Preston Fight Part 15

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IX.

Mad Jack Hall of Otterburn

HALTING at Corbridge, the earl and his companions drew their swords, and proclaimed James the Third.

Here half a dozen gentlemen joined them, and they obtained some further recruits as they went on.

One of the chief partisans of the Stuarts in the county was Mr. Hall, of Otterburn, in Redesdale. A man of ancient family and considerable property, but of eccentric character and ungovernable temper, he was known by the name of "Mad Jack Hall of Otterburn."

Under ordinary circ.u.mstances it was difficult to get on with a person so quarrelsome, and he was therefore left out of many Jacobite meetings; but it being now necessary that every friend of the cause should be mustered, Squire Hall was far too important to be omitted. Lord Derwent.w.a.ter had therefore resolved to visit Otterburn, and see what could be done with the crazy laird. He mentioned his design to Colonel Oxburgh and the others, who entirely approved of it.

About four o'clock in the afternoon, after riding for the most part across the country, they entered a wild district, erstwhile the scene of many a Border foray; and after tracking it for some miles reached the picturesque village of Otterburn, where the famous battle was fought.

Before them rose the still proud pile that had so stoutly resisted the attack of the Scots. Through the valley flowed the now clear Otter, once been dyed red with blood, while its banks were covered with slain.

The approach of the party had evidently been observed, for as they drew near the castle, a tall man sallied forth from the gateway, and greeted them with a loud shout.

Lord Derwent.w.a.ter and those with him at once recognised the Laird of Otterburn, and were glad to find him at home.

In age, Squire Hall might be forty-five-perhaps not quite so much-but his deep red complexion seemed to indicate that he drank hard, and his countenance had certainly a wild expression. But his deportment was quite that of a gentleman. He wore a green riding-dress laced with silver, a black riding-wig, and a small three-cornered hat, likewise bound with silver lace, and had a sword by his side.

That he understood what had brought the party to Otterburn was clear, as also, that he was quite ready to join them, for he took off his hat, and shouted at the top of a stentorian voice, "Long live King James!"

The shout was repeated by the new-comers, and so l.u.s.tily that all the villagers rushed to their doors.

After cordially greeting Lord Derwent.w.a.ter and those with him, all of whom were friends, the squire led the whole party into the court-yard of the castle, and then told them they must not think of leaving him till the morrow.

"Don't imagine you will incommode me," he said. "There is plenty of room in the old castle. To-day we will drink the king's health. To-morrow we will muster our forces, and prepare to fight his enemies. Forster, I hear, is at Rothbury, and if I hadn't joined your lords.h.i.+p, I should have joined him."

Very well satisfied with their hearty reception, the earl and his friends with the whole troop dismounted, and were shortly afterwards installed in various parts of the castle.

That beds were found for all of them-or even half-we do not pretend to say; but in some way or other they were accommodated.

Later on in the day a substantial dinner was served in the old banqueting-hall.

A great deal of wine was drunk that night, as was generally the case at Otterburn, and it would have been strange indeed if a quarrel had not occurred between the choleric laird and some of his guests.

For a time, Squire Hall appeared in remarkably good humour. He proposed a great number of Jacobite toasts, all of which were drunk with enthusiasm, but at length he propounded a plan for taking Newcastle by surprise, and its absurdity being pointed out to him by Colonel Oxburgh he flew into a violent rage, and told the colonel he was not fit to command a regiment.

The colonel immediately arose to leave the table, and Lord Derwent.w.a.ter insisted that the squire should at once withdraw the offensive observation. Instead of doing so, the squire sprang from his chair, drew his sword, and dared Colonel Oxburgh to meet him; but while gesticulating fiercely he fell to the ground, and could not get up again. In this state he was carried off to bed, and next morning he had forgotten all about the occurrence.

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X.

The Race on Simonside

AFTER a capital breakfast, the whole party-now increased by Squire Hall and half a dozen men-rode from Otterburn to Simonside, one of the loftiest and most striking hills in Northumberland. The summit of this remarkable eminence is a complete plateau, and the views commanded from it on all sides are extraordinarily fine, the whole range of the Cheviots being visible on the west, and the German Ocean on the east.

As the party were riding across this wide plain, with the intention of descending the north side, and proceeding to Rothbury, Squire Hall, who had been tolerably quiet during the morning, proposed to ride a race with Charles Radclyffe for twenty guineas.

"We will ride from here to Rothbury," he said; "and whoever gets there first, shall be deemed the winner."

Charles Radclyffe instantly accepted the challenge; but the Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter very reluctantly allowed the match to take place, and only consented from the fear of causing a fresh quarrel with the squire.

Without loss of time, the two gentlemen were placed together, and started at once by the earl. Both were well mounted-both excellent hors.e.m.e.n-but Charles Radclyffe was much the lighter weight, though undoubtedly the squire had the stronger horse.

It was a very pretty sight, to see them as they scoured over the plain, accompanied by the whole troop. The earl's dapple-grey being fleeter than either of the contending steeds, he could have easily led them, had he thought proper, but he did not make the attempt. Nor did he go beyond the edge of the hill.

On looking down the steep slopes, he called to the others to stop, but neither of them heeded him. Both dashed headlong down the hill, and all the lookers-on thought they would come rolling to the bottom.

If ever Squire Hall merited the epithet applied to his name, it was on that day, and Charles Radclyffe appeared little less crazy-the general impression being that both would break their necks. But somehow, the horses kept their feet. The squire shouted l.u.s.tily, as he continued his mad descent, and Charles was equally excited.

To the astonishment of all the beholders they got down in safety, and were soon afterwards seen crossing the bridge; being then so close together, that it was impossible to say who had won the race.

The Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter and his companions took an easier and more secure route down. As they approached the old bridge over the Coquet leading to the charming little town, they met the two crazy riders coming to meet them, and inquired who had won.

"We can't settle the point, my lord," replied the squire; "it seems to have been a dead-heat. We shall have to ride the race over again."

"Not on Simonside Hill," replied Lord Derwent.w.a.ter, laughing. "Have you heard where Mr. Forster has fixed his head-quarters? I see nothing of him or his troop."

"His head-quarters are now at Wanny Crags," replied the squire. "He has gone there to meet some friends."

"Does he return to Rothbury?" demanded the earl.

"That seems doubtful," replied Charles Radclyffe. "No one can answer for his movements. Probably, he will proceed to Warkworth to meet Lord Widdrington."

"Then we must follow him," said the earl.

Fain would Lord Derwent.w.a.ter have tarried for a day at Rothbury, which offered many attractions to him, but wis.h.i.+ng to effect an immediate junction with Forster, he only halted long enough to allow his men to refresh themselves at the comfortable little hostel near the church, where they found good ale.

To reach Wanny Crags, they had again to cross Simonside, and the deciding race was run on the summit, and won by Squire Hall, who was extraordinarily proud of the achievement.

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XI.

Wanny Crags

ON descending the south side of the hill the earl and his troop pa.s.sed through a thick forest, and then entered upon a moor, in the midst of which could be seen a remarkable cl.u.s.ter of rocks. These were Wanny Crags, and on the highest of them floated the king's banner, showing that the insurgents had taken up a position there.

On a nearer approach to this singular station, Forster and his men could be descried, grouped like bandits on the rocks; while a great cleft served as a stable for their horses.

As the earl drew nigh this natural fortress, Forster came down from the lofty point he had occupied and bade him welcome, expressing the greatest satisfaction at beholding him and his friends, and adding, that no doubt now they were come, all would go well.

"You do not mean to pa.s.s the night among these rocks, I presume?" said the earl.

"I came hither in the hope of gaining some recruits," replied Forster, "but have been disappointed. If your lords.h.i.+p had not joined me, I should have returned to Rothbury. But now I think it will be best to proceed to Warkworth. The castle is in our hands, and Lord Widdrington will be there to-morrow with a troop of horse. I hope we shall soon be strong enough to besiege Newcastle."

"Nothing can be decided upon till our forces are organised, and we can ascertain what a.s.sistance we are likely to receive from Scotland," said Lord Derwent.w.a.ter. "From what you say, we shall be able to hold a consultation with Lord Widdrington to-morrow, and can be guided by his advice."

Just then, a sentinel stationed on the highest crag, called out that a troop of horse-militia was coming across the moor on the road from Morpeth, and after Charles Radclyffe had examined the party through a spy-gla.s.s he declared it was Sir William Lorraine, and the party he had brought with him to Dilston.

"I recognise Sir William perfectly," he said.

"And so do I!" cried Squire Hall, taking the spy-gla.s.s from him. "And I am quite certain he is now on his way to Otterburn to arrest me. Leave me to deal with him. Let the men conceal themselves behind the rocks, so that he may not suspect the presence of so large a party."

Since no harm could be done by humouring the eccentric squire, Lord Derwent.w.a.ter and Mr. Forster complied with his request, and as he rode off they concealed their men as he had suggested.

As soon as Sir William Lorraine-for he it undoubtedly was-came in sight of Wanny Crags, he was made aware by the flag that a party of insurgents must be posted there.

But this discovery did not prevent him from going on, as he had no idea the rebels were in any force, and did not imagine they could muster more than a dozen at the outside.

As Squire Hall advanced, he recognised him, and called out to him to stop, but the injunction being disregarded he repeated it more authoritatively.

"You are my prisoner, sir," he cried. "I hold a warrant for your arrest."

"I don't think you are likely to execute the warrant, Sir William," rejoined the squire, laughing disdainfully.

"I would not advise you to offer resistance, sir," said Sir William. "And since there is no chance of escape you had better surrender at discretion,"

"I surrender!" exclaimed the squire. "I defy you and all your men to arrest me."

So saying, he wheeled round, and galloped back as fast as he could to Wanny Crags.

The magistrate followed with the whole of his troop. He would not allow them to fire, or the career of the fugitive would soon have been checked.

The squire called out loudly as he drew near the crags, and in answer to the cry, forty or fifty armed insurgents suddenly appeared at various points; while an equal number of hors.e.m.e.n, headed by Lord Derwent.w.a.ter and Mr. Forster, came from behind the rocks.

Confounded by this unexpected sight, and instantly comprehending the snare into which he had fallen, the magistrate would have fled, but before he could stir, his bridle was seized by Squire Hall, who exclaimed: "You threatened to arrest me, Sir William. Now you are my prisoner."

While the magistrate was hesitating, Lord Derwent.w.a.ter called out: "Bid your men lay down their arms instantly, Sir William, or we shall fire upon them."

"Hold! my lord!" exclaimed the squire. "I am very much mistaken if these worthy fellows are not inclined to join us. Save your lives," he added to the militiamen, "and shout for James the Third!"

"Long live King James!" cried the whole of the troop.

"Ah, traitors! ah, rebels! is it thus you support your king?" cried the magistrate.

"Harkee, Sir William!" cried the squire. "I would recommend you a little more prudence. If you try to take our recruits from us we shall make short work with you. Gentlemen," he added, to the others, "you are now on the right side. Let neither threats nor persuasions lure you from it."

"Do you propose to detain me, my lord, if I consent to deliver up my arms?" said the magistrate to Lord Derwent.w.a.ter.

"No, Sir William," replied the earl. "I am anxious you should take back tidings of your own defeat to Morpeth. You cannot conceal it, since you will not have your militiamen with you."

With a deeply mortified look Sir William then delivered his sword to Squire Hall, by whom it was handed to Lord Derwent.w.a.ter, after which the magistrate rode off by himself, and returned to Morpeth.

A very curious scene now took place, as the late enemies fraternised, and professed the greatest regard for each other. All the militiamen seemed now to be ardent Jacobites.

Greatly rejoiced at obtaining such an unexpected reinforcement, the two leaders did all in their power to conciliate the new recruits, and were by no means sparing in promises.

The party did not remain much longer at Wanny Crags, but proceeded to a hill called the Waterfalls, from the circ.u.mstance of a spring running in two different directions. Here they halted for a couple of hours at a large farm-house.

Thence they marched to Warkworth, their road lying for the most part along the banks of the beautiful river Coquet.

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