one of similar make and size to his own. Someconversation took place as to the weapons which should be used.
"I cannot fight with a plaything like that," Colonel Campbell saidroughly.
"And I object equally," Harry puts in calmly, "to wield a heavier weaponthan that to which I am accustomed. But I am quite content to fight withmy own against that of Colonel Campbell."
The seconds at first on both sides objected to this, arguing that theweight and length of Campbell's weapon would give him an unfairadvantage. Harry, however, was firm.
"A man fights better," he said, "with the sword to which he is used.Mine is of tried temper, and I have no fear of its breaking." Harry hadgood reason for faith in his weapon. It was a long, straight blade ofToledo steel, which he had purchased for a considerable sum from aSpanish Jew in Hamburg. Colonel Campbell put an end to the argument byroughly saying that he wanted no more talk, and that if Colonel Furnessmeant fighting he had better take up his ground. This had already beenmarked out, and Harry immediately stood on the defensive.
In a moment the swords met. Colonel Campbell at once attacked furiously,trying to beat down Harry's guard by sheer
strength and the weight ofhis weapon. The Englishman, however, was to the full as powerful a man,and his muscles from long usage were like cords of steel. His blade metthe sweeping blows of the Scotchman firmly and steadily, while his pointover and over again menaced the breast of his adversary, who severaltimes only saved himself by springing back beyond it. Harry's secondssaw from the first that the issue was not doubtful. In a contest betweenthe edge and the point, the latter always wins if strength and skill beequal, and in this case, while in point of strength the combatants werefairly matched, Harry was more skilled in the use of his weapon, whoselightness, combined with its strength, added to his advantage. The fightlasted but five minutes. Twice Harry's sword drew blood, and at thethird thrust he ran his adversary through under the shoulder. The latterdropped his sword, with a curse.
"I have spared your life, Colonel Campbell," Harry said. "It was at mymercy a dozen times, but I wished not to kill you. You forced thisquarrel upon me at the bidding of another, and against you I had noanimosity. Farewell, sir. I trust that ere the day of battle you will beable to use your sword again in the service of the king."
So saying, Harry resumed his doublet and cloak, and, accompanied by hisseconds, returned to his camp, leaving Campbell, furious with pain anddisappointment, to be conveyed home by his friends.
"So far, so good, Harry," Captain Leslie said. "The attempt will, youwill find, be a more serious one. Argyll will not try fair means again.But beware how you go out at night."
The duel made a good deal of talk, and Argyll attempted to induce theking to take the matter up, and to punish Harry for his share in it. Butthe young king, although obliged to listen every day to the long sermonsand admonitions of the Covenanters, was heartily sick of them alreadyand answered Argyll lightly that, so far as he had heard of thecircumstances, Colonel Campbell was wholly to blame. "And, indeed,"added the king, "from what I have heard, the conduct of your kinsman wasso wantonly insulting that men say he must have been provoked thereto byothers, as the two officers appear to have been strangers until themoment when their quarrel arose."
The earl grew paler than usual, and pressed his thin lips tightlytogether.
"I know of no reason," he said, "why Colonel Campbell should haveengaged wantonly in a quarrel with this English officer."
"No!" Charles said innocently. "And if you do not, my lord, I know of noone that does. Colonel Furness is an officer who is somewhat staid andsevere for his years, and who, in sooth, stands somewhat aloof from me,and cares not for the merry jests of Buckingham; but he is a gallantsoldier. He has risked his life over and over again in the cause of mysainted father, and tried his utmost to save him, both at Carisbrook andWhitehall. Any one who plots against him is no friend of mine." Theyoung king spoke with a dignity and sternness which were not common tohim, and Argyll, biting his lips, felt a deadlier enmity than evertoward the man who had brought this reproof upon his shoulders.
The following day Harry received orders from General Leslie, whocommanded the royal forces, to march down toward the border, accompaniedby two regiments of horse. He was to devastate the country and to fallback gradually before Cromwell's advance, the cavalry harassing himclosely, but avoiding any serious conflict with the Roundhead horse. Thewhole party were under the command of Colonel Macleod.
"I am heartily glad to be on the move, Jacob," Harry said, on theevening before starting. "It is not pleasant to know that one is inconstant danger of being attacked whenever one goes abroad. Once awayfrom Edinburgh one may hope to be beyond the power of Argyll."
"I would not be too sure of that," Donald Leslie said. "A hound on thetrack of a deer is not more sure or untiring than is Argyll when hehunts down a foe. Be warned by me, and never relax a precaution so longas you are on Scottish ground. There are men who whisper that even now,when he stands by the side of the king, Argyll is in communication withCromwell. Trust me, if he can do you an ill turn, he will."
Upon the following morning the detachment marched, with flags flying anddrums beating, and the king himself rode down to see them depart. Argyllwas with him, and the king, as if in bravado of the formidable earl,waved his hand to Harry, and said: "Good-by, my grave colonel. Take careof yourself, and do not spare my enemies as you spared my friend."
Harry doffed his plumed hat, and rode on at the head of his regiment.The force marched rapidly, for it was known that Cromwell was within afew days of Berwick. So fast did they travel that in three days theywere near the border. Then they began the work which they had beenordered to carry out. Every head of cattle was driven up the country,and the inhabitants were ordered to load as much of their stores ofgrain in wagons as these would hold, and to destroy the rest. The forceunder Colonel Macleod saw that these orders were carried out, and when,on the 14th of July, Cromwell crossed the Tweed, he found the wholecountry bare of all provision for his troops. In vain his cavalry madeforays to a distance from the coast. Harry's foot opposed them at everydefensible point, while the cavalry hung upon their skirts. In vain theRoundheads tried to charge by them. The Scotch cavalry, in obedience toorders, avoided a contest, and day after day Cromwell's troopers had toreturn empty handed, losing many of their men by the fire of Harry'sinfantry. Thus the army of Cromwell was obliged to advance slowly uponthe line of coast, drawing their supplies wholly from the fleet whichaccompanied it.
One evening Colonel Macleod rode up to the cottage where Harry wasquartered for the night.
"I am going to beat up Oliver's camp to-night," he said. "Do you coverthe retreat with your men at the ford of the river. If I can get forfive minutes in his camp I will read the Roundheads a lesson, and maybespike some of his cannon. If I could catch Cromwell himself it would beas good as a great victory."
After nightfall the force approached the enemy's camp; at the ford theinfantry halted, the cavalry crossing and continuing their way to thecamp, about a mile distant. An hour passed without any sound beingheard. At length a sound of distant shouts, mingled with the reports offirearms, fell upon the ear.
"Macleod is among them now," Donald Leslie exclaimed. "I would I worewith him."
"You will have your turn presently," Harry replied. "A thousand horsemay do a good deal of damage in a sudden attack, but they must fall backas soon as the Roundheads rally."
For five or six minutes the distant tumult continued. Then it ceasedalmost as suddenly as it had begun. A minute or two later there was adeep, muffled sound.
"Here come the horse," Jacob said.
The infantry had already been placed along the bank of the river on eachside of the ford, leaving the way clear in the center for the passage ofthe cavalry. It was not long before they arrived on the opposite bank,and dashed at full speed across the river. Colonel Macleod rode at theirrear.
"The Ironsides are just behind," he said to Harry. "Let your men shootsharp and straight as they try to cross. We will charge them as theyreach the bank."
A minute later, and the close files of the Roundhead cavalry could beseen approaching, the moonlight glinting on steel cap, breastpiece, andsword.
"Steady, lads!" Harry shouted. "Do not fire a shot till they enter theriver. Then keep up a steady fire on the head of the column."
The Roundheads halted when they reached the river, and formed rapidlyinto a column, twelve abreast, for the ford was no wider. As theyentered the stream a heavy musketry fire opened suddenly upon them. Menand horses went down, floating away in the river. In spite of theirlosses the cavalry pressed on, and though numbers fell, gained theopposite bank. Then arose the Royalist cry "King and Covenant!" and theScottish horse swept down. The head of the column was shattered by thecharge, but the Ironsides still pressed on, and breaking the center ofthe Scottish horse, poured across the river.
Harry had already given his orders to Jacob, who commanded the left wingof the infantry, and the regiment, drawing up on both flanks of thecolumn of Ironsides, poured so heavy a fire upon them, while the cavalryof Macleod again charged them in front, that the column was broken,
andstill fighting sturdily, fell back again across the river. The momentthey did so a heavy fire of musketry opened from the further bank.
"Their infantry are up, Colonel Furness," Macleod said. "Draw off yourmen in good order. I will cover the retreat. We have done enough forto-night."
Getting his regiment together, Harry ordered them to retire at thedouble, keeping their formation as they went. The Roundhead cavalryagain crossed the river, and several times charged the Scotch horse.Twice they succeeded in breaking through, but Harry, facing his menround, received them pike in hand, the musketeers in rear keeping up sohot a fire over the shoulders of the pikemen that the Ironsides drewrein before reaching them, and presently fell back, leaving the party toretire without further pursuit.
"I as nearly as possible caught Cromwell," Colonel Macleod said, ridingup to Harry. "We got confused among the tents and ropes, or should havehad him. We entered his tent, but the bird had flown. We cut down somescores of his infantry, and spiked four guns, I have not lost twentymen, and his cavalry must have lost at least a hundred from your fire,besides the damage I did at their camp."
Obtaining a stock of supplies sufficient for some days from the ships atDunbar, Cromwell advanced to Musselburgh, within striking distance ofEdinburgh. Leslie had strongly posted his army in intrenched linesextending from Edinburgh to Leith, a distance of two miles. ColonelMacleod with his detachment rejoined the army on the same day thatCromwell reached Musselburgh. Upon the day after the arrival of theEnglish there was a sharp cavalry fight, and Cromwell would fain havetempted the Scotch army to engage beyond their lines. But Leslie wasnot to be drawn. He knew that if he could maintain himself in hisintrenchments the English must fall back, as they had the sea behindthem and on their right, Edinburgh in front of them, and a devastatedcountry on their left. At the urgent request of Cromwell the Parliamentstrained every nerve to send up provisions by ships, and so enabled himto remain before Edinburgh for a month.
A few days after his arrival Harry received orders to take a hundred andfifty men of his regiment, and to post himself at Kirkglen, whichblocked a road by which it was thought Cromwell might send foragingparties westward. Harry asked that a detachment of cavalry mightaccompany him, but the request was refused. Kirkglen stood fifteen milessouth of Edinburgh, and somewhat to its west. Harry left Jacob tocommand the main body of the regiment, and took with him the companiesof Donald Leslie and Hugh Grahame, in the latter of which William Longwas lieutenant. They sallied out from the western side of the camp atdaybreak.
"I like not this expedition, Colonel Furness," Donald Leslie said. "Therefusal to send cavalry with us is strange. Methinks I see the finger ofthat crafty fox Argyll in the pie. His faithfulness to the cause is moreand more doubted, though none dare wag a tongue against him, and if itbe true that he is in communication with Cromwell, we shall have theRoundheads, horse and foot, down upon us."
"There is a castle there, is there not," Harry asked, "which we mightoccupy?"
"Assuredly there is," Leslie replied. "It is the hold of Alan Campbell,a cousin of the man you pinked. It is that which adds to my suspicion.You will see, unless I am greatly mistaken, that he will not admit us."
Such, indeed, proved to be the case. Upon their arrival at Kirkglen,Leslie went in Harry's name to demand admittance to the castle for theroyal troops, but Campbell replied that he had received no orders tothat effect, and that it would greatly incommode him to quarter so largea number of men there. He said, however, that he would willinglyentertain Colonel Furness and his officers. Leslie brought back themessage, strongly urging Harry on no account to enter the castle and puthimself in the hands of the Campbells. Harry said that even had he nocause to doubt the welcome he might receive at the castle, he should inno case separate himself from his men, when he might be at any momentattacked.
"It is a rough piece of country between this and Cromwell's post,"Leslie said, "and he would have difficulty in finding his way hither.There is more than one broad morass to be crossed, and without a guidehe would scarce attempt it. It is for this reason that he is so unlikelyto send out foraging parties in this direction. It was this reflectionwhich caused me to wonder why we should be ordered hither."
"Mike," Harry said, "you have heard what Captain Leslie says. Do youkeep watch to-night near the castle gate, and let me know whether anyleave it; and in which direction they go. I will place a man behind towatch the postern. If treachery is meditated, Campbell will send news ofour coming to Cromwell."