CHAPTER III.
HUDDINGTON.
About six o'clock in the morning the conspirators reached LeamingtonPriors, at that time an inconsiderable village; and having ridden nearlytwenty miles over heavy and miry roads,--for a good deal of rain hadfallen in the night,--they stood in need of some refreshment.Accordingly, they entered the first farm-yard they came to, andproceeding to the cow-houses and sheepfolds, turned out the animalswithin them, and fastening up their own steeds in their places, setbefore them whatever provender they could find. Those, and they were byfar the greater number, who could not find better accommodation, fedtheir horses in the yard, which was strewn with trusses of hay and greatheaps of corn. The whole scene formed a curious picture. Here was oneparty driving away the sheep and cattle, which were bleating andlowing,--there, another rifling a hen-roost, and slaughtering itscackling inmates. On this hand, by the direction of Catesby, two stouthorses were being harnessed with ropes to a cart, which he intended touse as a baggage-waggon; on that, Sir Everard Digby was interposing hisauthority to prevent the destruction of a fine porker.
Their horses fed, the next care of the conspirators was to obtainsomething for themselves: and ordering the master of the house, who wasterrified almost out of his senses, to open his doors, they entered thedwelling, and causing a fire to be lighted in the chief room, began toboil a large kettle of broth upon it, and to cook other provisions.Finding a good store of eatables in the larder, rations were served outto the band. Two casks of strong ale were likewise broached, and theircontents distributed; and a small keg of strong waters being alsodiscovered, it was disposed of in the same way.
This, however, was the extent of the mischief done. All theconspirators, but chiefly Catesby and Sir Everard Digby, dispersedthemselves amongst the band, and checked any disposition to plunder. Theonly articles taken away from the house were a couple of old rustyswords and a caliver. Catesby proposed to the farmer to join theirexpedition. But having now regained his courage, the sturdy churlobstinately refused to stir a foot with them, and even ventured to uttera wish that the enterprise might fail.
"I am a good Protestant, and a faithful subject of King James, and willnever abet Popery and treason," he said.
This bold sally would have been answered by a bullet from one of thetroopers, if Catesby had not interfered.
"You shall do as you please, friend," he said, in a conciliatory tone."We will not compel any man to act against his conscience, and we claimthe same right ourselves. Will you join us, good fellows?" he added, totwo farming men, who were standing near their master.
"Must I confess to a priest?" asked one of them.
"Certainly not," replied Catesby. "You shall have no constraint whateverput upon you. All I require is obedience to my commands in the field."
"Then I am with you," replied the fellow.
"Thou'rt a traitor and rebel, Sam Morrell," cried the other hind, "andwilt come to a traitor's end. I will never fight against King James. Andif I must take up arms, it shall be against his enemies, and in defenceof our religion. No priests,--no papistry for me."
"Well said, Hugh," cried his master; "we'll die in that cause, if needbe."
Catesby turned angrily away, and giving the word to his men to prepareto set forth, in a few minutes all were in the saddle; but on inquiringfor the new recruit, Sam Morrell, it was found he had disappeared. Thecart was laden with arms, ammunition and a few sacks of corn; and theline being formed, they commenced their march.
The morning was dark and misty, and all looked dull and dispiriting. Theconspirators, however, were full of confidence, and their men,exhilarated and refreshed by their meal, appeared anxious for anopportunity of distinguishing themselves. Arrived within half a mile ofWarwick, whence the lofty spire of the church of Saint Nicholas, thetower of Saint Mary's, and the ancient gates of this beautiful old towncould just be discerned through the mist, a short consultation was heldby the rebel leaders as to the expediency of attacking the castle, andcarrying off the horses with which they had learnt its stables werefilled.
Deciding upon making the attempt, their resolution was communicated totheir followers, and received with loud acclamations. Catesby then puthimself at the head of the band, and they all rode forward at a briskpace. Crossing the bridge over the Avon, whence the castle burst uponthem in all its grandeur and beauty, Catesby dashed forward to anembattled gate commanding the approach to the structure, and knockingfuriously against it, a wicket was opened by an old porter, who startedback on beholding the intruders. He would have closed the wicket, butCatesby was too quick for him, and springing from his steed, dashedaside the feeble opposition of the old man, and unbarred the gate.Instantly mounting again, he galloped along a broad and winding path cutso deeply in the rock, that the mighty pile they were approaching wascompletely hidden from view. A few seconds, however, brought them to apoint, from which its three towers reared themselves full before them.Another moment brought them to the edge of the moat, at this timecrossed by a stone bridge, but then filled with water, and defended by adrawbridge.
As no attack like the present was apprehended, and as the owner of thecastle, the celebrated Fulke Greville, afterwards Lord Brooke, to whomit had been recently granted by the reigning monarch, was then in thecapital, the drawbridge was down, and though several retainers rushedforth on hearing the approach of so many horsemen, they were too late toraise it. Threatening these persons with destruction if any resistancewas offered, Catesby passed through the great entrance, and rode intothe court, where he drew up his band.
By this time, the whole of the inmates of the castle had collected onthe ramparts, armed with calivers and partisans, and whatever weaponsthey could find, and though their force was utterly disproportioned tothat of their opponents, they seemed disposed to give them battle.Paying no attention to them, Catesby proceeded to the stables, where hefound upwards of twenty horses, which he exchanged for the worst andmost jaded of his own, and was about to enter the castle in search ofarms, when he was startled by hearing the alarm-bell rung. This wassucceeded by the discharge of a culverin on the summit of the tower,named after the redoubted Guy, Earl of Warwick; and though the bell wasinstantly silenced, Rookwood, who had dislodged the party from theramparts, brought word that the inhabitants of Warwick were assembling,that drums were beating at the gates, and that an attack might bespeedily expected. Not desiring to hazard an engagement at thisjuncture, Catesby gave up the idea of ransacking the castle, and orderedhis men to their horses.
Some delay, however, occurred before they could all be got together,and, meanwhile, the ringing of bells and other alarming soundscontinued. At one time, it occurred to Catesby to attempt to maintainpossession of the castle; but this design was overruled by the otherconspirators, who represented to him the impracticability of the design.At length, the whole troop being assembled, they crossed the drawbridge,and speeded along the rocky path. Before the outer gate they found alarge body of men, some on horseback, and some on foot, drawn up. Thesepersons, however, struck with terror at their appearance, retreated, andallowed them a free passage.
On turning to cross the bridge, they found it occupied by a strong andwell-armed body of men, headed by the Sheriff of Warwickshire, whoshowed no disposition to give way. While the rebel party were preparingto force a passage, a trumpet was sounded, and the Sheriff, ridingtowards them, commanded them in the King's name to yield themselvesprisoners.
"We do not acknowledge the supremacy of James Stuart, whom you callking," rejoined Catesby, sternly. "We fight for our liberties, and forthe restoration of the holy Catholic religion which we profess. Do notoppose us, or you will have cause to rue your temerity."
"Hear me," cried the Sheriff, turning from him to his men: "I promiseyou all a free pardon in the King's name, if you will throw down yourarms, and deliver up your leaders. But, if after this warning, youcontinue in open rebellion against your sovereign, you will all sufferthe vilest death."
"Rejoin your men, sir," said Ca
tesby, in a significant tone, and drawinga petronel.
"A free pardon and a hundred pounds to him who will bring me the head ofRobert Catesby," said the Sheriff, disregarding the menace.
"Your own is not worth half the sum," rejoined Catesby; and levellingthe petronel, he shot him dead.
The Sheriff's fall was the signal for a general engagement. Exasperatedby the death of their leader, the royalist party assailed the rebelswith the greatest fury, and as the latter were attacked at the same timein the rear, their situation began to appear perilous. But nothing couldwithstand the vigour and determination of Catesby. Cheering on his men,he soon cut a way across the bridge, and would have made good hisretreat, if he had not perceived, to his infinite dismay, that Percy andRookwood had been captured.
Regardless of any risk he might run, he shouted to those near to followhim, and made such a desperate charge upon the royalists that in a fewminutes he was by the side of his friends, and had liberated them. Intrying, however, to follow up his advantage he got separated from hiscompanions, and was so hotly pressed on all sides, that his destructionseemed inevitable. His petronels had both brought down their mark; andin striking a blow against a stalwart trooper his sword had shiveredclose to the handle. In this defenceless state his enemies made sure ofhim, but they miscalculated his resources.
He was then close to the side of the bridge, and, before his purposecould be divined, struck spurs deeply into his horse, and cleared theparapet with a single bound. A shout of astonishment and admirationarose alike from friend and foe, and there was a general rush towardsthe side of the bridge. The noble animal that had borne him out ofdanger was seen swimming towards the bank, and, though several shotswere fired at him, he reached it in safety. This gallant action soraised Catesby in the estimation of his followers, that they welcomedhim with the utmost enthusiasm, and rallying round him, fought with suchvigour, that they drove their opponents over the bridge and compelledthem to flee towards the town.
Catesby now mustered his men, and finding his loss slighter than heexpected, though several were so severely wounded, that he was compelledto leave them behind, rode off at a quick pace. After proceeding forabout four miles along the Stratford road, they turned off on the rightinto a narrow lane leading to Snitterfield, with the intention ofvisiting Norbrook, the family residence of John Grant. On arrivingthere, they put the house into a state of defence, and then assembled inthe hall, while their followers recruited themselves in the court-yard.
"So far, well," observed Catesby, flinging himself into a chair; "thefirst battle has been won."
"True," replied Grant; "but it will not do to tarry here long. Thishouse cannot hold out against a prolonged attack."
"We will not remain here more than a couple of hours," replied Catesby:"but where shall we go next? I am for making some desperate attempt,which shall strike terror into our foes."
"Are we strong enough to march to the Earl of Harrington's mansion nearCoventry, and carry off the Princess Elizabeth?" asked Percy.
"She were indeed a glorious prize," replied Catesby; "but I have nodoubt, on the first alarm of our rising, she has been conveyed to aplace of safety. And even if she were there, we should have the wholearmed force of Coventry to contend with. No--no, it will not do toattempt that."
"Nothing venture, nothing have!" cried Sir Everard Digby. "We ought, inmy opinion, to run any risk to secure her."
"You know me too well, Digby," rejoined Catesby, "to doubt my readinessto undertake any project, however hazardous, which would offer theremotest chance of success. But in this I see none, unless, indeed, itcould be accomplished by stratagem. Let us first ascertain what supportwe can obtain, and then decide upon the measures to be adopted."
"I am content," returned Digby.
"Old Mr. Talbot of Grafton is a friend of yours, is he not?" continuedCatesby, addressing Thomas Winter. "Can you induce him to join us?"
"I will try," replied Thomas Winter; "but I have some misgivings."
"Be not faint-hearted," rejoined Catesby. "You and Stephen Littletonshall go to him at once, and join us at your own mansion of Huddington,whither we will proceed as soon as our men are thoroughly recruited. Useevery argument you can devise with Talbot,--tell him that the welfare ofthe Catholic cause depends on our success,--and that neither his yearsnor infirmities can excuse his absence at this juncture. If he will not,or cannot come himself, cause him to write letters to all his Catholicneighbours, urging them to join us, and bid him send all his retainersand servants to us."
"I will not neglect a single plea," replied Thomas Winter, "and I willfurther urge compliance by his long friendship towards myself. But, as Ihave just said, I despair of success."
Soon after this, he and Stephen Littleton, with two of the trooperswell-mounted and well-armed, rode across the country through lanes andby-roads, with which they were well acquainted, to Grafton. At the sametime, Catesby repaired to the court-yard, and assembling his men, foundthere were twenty-five missing. More than half of these it was known hadbeen killed or wounded at Warwick; but the rest, it was suspected, haddeserted.
Whatever effect this scrutiny might secretly have upon Catesby, hemaintained a cheerful and confident demeanour, and mounting a flight ofsteps, harangued the band in energetic and exciting terms. Displaying asmall image of the virgin to them, he assured them they were under thespecial protection of heaven, whose cause they were fighting--andconcluded by reciting a prayer, in which the whole assemblage heartilyjoined. This done, they filled the baggage-cart with provisions andfurther ammunition, and forming themselves into good order, took theroad to Alcester.
They had not gone far, when torrents of rain fell, and the roads beingin a shocking condition, and ploughed up with ruts, they turned into thefields wherever it was practicable, and continued their march veryslowly, and under excessively disheartening circumstances. On arrivingat the ford across the Avon, near Bishopston, they found the stream soswollen that it was impossible to get across it. Sir Everard Digby, whomade the attempt, was nearly carried off by the current. They weretherefore compelled to proceed to Stratford, and cross the bridge.
"My friends," said Catesby, commanding a halt at a short distance of thetown, "I know not what reception we may meet with here. Probably muchthe same as at Warwick. But I command you not to strike a blow, exceptin self-defence."
Those injunctions given, attended by the other conspirators, exceptPercy and Rookwood, who brought up the rear, he rode slowly intoStratford, and proceeding to the market-place, ordered a trumpet to besounded. On the first appearance of the troop, most of the inhabitantsfled to their houses, and fastened the doors, but some few courageouspersons followed them at a wary distance. These were harangued at somelength by Catesby, who called upon them to join the expedition, and heldout promises, which only excited the derision of the hearers.
Indeed, the dejected looks of most of the band, and the drenched andmuddy state of their apparel, made them objects of pity and contempt,rather than of serious apprehension: and nothing but their numbersprevented an attack being made upon them. Catesby's address concludedamid groans of dissatisfaction; and finding he was wasting time, andinjuring his own cause, he gave the word to march, and moved slowlythrough the main street, but not a single recruit joined him.
Another unpropitious circumstance occurred just as they were leavingStratford. Two or three of his followers tried to slink away, whenCatesby, riding after them, called to them to return, and no attentionbeing paid to his orders, he shot the man nearest him, and compelled theothers, by threats of the same punishment, to return to their ranks.This occurrence, while it occasioned much discontent and ill-will amongthe band, gave great uneasiness to their leaders. Catesby and Percy nowbrought up the rear, and kept a sharp look-out to check any furtherattempt at desertion.
Digby and Winter, being well acquainted with all the Catholic gentry inthe neighbourhood, they proceeded to their different residences, andwere uniformly coldly received, and in some cases di
smissed withreproaches and menaces. In spite of all their efforts, too, repeateddesertions took place; and long before they reached Alcester, theirforce was diminished by a dozen men. Not thinking it prudent to passthrough the town, they struck into a lane on the right, and fording theArrow near Ragley, skirted that extensive park, and crossing the hillsnear Weethly and Stoney Moreton, arrived in about an hour and a half, ina very jaded condition, at Huddington, the seat of Robert Winter.Affairs seemed to wear so unpromising an aspect, that Catesby, onentering the house, immediately called a council of his friends, andasked them what they proposed to do.
"For my own part," he said, "I am resolved to fight it out. I willcontinue my march as long as I can get a man to follow me, and when theyare all gone, will proceed alone. But I will never yield."
"We will all die together, if need be," said Sir Everard Digby. "Let usrest here to-night, and in the morning proceed to Lord Windsor'smansion, Hewel Grange, which I know to be well stocked with arms, and,after carrying off all we can, we will fortify Stephen Littleton's houseat Holbeach, and maintain it for a few days against our enemies."
This proposal agreed to, they repaired to the court-yard, and busiedthemselves in seeing the wants of their followers attended to; and sucha change was effected by good fare and a few hours' repose, that thespirits of the whole party revived, and confidence was once morerestored. A slight damp, however, was again thrown upon the satisfactionof the leaders, by the return of Thomas Winter and Stephen Littletonfrom Grafton. Their mission had proved wholly unsuccessful. Mr. Talbothad not merely refused to join them, but had threatened to detain them.
"He says we deserve the worst of deaths," observed Thomas Winter, inconclusion, "and that we have irretrievably injured the Catholic cause."
"And I begin to fear he speaks the truth," rejoined Christopher Wright."However, for us there is no retreat."
"None whatever," rejoined Catesby, in a sombre tone. "We must choosebetween death upon the battle-field or on the scaffold."
"The former be my fate," cried Percy.
"And mine," added Catesby.
An anxious and perturbed night was passed by the conspirators, and manya plan was proposed and abandoned. It had been arranged among them thatthey should each in succession make the rounds of the place, to see thatthe sentinels were at their posts--strict orders having been given tothe latter to fire upon whomsoever might attempt to fly--but, asCatesby, despite his great previous fatigue, was unable to rest, he tookthis duty chiefly upon himself.
Returning at midnight from an examination of the court-yard, he wasabout to enter the house, when he perceived before him a tall figure,with a cloak muffled about its face, standing in his path. It wasperfectly motionless, and Catesby, who carried a lantern in his hand,threw the light upon it, but it neither moved forward, nor altered itsposition. Catesby would have challenged it, but an undefinable terrorseized him, and his tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. An idea roseto his mind that it was the spirit of Guy Fawkes, and, by a powerfuleffort, he compelled himself to address it.
"Are you come to warn me?" he demanded.
The figure moved in acquiescence, and withdrawing the cloak, revealedfeatures of ghastly paleness, but resembling those of Fawkes.
"Have I long to live?" demanded Catesby.
The figure shook its head.
"Shall I fall to-morrow?" pursued Catesby.
The figure again made a gesture in the negative.
"The next day?"
Solemnly inclining its head, the figure once more muffled its ghastlyvisage in its cloak, and melted from his view.
For some time Catesby remained in a state almost of stupefaction. Hethen summoned up all the resolution of his nature, and instead ofreturning to the house, continued to pace to and fro in the court, andat last walked forth into the garden. It was profoundly dark; and he hadnot advanced many steps when he suddenly encountered a man. Repressingthe exclamation that rose to his lips, he drew a petronel from his belt,and waited till the person addressed him.
"Is it you, Sir John Foliot?" asked a voice, which he instantlyrecognised as that of Topcliffe.
"Ay," replied Catesby, in a low tone.
"Did you manage to get into the house?" pursued Topcliffe.
"I did," returned Catesby; "but speak lower. There is a sentinel withina few paces of us. Come this way."
And grasping the other's arm he drew him further down the walk.
"Do you think we may venture to surprise them?" demanded Topcliffe.
"Hum!" exclaimed Catesby, hesitating, in the hope of inducing the otherto betray his design.
"Or shall we wait the arrival of Sir Richard Walsh, the Sheriff ofWorcestershire, and the _posse comitatus_?" pursued Topcliffe.
"How soon do you think the Sheriff will arrive?" asked Catesby, scarcelyable to disguise his anxiety.
"He cannot be here before daybreak--if so soon," returned Topcliffe,"and then we shall have to besiege the house; and though I have no fearof the result, yet some of the conspirators may fall in the skirmish;and my orders from the Earl of Salisbury, as I have already apprisedyou, are, to take them alive."
"True," replied Catesby.
"I would not, for twice the reward I shall receive for the capture ofthe whole party, that that desperate traitor, Catesby, should be slain,"continued Topcliffe. "The plot was contrived by him, and the extent ofits ramifications can alone be ascertained through him."
"I think I can contrive their capture," observed Catesby; "but theutmost caution must be used. I will return to the house, and find outwhere the chief conspirators are lodged. I will then throw open thedoor, and will return to this place, where you can have our menassembled. If we can seize and secure the leaders, the rest will beeasy."
"You will run great risk, Sir John," said Topcliffe, with affectedconcern.
"Heed not that," replied Catesby. "You may expect me in a few minutes.Get together your men as noiselessly as you can."
With this he hastily withdrew.
On returning to the house, he instantly roused his companions, andacquainted them with what had occurred.
"My object," he said, "is to make Topcliffe a prisoner. We may obtainmuch useful information from him. As to the others, if they offerresistance, we will put them to death."
"What force have they?" asked Sir Everard Digby, with some uneasiness.
"It is impossible to say precisely," replied Catesby; "but not more thana handful of men, I should imagine, as they are waiting for Sir RichardWalsh."
"I know not what may be the issue of this matter," observed RobertWinter, whose looks were unusually haggard; "but I have had a strangeand ominous dream, which fills me with apprehension."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Catesby, upon whose mind the recollection of theapparition he had beheld rushed.
"Catesby," pursued Robert Winter, taking him aside, "if you have any sinunrepented of, I counsel you to make your peace with Heaven, for I fearyou are not long for this world."
"It may be so," rejoined Catesby, firmly; "and I have many dark anddamning sins upon my soul, but I will die as I have lived, firm andunshaken to the last. And now, let us prepare for our foes."
So saying, he proceeded to call up the trustiest of his men, andenjoining profound silence upon them, disposed them in various places,that they might instantly appear at his signal. After giving them otherdirections, he returned to the garden, and coughed slightly. He wasanswered by a quickly-approaching footstep, and a voice demanded,
"Are you there, Sir John?"
Catesby answered in a low tone in the affirmative.
"Come forward, then," rejoined Topcliffe.
As he spoke there was a rush of persons towards the spot, and seizingCatesby, he cried, in a triumphant tone, while he unmasked a lantern,and threw its light full upon his face,
"You are caught in your own trap, Mr. Catesby. You are my prisoner."
"Not so, villain," cried Catesby, disengaging himself by a powerfuleffort.
Sprin
ging backwards, he drew his sword, and making the blade describe acircle round his body, effected his retreat in safety, though a dozenshots were fired at him. Leaping the garden wall, he was instantlysurrounded by the other conspirators, and the greater part of the band,who, hearing the reports of the fire-arms, had hurried to the spot.Instantly putting himself at their head, Catesby returned to the garden;but Topcliffe and his party had taken the alarm and fled. Torches werebrought, and, by Catesby's directions, a large heap of dry stubble wasset on fire. But, though the flames revealed every object for aconsiderable distance around them, no traces of the hostile party couldbe discerned.
After continuing their ineffectual search for some time, theconspirators returned to the house, and abandoning all idea of retiringto rest, kept strict watch during the remainder of the night. Littleconversation took place. All were deeply depressed; and Catesby pacedbackwards and forwards within a passage leading from the hall to thedining-chamber. His thoughts were gloomy enough, and he retraced thewhole of his wild and turbulent career, pondering upon its close, whichhe could not disguise from himself was at hand.
"It matters not," he mentally ejaculated; "I shall not dieignominiously, and I would rather perish in the vigour of manhood thanlinger out a miserable old age. I have striven hard to achieve a greatenterprise, and having failed, have little else to live for. This bandcannot hold together two days longer. Our men will desert us, or turnupon us to obtain the price set upon our heads. And, were they true, Ihave little reliance upon my companions. They have no longer theconfidence that can alone insure success, and I expect each moment someone will propose a surrender. Surrender! I will never do so with life.Something must be done--something worthy of me--and then let me perish.I have ever prayed to die a soldier's death."
As he uttered these words unconsciously aloud, he became aware of thepresence of Robert Winter, who stood at the end of the passage, watchinghim.
"Your prayer will not be granted, Catesby," said the latter. "Somedreadful doom, I fear, is reserved for you and all of us."
"What mean you?" demanded the other, uneasily.
"Listen to me," replied Robert Winter. "I told you I had a strange andappalling dream to-night, and I will now relate it. I thought I was in aboat upon the river Thames, when all at once the day, which had beenbright and smiling, became dark and overcast,--not dark like the shadesof night, but gloomy and ominous, as when the sun is shrouded by aneclipse. I looked around, and every object was altered. The tower ofSaint Paul's stood awry, and seemed ready to topple down,--so did thespires and towers of all the surrounding fanes. The houses on LondonBridge leaned frightfully over the river, and the habitations lining itsbanks on either side, seemed shaken to their foundations. I fancied someterrible earthquake must have occurred, or that the end of the world wasat hand."
"Go on," said Catesby, who had listened with profound attention to therelation.
"The stream, too, changed its colour," continued Robert Winter, "andbecame red as blood, and the man who rowed my boat was gone, and hisplace occupied by a figure masked and habited like an executioner. Icommanded him to row me ashore, and in an instant the bark shot to land,and I sprang out, glad to be liberated from my mysterious conductor. Mysteps involuntarily led me toward the cathedral, and on entering it, Ifound its pillars, shrines, monuments, and roof hung with black. Thethrong that ever haunt Paul's Walk had disappeared, and a few dismalfigures alone traversed the aisles. On approaching them, I recognised intheir swollen, death-like, and blackened lineaments, some resemblance toyou and our friends. I was about to interrogate them, when I wasawakened by yourself."
"A strange dream, truly," observed Catesby, musingly, "and coupled withwhat I myself have seen to-night, would seem to bode evil."
And he then proceeded to describe the supernatural appearance he hadbeheld to his companion.
"All is over with us," rejoined Robert Winter. "We must prepare to meetour fate."
"We must meet it like men,--like brave men, Robert," replied Catesby."We must not disgrace ourselves and our cause."
"You are right," rejoined Robert Winter; "but these visions are moreterrible than the contemplation of death itself."
"If you require further rest, take it," returned Catesby. "In an hour Ishall call up our men, and march to Hewel Grange."
"I am wearied enough," replied Robert Winter, "but I dare not close myeyes again."
"Then recommend your soul to Heaven," said Catesby. "I would be alone.Melancholy thoughts press upon me, and I desire to unburden my heart toGod."
Robert Winter then left him, and he withdrew into a closet where therewas an image of the Virgin, and kneeling before it, prayed long andfervently. Arising in a calmer frame of mind, he returned to the hall,and summoning his companions and followers, their horses were broughtforth, and they commenced their march.
It was about four o'clock when they started, and so dark, that they hadsome difficulty in finding the road. They proceeded at a slow pace, andwith the utmost caution; but notwithstanding this, and though the twoWinters and Grant, who were well acquainted with the country, led theway, many trifling delays and disasters occurred. Their baggage-cartfrequently stuck fast in the deep ruts, while the men missing their way,got into the trenches skirting the lane, and were not unfrequentlythrown from their horses. More than once, too, the alarm was given thatthey were pursued, and a sudden halt ordered; but these apprehensionsproved groundless, and, after a most fatiguing ride, they foundthemselves at Stoke Prior, and within two miles of Hewel Grange.
Originally built in the early part of the reign of Henry the Eighth, andgranted by that monarch to an ancestor of its present possessor, LordWindsor, this ancient mansion was quadrangular in form, and surroundedby a broad deep fosse. Situated in the heart of an extensive park, atthe foot of a gentle hill, it was now approached from the brow of thelatter beautiful eminence by the rebel party. But at this season, and atthis hour, both park and mansion had a forlorn look. The weather stillcontinued foggy, with drizzling showers, and though the trees were notyet entirely stripped of their foliage, their glories had altogetherdeparted. The turf was damp and plashy, and in some places partook somuch of the character of a swamp, that the horsemen were obliged toalter their course.
But all obstacles were eventually overcome, and in ten minutes aftertheir entrance into the park, they were within gunshot of the mansion.There were no symptoms of defence apparent, but the drawbridge beingraised, it was Catesby's opinion, notwithstanding appearances, thattheir arrival was expected. He was further confirmed in this idea when,sounding a trumpet, and calling to the porter to let down thedrawbridge, no answer was returned.
The entrance to the mansion was through a lofty and machiolated gateway,strengthened at each side by an embattled turret. Perceiving a man atone of the loopholes, Catesby discharged his petronel at him, and it wasevident from the cry that followed that the person was wounded. Aninstant afterwards calivers were thrust through the other loopholes, andseveral shots fired upon the rebels, while some dozen armed men appearedupon the summit of the tower, and likewise commenced firing.
Perceiving Topcliffe among the latter, and enraged at the sight, Catesbydischarged another petronel at him, but without effect. He then calledto some of his men to break down the door of an adjoining barn, and toplace it in the moat. The order was instantly obeyed, and the doorafloat in the fosse, and springing upon it, he impelled himself with apike towards the opposite bank. Several shots were fired at him, andthough more than one struck the door, he crossed the moat uninjured. Sosuddenly was this daring passage effected, that before any of thedefenders of the mansion could prevent him, Catesby had severed thelinks of the chain fastening the drawbridge, and it fell clatteringdown.
With a loud shout, his companions then crossed it. But they had still adifficulty to encounter. The gates, which were of great strength, andcovered with plates of iron, were barred. But a ladder having been foundin the barn, it was brought forward, and Catesby mounting it sword inhand,
drove back all who opposed him, and got upon the wall. He wasfollowed by Sir Everard Digby, Percy, and several others, and drivingthe royalists before them, they made their way down a flight of stonesteps, and proceeding to the gateway, threw it open, and admitted theothers. All this was the work of a few minutes.
Committing the ransacking of the mansion to Digby and Percy, andcommanding a dozen men to follow him, Catesby entered a small archeddoorway, and ascended a winding stone staircase in search of Topcliffe.His progress was opposed by the soldiers, but beating aside allopposition, he gained the roof. Topcliffe, however, was gone.Anticipating the result of the attack, he had let himself drop from thesummit of the tower to the walls, and descending by the ladder, had madegood his retreat.
Disarming the soldiers, Catesby then descended to the court-yard, wherein a short time a large store of arms, consisting of corslets,demi-lances, pikes, calivers, and two falconets, were brought forth.These, together with a cask of powder, were placed in thebaggage-waggon. Meanwhile, the larder and cellar had been explored, andprovisions of all kinds, together with a barrel of mead, and another ofstrong ale, being found, they were distributed among the men.
While this took place, Catesby searched the mansion, and, partly bythreats, partly by persuasion, induced about twenty persons to jointhem. This unlooked-for success so encouraged the conspirators, thattheir drooping spirits began to revive. Catesby appeared as much elatedas the others, but at heart he was full of misgiving.
Soon afterwards, the rebel party quitted Hewel Grange, taking with themevery weapon they could find. The forced recruits were placed in themidst of the band, so that escape was impracticable.