The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal '45

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  "No more provisions to be taken away!" cried one of the bystanders;"that means the town is about to be besieged."

  "That's not it," cried another. "It means that the young Pretender andhis army will soon be here."

  "Whatever it means you must obey the order," said the bellman. "Andso, God save the king!"

  "God save King James the Third!" "Down with the Elector of Hanover!"shouted several persons.

  And as these were violently opposed by the supporters of the reigningmonarch, and a fight seemed likely to ensue, the bellman marched offto repeat his proclamation elsewhere.

  Meanwhile, the party assembled in Tom Syddall's back room hadseparated, but not before they had agreed upon another meeting at anearly hour on the morrow.

  End of the First Book.

  BOOK II.

  PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD IN MANCHESTER.

  CHAPTER I.

  HOW MANCHESTER WAS TAKEN BY A SERGEANT, A DRUMMER, AND A SCOTTISHLASSIE.

  Manchester arose next day in a state of great ferment. No one exactlyknew what was about to occur, but everybody felt something was athand.

  The proclamation made overnight by the bellman, and the studiouslyguarded answers given by that discreet functionary to the questionsput to him, had caused considerable anxiety. No news had been receivedfrom Preston--except the secret express sent to the heads of theJacobite party--but a notion prevailed that the prince would make hisappearance in the course of the day.

  Any real defence of the town was out of the question, since themilitia was disbanded, but some staunch Whigs and zealousPresbyterians declared they would certainly make a stand. This,however, was looked upon as mere idle bravado. Most of those who haddelayed their departure to the last moment now took flight. At anearly hour on that very morning all the justices and lawyers hadquitted the town. The boroughreeve had gone, but the constablesremained at their post. As on the previous day, no business whateverwas transacted, and the majority of the shops continued closed.

  As the day went on the total want of news increased the publicanxiety, for the few who were in possession of authentic informationtook care to keep it to themselves. The excitement, therefore, wasincreased by a variety of contradictory rumours, none of which had anyfoundation in truth, the Hanoverians doggedly maintaining that theyoung Pretender had turned back at Preston, and was now in fullretreat to Scotland; while the Jacobites declared with equal warmththat the prince was within half a day's march of Manchester, and wouldsoon present himself before the town.

  Whatever might be the feelings of others, it is quite certain that allthe prettiest damsels were impatiently expecting the handsome prince,and would have been sadly disappointed if he had turned back.

  As the weather chanced to be fine, and no business was going on, agreat many persons were in the streets, and the town had quite aholiday air.

  Towards the afternoon, the crowds that had been rambling about duringthe morning had returned to their mid-day meal, when a cry arose fromSalford that the advanced guard of the rebel army was in sight.

  The report proved incorrect; yet it was not entirely withoutfoundation. Three persons in Highland dresses, and no doubt belongingto the insurgent army, had actually entered the town by the Prestonroad, and were riding slowly along, looking about them in a very easyand unconcerned manner. All the beholders stared in astonishment, butnobody meddled with them, for it was naturally concluded that theregiment they belonged to must be close behind.

  From its singularity, the little party was sufficient in itself toattract general attention. It consisted of a sergeant, a drummer, andan exceedingly pretty Scottish lassie. All three were well mounted,though the state of their horses showed they had ridden many miles.Both the men were in full Highland dress, wore plumed caps, and werearmed with claymore, dirk, and target. Moreover, the sergeant had ablunderbuss at his saddle-bow, but his comrade was content with thedrum.

  Sergeant Erick Dickson, a young Highlander, and bold as a lion, washandsome, well-proportioned, and possessed of great strength andactivity. Sandy Rollo, the drummer, was likewise a very daring youngfellow.

  Helen Carnegie, the Scottish damsel, deserves a few more words. Herbeauty and virtue were constant themes of praise among officers andmen in the Highland army. Having given her heart to Erick Dickson,Helen Carnegie had accompanied him in the march from Edinburgh, afterthe victory at Preston Pans--or Gladsmuir, as the Highlanders calledit--but her character was without reproach. Any man who had breathed aword against her fair fame would have had a quick reckoning withErick.

  Helen Carnegie was not yet nineteen, and perhaps her charms were notfully developed, but she was very beautiful notwithstanding. Hergolden locks had first set the sergeant's heart on fire, and herbright blue eyes had kept up the flame ever since. Yet, after all, herexquisite figure was her greatest beauty. No nymph was ever moregracefully proportioned than Helen, and no costume could have suitedher better than the one she adopted--the kilt being as long as apetticoat, while a plaid shawl was thrown over her knee when she wason horseback. The blue bonnet that crowned her golden locks wasadorned with a white cockade.

  Such was the little party that had entered Salford, and they allseemed much amused by the curiosity they excited.

  Leaving them on their way to the bridge, it may now be proper toinquire what had brought them thither.

  At Preston, on the previous evening, Sergeant Dickson came up to theChevalier de Johnstone, his commanding officer, and aide-de-camp toLord George Murray, lieutenant-general of the Highland army, andsaluting him, said:

  "May I have a word with you, colonel? I have been beating aboutPreston for recruits all day without getting one, and I am the morevexed, because the other sergeants have been very lucky."

  "You ought to have taken Helen Carnegie with you, Erick," said ColonelJohnstone, laughing.

  "That's exactly what I propose to do, colonel," said Dickson. "I'vecome to ask your honour's permission to set out an hour before dawnto-morrow for Manchester, and so get a day's march ahead of the army.I shall then be able to secure some recruits."

  "I cannot grant your request," rejoined Colonel Johnstone. "What wouldyou do alone in a strange town? You will be instantly takenprisoner--if you are not killed."

  "Your honour needn't alarm yourself about me," replied Erick, in awheedling voice, which, however, did not produce the desired effect."I know how to take care of myself. If I get leave to go I'll takeHelen Carnegie with me, and Rollo, the drummer."

  Again the colonel shook his head.

  "No, no, you mustn't think of it, Erick," he cried. "Go to yourquarters, and don't stir out again to-night."

  Sergeant Dickson retired, resolved to disobey orders, feeling certainthe offence would be overlooked if he proved successful.

  He therefore set out from Preston in good time next morning,accompanied by Helen and Rollo.

  We left them riding towards Salford Bridge, and when they were withinfifty yards of it, they came to a halt, and Rollo began to beat thedrum vigorously. The din soon brought a great number of persons roundthem, who began to shout lustily, when the sergeant, judging thefitting moment had arrived to commence operations, silenced the drum,and doffing his plumed cap--his example being followed by hiscompanions--called out in a loud voice, "God save King James theThird!"

  Some cheers followed, but they were overpowered by angry outcries, andseveral voices exclaimed, "Down with the rebels!"

  Judging from these menacing expressions that he was likely to beassailed, Erick, whose masculine visage had begun to assume a veryformidable expression, placed himself in front of Helen so as toshield her from attack, and then hastily putting on his target, andgetting his blunderbuss ready for immediate use, he glared fiercelyround at the assemblage, roaring out:

  "Keep off!--if ye wadna ha' the contents of this among ye."

  Alarmed by his looks and gestures, the concourse held back; but onlyfor a few moments. Some of them tried to lay hands on Helen, but theywere baffled by the rapidity wi
th which the sergeant wheeled round,dashing them back, and upsetting half-a-dozen of them.

  But he had instantly to defend himself from another attack, and thishe did with equal vigour and address, receiving all blows aimed at himon his target, and pointing the blunderbuss at those who attempted toseize him. However, he was careful not to fire, and shortly afterwardsgave the blunderbuss to Helen and drew his claymore.

  Meantime, Rollo, who was a very courageous fellow, though he had notthe sergeant's activity, rendered what aid he could; but he was nowbeginning to be sorely pressed on all sides.

  The conflict had lasted two or three minutes without any disadvantageto the sergeant, when several persons called upon him to yield. Tothis summons he answered disdainfully that he had never yet yielded,and never would, while his hand could grasp a sword.

  "I have come to raise recruits for the yellow-haired laddie," hecried. "Will none of you join me? Will none of you serve the prince?"

  Some voices answered in the affirmative, but those who called out wereat a distance.

  "Here, friends, here!" shouted Dickson, waving his claymore to them."I want recruits for the yellow-haired laddie. Ye ken weel whom Imean."

  "Ay, ay. We'll join!--we'll join!" cried twenty voices.

  And the speakers tried to force their way toward Erick, but wereprevented by the Presbyterians in the crowd.

  The tumult that ensued operated in the sergeant's favour, and enabledhim to keep his assailants at bay till assistance really arrived inthe shape of a band of some fifty or sixty Jacobites, mustered on theinstant, and headed by Tom Syddall.

  ERICK, WITH HELEN AND ROLLO, PROCLAIM KING JAMES AT MANCHESTER Page 99.]

  It was now a scene of triumph and rejoicing. Since his opponents hadtaken to flight, and he was so numerously supported, Sergeant Dicksondeclared he would take possession of the town in the name of hissovereign, King James the Third, and the proposition was received withloud shouts. These shouts, with the continuous beating of the drum byRollo, soon brought large additions to the numbers friendly to theJacobite cause; and Dickson, with Helen by his side, and attended bySyddall on foot, crossed the bridge at the head of a victorious host,who made the air ring with their acclamations.

  CHAPTER II.

  THE PROCLAMATION AT THE CROSS.

  On reaching the Cross, the sergeant placed himself in front of it, andwaiting for a few minutes till the concourse had gathered round him,in a loud voice he proclaimed King James the Third. A tremendous shoutfollowed, accompanied by the waving of hats.

  Among the spectators of this singular scene were Dr. Byrom and Beppy.Being stationed at an open window, they were free from any annoyancefrom the crowd.

  Both were much struck by the sergeant's fine athletic figure and manlyfeatures, but they were chiefly interested by Helen, whom Beppythought the prettiest creature she had ever beheld.

  "Do look at her lovely golden locks, papa!" she said. "Don't you thinkthey would be completely spoiled by powder? And then her eyes!--howbright they are! And her teeth!--how brilliantly white! I declare Inever saw an English beauty to compare with her."

  "She certainly is exceedingly pretty," replied Dr. Byrom. "And thereis an air of freshness and innocence about her scarcely to be expectedin a girl circumstanced as she is, that heightens her beauty."

  "She is as good as she is pretty, I am quite sure," said Beppy.

  "I hope so," returned Dr. Byrom, rather gravely. "I will make someinquiries about her."

  "Never will I place faith in a physiognomy again, if hers provesdeceptive," cried Beppy.

  Beppy, however, was not the only person bewitched by Helen.

  When beheld at the Cross, the fair Scottish lassie electrified thecrowd, and many a youth lost his heart to her.

  As soon as the proclamation had been made, Sergeant Dickson addressedhimself to the business on which he had come. Causing the drum to bebeaten, he made a brief speech, in which he urged all brave young menwho heard him to take up arms for their lawful sovereign, and help torestore him to the throne.

  "All who have a mind to serve his royal highness, Prince Charles, areinvited to come forward," he cried. "Five guineas in advance."

  Many young men promptly responded to the call, and pressed towards thesergeant, who still remained on horseback near the Cross, with Helenbeside him. Rollo, likewise, was close at hand, and kept constantlydrubbing away at the drum.

  Helen gained as many recruits as the sergeant himself--perhaps more.Her smile proved irresistible. When an applicant hesitated, a fewwords from her decided him. Each name was entered in a book by thesergeant, but the payment of the five guineas was necessarily deferreduntil the arrival of Mr. Murray, the prince's secretary.

  Altogether, a great deal of enthusiasm prevailed, and the sergeant hadgood reason to be satisfied with the result of his advance-march fromPreston. He remained nearly half an hour at the Cross, and thenproceeded to the market-place, accompanied by all the new recruits,and followed by an immense crowd.

  As they passed the house at the windows of which Beppy Byrom and herfather were stationed, a momentary halt took place, during which Beppycame forward, and waved her handkerchief to the Scottish damsel. Helenbowed in acknowledgment with a grace peculiarly her own, and takingoff her bonnet, pointed significantly to the white cockade that deckedit.

  "Will ye wear this, my bonnie young leddy, an I gie it ye?" she cried.

  "Ay, that I will," replied Beppy.

  Helen immediately rode up to the window, which she saw was quitewithin reach, and detaching the ribbon from her bonnet gave it to heradmirer, who received it with every expression of delight, andinstantly proceeded to fix it upon her own breast.

  "Ye are now bound to find a recruit for Prince Charlie, my bonnieyoung leddy," said Helen, as she moved away amid the laughter andcheers of the beholders.

  Previously to this little occurrence, Dr. Byrom and his daughter hadbeen made acquainted with Helen's history by Tom Syddall, and hadlearnt that her character was irreproachable.

  "I hope I shall see her again," said Beppy. "I should like so much toconverse with her."

  "Well, I make no doubt your wish can be gratified," said her father."I'll speak to Syddall, and he will bid her call upon you. But why doyou take so much interest in her?"

  "I can't exactly tell," replied Beppy. "She seems to me to possess agreat many good qualities, and, at all events, I admire her romanticattachment to her lover. Still, I don't think I should have been sovery much charmed with her if she hadn't been so exceedingly pretty.And now you have the truth, papa."

  "Good looks evidently go a long way with you, Beppy," said her father,laughing.

  "Indeed they do, papa. But now that the street has become clear, letus go and speak to Tom Syddall."

  The room from which they had viewed the proceedings at the Crossformed the upper part of a draper's shop. Thanking the owner, they nowtook their departure, and sought out Tom Syddall, whom they found athis door. He readily undertook to send Helen Carnegie to Miss Byrom assoon as the recruiting was over.

  But the sergeant had a great deal to do, and did not care to part witheither of his companions.

  He continued to parade the town for some hours, enlisting all whooffered themselves; and the number of the recruits soon exceeded ahundred.

  The authorities did not interfere with him--probably deeming ituseless to do so. Had they really surrendered the town they could nothave proved more submissive.

  CHAPTER III.

  FATHER JEROME.

  Nothing had been heard of Sir Richard Rawcliffe since his suddenflight, but Constance had no fears for his safety, for all danger wasover as soon as he got fairly out of Manchester.

  But she looked forward to his return with an uneasiness such as shehad never before experienced. Her father loved her dearly--better thanany one else--for she was his only child. But he was of a violenttemper--easily offended, and by no means easily appeased, as sheherself had found, for she ha
d more than once incurred hisdispleasure, though for matters of very trifling import. From herknowledge of his character, she could not doubt he would beexceedingly angry that she had read the letter relating to AthertonLegh, and though it would be easy to say nothing about it, she couldnot reconcile herself to such a disingenuous course.

  After some reflection, she determined to consult Father Jerome, and beguided by his advice. Accordingly she sought a private conference withhim, and told him all that had occurred.

  The priest listened to her recital with great attention, and thensaid:

  "I am glad you have spoken to me, daughter. If the matter is mentionedto Sir Richard it must be by me--not by you. It would trouble himexceedingly to think you are acquainted with this secret. He wouldblame himself for committing the papers to your care, and he wouldblame you for reading them."

  "I have only read a single letter, father, as I have explained toyou."

  "That I quite understand; but I fear Sir Richard will suspect you haveindulged your curiosity to a greater extent."

  "My father will believe what I tell him," said Constance, proudly.

  "'Tis better not to give him so much annoyance if it can be helped,"rejoined the priest; "and though frankness is generally desirable,there are occasions when reticence is necessary. This is one of them.Have you the packet with you?"

  "Yes, 'tis here," she replied, producing it.

  "Give it me," he cried, taking it from her. "I will restore it to SirRichard. He will then say nothing more to you. But mark me!" he added,gravely, "the secret you have thus accidentally obtained must bestrictly kept. Breathe it to no one. And now I must not neglect tocaution you on another point. Yesterday I saw this young man--thisAtherton Legh--of whom we have just been speaking. He is veryhandsome, and well calculated to inspire regard in the female breast.I trust you have no such feeling for him."