The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal '45

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  "We gladly accept your offer, colonel," cried both magistrateseagerly.

  "The plan will relieve you from all personal responsibility," saidColonel Townley, "and will secure the contributions."

  The magistrates were profuse in their thanks, and it was then arrangedthat the party should commence their rounds at an early hour nextmorning.

  CHAPTER VI.

  A FALSE MESSAGE BROUGHT TO HELEN.

  Helen Carnegie had not accompanied her lover in the march to Derby,but had been persuaded by Beppy Byrom to remain with her atManchester. Thinking that an immediate engagement with the Duke ofCumberland was inevitable, the sergeant consented to the arrangement;but he missed his faithful companion sadly. He had become soaccustomed to having her by his side that it seemed as if he had losthis right hand. He tried to occupy his thoughts by strict attention tohis duty--but it would not do. So miserable did he feel at theseparation, that he was half reconciled to the retreat from Derby bythe thought that he should soon see her again.

  Helen suffered quite as much--perhaps more. Independently of beingconstantly near her lover, it had been her pride and pleasure to bewith the Highland army, and when the troops moved off without her,she felt as if her heart would break; and she would certainly havefollowed, if she had not been restrained by Beppy. Familiar as she waswith all the various incidents of a march, she pictured them toherself with the greatest distinctness, and spoke of all that thesergeant was doing.

  "Oh! he win miss me sairly," she cried. "He win want me to cheer himup, when his spirits are low. I ought not to have left him. And whatif he shouldna come back!"

  "Don't make yourself uneasy, Helen," said Beppy. "He is certain toreturn. Papa says the prince's army will be forced to retreat."

  "Na! na! that win never be!" cried Helen. "The prince win never turnback! The Highlanders may be all kilt, but turn back!--never!"

  The rumour, however, at length reached Manchester that the prince wasactually retreating, and Helen's delight at the thought of seeing herlover again quite overcame her vexation at what she looked upon as adisgrace.

  But the regiment to which the sergeant belonged, and which wascommanded by the Chevalier de Johnstone, did not reach Manchester tilllate in the day, and Erick having a great deal to do on his arrival,could not present himself to Helen.

  She had been in quest of him, but had encountered Captain Lindsay, whoaddressed her more boldly than ever, and to escape his persecutionsshe was compelled to return.

  As evening came her anxiety increased, and she was in all the agony ofexpectation, when a message came from her lover.

  It was brought by Rollo, who informed her that the sergeant had justarrived with his regiment, and wished to see her immediately.

  "Where is he?" asked Helen. "Why does he not come to me, himself?"

  "He would come, if he could," replied Rollo; "but he is busy with themen in St. Ann's Square. Come with me and I will take you to him."

  Wholly unsuspicious of ill, Helen instantly prepared to accompany themessenger, and they quitted the house together.

  The night was dark but clear, and, as they crossed the churchyard, sheperceived a tall Highland officer advancing towards her, and guessingwho it was, she stopped, and said to Rollo, "What is Captain Lindsaydoing here?"

  "How should I know?" rejoined the other. "He won't meddle with us.Come on. I'll take care of you."

  "I don't feel sure of that," she cried. "I shall go back."

  "No, you won't," said Rollo, seizing her arm, and detaining her.

  "Ah! you have basely betrayed me," she cried. "But Sergeant Dicksonwill punish you."

  Rollo replied by a coarse laugh, and the next moment Captain Lindsaycame up.

  "Free me from this man," she cried.

  "He is acting by my orders, Helen," said Lindsay. "This time I havetaken such precautions that you cannot escape me."

  "You cannot mean to carry me off against my will, Captain Lindsay,"she cried. "I winna believe it of ye."

  "I hope you will come quietly, Helen," he said, "and not compel me toresort to force. But come you shall."

  "Never!" she rejoined. "Ye ken fu' weel that I am Erick Dickson'saffianced wife. 'Twad be an infamy if ye were to tae me frae him."

  "I care not," replied Lindsay. "I am determined to make you mine.Fleet horses and trusty men are waiting outside the churchyard to bearyou off. In half-an-hour you will be far from Manchester, and out ofErick's reach."

  "If ye hae the heart o' a man, Rollo, ye will not aid in this wickeddeed," cried Helen.

  But Rollo shook his head, and she made another appeal to CaptainLindsay.

  "Let me gae for pity's sake," she cried. "I wad kneel to you, if Icould."

  "No, no, Helen," he rejoined. "I don't mean to part with you. But wewaste time. Bring her along."

  Finding all entreaties unavailing, and that she could not extricateherself from Rollo, who was a very powerful man, the unfortunate girluttered a loud shriek; but her cries were instantly stifled by CaptainLindsay, who took off his scarf, and threw it over her head.

  But her cry had reached other ears than they expected. As they werehurrying her towards the spot where the horses were waiting for them,a well-known voice was heard, exclaiming:

  "Haud there, ye waur than rievers. When I saw the horses outside thekirkyard, and noticed that one on 'em had a pillion, I suspectedsomething wrang; but when I heard the cry, I felt sure. Set her down,ye villains!" cried Sergeant Dickson, rushing towards them.

  "Heed him not, Rollo," said Captain Lindsay. "Place her on the pillionand ride off with her. Leave me to deal with the noisy fool."

  And, as he spoke, he drew his sword, planted himself in Dickson's way,while Rollo moved off with his burden.

  "Ye had better not hinder me, captain," cried the half-maddenedsergeant, drawing a pistol. "Bid that dastardly ruffian set her downat once, or I'll send a bullet through your head."

  "You dare not," said Lindsay, contemptuously.

  "I will not see her stolen from me," cried the sergeant, furiously."Set her down, I say."

  But finding his cries disregarded, he fired, and Captain Lindsay felldead at his feet.

  On hearing the report of the pistol, Rollo looked round, and seeingwhat had happened, instantly set down Helen and fled. Extricatingherself from the scarf, Helen rushed towards the spot where theunfortunate officer was lying. Her lover was kneeling beside the body.

  "Wae's me, Helen!" he exclaimed. "Wae's me, I hae kilt the captain."

  "Ye canna be blamed for his death, Erick," she rejoined. "He broughthis punishment on himsel."

  "I shall die for it, nevertheless, lassie," he rejoined.

  "Die! you die, Erick, for savin' me frae dishonour!" she cried.

  "Ay, ay, lass. He was my superior officer, and by the rules of war Ishall die. No escape for me."

  "Oh! if you think sae, Erick, let us flee before ye can be taken," shecried. "Come wi' me."

  "Na! na!" he rejoined, gently resisting her. "I maun answer for what Ihae done. Leave me, lassie; gae back to the young leddy. Tell her whathas happened, and she will take care of you."

  "Na, Erick, I winna leave you," she rejoined. "If ye are to dee, I'see'en dee wi' ye. Och!" she exclaimed, "here they come to tak ye! Getup, lad, and flee!"

  As a file of soldiers could be seen approaching, the sergeant rose tohis feet, but did not attempt to fly.

  Immediately afterwards the soldiers came up. With them were two orthree men bearing torches, and as these were held down, theunfortunate officer could be seen lying on his back, with his skullshattered by the bullet.

  The sergeant averted his gaze from the ghastly spectacle.

  The soldiers belonged to the Manchester Regiment, and at their headwas Captain Dawson.

  "How did this sad event occur, sergeant?" demanded Jemmy, after he hadexamined the body.

  "Captain Lindsay fell by my hand," replied Dickson. "I surrendermyself your prisoner, and am ready to answer for the deed."


  "You must have done it in self-defence," said Jemmy. "I know you toowell to suppose you could have committed such a crime without somestrong motive."

  "The deed was done in my rescue," cried Helen. "Captain Lindsay wascarrying me off when he was shot."

  "I trust that will save him from the consequences of the act," repliedJemmy, sadly. "My duty is to deliver him to the provost-marshal."

  "That is all that I could desire," said the sergeant. "I ask nogreater favour from you."

  "Oh! let me gae wi' him--let me gae wi' him," cried Helen,distractedly. "I am the sad cause of it a'."

  "Ye canna gang wi' me, lassie, unless you compose yersel," said thesergeant, somewhat sternly.

  "Dinna fear me--dinna fear me--I winna greet mair," she cried,controlling her emotion by a powerful effort.

  "May she walk by my side to the guard-room, Captain Dawson?" asked thesergeant.

  "She may," replied the other, adding to the men, "conduct the prisonerto the guard-room near the prince's quarters."

  The sergeant was then deprived of his arms, and the pistol with whichhe had fired the fatal shot was picked up, and preserved as evidenceagainst him.

  As Erick and Helen were marched off in the midst of the guard, anotherfile of men entered the churchyard, took up the body of theunfortunate Captain Lindsay, and conveyed it to the quarters of thecommanding officer.

  CHAPTER VII.

  A COURT-MARTIAL.

  Delivered over to the custody of the provost, the unfortunate SergeantDickson was placed in the guard-room near the prince's head-quarters,and a sentinel was stationed at the door. Helen was allowed to remainwith him. The greatest sympathy was felt for the sergeant, for he wasa universal favourite.

  Full of anxiety, Captain Dawson sought an interview with the prince,who, though engaged on business, immediately received him.

  Charles looked very grave.

  "I am greatly distressed by what has happened," he said. "There is nota man in my whole army for whom I have a greater regard than ErickDickson, but I fear his sentence will be death. However, I will dowhat I can for him. A court-martial shall be held immediately, and Ihave sent for Lord George Murray to preside over it, and we must waitthe result of the investigation. As yet I cannot interfere."

  As the prince had ordered that the examination should take placewithout delay, a court-martial was held in a room on the ground floorof the mansion occupied by his royal highness. Lord George Murraypresided, and with him were Lord Elcho, Lord Pitsligo, ColonelTownley, and the Chevalier de Johnstone; Captain Legh, Captain Deacon,Captain Dawson, and several other officers were likewise present.

  The president occupied a raised chair at the head of the table, roundwhich the others were seated. The room was only imperfectly lighted.

  After a short deliberation, the prisoner was brought in by twosoldiers, who stood on either side of him.

  Bowing respectfully to the court, he drew himself up to his fullheight, and maintained a firm deportment throughout his examination.

  "Sergeant Dickson," said Lord George Murray, in a stern and solemnvoice, "you are charged with the dreadful crime of murder--aggravatedin your instance, because your hand has been raised against yoursuperior officer. If you have aught to state in mitigation of youroffence, the court will listen to you."

  "My lord," replied Dickson, firmly, "I confess myself guilty of thecrime with which I am charged. I did shoot Captain Lindsay, butperhaps the provocation I received, which roused me beyond allendurance, may be held as some extenuation of the offence. Nothing, Iam well aware, can justify the act. My lord, I could not see the girlI love carried off before my eyes, and not demand her release. CaptainLindsay refused--mocked me--and I shot him. That is all I have tosay."

  Brief as was this address, it produced a most powerful effect. After ashort deliberation by the court, Lord George thus addressed theprisoner:

  "Sergeant Dickson, since you acknowledge your guilt, it is notnecessary to pursue the examination, but before pronouncing sentence,the court desires to interrogate Helen Carnegie."

  "She is without, my lord," replied the sergeant.

  On the order of Lord George, Helen was then introduced, and as she waswell known to the president, and to every member of the council, thegreatest sympathy was manifested for her.

  She was very pale, and did not venture to look at the sergeant, lesther composure should be shaken, but made a simple reverence to thepresident and the council.

  "Sergeant Dickson has confessed his guilt, Helen," observed LordGeorge. "But we desire to have some information from your lips. Howcame you to meet Captain Lindsay in the churchyard?"

  "I did na meet him, my lord," she replied, with indignation. "It was abase and dishonourable trick on his part. Little did I ken that he waslyin' in wait for me. Rollo Forbes brought me word that Erick wishedme to come to him, and when I went forth into the kirkyard, CaptainLindsay seized me, and wad have carried me aff. He has long persecutedme wi' his addresses, but I ha' gi'en him nae encouragement, and wadha' shunned him if I could. A scarf was thrown over my head by thecaptain to stifle my cries, and had not Erick came to my rescue Ishould ha' been carried off. Captain Lindsay deserved his fate, and soall men will feel who prize their sweethearts. Erick was bound todefend me."

  "His first duty was to observe the rules of war," remarked Lord Georgesternly. "We are willing to believe your story, Helen, but we have noproof that you did not voluntarily meet Captain Lindsay."

  "That fawse villain, Rollo, has fled, but there is a young leddywithout, my lord--Miss Byrom--who will testify to the truth of mystatement, if you will hear her."

  "Let her come in," said the president.

  Beppy Byrom was then introduced.

  She was accompanied by her father, who remained near her during herbrief examination.

  Though looking very pale, Beppy was perfectly self-possessed, andquite confirmed Helen's statement that she had been lured from thehouse by a supposed message from the sergeant; adding emphatically:

  "I am sure she would never have gone forth to meet Captain Lindsay,for I know she detested him."

  "Ay, that I did!" exclaimed Helen, unable to control her feelings, andwholly unconscious that she was guilty of disrespect.

  Lord George then ordered the court to be cleared, and Beppy and Dr.Byrom went out, but Helen, scarcely comprehending the order, did notmove, till her arm was touched by the officer.

  She then cast an agonised look at Erick, and would have flung herselfinto his arms if she had not been prevented.

  As she went out, she turned to the judges and said:

  "Be merciful to him, I pray you, my lords."

  The court then deliberated for a short time, during which Lord Georgewas earnestly addressed in a low tone both by Colonel Townley and theChevalier de Johnstone, but his countenance remained very grave.

  At last, amid profound silence, he addressed the prisoner in thefollowing terms: "Sergeant Dickson, the court has taken intoconsideration your excellent character, and the strong provocationthat impelled you to commit this desperate act, and which certainlymitigates the offence; and such is our pity for you, that, were it inour power; we would pardon your offence, or at all events would visitit with a slight punishment; but we have no option--leniency on ourpart would be culpable. You have murdered an officer, and must die.Sentence of death is therefore passed upon you by the court."

  "I expected this, my lord," observed the sergeant firmly, "and amprepared to meet my fate. But I would not die as a murderer."

  "The crime you have committed is murder," said Lord George; "and I canhold out no hope whatever of pardon. You are too good a soldier not toknow that if your life were spared it would be an ill example to thearmy, besides being a violation of the law."

  An awful pause ensued.

  The profound silence was then broken by the prisoner, who said, in alow, firm voice:

  "All the grace I will ask from your lordship and the court is, thatexecution of the sentence you have
passed upon me, the justice ofwhich I do not deny, may not be delayed."

  "We willingly grant your request," replied Lord George. "The executionshall take place at an early hour in the morning."

  "I humbly thank your lordship," said Dickson. "But I would furtherpray that my affianced wife, who has been unwittingly the cause ofthis disaster, be permitted to bear me company during the few hours Ihave left; and that she also be permitted to attend my execution."

  "To the former part of the request there can be no objection," saidLord George. "Helen shall remain with you during the night, but shecan scarcely desire to be present at your execution."

  "She will never leave me to the last," said the sergeant.

  "Be it as you will," replied Lord George.

  The sergeant was then removed by the guard, and given in charge of theprovost, and the court broke up.

  CHAPTER VIII.

  HELEN PLEADS IN VAIN.

  Immediately after the breaking up of the court, Lord George Murray andthe other members of the council waited upon the prince to acquainthim with their decision.

  Though greatly pained, he thought they were right, and after somediscussion they retired and left him alone.

  But the prince was so much troubled, that though excessively fatiguedhe could not retire to rest, but continued to pace his chamber tillpast midnight, when Captain Dawson entered and informed him that MissByrom earnestly craved an audience of him.