Captain Dawson's trial next took place. His youth and good looksexcited general sympathy.
The indictment was similar to that of Colonel Townley--the treasonbeing alleged to be committed at the same time. The Attorney-Generalset forth that the prisoner, contrary to his allegiance, accepted acommission in the Manchester Regiment raised by Colonel Townley forthe service of the Pretender, and acted as captain; that he marched toDerby in a hostile manner; that he retreated with the rebel army fromDerby to Manchester, and thence to Clifton Moor, where in a skirmishhe headed his men against the Duke of Cumberland's troops; and that hehad surrendered at the same time as Colonel Townley and the otherofficers.
Evidence to the above effect was given by Maddox and other witnesses.
No defence was made by the prisoner, and the jury, without going outof court, brought him in guilty.
As their verdict was delivered, a convulsive sob was heard, andattention being directed to the spot whence the sound proceeded, itwas found that a young lady had fainted. As she was carried out theprisoner's eyes anxiously followed her, and it was soon known that shewas his betrothed.
The rest of the rebel officers were subsequently tried and foundguilty, and sentence of death was passed upon them all.
The order for the execution was couched in the following terms:
"Let the several prisoners herein named return to the gaol of thecounty of Surrey whence they came. Thence they must be drawn to theplace of execution, on Kennington Common, and when brought there mustbe hanged by the neck--but not till they are dead, for they must becut down alive. Then their hearts must be taken out and burnt beforetheir faces. Their heads must be severed from their bodies, and theirbodies divided into quarters, and these must be at the king'sdisposal."
CHAPTER V.
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXECUTIONS.
On the night preceding the day appointed for carrying out the terriblesentence, poor Jemmy and his betrothed were allowed by Mr. Jones, thekeeper of the prison, to pass an hour together.
While clasping her lover's fettered hands, Monica looked tenderly intohis face, and said:
"I shall not long survive you, Jemmy."
"Banish these thoughts," he rejoined. "You are young, and I hope mayhave many years of happiness. Be constant to my memory, that is all Iask. If disembodied spirits can watch over the living I will watchover you."
With a sad smile he then added: "For a few minutes let us live in thepast. Let me look back to the time when I first beheld you, and whenyour beauty made an impression on me that has never been effaced. Letme recall those happy hours when smiles only lighted up that lovelycountenance, and no tear was ever shed. Oh! those were blissful days!"
"Let me also recall the past, dearest Jemmy," she cried. "How well doI recollect our first meeting! I thought I had seen no one like you,and I think so still. I could not be insensible to the devotion of ayouth so gallant, and my heart was quickly yours. Alas! alas! I tookadvantage of your love to induce you to join this fatal expedition."
"Do not reproach yourself, dearest Monica. 'Twas my destiny. I am atrue adherent of the Stuarts. Had I ten thousand lives I would givethem all to King James and my country! I shall die with thosesentiments on my lips."
As he spoke his pale cheek flushed, and his eye kindled with itsformer fire. She gazed at him with admiration.
But after a few moments a change came over his countenance, and with alook of ill-concealed anguish, he said:
"We must part to-night, dearest Monica. 'Tis better you should notcome to me to-morrow."
"Nay, dearest Jemmy, I will attend you to the last."
"Impossible! it cannot be. My execution will be accompanied bybarbarities worthy of savages, and not of civilised beings. You mustnot--shall not witness such a frightful spectacle."
"If the sight kills me I will be present."
"Since you are resolved, I will say no more. At least, you will seehow firmly I can die."
Just then Mr. Jones came in to remind them that it was time to part,and with a tender embrace, Jemmy consigned her to his care.
On learning that she meant to attend the execution, Mr. Jonesendeavoured to dissuade her, but she continued unshaken in herpurpose.
CHAPTER VI.
THE FATAL DAY.
Next morning all those condemned to die breakfasted together in alarge room on the ground floor of the prison. Their fetters had beenpreviously removed.
There was no bravado, no undue levity in their manner or discourse,but they looked surprisingly cheerful, in spite of the near approachof death under the most dreadful form.
All had passed the greater part of the night in prayer. And as theyhoped they had settled their account on high, there was nothing todisturb their serenity.
"Our time draws very near," observed Syddall to Captain Dawson, whosat next him. "But for my part I feel as hearty as ever I did in mylife. Indeed, I think we all look remarkably well considering ourposition."
"Death does not terrify me in the least," said Jemmy. "Its bitternessis past with me. May Heaven have mercy on us all!"
"We die in a good cause," observed Captain Deacon. "I heartily forgiveall my enemies--even the chief of them, the Elector of Hanover and theDuke of Cumberland. It has been falsely said that I was induced by myrevered father to take up arms for the prince. The assertion I shallcontradict in the manifesto I have prepared. For the rest I care notwhat my enemies say of me."
"The Duke of Cumberland has not kept faith with us," exclaimed CaptainFletcher. "When we surrendered at Carlisle, he declared that thegarrison should not be put to the sword, but reserved for his father'spleasure--the Elector's pleasure being that we should be hung, drawn,and quartered. Gracious Heaven! deliver all Englishmen from thisHanoverian clemency!"
"My sole regret is that we ever surrendered," cried Colonel Townley."Would we all had died sword in hand! However, since we are brought tothis pass, we must meet our fate like brave men. As we have beenallowed wine with our last repast, let us drink to King James theThird!"
Every glass was raised in response, after which they all rose from thetable.
Several friends of the prisoners were now permitted to enter the room.Among them were Mr. Saunderson, Colonel Townley's confessor, andCaptain Deacon's youngest brother, Charles.
Charles Deacon had been reprieved; but, while embracing his brotherfor the last time, he expressed deep regret that he could not sharehis fate.
Poor Monica was there--dressed in deep mourning. She and her loverwere somewhat removed from the rest; but they were so engrossed byeach other, that they seemed to be quite alone.
Their parting attracted the attention of Tom Syddall, and moved him totears--though he had shed none for his own misfortunes.
"How did you pass the night, dearest Jemmy?" inquired Monica.
"Chiefly in prayer," he replied. "But towards morn I fell asleep, anddreamed that you and I were children, and playing together in thefields. It was a pleasant dream, and I was sorry when I awoke."
"I, too, had a pleasant dream, dearest Jemmy," she rejoined. "Ithought I saw my mother. She had a seraphic aspect, and seemed tosmile upon me. That smile has comforted me greatly. Ha! what sound isthat?"
"'Tis the guard assembling in the court-yard," he replied. "We mustpart. Do not give way."
"Fear me not," she cried, throwing her arms around his neck.
At this juncture, the sheriffs entered the room, attended by thekeeper of the prison. The sheriffs wore black gowns, and were withouttheir chains.
While the sheriffs were exchanging a few words with Colonel Townleyand the other prisoners, Mr. Jones conducted Monica to themourning-coach which was waiting for her at the gates of the prison.
Meanwhile, a guard of grenadiers had been drawn up in the court-yard,and the ignominious conveyances, destined to take the prisoners to theplace of execution, had been got ready.
By-and-by, the unfortunate men were brought down, and in the presenceof the sheriffs and the keeper of the prison w
ere bound to the hurdleswith cords.
This done, the dismal procession set forth.
At the head of the train marched a party of grenadiers. Then followedthe sheriffs in their carriages, with their tipstaves walking besidethem.
Those about to suffer came next. On the foremost hurdle were stretchedColonel Townley, Captain Deacon, and Jemmy Dawson. The remainingprisoners were bound in like manner. Another party of grenadiersfollowed.
Next came several hearses, containing coffins, destined for themangled bodies of the victims.
After the hearses followed a number of mourning-coaches, drawn byhorses decked with trappings of woe. In the foremost of these coachessat Monica, with her attendant, Lettice.
In this order the gloomy procession shaped its course slowly towardsthe place of execution. The streets were crowded with spectatorsanxious to obtain a sight of the unfortunate men who were dragged inthis ignominious manner along the rough pavement. But no groans wereuttered--no missiles thrown. On the contrary, much commiseration wasmanifested by the crowd, especially when the mourning-coaches wereseen, and great curiosity was exhibited to obtain a sight of theiroccupants. For Monica, whose story had become known, unwonted sympathywas displayed.
At length, the train drew near Kennington Common, where a largeassemblage was collected to witness the dreadful scene. Hitherto, thecrowd had been noisy, but it now became suddenly quiet. In the centreof the common, which of late years has been enclosed, and laid out asa park, a lofty gibbet was reared. Near it was placed a huge block,and close to the latter was a great pile of faggots. On the block werelaid an executioner's knife and one or two other butcherlyinstruments.
At the foot of the fatal tree stood the executioner--avillainous-looking catiff--with two assistants quite as repulsive inappearance as himself. The two latter wore leather vests, and theirarms were bared to the shoulder.
On the arrival of the train at the place of execution, the sheriffsalighted, and the grenadiers formed a large circle round the gibbet.The prisoners were then released from the hurdles, but their limbswere so stiffened by the bonds that they could scarcely move.
At the same time the faggots were lighted, and a flame quickly arose,giving a yet more terrible character to the scene.
Some little time was allowed the prisoners for preparation, and suchof them as had papers and manifestoes delivered them to the sheriffs,by whom they were handed to the tipstaves to be distributed among thecrowd.
At this juncture a fair pale face was seen at the window of theforemost mourning coach, and a hand was waved to one of the prisoners,who returned the farewell salute. This was the lovers' last adieu.
The dreadful business then began.
Colonel Townley was first called upon to mount the ladder. His armswere bound by the executioner, but he was not blindfolded. Hisdeportment was firm--his countenance being lighted up by a scornfulsmile. After being suspended for a couple of minutes, he was cut down,and laid, still breathing, upon the block, when the terrible sentencewas carried out--his heart being flung into the flames and consumed,and his head severed from the body and placed with the quarters in thecoffin, which had been brought round to receive the mangled remains.
Colonel Townley's head, we may mention, with that of poor JemmyDawson, was afterwards set on Temple Bar.
Many of the spectators of this tragic scene were greatly affected--butthose about to suffer a like fate witnessed it with stern and stoicalindifference.
Amid a deep and awful hush, broken by an occasional sob, Jemmy Dawsonstepped quickly up the ladder, as if anxious to meet his doom; andwhen his light graceful figure and handsome countenance could bedistinguished by the crowd, a murmur of compassion arose.
Again the fair face--now death-like in hue--was seen at the window ofthe mourning coach, and Jemmy's dying gaze was fixed upon it.
As his lifeless body was cut down and placed upon the block to bemutilated, and the executioner flung his faithful heart, which happilyhad ceased beating, into the flames, a cry was heard, and thosenearest the mourning coach we have alluded to pressed towards it, andbeheld the inanimate form of a beautiful girl lying in the arms of anattendant.
All was over.
The story spread from lip to lip among the deeply-sympathising crowd,and many a tear was shed, and many a prayer breathed that lovers sofond and true might be united above.
Before allowing the curtain to drop on this ghastly spectacle, whichlasted upwards of an hour, we feel bound to state that all thesufferers died bravely. Not one quailed. With his last breath, and ina loud voice, Captain Deacon called out "God save King James theThird!"
When the halter was placed round poor Tom Syddall's neck, theexecutioner remarked that he trembled.
"Tremble!" exclaimed Tom, indignantly. "I recoil from thy hatefultouch--that is all."
And to prove that his courage was unshaken, he took a pinch of snuff.
The heads of these two brave men were sent to Manchester, and fixedupon spikes on the top of the Exchange.
When he heard that this had been done, Dr. Deacon came forth, andgazed steadfastly at the relics, but without manifesting any sign ofgrief.
To the bystanders, who were astounded at his seeming unconcern, hesaid:
"Why should I mourn for my son? He has died the death of a martyr."
He then took off his hat, and bowing reverently to the two heads,departed.
But he never came near the Exchange without repeating the ceremony,and many other inhabitants of the town followed his example.
CHAPTER VII.
FIVE YEARS LATER.
Once more, and at a somewhat later date, we shall revisit RawcliffeHall.
It still wears an antique aspect, but has a far more cheerful lookthan of yore. Internally many alterations have been made, which may besafely described as improvements. All the disused apartments have beenthrown open, and re-furnished. That part of the mansion in which thetragic event we have recounted took place has been pulled down andrebuilt, and the secret entry to the library no longer exists.Everything gloomy and ghostly has disappeared.
Father Jerome no longer darkens the place with his presence, butbefore his departure he was compelled to give up all the documents hehad abstracted. A large establishment is kept up, at the head of whichis worthy old Markland.
Sir Conway Rawcliffe has long been in possession of the estates andtitle. Moreover, he is wedded to the loveliest woman in Cheshire, andtheir union has been blessed by a son. It is pleasant to see the youngbaronet in his own house. He has become quite a country gentleman--isfond of all country sports, hunts, shoots, and occupies himself withplanting trees in his park, and generally improving his property. Soenamoured is he of a country life, so happy at Rawcliffe, that hiswife cannot induce him to take a house in town for the spring. Hisuncle, Colonel Conway, wished him to join the army, but he declined.He avoids all dangerous politics, and is well affected towards theGovernment.
Lady Rawcliffe is likewise fond of the country, though she wouldwillingly spend a few months in town, now and then, as we haveintimated. She looks lovelier than ever. Five years have improved her.Her figure is fuller, bloom has returned to her cheeks, and themelancholy that hung upon her brow has wholly disappeared. Need we saythat her husband adores her, and deems himself--and with goodreason--the happiest and luckiest of men?
They often talk of Monica and Jemmy Dawson. Time has assuaged theirgrief, but Constance never thinks of the ill-fated lovers without asigh. Poor Monica sleeps peacefully beside her mother in the familyvault.
Sir Conway and Lady Rawcliffe frequently pass a day at Manchester withthe Byroms. The closest friendship subsists between them and thatamiable family. Wonderful to relate, Beppy is still unmarried. Thatshe continues single is clearly her own fault, for she has had plentyof offers, not merely from young churchmen, but from persons of wealthand good position. But she would have none of them. Possibly, she mayhave had some disappointment, but if so it has not soured hersingularly sweet temper, or affected h
er spirits, for she is just aslively and bewitching as ever. She is a frequent visitor at RawcliffeHall.
Dr. Deacon is much changed, but if he mourns for his sons it is inprivate. After a long imprisonment, his youngest son Charles has beensent into exile.
A word in reference to the unfortunate Parson Coppock. He wasimprisoned in Carlisle Castle with the other non-commissioned officersof the Manchester Regiment, and brought to the scaffold.
For many months after the suppression of the rebellion the magistratesof Manchester held constant meetings at a room in the little street,most appropriately called Dangerous Corner, to compel all suspectedpersons to take oaths to the Government, and abjure Popery and thePretender.
Denounced by some of his brother magistrates, and charged by them withaiding and abetting the cause of the rebels, Mr. Fowden, theconstable, was tried for high treason at Lancaster, but honourablyacquitted.
On his return the worthy gentleman was met by a large party of friendson horseback, and triumphantly escorted to his own house.
After being exposed for some time on the Exchange, the heads of poorTheodore Deacon and Tom Syddall were carried away one night--perhapsby the contrivance of the doctor--and secretly buried.
Though disheartened by recent events, the Jacobites still continued inforce in Manchester. They greatly rejoiced at the escape of the youngChevalier to France, after his wanderings in the Highlands, and themore hopeful of the party predicted that another invasion would soonbe made, and frequently discussed it at the meetings of their club atthe Bull's Head.
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