CHAPTER III
FRIEND OR FOE?
SCRAMBLING awkwardly ashore, Colonel Firestone made straight for thecaptain of the dragoons, while, having secured our arms, Granvilleand I followed, leaving the boat to its fate.
It was the first time we had seen our companion on dry land, and Iwas struck by his peculiar gait as he shuffled his jack-booted feetin a very indifferent manner of walking.
The captain of dragoons, a slender, dandified man, looked withmingled astonishment and amusement at the strange figure approachinghim.
"Who are you, fellow, and what is your condition?" he demanded in anaffected drawl.
"Why should I declare my name?" replied Firestone sternly, his voicebelying his appearance. "Sufficient it is to state that I am on theKing's service."
"I am but doing my duty," rejoined the officer, though withconsiderably less affectation.
"Then do it. Conduct us to Colonel Goring. I am indebted to you foryour good services, Captain whatever your name may be, but I tell youplainly I like not your style."
"Chaloner is my name," said the other haughtily.
"And mine, since you have so far unbended, is Nicholas Firestone,holding His Majesty's commission as colonel. Perchance, CaptainChaloner, my name is not wholly unfamiliar to you?"
Instantly the other's manner underwent a complete change.
"A thousand pardons," he exclaimed, "though, by the manner of yourarrival, I was misled."
And, ordering three of his men to dismount, he offered their steedsto Firestone, Granville, and me.
By this time the rebel boat had picked up the crew of her unfortunateconsort, and, heavily laden, was slowly making her way back to thenearest man-of-war, still under fire from the guns of the fortress.
Meanwhile the troop had remounted, the three steedless dragoons weretold to follow without delay, and at the word of command the partyset off towards the town.
Our road lay between the sea on the left hand and a large expanse offurze-covered common on the right, with hardly a building to breakthe deadly monotony of the landscape. As far as I could see, therewas not a natural piece of ground that was twenty feet above thelevel of the sea.
Before us rose the fortifications of Portsmouth, and as we drewnearer we saw that the damage done by the rebels' shots wasconsiderable, the Gothic tower of the church and several of thehouses being very severely handled.
The cannonade continued without intermission, several of the shotsfrom the ships ploughing the ground in front and behind us, and,though neither Firestone nor the troopers paid the slightestattention to them, Granville and I were considerably startled, whileCaptain Chaloner was manifestly ill at ease.
Outside the walls we dismounted, the dragoons holding the horsesunder the shelter of a low bank of shingle, and, led by Chaloner, wecrossed a narrow wooden bridge and reached the postern. Here thecaptain gave the countersign, and the next moment we were in the townof Portsmouth.
"Where is Colonel Goring, sirrah?" demanded Chaloner of a man whowore the Governor's livery.
"On his way to breakfast, sir."
Upon this we directed our footsteps towards the Governor's house,where, with little delay, we were ushered into Goring's presence.
Although he professed great pleasure in meeting Colonel Firestoneonce more, George Goring's delight seemed somewhat too effusive to begenuine. Nevertheless, he gave orders for the paymaster to advancetwenty pounds to meet our present needs, and wrote out an order on anarmourer in St. Nicholas' Street to equip us with whatever weapons orarmour we required.
"You must be our guest for some time to come, willing or unwilling,"he exclaimed, "for the force of the Parliament hems us in by land andsea."
"But I must needs hasten to the King's camp," remonstrated Firestone.
"Then your wits must find a way, for a dog can scarce crawl out ofthe town without being shot at. 'Tis a mystery how you managed to getin."
"Then I'll get out by the same means as I came in," replied ourfriend stoutly. "But tell me, can you hold the town?"
For answer Goring held up a large iron key which hung from his waistby a strong chain.
"Dost see this?" he asked pompously. "I swear 'fore God that as longas I live the key, which is that of the Town Mount Gate, shall neverfall into the hands of the King's enemies."
"Amen," replied Firestone piously. "But how goes the garrison?Are the munitions and provisions like to last out?"
"Powder and shot in plenty. Twelve hundred and fifty barrels ofpowder lie in the Square Tower, and two hundred in the vaults of theTown Mount; but of provisions we are sorely short. Witness mybreakfast, a piece of rusk bread and a herring. If you will do me thehonour, comrade, perchance we may find enough for us all."
We were certainly nearly famished with hunger, and even a sorry mealof bread and fish, washed down with ale, was welcome.
Finally, the Governor dismissed us, saying that pressing work wasbefore him, and we filed out of his presence.
At the door I happened to glance behind me, and to my surprise I sawa waiting-man stealthily thrust a paper into Chaloner's hand; but,treating the matter as of small moment, I soon forgot the incident.
In the street we parted, the captain expressing his intention ofreturning to his post, for he had been entrusted with the holding ofSouthsea Castle, which Colonel Firestone had described as the key ofthe position, while the colonel, Granville, and I repaired to alodging in Little Penny Lane.
Tired with our exertions, though 'twas but eleven o'clock in themorning, we retired and rested well till the following day.
We were early abroad, for Colonel Firestone was anxious to obtainproper arms and equipment on the strength of Goring's order.
At the armourer's in St. Nicholas' Street he carefully selected astout and heavy broadsword, a pair of pistols, and a petronel, whilea breastplate, tassettes, and a steel cap with barrets completed hissoldierly equipment.
Strangely enough, he still retained his salt-stained jackboots,refusing the suggestion that a pair of Spanish riding-boots wouldbetter suit his purpose.
The armourer had no difficulty in fitting me with a breastplate andsteel cap, for my frame was as great as many a man's; but Granville'sslighter build was encased in a steel covering which fitted soloosely that I could not refrain from jesting with him on the matter.
"Never mind, Master Granville," said Firestone. "A few months' activeservice and I'll warrant you'll fill it right enow."
There was nothing about our appearance to mark us as cavaliers, saveour long hair, and I remarked this to Firestone.
"Faith," he replied, "I am well aware of it, though 'tis a smallmatter to conceal our locks under our steel caps. But, as 'tiscertain we must break away and join the King as soon as possible,strategy must needs play its part."
"And your plan----?"
"Is to find a way out--how, I know not at present. The countrysidemust be alive with these rebels, so that we must be prepared wherenecessary to give and receive hard knocks. As your father, SirReginald, is with the King, 'tis best to make for Ashley, gaindefinite information, and then ride northwards as hard as we cantravel."
"What think ye of Goring?" I asked boldly.
He looked strangely at me for a moment, then replied
"He is a vainglorious boaster. Already he has played the turncoat,and, in spite of his brave words, I'll warrant he'll betray his trustand Chaloner, who holds Southsea Castle, is no better."
Thereupon I told him of the message stealthily conveyed by theserving-man.
"I would you had told me of this before, and I would have challengedthe young pup on the spot. Nevertheless, I'll mark him well, and atthe first sign of treachery I'll make him answer to the King with hislife."
A few days after our arrival in the beleaguered town, ColonelFirestone, who had been entrusted with the keeping of the postern bywhich we had entered, returned to our lodgings after dark with a lookof intense excitement on his face.
"You are both young, but act
ive and fit to be trusted," he exclaimed."Art willing to adventure your lives in a hazardous service?"
We both assented.
"Then, hearken! My doubts concerning Goring's lukewarmness andChaloner's treachery are gaining ground. Did I not say that who holdsthe castle commands the town? Yet Chaloner has withdrawn most of hisdragoons and quartered them in the town, where they are no betterthan common musketeers! In the castle there are left but twentypikemen, five dragoons, and twenty musketeers, and, though the castleis likely to be attempted at any time, Chaloner comes nightly intothe town to carouse with the Governor. Moreover, I saw him give amissive to the same man who acts as servant at Goring's house, and Ifeel certain that the man has left for the rebel lines."
"Then what do you want us to do?"
"I mean to return with Chaloner to the castle to-night, youaccompanying us. Then, should the rebels attempt an escalade, I'llseize Chaloner if he play false, and hold the castle against them,should the garrison stand by me."
"And if not?"
"Then I'll slay the traitor with my own hands, and in the darknesswe'll attempt a passage through the rebels' lines!"
"And now," he continued, as he made ready his arms, "it wants but twohours to midnight, yet in that time much remains to be done. Let usbe up and doing."
"Yes," repeated Colonel Firestone, as he finished charging hispistols, "it is time for us to be up and doing."
So saying, he led the way from the house, and, keeping well in theshadows, we traversed several side streets till we gained theLandport Gate, hard by the Town Mount. Thence, after a few whisperedwords with the guard, we passed through the gateway, crossed themoat, and were soon in the flat, open country that lies without thewalls.
A walk of less than half a mile brought us to a few deserted houses,standing hard by a ruined windmill, for at the commencement of thesiege the inhabitants of Coleharbour, as this hamlet is called, hadabandoned their homes and taken refuge in the town. 'Twas well forthem that they did, for, being in the line of fire, the buildings hadalready suffered from the batteries of both forces.
Taking up our position in the angle of a partially demolishedoutbuilding, we waited. Nor were we kept long in suspense, forgliding stealthily along the road a cloaked figure loomed up in thedarkness.
'Twas the man who had left for the rebel camp with some secretmessage from the treacherous captain.
"Now!" exclaimed the colonel, and, dashing out upon the startled man,we bore him to the ground.
In a few minutes he was bound and gagged, and left to await discoveryin the doorway of one of the houses, while we were speeding back tothe town with a written message to Captain Chaloner in ourpossession.
At the Landport Gate Firestone led us into a well-lighted room, wherewe could examine the intercepted letter. Fortunately, it was notsealed, but merely secured by a silken cord.
"Ah!" exclaimed the colonel. "'Tis as plain as daylight: '_Before themorning watch, I say; before the morning watch_.' Chaloner willreceive his message, but let him take heed."
So saying, he refolded the missive, giving it to a pikeman to deliverto Chaloner at the Governor's house.
"Will he not want to know why his messenger has not delivered theletter in person?" I asked.
"Where wine is in the wit is out," replied Firestone oracularly. "Butnow, to the postern! The hour is at hand!"
Just before midnight we waited close to the postern for the faithlesscaptain, and, before a quarter of an hour had passed, two cloakedfigures, reeling with the effects of strong drink, staggered towardsus.
"Hist! 'Tis Goring and Chaloner," whispered Firestone, dragging usinto a recess.
Our companion had already given instructions to the guard, who,turning out smartly, saluted their worthless Governor, Goring.
"Fare thee well, Chaloner," said the latter unsteadily and with mocksadness. "I feel that I'll not see thee to-morrow."
It was a lengthy parting, but at length Goring returned towards hisquarters, while Chaloner, hardly able to return the salute of theguard, staggered across the footbridge over the moat.
Hardly had he gained the open ground when Firestone gave the signal,and we followed, treading softly lest the captain should hear uswhile still within hailing distance of the fortifications.
It was a clear night, and we could distinctly see the lurching figureof our quarry against the sky-line. Away at Spithead the sternlanterns of the blockading ships glimmered like gigantic glow-worms,while away to the north flickered the watch-fires of the rebels'camp.
When Chaloner had covered half the distance 'twixt the town and thecastle, Colonel Firestone increased his pace, and overtook thedrunkard.
The captain showed no sign of alarm at our approach, merely stoppingand looking at us in a half-dazed manner, then resuming hisstaggering gait.
"Captain Chaloner, we bear you company to the castle to-night,"announced Firestone sternly.
"Delighted, I'm sure," replied he, turning and extending his hand,almost falling through the effort of standing still.
Without replying, the colonel seized his shoulder in a vice-likegrip, and urged him towards the castle.
At the gateway we were challenged by a sleepy pikeman, and Chalonermechanically giving the countersign, we gained the courtyard. Savefor the pikemen, the castle appeared to be deserted, the gunsstanding unattended on their platforms, with neither match nor chargeat hand, while, from a small outbuilding, came sounds of revelry.
Presently, from one of the embrasures, arose the dark, great-coatedfigure of a man, and, descending by a stone staircase, the watchermade towards us, producing a lantern from the folds of his cloak. Atleast, then, one man was on the alert.
"Who are you?" demanded Firestone.
"Sergeant Lawson, sir."
"Then take your captain to his quarters, and lock him in," continuedthe colonel. "And turn out those rascals I hear yonder."
Chaloner meekly submitted to be led away, and on his return thesergeant expressed his fears that an attack was imminent.
"What is to be done, sir," he exclaimed, "when the men are drunk andfull of insubordination, taking Captain Chaloner as their example?Already the rebels are under arms, but whether they intend to attemptthe castle or the town I know not."
Telling the sergeant to follow him, Firestone crossed over to thesoldiers' quarters, where, in all stages of drunkenness, the men layacross the table or on the floor, heedless of their duty andindifferent to their danger.
Without a moment's hesitation, the colonel seized the nearest man, abig, bull-necked dragoon, and with the least apparent effort flunghim headlong out into the open air. Another and another followed, butthe fourth, a pikeman, drew his sword.
The next instant the weapon was flying across the room, and its ownerlying stunned upon the floor. Seeing they had a man to deal with, therest followed, forming up in the courtyard with more or less militaryprecision.
They were immediately despatched to carry powder and shot to theplatforms, port fires were lighted, and the guns manned; yet ourleader knew that little reliance was to be placed upon the besottedgarrison, Sergeant Lawson being the only dependable man.
"Listen, sergeant," exclaimed Colonel Firestone "How many horses arethere within the walls?"
"Fifteen, sir."
"I take it you are resolved to support us?"
"To the death, sir."
"Then see to it that four of the best horses aresaddled and tethered close to the gate."
We then began a tour of the platform, the colonel admonishing thesemi-stupefied men, or, in some instances, appealing to theirloyalty, while he personally undertook the sighting of every piece ofordnance, taking care that they were properly charged and primed.
Hardly had these preparations been completed than the steady tramp ofarmed men sounded through the darkness, and presently a line oflighted matches gleamed along the entire landward front of thecastle. With quickening pulse I watched the approach of theassailants, wondering dimly what the end would be,
as I cast about amusket, and made ready to fire.
Then came the sounds of men's voices singing in a deep bass, and Icould distinguish the words of the 68th Psalm:
"_Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered._"
One of our men uttered come coarse jest, but our leader sternlyreproved him, and in silence we awaited the attack.
Suddenly a voice hailed us from the rebel ranks:
"Surrender to the forces of the Parliament of the Realm of England!"
"We hold no parley with rebels!" shouted Colonel Firestone. "Anotherstep, and we open fire!"
Hardly were the words out of his mouth than a raucous voice came froma window of the keep.
"Go away, men, go away."
A shout of derisive laughter from the rebels greeted this speech ofthe tipsy Chaloner. By the light of a port fire I could see ourleader biting his lip to conceal his anger.
"Your reply?" demanded the rebel officer.
"This!" shouted Firestone, and, seizing a match, he applied it to thenearest cannon.
A blinding flash and a deafening roar was succeeded by a hundredspurts of flame from the darkness beneath us, and the next moment wecould hear the hurried tramp and the hoarse cries and shouts of theassailants as they rushed forward to the attack.
Hardly had the first scaling ladder been placed against the wall,when our rascally garrison threw down their arms and bolted from theplatforms.
In vain Firestone cut two down; panic had done its work, and, as theheads of the first of the stormers appeared over the parapet, onlythe colonel, Granville, Sergeant Lawson, and I remained.
Seeing that resistance was useless, Firestone called on us to follow,and, descending to the courtyard, we reached the tethered horses justas the rebels, with shouts of triumph, were driving thepanic-stricken garrison into the keep.
Cutting loose our steeds, we mounted, and, with sword and pistol,rode slowly towards the gateway. Here the sergeant unbarred the doorand threw it suddenly open, and before the rebels, who were makingfor the gateway, were aware of our intention, the drawbridge hadfallen with a run, and the four riders were urging their horsesthrough the dense mass of men.
Taken by surprise, the musketeers, their pieces discharged andunloaded, gave way right and left, and, although a few pikemenamongst them tried to bar our way, our weight was irresistible.
I have a dim recollection of shearing off the head of an opposingpike, and seeing its holder's terror-stricken eyes, as he went downbeneath my horse's hoofs. There was a crackle of pistol-shots, aflashing of steel, and we were through, tearing madly across thebroad expanse of common on our bid for safety!