CHAPTER XII
THE POWDER MINE
THE night was dark. The drizzle had increased to a continuousdownpour, rendering walking a matter of difficulty, and from the timeI left Emsworth till the time I came within sight of my father's homeI never met a solitary wayfarer.
It must have been nearly midnight ere the black masses of the castleloomed indistinctly against the darkness, and at the sight of thefamiliar building my heart throbbed violently.
It was a certain amount of satisfaction to find that the castle hadnot been reduced to a heap of stone, like many I had seen in variousparts of the country; but the question arose in my mind, Did it stillbelong to the Markhams, or were my people driven out by the rebels?
A solitary light gleamed through the narrow window above thegatehouse, so that I knew that watch and ward was being kept. Thedrawbridge was raised, and at my feet were the dark waters of themoat.
I shouted, but my voice was lost in the howling of the wind. Gropingaround, I found a small stone, which I hurled at the door, smiling tomyself, in spite of my fears, at the strange method of cravingadmittance to mine own home.
Instantly the light was extinguished, and a voice shouted:
"Who goes there?"
"A friend," I replied, unwilling to disclose my identity. "I wouldsee Sir Reginald Markham."
There was a short interval, and then torches flared on thebattlements, the light falling on steel morions and breastplates.Then the drawbridge fell, and ere I could cross a tall figureadvanced to meet me.
For a moment I hesitated, but the light of the lantern he held abovehis head fell on his features, and I recognised, to my great joy, thesoldierly features of Sergeant Lawson.
At the same time the darting rays fell on my face, and with a stifledcry of terror and amazement the soldier turned to flee.
"Stand firm, sergeant," I exclaimed, "I am no ghost."
Thereupon he returned, almost overthrowing me in his delight.
"Mind my arm, sergeant," said I, laughing, for he had not perceivedthat it was in a sling. "Fie on you! One moment you run from me, andthe next you would push me into the moat."
I was instantly surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastic retainers andservants, and directly I was in the gateway the drawbridge was drawnup. A man ran to convey the news to my father, and before long I waswelcomed home not only by my parents, but also by Colonel Firestoneand Ralph Granville.
In spite of the lateness of the hour, we remained talking,questioning and cross-questioning, while I attacked a hearty supperwith great spirit, being well-nigh famished.
It appeared that directly my absence was noticed a strong body oftroopers, led by Firestone and Ralph, and accompanied by askilled Cornish tracker, had gone out to search for me. They tracedmy horse's footsteps when it had turned from the highway, and hadfollowed it to the cromlech. Here they found one of Firestone'spistols and saw drops of blood and a number of diverging tracks, sothat they concluded I had been waylaid, robbed, and murdered.
Upon the disbandment of the army in Cornwall Colonel Firestoneresolved to ride to Ashley to break the news, and Granville, now thathis father was killed and himself made homeless, agreed to accompanyhim, so that everyone thought I was dead, and hence honest SergeantLawson's terror at what he took to be a supernatural appearance.
For my part, I told them briefly of my adventures, and when Inarrated how I had shot down the treacherous Captain Chaloner, I sawmy father's face visibly brighten. Yet it seemed strange that thesearch party had not found the caitiff's body, and that fact gave mesome misgivings, although I argued that some of the captain's friendsmust have removed and buried his corpse.
Then I asked how it fared with them at home.
"'Tis not as bad as it might be," replied my father, who, alas! hadaged considerably through the combined attacks of old age, infirmity,and trouble. "We must, of necessity, lie close within doors, forthere is no telling when the rebels will appear over the hill. Nodoubt we owe much to the fact that His Grace of Winchester stillkeeps the Roundheads at bay, although for eighteen months they havelaid close siege to his house at Basing."
In truth, Ashley Castle was nominally in a state of blockade, forwithin a few miles a large force was engaged in trying to reduce theMarquis of Winchester's stronghold, while bodies of rebels roamedwith little opposition throughout the length and breadth of thecountry, robbing with impunity, committing acts of sacrilege, andburning down the dwellings of all who offered resistance.
The next morning I could form some idea of the state of affairs.
Before I had left for the west much had been done towards putting thecastle into an efficient state of defence, but the recent changesastonished me. A clump of trees that grew within a hundred yards ofthe gate had been cut down, as they were regarded as being capable ofaffording protection to musketeers at close range. The outer wallshad been banked up with earth, so that a steep slope led directlyfrom midway up the walls to the edge of the moat. This would renderthe task of escalade considerably harder, while it affordedadditional protection against heavy ordnance. Most of the tenantrylived within the castle, and, when not busy collecting provisions,were employed upon making gabions, which were placed around the wallsto give better protection to the gunners.
In a state of prolonged suspense we passed the winter, and with thereturn of spring our anxieties increased.
My father, by reason of his growing infirmities, was unable, muchagainst his will, to rejoin the King's forces, and ere the summer waswell advanced he was scarce able to walk. But it was the news of theterrible disaster to His Majesty's forces at Naseby that literallybroke his loyal spirit.
One morning he called me to his room, where I found him sitting at atable littered with papers.
"You are now eighteen years of age, Humphrey," he began, "and up tothe present I have little fault to find with you, whether it be inhome matters or in conduct in the field. May you continue in the wayyou have gone, and, above all things, remember to be an upright andGod-fearing subject of His Gracious Majesty."
"Now concerning our private affairs," he went on, after I had madefitting reply. "I have much to speak about, and must needs do soquickly, for I fear my days are drawing to a close. Here are thedeeds and other documents relating to the castle. In these troublousdays 'tis not safe to trust to a lawyer, hence these papers I havekept here. They must be concealed in safety at all costs, for, markye well, Ashley Castle will be invested within a week, though I maynot live to see it."
Keenly alive though I had been to my father's precarious state, theselast words gave me a shock. But it was no time for me to displayweakness. I sought to rally him, but he persisted.
"As 'tis unwise to lock up the secret solely within your own breast,"he resumed, with a splendid fortitude, "for any day might see youstricken down, I would charge you to share the knowledge of thehiding-place with those worthy gentlemen Sir Ralph Granville andColonel Firestone, who, I feel sure, will not betray their trust.Therefore I leave the matter entirely in your hands, knowing that youwill prove worthy of my confidence."
So saying, he handed me a packet containing the legal documents,which I took away to my own room till I could conveniently dispose ofthem.
On my return with Ralph and Colonel Firestone, my father asked me toassist him to rise, and, leaning heavily on my shoulder--which was bynow perfectly healed--he led the way towards the underground cellars,where the provisions of an imperishable nature had been stored, mycomrades following closely.
Through a narrow grated window the pale light that entered was barelyenough to see with, but, with a confidence only gained byfamiliarity, my father limped towards the furthermost wall. Here fourmassive pillars, supporting the groined arches of the roof, werewalled in by stonework of a more recent date.
"Now follow carefully what I am about to do," said he, and touched aconcealed spring. Part of one of the pillars swung round, disclosinga yawning cavity; yet so closely did the moving stonework fit therest of the column tha
t the most practised eye would fail to detectthe mechanism, especially in the dim light.
Taking a lantern from a bench, my father directed me to close thesliding door and set light to the candle.
This I did, and reopening the secret aperture, my father painfullycrawled through, and we followed. There was a dry, musty smell aboutthe vault, and, as our eyes grew accustomed to the feeble light, wesaw barrels and barrels ranged along the floor.
"Hold well the lantern," said my father, giving it into my hands. "Aslip and we are all undone, for every cask contains powder."
"Then there is no chance of our running short of ammunition,"remarked Firestone.
"Nicholas," exclaimed my father reproachfully, "'tis not for thatpurpose. I would have you remember that the magazines are nearer theordnance, according to the custom of warfare. See," he exclaimed,raising his voice and speaking with considerable vehemence. "Here isa train, and I have sworn that no rebel shall set foot within AshleyCastle. I require each of you to promise me that, should the castlebe rendered untenable, you will fire the train."
We gazed at him in amazement, for his resolution filled us withmingled consternation and admiration.
"Nay," he continued, with a faint smile, "I would not that yesacrificed your lives heedlessly, for see, I have provided a means ofescape. Stoop down, Humphrey, and wrench at that iron ring in thefloor."
Handing the lantern to Granville, I bent and grasped the ring.
Putting forth all my strength, I lifted a square stone, revealing adeep hole, while the uppermost of a flight of steps became visible.
"There is your retreat," resumed my father. "When needs must, enterfearlessly and pursue your way to the remote end, taking care toclose two doors on the way. 'Tis a lengthy step, and where it emergeswill doubtless surprise you. There is a secret door at the far end,which can be opened only from within. 'Tis easily done, but, I prayyou, do so with care, and, above all things, take torches with you.Now, promise me, my son, and you, too, my friends, that my wishesshall be carried out?"
In that chamber, filled with potent horror, we made a solemn promise;then, replacing the stone and retracing our way, we returned to thegreat hall.
"Devotion to His Majesty has impoverished most of us," continued myfather, "and we are not exceptions. Of actual coin of the realm Ihave but little. Here is a bag filled with crowns give to every manof the garrison four apiece ere the castle falls, of the residueshare it amongst yourselves. And now, Humphrey, get ye gone andconceal the papers I have spoken of, and see me on your return."
Accompanied by my two companions, and bearing the precious documentsin a stout iron chest, I stole out by the postern, crossed thedrawbridge, and made for the wooded downs. Here under the spreadingroots of a gnarled oak we buried the box, taking care that no curiousor prying eyes were about, and carefully replacing the turf over thespot. 'Twould be against mine own interests to indicate theparticular tree, though any one of us could find it withoutdifficulty. This done, we returned home, and I hastened to acquaintmy father of the accomplishment of the deed.
"'Tis well," he exclaimed feebly, for the exertion of the morning hadsore tried him, and he had taken to his bed.
"Now, concerning your mother, sister, and yourself," he went on aftera lengthy pause. "Directly I am no more, send your mother, with yoursister, away to her brother's house at Midhurst, so that they may bespared the horrors of war. For their future I have provided. As foryourself, 'twould be unwise, should the castle fall, to retire toMidhurst, for it is but jeopardising your liberty and destroying yourmother's retreat, and bringing the vengeance of the rebels upon thatmost harmless and peace-loving man, your uncle. Therefore, 'tis bestthat you return to the Isle of Wight, and settle in obscurity tillthe King's star shall rise again, and to that end I have placed thesum of five hundred pounds into the hands of that most worthy man,Doctor Scott, your former dominie."
After a few more instructions he gave me his blessing and sent me tobring my mother to his bedside.
Master Cox, the surgeon of Catherington, was soon in attendance, andhe expressed his opinion that the end was nigh. Thereupon we sent forDr. Palmer, the vicar of our church at Chalton.
The less I dwell on the events of the next few hours the better it isto my peace of mind; sufficient it is to say that ere midnight myfather had quitted this earthly wilderness, and that I was SirHumphrey Markham.
We laid him to rest within the little church at Chalton, half thegarrison standing to their arms while the rest attended theobsequies. Two days later I sent my mother and sister with an ampleescort to Midhurst, as I had been directed, and thereupon took overthe task of preparing to hold the castle.
In this I was ably assisted by the colonel and Ralph, both of whomsignified their intention of fighting to the last.
At length the tedious suspense came to an end, for one afternoontowards the end of September two farmers rode hotspur to the castlewith the news that two regiments of foot and one of horse were ontheir way to reduce our stronghold.