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LONDON 

•UTLEDGE  AND  SONS,  LIMITED 
•WAY  HOUSE,  LUDGATE  HILL 


GUY    FAWKES 


OR 


THE     GUNPOWDER    TREASON 


AN   HISTORICAL   ROMANCE 


BY 


WILLIAM     HARRISON    AINSWORTH 


m\i\i   Illustrations   on  §<keel  hg   (itorjjt 


LONDON 
GEORGE  ROUTLEDGE  AND   SONS,  LIMITED 

BROADWAY  HOUSE,  LUDGATE  HILL 

r 


LONDON  AND  COUNTY  PRINTING  WORKS, 
BAZAAR  BUILDINGS,  LONDON,   W.C. 


TO 

MRS.    HUGHES, 

KINGSTON    LISLE,    BERKS. 


MY  DEAR  MRS.  HUGHES, 

You  are  aware  that  this  Romance  was  brought  to  a  close 
during  my  last  brief  visit  at  Kingston  Lisle,  when  the  time 
necessary  to  be  devoted  to  it  deprived  me  of  the  full  enjoyment 
of  your  society,  and,  limiting  my  range — no  very  irksome 
restriction, — to  your  own  charming  garden  and  grounds,  pre 
vented  me  from  accompanying  you  in  your  walks  to  your 
favourite  and  beautiful  downs.  This  circumstance,  which  will 
suffice  to  give  it  some  interest  in  your  eyes  by  associating  it  with 
your  residence,  furnishes  me  with  a  plea,  of  which  I  gladly  avail 
myself,  of  inscribing  it  with  your  name,  and  of  recording,  at  the 
same  time,  the  high  sense  I  entertain  of  your  goodness  and 
worth,  the  value  I  set  upon  your  friendship, — a  friendship  shared 
in  common  with  some  of  the  most  illustrious  writers  of  oui 
time, — and  the  gratitude  I  shall  never  cease  to  feel  for  attentions 
and  kindnesses,  little  less  than  maternal,  which  I  have  experienced 
at  your  hands. 

In  the  hope  that  you  may  long  continue  to  diffuse  happiness 
round  your  own  circle,  and  contribute  to  the  instruction  and 
delight  of  the  many«attached  friends  with  whom  you  maintain 
so  active  and  so  interesting  a  correspondence  ;  and  that  you  may 
live  to  see  your  grandsons  fulfil  their  present  promise,  and  tread 
in  the  footsteps  of  their  high-minded  and  excellent-hearted 
father, — and  of  his  father !  I  remain 

Your  affectionate  and  obliged  friend, 

W.  HARRISON  AINSWORTH. 

KENSAL  MANOR  HOUSE,  HARROW  ROAD, 
July  26,  1841. 


PREFACE. 


THE  tyrannical  measures  adopted  against  the  Roman  Catholics 
in  the  early  part  of  the  reign  of  James  the  First,  when  the  severe 
penal  enactments  against  recusants  were  revived,  and  with  addi 
tional  rigour,  and  which  led  to  the  remarkable  conspiracy  about 
to  be  related,  have  been  so  forcibly  and  faithfully  described  by 
Doctor  Lingard,*  that  the  following  extract  from  his  history  will 
form  a  fitting  introduction  to  the  present  work. 

"  The  oppressive  and  sanguinary  code  framed  in  the  reign  of 
Elizabeth,  was  re-enacted  to  its  full  extent,  and  even  improved 
with  additional  severities.  Every  individual  who  had  studied  or 
resided,  or  should  afterwards  study  or  reside  in  any  college  or 
seminary  beyond  the  sea,  was  rendered  incapable  of  inheriting, 
or  purchasing,  or  enjoying  lands,  annuities,  chattels,  debts,  or 
sums  of  money,  within  the  realm  ;  and  as  missionaries  sometimes 
eluded  detection  under  the  disguise  of  tutors,  it  was  provided  that 
no  man  should  teach  even  the  rudiments  of  grammar  in  public 
or  in  private,  without  the  previous  approbation  of  the  diocesan. 

"  The  execution  of  the  penal  laws  enabled  the  king,  by  an 
ingenious  comment,  to  derive  considerable  profit  from  his  past 
forbearance.  It  was  pretended  that  he  had  never  forgiven  the 
penalties  of  recusancy ;  he  had  merely  forbidden  them  to  be 
exacted  for  a  time,  in  the  hope  that  this  indulgence  would  lead 
to  conformity ;  but  his  expectations  had  been  deceived ;  the 
obstinacy  of  the  Catholics  had  grown  with  the  lenity  of  the  • 
sovereign  ;  and,  as  they  were  unworthy  of  further  favour,  they 
should  now  be  left  to  the  severity  of  the  law.  To  their  dismay, 
the  legal  fine  of  twenty  pounds  per  lunar  month  was  again 
demanded,  and  not  only  for  the  time  to  come,  but  for  the  whole 
period  of  the  suspension ;  a  demand  which,  by  crowding  thirteen 
payments  into  one,  reduced  many  families  of  moderate  incomes 
to  a  state  of  absolute  beggary.  Nor  was  this  alL  James  was 
surrounded  by  numbers  of  his  indigent  countrymen.  Their 
habits  were  expensive,  their  wants  many,  and  their  importunities 
incessant.  To  satisfy  the  more  clamorous,  a  new  expedient  was 
devised.  The  king  transferred  to  them  his  claims  on  some  of 

*  Vide  History  of  England,  vol.  ix.  New  Edition. 


vi  PREFACE. 

the  more  opulent  recusants,  against  whom  they  were  at  liberty 
to  proceed  by  law,  in  his  name,  unless  the  sufferers  should  sub 
mit  to  compound,  by  the  grant  of  an  annuity  for  life,  or  the 
immediate  payment  of  a  considerable  sum.  This  was  at  a  time 
when  the  jealousies  between  the  two  nations  had  reached  a 
height,  of  which,  at  the  present  day,  we  have  but  little  concep 
tion.  Had  the  money  been  carried  to  the  royal  coffers,  the 
recusants  would  have  had  sufficient  reason  to  complain ;  but  that 
Englishmen  should  be  placed  by  their  king  at  the  mercy  of 
foreigners,  that  they  should  be  stripped  of  their  property  to 
support  the  extravagance  of  his  Scottish  minions,  this  added 
indignity  to  injustice,  exacerbated  their  already  wounded  feelings, 
and  goaded  the  most  moderate  almost  to  desperation."  From 
this  deplorable  state  of  things,  which  is  by  no  means  over- 
coloured  in  the  above  description,  sprang  the  Gunpowder  Plot. 

The  county  of  Lancaster  has  always-  abounded  in  Catholic 
families,  and  at  no  period  were  the  proceedings  of  the  ecclesi 
astical  commissioners  more  rigorous  against  them  than  at  that 
under  consideration.  Manchester,  "  the  Goshera  of  this  Egypt," 
as  it  is  termed  by  the  fiery  zealot,  Warden  Heyrick,  being  the 
place  where  all  the  recusants  were  imprisoned,  the  scene  of  the 
early  part  of  this  history  has  been  laid  in  that  town  and  its 
immediate  neighbourhood.  For  the  introduction  of  the  muni 
ficent  founder  of  the  Blue  Coat  Hospital  into  a  tale  of  this 
description  I  ought,  perhaps,  to  apologize ;  but  if  I  should 
succeed  by  it  in  arousing  my  fellow-townsmen  to  a  more  lively 
appreciation  of  the  great  benefits  they  have  derived  from  him, 
I  shall  not  regret  what  I  have  written. 

In  Viviana  Radcliffe  I  have  sought  to  portray  the  loyal  and 
devout  Catholic,  such  as  I  conceive  the  character  to  have  existed 
at  the  period.  In  Catesby,  the  unscrupulous  and  ambitious  plotter, 
masking  his  designs  under  the  cloak  of  religion.  In  Garnet, 
the  subtle,  and  yet  sincere  Jesuit.  And  in  Fawkes  the  gloomy 
and  superstitious  enthusiast.  One  doctrine  I  have  endeavoured 
to  enforce  throughout, — TOLERATION. 

From  those  who  have  wilfully  misinterpreted  one  of  my  former 
productions,  and  have  attributed  to  it  a  purpose  and  an  aim 
utterly  foreign  to  my  own  intentions,  I  can  scarcely  expect  fairer 
treatment  for  the  present  work.  But  to  that  wider  and  more 
discriminating  class  of  readers  from  whom  I  have  experienced 
so  much  favour  and  support,  I  confidently  commit  this  volume, 
certain  of  meeting  with  leniency  and  impartiality. 


CONTENTS. 


uaa 

DEDICATION iii 

PREFACE    V- 


THE  PLOT. 

CHAPTER 

I.  AN     EXECUTION      IN     MANCHESTER,     AT      THE      BEGINNING     OF     THE 

SEVENTEENTH   CENTURY    1 

II.    ORDSALL   CAVE 10 

in.    ORDSALL   HALL 12 

IV.    THE   SEARCH , 26 

V.    CHAT   MOSS 31 

VI.    THE   DISINTERMENT 491 

VII.    DOCTOR   DEE 50 

VIII.    THE   MAGIC   GLASS 56 

IX.   THE   PRISON   ON   SALFORD   BRIDGE 62 

X.   THE  FATE   OF   THE  PURSUIVANT 66 

XI.   THE  PILGRIMAGE   TO   SAINT  WINIFRED'S   WELL 71 

XII.    THE  VISION 83 

XIII.    THE   CONSPIRATORS 87 

XTV.    THE   PACKET 98 

XV.    THE  ELIXIR        ....._ 105 

XVI.    THE   COLLEGIATE   CHURCH  AT   MANCHESTER 115 

XVIT.    THE   RENCOUNTER 129 

XVIII.   THE   EXPLANATION 131 

XIX.    THE   DISCOVERY 133 

XX.   THE  DEPARTURE  FROM  THE  HALL 139 


tfje 

THE    DISCOVERY. 

I.  THE  LANDING  OF  THE  POWDEB 147 

II.  THE  TRAITOR 156 

IH.  THE  ESCAPE  PREVENTED 163 

IV.  THE  MINE 169 

V.  THE  CAPTURE  OF  VIVIANA 17& 

VI.  THE  CELLAR 187 

VII.  THE  STAR-CHAMBER 195 

vin.  THE  JAILER'S  DAUGHTER 198 

IX.    THE   COUNTERPLOT 212 

X.  WHITE  WEBBS 220 

XI.   THE  MARRIAGE  IN  THE  FOREST 228 

XII.    THE  FIFTH   OF  NOVEMBER 237 

XIII.  THE  FLIGHT  OF  THE  CONSPIRATORS 245 

XIV.  THE  EXAMINATION     .  ,  255 


CONTENTS. 


23oofc  t& 

THE    CONSPIRATORS. 

CHAPTER 

I.    HOW  OUT   FAWKES  WAS  PUT  TO  THE  TOBTUBE 262 

II.    SHOWING  THE  TROUBLES  OP  VIVIAXA 274 

III.  HUDDINGTON 278 

IV.  HOLBEACH 292 

V.   THE  CLOSE  OP  THE  BEBELLION 294 

VI.    HAiil.KY 304 

VII.   VIVIAN  A' S  LAST  NIGHT  AT  OBDSALL  HALL 313 

VIII.    HENDLIP 319 

IX.    WHITEHALL 327 

X.   THB  PABTING  OP  VIVIANA  AND   HUMPHREY   CHETHAJI 331 

XI.   THE  8UBTERBANEAN  DUNGEON 332 

XH.   THE  TBAITOB  BETBATED 336 

XIII.    THK  TBIAL 341 

XIV.   THE  LAST  MEETING   OF   FAWKES  AND   VIVtANA S44 

xv.  SAINT  PAUL'S  CHURCHYARD 347 

XVI.    OLD  PALACE   YARD ' 352 

XVII.   THE  LAST  EXECUTION ...,.,       .  355 


GUY     FAWKES. 


ISoofe 
THE     PLOT. 


Their  searches  are  many  and  severe.  They  come  either  in  the  night  or  early  in 
the  morning,  and  ever  seek  their  opportunity,  when  the  Catholics  are  or  would  be 
best  occupied,  or  are  likely  to  be  worse  provided  or  look  for  nothing.  They 
williugliest  come  when  few  are  at  home  to  resist  them,  that  they  may  rifle  coffers, 
and  do  what  they  list.  They  lock  up  the  servants,  and  the  mistress  of  the  house, 
and  the  whole  family,  in  a  room  by  themselves,  while  they,  like  young  princes,  go 
rifling  the  house  at  their  will. 

Letter  to  Vcrs'eyan,  ap.  Slonyhurst  MSS. 

"What  a  thing  is  it  for  a  Catholic  gentleman  to  have  his  house  suddenly  beset  on 
all  sides  with  a  number  of  men  in  arms,  both  horse  and  foot !  and  not  only  hia 
house  and  gardens,  and  such  enclosed  places  all  beset,  but  all  highways  laid,  for 
some  miles  near  unto  him,  that  none  shall  pass,  but  they  shall  be  examined  !  Then 
are  these  searchers  oft-times  so  rude  and  barbarous,  that,  if  the  doors  be  not 
opened  in  the  instant  they  would  enter,  they  break  open  the  doors  with  all  violeno«v 
aa  if  they  were  to  sack  a  town  of  enemies  won  by  the  sword. 

Father  Gerard' t  MS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

AN   EXECUTION  IN  MANCHESTER,  AT  THE  BEGINNING  OF  THE 
SEVENTEENTH  CENTURY. 

MORE  than  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  years  ago,  or,  to  speak 
with  greater  precision,  in  1605,  at  the  latter  end  of  June,  it  was 
rumoured  one  morning  in  Manchester  that  two  seminary  priests, 
condemned  at  the  late  assizes  under  the  severe  penal  enactments 
then  in  force  against  the  Papists,  were  about  to  suffer  death  on 
that  day.  Attracted  by  the  report,  large  crowds  Hocked  towards 
the  place  of  execution,  which,  in  order  to  give  greater  solemnity 
to  the  spectacle,  had  been  fixed  at  the  southern  gate  of  the  old 
Collegiate  Church,  where  a  scaffold  was  erected.  Near  it  was 
a  large  blood-stained  block,  the  use  of  which  will  be  readily 
divined,  and  adjoining  the  block,  upon  a  heap  of  blazing  coals, 
smoked  a  caldron  filled  with  boiling  pitch,  intended  to  receive 
the  quarters  of  the  miserable  sufferers. 

The  place  was  guarded  by  a  small  band  of  soldiers,  fullj 

B 


GUY  FAWKES 


accoutred  in  corslets  and  morions,  and  armed  with  swords,  half- 
pikes,  and  calivers.  Upon  the  steps  of  the  scaffold  stood  the 
executioner, — a  square-built,  ill-favoured  personage,  busied  in 
arranging  a  bundle  of  straw  upon  the  boards.  He  was  dressed 
in  a  buff  jerkin,  and  had  a  long-bladed,  two-edged  knife  thrust 
into  his  girdle.  Besides  these  persons,  there  \vas  a  pursuivant, 
— an  officer  appointed  by  the  Privy  Council  to  make  search 
throughout  the  provinces  for  recusants,  Popish  priests,  and  other 
religious  offenders.  He  was  occupied  at  this  moment  in  readin^ 
over  a  list  of  suspected  persons. 

Neither  the  executioner  nor  his  companions  appeared  in  the 
slightest  degree  impressed  by  the  butcherly  business  about  to  be 
enacted;  for  the  former  whistled  carelessly  as  he  pursued  his 
task,  while  the  latter  laughed  and  chatted  with  the  crowd,  or 
jestingly  pointed  their  matchlocks  at  the  jackdaws  wheeling 
above  them  in  the  sunny  air,  or  perching  .upon  the  pinnacles  and 
tower  of  the  neighbouring  fane.  Not  so  the  majority  of  the 
assemblage.  Most  of  the  older  and  wealthier  families  in  Lan 
cashire  still  continuing  to  adhere  to  the  ancient  faith  of  their 
fathers,  it  will  not  be  wondered  that  many  of  their  dependents 
should  follow  their  example.  And,  even  of  those  who  were 
adverse  to  the  creed  of  Rome,  there  were  few  who  did  not  mur 
mur  at  the  rigorous  system  of  persecution  adopted  towards  its 
professors. 

At  nine  o'clock,  the  hollow  rolling  of  a  muffled  drum  was 
heard  at  a  distance.  The  deep  bell  of  the  church  began  to  toll, 
and  presently  afterwards  the  mournful  procession  was  seen 
advancing  from  the  market-place.  It  consisted  of  a  troop  of 
mounted  soldiers,  equipped  in  all  respects  like  those  stationed  at 
the  scaffold,  with  their  captain  at  their  head,  and  followed  by 
two  of  their  number  with  hurdles  attached  to  their  steeds,  on 
which  were  tied  the  unfortunate  victims.  Both  were  young  men 
—both  apparently  prepared  to  meet  their  fate  with  firmness  and 
resignation.  They  had  been  brought  from  Radcliffe  Hall— an 
old  moated  and  fortified  mansion  belonging  to  a  wealthy  family 
of  that  name,  situated  where  the  close,  called  Pool  Fold,  now 
stands,  and  then  recently  converted  into  a  place  of  securitv  for 
recusants ;  the  two  other  prisons  in  Manchester— namely",  the 
New  Fleet  on  Hunt's  Bank,  and  the  gaol  on  Salford  Bridge,— 
not  being  found  adequate  to  the  accommodation  of  the  numerous 
religious  offenders. 

By  this  time,  the  cavalcade  had  reached  the  place  of  execu 
tion.  The  soldiers  drove  back  the  throng  with  their  pikes,  and 
cleared  a  space  in  front  of  the  scaffold;  when,  just  as  the  cords 
that  bound  the  limbs  of  the  priests  were  unfastened,  a  woman  in 
a  tattered  woollen  robe,  with  a  hood  partially  drawn  over  her 
face, — the  features  of  which.,  so  far  as  they  could  be  discerned, 
were  sharp  and  attenuated,— a  rope  girded  round  her  waiat,  bare 


EXECUTION  AT  MANCHESTER.  3 

feet,  and  having  altogether  the  appearance  of  a  sister  of  Charily, 
sprang  forward,  and  flung  herself  on  her  knees  beside  them. 

Clasping  the  hem  of  the  garment  of  the  nearest  priest,  she 
pressed  it  to  her  lips,  and  gazed  earnestly  at  him,  as  if  imploring 
a  blessing. 

"  You  have  your  wish,  daughter,"  said  ihe  priest,  extending 
his  arms  over  her.  "  Heaven  and  our  lady  bless  you  1" 

The  woman  then  turned  towards  the  other  victim,  \vho  was 
audibly  reciting  the  Miserere. 

"Back,  spawn  of  Antichrist!"  interposed  a  soldier,  rudely 
thrusting  her  aside.  "  Don't  you  see  you  disturb  the  father's 
devotions?  He  has  enough  to  do  to  take  care  of  his  own  soul, 
without  minding  yours." 

"  Take  this,  daughter,"  cried  the  priest  who  had  been  first 
addressed,  offering  her  a  small  volume,  which  he  took  from  his 
vest,  "and  fail  not  to  remember  in  your  prayers  the  sinful  soul 
of  Robert  Woodroofe,  a  brother  of  the  order  of  Jesus." 

The  woman  put  out  her  hand  to  take  the  book ;  but  before  it 
could  be  delivered  to  her,  it  was  seized  by  the  soldier. 

"  Your  priests  have  seldom  anything  to  leave  behind  them," 
he  shouted,  with  a  brutal  laugh,  "  except  some  worthless  and 
superstitious  relic  of  a  saint  or  martyr.  What's  this  ?  Ah  !  a 
breviary — a  mass-book.  I've  too  much  regard  for  your  spiritual 
welfare  to  allow  you  to  receive  it,"  he  added,  about  to  place  it  in 
his  doublet. 

"  Give  it  her,"  exclaimed  a  young  man,  snatching  it  from 
him,  and  handing  it  to  the  woman,  who  disappeared  as  soon  a3 
she  had  obtained  possession  of  it. 

The  soldier  eyed  the  new-comer  as  if  disposed  to  resent  the 
interference,  but  a  glance  at  his  apparel,  which,  though  plain, 
and  of  a  sober  hue,  was  rather  above  the  middle  class,  as  well  as 
a  murmur  from  the  crowd,  who  were  evidently  disposed  to  take 
part  wi:h.  the  young  man,  induced  him  to  stay  his  hand.  He, 
therefore,  contented  himself  with  crying,  "  A  recusant !  a  Papist !" 

"  I  am  neither  recusant  nor  Papist,  knave  I"  replied  the  other, 
sternly;  "and  I  counsel  you  to  mend  your  manners,  and  shov> 
more  humanity,  or  you  shall  find  I  have  interest  enough  to  pro 
cure  your  dismissal  trom  a  service  which  you  disgrace." 

This  reply  elicited  a  shout  of  applause  from  the  mob. 

"  Who  is  that  bold  speaker  ?"  demanded  the  pursuivant  frorr 
one  of  his  attendants. 

"Humphrey  Chetham  of  Crumpsall,"  answered  the  man: 
"son  to  one  of  the  wealthiest  merchants  of  the  town,  and  a 
zealous  upholder  of  the  true  faith." 

"  He  has  a  strange  way  of  showing  his  z^al,"  rejoined  the  pur 
suivant,  entering  the  answer  in  his  note-book.  "And  who  is  the? 
woman  he  befriended  ?" 

"  A  half-crazed  being  called   Elizabeth  Orton,"  replied   the 


4  GUY  FAWKlSa. 

nttendant.  "  She  was  scourged  and  tortured  during  Queen 
Elizabeth's  reign  for  pretending  to  the  gift  of  prophecy,,  and  was 
compelled  to  utter  her  recantation  within  yonder  church.  Since 
then  she  has  never  opened  her  lips/' 

"  Indeed,"  exclaimed  the  pursuivant :  "  I  will  engage  to  make 
her  speak,  and  to  some  purpose.  Where  does  she  live  ?" 

"  In  a  cave  on  the  banks  of  the  Irwell,  near  Ordsall  Hall," 
replied  the  attendant.  "  She  subsists  on  the  chance  contribu 
tions  of  the  charitable;  but  she  solicits  nothing, — and,  indeed,  is 
seldom  seen." 

"Her  cave  must  be  searched,"  observed  the  pursuivant;  "it 
may  be  the  hiding-place  of  a  priest.  Father  Campion  was  con 
cealed  in  such  another  spot  at  Stonor  Park,  near  Henley-on- 
Thames,  where  he  composed  his  '  Decem  Rationes ;'  and,  for  a 
long  time,  eluded  the  vigilance  of  the  commissioners.  We  shall 
pass  it  in  our  way  to  Ordsall  Hall  to-night,  shall  we  not  ?" 

The  attendant  nodded  in  the  affirmative. 

"  If  we  surprise  Father  Oldcorne,"  continued  the  pursuivant, 
"and  can  prove  that  Sir  William  Radcliffe  and  his  daughter, 
both  of  whom  are  denounced  in  my  list,  are  harbourers  and  shel- 
terers  of  recusants,  we  shall  have  done  a  good  night's  work." 

At  this  moment,  an  officer  advanced,  and  commanded  the 
priests  to  ascend  the  scaffold. 

As  Father  Woodroofe,  who  was  the  last  to  mount,  reached  the 
uppermost  step,  he  turned  round  and  cried  in  a  loud  voice, 
"  Good  people,  I  take  you  all  to  witness  that  I  die  in  the  true 
Catholic  religion,  and  that  I  rejoice  and  thank  God  with  all  ray 
soul,  that  he  hath  made  rne  worthy  to  testify  my  faith  therein  by 
ehedding  my  blood  in  this  manner."  He  then  advanced  to 
wards  the  executioner,  who  was  busied  in  adjusting  the  cord  round 
his  companion's  throat,  and  said,  "  God  forgive  thee — do  thine 
office  quickly;"  adding  in  a  lower  tone,  "Aaperge  me,  Domine ; 
Domine,  miserere  mei  /" 

And,  amid  the  deep  silence  that  ensued,  the  executioner  per 
formed  his  horrible  task. 

The  execution  over,  the  crowd  began  to  separate  slowly,  and 
various  opinions  were  expressed  respecting  the  revolting  and 
sanguinary  spectacle  just  witnessed.  Many,  who  condemned — 
and  the  majority  did  so — the  extreme  severity  of  the  laws  by 
which  the  unfortunate  priests  had  just  suffered,  uttered  their 
sentiments  with  extreme  caution;  but  there  were  some  whose 
feelings  had  been  too  much  excited  for  prudence,  and  who 
inveighed  loudly  and  bitterly  against  the  spirit  of  religious  per 
secution  then  prevailing;  while  a  few  others  of  an  entirely  oppo 
site  persuasion  looked  upon  the  rigorous  proceedings  adopted 
against  the  Papists,  and  the  punishment  now  inflicted  upon  their 
priesthood,  as  a  just  retribution  for  their  own  severities  during 
the  reign  of  Mary.  In  general,  the  common  people  entertained 


EXECUTION   AT   MANCHESTER.  5 

A  strong  prejudice  against  the  Catholic  party, — for,  as  it  has  been 
shrewdly  observed,  "  they  must  have  some  object  to  hate ;  here 
tofore  it  was  the  Welsh,  the  Scots,  or  the  Spaniards,  but  now  in 
these  latter  times  only  the  Papists;"  but  in  Manchester,  near 
which,  as  has  been  already  stated,  so  many  old  and  important 
families,  professing  that  religion,  resided,  the  case  was  widely 
different ;  and  the  mass  of  the  inhabitants  were  favourably 
inclined  towards  them.  It  was  the  knowledge  of  this  feeling 
that  induced  the  commissioners,  appointed  to  superintend  the 
execution  of  the  enactments  against  recusants,  to  proceed  with 
unusual  rigour  in  this  neighbourhood. 

The  state  of  the  Roman  Catholic  party  at  the  period  of  this 
history  was  indeed  most  grievous.  The  hopes  they  had  indulged 
of  greater  toleration  on  the  accession  of  James  the  First,  had 
been  entirely  destroyed.  The  persecutions,  suspended  during 
the  first  year  of  the  reign  of  the  new  monarch,  were  now  renewed 
with  greater  severity  than  ever;  and  though  their  present  con 
dition  was  deplorable  enough,  it  was  feared  that  worse  remained 
in  store  for  them.  "  They  bethought  themselves,"  writes  Bishop 
Goodman,  "  that  now  their  case  was  far  worse  than  in  the  time 
of  Queen  Elizabeth  ;  for  they  did  live  in  some  hope  that  after  the 
old  woman's  life,  they  might  have  some  mitigation,  and  even 
those  who  did  then  persecute  them  were  a  little  more  moderate, 
as  being  doubtful  what  times  might  succeed,  and  fearing  their 
own  case.  But,  now  that  they  saw  the  times  settled,  having  no 
hope  of  better  days,  but  expecting  that  the  uttermost  rigour  of 
the  law  should  be  executed,  they  became  desperate  :  rinding  that 
by  the  laws  of  the  kingdom  their  own  lives  were  riot  secured,  and 
for  the  carrying  over  of  a  priest  into  England  it  was  no  less  than 
high  treason.  A  gentlewoman  was  hanged  only  for  relieving  and 
harbouring  a  priest ;  a  citizen  was  hanged  only  for  being  recon 
ciled  to  the  Church  of  Rome  ;  besides,  the  penal  laws  were  such, 
and  so  executed,  that  they  could  not  subsist.  What  was  usually 
sold  in  shops  and  usually  bought,  this  the  pursuivant  would  take 
away  from  them  as  being  Popish  and  superstitious.  One  knight 
<lid  affirm  that  in  one  term  he  gave  twenty  nobles  in  rewards  to 
the  door-keeper  of  the  Attorney-General ;  another  did  affirm,  that 
iiis  third  part  which  remained  unto  him  of  his  estate  did  hardly 
serve  for  his  expense  in  law  to  defend  him  from  other  oppres 
sions  ;  besides  their  children  to  be  taken  from  home,  to  be< 
brought  up  in  another  religion.  So  they  did  every  way  conclude 
that  their  estate  was  desperate;  they  could  die  but  once,  and 
their  religion  was  more  precious  unto  them  than  their  lives. 
They  did  further  consider  their  misery ;  how  they  were  debarred 
in  any  course  of  life  to  help  themselves.  They  could  not  prac 
tise  law, — they  could  not  be  citizens, — they  could  have  nt 
office  ;  they  could  not  breed  up  their  sons — none  did  desire  to 
match  with  them ;  they  had  neither  fit  marriages  for  their 


6  GUY  FAWKES. 

daughters,  nor  nunneries  to  put  them  into;  for  those  few  which 
are  beyond  seas  are  not  considerable  in  respect  of  the  number 
of  recusants,  and  none  can  be  admitted  into  them  without  great 
sums  of  money,  which  they,  being  exhausted,  could  not  supply. 
The  Spiritual  Court  did  not  cease  to  molest  them,  to  excom 
municate  them,  then  to  imprison  them  ;  and  thereby  they  were 
utterly  disenabled  to  sue  for  their  own."  Such  is  a  faithful 
picture  of  the  state  of  the  Catholic  party  at  the  commencement 
of  the  reign  of  James  the  First. 

Pressed  down  by  these  intolerable  grievances,  is  it  to  be 
wondered  at  that  the  Papists  should  repine, — or  that  some 
among  their  number,  when  all  other  means  failed,  should  seek 
redress  by  darker  measures?  By  a  statute  of  Elizabeth,  all  who 
refused  to  conform  to  the  established  religion  were  subjected  to 
a  fine  of  twenty  pounds  a  lunar  month ;  and  this  heavy  penalty, 
remitted,  or  rather  suspended,  on  the.  accession  of  the  new 
sovereign,  was  again  exacted,  and  all  arrears  claimed.  Added 
to  this,  James,  whose  court  was  thronged  by  a  host  of  needy 
Scottish  retainers,  assigned  to  them  a  certain  number  of  wealthy 
recusants,  and  empowered  them  to  levy  the  fines — a  privilege  of 
which  they  were  not  slow  to  avail  themselves.  There  were 
other  pains  and  penalties  provided  for  by  the  same  statute,  which 
were  rigorously  inflicted.  To  withdraw,  or  seek  to  withdraw 
another  from  the  established  religion  was  accounted  high  treason, 
and  punished  accordingly;  to  hear  mass  involved  a  penalty  of 
one  hundred  marks  and  a  year's  imprisonment ;  and  to  harbour 
a  priest,  under  the  denomination  of  a  tutor,  rendered  the  latter 
liable  to  a  year's  imprisonment,  and  his  employer  to  a  fine  often 
pounds  a-month.  Impressed  with  the  belief  that,  in  consequence 
of  the  unremitting  persecutions  which  the  Catholics  underwent 
in  Elizabeth's  time,  the  religion  would  be  wholly  extirpated, 
Doctor  Allen,  a  Lancashire  divine,  who  afterwards  received  a 
cardinal's  hat,  founded  a  college  atDouay,  for  the  reception  and 
education  of  those  intending  to  take  orders.  From  this  uni 
versity  a  number  of  missionary  priests,  or  seminarists,  as  they 
were  termed,  were  annually  sent  over  to  England  ;  and  it  was 
against  these  persons,  who  submitted  to  every  hardship  and  pri 
vation,  to  danger,  and  death  itself,  for  the  welfare  of  their  reli 
gion,  and  in  the  hope  of  propagating  its  doctrines,  that  the 
utmost  rigour  of  the  penal  enactments  was  directed.  Among 
the  number  of  seminarists  despatched  from  Douay,  and  capitally 
convicted  under  the  statute  above-mentioned,  were  the  two 
priests  whose  execution  has  just  been  narrated. 

As  a  portion  of  the  crowd  passed  over  the  old  bridge  across 
the  Irwell  connecting  Manchester  with  Salford,  on  which  stood 
an  ar.cient  chapel  erected  by  Thomas  de  Booth,  in  the  reign  of 
Edward  the  Third,  and  recently  converted  into  a  prison  for 
recusants,  they  perceived  the  prophetess,  Elizabeth  Orton,  seated 


EXECUTION  AT   MANCHESTER.  7 

upon  the  stone  steps  of  the  desecrated  structure,  earnestly 
perusing  the  missal  given  her  by  Father  Woodroofe.  A  mob 
speedily  collected  round  her  ;  but,  unconscious  seemingly  of  their 
presence,  the  poor  woman  turned  over  leaf  after  leaf,  and  pursued 
her  studies.  Her  hood  was  thrown  back,  and  discovered  her 
bare  and  withered  neck,  over  which  her  dishevelled  hair  streamed 
in  long  sable  elf-locks.  Irritated  by  her  indifference,  several  of 
the  by-standers,  who  had  questioned  her  as  to  the  nature  of  her 
studies,  began  to  mock  and  jeer  her,  and  endeavoured,  by  plucking 
her  robe,  and  casting  little  pebbles  at  her,  to  attract  her  atten 
tion.  Roused  at  length  by  these  annoyances,  she  arose ;  and 
fixing  her  large  black  eyes  menacingly  upon  them,  was  about  to 
stalk  away,  when  they  surrounded  and  detained  her. 

"  Speak  to  us,  Bess,"  cried  several  voices.  "  Prophesy — pro 
phesy." 

"  I  will  speak  to  you,"  replied  the  poor  woman,  shaking  her 
hand  at  them,  "  I  will  prophesy  to  you.  And  mark  me,  though 
ye  believe  not,  my  words  shall  not  fall  to  the  ground." 

"  A  miracle  !  a  miracle  !"  shouted  the  by-standers.  "  Bess 
Orton,  who  has  been  silent  for  twenty  years,  has  found  her 
tongue  at  last." 

"  I  have  seen  a  vision,  and  dreamed  a  dream,"  continued  the 
prophetess.  "  As  I  lay  in  my  cell  last  night,  meditating  upon 
the  forlorn  state  of  our  religion,  and  of  its  professors,  methought 
nineteen  shadowy  figures  stood  before  me — ay,  nineteen — for  I 
counted  them  thrice — and  when  I  questioned  them  as  to  their 
coining, — for  my  tongue  at  first  clove  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth, 
and  my  lips  refused  their  office, — one  of  them  answered,  in  a 
voice  which  yet  rings  in  my  ears,  *  We  are  the  chosen  deliverers 
of  our  fallen  and  persecuted  church.  To  us  is  intrusted  the  re 
building  of  her  temples, — to  our  hands  is  committed  the  destruc 
tion  of  our  enemies.  The  work  will  be  done  in  darkness  and  in 
secret, — with  toil  and  travail, — but  it  will  at  length  be  made 
manifest ;  and  when  the  hour  is  arrived,  our  vengeance  will  be 
terrible  and  exterminating.'  With  these  words,  they  vanished 
from  my  sight.  Ah  1"  she  exclaimed,  suddenly  starting,  and 
passing  her  hand  across  her  brow,  as  if  to  clear  her  sight,  "it 
was  no  dream — no  vision.  I  see  one  of  them  now." 

"  Where  ?  where  ?"  cried  several  voices. 

The  prophetess  answered  by  extending  her  skinny  arm 
towards  some  object  immediately  before  her. 

All  eyes  were  instantly  turned  in  the  same  direction,  when  they 
beheld  a  Spanish  soldier — for  such  his  garb  proclaimed  him — 
standing  at  a  few  paces'  distance  from  them.  He  was  wrapped 
in  an  ample  cloak,  with  a  broad-leaved  steeple-crowned  hat, 
decorated  with  a  single  green  feather,  pulled  over  his  brows,  and 
wore  a  polished-steel  brigandine,  trunk  hose,  and  buff  boots 
drawn  up  to  the  knees.  His  w*\$  Consisted  of  a  brace  of  petronels 


8  GUY  FAWKF.S, 

thrust  into  his  belt,  whence  a  long  rapier  depended.  His  features 
were  dark  as  bronze,  and  well- formed,  though  strongly  marked, 
and  had  an  expression  of  settled  sternness.  His  eyes  were  grey 
and  penetrating,  and  shaded  by  thick  beetle-brows  ;  and  his 
physiognomy  was  completed  by  a  black  peaked  beard.  His  per 
son  was  tall  and  erect,  and  his  deportment  soldier-like  and 
commanding.  Perceiving  he  had  become  an  object  of  notice, 
the  stranger  cast  a  compassionate  look  at  the  prophetess,  who 
still  remained  gazing  fixedly  at  him,  and  throwing  her  a  few 
pieces  of  money,  strode  away. 

Watching  his  retreating  figure  till  it  disappeared  from  view, 
the  crazed  woman  tossed  her  arms  wildly  in  the  air,  and  cried, 
in  a  voice  of  exultation,  "  Did  I  not  speak  the  truth  ? — did  I 
not  tell  you  I  had  seen  him  ?  He  is  the  deliverer  of  our  church, 
and  is  come  to  avenge  the  righteous  blood  which  hath  been  this 
day  shed." 

"  Peace,  woman,  and  fly  while  there  is  yet  time,"  cried  the 
young  man  who  had  been  designated  as  Humphrey  Chetham. 
"  The  pursuivant  and  his  myrmidons  are  in  search  of  you." 

"  Then  they  need  not  go  far  to  find  me,"  replied  the  pro 
phetess.  "  1  will  tell  them  what  I  told  these  people,  that  the 
day  of  bloody  retribution  is  at  hand, — that  the  avenger  is 
arrived.  I  have  seen  him  twice, — once  in  my  cave,  and  once 
again  here, — even  where  you  stand." 

"If  you  do  not  keep  silence  and  fly,  my  poor  creature,"  re 
joined  Humphrey  Chetham,  "you  will  have  to  endure  what  you 
suffered  years  ago, — stripes,  and  perhaps  torture.  Be  warned  by 
me — ah  !  it  is  too  late.  He  is  approaching." 

"  Let  him  come,"  replied  Elizabeth  Orton,  ' '  I  am  ready  for 
him." 

"  Can  none  of  you  force  her  away  ?"  cried  Humphrey  Chet 
ham,  appealing  to  the  crowd  ;  "I  will  reward  you." 

"  I  will  not  stir  from  this  spot,"  rejoined  the  prophetess,  obsti 
nately  ;  "  I  will  testify  to  the  truth." 

The  kind-hearted  young  merchant,  finding  any  further 
attempt  to  preserve  her  fruitless,  drew  aside. 

By  this  time,  the  pursuivant  and  his  attendants  had  come  up. 
(t  Seize  her  !"  cried  the  former,  "  and  let  her  be  placed  within 
this  prison  till  I  have  reported  her  to  the  commissioners.  Tfyou 
will  confess  to  me,  woman,"  he  added  in  a  whisper  to  her,  "  that 
you  have  harboured  a  priest,  and  will  guide  us  to  his  hiding- 
place,  you  shall  be  set  free." 

"  I  know  of  no  priests  but  those  you  have  murdered,"  returned 
the  prophetess,  in  a  loud  voice,  "  but  I  will  tell  you  something 
that  you  wot  not  of.  The  avenger  of  blood  is  at  hand.  I  have 
seen  him.  AH  here  have  seen  him.  And  you  shall  see  him — 
but  not  now — not  now." 


EXECUTION   AT   MANCHESTER.  9 

"  What  is  the  meaning  of  this  raving?"  demanded  the  pur 
suivant. 

"  Pay  no  heed  to  her  talk,"  interposed  Humphrey  Chetham  ; 
"she  is  a  poor  crazed  being,  who  knows  not  what  she  says.  I 
vrill  be  surety  for  her  inoffensive  conduct." 

"  You  must  give  me  surety  for  yourself,  sir,"  replied  the  pur 
suivant.  "  I  have  just  learnt  that  you  were  last  night  at  Ordsall 
Hall,  the  seat  of  that  'dangerous  temporiser,'— for  so  he  is  de 
signated  in  my  warrant, — Sir  William  Radcliffe.  And  if  report 
speaks  truly  ^you  are  not  altogether  insensible  to  the  charms  of 
his  fair  daughter,  Viviana." 

"  What  is  this  to  thee,  thou  malapert  knave  ?"  cried  Humphrey 
Chetham,  reddening,  partly  from  anger,  partly,  it  might  be,  from 
another  emotion. 

"  Much,  as  you  shall  presently  find,  good  Master  Wolf-in- 
sheep's-clothing,"  retorted  the  pursuivant ;  "  if  you  prove  not  a 
rank  Papist  at  heart,  then  do  I  not  know  a  true  man  from  a 
false." 

This  angry  conference  was  cut  short  by  a  piercing  scream 
from  the  prophetess.  Breaking  from  the  grasp  of  her  captors, 
who  were  about  to  force  her  into  the  prison,  she  sprang  with  a 
single  bound  upon  the  parapet  of  the  bridge  ;  and  utterly  re 
gardless  of  her  dangerous  position,  turned,  and  faced  the  soldiers, 
who  were  struck  mute  with  astonishment. 

"  Tremble  !"  she  cried,  in  a  loud  voice, — "  tremble,  ye  evil 
doers  I  Ye  who  have  despoiled  the  house  of  God, — have  broken 
his  altars, — scattered  his  incense, — slain  his  priests.  Tremble, 
I  say.  The  avenger  is  arrived.  The  bolt  is  in  his  hand.  It 
shall  strike  king,  lords,  commons, — all!  These  are  my  last 
words, — take  them  to  heart." 

"  Drag  her  off!"  roared  the  pursuivant,  furiously. 

"  Use  care — use  gentleness,  if  ye  are  men  I"  cried  Humphrey 
Chetham. 

"  Think  not  you  can  detain  me !"  cried  the  prophetess. 
"  Avaunt,  and  tremble  I" 

So  saying  she  flung  herself  from  the  parapet. 

The  height  from  which  she  fell  was  about  fifty  feet.  Dashed 
into  the  air  like  jets  from  a  fountain  by  the  weight  and  force  of 
the  descending  body,  the  water  instantly  closed  over  her.  But 
she  rose  to  the  surface  of  the  stream,  about  twenty  yards  below 
the  bridge. 

"  She  may  yet  be  saved,"  cried  Humphrey  Chetham,  who 
with  the  by-standers  had  hurried  to  the  side  of  the  bridge. 

"  You  will  only  preserve  her  for  the  gallows,"  observed  the 
pursuivant. 

"  Your  malice  shall  not  prevent  my  making  the  attempt,"  re 
plied  the  young  merchant.  "  Ha !  assistance  is  at  hand. ' 


1Q  GUY  FAWKES. 

The  exclamation  was  occasioned  by  the  sudden,  appearance  of 
the  soldier  in  the  Spanish  dress,  who  rushed  towards  the  left 
bank  of  the  river,  which  was  here,  as  elsewhere,  formed  of  red 
sandstone  rock,  and  following  the  course  of  the  current,  awaited 
the  next  appearance  of  the  drowning  woman.  It  did  not  occur 
till  she  had  been  carried  a  considerable  distance  down  the  stream, 
when  the  soldier,  swiftly  divesting  himself  of  his  cloak,  plunged 
into  the  water,  and  dragged  her  ashore. 

"  Follow  me,"  cried  the  pursuivant  to  his  attendants.  "I  will 
not  lose  my  prey." 

But  before  he  gained  the  bank  of  the  river,  the  soldier  and 
his  charge  had  disappeared,  nor  could  he  detect  any  traces  of 
them. 


CHAPTER    IL 

ORDSALL  CAVE. 

AFTER  rescuing  the  unfortunate  prophetess  from  a  watery  grave 
in  the  manner  jnst  related,  the  soldier  snatched  up  his  cloak, 
and,  taking  his  dripping  burthen  in  his  arms,  hurried  swiftly 
along  the  bank  of  the  river,  until  he  came  to  a  large  cleft  in  the 
rock,  into  which  he  crept,  taking  the  prophetess  with  him,  and 
thus  eluded  observation.  In  this  retreat  he  continued  upwards 
of  two  hours,  during  which  time  the  poor  creature,  to  whom  lie 
paid  every  attention  that  circumstances  would  admit,  had  so  fai 
recovered"  as  to  be  able  to  speak.  But  it  was  evident  that  the 
shock  had  been  too  much  for  her,  and  that  she  was  sinking  fast. 
She  was  so  faint  that  she  could  scarcely  move  ;  but  she  expressed 
a  strong  desire  to  reach  her  cell  before  she  breathed  her  last. 
Having  described  its  situation  as  accurately  as  she  could  to  the 
soldier — who  before  he  ventured  forth  peeped  out  to  recon 
noitre — he  again  raised  her  in  his  arms,  and  by  her  direction 
struck  into  a  narrow  lane  skirting  the  bank  of  the  river. 

Pursuing  this  road  for  about  half  a  mile,  he  arrived  at  the  foot 
of  a  small  knoll,  covered  by  a  clump  of  magnificent  beech-trees, 
and  still  acting  under  the  guidance  of  the  dying  woman,  whose 
voice  grew  more  feeble  each  instant,  he  mounted  it,  and  from  its 
summit  took  a  rapid  survey  of  the  surrounding  country.  On 
the  opposite  bank  of  the  river  stood  an  old  hall,  while  further 
on,  at  some  distance,  he  could  perceive  through  the  trees  the 
gables  and  chimneys  of  another  ancient  mansion. 

"  Raise  me  up,"  said  Elizabeth  Orton,  as  he  lingered  on  this 
spot  for  a  moment.  "  In  that  old  house,  which  you  see  yonder, 
Hulmc  Hall,  I  was  born.  I  would  willingly  take  one  look  at  it 
before  I  die." 


IWkxs    ITU  0 rcUll 


ORDSALL  CAVE.  11 

"  And  the  other  hall,  which  I  discern  through  the  trees,  ig 
Ordsall,  is  it  not  ?"  inquired  the  soldier. 

"  It  is,"  replied  the  prophetess.  "  And  now  let  us  make  what 
haste  we  can.  We  have  not  far  to  go ;  and  I  feel  I  shall  not 
last  long." 

Descending  the  eminence,  and  again  entering  the  lane,  which 
here  made  a  turn,  the  soldier  approached  a  grassy  space,  walled 
in  on  either  side  by  steep  sandstone  rocks.  At  the  further  ex 
tremity  of  the  enclosure,  after  a  moment's  search,  by  the 
direction  of  his  companion,  he  found,  artfully  concealed  by 
overhanging  brushwood,  the  mouth  of  a  small  cave.  He  crept 
into  the  excavation,  and  found  it  about  six  feet  high,  and  of 
considerable  depth.  The  roof  was  ornamented  with  Runic 
characters  and  other  grotesque  and  half-effaced  inscriptions, 
while  the  sides  were  embellished  with  Gothic  tracery,  amid 
which  the  letters  I.H.S.,  carved  in  ancient  church  text,  could  be 
easily  distinguished.  Tradition  assigned  the  cell  to  the  priests 
of  Odin,  but  it  was  evident  that  worshippers  at  other  and  holier 
altars  had  more  recently  made  it  their  retreat.  Its  present 
occupant  had  furnished  it  with  a  straw  pallet,  and  a  small  wooden 
crucifix  fixed  in  a  recess  in  the  wall.  Gently  depositing  her 
upon  the  pallet,  the  soldier  took  a  seat  beside  her  on  a  stone 
slab  at  the  foot  of  the  bed.  He  next,  at  her  request,  as  the  cave 
was  rendered  almost  wholly  dark  by  the  overhanging  trees, 
struck  a  light,  and  set  fire  to  a  candle  placed  within  a  lantern. 

After  a  few  moments  passed  in  prayer,  the  recluse  begged  him 
to  give  her  the  crucifix  that  she  might  clasp  it  to  her  breast. 
This  done,  she  became  more  composed,  and  prepared  to  meet 
her  end.  Suddenly,  as  if  something  had  again  disturbed  her, 
she  opened  wide  her  glazing  eyes,  and  starting  up  with  a  dying 
effort,  stretched  out  her  hands. 

"  I  see  him  before  them  !"  she  cried.  "  They  examine  him — 
they  adjudge  him!  Ah!  he  is  now  in  a  dungeon  !  See,  the 
torturers  advance  !  He  is  placed  on  the  rack — once — twice — • 
thrice — the}'  turn  the  levers  !  His  joints  snap  in  their  sockets — 
his  sinews  crack  !  Mercy  I  he  confesses  !  He  is  led  to  execu 
tion.  I  see  him  ascend  the  scaffold  !" 

"  Whom  do  you  behold  ?"  inquired  the  soldier,  listening  to 
her  in  astonishment. 

"His  face  is  hidden  from  me,"  replied  the  prophetess;  "but 
his  figure  is  not  unlike  your  own.  Ha !  I  hear  the  executioner 
pronounce  his  name.  How  are  you  called  ?" 

"  GUY  FAWKES,"  replied  the  soldier. 

"  It  is  the  name  I  heard,"  rejoined  Elizabeth  Orton. 

And,  sinking  backward,  she  expired. 

Guy  Fawkes  gazed  at  her  for  some  time,  till  he  felt  assured 
that  the  last  spark  of  life  had  fled.  He  then  turned  away,  and 
placing  his  hand  upon  his  chin,  became  lost  in  deep  reflection. 


J?  GUY  FAWKES. 

CHAPTER    III. 

ORDSALL  HALL. 

SOON  after  sunset,  on  the  evening  of  the  events  previously  related, 
the  inmates  of  Ordsall  Hall  were  disturbed  and  alarmed  (for 
in  those  times  of  trouble  any  casual  disturbance  at  night  was 
sufficient  to  occasion  alarm  to  a  Catholic  family)  by  a  loud 
clamour  for  admittance  from  some  one  stationed  at  the  farther 
side  of  the  moat,  then,  as  now,  surrounding  that  ancient 
manorial  residence.  The  drawbridge  being  raised,  no  appre 
hension  was  entertained  of  an  attempt  at  forcible  entrance  on 
the  part  of  the  intruder,  who,  so  far  as  he  could  be  discerned  in 
the  deepening  twilight,  rendered  yet  more  obscure  by  the  shade 
of  the  trees  under  which  he  stood,  appeared  to  be  a  solitary 
horseman.  Still,  for  fear  of  a  surprise,  it  was  judged  prudent  by 
those  inside  the  hall  to  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  the  summons ;  nor  was 
it  until  it  ""had  been  more  than  once  repeated  in  a  peremptory 
tone,  that  any  attention  was  paid  to  it.  The  outer  gate  was 
then  cautiously  opened  by  an  old  steward,  and  a  couple  of 
serving-men,  armed  with  pikes  and  swords,  who  demanded  the 
stranger's  business,  and  were  answered  that  he  desired  to  ?pcak 
with  Sir  William  Radcliffe.  The  steward  rejoined  that  his 
master  was  not  at  home,  having  set  out  the  day  before  for 
Chester:  but  that  even  if  he  were,  he  would  take  upon  himself 
to  affirm  that  no  audience  would  be  given,  on  any  pretence 
whatever,  to  a  stranger  at  such  an  unseasonable  hour.  To  this 
the  other  replied,  in  a  haughty  and  commanding  voice,  that  he 
was  neither  a  stranger  to  Sir  William  Radcliffe,  nor  ignorant  of 
the  necessity  of  caution,  though  in  this  instance  it  was  altogether 
superfluous ;  and  as,  notwithstanding  the  steward's  assertion  to 
the  contrary,  he  was  fully  persuaded  his  master  was  at  home,  he 
insisted  upon  being  conducted  to  him  without  further  parley,  as 
his  business  would  not  brook  delay.  In  vain  the  steward  de 
clared  he  had  spoken  the  truth.  The  stranger  evidently  dis 
believed  him ;  but,  as  he  could  obtain  no  more  satisfactory 
answer  to  his  interrogations,  he  suddenly  shifted  his  ground, 
and  inquired  whether  Sir  William's  daughter,  Mistress  Viviana, 
was  likewise  absent  from  home. 

"  Before  I  reply  to  the  question,  I  must  know  by  whom  and 
wherefore  it  is  put  r"  returned  the  steward,  evasively. 

"  Trouble  not  yourself  further,  friend,  but  deliver  this  letter 
to  her,"  rejoined  the  horseman,  flinging  a  packet  across  the 
moat.  "  It  is  addressed  to  her  father,  but  there  is  no  reason 
why  she  should  not  be  acquainted  with  its  contents." 

"  Take  it  up,  Olin  Birtwissel,"  cried  the  steward,  eyeing  the 
packet  which  had  fallen  at  his  feet  suspiciously ;  "  take  it  up,  1 


ORDSALL  HALL.  l\ 

say,  and  hold  it  to  the  light,  that  I  may  consider  it  well  before 
I  carry  it  to  our  young  mistress.  I  have  heard  of  strange 
treacheries  practised  by  such  means,  and  care  not  to  meddle 
with  it." 

"  Neither  do  I,  good  Master  Heydocke,"  replied  Birtwissel. 
"  I  would  not  touch  it  for  a  twelvemonth's  wages.  It  may  burst, 
and  spoil  my  good  looks,  and  so  ruin  my  fortunes  with  the 
damsels.  But  here  is  Jeff  Gellibronde,  who,  having  no  beauty 
to  lose,  and  being,  moreover,  afraid  of  nothing,  will  pick  it  up 
for  you." 

"  Speak  for  yourself,  Olin,"  rejoined  Gellibronde,  in  a  surly 
tone.  "  I  have  no  more  fancy  for  a  shattered  limb,  or  a  scorched 
face,  than  my  neighbours." 

"Dolts I"  cried  the  stranger,  who  had  listened  to  these  ob 
servations  with  angry  impatience,  "if  you  will  not  convey  my 
packet,  which  has  nothing  more  dangerous  about  it  than  an 
ordinary  letter,  to  your  mistress,  at  least  acquaint  her  that  Mr. 
Robert  Catesby,  of  Ash  by  St.  Legers,  is  without,  and  craves  ED 
instant  speech  with  her." 

"  Mr.  Catesby !"  exclaimed  the  steward,  in  astonishment. 
'*  If  it  be  indeed  your  worship,  why  did  you  not  declare  yourself 
at  once  ?" 

"  I  may  have  as  good  reason  for  caution  as  yourself,  Master 
Heydocke,"  returned  Catesby,  laughing. 

"  True,"  rejoined  the  steward  ;  "  but,  methinks  it  is  somewhat 
strange  to  find  your  worship  here,  when  I  am  aware  that  my 
master  expected  to  meet  you,  and  certain  other  honourable 
gentlemen  that  you  wot  of,  at  a  place  in  a  clean  opposite  direc 
tion,  Holywell,  in  Flintshire." 

"The  cause  of  my  presence,  since  you  desire  to  be  certified 
of  the  matter,  is  simply  this,"  replied  Catesby,  urging  his  steed 
towards  the  edge  of  the  moat,  while  the  steward  advanced  to> 
meet  him  on  the  opposite  bank,  so  that  a  few  yards  only  lay 
between  them ;  "  I  came  round  by  Manchester,"  he  continued,  in 
a  lower  tone,  "  to  see  if  any  assistance  could  be  rendered  to  the 
unfortunate  fathers  Woodroofe  and  Forshawe  ;  but  found  on  my 
arrival  this  morning  that  I  was  too  late,  as  they  had  just  been* 
executed." 

"  Heaven  have  mercy  on  their  souls  I"  ejaculated  Heydocke, 
shuddering,  and  crossing  himself.  Yours  was  a  pious  mission, 
Mr.  Catesby.  Would  it  had  been  availing  !" 

"  I  would  so,  too,  with  all  my  soul !"  rejoined  the  other,  fer 
vently  ;  "but  fate  ordained  it  otherwise.  While  I  was  in  the 
town,  I  accidentally  learnt  from  one,  who  informed  me  he  had 
just  parted  with  him,  that  your  master  was  at  home;  and,  fearing 
he  might  not  be  able  to  attend  the  meeting  at  Holywell,  I 
resolved  to  proceed  hither  at  nightfall,  when  my  visit  was  not 
likely  to  be  observed ;  having  motives,  which  you  may  readily 


J4-  GUY  FAWKES. 

conjecture,  for  preserving  the  strictest  secrecy  on  the  occasion. 
The  letter  was  prepared  in  case  I  should  fail  in  meeting  with 
him.  And  now  that  I  have  satisfied  your  scruples,  good  master 
steward,  if  Sir  William  be  really  within,  I  pray  you  lead  me  to 
him  forthwith.  If  not,  your  young  mistress  may  serve  my  turn, 
for  I  have  that  to  say  which  it  imports  one  or  other  of  them 
to  know." 

"  In  regard  to  my  master,"  replied  the  steward,  "  he  departed 
yesterday  for  Chester,  on  his  way  to  join  the  pilgrimage  to  St. 
Winifred's  Well,  as  I  have  already  assured  your  worship.  And 
whoever  informed  you  to  the  contrary,  spoke  falsely.  But  I 
will  convey  your  letter  and  message  to  my  young  mistress, 
and  on  learning  her  pleasure  as  to  receiving  you,  will  instantly 
return  and  report  it.  These  are  dangerous  times,  your  wor 
ship  ;  dangerous  times.  A  good  Catholic  knows  not  whom  to 
trust,  there  are  so  many  spoilers  abroad.'-' 

"  How,  sirrah  I"  cried  Catesby,  angrily,  "  do  you  apply  that 
observation  to  me  ?" 

"  Far  be  it  from  me,"  answered  Heydocke,  respectfully,  "  to 
apply  any  observation  that  may  sound  offensive  to  your  worship, 
whom  I  know  to  be  a  most  worthy  gentleman,  and  as  free  from 
heresy,  as  any  in  the  kingdom.  I  was  merely  endeavouring  to 
account  for  what  may  appear  my  over-caution  in  detaining  you 
where  you  are,  till  I  learn  my  lady's  pleasure.  It  is  a  rule  in 
this  house  not  to  lower  the  drawbridge  without  orders  after  sun 
set;  and  I  dare  not,  for  my  place,  disobey  it.  Young  Mr. 
Humphrey  Chetham,  of  Crumpsall,  was  detained  in  the  like 
manner  no  later  than  last  night ;  and  he  is  a  visitor,"  he  added, 
in  a  significant  tone,  "  who  is  not  altogether  unwelcome  to  my 
mistress — ahem  !  But  duty  is  no  respecter  of  persons  ;  and  in 
my  master's  absence  my  duty  is  to  protect  his  household.  Your 
worship  will  pardon  me." 

"  I  will  pardon  anything  but  your  loquacity  and  tediousness," 
rejoined  Catesby,  impatiently.  "  About  your  errand  quickly." 

"  I  am  gone,  your  worship,"  returned  the  steward,  disappear 
ing  with  his  companions. 

Throwing  the  bridle  over  his  horse's  neck,  and  allowing  him 
to  drink  his  fill  from  the  water  of  the  moat,  and  afterwards  to 
pluck  a  few  rnouthfuls  of  the  long  grass  that  fringed  its  brink, 
Catesby  abandoned  himself  to  reflection.  In  a  few  moments,  as 
the  steward  did  not  return,  he  raised  his  eyes,  and  fixed  them 
upon  the  ancient  habitation  before  him, — ancient,  indeed,  it  was 
not  at  this  time,  having  been  in  a  great  measure  rebuilt  by  its 
possessor,  Sir  William  Radcliffe,  during  the  latter  part  of  the 
reign  of  Elizabeth,  in  the  rich  and  picturesque  style  of  that 
period.  Little  could  be  distinguished  of  its  projecting  and 
retiring  wings,  its  walls  decorated  with  black  and  white  chequer- 
work,  the  characteristic  of  the  class  of  architecture  to  which  it 


ORDSALL  HALL.  15 

belonged,  or  of  its  magnificent  embayed  windows  filled  with 
stained  glass ;  but  the  outline  of  its  heavy  roof,  with  its  nume 
rous  gables,  and  groups  of  tall  and  elaborately-ornamented  chim 
neys,  might  be  distinctly  traced  in  strong  relief  against  the  warm 
and  still-glowing  western  sky. 

Though  much  gone  to  decay,  grievously  neglected,  and 
divided  into  three  separate  dwelling-houses,  Ordsall  Hall  still 
retains  much  of  its  original  character  and  beauty;  and  viewed  at 
the  magic  hour  above  described,  when  the  changes  produced  by 
the  lapse  of  years  cannot  be  detected,  it  presents  much  the  same 
striking  appearance  that  it  offered  to  the  gaze  of  Catesby. 
Situated  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Irwell,  which  supplies  the 
moat  with  a  constant  stream  of  fresh  water,  it  commands  on  the 
south-west  a  beautiful  view  of  the  winding  course  of  the  river, 
here  almost  forming  an  island,  of  Trafford  Park  and  its  hall,  of 
the  woody  uplands  beyond  it,  and  of  the  distant  hills  of  Cheshire. 
The  mansion  itself  is  an  irregular  quadrangle,  covering  a  con 
siderable  tract  of  ground.  The  gardens,  once  exquisitely  laid  out 
in  the  formal  taste  of  Elizabeth's  days,  are  also  enclosed  by  the 
moat,  surrounding  (except  in  the  intervals  where  it  is  filled  up) 
a  space  of  some  acres  in  extent.  At  the  period  of  this  history, 
it  was  approached  on  the  north-east  by  a  noble  avenue  of  syca 
mores,  leading  to  within  a  short  distance  of  its  gates. 

As  Catesby  surveyed  this  stately  structure,  and  pondered 
upon  the  wealth  and  power  of  its  owner,  his  meditations  thus 
found  vent  in  words : — "  If  I  could  but  link  Radcliffe  to  our 
cause,  or  win  the  hand  of  his  fair  daughter,  and  so  bind  him  to 
me,  the  great  attempt  could  not  fail.  She  has  refused  me  once. 
No  matter.  I  will  persevere  till  she  yields.  With  Father  Old- 
corne  to  back  my  suit,  I  am  assured  of  success.  She  is  necessary 
to  my  purpose,  and  shall  be  mine." 

Descended  from  an  ancient  Northamptonshire  family,  and 
numbering  among  his  ancestry  the  well-known  minister  of  the 
same  name  who  flourished  in  the  reign  of  Richard  the  Third, 
Robert  Catesby, — at  this  time  about  forty,— had  in  his  youth  led 
a  wild  and  dissolute  life ;  and  though  bred  in  the  faith  of  Rome, 
he  had  for  some  years  abandoned  its  worship.  In  1580,  when 
the  Jesuits,  Campion  and  Persons,  visited  England,  he  was 
reconciled  to  the  church  he  had  quitted,  and  thenceforth  became 
as  zealous  a  supporter  and  promoter  of  its  doctrines  as  he  had 
heretofore  been  their  bitter  opponent.  He  was  now  actively 
engaged  in  all  the  Popish  plots  of  the  period,  and  was  even  sup 
posed  to  be  connected  with  those  designs  of  a  darker  dye  which 
were  set  on  foot  for  Elizabeth's  destruction, — with  Somerville'f 
conspiracy, — with  that  of  Arden  and  Throckmorton, — the  latter 
of  whom  was  his  uncle  on  the  maternal  side, — with  the  plots  ol 
Bury  and  Savage, — of  Ballard, — and  of  Babington.  After  the 
execution  of  the  unfortunate  Queen  of  Scots,  he  devoted  himself 


16  GUY  FAWKES. 

to  what  was  termed  the  Spanish  faction,  and  endeavoured 
carry  out  the  schemes  of  a  party,  who,  distrusting  the  vague  pro 
mises  of  James,  were  anxious  to  secure  the  succession  to  a 
Catholic, — the  Infanta  of  Spain,  or  the  Duke  of  Parma.  On  the 
insurrection  of  the  Earl  of  Essex,  he  took  part  with  that  ill-fated 
nobleman;  and,  though  he  escaped  condign  punishment  for  the 
offence,  he  was  imprisoned  and  heavily  fined. 

From  this  time  his  career  ran  in  darker  channels.  "  Hunger- 
starved  for  innovation,"  as  he  is  finely  described  by  Camden, — 
imbued  with  the  fiercest  religious  fanaticism, — eloquent,  wily, 
resolute, — able  alike  to  delude  the  powerful  and  intimidate  the 
weak, — he  possessed  all  the  ingredients  of  a  conspirator.  Asso 
ciating  with  men  like  himself,  of  desperate  character  and  broken 
fortunes,  he  was  ever  on  the  look  out  for  some  means  of  retriev 
ing  his  own  condition,  and  redressing  the  wrongs  of  his  church. 
Well  informed  of  the  actual  state  of  James's  sentiments,  when, 
on  that  monarch's  accession,  confident  hopes  were  entertained  by 
the  Romanists  of  greater  toleration  for  their  religion,  Catesby 
was  the  first  to  point  out  their  mistake,  and  to  foretel  the  season 
of  terrible  persecution  that  was  at  hand.  On  this  persecution  he 
grounded  his  hopes — hopes,  never  realized,  for  the  sufferers, 
amid  all  the  grievances  they  endured,  remained  constant  in  their 
fidelity  to  the  throne — of  exciting  a  general  insurrection  among 
the  Catholics. 

Disappointed  in  this  expectation, — disappointed,  also,  in  his 
hopes  of  Spain,  of  France,  and  of  aid  from  Rome,  he  fell  back 
upon  himself,  and  resolved  upon  the  execution  of  a  dark  and 
dreadful  project  which  he  had  long  conceived,  and  which  he 
could  execute  almost  single-handed,  without  aid  from  foreign 
powers,  and  without  the  co-operation  of  his  own  party.  The 
nature  of  this  project,  which,  if  it  succeeded,  would,  he  imagined, 
accomplish  all  or  more  than  his  wildest  dreams  of  ambition  or 
fanaticism  had  ever  conceived,  it  will  be  the  business  of  this  his 
tory  to  develope.  Without  going  further  into  detail  at  present, 
it  may  be  mentioned  that  the  success  of  the  plot  depended  so 
entirely  on  its  secrecy,  and  so  well  aware  was  its  contriver  of  the 
extraordinary  system  of  espionage  carried  on  by  the  Earl  of 
Salisbury  and  the  Privy  Council,  that  for  some  time  he  scarcely 
dared  to  trust  it  out  of  his  keeping.  At  length,  after  much  deli 
beration,  he  communicated  it  to  five  others,  all  of  whom  were 
bound  to  silence  by  an  oath  of  unusual  solemnity;  and  as  it  was 
necessary  to  the  complete  success  of  the  conspiracy  that  its  out 
break  should  be  instantaneously  followed  by  a  rise  on  the  part 
of  the  Catholics,  he  darkly  hinted  that  a  plan  was  on  foot  for 
their  deliverance  from  the  yoke  of  their  oppressors,  and  coun 
selled  them  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  fly  to  arms  at  a 
moment's  notice.  But  here  again  he  failed.  Few  were  disposed 
to  listen  to  him;  and  of  those  who  did,  the  majority  returned  for 


ORDSALL  HALL.  J7 

answer,  •'  that  their  part  was  endurance,  and  that  the  only  arms 
which  Christians  could  use  against  lawful  powers  in  their  seve 
rity  were  prayers  and  tears." 

Among  the  Popish  party  of  that  period,  as  in  our  own  time, 
were  ranked  many  of  the  oldest  and  most  illustrious  families  in 
the  kingdom, — families  not  less  remarkable  for  their  zeal  for 
their  religion  than,  as  has  before  been  observed,  for  their  loyalty ; 
— a  loyalty  afterwards  approved  in  the  disastrous  reign  of  James 
the  Second  by  their  firm  adherence  to  what  they  considered  the 
indefeasible  right  of  inheritance.  Plots,  indeed,  were  constantly 
hatched  throughout  the  reigns  of  Elizabeth  and  James,  by  per 
sons  professing  the  religion  of  Rome ;  but  in  these  the  mass  of 
the  Catholics  had  no  share.  And  even  in  the  seasons  of  the 
bitterest  persecution,  when  every  fresh  act  of  treason,  perpetrated 
by  some  lawless  and  disaffected  individual,  was  visited  with  addi 
tional  rigour  on  their  heads, — when  the  scaffold  recked  with 
their  blood,  and  the  stake  smoked  with  their  ashes, — when  their 
quarters  were  blackening  on  the  gates  and  market-crosses  of 
every  city  in  the  realm, — when  their  hearths  were  invaded,  their 
religion  proscribed,  and  the  very  name  of  Papist  had  become  a 
by-word, — even  in  those  terrible  seasons,  as  in  the  season  under 
consideration,  they  remained  constant  in  their  fidelity  to  the 
crown. 

From  the  troubled  elements  at  work,  some  fierce  and  turbulent 
spirits  were  sure  to  arise, — some  gloomy  fanatics  who,  having 
brooded  over  their  wrongs,  real  or  imaginary,  till  they  had  lost 
all  scruples  of  conscience,  hesitated  at  no  means  of  procuring 
redress.  But  it  would  be  unjust  to  hold  up  such  persons  as 
representatives  of  the  whole  body  of  Catholics.  Among  the  con 
spirators  themselves  there  were  redeeming  shades.  All  were  not 
actuated  by  the  same  atrocious  motives.  Mixed  feelings  induced 
Catesby  to  adopt  the  measure.  Not  so  Guy  Fawkes,  who  had 
already  been  leagued  with  the  design.  One  idea  alone  ruled  him. 
A  soldier  of  fortune,  but  a  stern  religious  enthusiast,  he  supposed 
himself  chosen  by  Heaven  for  the  redemption  of  his  Church, 
and  cared  not  what  happened  to  himself,  provided  he  accom 
plished  his  (as  he  conceived)  holy  design. 

In  considering  the  causes  which  produced  the  conspiracy 
about  to  be  related,  and  in  separating  the  disaffected  party  of  the 
Papists  from  the  temperate,  due  weight  must  be  given  to  the 
influence  of  the  priesthood.  Of  the  Romish  clergy  there  were 
two  classes — the  secular  priests,  and  the  Jesuits  and  missionaries. 
While  the  former,  like  the  more  moderate  of  the  laity,  would 
have  been  well-contented  with  toleration  for  their  religion,  tin? 
latter  breathed  nothing  but  revenge,  and  desired  the  utter  sub 
version  of  the  existing  government, — temporal  as  well  as  eccle 
siastical.  Men,  for  the  most  pan,  of  high  intellectual  powers, 
of  untiring  energy,  and  unconquerable  fortitude,  they  were 


1&  GUY  FAWKES. 

enabled  by  their  zenl  and  ability  to  make  many  proselytes.  By 
their  means,  secret  correspondence  was  carried  on  with  the 
different  courts  of  Europe  ;  and  they  were  not  without  hope  that, 
taking  advantage  of  some  favourable  crisis,  they  should  yet 
restore  their  church  to  its  former  supremacy.  To  these  persons, 
— who  held  as  a  maxim,  "  Qui  religionem  Gatholicam  deserit 
rcynandi jus  omne  amisit" — Catesby  and  his  associates  proved 
ready  and  devoted  agents.  Through  their  instrumentality,  they 
hoped  to  accomplish  the  great  work  of  their  restoration.  To 
Father  Garnet,  the  provincial  of  the  English  Jesuits,  of  whom 
it  will  be  necessary  to  speak  more  fully  hereafter,  the  plot  had 
been  revealed  by  Catesby  under  the  seal  of  confession ;  and, 
though  it  subsequently  became  a  question  whether  he  was  justified 
in  withholding  a  secret  of  such  importance  to  the  state,  it  is  suf 
ficient  for  the  present  purpose  to  say  that  he  did  withhold  it. 
For  the  treasonable  practices  of  the  Jesuits  and  their  faction  some 
palliation  may  perhaps  be  found  in  the  unrelenting  persecution 
to  which  they  were  subjected;  but  if  any  excuse  can  be  admitted 
for  them,  what  opinion  must  be  formed  of  the  conduct  of  their 
temperate  brethren  ?  Surely,  while  the  one  is  condemned, 
admiration  may  be  mingled  with  the  sympathy  which  must  be 
felt  for  the  unmerited  sufferings  of  the  other  I 

From  the  foregoing  statement,  it  will  be  readily  inferred  that 
Sir  William  Radcliffe,  a  devout  Catholic,  and  a  man  of  large 
possessions,  though  somewhat  reduced  by  the  heavy  fines  im 
posed  upon  him  as  a  recusant,  must  have  appeared  an  object  of 
importance  to  the  conspirators ;  nor  will  it  be  wondered  at,  that 
every  means  were  used  to  gain  him  to  their  cause.  Acting,  how- 
over,  upon  the  principles  that  swayed  the  well-disposed  of  his 
party,  the  knight  resisted  all  these  overtures,  and  refused  to  take 
any  share  in  proceedings  from  which  his  conscience  and  loyalty 
alike  revolted.  Baffled,  but  not  defeated,  Catesby  returned  to 
*he  charge  on  a  new  point  of  assault.  Himself  a  widower  (or 
supposed  to  be  so),  he  solicited  the  hand  of  the  lovely  Viviana 
Radcliffe,  Sir  William's  only  child,  and  the  sole  heiress  of  his 
possessions.  But  his  suit  in  this  quarter  was,  also,  unsuccessful. 
The  knight  rejected  the  proposal,  alleging  that  his  daughter  had 
no  inclination  to  any  alliance,  inasmuch  as  she  entertained  serious 
thoughts  of  avowing  herself  to  heaven.  Thus  foiled,  Catesby 
ostensibly  relinquished  his  design. 

Shortly  before  the  commencement  of  this  history,  a  pilgrimage 
to  Saint  Winifred's  Well,  in  Flintshire,  was  undertaken  by 
Father  Garnet,  the  provincial  of  the  Jesuits  before  mentioned, 
in  company  with  several  distinguished  Catholic  personages  of 
both  sexes,  and  to  this  ceremonial  Sir  William  and  his  daughter 
were  urgently  bidden.  The  invitation  was  declined  on  the  part 
of  Viviana,  but  accepted  by  the  knight,  who,  though  unwilling 
to  leave  home  at  a  period  of  so  much  danger,  or  to  commit  his 


ORDSALL  HALL.  1$ 

daughter  to  any  care  bat  his  own,  even  for  so  short  a  space,  felt 
it  to  be  his  duty  to  give  countenance  by  his  presence  to  the 
ceremonial. 

Accordingly,  he  departed  for  Chester  on  the  previous  day,  as 
stated  by  the  steward.  And,  though  Catesby  professed  ignorance 
on  the  subject,  and  even  affirmed  he  had  heard  to  the  contrary, 
it  may  be  doubted  whether  he  was  not  secretly  informed  of  the 
circumstance,  and  whether  his  arrival,  at  this  particular  con 
juncture,  was  not  preconcerted. 

Thus  much  in  explanation  of  what  is  to  follow.  The  course 
of  Catcsby's  reflections  was  cut  short  by  the  return  of  the 
steward,  who,  informing  him  that  he  had  his  mistress's  commands 
to  admit  him,  immediately  lowered  the  drawbridge  for  that 
purpose.  Dismounting,  and  committing  his  steed  to  one  of  the 
serving-men,  who  advanced  to  take  it,  Catesby  followed  his  con 
ductor  through  a  stone  gateway,  and  crossing  the  garden,  was 
ushered  into  a  spacu/us  and  lofty  hall,  furnished  with  a  long 
massy  oak  table,  at  the  upper  end  of  which  was  a  raised  dais. 
At  one  side  of  the  chamber  yawned  a  huge  arched  fire-place, 
garnished  with  enormous  andirons,  on  which  smouldered  a  fire 
composed  of  mixed  turf  and  wood.  Above  the  chimney-piece 
hung  a  suit  of  chain-armour,  with  the  battle-axe,  helmet,  and 
gauntlets  of  Sir  John  Radclitfe,  the  first  possessor  of  Ordsall, 
who  flourished  in  the  reign  of  Edward  the  First :  on  the  right, 
masking  the  entrance,  stood  a  magnificent  screen  of  carved  oak. 

Traversing  this  hall,  Heydocke  led  the  way  to  another  large 
apartment ;  and  placing  lights  on  a  Gothic-shaped  table,  offered 
a  seat  to  the  new-comer,  and  departed.  The  room  in  which 
Catesby  was  left  was  termed  the  star-chamber — a  name  retained 
to  this  day — from  the  circumstance  of  its  ceiling  being  moulded 
and  painted  to  resemble  the  heavenly  vault  when  studded  with 
the  luminaries  of  night.  Jt  was  terminated  by  a  deeply-em 
bayed  window  filled  with  stained  glass  of  the  most  gorgeous 
colours.  The  walls,  in  some  places,  were  hung  with  arras,  in 
others,  wainscoted  with  dark  lustrous  oak,  embellished  with 
scrolls,  ciphers,  and  fanciful  designs.  The  mantel-piece  was  of 
the  same  solid  material,  curiously  carved,  and  of  extraordinary 
size.  It  was  adorned  with  the  armorial  bearings  of  the  family- 
two  bends  engrailed,  and  in  chief  a  label  of  three, — and  other 
devices  and  inscriptions.  The  hearth  was  considerably  raised 
above  the  level  of  the  floor,  and  there  was  a  peculiarity  in  the 
construction  of  the  massive  wooden  pillars  flanking  it,  that  at 
tracted  the  attention  of  Catesby,  who  rose  with  the  intention  of 
examining  them  more  narrowly,  when  he  was  interrupted  by  the 
entrance  of  the  lady  of  the  mansion. 

Advancing  at  a  slow  and  dignified  pace,  Viviana  Radcliffe 
courteously  but  gravely  saluted  her  guest;  and,  without  offering 
him  her  hand,  motioned  him  to  a  chair,  while  she  seated  herself 


20  GUY  FAWKES. 

at  a  little  distance.  Catesby  had  seen  her  twice  before;  and 
whether  the  circumstances  under  which  they  now  met  might 
have  caused  some  change  in  her  demeanour  he  could  not  tell, 
but  he  thought  her  singularly  altered.  A  year  ago,  she  had  beeu 
a  lively,  laughing  girl  of  seventeen,  with  a  bright  brown  skin, 
dark  flowing  tresses,  and  eyes  as  black  and  radiant  as  those  of  a 
gipsy.  She  was  now  a  grave,  collected  woman,  infinitely  more 
beautiful,  but  wholly  changed  in  character.  Her  complexion 
had  become  a  clear,  transparent  white,  and  set  off  to  great  advan 
tage  her  large,  luminous  eyes,  and  jetty  brows.  Her  figure  was 
tall  and  majestic ;  her  features  regular,  delicately  formed,  and  of 
the  rarest  and  proudest  class  of  beauty.  She  was  attired  in  a 
dress  of  black  wrought  velvet,  entirely  without  ornament  except 
the  rosary  at  her  girdle,  with  a  small  ebony  crucifix  attached  to 
it.  She  wore  a  close-fitting  cap,  likewise  of  black  velvet,  edged 
with  pearls,  beneath  which  her  raven  tresses  were  gathered  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  display  most  becomingly  the  smooth  and 
snowy  expanse  of  her  forehead.  The  gravity  of  her  manner,  not 
less  than  her  charms  of  person,  seem  to  have  struck  Catesby 
mute.  He  gazed  on  her  in  silent  admiration  for  a  brief  space, 
utterly  forgetful  of  the  object  of  his  visit,  and  the  part  he  intended 
to  play.  During  this  pause,  she  maintained  the  most  perfect  com 
posure,  and  fixing  her  dark  eyes  full  upon  him,  appeared  to  await 
the  moment  when  he  might  choose  to  open  the  conversation. 

Notwithstanding  his  age,  and  the  dissolute  arid  distracted  life- 
he  had  led,  Catesby  was  still  good-looking  enough  to  have  pro 
duced  a  favourable  impression  upon  any  woman  easily  captivated 
by  manly  beauty.  The  very  expression  of  his  marked  and 
peculiar  physiognomy, — in  some  degree  an  index  to  his  cha 
racter, — was  sufficient  to  rivet  attention ;  and  the  mysterious 
interest  generally  inspired  by  his  presence  was  not  diminished  on 
further  acquaintance  with  him.  Though  somewhat  stern  in  their 
expression,  his  features  were  strikingly  handsome,  cast  in  an 
oval  mould,  and  clothed  with  the  pointed  beard  and  trimmed 
mustaches  invariably  met  with  in  the  portraits  of  Vandyck.  His 
frame  was  strongly  built,  but  well  proportioned,  and  seemed 
capable  of  enduring  the  greatest  fatigue.  His  dress  was  that  of 
an  ordinary  gentleman  of  the  period,  and  consisted  of  a  doublet 
of  quilted  silk,  of  sober  colour  and  stout  texture ;  large  trunk- 
hose  swelling  out  at  the  hips;  and  buff  boots,  armed  with  spurs 
with  immense  rowels.  He  wore  a  high  and  stiffly-starched  ruff 
round  his  throat ;  and  his  apparel  was  completed  by  a  short  cloak 
of  brown  cloth,  lined  with  silk  of  a  similar  colour.  His  arms 
were  rapier  and  poniard,  and  his  high-crowned  plumed  hat,  oi 
the  peculiar  form  then  in  vogue,  and  looped  on  the  "  lecr-siden 
with  a  diamond  clasp,  was  thrown  upon  the  table. 

Some  little  time  having  elapsed,  during  which  he  made  no 
effort  to  address  her,  Viviana  broke  silence. 


ORDSALL  HALL.  21 

"  1  understood  you  desired  to  speak  with  me  on  a  matter  of 
urgency,  Mr.  Catesby,"  she  remarked. 

"  I  did  so,"  he  replied,  as  if  aroused  from  a  reverie  ;  "  and  I 
can  only  excuse  my  absence  of  mind  and  ill  manners,  on  the  plea 
that  the  contemplation  of  your  charms  has  driven  all  other 
matter  out  of  my  head." 

"  Mr.  Catesby,"  returned  Viviana,  rising,  "  if  the  purpose  of 
your  visit  be  merely  to  pay  unmerited  compliments,  I  must  at 
once  put  an  end  to  it." 

"  I  have  only  obeyed  the  impulse  of  my  heart,"  resumed  the 
other,  passionately,  "  and  uttered  what  involuntarily  rose  to  my 
lips.  But,"  he  added,  checking  himself,  "  I  will  not  offend  you 
with  my  admiration.  If  you  have  read  my  letter  to  your  father, 
you  will  not  require  to  be  informed  of  the  object  of  my  visit." 

"I  have  not  read  it,"  replied  Viviana,  returning  him  the 
packet  with  the  seal  unbroken.  "  I  can  give  no  opinion  on  any 
matter  of  difficulty.  And  I  have  no  desire  to  know  any  secret 
with  which  my  father  might  not  desire  me  to  be  acquainted." 

"  Are  we  overheard?"  inquired  Catesby,  glancing  suspiciously 
at  the  fire-place. 

"  By  no  one  whom  you  would  care  to  overhear  us,"  returned 
the  maiden. 

"  Then  it  is  as  I  supposed,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  Father  Old- 
corne  is  concealed  behind  that  mantel-piece  ?" 

Viviana  smiled  an  affirmative. 

"  Let  him  come  forth,  I  pray  you,"  returned  Catesby.  "  What 
I  have  to  say  concerns  him  as  much  as  yourself  or  your  father ; 
and  I  would  gladly  have  his  voice  in  the  matter." 

"  You  shall  have  it,  my  son,"  replied  a  reverend  personage, 
clad  in  a  priestly  garb,  stepping  from  out  one  side  of  the  mantel 
piece,  which  flew  suddenly  open,  disclosing  a  recess  curiously 
contrived  in  the  thickness  of  the  wall.  "  You  shall  have  it," 
said  Father  Oldcorne,  for  he  it  was,  approaching  and  extending 
his  arms  over  him.  "  Accept  my  blessing  and  my  welcome." 

Catesby  received  the  benediction  with  bowed  head  and  bended 
knee. 

"  And  now,"  continued  the  priest,  "  what  has  the  bravest 
soldier  of  our  church  to  declare  to  its  lowliest  servant?" 

Catesby  then  briefly  explained,  as  he  had  before  done  to  the 
steward,  why  he  had  taken  Manchester  in  his  route  to  North 
Wales ;  and,  after  lamenting  his  inability  to  render  any  assist 
ance  to  the  unfortunate  priests,  he  went  on  to  state  that  he  had 
accidentally  learnt,  from  a  few  words  let  fall  by  the  pursuivant 
to  his  attendant,  that  a  warrant  had  been  sent  by  the  Earl  of 
Salisbury  for  Sir  William  Radcliffe's  arrest. 

"  My  father's  arrest !"  exclaimed  Viviana,  trembling  violently. 
«« What — what  is  laid  to  his  charge  ?" 

"  Felony,"  rejoined  Catesby,  sternly— "  felony,  without  benefit 


22  GUY  FAWKES. 

of  clergy — for  so  It  Is  accounted  by  the  present  execrable  laws  of 
our  land, — in  harbouring  a  Jesuit  priest.  If  he  is  convicted  of 
the  offence,  his  punishment  will  be  death — death  on  the  gibbet, 
accompanied  by  indignities  worse  than  those  shown  to  a  common 
felon." 

"  Holy  Virgin !"  ejaculated  Father  Oldcorne,  lifting  up  his 
hands,  and  raising  his  eyes  to  heaven. 

"  From  what  I  gathered,  the  officers  will  visit  this  house  to 
night,"  continued  Catesby. 

'•'  Our  Lady  be  praised,  they  will  not  find  him  1"  cried  Viviana, 
who  had  been  thrown  into  an  agony  of  distress.  "  What  is  to  be 
done  in  this  frightful  emergency,  holy  father?"  she  added, 
turning  to  the  priest,  with  a  supplicating  look. 

"  Heaven  only  knows,  dear  daughter,"  replied  Oldcorne. 
"  You  had  better  appeal  for  counsel  to  one  who  is  more  able  to 
afford  it  than  I  am, — Mr.  Catesby.  Well  aware  of  the  crafty 
devices  of  our  enemies,  and  having  often  eluded  their  snares 
himselfj  he  may  enable  you  to  escape  them.  My  own  course  is 
clear.  I  shall  quit  this  roof  at  once,  deeply  and  bitterly  regret 
ting  that  by  entering  it,  I  have  placed  those  whom  1  hold  so 
dear,  and  from  whom  I  have  experienced  so  much  kindness,  in 
such  fearful  jeopardy." 

"  Oh,  no,  father !"  exclaimed  Viviana,  "  you  shall  not  go." 

"  Daughter,"  replied  Oldcorne,  solemnly,  "  I  have  long  borne 
the  cross  of  Christ, — have  long  endured  the  stripes,  inflicted 
upon  me  by  the  adversaries  of  our  faith,  in  patience ;  and  my 
last  actions  and  last  breath  shall  testify  to  the  truth  of  our  holy 
religion.  But,  though  I  could  endure  aught  on  my  own  account, 
I  cannot  consent  to  bring  misery  and  destruction  upon  others. 
Hinder  me  not,  dear  daughter.  I  will  go  at  once." 

"  Hold,  father  I"  interposed  Catesby.  "  The  step  you  would 
take  may  bring  about  what  you  are  most  anxious  to  avoid.  If 
you  are  discovered  and  apprehended  in  this  neighbourhood, 
suspicion  will  still  attach  to  your  protectors,  and  the  secret  of 
your  departure  will  be  wrung  from  some  of  the  more  timid  of  the 
household.  Tarry  where  you  are.  Let  the  pursuivant  make  his 
search.  I  will  engage  to  baffle  his  vigilance." 

"  He  speaks  the  truth,  dear  father,"  returned  Viviana.  "  You 
must  not — shall  not  depart.  There  are  plenty  of  hiding-places, 
as  you  know,  within  the  mansion.  Let  them  be  as  rigorous  as 
they  may  in  their  search,  they  will  not  discover  you." 

**  Whatever  course  you  adjudge  best  for  the  security  of  others, 
I  will  pursue,"  rejoined  Oldcorne,  turning  to  Catesby.  "  Put 
me  out  of  the  question." 

"  My  opinion  has  already  been  given,  father,"  replied  Catesby. 
"Remain  where  you  are.*7 

"But,  if  the  officers  should  ascertain  that  my  father  is  at 


ORDSALL  HALL.  23 

Chester,  and  pursue  him    thither?"   cried   Viviana,   suddenly 
struck  by  a  new  cause  of  alarm. 

"  A  messenger  must  be  immediately  despatched  after  him  to 
give  him  warning,"  returned  Catesby. 

"  Will  you  be  that  messenger  ?"  asked  the  maiden,  eagerly. 

"  I  would  shed  my  heart's  best  blood  to  pleasure  you,"  re 
turned  Catesby. 

"  Then  I  may  count  upon  this  service,  for  which,  rest  assured, 
I  will  not  prove  ungrateful,"  she  rejoined. 

"  You  may,"  answered  Catesby.  "  And  yet  I  would,  on 
Father  Oldcorne's  account,  that  my  departure  might  be  delayed 
till  to-morrow." 

"  The  delay  might  be  fatal,"  cried  Viviana.  "  You  must  be 
in  Chester  before  that  time." 

"  Doubt  it  not,"  returned  Catesby.  "  Charged  with  your 
wishes,  the  wind  shall  scarcely  outstrip  my  speed." 

So  saying,  he  marched  irresolutely  towards  the  door,  as  if 
about  to  depart,  when,  just  as  he  had  reached  it,  he  turned 
sharply  round,  and  threw  himself  at  Viviana's  feet. 

"Forgive  me,  Miss  Radcliffe,"  he  cried,  "if  I  once  again, 
even  at  a  critical  moment  like  the  present,  dare  to  renew  my 
suit.  I  fancied  I  had  subdued  rny  passion  for  you,  but  your 
presence  has  awakened  it  with  greater  violence  than  ever." 

"  Rise,  sir,  I  pray,"  rejoined  the  maiden,  in  an  offended  tone. 

"  Hear  me,  I  beseech  you,"  continued  Catesby,  seizing  her 
hand.  "  Before  you  reject  my  suit,  consider  well  that  in  these 
perilous  seasons,  when  no  true  Catholic  can  call  his  life  his  own, 
you  may  need  a  protector." 

"  In  the  event  you  describe,  Mr.  Catesby,"  answered  Viviana, 
"I  would  at  once  fulfil  the  intention  I  have  formed  of  devoting 
myself  to  Heaven,  and  retire  to  the  convent  of  Benedictine 
nuns,  founded  by  Lady  Mary  Percy,  at  Brussels." 

"You  would  much  more  effectually  serve  the  cause  of  yo"v 
religion  by  acceding  to  my  suit,"  observed  Catesby,  rising. 

"  How  so  ?"  she  inquired. 

"Listen  to  me,  Miss  Radcliffe,"  he  rejoined,  gravely,  "and 
let  my  words  be  deeply  graven  upon  your  heart.  In  your  hands 
rests  the  destiny  of  the  Catholic  Church." 

"In  mine  !"  exclaimed  Viviana. 

"  In  yours,"  returned  Catesby.  "  A  mighty  blow  is  about  to 
be  struck  for  her  deliverance." 

"  Ay,  marry,  is  it,"  cried  Oldcorne,  with  sudden  fervour. 
"  Redemption  draweth  nigh  ;  the  year  of  visitation  approacheth 
to  an  end ;  and  jubilation  is  at  hand.  England  shall  again  be 
called  a  happy  realm,  a  blessed  country,  a  religious  people. 
Those  who  knew  the  former  glory  of  religion  shall  lift  up  their 
hands  for  joy  to  see  it  returned  again.  Righteousness  shall 


24  GUY  FAWKLS. 

prosper,  and  infidelity  be  plucked  up  by  the  root.  False  error 
shall  vanish  like  smoke,  and  they  which  saw  it  shall  say  where  is 
it  become  ?  The  daughters  of  Babylon  shall  be  cast  down,  and 
in  the  dust  lament  their  ruin.  Proud  heresy  shall  strike  her 
sail,  and  groan  as  a  beast  crushed  under  a  cart-wheel.  The 
memory  of  novelties  shall  perish  with  a  crack,  and  as  a  ruinous 
house  falling  to  the  ground.  Repent,  ye  seducers,  with  speed, 
and  prevent  the  dreadful  wrath  of  the  Powerable.  He  will 
come  as  flame  that  burneth  out  beyond  the  furnace.  His  fury 
shall  fly  forth  as  thunder,  and  pitch  upon  their  tops  that  malign 
him.  They  shall  perish  in  his  fury,  and  melt  like  wax  before 
the  fire." 

"  Amen  !"  ejaculated  Catesby,  as  the  priest  concluded.  "  You 
have  spoken  prophetically,  father." 

"  I  have  but  recited  a  prayer  transmitted  to  me  by  Father 
Garnet,"  rejoined  Oldcorne. 

"  Do  you  discern  any  hidden  meaning  in  it  ?"  demanded 
Catesby. 

"  Yea,  verily  my  son,"  returned  the  priest.  "  In  the  'false 
error  vanishing  like  SMOKE,' — in  the  'house  perishing  with  a 
CRACK,' — and  in  the  'fury  flying  forth  as  THUNDER,' — i  read  the 
mode  the  great  work  shall  be  brought  about." 

"  And  you  applaud  the  design  ?"  asked  Catesby,  eagerly. 

"  Non  vcrofactum  probo,  sed  eventum  amo,"  rejoined  the  priest. 

"  The  secret  is  safe  in  your  keeping,  father  ?"  asked  Catesby, 
uneasily. 

"As  if  it  had  been  disclosed  to  me  in  private  confession," 
replied  Oldcorne. 

"  Hum  I"  muttered  Catesby.  "  Confessions  of  as  much  con 
sequence  to  the  state  have  ere  now  been  revealed,  father." 

"  A  decree  has  been  passed  by  his  holiness,  Clement  VIIL, 
forbidding  all  such  revelations,"  replied  Oldcorne.  "  And  the 
question  has  been  recently  propounded  by  a  learned  brother  of 
our  order,  Father  Antonio  Delrio,  who,  in  his  Magical  Disqui 
sitions,  putteth  it  thus  : — '  Supposing  a  malefactor  shall  confess 
that  he  himself  or  some  other  has  laid  GUNPOWDER,  or  the  like 
combustible  matter,  under  a  building — '  " 

*'  Ha!"  exclaimed  Catesby,  starting. 

" — *  And,  unless  it  be  taken  away,'"  proceeded  the  priest, 
regarding  him  fixedly,  "  *  the  whole  house  will  be  burnt,  the 
prince  destroyed,  and  as  many  as  go  into  or  out  of  the  city  will 
come  to  great  mischief  or  peril  1' "  * 

"  Well!"  exclaimed  Catesby. 

"  The  point  then  arises,"  continued  Oldcorne,  "  whether  the 

*  Confitetur  maleficua  se  vel  alium  posuisse  pulverem  vel  quid  aliud  sub  tali 
Hmine,  et  nisi  tollantur  domum  comburendam,  principem  interiturum,  quotquot 
orbem  egredienturque  in  niagnam  perniciem  aut  periculum  ventures. — DELRIO 
.  Mag.,  lib.  vi.  cap.  i.  [L'dit.  1600.] 


ORDSALL  HALL.  2* 

priest  may  make  use  of  the  secret  thus  obtained  for  the  good  of 
the  government,  and  the  averting  of  such  danger ;  and,  after 
fully  discussing  it,  Father  Delrio  decides  in  the  negative." 

"  Enough,"  returned  Catesby. 

"  By  whom  is  the  blow  to  be  struck  ?"  asked  Viviana,  who  haa 
listened  to  the  foregoing  discourse  in  silent  wonder. 

"  By  me,"  answered  Catesby.  "  It  is  for  you  to  nerve  inv 
arm." 

"  You  speak  in  riddles,"  she  replied.  "  I  understand  you 
not." 

"  Question  Father  Oldcorne,  then,  as  to  my  meaning,"  rejoined 
Catesby ;  "  he  will  tell  you  that,  allied  to  you,  I  could  not  fail 
in  the  enterprise  on  which  I  am  engaged." 

"  It  is  the  truth,  dear  daughter,"  Oldcorne  asseverated. 

"I  will  not  inquire  further  into  this  mystery,"  returned 
Viviana,  "  for  such  it  is  to  me.  But,  believing  what  you  both 
assert,  I  answer,  that  willingly  as  I  would  lay  down  my  life  for 
the  welfare  of  our  holy  religion,  persuading  myself,  as  I  do,  that 
I  have  constancy  enough  to  endure  martyrdom  for  its  sake, — I 
cannot  consent  to  your  proposal.  Nay,  if  I  must  avouch  the 
whole  truth,"  she  continued,  blushing  deeply,  "my  affections 
are  already  engaged,  though  to  one  with  whom  I  can  never 
hope  to  be  united." 

"  You  have  your  answer,  my  son,"  observed  the  priest. 

Catesby  replied  with  a  look  of  the  deepest  mortification  and 
disappointment ;  and,  bowing  coldly  to  Viviana,  said,  "  I  now 
depart  to  obey  your  behest?,  Miss  Radcliffe." 

"  Commend  me  in  all  duty  to  my  dear  father,"  replied  Viviana, 
"  and  believe  that  I  shall  for  ever  feel  bound  to  you  for  vour 
zeal." 

"  Neglect  not  all  due  caution,  father,"  observed  Catesby, 
glancing  significantly  at  Oldcorne.  "  Forewarned,  forearmed." 

"  Doubt  me  not,  my  son,"  rejoined  the  Jesuit.  "My  prayers 
shall  be  for  you. 

Gentem  auferte  perfidam 
Credentium  de  finibus, 
Ut  Christo  laudes  debitas 
Persolvamus  alacriter." 

After  receiving  a  parting  benediction  from  the  priest,  Catesby 
took  his  leave.  His  steed  was  speedily  brought  to  the  door  by 
the  old  steward ;  and  mounting  it,  he  crossed  the  drawbridge, 
which  was  immediately  raised  behind  him,  and  hastened  on  his 
journey. 


26  GUY  FAWKES. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

THE  SEARCH. 

IMMEDIATELY  after  Catesby's  departure,  Heydocke  wassummoneii 
to  his  mistress's  presence.  He  found  her  with  the  priest,  and 
was  informed  that  in  all  probability  the  house  would  be  visited 
that  night  by  the  messengers  of  the  Privy  Council.  The  old 
steward  received  the  intelligence  as  he  might  have  done  his 
death-warrant,  and  looked  so  bewildered  and  affrighted,  that 
Viviana  half  repented  having  acquainted  him  with  it. 

"  Compose  yourself,  Master  Heydocke,"  she  said,  trying  to 
reason  him  out  of  his  fears ;  "  the  search  may  not  take  place. 
And  if  it  does,  there  is  nothing  to  be  alarmed  at.  I  am  not 
afraid,  you  perceive." 

"  Nothing  to  be  alarmed  at,  my  dear  young  lady  !"  gasped  the 
steward.  "  You  have  never  witnessed  a  midnight  search  for  a 
priest  by  these  ruffianly  catchpoles,  as  I  have,  or  you  would  not 
say  so.  Father  Oldcorne  will  comprehend  my  uneasiness,  and 
excuse  it.  The  miscreants  break  into  the  house  like  robbers, 
and  treat  its  inmates  worse  than  robbers  would  treat  them. 
They  have  no  regard  for  decency, — no  consideration  for  sex, — 
no  respect  for  persons.  Not  a  chamber  is  sacred  from  them.  If 
a  door  is  bolted,  they  burst  it  open  ;  a  cabinet  locked,  they  tarry 
not  for  the  key.  They  pull  down  the  hangings,  thrust  their 
rapier-points  into  the  crevices  of  the  wainscot,  discharge  their 
fire-arms  against  the  wall,  and  sometimes  threaten  to  pull  down 
the  house  itself,  if  the  object  of  their  quest  be  not  delivered  to 
them.  Their  oaths,  abominations,  and  menaces  are  horrible ; 
and  their  treatment  of  females,  even  of  your  degree,  honoured 
mistress,  too  barbarous  to  relate.  Poor  Lady  Nevil  died  of  the 
fright  she  got  by  such  a  visit  at  dead  of  night  to  her  residence 
in  Holborn.  Mrs.  Vavasour,  of  York,  lost  her  senses;  and 
many  others  whom  I  could  mention  have  been  equal  sufferers. 
Nothing  to  be  alarmed  at  1  Heaven  grant,  my  dear,  dear 
young  lady,  that  you  may  never  be  fatally  convinced  to  the 
contrary  1" 

"  Suppose  my  apprehensions  are  as  great  as  your  own,  Master 
Heydocke,"  replied  Viviana,  who,  though  somewhat  infected  by 
his  terrors,  still  maintained  her  firmness  ;  "  I  do  not  see  how  the 
danger  is  to  be  averted  by  idle  lamentations  and  misgivings. 
We  must  meet  it  boldly ;  and  trust  to  Him  who  is  our  only  safe 
guard  in  the  hour  of  peril,  for  protection.  Do  not  alarm  the 
household,  but  let  all  retire  to  rest  as  usual." 

"  Right,  daughter,"  observed  the  priest.  "  Preparations  for 
resistance  would  only  excite  suspicion." 

"  Can  you  depend  on  the  servants,  in  case  they  are  examined  ?" 


THE  SEARCH.  27 

asked  Viviana  of  the  steward,  who  by  this  time  had  partially  re 
covered  his  composure. 

"  I  think  so,"  returned  Heydocke ;  "  but  the  threats  o-f  the 
officers  are  so  dreadful,  and  their  conduct  so  violent  and  out 
rageous,  that  I  can  scarcely  answer  for  myself.  I  would  not 
advise  your  reverence  to  remain  in  that  hiding-place,"  he  added, 
pointing  to  the  chimney-piece  ;  "  they  are  sure  to  discover  it." 

"  If  not  here,  where  shall  I  conceal  myself?"  rejoined  Old- 
corne,  uneasily. 

"  There  are  many  nooks  in  which  your  reverence  might  hide," 
replied  the  steward ;  "  but  the  knaves  are  so  crafty,  and  so  well 
experienced  in  their  vocation,  that  I  dare  not  recommend  any  of 
them  as  secure.  I  would  advise  you  to  remain  on  the  watch, 
and,  in  case  of  alarm,  I  will  conduct  you  to  the  oratory  in  the 
north  gallery,  adjoining  Mistress  Viviana's  sleeping-chamber, 
where  there  is  a  panel  in  the  wall,  known  only  to  myself  and  my 
master,  opening  upon  a  secret  passage  running  many  hundred 
yards  underground,  and  communicating  with  a  small  outbuilding 
on  the  other  side  of  the  moat.  There  is  a  contrivance  in  this 
passage,  which  I  will  explain  to  your  reverence  if  need  be,  which 
will  cut  off  any  possibility  of  pursuit  in  that  quarter." 

"  Be  it  so,"  replied  the  priest.  "  I  place  myself  in  your  hands, 
good  Master  Heydocke,  well  assured  of  your  fidelity.  I  shall  re 
main  throughout  the  night  in  this  chamber,  occupied  in  my 
devotions." 

"  You  will  suffer  me  to  pray  with  you,  father,  I  trust  ?"  said 
Viviana. 

"  If  you  desire  it,  assuredly,  dear  daughter,"  rejoined  Old- 
corne;  "  but  I  am  unwilling  you  should  sacrifice  your  rest." 

"It  will  be  no  sacrifice,  father,  for  I  should  not  slumber,  even 
if  I  sought  my  couch,"  she  returned.  "Go,  good  Heydocke. 
Keep  vigilant  watch  :  and,  if  you  hear  the  slightest  noise  with 
out,  fail  not  to  give  us  warning." 

The  steward  bowed,  and  departed. 

Some  hours  elapsed,  during  which  nothing  occurred  to  alarm 
Viviana  and  her  companion,  who  consumed  the  time  in  prayer 
and  devout  conversation  ;  when,  just  at  the  stroke  of  two, — as  the 
former  was  kneeling  before  her  spiritual  adviser,  and  receiving 
absolution  for  the  slight  offences  of  which  a  being  so  pure- 
minded  could  be  supposed  capable, — a  noise  like  the  falling  of  a 
bar  of  iron  was  heard  beneath  the  window.  The  priest  turned 
pale,  and  cast  a  look  of  uneasiness  at  the  maiden,  who  said 
nothing,  but  snatching  up  the  light,  and  motioning  him  to 
remain  quiet,  hurried  out  of  the  room  in  search  of  the  steward. 
He  was  nowhere  to  be  found.  In  vain,  she  examined  all  the 
lower  rooms, — in  vain,  called  to  him  by  name.  Wo  answer  was 
returned. 

Greatly  terrified,  she  was  preparing  to  retrace  her  steps,  when 


28  GUY  FAWKES. 

she  heard  the  sound  of  muttered  voices  in  the  hall.  Extin 
guishing;  her  light,  she  advanced  to  the  door,  which  was  left  ajar, 
and,  taking  care  not  to  expose  herself  to  observation,  beheld 
several  armed  figures,  some  of  whom  bore  dark  lanterns,  while 
others  surrounded  and  menaced  with  their  drawn  swords  the 
unfortunate  steward.  From  their  discourse  she  ascertained  that, 
having  thrown  a  plank  across  the  moat,  and  concealed  them 
selves  within  the  garden  until  they  had  reconnoitred  the  pre 
mises,  they  had  contrived  to  gain  admittance  unperceived 
through  the  window  of  a  small  back  room,  in  which  they  had 
surprised  Heydocke,  who  had  fallen  asleep  on  his  post,  and  cap 
tured  him.  One  amongst  their  number,  who  appeared  to  act  aa 
leader,  and  whom,  from  his  garb,  and  the  white  wand  he  carried, 
Viviana  knew  must  be  a  pursuivant,  now  proceeded  to  inter 
rogate  the  prisoner.  To  every  question  proposed  to  him  the 
steward  shook  his  head ;  and,  in  spite  of  the  threats  of  the 
examinant,  and  the  blows  of  his  followers,  he  persisted  in  main 
taining  silence. 

"  If  we  cannot  make  this  contumacious  rascal  speak,  we  will 
find  others  'more  tractable,"  observed  the  pursuivant.  "  I  will 
not  leave  any  corner  of  the  house  unvisited;  nor  a  soul  within  it 
unquestioned.  Ah  I  here  they  come  I" 

As  he  spoke,  several  of  the  serving-men,  with  some  of  the 
female  domestics,  who  had  been  alarmed  by  the  noise,  rushed 
into  the  hall,  and  on  seeing  it  filled  with  armed  men,  were  about 
to  retreat,  when  they  were  instantly  seized  and  detained.  A 
scene  of  great  confusion  now  ensued.  The  women  screamed 
and  cried  for  mercy,  while  the  men  struggled  and  fought  with 
their  captors.  Commanding  silence  at  length,  the  pursuivant 
proclaimed  in  the  King's  name  that  whoever  would  guide  him  to 
the  hiding-place  of  Father  Oldcorne,  a  Jesuit  priest,  whom  it 
was  known,  and  could  be  proved,  was  harboured  within  the 
mansion,  should  receive  a  free  pardon  and  reward ;  while  those 
who  screened  him,  or  connived  at  his  concealment,  were  liable 
to  fine,  imprisonment,  and  even  more  severe  punishment.  Each 
servant  was  then  questioned  separately.  But,  though  all  were 
more  or  less  rudely  dealt  with,  no  information  could  be  elicited. 

Meanwhile,  Viviana  was  a  prey  to  the  most  intolerable 
anxiety.  Unable  to  reach  Father  Oldcorne  without  crossing  the 
hall,  which  she  did  not  dare  to  attempt,  she  gave  him  up  for  lost ; 
her  sole  hope  being  that,  on  hearing  the  cries  of  the  domestics, 
he  would  provide  for  his  own  safety.  Her  anxiety  was  still 
farther  increased  when  the  pursuivant,  having  exhausted  his 
patience  by  fruitless  interrogatories,  and  satisfied  his  malice  by 
frightening  two  of  the  females  into  fits,  departed  with  a  portion 
of  his  band  to  search  the  house,  leaving  the  rest  as  a  guard  over 
the  prisoners. 

Viviana  then  felt  that,  if  she  would  save  Father  Oldcorne,  the 


THE  SEARCH.  29 

attempt  must  be  made  without  a  moment's  delay,  and  at  any 
hazard.  Watching  her  opportunity,  when  the  troopers  were 
occupied, — some  in  helping  themselves  to  such  viands  and 
liquors  as  they  could  lay  hands  upon, — some  in  searching  the 
persons  of  the  prisoners  for  amulets  and  relics, — while  others, 
more  humane,  were  trying  to  revive  the  swooning  women,  she 
contrived  to  steal  unperceived  across  the  lower  end  of  the  hall. 
Having  gained  the  passage,  she  found  to  her  horror  that  the 
pursuivant  and  his  band  were  already  within  the  star-chamber. 
They  were  sounding  the  walls  with  hammers  and  mallets,  and 
from  their  exclamations,  she  learnt  that  they  had  discovered  the 
retreat  behind  the  fire-place,  and  were  about  to  break  it  open. 

"  We  have  him,"  roared  the  pursuivant,  in  a  voice  of  triumph. 
M  The  old  owl's  roost  is  here  !" 

Viviana,  who  stood  at  the  door,  drew  in  her  breath,  expect 
ing  that  the  next  moment  would  inform  her  that  the  priest  was 
made  captive.  Instead  of  this,  she  was  delighted  to  find,  from 
the  oaths  of  rage  and  disappointment  uttered  by  the  troopers, 
that  he  had  eluded  them. 

"  He  must  be  in  the  house,  at  all  events,"  growled  the  pur 
suivant;  "nor  is  it  long  since  he  quitted  his  hiding-place,  as  this 
cushion  proves.  We  will  not  go  away  without  him.  And  now, 
let  us  proceed  to  the  upper  chambers." 

Hearing  their  footsteps  approach,  Viviana  darted  off,  and 
quickly  ascending  the  principal  staircase,  entered  a  long  corridor. 
Uncertain  what  to  do,  she  was  about  to  proceed  to  her  own 
chamber,  and  bar  the  door,  when  she  felt  her  arm  grasped  by  a 
man.  With  difficulty  repressing  a  shriek,  she  strove  to  disen 
gage  herself,  when  a  whisper  told  her  it  was  the  priest. 

"Heaven  be  praised!"  cried  Viviana,  "you  are  safe.  How 
—how  did  you  escape?" 

"I  flew  upstairs  on  hearing  the  voices,"  replied  Oldcorne. 
"  But  what  has  happened  to  the  steward?" 

"  He  is  a  prisoner,"  replied  Viviana. 

"All  then  is  lost,  unless  you  are  acquainted  with  the  secret 
panel  he  spoke  of  in  the  oratory,"  rejoined  Oldcorne. 

"  Alas  1  father,  I  am  wholly  ignorant  of  it,"  she  answered. 
"But,  come  with  me  into  my  chamber;  they  will  not  dare  to 
invade  it." 

"  I  know  not  that,"  returned  the  priest,  despairingly.  "  These 
sacrilegious  villains  would  not  respect  the  sanctity  of  the  altar 
itself." 

"  They  come  1"  cried  Viviana,  as  lights  were  seen  at  the  foot 
of  the  stairs.  "  Take  my  hand — this  way,  father." 

They  had  scarcely  gained  the  room,  and  fastened  the  door, 
when  the  pursuivant  and  his  attendants  appeared  in  the  corridor. 
The  officer,  it  would  seem,  had  been  well  instructed  where  to 
search,  or  was  sufficiently  practised  in  his  duty,  for  he  proceeded 


SO  GUY  FAWKES. 

at  once  to  several  hiding-places  in  the  different  chambers  which 
he  visited.  In  one  room  he  detected  a  secret  staircase  in  the 
wall,  which  he  mounted,  and  discovered  a  small  chapel  built  in 
the  roof.  Stripping  it  of  its  altar,  its  statue  of  the  Virgin,  its 
crucifix,  pix,  chalice,  and  other  consecrated  vessels,  he  descended, 
and  continued  his  search.  Viviana's  chamber  was  now  the  only 
one  unvisitcd.  Trying  the  door,  and  finding  it  locked,  he  tapped 
against  it  with  his  wand. 

"  Who  knocks  ?"  asked  the  maiden. 

"  A  state-messenger,"  was  the  reply.  "  I  demand  entrance  in 
the  King's  name." 

"  You  cannot  have  it,"  she  replied.  "  It  is  my  sleeping- 
chamber." 

"My  duty  allows  me  no  alternative,"  rejoined  the  pursuivant, 
harshly.  "If  you  will  not  admit  me  'jnietly,  I  must  use  force." 

"  Do  you  know  to  whom  you  offer,  this  rudeness  ?"  returned 
Viviana.  "  I  am  the  daughter  of  Sir  William  Radcliffe." 

"  I  know  it,"  replied  the  pursuivant;  "  but  I  am  not  exceed 
ing  my  authority.  I  hold  a  warrant  for  your  father's  arrest. 
And,  if  he  had  not  been  from  home,  I  should  have  carried  him 
to  prison  along  with  the  Jesuit  priest  whom,  I  suspect,  is  con 
cealed  within  your  chamber.  Open  the  door,  I  command  you; 
and  do  not  hinder  me  in  the  execution  of  my  duty." 

As  no  answer  was  returned  to  the  application,  th  ^  pursuivant 
commanded  his  men  to  burst  open  the  door;  and  the  order  was 
promptly  obeyed. 

The  chamber  was  empty. 

On  searching  it,  however,  the  pursuivant  found  a  door  con 
cealed  by  the  hangings  of  the  bed.  It  was  bolted  on  the  other 
side,  but  speedily  yielded  to  his  efforts.  Passing  through  it,  he 
entered  upon  a  narrow  gallery,  at  the  extremity  of  which  his 
progress  was  stopped  by  another  door,  likewise  fastened  on  the 
further  side.  On  bursting  it  open,  he  entered  a  small  oratory, 
wainscoted  with  oak,  and  lighted  by  an  oriel  window  filled  with 
stained  glass,  through  which  the  newly-risen  moon  was  pouring 
its  full  radiance,  and  discovered  the  object  of  his  search. 

"Father  Oldcorne,  I  arrest  you  as  a  Jesuit  and  a  traitor," 
shouted  the  pursuivant,  in  a  voice  of  exultation.  "  Seize  him  1" 
he  added,  calling  to  his  men. 

"You  shall  not  take  him,"  cried  Viviana,  clinging  despairingly 
to  the  priest,  who  offered  no  resistance,  but  clasped  a  crucifix  to 
his  breast. 

"  Leave  go  your  hold,  young  mistress,"  rejoined  the  pursuivant, 
grasping  Oldcorne  by  the  collar  of  his  vestment,  and  dragging 
him  along;  "and  rest  thankful  that  I  make  you  not,  also,  my 
prisoner." 

"  Take  me  ;  but  spare  him  ! — in  mercy  spare  him  !"  shrieked 
Viviana. 


CHAT  MOSS.  31 

"You  solicit  mercy  from  one  who  knows  it  not,  daughter," 
observed  the  priest.  "  Lead  on,  sir.  I  am  ready  to  attend  you." 

"  Your  destination  is  the  New  Fleet,  father,"  retorted  the  pur 
suivant,  in  a  tone  of  bitter  raillery;  "unless  you  prefer  the  cell 
in  Iladcliffe  Hall  lately  vacated  by  your  saintly  predecessor, 
Father  Woodroofe." 

"  Help !  help  !"  shrieked  Viviana. 

"  You  may  spare  your  voice,  fair  lady,"  sneered  the  pursui 
vant.  "  No  help  is  at  hand.  Your  servants  are  all  prisoners." 

The  words  were  scarcely  uttered,  when  a  sliding  panel  in  the 
wall  flew  open,  and  Guy  Fawkes,  followed  by  Humphrey 
Chetharn,  and  another  personage,  sprang  through  the  aperture, 
and  presented  a  petronel  at  the  head  of  the  pursuivant. 


CHAPTER  V. 

CHAT  MOSS. 

THE  pursuivant  was  taken  so  completely  unawares  by  the  sudden 
appearance  of  Guy  Fawkes  and  his  companions,  that  he  made 
no  attempt  at  resistance.  Nor  were  his  attendants  less  con 
founded.  Before  they  recovered  from  their  surprise,  Humphrey 
Chetham  seized  Viviana  in  his  arms,  and  darting  through  the 
panel,  called  to  the  priest  to  follow  him.  Father  Oldcorne  was 
about  to  comply,  when  one  of  the  soldiers,  grasping  the  surcingle 
at  his  waist,  dragged  him  forcibly  backwards.  The  next  moment, 
however,  he  was  set  free  by  Guy  Fawkes,  who,  felling  the  man 
to  the  ground,  and  interposing  himself  between  the  priest  and 
the  other  soldier,  enabled  the  former  to  make  good  his  retreat. 
This  done,  he  planted  himself  in  front  of  the  panel,  and  with  a 
petronel  in  each  hand,  menaced  his  opponents. 

"  Fly  for  your  lives !"  he  shouted  in  a  loud  voice  to  the  others. 
"  Not  a  moment  is  to  be  lost.  I  have  taken  greater  odds,  and  in 
a  worse  cause,  and  have  not  been  worsted.  Heed  me  not,  I  say. 
I  will  defend  the  passage  till  you  are  beyond  reach  of  danger. 
Fly!_fly!" 

"  After  them  !"  vociferated  the  pursuivant,  stamping  with  rage 
and  vexation  ;  "  after  them  instantly  I  Hew  down  that  bold 
traitor.  Show  him  no  quarter.  His  life  is  forfeit  to  the  king. 
Slay  him  as  you  would  a  dog  1" 

But  the  men,  having  no  fire-arms,  were  so  much  intimidated 
by  the  fierce  looks  of  Guy  Fawkes,  and  the  deadly  weapoiu:  he 
pointed  at  their  heads,  that  they  hesitated  to  obey  their  leader's 
injunctions. 

"  Do  you  hear  what  I  say  to  you,  cravens  ?"  roared  the  pur 
suivant.  "  Cut  him  down  without  mercy." 


32  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  They  dare  not  move  a  footstep,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes,  in  a 
decisive  tone. 

"  Recreants  I"  cried  the  pursuivant,  foaming  with  rage,  "  is  my 
prey  to  be  snatched  from  me  at  the  very  moment  I  have  securecl 
it,  through  your  cowardice  ?  Obey  me  instantly,  or,  as  Heaven 
shall  judge  me,  I  will  denounce  you  to  my  Lord  Derby  and  the 
Commissioners  as  aiders  and  abettors  in  Father  Oldcorne's 
escape  I — and  vou  well  know  what  your  punishment  will  be  if  I 
do  so.  What  I — are  you  afraid  of  one  man  ?" 

"  Our  pikes  are  no  match  for  his  petronels,"  observed  the  fore 
most  soldier,  sullenly. 

"They  are  not,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes;  "  and  you  will  do 
well  not  to  compel  me  to  prove  the  truth  of  your  assertion.  As 
to  you,  Master  Pursuivant,"  he  continued,  with  a  look  so  stern 
that  the  other  quailed  before  it,  "  unwilling  as  I  am  to  shed 
blood,  I  shall  hold  your  life,  if  I  am  compelled  to  take  it,  but 
just  retribution  for  the  fate  you  have  brought  upon  the  unfortu 
nate  Elizabeth  Orton. 

"  Ha  P*  exclaimed  the  pursuivant,  starting.  *'  I  thought  I 
recognised  you.  You  are  the  soldier  in  the  Spanish  garb  who 
saved  that  false  prophetess  from  drowning." 

"  I  saved  her  only  for  a  more  lingering  death,"  rejoined  Guy 
Fawkes. 

"  I  know  it,"  retorted  the  pursuivant.  "  I  found  her  dead 
body  when  I  visited  her  cell  on  my  way  hither,  and  gave  orders 
to  have  it  interred  without  coffin  or  shroud  in  that  part  of  the 
burial-ground  of  the  Collegiate  Church  in  Manchester  reserved 
for  common  felons." 

"I  know  not  what  stays  my  hand,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes, 
fiercely.  "But  I  am  strongly  tempted  to  give  you  a  grave 
beside  her." 

"  I  will  put  your  daring  to  the  proof!"  cried  the  pursuivant, 
snatching  a  pike  from  one  of  his  followers,  and  brandishing  it 
over  his  head.  "  Throw  down  your  arms,  or  you  die  !" 

"  Back  1"  exclaimed  Guy  Fawkes,  presenting  a  petronel  at 
him,  "  or  I  lodge  a  bullet  in  your  brain." 

"  Be  advised  by  me,  and  rush  not  on  certain  destruction,  good 
Master  Pursuivant,"  said  the  foremost  soldier,  plucking  nis 
mantle.  "1  see  by  his  bloodthirsty  looks  that  the  villain  is  in 
earnest." 

"  I  hear  footsteps,**  cried  the  other  soldier  j  "  our  comrades 
are  at  hand." 

"  Then  it  is  time  for  me  to  depart,"  cried  Guy  Fawkes, 
springing  through  the  secret  door,  and  closing  it  after  him. 

"  Confusion  1"  exclaimed  the  pursuivant ;  "  but  he  shall  not 
escape.  Break  open  the  panel." 

The  order  was  promptly  obeyed.  The  men  battered  the  stout 
oak  board,  which  was  of  great  thickness,  with  their  pikes,  but  it 


CHAT  MOSS.  S3 

resisted  every  effort,  nor  was  it  until  the  arrival  of  a  fresh  band 
of  soldiers  with  lights,  mallets,  chisels,  and  other  implements 
suitable  to  the  purpose,  that  it  could  be  forced  open.  This  ac 
complished,  the  pursuivant,  commanding  his  attendants  to  follow 
him,  dashed  through  the  aperture.  As  they  proceeded  singly 
along  the  narrow  passage,  the  roof  became  so  low  that  they  were 
compelled  to  adopt  a  stooping  posture.  In  this  manner  they 
hurried  on  until  their  further  progress  was  stopped  by  a  massive 
stone  door,  which  appeared  to  descend  from  above  by  some 
hidden  contrivance,  no  trace  of  bolt  or  other  fastening  being 
discernible.  The  flag  fitted  closely  in  channels  in  the  walls,  and 
had  all  the  appearance  of  solid  masonry.  After  examining  this 
obstacle  for  a  moment,  the  pursuivant  was  convinced  that  any 
attempt  to  move  it  would  be  impracticable, and  muttering  a  deep 
execration,  he  gave  the  word  to  return. 

"  From  the  course  it  appears  to  take,"  he  observed,  "  this 
passage  must  communicate  with  the  garden, — perhaps  with  the 
further  side  of  the  moat.  We  may  yet  secure  them,  if  we  use 
despatch." 

To  return  to  the  fugitives.  On  arriving  at  the  point  where 
the  stone  door  was  situated,  which  he  discovered  by  the  channels 
in  the  wall  above-mentioned,  Guy  Fawkes  searched  for  an  iron 
ring,  and,  having  found  it,  drew  it  towards  him,  and  the  ponderous 
flag  slowly  dropped  into  its  place.  He  then  groped  his  way 
cautiously  along  in  the  dark,  until  his  foot  encountered  the  top 
of  a  ladder,  down  which  he  crept,  and  landed  on  the  floor  of  a 
damp  deep  vault.  Having  taken  the  precaution  to  remove  the 
ladder,  he  hastened  onwards  for  about  fifty  yards,  when  he  came 
to  a  steep  flight  of  stone  steps,  distinguishable  by  a  feeble  glimmer 
of  light  from  above,  and  mounting  them,  emerged  through  an 
open  trap-door  into  a  small  building  situated  at  the  western  side 
of  the  moat,  where,  to  his  surprise  and  disappointment,  he  found 
the  other  fugitives. 

"  How  comes  it  you  are  here  ?"  he  exclaimed,  in  a  reproachful 
tone.  "  I  kept  the  wolves  at  bay  thus  long,  to  enable  you  to 
make  good  your  retreat." 

"  Miss  Radcliffe  is  too  weak  to  move,"  replied  Humphrey 
Chetham ;  "  and  I  could  not  persuade  Father  Oldcorne  to  leave 
her." 

"  I  care  not  what  becomes  of  me,"  said  the  priest.  "  The 
sooner  my  painful  race  is  run  the  better.  But  I  cannot — will 
not  abandon  my  dear  charge  thus." 

"  Think  not  of  me,  father,  I  implore  you,"  rejoined  Viviana, 
who  had  sunk  overpowered  with  terror  and  exhaustion.  "I 
shall  be  better  soon.  Master  Chetham,  I  am  assured,  will  re 
main  with  me  till  our  enemies  have  departed,  and  I  will  then 
return  to  the  hall." 

"  Command  me  as  you  please,  Miss  Radcliffe/'  replied  Hum- 

D 


34  GUY  FAWKES. 

phrey  Chetham.  "You  have  but  to  express  a  wish  to  insure  its 
fulfilment  on  my  part." 

"  Oh  I  that  you  had  suffered  Mr.  Catesby  to  tarry  -with  us  till 
the  morning;,  as  he  himself  proposed,  dear  daughter,"  observed 
the  priest,  turning  to  Viviana. 

"  Has  Catesby  been  here  ?"  inquired  Guy  Fawkes,  with  a 
look  of  astonishment. 

"  He  has,"  replied  Oldcorne.  "  He  came  to  warn  us  that  the 
hall  would  be  this  night  searched  by  the  officers  of  state ;  and 
he  also  brought  word  that  a  warrant  had  been  issued  by  the 
Privy  Council  for  the  arrest  of  Sir  William  Radcliffe." 

"  Where  is  he  now  ?"  demanded  Fawkes,  hastily. 

"  On  the  way  to  Chester,  whither  he  departed  in  all  haste,  at 
Viviana's  urgent  request,  to  apprise  her  father  of  his  danger," 
rejoined  the  priest. 

"  This  is  strange  I"  muttered  Guy  Fawkes,  "  Catesby  here, 
and  I  not  know  it !" 

"  He  had  a  secret  motive  for  his  visit,  my  son,"  whispered 
Oldcorne,  significantly. 

"  So  I  conclude,  father,"  replied  Fawkes,  in  the  same  tone. 

"  Viviana  Radcliffe,"  murmured  Humphrey  Chetham,  in  low 
and  tender  accents,  "something  tells  me  that  this  moment  will 
decide  my  future  fate.  Emboldened  by  the  mysterious  manner 
in  \vhich  we  have  been  brought  together,  and  you,  as  it  were, 
have  been  thrown  upon  my  protection,  I  venture  to  declare 
the  passion  I  have  long  indulged  for  you  ; — a  passion  which, 
though  deep  and  fervent  as  ever  agitated  human  bosom,  has 
hitherto,  from  the  difference  of  our  rank,  and  yet  more  from  the 
difference  of  our  religious  opinions,  been  without  hope.  What 
has  just  occurred, — added  to  the  peril  in  which  your  worthy 
father  stands,  and  the  difficulties  in  which  you  yourself  will 
necessarily  be  involved, — makes  me  cast  aside  all  misgiving,  and 
perhaps  with  too  much  presumption,  but  with  a  confident  belief 
that  the  sincerity  of  my  love  renders  me  not  wholly  undeserving 
of  your  regard,  earnestly  solicit  you  to  give  me  a  husband's  right 
to  watch  over  and  defend  you." 

Viviana  was  silent.  But  even  by  the  imperfect  light  the  young 
merchant  could  discern  that  her  cheek  was  covered  with  blushes. 

"  Your  answer  ?"  he  cried,  taking  her  hand. 

"  You  must  take  it  from  my  lips,  Master  Chetham,"  interposed 
the  priest ;  "  Viviana  Radcliffe  never  can  be  yours." 

"  Be  pleased  to  let  her  speak  for  herself,  reverend  sir,"  rejoined 
the  young  merchant,  angrily. 

"  I  represent  her  father,  and  have  acquainted  you  with  his 
determination,"  rejoined  the  priest.  "  Appeal  to  her,  and  she 
will  confirm  my  words." 

"  Viviana,  is  this  true  ?"  asked  Chetham.  "  Does  jour  father 
object  to  your  union  with  me  ?" 


CHAT  MOSS.  35 

Viviana  answered  by  a  deep  sigh,  and  gently  withdrew  her 
hand  from  the  young  merchant's  grasp. 

*'  Then  there  is  no  hope  for  me  ?"  cried  Chetham. 

"  Alas !  no,"  replied  Viviana ;  "  nor  for  me — of  earthly  affec 
tion.  I  am  already  dead  to  the  world." 

"  How  so  ?"  he  asked. 

"  I  am  about  to  vow  myself  to  Heaven,"  she  answered. 

"  Viviana !"  exclaimed  the  young  man,  throwing  himself  at 
her  feet,  "reflect! — oh!  reflect,  before  you  take  this  fatal — this 
irrevocable  step." 

"  Rise,  sir,"  interposed  the  priest,  sternly ;  "  you  plead  in  vain. 
Sir  William  Radcliffe  will  never  wed  his  daughter  to  a  heretic. 
In  his  name  I  command  you  to  desist  from  further  solicitation." 

"  I  obey,"  replied  Chetham,  rising. 

"  We  lose  time  here,"  observed  Guy  Fawkes,  who  had  been 
lost  for  a  moment  in  reflection.  "  I  will  undertake  to  provide  for 
your  safety,  father.  But,  what  must  be  done  with  Viviana?  She 
cannot  be  left  here.  And  her  return  to  the  hall  would  be 
attended  with  danger." 

"  I  will  not  return  till  the  miscreants  have  quitted  it,"  said 
Viviana. 

"Their  departure  is  uncertain,"  replied  Fawkes.  "When 
they  are  baulked  of  their  prey  they  sometimes  haunt  a  dwelling 
for  weeks." 

"  What  will  become  of  me  ?"  cried  Viviana,  distractedly. 

"  It  were  vain,  I  fear,  to  entreat  you  to  accept  an  asylum  wkh 
my  father  at  Clayton  Hall,  or  at  my  own  residence  at  Crump- 
sail,"  said  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  Your  offer  is  most  kind,  sir,"  replied  Oldcorne,  "and  is  duly 
appreciated.  But  Viviana  will  see  the  propriety — on  every 
account — of  declining  it." 

"  I  do  ;  I  do,"  she  acquiesced. 

"Will  you  entrust  yourself  to  my  protection?"  observed 
Fawkes. 

"  Willingly,"  replied  the  priest,  answering  for  her.  "  We 
shall  find  some  place  of  refuge,"  he  added,  turning  to  Viviana, 
"  where  your  father  can  join  us,  and  where  we  can  remain  con 
cealed  till  this  storm  has  blown  over." 

"  I  know  many  such,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  "  both  in  this  county 
and  in  Yorkshire,  and  will  guide  you  to  one." 

"  My  horses  are  at  your  service,"  said  Humphrey  Chetham. 
"  They  are  tied  beneath  the  trees  in  the  avenue.  My  servant 
shall  bring  them  to  the  door,"  and,  turning  to  his  attendant,  he 
gave  him  directions  to  that  effect.  "  I  was  riding  hither  an 
hour  before  midnight,"  he  continued,  addressing  Viviana,  "  to 
offer  you  assistance,  having  accidentally  heard  the  pursuivant 
mention  his  meditated  visit  to  Ordsall  Hall,  to  one  of  his 
followers,  when,  as  I  approached  the  gates,  this  person,"  pointing 


36  GUT  FAWKES. 

to  Guy  Fawkes,  "  crossed  my  path,  and,  seizing  the  bridle  of  my 
steed,  demanded  whether  I  was  a  friend  to  Sir  William  Rad- 
cliffe.  I  answered  in  the  affirmative,  and  desired  to  know  the 
motive  of  his  inquiry.  He  then  told  me  that  the  house  was  in 
vested  by  a  numerous  band  of  armed  men,  who  had  crossed  the 
moat  by  means  of  a  plank,  and  were  at  that  moment  concealed 
within  the  garden.  This  intelligence,  besides  rilling  me  with 
alarm,  disconcerted  all  my  plans,  as  I  hoped  to  have  been  before 
hand  with  them — their  inquisitorial  searches  being  generally 
made  at  a  late  hour,  when  all  the  inmates  of  a  house  intended 
to  be  surprised  are  certain  to  have  retired  to  rest.  While  I  was 
bitterly  reproaching  myself  for  my  dilatoriness,  and  considering 
what  course  it  would  be  best  to  pursue,  my  servant,  Martin 
Heydocke,  son  to  your  father's  old  steward,  who  had  ridden  up 
at  the  stranger's  approach,  informed  me  that  he  was  acquainted 
with  a  secret  passage  communicating,  beneath  the  moat  with  the 
hall.  Upon  this,  I  dismounted  ;  and  fastening  my  horse  to  a 
tree,  ordered  him  to  lead  me  to  it  without  an  instant's  delay. 
The  stranger,  who  gave  his  name  as  Guy  Fawkes,  and  professed 
himself  a  stanch  Catholic,  and  a  friend  of  Father  Oldcorne, 
begged  permission  to  join  us,  in  a  tone  so  earnest,  that  I  at  once 
acceded  to  his  request.  We  then  proceeded  to  this  building, 
and  after  some  search  discovered  the  trap-door.  Much  time 
was  lost,  owing  to  our  being  unprovided  with  lights,  in  the 
subterranean  passage ;  and  it  was  more  than  two  hours  before 
we  could  find  the  ring  connected  with  the  stone  door,  the 
mystery  of  which  Martin  explained  to  us.  This  delay  we  feared 
would  render  our  scheme  abortive,  when,  just  as  we  reached  the 
panel,  we  heard  your  shrieks.  The  spring  was  touched,  and — 
you  know  the  rest." 

"  And  shall  never  forget  it,"  replied  Viviana,  in  a  tone  of  the 
deepest  gratitude. 

At  this  juncture,  the  tramp  of  horses  was  heard  at  the  door; 
and  the  next  moment  it  was  thrown  open  by  the  younger 
Heydocke,  who,  with  a  look,  and  in  a  voice  of  the  utmost 
terror,  exclaimed,  "  They  are  coming  ! —  they  are  coming  !" 

"  The  pursuivant  ?"  cried  Guy  Fawkes. 

"  Not  him  alone,  but  the  whole  gang,"  rejoined  Martin. 
"  Some  of  them  are  lowering  the  drawbridge,  while  others  are 
crossing  the  plank.  Several  are  on  horseback,  and  I  think  I 
discern  the  pursuivant  amongst  the  number.  They  have  seen 
me,  and  are  hurrying  in  this  direction." 

As  he  spoke,  a  loud  shout  corroborated  his  statement. 

"  We  are  lost !"  exclaimed  Oldcorne. 

"  Do  not  despair,  father,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes.  "  Heaven 
will  not  abandon  its  faithful  servants.  The  Lord  will  deliver 
us  out  of  the  hands  of  these  Amalekites." 

"  To  horse,  then,  if  you  would  indeed  avoid  them,"  urged 


CHAT  MOSS.  37 

Humphrey  Chetham.  "  The  shouts  grow  louder.  Your  ene 
mies  are  fast  approaching." 

"  Viviana,"  said  Guy  Fawkes,  "  are  you  willing  to  fly  with 
us  ?" 

"I  will  do  anything  rather  than  be  left  to  those  horrible 
men,"  she  answered. 

Guy  Fawkes  then  raised  her  in  his  arms,  and  sprang  with  his 
lovely"  burthen  upon  the  nearest  charger.  His  example  was 
quickly  followed  by  Humphrey  Chetham,  who,  vaulting  on  the 
other  horse,  assisted  the  priest  to  mount  behind  him.  While 
this  took  place,  Martin  Heydocke  darted  into  the  shed,  and 
instantly  bolted  the  door. 

It  was  a  beautiful  moonlight  night,  almost  as  bright  as  day, 
and  the  movements  of  each  party  were  fully  revealed  to  the 
other.  Guy  Fawkes  perceived  at  a  glance  that  they  were  sur 
rounded  ;  and,  though  he  had  no  fears  for  himself,  he  was  full  of 
apprehension  for  the  safety  of  his  companion.  While  he  was 
debating  with  himself  as  to  the  course  it  would  be  best  to 
pursue,  Humphrey  Chetham  shouted  to  him  to  turn  to  the  left, 
and  started  off  in  that  direction.  Grasping  his  fair  charge, 
whom  he  had  placed  before  him  on  the  saddle,  firmly  with  his 
left  arm,  and  wrapping  her  in  his  ample  cloak,  Guy  Fawkes 
drew  his  sword,  and  striking  spurs  into  his  steed,  followed  in  the 
same  track. 

The  little  fabric  which  had  afforded  them  temporary  shelter, 
it  has  already  been  mentioned,  was  situated  on  the  west  of  the 
hall,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  moat,  and  was  screened  from 
observation  by  a  small  shrubbery.  No  sooner  did  the  fugitives 
emerge  from  this  cover,  than  loud  outcries  were  raised  by  their 
antagonists,  and  every  effort  was  made  to  intercept  them.  On 
the  right,  galloping  towards  them  on  a  light  but  swift  courser4 
taken  from  Sir  William  Radcliffe's  stables,  came  the  pursuivant, 
attended  by  hali-a-dozen  troopers,  who  had  accommodated 
themselves  with  horses  in  the  same  manner  as  their  leader. 
Between  them  and  the  road  leading  to  Manchester,  were 
stationed  several  armed  men  on  foot.  At  the  rear,  voices  pro 
claimed  that  others  were  in  full  pursuit ;  while  in  front,  a  fourth 
detachment  menaced  them  with  their  pikes.  Thus  beset  on  all 
sides,  it  seemed  scarcely  possible  to  escape.  Nothing  daunted, 
however,  by  the  threats  and  vociferations  with  which  they  were 
received,  the  two  horsemen  boldly  charged  this  party.  The 
encounter  was  instantaneous.  Guy  Fawkes  warded  off  a  blow, 
•which,  if  it  had  taken  effect,  must  have  robbed  Viviana  of 
life,  and  struck  down  the  fellow  who  aimed  it.  At  the  same 
moment,  his  career  was  checked  by  another  assailant,  who, 
catching  his  bridle  with  the  hook  of  his  pike,  command  him  to 
surrender.  Fawkes  replied  by  cleaving  the  man's  staff  asunder, 
and,  having  thus  disembarrassed  himself,  was  about  to  pursue  his 


38  GUY  FAWKES. 

course,  when  he  perceived  that  Humphrey  Chatham  was  in 
imminent  danger  from  a  couple  of  soldiers  who  had  stopped 
him,  and  were  trying  to  unhorse  his  companion.  Riding  up  to 
them,  Guy  Fawkes,  by  a  vigorous  and  well-directed  attack, 
speedily  drove  them  off;  and  the  fugitives,  being  now  unim 
peded,  were  enabled  to  continue  their  career. 

The  foregoing  occurrences  were  witnessed  by  the  pursuivant 
with  the  utmost  rage  and  vexation.  Pouring  forth  a  torrent  of 
threats  and  imprecations,  he  swore  he  would  never  rest  till  he 
had  secured  them,  and  urging  his  courser  to  its  utmost  speed, 
commanded  his  men  to  give  chase. 

Skirting  a  sluice,  communicating  between  the  Irvvell  and  the 
moat,  Humphrey  Chetham,  who,  as  better  acquainted  with  the 
country  than  his  companions,  took  the  lead,  proceeded  along  its 
edge  for  about  a  hundred  yards,  when  he  suddenly  struck 
across  a  narrow  bridge  covered  with  sod,  and  entered  the  open 
fields.  Hitherto  Viviana  had  remained  silent.  Though  fully 
aware  of  the  risk  she  had  run,  she  gave  no  sign  of  alarm — not 
even  when  the  blow  was  aimed  against  her  life  ;  and  it  was  only 
on  conceiving  the  danger  in  some  degree  past,  that  she  ventured 
to  express  her  gratitude. 

"  You  have  displayed  so  much  courage,"  said  Guy  Fawkes, 
in  answer  to  her  speech,  "  that  it  would  be  unpardonable  to  de 
ceive  you.  Our  foes  are  too  near  us,  and  too  well  mounted,  to 
make  it  by  any  means  certain  we  shall  escape  them, — unless  by 
stratagem." 

"  They  are  within  a  hundred  yards  of  us,"  cried  Humphrey 
Chetham,  glancing  fearfully  backwards.  "  They  have  possessed 
themselves  of  your  father's  fleetest  horses;  and,  if  I  mistake  not, 
the  rascally  pursuivant  has  secured  your  favourite  barb." 

"  My  gentle  Zayda  1"  exclaimed  Viviana.  "  Then  indeed  we 
are  lost.  She  has  not  her  match  for  speed." 

"  If  she  bring  her  rider  to  us  alone,  she  will  do  us  good 
service,"  observed  Guy  Fawkes,  significantly. 

The  same  notion,  almost  at  the  same  moment,  occurred  to 
the  pursuivant.  Having  witnessed  the  prowess  displayed  by 
Guy  Fawkes  in  his  recent  attack  on  the  soldiers,  he  felt  no  dis 
position  to  encounter  so  formidable  an  opponent  single-handed ; 
and  finding  that  the  high-mettled  barb  on  which  he  was  mounted, 
by  its  superior  speed  and  fiery  temper,  would  inevitably  place 
him  in  such  a  dilemma,  he  prudently  resolved  to  halt,  and  ex 
change  it  for  a  more  manageable  steed. 

This  delay  was  of  great  service  to  the  fugitives,  and  enabled 
them  to  get  considerably  ahead.  They  had  now  gained  a 
narrow  lane,  and,  tracking  it,  speedily  reached  the  rocky  banks 
of  the  Irwell.  Galloping  along  a  foot-path  that  followed  the 
serpentine  course  of  the  stream  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  they 


CHAT  MOSS.  39 

arrived  at  a  spot  marked  by  a  bed  of  osiers,  where  Humphrey 
Chetharn  informed  them  there  was  a  ford. 

Accordingly,  they  plunged  into  the  river,  and  while  stemming 
the  current,  which  here  ran  with  great  swiftness,  and  rose  up 
above  the  saddles,  the  neighing  of  a  steed  was  heard  from  the 
bank  they  had  quitted.  Turning  at  the  sound,  Viviana  beheld 
her  favourite  courser  on  the  summit  of  a  high  rock.  The  soldier 
to  whom  Zayda  was  intrusted  had  speedily,  as  the  pursuivant 
foresaw,  distanced  his  companions,  and  chose  this  elevated  posi 
tion  to  take  sure  aim  at  Guy  Fawkes,  against  whom  he  was  now 
levelling  a  caliver.  The  next  moment  a  bullet  struck  against 
his  brigandine,  but  without  doing  him  any  injury.  The  soldier, 
however,  did  not  escape  so  lightly.  Startled  by  the  discharge, 
the  fiery  barb  leaped  from  the  precipice  into  the  river,  and 
throwing  her  rider,  who  was  borne  off  by  the  rapid  stream,  swam 
towards  the  opposite  bank,  which  she  reached  just  as  the  others 
were  landing.  At  the  sound  of  her  mistress's  voice  she  stood 
still,  and  allowed  Humphrey  Chetham  to  lay  hold  of  her  bridle ; 
and  Viviana  declaring  she  was  able  to  mount  her,  Guy  Fawkes, 
who  felt  that  such  an  arrangement  was  most  likely  to  conduce  to 
her  safety,  and  who  was,  moreover,  inclined  to  view  the  oc 
currence  as  a  providential  interference  in  their  behalf,  imme 
diately  assisted  her  into  the  saddle. 

Before  this  transfer  could  be  effected,  the  pursuivant  and  his 
attendants  had  begun  to  ford  the  stream.  The  former  had  wit 
nessed  the  accident  that  had  befallen  the  soldier  from  a  short 
distance ;  and,  while  he  affected  to  deplore  it,  internally  con 
gratulated  himself  on  his  prudence  and  foresight.  But  he  was 
by  no  means  so  well  satisfied  when  he  saw  how  it  served  to 
benefit  the  fugitives. 

"That  unlucky  beast!"  he  exclaimed.  "Some  fiend  must 
have  prompted  me  to  bring  her  out  of  the  stable.  Would  she 
had  drowned  herself  instead  of  poor  Dickon  Duckesbury,  whom 
she  hath  sent  to  feed  the  fishes!  With  her  aid,  Miss  Radcliffe 
will  doubtless  escape.  No  matter.  If  I  secure  Father  Oldcorne, 
and  that  black-visaged  trooper  in  the  Spanish  garb,  who,  I'll  be 
sworn,  is  a  secret  intelligencer  of  the  pope,  if  not  of  the  devil,  I 
shall  be  well  contented.  I'll  hang  them  both  on  a  gibbet  higher 
than  Haman's." 

And  muttering  other  threats  to  the  same  effect,  he  picked  his 
way  to  the  opposite  shore.  Long  before  he  reached  it,  the  fugi 
tives  had  disappeared;  but  on  climbing  the  bank,  he  beheld 
them  galloping  swiftly  across  a  well-wooded  district  steeped  in 
moonlight,  and  spread  out  before  his  view,  and  inflamed  by  the 
sight  he  shouted  to  his  attendants,  and  once  more  started  in 
pursuit. 

Cheered  by  the  fortunate  incident  above  related,  which,  in 


40  GUY  FAWKES. 

presenting  her  with  her  own  steed  in  a  manner  so  surprising 
and  unexpected,  seemed  almost  to  give  her  assurance  of  deliver 
ance,  Viviana,  inspirited  by  the  exercise,  felt  her  strength  and 
spirits  rapidly  revive.  At  her  side  rode  Guy  Fawkes,  who  ever 
and  anon  cast  an  anxious  look  behind,  to  ascertain  the  distance 
of  their  pursuers,  but  suffered  no  exclamation  to  escape  his  lips. 
Indeed,  throughout  the  whole  affair,  he  maintained  the  reserve 
belonging  to  his  sombre  and  taciturn  character,  and  neither 
questioned  Humphrey  Chetham  as  to  where  he  was  leading  them, 
nor  proposed  any  deviation  from  the  route  he  had  apparently 
chosen.  To  such  remarks  as  were  addressed  to  him,  Fawkes 
answered-  in  monosyllables ;  and  it  was  only  when  occasion  re 
quired,  that  he  volunteered  any  observation  or  advice.  He 
seemed  to  surrender  himself  to  chance.  And  perhaps,  if  his 
bosom  could  have  been  examined,  it  would  have  been  found  that 
he  considered  himself  a  mere  puppet  in  the  hands  of  destiny. 

In  other  and  calmer  seasons,  he  might  have  dwelt  with  rapture 
on  the  beautiful  and  varied  country  through  which  they  were 
speeding,  and  which  from  every  knoll  they  mounted,  every 
slope  they  descended,  every  glade  they  threaded,  intricacy 
pierced,  or  tangled  dell  tracked,  presented  new  and  increasing 
attractions.  This  charming  district,  since  formed  into  a  park 
by  the  Traffords,  from  whom  it  derives  its  present  designation, 
was  at  this  time, — though  part  of  the  domain  of  that  ancient 
family, — wholly  unenclosed.  Old  Trafford  Hall  lies  (for  it  is 
still  in  existence,)  more  than  a  mile  nearer  to  Manchester,  a 
little  to  the  east  of  Ordsall  Hall ;  but  the  modern  residence  of 
the  family  is  situated  in  the  midst  of  the  lovely  region  through 
which  the  fugitives  were  riding. 

But,  though  the  charms  of  the  scene,  heightened  by  the  gentle 
medium  through  which  they  were  viewed,  produced  little  effect 
upon  the  iron  nature  of  Guy  Fawkes,  they  were  not  without  in 
fluence  on  his  companions,  especially  Viviana.  Soothed  by  the 
stillness  of  all  around  her,  she  almost  forgot  her  danger ;  and 
surrendering  herself  to  the  dreamy  enjoyment  generally  expe 
rienced  in  contemplating  such  a  scene  at  such  an  hour,  suffered 
her  gaze  to  wander  over  the  fair  woody  landscape  before  her, 
till  it  was  lost  in  the  distant  moonlit  wolds. 

From  the  train  of  thought  naturally  awakened  by  this  spectacle, 
she  was  roused  by  the  shouts  of  the  pursuers ;  and,  glancing 
timorously  behind  her,  beheld  them  hurrying  swiftly  along  the 
valley  they  had  just  quitted.  From  the  rapidity  with  which  they 
were  advancing,  it  was  evident  they  were  gaining  upon  them, 
and  she  was  about  to  urge  her  courser  to  greater  speed,  when 
Humphrey  Chetham  laid  his  hand  upon  the  rein  to  check  her. 

"  Reserve  yourself  till  we  gain  the  brow  of  this  hill,"  he  re 
marked  ;  "  and  then  put  Zayda  to  her  mettle.  We  are  not  far 
from  our  destination." 


CHAT  MOSS.  41 

"  Indeed  !"  exclaimed  Viviana.     "  Where  is  it?" 

"  I  will  show  it  to  you  presently,"  he  answered. 

Arrived  at  the  summit  of  the  high  ground,  which  they  had 
been  for  some  time  gradually  ascending,  the  young  merchant 
pointed  out  a  vast  boggy  tract,  about  two  miles  off,  in  the  vale 
beneath  them. 

"  That  is  our  destination,"  he  said. 

"  Did  I  not  hold  it  impossible  you  could  trifle  with  me  at  such 
a  time  as  this,  I  should  say  you  were  jesting,"  rejoined  Viviana. 
**  The  place  you  indicate,  unless  I  mistake  you,  is  Chat  Moss, 
the  largest  and  most  dangerous  marsh  in  Lancashire." 

"  You  do  not  mistake  me,  neither  am  I  jesting,  Viviana,"  re 
plied  the  young  merchant,  gravely.  "  Chat  Moss  is  the  mark  at 
which  I  aim." 

"  If  we  are  to  cross  it,  we  shall  need  a  Will-o'-the-wisp  to 
guide  us,  and  some  friendly  elf  to  make  firm  the  ground  beneath 
our  steeds,"  rejoined  Viviana,  in  a  slightly-sarcastic  tone. 

"  Trust  to  me  and  you  shall  traverse  it  in  safety,"  resumed 
Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  I  would  sooner  trust  myself  to  the  pursuivant  and  his  band, 
than  venture  upon  its  treacherous  surface,"  she  replied. 

"  How  is  this,  young  sir  ?"  interposed  Guy  Fawkes,  sternly. 
"  Is  it  from  heedlessness  or  rashness  that  you  are  about  to  expose 
us  to  this  new  danger? — which,  if  Viviana  judges  correctly,  and 
my  own  experience  of  such  places  inclines  me  to  think  she  does 
so, — is  greater  than  that  which  now  besets  us." 

"  If  there  is  any  danger  I  shall  be  the  first  to  encounter  it,  for 
I  propose  to  act  as  your  guide,"  returned  Humphrey  Chetham, 
in  an  offended  tone.  ei  But  the  treacherous  character  of  the 
marsh  constitutes  our  safety.  I  am  acquainted  with  a  narrow 
path  across  it,  from  which  the  deviation  of  a  foot  will  bring 
certain  death.  If  our  pursuers  attempt  to  follow  us  their  destruc 
tion  is  inevitable.  Viviana  may  rest  assured  I  would  not  need 
lessly  expose  so  dear  a  life  as  hers.  But  it  is  our  best  chance  of 
safety:" 

"  Humphrey  Chetham  is  in  the  right,"  observed  the  priest. 
"I  have  heard  of  the  path  he  describes;  and  if  he  can  guide  us 
along  it,  we  shall  effectually  baffle  our  enemies." 

"  I  cry  you  mercy,  sir,"  said  Viviana.  "  I  did  not  apprehend 
your  meaning.  But  I  now  thankfully  resign  myself  to  your 
care." 

"  Forward,  then,"  cried  the  young  merchant.  And  they 
dashed  swiftly  down  the  declivity. 

Chat  Moss,  towards  which  they  were  hastening,  though  now 
drained,  in  part  cultivated,  and  traversed  by  the  busiest  and 
most-frequented  railroad  in  England,  or  the  world,  was,  within 
the  recollection  of  many  of  the  youngest  of  the  present  genera 
tion,  a  dreary  and  almost  impassable  waste.  Surveyed  from  the 


42  GUY  FAWKES. 

heights  of  Dunham,  whence  the  writer  has  often  gazed  upon  it, 
envying  the  plover  her  wing  to  skim  over  its  broad  expanse,  it 
presented  with  its  black  boggy  soil,  striped  like  a  motley  gar 
ment,  with  patches  of  grey,  tawny,  and  dunnish  red,  a  singular 
and  mvsterious  appearance.  Conjecture  fixes  this  morass  as  the 
site  of  a  vast  forest,  whose  immemorial  and  Druid-haunted 
groves  were  burnt  by  the  Roman  invaders ;  and  seeks  to  account 
for  its  present  condition  by  supposing  that  the  charred  trees — 
still  frequently  found  within  its  depths — being  left  where  the 
conflagration  had  placed  them,  had  choked  up  its  brooks  and 
springs,  and  so  reduced  it  to  a  general  swamp.  Drayton,  how 
ever,  in  the  following  lines  from  the  Faerie  Land,  places  it3 
origin  as  far  back  as  the  Deluge  : — 


Great  Chat  Moss  at  my  fall 


Lies  lull  of  turf  and  marl,  her  unctuous  mineral ; 

And  blocks  as  black  as  pitch,  with  boring  augers  found, 

There  at  the  General  Flood  supposed  to  be  drown'd. 

But  the  former  hypothesis  appears  the  more  probable.  A  curious 
description  of  Chat  Moss,  as  it  appeared  at  the  time  of  this 
history,  is  furnished  by  Camden,  who  terms  it,  "  a  swampy  tract 
of  great  extent,  a  considerable  part  of  which  was  carried  off  in 
the  last  age  by  swollen  rivers  with  great  danger,  whereby  the 
rivers  were  infected,  and  great  quantities  of  fish  died.  Instead 
thereof  is  now  a  valley  watered  by  a  small  stream  ;  and  many 
trees  were  discovered  thrown  down,  and  lying  flat,  so  that  one 
may  suppose  when  the  ground  lay  neglected,  and  the  waste  water 
of  brooks  was  not  drained  off  into  the  open  valleys,  or  their 
courses  stopped  by  neglect  or  desolation,  all  the  lower  grounds 
were  turned  into  swamps,  (which  we  call  mosses,^)  or  into  pools. 
If  this  was  the  case,  no  wonder  so  many  trees  are  found  covered, 
and,  as  it  were,  buried  in  such  places  all  over  England,  but 
especially  here.  For  the  roots  being  loosened  by  too  excessive 
wet,  they  must  necessarily  fall  down  and  sink  in  so  soft  a  soil. 
The  people  hereabouts  search  for  them  with  poles  and  spits,  and 
after  marking  the  place,  dig  them  up  and  use  them  for  firing,  for 
they  are  like  torches,  equally  fit  to  burn  and  to  give  light,  which 
is  probably  owing  to  the  bituminous  earth  that  surrounds  them, 
whence  the  common  people  suppose  them  firs,  though  Cresar 
denies  that  there  were  such  trees  in  Britain." 

But,  though  vast  masses  of  the  bog  had  been  carried  off  by  the 
Irwell  and  the  Mersey,  as  related  by  Camden,  the  general  ap 
pearance  of  the  waste, — with  the  exception  of  the  valley  and  the 
small  stream, — was  much  the  same  as  it  continued  to  our  own 
time.  Its  surface  was  more  broken  and  irregular,  and  black 
gaping  chasms  and  pits  filled  with  water  and  slime  as  dark- 
coloured  as  the  turf  whence  it  flowed,  pointed  out  the  spots 
where  the  swollen  and  heaving  swamp  had  burst  its  bondage. 


CHAT  MOSS.  48 

Narrow  paths,  known  only  to  the  poor  turf-cutters  and  other 
labourers  who  dwelt  upon  its  borders,  and  gathered  fuel  with  poles 
and  spits  in  the  manner  above  described,  intersected  it  at  various 
points.  But  as  they  led  in  many  cases  to  dangerous  and  deep 
gulfs,  to  dismal  quagmires  and  fathomless  pits ;  and,  moreover, 
as  the  slightest  departure  from  the  proper  track  would  have 
whelmed  the  traveller  in  an  oozy  bed,  from  which,  as  from  a 
quicksand,  he  would  have  vainly  striven  to  extricate  himself, — 
it  was  never  crossed  without  a  guide,  except  by  those  familiar 
with  its  perilous  courses.  One  painful  circumstance  connected 
with  the  history  of  Chat  Moss  remains  to  be  recorded — namely, 
that  the  attempt  made  to  cultivate  it  by  the  great  historian 
Roscoe, — an  attempt  since  carried  out,  as  has  already  been 
shown,  with  complete  success, — ended  in  a  result  ruinous  to 
the  fortunes  of  that  highly-gifted  person,  who,  up  to  the  period 
of  this  luckless  undertaking,  was  as  prosperous  as  he  was  meri 
torious. 

By  this  time  the  fugitives  had  approached  the  confines  of 
the  marsh.  An  accident,  however,  had  just  occurred,  which 
nearly  proved  fatal  to  Viviana,  and,  owing  to  the  delay  it  occa 
sioned,  brought  their  pursuers  into  dangerous  proximity  with 
them.  In  fording  the  Irwell,  which,  from  its  devious  course, 
they  were  again  compelled  to  cross,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
below  Barton,  her  horse  missed  its  footing,  and  precipitated  her 
into  the  rapid  current.  In  another  instant  she  would  have  been 
borne  away,  if  Guy  Fawkes  had  not  flung  himself  into  the  water, 
and  seized  her  before  she  sank.  Her  affrighted  steed,  having  got 
out  of  its  depth,  began  to  swim  off,  and  it  required  the  utmost 
exertion  on  the  part  of  Humphrey  Chetham,  embarrassed  as  he 
was  by  the  priest,  to  secure  it.  In  a  few  minutes  all  was  set  to 
rights,  and  Viviana  was  once  more  placed  on  the  saddle,  without 
having  sustained  further  inconvenience  than  was  occasioned  by 
her  dripping  apparel.  But  those  few  minutes,  as  has  been  just 
stated,  sufficed  to  bring  the  pursuivant  and  his  men  close  upon 
them ;  and  as  they  scrambled  up  the  opposite  bank,  the 
plunging  and  shouting  behind  them  told  that  the  latter  had 
entered  the  stream. 

"  Yonder  is  Baysnape,"  exclaimed  Humphrey  Chetham, 
calling  Viviana's  attention  to  a  ridge  of  high  ground  on  the 
borders  of  the  waste.  "  Below  it  lies  the  path  by  which  I 
propose  to  enter  the  moss.  We  shall  speedily  be  out  of  the 
reach  of  our  enemies." 

"  The  marsh  at  least  will  hide  us,"  answered  Viviana,  with  a 
shudder.  "  It  is  a  terrible  alternative." 

"  Fear  nothing,  dear  daughter,"  observed  the  priest.  "  The 
saints,  who  have  thus  marvellously  protected  us,  will  continue 
to  watch  over  us  to  the  end,  and  will  make  the  path  over  yon 
perilous  waste  as  safe  as  the  ground  on  which  we  tread.'** 


44  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  I  like  not  the  appearance  of  the  sky,"  observed  Guy  Fawkes, 
looking  uneasily  upwards.  "  Before  we  reach  the  spot  you  have 
pointed  out,  the  moon  will  be  obscured.  Will  it  be  safe  to 
traverse  the  moss  in  the  dark  ?" 

"  It  is  our  only  chance,"  replied  the  young  merchant,  speaking 
in  a  low  tone,  that  his  answer  might  not  reach  Viviana's  ears ; 
"  and  after  all,  the  darkness  may  be  serviceable.  Our  pursuers 
are  so  near,  that  if  it  were  less  gloomy,  they  might  hit  upon  the 
right  track.  It  will  be  a  risk  to  us  to  proceed,  but  certain 
destruction  to  those  who  follow.  And  now  let  us  make  what 
haste  we  can.  Every  moment  is  precious." 

The  dreary  and  fast  darkening  waste  had  now  opened  upon 
them  in  all  its  horrors.  Far  as  the  gaze  could  reach  appeared 
an  immense  expanse,  flat  almost  as  the  surface  of  the  ocean, 
and  unmarked,  so  far  as  could  be  discerned  in  that  doubtful 
light,  by  any  trace  of  human  footstep  or-  habitation.  It  was  a 
stern  and  sombre  prospect,  and  calculated  to  inspire  terror  in 
the  stoutest  bosom.  What  effect  it  produced  on  Viviana  may 
be  easily  conjectured.  But  her  nature  was  brave  and  enduring, 
and,  though  she  trembled  so  violently  as  scarcely  to  be  able  to 
keep  her  seat,  she  gave  no  utterance  to  her  fears.  They  were 
now  skirting  that  part  of  the  morass  since  denominated,  from 
the  unfortunate  speculation  previously  alluded  to,  "  Roscoe's 
Improvements."  This  tract  was  the  worst  and  most  dangerous 
portion  of  the  whole  moss.  Soft,  slabby,  and  unsubstantial,  its 
treacherous  beds  scarcely  offered  secure  footing  to  the  heron 
that  alighted  on  them.  The  ground  shook  beneath  the  fugitives 
as  they  hurried  past  the  edge  of  the  groaning  and  quivering 
marsh.  The  plover,  scared  from  its  nest,  uttered  its  peculiar 
and  plaintive  cry ;  the  bittern  shrieked ;  other  night-fowl  poured 
forth  their  doleful  notes;  and  the  bull-frog  added  its  deep  croak 
to  the  ominous  concert.  Behind  them  came  the  thundering 
tramp  and  loud  shouts  of  their  pursuers.  Guy  Fawkes  had 
judged  correctly.  Before  they  reached  Baysnape  the  moon  had 
withdrawn  behind  a  rack  of  clouds,  and  it  had  become  pro 
foundly  dark.  Arrived  at  this  point,  Humphrey  Chetham 
called  to  them  to  turn  off  to  the  right. 

"Follow  singly,"  he  said,  "and do  not  swerve  a  hair's  breadth 
from  the  path.  The  slightest  deviation  will  be  fatal.  Do  you, 
sir,"  he  added  to  the  priest,  "  mount  behind  Guy  Fawkes,  and 
let  Viviana  come  next  after  me.  If  I  should  miss  my  way,  do 
not  stir  for  your  life." 

The  transfer  effected,  the  fugitives  turned  off  to  the  right,  and 
proceeded  at  a  cautious  pace  along  a  narrow  and  shaking  path. 
The  ground  trembled  so  much  beneath  them,  and  their  horses' 
feet  sank  so  deeply  in  the  plashy  bog,  that  Viviana  demanded, 
in  a  tone  of  some  uneasiness,  if  he  was  sure  he  had  taken  the 
right  couire  ? 


CHAT  MOSS.  45 

"  If  I  had  not,"  replied  Humphrey  Chetham,  "  we  should  ere 
this  have  found  our  way  to  the  bottom  of  the  morass." 

As  he  spoke,  a  floundering  plunge,  accompanied  by  a  horrible 
and  quickly-stifled  cry,  told  that  one  of  their  pursuers  had 
perished  in  endeavouring  to  follow  them. 

"  The  poor  wretch  is  gone  to  his  account,"  observed  Viviana, 
in  a  tone  of  commiseration.  "  Have  a  care  I — have  a  care,  lest 
you  share  the  same  fate." 

"  If  I  can  save  you,  I  care  not  what  becomes  of  me,"  replied 
the  young  merchant.  "  Since  I  can  never  hope  to  possess  you, 
life  has  become  valueless  in  my  eyes." 

"  Quicken  your  pace,"  shouted  Guy  Fawkes,  who  brought  up 
the  rear.  "  Our  pursuers  have  discovered  the  track,  and  are 
making  towards  us." 

"  Let  them  do  so,"  replied  the  young  merchant.  "  They  can 
do  us  no  farther  injury." 

"  That  is  false  1"  cried  the  voice  of  a  soldier  from  behind. 
And,  as  the  words  were  uttered,  a  shot  was  fired,  which,  though 
aimed  against  Chetham,  took  effect  upon  his  steed.  The  animal 
staggered,  and  his  rider  had  only  time  to  slide  from  his  back 
when  he  reeled  off  the  path,  and  was  ingulfed  in  the  marsh. 

Hearing  the  plunge  of  the  steed,  the  man  fancied  he  had  hit 
his  mark,  and  hallooed  in  an  exulting  voice  to  his  companions. 
But  his  triumph  was  of  short  duration.  A  ball  from  the  petro- 
nel  of  Guy  Fawkes  pierced  his  brain,  and  dropping  from  hi? 
saddle,  he  sank,  together  with  his  horse,  which  he  dragged  along 
with  him  into  the  quagmire. 

"  Waste  no  more  shot,"  cried  Humphrey  Chetham ;  "  the 
swamp  will  fight  our  battles  for  us.  Though  I  grieve  for  the 
loss  of  my  horse,  I  may  be  better  able  to  guide  you  on  foot." 

With  this,  he  seized  Viviana's  bridle,  and  drew  her  steed 
along  at  a  quick  pace,  but  with  the  greatest  caution.  As  they 
proceeded,  a  light  like  that  of  a  lantern  was  seen  to  rise  from 
the  earth,  and  approach  them. 

''Heaven  be  praised  1"  exclaimed  Viviana:  "some  one  has 
heard  us,  and  is  hastening  to  our  assistance." 

"  Not  so,"  replied  Humphrey  Chetham.  "  The  light  you 
behold  is  an  ignis  fatuus.  Were  you  to  trust  yourself  to  its  de 
lusive  gleam,  it  would  lead  you  to  the  most  dangerous  parts  of 
the  moss." 

And,  as  if  to  exhibit  its  real  character,  the  little  flame,  which 
hitherto  had  burnt  as  brightly  and  steadily  as  a  wax-candle, 
suddenly  appeared  to  dilate,  and  assuming  a  purple  tinge,  emitted 
a  shower  of  sparks,  and  then  flitted  rapidly  over  the  plain. 

"  Woe  to  him  that  follows  it  I"  cried  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  It  has  a  strange  unearthly  look,"  observed  Viviana,  crossing 
herself.  "  I  have  much  difficulty  in  persuading  myself  it  is  not 
the  work  of  some  malignant  sprite." 


46  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  It  is  only  an  exhalation  of  the  marsh,"  replied  Chetham. 
"  But,  see  !  others  are  at  hand." 

Their  approach,  indeed,  seemed  to  have  disturbed  all  the 
weird  children  of  the  waste.  Lights  were  seen  trooping  towards 
them  in  every  direction  ;  sometimes  stopping,  sometimes  rising 
in  the  air,  now  contracting,  now  expanding,  and  when  within  a 
few  yards  of  the  travellers,  retreating  with  inconceivable  swift 
ness. 

"  It  is  a  marvellous  and  incomprehensible  spectacle,"  remarked 
Viviana. 

"The  common  folk  hereabouts  affirm  that  these  Jack-o'- 
lanterns,  as  they  term  them,  always  appear  in  greater  numbers 
when  some  direful  catastrophe  is  about  to  take  place,"  rejoined 
the  young  merchant. 

"  Heaven  avert  it  from  us,"  ejaculated  Viviana. 

"  It  is  an  idle  superstition,"  returned  Chetham.  "  But  we 
must  now  keep  silence,"  he  continued,  lowering  his  voice,  and 
stopping  near  the  charred  stump  of  a  tree,  left,  it  would  seem, 
as  a  mark.  "  The  road  turns  here ;  and,  unless  our  pursuers 
know  it,  we  shall  now  quit  them  for  ever.  We  must  not  let  a 
sound  betray  the  course  we  are  about  to  take." 

Having  turned  this  dangerous  corner  in  safety,  and  conducted 
his  companions  as  noiselessly  as  possible  for  a  few  yards  along 
the  cross  path,  which  being  much  narrower  was  consequently 
more  perilous  than  the  first,  Humphrey  Chetham  stood  still, 
and,  imposing  silence  upon  the  others,  listened  to  the  approach 
of  their  pursuers.  His  prediction  was  speedily  and  terribly 
verified.  Hearing  the  movement  in  advance,  but  unable  to  dis 
cover  the  course  taken  by  the  fugitives,  the  unfortunate  soldiers, 
fearful  of  losing  their  prey,  quickened  their  pace,  in  the  expec 
tation  of  instantly  overtaking  them.  They  were  fatally  unde 
ceived.  Four  only  of  their  number,  besides  their  leader,  re 
mained, — two  having  perished  in  the  manner  heretofore  described. 
The  first  of  these,  disregarding  the  caution  of  his  comrade, 
laughingly  urged  his  horse  into  a  gallop,  and,  on  passing  the 
mark,  sunk  as  if  by  magic,  and  before  he  could  utter  a  single 
warning  cry,  into  the  depths  of  the  morass.  His  disappearance 
was  so  instantaneous,  that  the  next  in  order,  though  he  heard 
the  sullen  plunge,  was  unable  to  draw  in  the  rein,  and  was  like 
wise  ingulfed.  A  third  followed ;  and  a  fourth,  in  his  efforts 
to  avoid  their  fate,  backed  his  steed  ovc "  the  slippery  edge  of  the 
path.  Only  one  now  remained.  It  v»as  the  pursuivant,  who, 
with  the  prudence  that  characterized  all  his  proceedings,  had  fol 
lowed  in  the  rear.  He  was  so  dreadfully  frightened,  that,  adding 
his  shrieks  to  those  of  his  attendants,  he  shouted  to  the  fugitives, 
imploring  assistance  in  the  most  piteous  terms,  and  promising 
never  again  to  molest  them,  if  they  would  guide  him  to  a  place 
of  safety.  But  his  cries  were  wholly  unheeded  ;  and  he  perhaps 


CHAT  MOSS.  47 

endured  in  those  few  minutes  of  agony  as  much  suffering  as  he 
had  inflicted  on  the  numerous  victims  of  his  barbarity.  It  was 
indeed  an  appalling  moment.  Three  of  the  wretched  men  had 
not  yet  sunk,  but  were  floundering  about  in  the  swamp,  and 
shrieking  for  help.  The  horses,  as  much  terrified  as  their  riders, 
added  their  piercing  cries  to  the  half-suffocated  yells.  And,  as 
if  to  make  the  scene  more  ghastly,  myriads  of  dancing  lights 
flitted  towards  them,  and  throwing  an  unearthly  glimmer  over 
this  part  of  the  morass,  fully  revealed  their  struggling  figures. 
Moved  by  compassion  for  the  poor  wretches,  Viviana  implored 
Humphrey  Chetham  to  assist  them,  and,  finding  him  immovable, 
she  appealed  to  Guy  Fawkes. 

"  They  are  beyond  all  human  aid,"  the  latter  replied. 

"  Heaven  have  mercy  on  their  souls !"  ejaculated  the  priest 
"  Pray  for  them,  dear  daughter.  Pray  heartily,  as  I  am  about 
to  do."  And  he  recited  in  an  audible  voice  the  Romish  formula 
of  supplication  for  those  in  extremis. 

Averting  her  gaze  from  the  spectacle,  Viviana  joined  fervently 
in  the  prayer. 

By  this  time  two  of  the  strugglers  had  disappeared.  The  third, 
having  freed  himself  from  his  horse,  contrived  for  some  moments, 
during  which  he  uttered  the  most  frightful  cries,  to  keep  his 
head  above  the  swamp.  His  efforts  were  tremendous,  but  un 
availing,  and  served  only  to  accelerate  his  fate.  Making  a  last 
desperate  plunge  towards  the  bank  where  the  fugitives  were 
standing,  he  sank  above  the  chin.  The  expression  of  his  face, 
shown  by  the  ghastly  glimmer  of  the  fen-fires,  as  he  was  gradually 
swallowed  up,  was  horrible. 

"  Requiem  eeternam  dona  eis,  Domine?  exclaimed  the  priest. 

"All  is  over,"  cried  Humphrey  Chetham,  taking  the  bridle  of 
Viviana's  steed,  and  leading  her  onwards.  "  We  are  free  from 
our  pursuers." 

"  There  is  one  left/'  she  rejoined,  casting  a  look  backwards. 

"  It  is  the  pursuivant,"  returned  Guy  Fawkes,  sternly.  "  He 
is  within  shot,"  he  added,  drawing  his  petronel. 

"  Oh,  no — no ! — in  pity  spare  him !"  cried  Viviana.  "  Too 
many  lives  have  been  sacrificed  already." 

"  He  is  the  cause  of  all  the  mischief,"  answered  Guy  Fawkes, 
unwillingly  replacing  the  petronel  in  his  belt,  "  and  may  live  to 
injure  you  and  your  father." 

"Twill  hope  not,"  rejoined  Viviana;  "but,  spare  him  I — oh, 
spare  him  1" 

"  Be  it  as  you  please,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes.  "  The  marsh,  I 
trust,  will  not  be  so  merciful." 

With  this,  they  slowly  resumed  their  progress.  On  hearing 
their  departure,  the  pursuivant  renewed  his  cries  in  a  more 
piteous  tone  than  ever ;  but,  in  spite  of  the  entreaties  of  Viviana, 
nothing  could  induce  her  companions  to  lend  him  assistance. 


43  GUY  FAWKES. 

For  some  time  they  proceeded  in  silence,  and  without  acci 
dent.  As  they  advanced,  the  difficulties  of  the  path  increased, 
and  it  was  fortunate  that  the  moon,  emerging  from  the  clouds  in 
which,  up  to  this  moment,  she  had  been  shrouded,  enabled  them 
to  steer  their  course  in  safety.  At  length,  after  a  tedious  and  toil 
some  march  for  nearly  half  a  mile,  the  footing  became  more 
secure,  the  road  widened,  and  they  were  able  to  quicken  their 
pace.  Another  half  mile  landed  them  upon  the  western  bank  of 
the  morass.  Viviana's  first  impulse  was  to  give  thanks  to  Heaven 
for  their  deliverance,  nor  did  she  omit  in  her  prayer  a  supplica 
tion  for  the  unfortunate  beings  who  had  perished. 

Arrived  at  the  point  now  known  as  Rawson  Nook,  they 
entered  a  lane,  and  proceeded  towards  Astley  Green,  where  per 
ceiving  a  cluster  of  thatched  cottages  among  the  trees,  they 
knocked  at  the  door  of  the  first,  and  speedily  obtained  admittance 
from  its  inmates,  a  turf-cutter  and  his  .wife.  The  man  conveyed 
their  steeds  to  a  neighbouring  barn,  while  the  good  dame  offered 
Viviana  such  accommodation  and  refreshment  as  her  humble 
dwelling  afforded.  Here  they  tarried  till  the  following  evening, 
as  much  to  recruit  Miss  Radcliffe's  strength,  as  for  security. 

At  the  young  merchant's  request,  the  turf-cutter  went  in  the 
course  of  the  day  to  see  what  had  become  of  the  pursuivant. 
He  was  nowhere  to  be  found.  But  he  accidentally  learned  from 
another  hind,  who  followed  the  same  occupation  as  himself,  that 
a  person  answering  to  the  officer's  description  had  been  seen  to 
emerge  from  the  moss  near  Baysnape  at  daybreak,  and  take  the 
road  towards  Manchester.  Of  the  unfortunate  soldiers  nothing 
but  a  steel  cap  and  a  pike,  which  the  man  brought  away  with 
him,  could  be  discovered. 

After  much  debate,  it  was  decided  that  their  safest  plan  would 
be  to  proceed  to  Manchester,  where  Humphrey  Chetham  under 
took  to  procure  them  safe  lodgings  at  the  Seven  Stars, — an  ex 
cellent  hostel,  kept  by  a  worthy  widow,  who,  he  affirmed,  would 
do  anything  to  serve  him.  Accordingly,  ihey  set  out  at  night 
fall, — Viviana  taking  her  place  before  Guy  Fawkes,  and  relin 
quishing  Zayda  to  the  young  merchant  and  the  priest.  Shaping 
their  course  through  Worsley,  by  Monton  Green  and  Pendleton, 
they  arrived  in  about  an  hour  within  sight  of  the  town,  which 
then, — not  a  tithe  of  its  present  size,  arid  unpolluted  by  the 
smoky  atmosphere  in  which  it  is  now  constantly  enveloped, — 
was  not  without  some  pretensions  to  a  picturesque  appearance. 
Crossing  Salford  Bridge,  they  mounted  Smithy  Bank,  as  it  was 
then  termed,  and  proceeding  along  Cateaton-street  and  Hanging 
Ditch,  struck  into  Whittling  (now  Withy)  Grove,  at  the  right  of 
which,  just  where  a  few  houses  were  beginning  to  straggle  up 
Shude  Hill,  stood,  and  still  stands,  the  comfortable  hostel  of  the 
Seven  Stars.  Here  they  stopped,  and  were  warmly  welcomed 
by  its  buxom  mistress,  Dame  Sutcliffe.  Muffled  in  Guy  Fawkcs's 


THE  DISINTERMENT.  49 

cloak,  the  priest  gained  the  chamber  to  which  he  was  ushered 
unobserved.  And  Dame  Sutcliffe,  though  her  Protestant  notions 
were  a  little  scandalized  at  her  dwelling  being  made  the  sanc 
tuary  of  a  Popish  priest,  promised,  at  the  instance  of  Master 
Chetham,  whom  she  knew  to  be  no  favourer  of  idolatry  in  a 
general  way,  to  be  answerable  for  his  safety. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  DISINTERMENT. 

HAVING  seen  every  attention  shown  to  Viviana  by  the  hostess, — 
who,  as  soon  as  she  discovered  that  she  had  the  daughter  of  Sir 
William  Radcliffe  of  Ordsall,  under  her  roof,  bestirred  herself  in 
right  earnest  for  her  accommodation, — Humphrey  Chetham, 
notwithstanding  the  lateness  of  the  hour, — it  was  past  midnight, 
— expressed  his  determination  to  walk  to  his  residence  at  Crump- 
sail,  to  put  an  end  to  any  apprehension  which  might  be  enter 
tained  by  the  household  at  his  prolonged  absence. 

With  this  view,  he  set  forth ;  and  Guy  Fawkes,  who  seemed 
to  be  meditating  some  project  which  he  was  unwilling  to  disclose 
to  the  others,  quitted  the  hostel  with  him,  bidding  the  chamber 
lain  sit  up  for  him,  as  he  should  speedily  return.  They  had  not 
gone  far  when  he  inquired  the  nearest  way  to  the  Collegiate 
Church,  and  was  answered  that  they  were  then  proceeding 
towards  it,  and  in  a  few  moments  should  arrive  at  its  walls.  He  next 
asked  the  young  merchant  whether  he  could  inform  him  which 
part  of  the  churchyard  was  allotted  to  criminals.  Humphrey 
Chetham,  somewhat  surprised  by  the  question,  replied,  "  At  the 
north-west,  near  the  charnel,"  adding,  "  I  shall  pass  within  a 
short  distance  of  the  spot,  and  will  point  it  out  to  you." 

Entering  Fennel  Street,  at  the  end  of  which  stood  an  ancient 
cross,  they  soon  came  in  sight  of  the  church.  The  moon  was 
shining  brightly,  and  silvered  the  massive  square  tower  of  the 
fane,  the  battlements,  pinnacles,  buttresses,  and  noble  eastern 
window,  with  its  gorgeous  tracery.  While  Guy  Fawkes  paused 
for  a  moment  to  contemplate  this  reverend  and  beautiful  structure, 
two  venerable  personages,  having  long  snowy  beards,  and 
wrapped  in  flowing  mantles  edged  with  sable  fur,  passed  the  end 
of  the  street.  One  of  them  carried  a  lantern,  though  it  was 
wholly  needless,  as  it  was  bright  as  day;  and  as  they  glided 
stealthily  along,  there  was  something  so  mysterious  in  their 
manner,  that  it  greatly  excited  the  curiosity  of  Guy  Fawkes, 
who  inquired  from  his  companion  if  he  knew  who  they  were 

"  The  foremost  is   the  warden   of  Manchester,   the 

E 


50  GUY  FAWKES. 

Doctor  Dee,"  replied  Humphrey  Chetham,  "divine,  mathe 
matician,  astrologer, — and  if  report  speaks  truly,  conjuror." 

"  Is  that  Doctor  Dee  ?"  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  in  astonishment 

"  It  is,"  replied  the  young  merchant :  "  and  the  other  in  the 
Polish  cap  is  the  no-less  celebrated  Edward  Kelley,  the  doctor's 
assistant,  or,  as  he  is  ordinarily  termed,  his  seer." 

"  They  have  entered  the  churchyard,"  remarked  Guy  Fawkes. 
"  I  will  follow  them." 

"I  would  not  advise  you  to  do  so,"  rejoined  the  other. 
te  Strange  tales  are  told  of  them.  You  may  witness  that  it  is 
not  safe  to  look  upon." 

The  caution,  however,  was  unheeded.  Guy  Fawkes  had 
already  disappeared,  and  the  young  merchant,  shrugging  his 
shoulders,  proceeded  on  his  way  towards  Hunt's  Bank. 

On  gaining  the  churchyard,  Guy  Fawkes  perceived  the 
warden  and  his  companion  creeping  stealthily  beneath  the 
shadow  of  a  wall  in  the  direction  of  a  low  fabric,  which  appeared 
to  be  a  bone-house,  or  charnel,  situated  at  the  north-western 
extremity  of  the  church.  Before  this  building  grew  a  black 
and  stunted  yew-tree.  Arrived  at  it,  they  paused,  and  looked 
round  to  see  whether  they  were  observed.  They  did  not,  how 
ever,  notice  Guy  Fawkes,  who  had  concealed  himself  behind  a 
buttress.  Kelley  then  unlocked  the  door  of  the  charnel,  and 
brought  out  a  pickaxe  and  mattock.  Having  divested  himself 
of  his  cloak,  he  proceeded  to  shovel  out  the  mould  from  a  new- 
made  grave  at  a  little  distance  from  the  building.  Doctor  Dee 
stood  by,  and  held  the  lantern  for  his  assistant. 

Determined  to  watch  their  proceedings,  Guy  Fawkes  crept 
towards  the  yew-tree,  behind  which  he  ensconced  himself. 
Kelley,  meanwhile,  continued  to  ply  his  spade  with  a  vigour 
that  seemed  almost  incomprehensible  in  one  so  far  stricken  in 
years,  and  of  such  infirm  appearance.  At  length  he  paused, 
and  kneeling  within  the  shallow  grave,  endeavoured  to  drag 
something  from  it.  Doctor  Dee  knelt  to  assist  him.  After  some 
exertion,  they  drew  forth  the  corpse  of  a  female,  which  had 
been  interred  without  coffin,  and  apparently  in  the  habiliments 
worn  during  life.  A  horrible  suspicion  crossed  Guy  Fawkes. 
Resolving  to  satisfy  his  doubts  at  once,  he  rushed  forward,  and 
beheld  in  the  ghastly  lineaments  of  the  dead  the  features  of  the 
unfortunate  prophetess,  Elizabeth  Orton. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

DOCTOR  DEE. 


u  How  now,  ye  impious  violators  of  the   tomb  I  ye  worse  than 
tanune-stricken  wolves,  that  rake  up  the  dead  in  churchyards  I" 


''divine,   mathe- 
fiv,  conjuror." 
?  '*wke*,.  in  astonishment 
•and  the  other  in  the 
\  elley,  the  doctor's 

w  or  ** 

Guy  Fawkes. 

so,"  rejoined  the  other. 
You  may  witness  that  it  is 


'cded.      Guy    FawTces  had 
•  e  young  merchant,   B!  ;  his 

as  way  to  war 

rchyard,    Guy    Fawkes   perceived    the 

niion    cr<         •        oakhily  beneath  the 

irection  of  a  low  fabric,  which  appeared 

charncl,  situated  at  the  north-western 

h.     Before  this  ,      v  a  black 

<s     Arrived  at  it,  th  -d  looked 

ilti  r  fl.cy  uere  obst  .  not,  how- 

vkts,  who  ha  led  him;-   '  id  a 

a  unlocked  the  door  of  the  charnel,  and 

e  and  mattock.     Having  divested  himself 

he  proceeded  to  shovel  out  the  mould  from  a  new- 

little  distance  from  the  building.     Doctor  Dee 

i  held  the  lantern  for  his  assis' 

>  watch  their  proceediu*:  ,ns  crept 

.v-tree,    behind    whici  himself. 

;   to  ply  his  spa  .jour 

•ii  in 
; 

drag 
>me 
had 
• 

!e  suspie'  i  . 

rs  at  ont  i  .vard,  and 

umcnts  of  the  dead  the  features  of  the 
'i>eth  Orton. 


H  AFTER  VII. 

08   BEE. 


of  the    tomb  I  ye  worse  than 
up  the  dead  in  churchyards  I* 


^-y 

</  s 


DOCTOR  DEE.  51 

cried  Guy  Fawkes,  in  a  voice  of  thunder,  to  Doctor  Dee  and  h:a 
companion  ;  who,  startled  by  his  sudden  appearance,  dropped  the 
body,  and  retreated  to  a  short  distance.  "  What  devilish  rites 
are  ye  about  to  enact,  that  ye  thus  profane  the  sanctity  of  the 
grave  ?" 

"And  who  art  thou  that  darest  thus  to  interrupt  us?"  de 
manded  Dee,  sternly. 

"  It  matters  not,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  striding  towards  them. 
"  Suffice  it  you  are  both  known  to  me.  You,  John  Dee,  warden 
of  Manchester,  who  deserve  to  be  burnt  at  the  stake  for  your 
damnable  practices,  rather  than  hold  the  sacred  office  you  fill ; 
and  you,  Edward  Kelley,  his  associate,  who  boast  of  familiar 
intercourse  with  demons,  and,  unless  fame  belies  you,  have 
purchased  the  intimacy  at  the  price  of  your  soul's  salvation.  I 
know  you  both.  I  know,  also,  whose  body  you  have  disinterred 
— it  is  that  of  the  ill-fated  prophetess,  Elizabeth  Orton.  And 
if  you  do  not  instantly  restore  it  to  the  grave  whence  you  have 
snatched  it,  I  will  denounce  you  to  the  authorities  of  the  town." 

"  Knowing  thus  much,  you  should  know  still  more,"  retorted 
Doctor  Dee,  "  namely,  that  I  am  not  to  be  lightly  provoked. 
You  have  no  power  to  quit  the  churchyard — nay,  not  so  much 
as  to  move  a  limb  without  my  permission." 

As  he  spoke,  he  drew  from  beneath  his  cloak  a  small  phial, 
the  contents  of  which  he  sprinkled  over  the  intruder.  Its  effect 
was  wonderful  and  instantaneous.  The  limbs  of  Guy  Fawkes 
stiffened  where  he  stood.  His  hand  remained  immovably  fixed 
upon  the  pommel  of  his  sword,  and  he  seemed  transformed  into 
a  marble  statue. 

"  You  will  henceforth  acknowledge  and  respect  my  power,** 
he  continued.  "  Were  it  my  pleasure,  I  could  bury  you  twenty 
fathoms  deep  in  the  earth  beneath  our  feet ;  or,  by  invoking 
certain  spirits,  convey  you  to  the  summit  of  yon  lofty  tower,5* 
pointing  to  the  church,  "  and  hurl  you  from  it  headlong.  But  I 
content  myself  with  depriving  you  of  motion,  and  leave  you  in 
possession  of  sight  and  speech,  that  you  may  endure  the  torture 
of  witnessing  what  you  cannot  prevent." 

So  saying,  he  was  about  to  return  to  the  corpse  with  Kelley, 
when  Guy  Fawkes  exclaimed,  in  a  hollow  voice, 

"  Set  me  free,  and  I  will  instantly  depart." 

"  Will  you  swear  never  to  divulge  what  you  have  seen  ?" 
demanded  Dee,  pausing. 

"  Solemnly,"  he  replied. 

' '  I  will  trust  you,  then,"  rejoined  the  Doctor ; — "  the  rather 
that  your  presence  interferes  with  my  purpose." 

Taking  a  handful  of  loose  earth  from  an  adjoining  grave,  and 
muttering  a  few  words,  that  sounded  like  a  charm,  he  scattered 
it  over  Fawkes.  The  spell  was  instantly  broken.  A  leaden 
weight  seemed  to  be  removed  from  his  limbs.  His  joints  re- 


5f  GUY  FAWKES. 

trained  their  suppleness,  and  with  a  convulsive  start,  like  that  by 
which  a  dreamer  casts  off'  a  nightmare,  he  was  liberated  from  his 
preternatural  thraldom. 

"  And  now,  begone  !"  cried  Doctor  Dee,  authoritatively. 

"  Suffer  me  to  tarry  with  you  a  few  moments,"  ?aid  Guy 
Fawkes,  in  a  deferential  tone.  "  "  Heretofore,  I  will  freely  admit, 
I  regarded  you  as  an  impostor;  but  now  I  am  convinced  you  arc 
deeply  skilled  in  the  occult  sciences,  and  would  fain  consult  you 
on  the  future." 

"  I  have  already  said  that  your  presence  troubles  me,"  re 
plied  Doctor  Dee.  "  But  if  you  will  call  upon  me  at  the 
College  to-morrow,  it  may  be  I  will  give  you  further  proofs  of 
my  skill." 

"  Why  not  now,  reverend  sir  ?"  urged  Fawkes.  "  The  ques 
tion  I  would  ask  is  better  suited  to  this  dismal  spot  and  witching 
hour,  than  to  daylight  and  the  walls  of  your  study." 

"Indeed  1"  exclaimed  Dee.     "  Your  name  ?" 

"  Guy  Fawkes,"  replied  the  other. 

"  Guy  Fawkes  !"  echoed  the  Doctor,  starting.  "  Nay,  then, 
I  guess  the  nature  of  the  question  you  would  ask." 

"  Am  I  then  known  to  you,  reverend  sir  ?"  inquired  Fawkes, 
uneasily. 

"  As  well  as  to  yourself — nay,  better,"  answered  the  Doctor. 
"  Bring  the  lantern  hither,  Kelley,"  he  continued,  addressing  his 
companion.  "  Look  I"  he  added,  elevating  the  light  so  as  to 
throw  it  upon  the  countenance  of  Fawkes:  '•  it  is  the  very  face,— — 
ihe  bronzed  and  strongly-marked  features, — the  fierce  black 
eye, — the  iron  frame,  and  foreign  garb  of  the  figure  we  beheld 
in  the  show-stone." 

"  It  is,"  replied  Kelley.  "  I  could  have  singled  him  out  amid 
a  thousand.  He  looked,  thus  as  we  tracked  his  perilous  course, 
with  his  three  companions,  the  priest,  Chetham,  and  Viviana 
Radcliffe,  across  Chat  Moss." 

"  How  have  you  learned  this  ?"  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  in  amaze 
ment. 

"  By  the  art  that  reveals  all  things,"  answered  Kelley. 

"In  proof  that  your  thoughts  are  known  to  me,"  observed 
Dee,  "  I  will  tell  you  the  inquiry  you  would  make  before  it  is 
uttered.  You  would  learn  whether  the  enterprise  on  which  you 
are  engaged  will  succeed." 

"  I  would,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Yet  more,"  continued  Dee.  "  I  am  aware  of  the  nature  of 
the  plot,  and  could  name  to  you  all  connected  with  it." 

"  Your  power  is,  indeed,  wonderful,"  rejoined  Fawkes  in  an 
altered  tone.  "  But  will  you  give  me  the  information  I  require  ?n 

"  Hum !"  muttered  Dee. 

"  I  am  too  poor  to  purchase  it,"  proceeded  Fawkes,  "  unless  a 
relic  I  have  brought  from  Spain  has  any  value  in  your  eyes." 


**T<  ••<•'":  ;    •-•  '<  *»«rily.    *€Do  you  suppose  I  am  a 

«jid  Favkes.     "  But  I  would 

u?  fvjocmg  my  gratitude." 

request. 

into  the 

ir  raslint 

od  Fawkes.     "  Let  r.e   kn.  ,v   the 

Dee.     "And  no^ 

been  placed  in  the  ground  without  the 
beingduly  performed,  I  }  •.,'• 
i   •••{'  I  ndor  called  up  Samuel,  as  is. 
:  -  •  pa  corpse  to  reveal  to  Scxtus  Pom- 

•rsalian  war, — as  J  •  athed  life 

•n, — as  A  as  invoked 

-»ud  as  t  brought  back  to  life  by 

•il  incantations, 
7?,  for  a  short  space. 

Dare 
you 

''You   will   need  all 

COUT 

-M 
Fav. 

• 
<ioor. 

The  chamb- 

perfect  kt-  *:  per 

formed.      ''. 

and  other  Inigments  of  mortality 

coffins,  emptied  of  their  tenants,  and  reared  on  end.  But  \\bat 
chiefly  attracted  his  attention,  was  a  ghastly  collection  of  human 
limbs,  blackened  with  pitch,  girded  round  with  iron  hoops,  tod 
hun^,  like  meat  in  a  shambles,  against  the  wall.  There  were 
two  heads,  and,  though  the  features  were  scarcely  distingui 
-o\\i'.<f  ta  the  liquid  in  which  they  had  been  immersed,  th< 

• 

••.»  these  revolting  objects,  Kelley  informed  htm  they 
wer£  crs  of  the  two  priests  who  had  recently  been  put 

to  dc-  '  :i  had  been  left  there  previously  to  being  placed 

on  the  c:  uu-Si-gatcs.  The  implements,  and  SOIIM  jwut  of  tlic 
ftttire  u<oti  by  the  executioner  in  his  butcherly  office,  were  sent- 
tercel  abot:f,  yr.d  mixed  with  the  tools  of  the  sexton;  while  in 
the  ceatre  02  the  room  stood  a  large  wooden  frame  supported  by 


DOCTOR  DEE.  53 

"  Tush  I"  exclaimed  Dee,  angrily.  "  Do  you  suppose  I  am  a 
common  juggler,  and  practise  my  art  for  gain  ?" 

"  By  no  means,  reverend  sir,"  said  Fawkes.  "  But  I  would 
not  willingly  put  you  to  trouble  without  evincing  my  gratitude.** 

"  Well,  then,"  replied  Dee,  "  I  will  not  refuse  your  request. 
And  yet  I  would  caution  you  to  beware  how  you  pry  into  the 
future.  You  may  repent  your  rashness  when  it  is  too  late." 

"  1  have  no  fear,"  rejoined  Fawkes.  "  Let  me  know  the 
worst." 

" Enough,"  answered  Dee.  "And  now  listen  to  me.  That 
carcass  having  been  placed  in  the  ground  without  the  holy  rites 
of  burial  being  duly  performed,  I  have  power  over  it.  And,  as 
the  witch  of  Endor  called  up  Samuel,  as  is  recorded  in  Holy 
Writ, — as  Erichtho  raised  up  a  corpse  to  reveal  to  Sextus  Pom- 
peius  the  event  of  the  Pharsalian  war, — as  Elisha  breathed  life 
into  the  nostrils  of  the  Shunamite's  son, — as  Alcestis  was  invoked 
by  Hercules, — and  as  the  dead  maid  was  brought  back  to  life  by 
Apollonius  Thyaneus, — so  I,  by  certain  powerful  incantations, 
will  allure  the  soul  of  the  prophetess,  for  a  short  space,  to  its 
former  tenement,  and  compel  it  to  answer  my  questions.  Dare 
you  be  present  at  this  ceremony  ?" 

"  I  dare,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Follow  me,  then,"  said  Dee.  "  You  will  need  all  your 
courage." 

Muttering  a  hasty  prayer,  and  secretly  crossing  himself,  Guy 
Fawkes  strode  after  him  towards  the  grave.  By  the  Doctor's 
directions,  he,  with  some  reluctance,  assisted  Kelley  to  raise  the 
corpse,  and  convey  it  to  the  charnel.  Dee  followed,  bearing  the 
lantern,  and,  on  entering  the  building,  closed  and  fastened  the 
door. 

The  chamber  in  which  Guy  Fawkes  found  himself  was  in 
perfect  keeping  with  the  horrible  ceremonial  about  to  be  per 
formed.  In  one  corner  lay  a  mouldering  heap  of  skulls,  bones, 
and  other  fragments  of  mortality ;  in  the  other  a  pile  of  broken 
coffins,  emptied  of  their  tenants,  and  reared  on  end.  But  what 
chiefly  attracted  his  attention,  was  a  ghastly  collection  of  human 
limbs,  blackened  with  pitch,  girded  round  with  iron  hoops,  and 
hung,  like  meat  in  a  shambles,  against  the  wall.  There  were 
two  heads,  and,  though  the  features  were  scarcely  distinguishable, 
owing  to  the  liquid  in  which  they  had  been  immersed,  they  still 
retained  a  terrific  expression  of  agony.  Seeing  his  attention 
directed  to  these  revolting  objects,  Kelley  informed  him  they 
were  the  quarters  of  the  two  priests  who  had  recently  been  put 
to  death,  which  had  been  left  there  previously  to  being  placed 
on  the  church-gates.  The  implements,  and  some  part  of  the 
attire  used  by  the  executioner  in  his  butcherly  office,  were  scat 
tered  about,  and  mixed  with  the  tools  of  the  sexton ;  while  in 
the  centre  of  the  room  stood  a  large  wooden  frame  supported  by 


54  GUY  FAWKES. 

trestles.  On  this  frame,  stained  with  blood  and  smeared  with 
pitch,  showing  the  purpose  to  which  it  had  been  recently  put, 
the  body  was  placed.  This  done,  Doctor  Dee  set  down  the 
lantern  beside  it;  and,  as  the  light  fell  upon  its  livid  features, 
sullied  with  earth,  and  exhibiting  traces  of  decay,  Guy  Fawkes 
was  so  appalled  by  the  sight  that  he  half  repented  of  what  he 
had  undertaken. 

Noticing  his  irresolution,  Doctor  Dee  said,  "You  may  yet 
retire  if  you  think  proper." 

"  No,"  replied  Fawkes,  rousing  himself;  "I  will  go  through 
with  it." 

"It  is  well,"  replied  Dee.     And  he  extinguished  the  light. 

An  awful  silence  now  ensued,  broken  only  by  a  low  murmur 
from  Doctor  Dee,  who  appeared  to  be  reciting  an  incantation. 
As  he  proceeded,  his  tones  became  louder,  and  his  accents  those 
of  command.  Suddenly,  he  paused,-  and  seemed  to  await  a 
response.  But,  as  none  was  made,  greatly  to  the  disappointment 
of  Guy  Fawkes,  whose  curiosity,  notwithstanding  his  fears,  was 
raised  to  the  highest  pitch,  he  cried,  "  Blood  is  wanting  to  com 
plete  the  charm." 

"  If  that  is  all,  I  will  speedily  supply  the  deficiency,"  replied 
Guy  Fawkes;  and,  drawing  his  rapier,  he  bared  his  left  arm, 
and  pricked  it  deeply  with  the  point  of  the  weapon. 

"  I  bleed  now,"  he  cried. 

"  Sprinkle  the  corpse  with  the  ruddy  current,"  rejoined 
Doctor  Dee. 

"Your  commands  are  obeyed,"  replied  Fawkes.  "I  have 
placed  my  hand  on  its  breast,  and  the  blood  is  flowing  upon  it." 

Upon  this  the  Doctor  began  to  mutter  an  incantation  in  a 
louder  and  more  authoritative  tone  than  before.  Presently,  Kelley 
added  his  voice,  and  they  both  joined  in  a  sort  of  chorus,  but  in 
a  jargon  wholly  unintelligible  to  Guy  Fawkes. 

All  at  once  a  blue  flame  appeared  above  their  heads,  and, 
slowly  descending,  settled  upon  the  brow  of  the  corpse,  lighting 
up  the  sunken  cavities  of  the  eyes,  and  the  discoloured  and 
distorted  features. 

"  The  charm  works,"  shouted  Doctor  Dee. 

"  She  moves  I  she  moves  1"  exclaimed  Guy  Fawkes.  "  She  is 
alive  I" 

"Take  oft0  your  hand,"  cried  the  Doctor,  "or  mischief  may 
ensue."  And  he  again  continued  his  incantation. 

"  Down  on  your  knees  1"  he  exclaimed,  at  length,  in  a  terrible 
voice.  "  The  spirit  is  at  hand." 

There  was  a  rushing  sound,  and  a  stream  of  dazzling  lightning 
shot  down  upon  the  corpse,  which  emitted  a  hollow  groan.  In 
obedience  to  the  Doctor's  commands,  Guy  Fawkes  had  prostrated 
himself  on  the  ground :  but  he  kept  his  gaze  steadily  fixed  011 
the  body,  which,  to  his  infinite  astonishment,  slowly  arose,  until 


DOCTOR  DEE.  55 

it  stood  erect  upon  the  frame.  There  it  remained  perfectly 
motionless,  with  the  arms  close  to  the  sides,  and  the  habiliments 
torn  and  dishevelled.  The  blue  light  still  retained  its  position 
upon  the  brow,  and  communicated  a  horrible  glimmer  to  the 
features.  The  spectacle  was  so  dreadful  that  Guy  Favvkes  would 
fain  have  averted  his  eyes,  but  he  was  unable  to  do  so.  Doctor 
Dee  and  his  companion,  meanwhile,  continued  their  invocations, 
until,  as  it  seemed  to  Fawkes,  the  lips  of  the  corpse  moved,  and 
an  awful  voice  exclaimed,  "  Why  have  you  called  me  ?" 

"  Daughter  1"  replied  Doctor  Dee,  rising,  "  in  life  thou  \vert 
endowed  with  the  gift  of  prophecy.  In  the  grave,  that  which 
is  to  come  must  be  revealed  to  thee.  We  would  question  thee." 

"  Speak,  and  I  will  answer,"  replied  the  corpse. 

"Interrogate  her,  my  son,'*  said  Dee,  addressing  Fawkes. 
"  and  be  brief,  for  the  time  is  short.  So  long  only  as  that  flame 
burns  have  I  power  over  her." 

"  Spirit  of  Elizabeth  Orton,"  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  "  if  indeed 
thou  standest  before  me,  and  some  demon  hath  not  entered  thy 
frame  to  delude  me, — by  all  that  is  holy,  and  by  every  blessed  saint, 
I  adjure  thee  to  tell  me  whether  the  scheme  on  which  I  am  now 
engaged  for  the  advantage  of  the  Catholic  Church  will  prosper  ?" 

"  Thou  art  mistaken,  Guy  Fawkes,"  returned  the  corpse. 
•'  Thy  scheme  is  not  for  the  advantage  of  the  Catholic  Church." 

"  I  will  not  pause  to  inquire  wherefore,"  continued  Fawkes. 
"  But,  grant  that  the  means  are  violent  and  wrongful,  will  the 
end  be  successful  ?" 

"  The  end  will  be  death,"  replied  the  corpse. 

"  To  the  tyrant — to  the  oppressors  ?"  demanded  Fawkes. 

"  To  the  conspirators,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Hal"  ejaculated  Fawkes. 

"  Proceed,  if  you  have  aught  more  to  ask,"  cried  Dr.  Dee. 
"  The  flame  is  expiring." 

"  Shall  we  restore  the  fallen  religion  ?"  demanded  Fawkes. 

But  before  the  words  could  be  pronounced  the  light  vanished, 
and  a  heavy  sound  was  heard,  as  of  the  body  falling  on  the  frame. 

"  It  is  over,"  said  Doctor  Dee. 

"  Can  you  not  summon  her  again  ?"  asked  Fawkes,  in  a  tone 
of  deep  disappointment.  "  I  had  other  questions  to  ask." 

" Impossible,"  replied  the  Doctor.  "The  spirit  is  fled,  and 
will  not  be  recalled.  We  must  now  commit  the  body  to  the 
earth.  And  this  time  it  shall  be  more  decently  interred." 

"My  curiosity  is  excited, — not  satisfied,"  said  Guy  Fawkes. 
"  Would  it  were  to  occur  again  I" 

"  It  is  ever  thus,"  replied  Doctor  Dee.  "  We  seek  to  know 
that  which  is  interdicted, — and  quench  our  thirst  at  a  fountain 
that  only  inflames  our  curiosity  the  more.  Be  warned,  my  son. 
You  are  embarked  on  a  perilous  enterprise,  and  if  you  pursue  it, 
it  will  lead  you  to  certain  destruction." 


56  GUY  FAWKES. 

"I  cannot  retreat,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  "and  would  not,  if  I 
could.  I  am  bound  by  an  oath  too  terrible  to  be  broken." 

"  I  will  absolve  you  of  your  oath,  my  son,"  said  Dr.  Dee, 
eagerly. 

"  \  ou  cannot,  reverend  sir,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  By  no  so 
phistry  could  I  clear  my  conscience  of  the  ties  imposed  upon 
it.  I  have  sworn  never  to  desist  from  the  execution  of  this 
scheme,  unless  those  engaged  in  it  shall  give  me  leave.  Nay, 
so  resolved  am  I,  that  if  I  stood  alone  I  would  go  on." 

As  he  spoke,  a  deep  groan  issued  from  the  corpse. 

"  You  are  again  warned,  my  son,"  said  Dee. 

"  Come  forth,"  said  Guy  Fawkes,  rushing  towards  the  door, 
and  throwing  it  open.  "  This  place  stifles  me." 

The  night  has  already  been  described  as  bright  and  beautiful. 
Before  him  stood  the  Collegiate  Church  bathed  in  moonlight. 
He  gazed  abstractedly  at  this  venerable  structure  for  a  few 
moments,  and  then  returned  to  the  c'harnel,  where  he  found 
Doctor  Dee  and  Kelley  employed  in  placing  the  body  of  the  pro 
phetess  in  a  coffin,  which  they  had  taken  from  a  pile  in  the 
corner.  He  immediately  proffered  his  assistance,  and  in  a  short 
space  the  task  was  completed.  The  coffin  was  then  borne 
towards  the  grave,  at  the  edge  of  which  it  was  laid  while  the 
burial-service  was  recited  by  Doctor  Dee.  This  ended,  it  was 
lowered  into  its  shallow  resting-place,  and  speedily  covered  with 
earth. 

When  all  was  ready  for  their  departure,  the  Doctor  turned  to 
Fawkes,  and,  bidding  him  farewell,  observed, 

"  If  you  are  wise,  my  son,  you  will  profit  by  the  awful  warn 
ing  you  have  this  night  received." 

**  Before  we  part,  reverend  sir,"  replied  Fawkes,  "  I  would  ask 
if  you  know  of  other  means  whereby  an  insight  may  be  obtained 
into  the  future  ?" 

"  Many,  my  son,"  replied  Dee.  "  I  have  a  magic  glass,  in 
which,  with  due  preparation,  you  may  behold  exact  representa 
tions  of  coming  events.  I  am  now  returning  to  the  College,  and 
if  you  will  accompany  me,  I  will  show  it  to  you." 

The  offer  was  eagerly  accepted,  and  the  party  quitted  the 
churchyard. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE    MAGIC    GLASS. 


THE  old  College  of  Manchester  occupied,  as  is  well  known,  the 
site  of  the  existing  structure,  called  after  the  benevolent  indivi 
dual  by  whom  that  admirable  charity  was  founded,  and  whom  we 
have  ventured  to  introduce  in  this  history, — the  Chetham  Hos- 


THE  MAGIC  GLASS.  57 

pital.  Much,  indeed,  of  the  ancient  building  remains;  for 
though  it  was  considerably  repaired  and  enlarged,  being  "  very 
ruinous  and  in  great  decay,"  at  the  time  of  its  purchase  in  1654, 
by  the  feoffees  under  Humphrey  Chetharn's  will,  from  the  seques- 
trators  of  the  Earl  of  Derby's  estates,  still  the  general  character  of 
the  fabric  has  been  preserved,  and  several  of  its  chambers 
retained.  Originally  built  on  the  foundation  of  a  manor-house 
denominated  The  Baron's  Hall, — the  abode  of  the  Grelleys  and 
the  De  la  Warrs,  lords  of  Manchester, — the  College  continued 
to  be  used  as  the  residence  of  the  warden  and  fellows  of  the  Col 
legiate  Church  until  the  reign  of  Edward  the  First,  when  that 
body  was  dissolved.  On  the  accession,  however,  of  Mary,  the 
College  was  re-established ;  but  the  residence  of  the  ecclesiastical 
body  being  removed  to  a  house  in  Deansgate,  the  building  was 
allowed  to  become  extremely  dilapidated,  and  was  used  partly  as 
a  prison  for  recusants  and  other  offenders,  and  partly  as  a  maga 
zine  for  powder.  In  this  state  Dr.  Dee  found  it  when  he  suc 
ceeded  to  the  wardenship  in  1595,  and  preferring  it,  notwith 
standing  its  ruinous  condition,  to  the  house  appointed  for  him 
elsewhere,  took  up  his  abode  within  it. 

Situated  on  a  high  rock,  overhanging  the  river  Irk — at  that 
time  a  clear  stream,  remarkable  for  the  excellence  of  its  fish, — 
and  constructed  entirely  of  stone,  the  old  College  had  then,  and 
still  has  to  a  certain  extent,  a  venerable  and  monastic  appear 
ance.  During  Dee's  occupation  of  it,  it  became  a  sort  of  weird 
abode  in  the  eyes  of  the  vulgar,  and  many  a  timorous  look  was 
cast  at  it  by  those  who  walked  at  eventide  on  the  opposite  bank 
of  the  Irk.  Sometimes  the  curiosity  of  the  watchers  was  re 
warded  by  beholding  a  few  sparks  issue  from  the  chimney,  and 
now  and  then,  the  red  reflection  of  a  fire  might  be  discerned 
through  the  window.  But  generally  nothing  could  be  perceived, 
and  the  building  seemed  as  dark  and  mysterious  as  its  occupant. 

One  night,  however,  a  loud  explosion  took  place, — so  loud, 
indeed,  that  it  shook  the  whole  pile  to  its  foundation,  dislodged 
one  or  two  of  the  chimneys,  and  overthrew  an  old  wall,  the 
stones  of  which  rolled  into  the  river  beneath.  Alarmed  by  the 
concussion,  the  inhabitants  of  Hunt's  Bank  rushed  forth,  and 
saw,  to  their  great  alarm,  that  the  wing  of  the  college  occupied 
by  Doctor  Dee  was  in  flames.  Though  many  of  them  attri 
buted  the  circumstance  to  supernatural  agency,  and  were  fully 
persuaded  that  the  enemy  of  mankind  was  at  that  instant 
bearing  off  the  conjuror  and  his  assistant,  and  refused  to  inter 
fere  to  stop  the  conflagration,  others,  more  humane  and  less 
superstitious,  hastened  to  lend  their  aid  to  extinguish  the  flames. 
On  reaching  the  College,  they  could  scarcely  credit  their  senses 
on  finding  that  there  was  no  appearance  of  fire ;  and  they  were 
met  by  the  Doctor  and  his  companion  at  the  gates,  who  in 
formed  them  that  their  presence  was  unnecessary,  as  all  danger 


58  GUY   FAWKES. 

v?as  over.  From  that  night  Doctor  Dee's  reputation  as  a  wizard 
was  firmly  established. 

At  the  period  of  this  history,  Doctor  Dee  was  fast  verging 
on  eighty,  having  passed  a  long  life  in  severe  and  abstruse  study. 
He  had  travelled  much,  had  visited  most  of  the  foreign  courts, 
where  he  was  generally  well  received,  and  was  profoundly  versed 
in  mathematics,  astronomy,  the  then  popular  science  of  judicial 
astrology,  and  other  occult  learning.  So  accurate  were  his 
calculations  esteemed,  that  he  was  universally  consulted  as  an 
oracle.  For  some  time,  he  resided  in  Germany,  where  he  was 
invited  by  the  Emperor  Charles  the  Fifth,  and  retained  by  his 
brother  and  successor,  Ferdinando.  He  next  went  to  Louvain, 
where  his  reputation  had  preceded  him ;  and  from  thence  to 
Paris,  where  he  lectured  at  the  schools  on  geometry,  and  was 
offered  a  professorship  of  the  university,  but  declined  it.  On 
his  return  to  England  in  1551,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  in 
structors  of  the  youthful  monarch,  Edward  the  Sixth,  who 
presented  him  with  an  annual  pension  of  a  hundred  marks. 
This  he  was  permitted  to  commute  for  the  rectory  of  Upton- 
upon-Severn,  which  he  retained  until  the  accession  of  Mary, 
when  being  charged  with  devising  her  Majesty's  destruction  by 
enchantments, — certain  waxen  images  of  the  Queen  having  been 
found  within  his  abode, — he  was  thrown  into  prison,  rigorously 
treated,  and  kept  in  durance  for  a  long  period.  At  length, 
from  want  of  sufficient  proof  against  him,  he  was  liberated. 

Dee  shared  the  common  fate  of  all  astrologers:  he  was 
alternately  honoured  and  disgraced.  His  next  patron  was  Lord 
Robert  Dudley  (afterwards  the  celebrated  Earl  of  Leicester), 
who,  it  is  well-known,  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  superstitious 
arts  to  which  Dee  was  addicted,  and  by  whom  he  was  employed, 
on  the  accession  of  Elizabeth,  to  erect  a  scheme  to  ascertain  the 
best  day  for  her  coronation.  His  prediction  was  so  fortunate 
that  it  procured  him  the  favour  of  the  Queen,  from  whom  he  re 
ceived  many  marks  of  regard.  As  it  is  not  needful  to  follow  him 
through  his  various  wanderings,  it  may  be  sufficient  to  mention, 
that  in  1564  he  proceeded  to  Germany  on  a  visit  to  the  Emperor 
Maximilian,  to  whom  he  dedicated  his  "  Monas  HierogtypJdca  ;" 
that  in  1571  he  fell  grievously  sick  in  Lorrain,  whither  two 
physicians  were  despatched  to  his  aid  by  Elizabeth ;  and  that  on 
his  recovery  he  returned  to  his  own  country,  and  retired  to 
Mortlake,  where  he  gathered  together  a  vast  library,  comprising 
the  rarest  and  most  curious  works  on  all  sciences,  together  with 
a  large  collection  of  manuscripts. 

While  thus  living  in  retirement,  he  was  sought  out  by  Edward 
Kelley,  a  native  of  Worcestershire,  who  represented  himself  as 
in  possession  of  an  old  book  of  magic,  containing  forms  of  invo 
cation,  by  which  spirits  might  be  summoned  and  controlled,  as 
well  as  &  ball  of  ivory,  found  in  the  tomb  of  a  bishop  who  had 


THE  MAGIC  GLASS.  59 

made  great  progress  in  hermetic  philosophy,  which  was  filled 
with  the  powder  of  projection.  These  treasures  Kellcy  offered 
to  place  in  the  hands  of  the  Doctor  on  certain  conditions,  which 
were  immediately  acquiesced  in,  and  thenceforth  Kelley  became 
a  constant  inmate  in  his  house,  and  an  assistant  in  all  his  practices. 
Shortly  afterwards,  they  were  joined  by  a  Polish  nobleman, 
Albert  de  Laski,  Palatine  of  Suabia,  whom  they  accompanied  to 
Prague,  at  the  instance  of  the  Emperor  Rodolph  the  Second, 
who  desired  to  be  initiated  into  their  mysteries.  Their  reception 
at  this  court  was  not  such  as  to  induce  a  long  sojourn  at  it ;  and 
Dee  having  been  warned  by  his  familiar  spirits  to  sell  his  effects 
and  depart,  complied  with  the  intimation,  and  removed  to  Poland. 
The  same  fate  attended  him  here.  The  nuncio  of  the  Pope  de 
nounced  him  as  a  sorcerer,  and  demanded  that  he  should  be 
delivered  up  to  the  Inquisition.  This  was  refused  by  the 
monarch ;  but  Dee  and  his  companion  were  banished  from  his 
dominions,  and  compelled  to  fly  to  Bohemia,  where  they  took 
refuge  in  the  castle  of  Trebona,  belonging  to  Count  Rosenberg. 
Shortly  afterwards,  Dee  and  Kelley  separated,  the  magical  instru 
ments  being  delivered  to  the  former,  who  bent  his  course  home 
wards  ;  and  on  his  arrival  in  London  was  warmly  welcomed  by 
the  Queen.  During  his  absence,  his  house  at  Mortlake  had 
been  broken  open  by  the  populace,  under  the  pretence  of  its 
being  the  abode  of  a  wizard,  and  rifled  of  its  valuable  library 
and  manuscripts, — a  loss  severely  felt  by  its  owner.  Some  years 
were  now  passed  by  Dee  in  great  destitution,  during  which  he 
prosecuted  his  studies  with  the  same  ardour  as  before,  until  at 
length  in  1595,  when  he  was  turned  seventy,  fortune  again 
smiled  upon  him,  and  he  was  appointed  to  the  wardenship  of 
the  College  at  Manchester,  whither  he  repaired,  and  was 
installed  in  great  pomp. 

But  his  residence  in  this  place  was  not  destined  to  be  a 
tranquil  one.  His  reputation  as  a  dealer  in  the  black  art  had 
preceded  him,  and  rendered  him  obnoxious  to  the  clergy,  with 
whom  he  had  constant  disputes,  and  a  feud  subsisted  between 
him  and  the  fellows  of  his  church.  It  has  already  been 
mentioned  that  he  refused  to  occupy  the  house  allotted  him, 
but  preferred  taking  up  his  quarters  in  the  old  dilapidated 
College.  Various  reasons  were  assigned  by  his  enemies  for  this 
singular  choice  of  abode.  They  affirmed — and  with  some  rea 
son — that  he  selected  it  because  he  desired  to  elude  observation, 
— and  that  his  mode  of  life,  sufficiently  improper  in  a  layman, 
was  altogether  indecorous  in  an  ecclesiastic.  By  the  common 
people  he  was  universally  regarded  as  a  conjuror — and  many  at 
first  came  to  consult  him ;  but  he  peremptorily  dismissed  all 
such  applicants ;  and,  when  seven  females,  supposed  to  bo 
possessed,  were  brought  to  him  that  he  might  exercise  his  power 
over  the  evil  spirits,  he  refused  to  interfere.  He  also  publicly 


60  GUY  FAWKES. 

examined  and  rebuked  a  juggler,  named  Hartley,  who  pre 
tended  to  magical  knowledge.  But  these  things  did  not  blind 
his  enemies,  who  continued  to  harass  him  to  such  a  degree, 
that  he  addressed  a  petition  to  James  the  First,  entreating  to  be 
brought  to  trial,  when  the  accusations  preferred  against  him 
might  be  fully  investigated,  and  his  character  cleared.  The 
application,  and  another  to  the  like  effect  addressed  to  parlia 
ment,  were  disregarded.  Dee  had  not  been  long  established  in 
Manchester  when  he  was  secretly  joined  by  Kelley,  and  they 
recommenced  their  search  after  the  grand  secret, — passing  the 
nights  in  making  various  alchymical  experiments,  or  in  fancied 
conferences  with  invisible  beings. 

Among  other  magical  articles  possessed  by  Doctor  Dee  was  a 
large  globe  of  crystal,  which  he  termed  the  Holy  Stone,  because 
he  believed  it  had  been  brought  him  by  "  angelical  ministry  ;" 
and  "  in  which,"  according  to  Meric  Casaubon,  "  and  out  of 
which,  by  persons  qualified  for  it,  and  admitted  to  the  sight  of 
it,  all  shapes  and  figures  mentioned  in  every  action  were  seen, 
and  voices  heard."  The  same  writer  informs  us  it  was  "  round- 
shaped,  of  a  pretty  bigness,  and  most  like  unto  crystal."  Dee 
himself  declared  to  the  Emperor  Rodolph,  "  that  the  spirits  had 
brought  him  a  stone  of  that  value  that  no  earthly  kingdom  was 
of  such  worthiness  as  to  be  compared  to  the  virtue  and  dignity 
thereof."  He  was  in  the  habit  of  daily  consulting  this  marvel 
lous  stone,  and  recording  the  visions  he  saw  therein,  and  the 
conferences  he  held  through  it  with  the  invisible  world. 

Followed  by  Guy  Fawkes  and  Kelley,  the  Doctor  took  his 
way  down  Long  Mill  Gate,  and  stopping  at  an  arched  gateway 
on  the  left,  near  which,  on  the  site  of  the  modern  structure, 
stood  the  public  school,  founded  a  century  before  by  Hugh  Old- 
ham,  Bishop  of  Exeter, — he  unlocked  a  small  wicket,  and  entered 
.a  spacious  court,  surrounded  on  one  side  by  high  stone  walls,  and 
on  the  other  by  a  wing  of  the  College. 

Conducting  his  guest  to  the  principal  entrance  of  the  building, 
which  lay  at  the  farther  end  of  the  court,  Doctor  Dee  ushered 
him  into  a  large  chamber,  panelled  with  oak,  and  having  a 
curiously-moulded  ceiling,  ornamented  with  grotesque  sculpture. 
This  room,  still  in  existence,  and  now  occupied  by  the  master  of 
the  school,  formed  Doctor  Dee's  library.  Offering  Fawkes  a 
chair,  the  Doctor  informed  him  that  when  all  was  ready,  Kelley 
should  summon  him,  and,  accompanied  by  his  assistant,  he  with 
drew.  Half  an  hour  elapsed  before  Kelley  returned.  Motion 
ing  Guy  Fawkes  to  follow  him,  he  led  the  way  through  several 
intricate  passages  to  a  chamber  which  was  evidently  the  magi 
cian's  sacred  retreat.  In  a  recess  on  one  side  stood  a  table, 
covered  with  cabalistic  characters  and  figures,  referring  to  the 
celestial  influences.  On  it  was  placed  the  holy  stone,  diffusing 
such  a  glistening  radiance  as  is  emitted  by  the  pebble  called 


THE  MAGIC  GLASS.  61 

cat's-eye.  On  the  floor  a  wide  circle  was  described,  in  the  rings 
of  which  magical  characters,  resembling  those  on  the  table,  were 
traced.  In  front  stood  a  brasier,  filled  with  flaming  coals  ;  and 
before  it  hung  a  heavy  black  curtain,  appearing  to  shroud  some 
mystery  from  view. 

Desiring  Favvkes  to  place  himself  in  the  centre  of  the  circle, 
Doctor  Dee  took  several  ingredients  from  a  basket  handed  him 
by  Kelley,  and  cast  them  into  the  brasier.  As  each  herb  or 
gum  was  ignited,  the  flame  changed  its  colour ;  now  becoming 
crimson,  now  green,  now  blue,  while  fragrant  or  noxious  odours 
loaded  the  atmosphere.  These  suffumigations  ended,  De^ 
seated  himself  on  a  chair  near  the  table,  whither  he  was 
followed  by  Kelley,  and  commanding  Fawkes  not  to  move  a 
footstep,  as  he  valued  his  safety,  he  waved  his  wand,  and  began 
in  a  solemn  tone  to  utter  an  invocation.  As  he  continued,  a 
hollow  noise  was  heard  overhead,  which  gradually  increased  in 
loudness,  until  it  appeared  as  if  the  walls  were  tumbling  about 
their  ears. 

"  The  spirits  are  at  hand  1"  cried  Dee.  "Do  not  look  behind 
you,  or  they  will  tear  you  in  pieces." 

As  he  spoke,  a  horrible  din  was  heard,  as  of  mingled  howling, 
shrieking,  and  laughter.  It  was  succeeded  by  a  low  faint  strain 
of  music,  which  gradually  died  away,  and  then  all  was  silent. 

"  All  is  prepared,"  cried  Dee.  "  Now,  what  would  you 
behold?" 

"  The  progress  of  the  great  enterprise,"  replied  Fawkes. 

Doctor  Dee  waved  his  wand.  The  curtains  slowly  unfolded, 
and  Guy  Fawkes  perceived  as  in  a  glass  a  group  of  dark  figures; 
amongst  which  he  noticed  one  in  all  respects  resembling  himself. 
A  priest  was  apparently  proposing  an  oath,  which  the  others 
were  tittering. 

"  Do  you  recognise  them  ?"  said  Doctor  Dee. 

"  Perfectly,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"Look  again,"  said  Dee. 

As  he  spoke  the  figures  melted  away,  and  a  new  scene  was 
presented  on  the  glass.  It  was  a  gloomy  vault,  filled  with  barrels, 
partly  covered  with  fagots  and  billets  of  wood. 

"  Have  you  seen  enough  ?"  demanded  Dee. 

"  No,"  replied  Fawkes,  firmly.  "  I  have  seen  what  is  past.  I 
would  behold  that  which  is  to  come." 

"  Look  again,  then,"  rejoined  the  Doctor,  waving  his  wand. 

For  an  instant  the  glass  was  darkened,  and  nothing  could  be 
discerned  except  the  lurid  flame  and  thick  smoke  arising  from 
the  brasier.  The  next  moment,  an  icy  chill  shot  through  the 
frame  of  Guy  Fawkes  as  he  beheld  a  throng  of  skeletons 
arranged  before  him.  The  bony  fingers  of  the  foremost  of  the 
grisly  assemblage  were  pointed  towards  an  indistinct  object  at 
its  feet.  As  this  object  gradually  became  more  defined,  Guy 


«2  GUY  FAWKES. 

Fawkes  perceived  that  it  was  a  figure  resembling  himself, 
stretched  upon  the  wheel,  and  writhing  in  the  agonies  ot 
torture. 

He  uttered  an  exclamation  of  terror,  and  the  curtains  were 
instantly  closed. 

Half  an  hour  afterwards,  Guy  Fawkes  quitted  the  College, 
and  returned  to  the  Seven  Stars. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  PRISON  ON  SALFORD  BRIDGE. 

ON  the  following  morning,  Guy  Fawkes  had  a  long  and  private 
conference  with  Father  Oldcorne.  The  priest  appeared  greatly 
troubled  by  the  communication  made  to  him,  but  he  said 
nothing,  and  was  for  some  time  lost  in  reflection,  and  evidently 
weighing  within  himself  what  course  it  would  be  best  to  pursue. 
His  uneasiness  was  not  without  effect  on  Viviana  Radcliffe,  and 
she  ventured  at  last  to  inquire  whether  he  apprehended  any  new 
danger. 

"  I  scarcely  know  what  I  apprehend,  dear  daughter,"  he 
answered.  "  But  circumstances  have  occurred  which  render  it 
impossible  we  can  remain  longer  in  our  present  asylum  with 
safety.  We  must  quit  it  at  nightfall." 

"  Is  our  retreat  then  discovered  ?"  inquired  Viviana,  in  alarm. 

"  Not  as  yet,  I  trust,"  replied  Oldcorne ;  "  but  I  have  just 
ascertained  from  a  messenger  that  the  pursuivant,  who,  we 
thought,  had  departed  for  Chester,  is  still  lingering  within  the 
town.  He  has  offered  a  large  reward  for  my  apprehension,  and 
having  traced  us  to  Manchester,  declares  he  will  leave  no  house 
unsearched  till  he  finds  us.  He  has  got  together  a  fresh  band 
of  soldiers,  and  is  now  visiting  every  place  he  thinks  likely  to 
afford  us  shelter." 

"  If  this  is  the  case,"  rejoined  Viviana,  "  why  remain  here  a 
single  moment  ?  Let  us  fly  at  once." 

"  That  would  avail  nothing, — or  rather,  it  would  expose  us  to 
fresh  risk,  dear  daughter,"  replied  Oldcorne.  "  Every  approach 
to  the  town  is  guarded,  and  soldiers  are  posted  at  the  corners  of 
the  streets,  who  stop  and  examine  each  suspected  person." 

"  Heaven  protect  us  1"  exclaimed  Viviana. 

"  But  this  is  not  all,"  continued  the  priest.  "  By  some  inex 
plicable  and  mysterious  means,  the  designs  of  certain  of  the  most 
assured  friends  of  the  catholic  cause  have  come  to  the  knowledge 
of  our  enemies,  and  the  lives  and  safeties  of  many  worthy  me* 
will  be  endangered  :  amongst  others,  that  of  your  father." 

"  You  terrify  me  !"  cried  Viviana. 


THE   PRISON   ON  SALFORD   BRIDGE.  63 

"  The  rack  shall  force  nothing  from  me,  father,"  said  Fa-A'lies, 
^jternly. 

"  Nor  from  me,  my  son,"  rejoined  Oldcorne.  "  I  have  that 
within  me  which  will  enable  me  to  sustain  the  bitterest  agonies 
that  the  persecutors  of  our  Church  can  inflict." 

"  Nor  shall  it  force  aught  from  me,"  added  Viviana.  "  For, 
though  you  have  trusted  me  with  nothing  that  can  implicate 
others,  I  plainly  perceive  some  plot  is  in  agitation  for  the  restora 
tion  of  our  religion,  and  I  more  than  suspect  Mr.  Catesby  is 
its  chief  contriver." 

"  Daughter  I"  exclaimed  Oldcorne,  uneasily. 

"  Fear  nothing,  father,"  she  rejoined.  "  As  I  have  said,  the 
rack  shall  not  force  me  to  betray  you.  Neither  should  it  keep 
me  silent  when  I  feel  that  my  counsel — such  as  it  is — may 
avail  you.  The  course  you  are  pursuing  is  a  dangerous  and 
fatal  one ;  dangerous  to  yourselves,  and  fatal  to  the  cause  you 
would  serve.  Do  not  deceive  yourselves.  You  are  struggling 
hopelessly  and  unrighteously,  and  Heaven  will  never  assist  an 
undertaking  which  has  its  aim  in  the  terrible  waste  of  life  you 
meditate." 

Father  Oldcorne  made  no  reply,  but  walked  apart  with  Guy 
Fawkes  ;  and  Viviana  abandoned  herself  to  sorrowful  reflection. 

Shortly  after  this,  the  door  was  suddenly  thrown  open,  and 
Humphrey  Chetham  rushed  into  the  room.  His  looks  were  full 
of  apprehension,  and  Viviana  was  at  no  loss  to  perceive  that 
some  calamity  was  at  hand. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?"  she  cried,  rising. 

"  The  pursuivant  and  his  men  are  below,"  he  replied.  "  They 
are  interrogating  the  hostess,  and  are  about  to  search  the  house. 
I  managed  to  pass  them  unperceived." 

"  We  will  resist  them  to  the  last,"  said  Guy  Fawkes,  drawing 
a  petronel. 

"  Resistance  will  be  in  vain,"  rejoined  Humphrey  Chetham. 
"  They  more  than  treble  our  number. 

"  Is  there  no  means  of  escape  ?"  asked  Viviana. 

"  None  whatever,"  replied  Chetham.  "  I  hear  them  on  the 
stairs.  The  terrified  hostess  has  not  dared  to  deny  you,  and  is 
conducting  them  hither." 

"  Stand  back  !"  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  striding  towards  the  door, 
"  and  let  me  alone  confront  them.  That  accursed  pursuivant 
has  escaped  me  once.  But  he  shall  not  do  so  a  second  time." 

"  My  son,"  said  Oldcorne,  advancing  towards  him ;  "  preserve 
yourself,  if  possible.  Your  life  is  of  consequence  to  the  great 
cause.  Think  not  of  us — think  not  of  revenging  yourself  upon 
this  caitiff.  But  think  of  the  high  destiny  for  which  you  are 
reserved.  That  window  offers  a  means  of  retreat.  Avail  your 
self  of  it.  Fly  !— Fly  1" 

"Ay,  fly  !"  repeated  Viviana.     "  And  you,  Humphrey  Chet- 


64  GUY   FAWKES. 

ham, — your  presence  here  can  do  no  good.  Quick  I — they 
come  P 

"  Nothing  should  induce  me  to  quit  you  at  such  a  moment, 
Viviana,"  replied  Chetham,  "  but  the  conviction  that  1  may  be 
able  to  liberate  you,  should  these  miscreants  convey  you  to 
prison." 

«  Fly  1 — fly,  my  son,"  cried  Oldcorne.  "  They  are  at  the 
door." 

Thus  urged,  Guy  Fawkes  reluctantly  yielded  to  Oldcorne's 
entreaties  and  sprang  through  the  window.  He  was  followed  by 
Chetham.  Viviana  darted  to  the  casement,  and  saw  that  they 
had  alighted  in  safety  on  the  ground,  and  were  flying  swiftly  up 
Shude  Hill.  Meanwhile,  the  pursuivant  had  reached  the  door, 
which  Chetham  had  taken  the  precaution  to  fasten,  and  was 
trying  to  burst  it  open.  The  bolts  offered  but  a  feeble  resist 
ance  to  his  fury,  and  the  next  moment  fre  dashed  into  the  room, 
at  the  head  of  a  band  of  soldiers. 

"  Seize  them  1"  he  cried.  "  Ha  I"  he  added,  glancing  round 
the  room  with  a  look  of  disappointment,  "  where  are  the  others  ? 
Where  is  the  soldier  in  the  Spanish  garb  ?  Where  is  Humphrey 
Chetham  ?  Confess  at  once,  dog  1"  he  continued,  seizing  the 
priest  by  the  throat,  "or  I  will  pluck  the  secret  from  your 
breast." 

"  Do  not  harm  him,"  interposed  Viviana.  "  I  will  answer  the 
question.  They  are  fled." 

"  Fled  1"  echoed  the  pursuivant  in  consternation.     "  How  ?" 

"  Through  that  window,"  replied  Viviana. 

"After  them  1"  cried  the  pursuivant  to  some  of  his  attendants. 
"  Take  the  soldier,  dead  or  alive  I  And  now,"  he  continued,  as 
his  orders  were  obeyed,  "  you,  Father  Oldcorne,  Jesuit  and 
traitor ;  and  you,  Viviana  Radcliffe,  his  shelterer  and  abettor,  I 
shall  convey  you  both  to  the  prison  on  Salford  Bridge.  Seize 
them,  and  bring  them  along." 

"  Touch  me  not,"  rejoined  Viviana,  pushing  the  men  aside, 
who  rudely  advanced  to  obey  their  leader's  command.  "  You 
have  no  warrant  for  this  brutality.  I  am  ready  to  attend  you. 
Take  rny  arm,  father." 

Abashed  at  this  reproof,  the  pursuivant  stalked  oat  of  the 
room.  Surrounded  by  the  soldiers,  Viviana  and  the  priest 
followed.  The  sad  procession  was  attended  by  crowds  to  the 
very  door  of  the  prison,  where,  by  the  pursuivant's  commands, 
they  were  locked  in  separate  cells. 

The  cell  in  which  Viviana  was  confined  was  a  small  chamber 
at  the  back  of  the  prison,  and  on  the  upper  story.  It  had  a 
small  grated  window  overlooking  the  river.  It  has  already  been 
mentioned  that  this  prison  was  originally  a  chapel  built  in  the 
reign  of  Edvvard  the  Third,  and  had  only  recently  been  con 
verted  into  a  place  of  security  for  recusants.  The  chamber  allotted 


THE    PRISON    ON   SALFORD   BRIDGE.  65 

to  Viviana  was  contrived  in  the  roof,  and  was  so  low  that  she 
could  scarcely  stand  upright  in  it.  It  was  furnished  with  a  chair, 
a  small  table,  and  a  straw  pallet. 

The  hours  passed  wearily  with  Yiviana  as  they  were  marked 
by  the  deep-toned  clock  of  the  Collegiate  Church,  the  tall  tower 
of  which  fronted  her  window.  Oppressed  by  the  most  melan 
choly  reflections,  she  was  for  some  time  a  prey  almost  to  despair. 
On  whatever  side  she  looked,  the  prospect  was  equally  cheerless, 
and  her  sole  desire  was  that  she  might  find  a  refuge  from  her 
cares  in  the  seclusion  of  a  convent.  For  this  she  prayed, — and 
she  prayed  also  that  Heaven  would  soften  the  hearts  of  her 
oppressors,  and  enable  those  who  suffered  to  endure  their  yoke 
with  patience.  In  the  evening  provisions  were  brought  her,  and 
placed  upon  the  table,  together  with  a  lamp,  by  a  surly  looking 
gaoler.  But  Viviana  had  no  inclination  to  eat,  and  left  them 
untouched.  Neither  could  she  prevail  upon  herself  to  lie  down 
on  the  wretched  pallet,  and  she  therefore  determined  to  pass  the 
night  in  the  chair. 

After  some  hours  of  watchfulness,  her  eyelids  closed,  and  she 
continued  to  slumber  until  she  was  aroused  by  a  slight  noise  at 
the  window.  Starting  at  the  sound,  she  fle  wtowards  it,  and  per 
ceived  in  the  gloom  the  face  of  a  man.  She  would  have  uttered 
a  loud  cry,  when  the  circumstances  of  her  situation  rushed  to 
her  mind,  and  the  possibility  that  it  might  be  a  friend  checked 
her.  The  next  moment  satisfied  her  that  she  had  acted  rightly. 
A  voice,  which  she  recognised  as  that  of  Humphrey  Chetham, 
called  to  her  by  name  in  a  low  tone,  bidding  her  fear  nothing,  as 
he  was  come  to  set  her  free. 

"  How  have  you  managed  to  reach  this  window  ?  "  asked 
Viviana. 

"By  a  rope  ladder,"  he  answered.  " I  contrived  in  the  dark 
ness  to  clamber  upon  the  roof  of  the  prison  from  the  parapets 
of  the  bridge,  and,  after  securing  the  ladder  to  a  projection, 
dropped  the  other  end  into  a  boat,  rowed  by  Guy  Fawkes, 
and  concealed  beneath  the  arches  of  the  bridge.  If  I  can 
remove  this  bar  so  as  to  allow  you  to  pass  through  the  window, 
dare  you  descend  the  ladder  ?  " 

"  No,"  replied  Viviana,  shuddering.  "  My  brain  reels  at 
the  mere  idea." 

"Think  of  the  fate  you  will  escape,"  urged  Chetham. 

"  And  what  will  become  of  Father  Oldcorne  ?  "  asked 
Viviana.  "  Where  is  he  ?  " 

"  In  the  cell  immediately  beneath  you,"  replied  Chetham. 

"  Can  you  not  liberate  him  ?  "  she  continued. 

"  Assuredly,  if  he  will  risk  the  descent,"  answered  Chetham, 
reluctantly. 

"  Free  him  first,"  rejoined  Viviana,  "  and  at  all  hazards  I 
will  accompany  you." 

F 


66  GUY  FAWKES. 

The  young  merchant  made  no  reply,  but  disappeared  from  the 
window.  Viviana  strained  her  gaze  downwards ;  but  it  was  too 
dark  to  allow  her  to  see  anything.  She,  however,  heard  a  noise 
like  that  occasioned  by  a  file ;  and  shortly  afterwards  a  few 
muttered  words  informed  her  that  the  priest  was  passing  through 
the  window.  The  cords  of  the  ladder  shook  against  the  bars  of 
her  window, — and  she  held  her  breath  for  fear.  From  this  state 
of  suspense  she  was  relieved  in  a  few  minutes  by  Humphrey 
Chetham,  who  informed  her  that  Oldcorne  had  descended  in 
safetv,  and  was  in  the  boat  with  Guy  Fawkes. 

"  1  will  fulfil  my  promise,"  replied  Viviana,  trembling ;  "  but 
I  fear  my  strength  will  fail  me." 

"  You  had  better  find  death  below  than  tarry  here,"  replied 
Humphrey  Chetham,  who  as  he  spoke  was  rapidly  filing  through 
the  iron  bar.  "  In  a  few  minutes  this  impediment  will  be  re 
moved." 

The  young  merchant  worked  hard,  and  in  a  short  time  the 
stout  bar  yielded  to  his  efforts. 

"  Now,  then,"  he  cried,  springing  into  the  room,  "  you  are  free." 

"  i  dare  not  make  the  attempt,"  said  Viviana ;  "  my  strength 
utterly  fails  me." 

"  Nay,  then,"  he  replied ;  "  I  will  take  the  risk  upon  mysel£ 
You  must  not  remain  here." 

So  saying,  he  caught  her  in  his  arms,  and  bore  her  through 
the  window. 

With  some  difficulty,  and  no  little  risk,  he  succeeded  in  gaining 
a  footing  on  the  ladder.  This  accomplished,  he  began  slowly  to 
descend.  When  half  way  down,  he  found  he  had  overrated  his 
strength,  and  he  feared  he  should  be  compelled  to  quit  his  hold  ; 
but,  nerved  by  his  passion,  he  held  on,  and  making  a  desperate 
effort, completed  the  descent  in  safety. 


CHAPTER   X. 

THE  FATE  OF  THE  PURSUIVANT. 

ASSISTED  by  the  stream,  and  plying  his  oars  with  great  rapidity, 
Guy  Fawkes  soon  left  the  town  far  behind  him;  nor  did  he 
relax  his  exertions  until  checked  by  Humphrey  Chetham.  He 
then  ceased  rowing,  and  directed  the  boats  towards  the  left  bank 
of  the  river. 

"  Here  we  propose  to  land,"  observed  the  young  merchant  to 
"Viviana.  "  We  are  not  more  than  a  hundred  yards  from  Ordsall 
Cave,  where  you  can  take  refuge  for  a  short  time,  while  I  pro 
ceed  to  the  Hall,  and  ascertain  whether  you  can  return  to  it 
with  safety." 


THE  PURSUIVANT.  67 

"I  place  myself  entirely  in  your  hands,"  she  replied:  "but  I 
fear  such  a  course  will  be  to  rush  into  the  very  face  of  danger. 
Oh !  that  I  could  join  my  father  at  Holywell  I  With  him  I 
should  feel  secure." 

"Means  may  be  found  to  effect  your  wishes,"  returned 
Humphrey  Chetham ;  "  but,  after  the  suffering  you  have  re 
cently  endured,  it  will  scarcely  be  prudent  to  undertake  so  long 
a  journey  without  a  few  hours'  repose.  To-morrow, — or  the 
next  day, — you  may  set  out." 

"  I  am  fully  equal  to  it  now,"  rejoined  Viviana,  eagerly ; 
"  and  any  fatigue  I  may  undergo  will  not  equal  my  present 
anxiety.  You  have  already  done  so  much  for  me,  that  I  venture 
to  presume  still  further  upon  your  kindness.  Provide  some 
means  of  conveyance  for  me  and  for  Father  Oldcorne  to  Chester, 
and  I  shall  for  ever  be  beholden  to  you." 

"  I  will  not  only  do  what  you  desire,  Viviana,  if  it  be 
possible,"  answered  Chetham ;  "  but,  if  you  will  allow  me, 
I  will  serve  as  your  escort." 

"  And  I,  also,"  added  Guy  Fawkes. 

"  All  I  fear  is,  that  your  strength  may  fail  you,"  continued  the 
young  merchant,  in  a  tone  of  uneasiness. 

"  Fear  nothing  then,"  replied  Viviana.  "  I  am  made  of 
firmer  material  than  you  imagine.  Think  only  of  what  you  can 
do,  and  doubt  not  my  ability  to  do  it,  also." 

"I  ever  deemed  you  of  a  courageous  nature,  daughter," 
observed  Oldcorne  ;  "  but  your  resolution  surpasses  my  belief." 

By  this  time  the  boat  had  approached  the  shore.  Leaping 
upon  the  rocky  bank,  the  young  merchant  assisted  Viviana  to 
land,  and  then  performed  the  same  service  for  the  priest.  Guy 
Fawkes  was  the  last  to  disembark  ;  and,  having  pulled  the  skiff 
aground,  he  followed  the  others,  who  waited  for  him  at  a  short 
distance.  The  night  was  profoundly  dark,  and  the  path  they 
had  taken,  being  shaded  by  large  trees,  was  scarcely  discernible. 
Carefully  guiding  Viviana,  who  leaned  on  him  for  support,  the 
young  merchant  proceeded  at  a  slow  pace,  and  with  the  utmost 
caution.  Suddenly,  they  were  surprised  and  alarmed  by  a  vivid 
blaze  of  light  bursting  through  the  trees  on  the  left. 

"  Some  building  must  be  on  fire  !"  exclaimed  Viviana. 

"It  is  Ordsall  Hall, — it  is  your  father's  residence,"  cried 
Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  It  is  the  work  of  that  accursed  pursuivant,  I  will  be  sworn/' 
said  Guy  Fawkes. 

"  If  it  be  so,  may  Heaven's  fire  consume  him  I"  rejoined 
Oldcorne. 

"  Alas  I  alas  !"  cried  Viviana,  bursting  into  tears,  "Ithought 
myself  equal  to  every  calamity ;  but  this  new  stroke  of  fate  is 
more  than  I  can  bear." 

As  she  spoke,  the  conflagration  evidently  increased.     The 


68  GUY   FAWKES. 

sky  was  illumined  by  the  red  reflection  of  the  flames ;  and  as 
the  party  hurried  forward  to  a  rising  ground,  whence  a  better 
view  could  be  obtained  of  the  spectacle,  they  saw  the  dark  walls 
of  the  ancient  mansion  apparently  wrapped  in  the  devouring 
element. 

"  Let  us  hasten  thither,"  cried  Viviana,  distractedly. 

"  I  and  Guy  Fawkes  will  fly  there,"  replied  the  young  mer 
chant,  "  and  render  all  the  assistance  in  our  power.  But,  first, 
let  me  convey  you  to  the  cave." 

More  dead  than  alive,  Viviana  suffered  herself  to  be  borne  in 
that  direction.  Making  his  way  over  every  impediment,  Chetham 
soon  reached  the  excavation  ;  and  depositing  his  lovely  burthen 
upon  the  stone  couch,  and  leaving  her  in  charge  of  the  priest,  he 
hurried  with  Guy  Fawkes  towards  the  Hall. 

On  arriving  at  the  termination  of  the  avenue,  they  found,  to 
their  great  relief,  that  it  was  not  the  main  structure,  but  an  out 
building  which  was  in  flames,  and  from  its  situation  the  young 
merchant  conceived  it  to  be  the  stables.  As  soon  as  they  made 
this  discovery,  they  slackened  their  pace,  being  apprehensive, 
from  the  shouts  and  other  sounds  that  reached  them,  that  some 
hostile  party  might  be  among  the  assemblage.  Crossing  the 
drawbridge — which  was  fortunately  lowered, — they  were  about 
to  shape  their  course  towards  the  stables,  which  lay  at  the 
further  side  of  the  Hall,  when  they  perceived  the  old  steward, 
Heydocke,  standing  at  the  doorway  and  wringing  his  hands  in 
distraction.  Humphrey  Chetham  immediately  called  to  him. 

"I  should  know  that  voice  1"  cried  the  old  man,  stepping 
forward.  "  Ah  !  Mr.  Chetham,  is  it  you?  You  are  arrived  at 
a  sad  time,  sir — a  sad  time — to  see  the  old  house,  where  I  have 
dwelt,  man  and  boy,  sixty  years  and  more,  in  flames.  But  one 
calamity  has  trodden  upon  the  heels  of  another.  Ever  since  Sir 
William  departed  for  Holywell  nothing  has  gone  right — nothing 
whatever.  First,  the  house  was  searched  by  the  pursuivant  and 
his  gang;  then,  my  young  mistress  disappeared  ;  then  it  was 
rifled  by  these  plunderers ;  and  now,  to  crown  all,  it  is  on  fire, 
and  will  speedily  be  burnt  to  the  ground." 

"  Say  not  so,"  replied  the  young  merchant.  "  The  flames  have 
not  yet  reached  the  Hall  ;  and,  if  exertion  is  used,  they  may  be 
extinguished  without  further  mischief." 

"  Let  those  who  have  kindled  them  extinguish  them,"  replied 
Heydocke,  sullenly.  "  I  will  not  raise  hand  more." 

"  Who  are  the  incendiaries?"  demanded  Fawkes. 

"The  pursuivant  and  his  myrmidons,"  replied  Heydocke. 
"They  came  here  to-night;  and  after  ransacking  the  house 
under  pretence  of  procuring  further  evidence  against  my  master, 
and  carrying  off  everything  valuable  they  could  collect — plate, 
jewels,  ornaments,  money,  and  even  wearing-apparel.— they 
ended  by  locking  up  all  the  servants, — except  myself,  who 


THE  PURSUIVANT.  69 

managed  to  elude  their  vigilance, — in  the  cellar,  and  setting  fire 
to  the  stables." 

"  Wretches  I"  exclaimed  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  Wretches,  indeed  !"  repeated  the  steward.  "  But  this  i? 
not  all  the  villany  they  contemplate.  I  had  concealed  myself  in 
the  store-room,  under  a  heap  of  lumber,  and  in  searching  for  me 
they  chanced  upon  a  barrel  of  gunpowder — " 

"  Well  1"  interrupted  Guy  Fawkes. 

"  Well,  sir,"  pursued  Heydocke,  "  I  heard  the  pursuivant  re 
mark  to  one  of  his  comrades,  '  This  is  a  lucky  discovery.  If  we 
can't  find  the  steward,  we'll  blow  him  and  the  old  house  to  the 
devil.'  Just  then,  some  one  came  to  tell  him  I  was  hidden  in  the 
stables,  and  the  whole  troop  adjourned  thither.  But  being 
baulked  of  their  prey,  I  suppose,  they  wreaked  their  vengeance 
in  the  way  you  perceive." 

"  No  doubt,"  rejoined  Humphrey  Chetham.  "  But  they  shall 
bitterly  rue  it.  I  will  myself  represent  the  affair  to  the  Com 
missioners." 

"  It  will  be  useless,"  groaned  Heydocke.  "  There  is  no  law 
to  protect  the  property  of  a  Catholic." 

"  Where  is  the  barrel  of  gunpowder  you  spoke  of?"  asked 
Guy  Fawkes,  as  if  struck  by  a  sudden  idea. 

"  The  villains  took  it  with  them  when  they  quitted  the  store 
room,"  replied  the  steward.  "  I  suppose  they  have  got  it  in  the 
yard." 

"  They  have  lighted  a  fire  which  shall  be  quenched  with  their 
blood,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  fiercely.  "  Follow  me.  I  may  need 
you  both." 

So  saying,  he  darted  off,  and  turning  the  corner,  came  in 
front  of  the  blazing  pile.  Occupying  one  side  of  a  large 
quadrangular  court,  the  stables  were  wholly  disconnected  with 
the  Hall,  and  though  the  fire  burnt  furiously,  yet  as  the  wind 
carried  the  flames  and  sparks  in  a  contrary  direction,  it  was 
possible  the  latter  building  might  escape  if  due  precaution 
were  taken.  So  far,  however,  from  this  being  the  case,  it 
seemed  the  object  of  the  bystanders  to  assist  the  progress  of 
the  conflagration.  Several  horses,  saddled  and  bridled,  had 
been  removed  from  the  stable,  and  placed  within  an  open 
cowhouse.  To  these  Guy  Fawkes  called  Chetham's  attention, 
and  desired  him  and  the  old  steward  to  secure  some  of  them. 
Hastily  giving  directions  to  Heydocke,  the  young  merchant 
obeyed, — sprang  on  the  back  of  the  nearest  courser,  and 
seizing  the  bridles  of  two  others,  rode  off  with  them.  His 
example  was  followed  by  Heydocke,  and  one  steed  only  was 
left.  Such  was  the  confusion  and  clamour  prevailing  around, 
that  the  above  proceeding  passed  unnoticed. 

Guy  Fawkes,  meanwhile,  ensconcing  himself  behind  the 
court-gate,  V>oked  about  for  the  barrel  of  gunpowder.  For  some 


70  GUY   FAWKES. 

time  he  could  discover  no  trace  of  it.  At  length,  beneath  a 
shed,  not  far  from  him,  he  perceived  a  soldier  seated  upon  a 
small  cask,  which  he  had  no  doubt  was  the  object  he  was  in 
search  of.  So  intent  was  the  man  upon  the  spectacle  before  him, 
that  he  was  wholly  unaware  of  the  approach  of  an  enemy ;  and 
creeping  noiselessly  up  to  him,  Guy  Fawkes  felled  him  to  the 
ground  with  a  blow  from  the  heavy  butt-end  of  his  petronel. 
The  action  was  not  perceived  by  the  others ;  and  carrying  the 
cask  out  of  the  yard,  Fawkes  burst  in  the  lid,  and  ascertained 
that  the  contents  were  what  they  had  been  represented.  He  then 
glanced  around,  to  see  how  he  could  best  execute  his  purpose. 

On  the  top  of  the  wall  adjoining  the  stables  he  beheld  the 
pursuivant,  with  three  or  four  soldiers,  giving  directions  and 
issuing  orders.  Another  and  lower  wall,  forming  the  opposite 
side  of  the  quadrangle,  and  built  on  the  edge  of  the  moat,  ap 
proached  the  scene  of  the  fire,  and  on  this,  Guy  Fawkes,  with 
the  barrel  of  gunpowder  on  his  shoulder,  mounted.  Concealing 
himself  behind  a  tree  which  overshadowed  it,  he  watched  a 
favourable  moment  for  his  enterprise. 

He  had  not  to  wait  long.  Prompted  by  some  undefinable 
feeling,  which  caused  him  to  rush  upon  his  destruction,  the  pur 
suivant  ventured  upon  the  roof  of  the  stables,  and  was  followed 
by  his  companions.  No  sooner  did  this  occur,  than  Guy  Fawkes 
dashed  forward,  and  hurled  the  barrel  with  all  his  force  into  the 
midst  of  the  flames,  throwing  himself  at  the  same  moment  into 
the  rnoat.  The  explosion  was  instantaneous  and  tremendous; — 
so  loud  as  to  be  audible  even  under  the  water.  Its  effects  were 
terrible.  The  bodies  of  the  pursuivant  and  his  companions  were 
blown  into  the  air,  and  carried  to  the  further  side  of  the  moat. 
Of  those  standing  before  the  building,  several  were  destroyed, 
and  all  more  or  less  injured.  The  walls  were  thrown  down  by 
the  concussion,  and  the  roof  and  its  fiery  fragments  projected 
into  the  moat.  An  effectual  stop  was  put  to  the  conflagration ; 
and,  when  Guy  Fawkes  rose  to  the  boiling  and  agitated  surface 
of  the  water,  the  flames  were  entirely  extinguished.  Hearing 
groans  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  moat,  he  forced  his  way 
through  the  blazing  beams,  which  were  hissing  near  him ;  and 
snatching  up  a  still  burning  fragment,  hastened  in  the  direction 
of  the  sound.  In  the  blackened  and  mutilated  object  that  met 
his  gaze,  he  recognised  the  pursuivant.  The  dying  wretch  also 
recognised  him,  and  attempted  to  speak;  but  in  vain — his 
tongue  refused  its  office,  and  with  a  horrible  attempt  at  articula 
tion,  he  expired. 

Alarmed  by  the  explosion,  the  domestics, — who  it  has  already 
been  mentioned  were  confined  in  the  cellar, — were  rendered  so 
desperate  by  their  fears,  that  they  contrived  to  break  out  of  their 
prison,  and  now  hastened  to  the  stables  to  ascertain  the  cause  of 
the  report.  Leaving  them  to  assist  the  sufferers,  whose  dreadful 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  71 

groans  awakened  some  feelings  of  compunction  in  his  iron  breast, 
Guy  Fawkes  caught  the  steed, — which  had  broken  its  bridle  and 
rushed  off,  and  now  stood  shivering,  shaking,  and  drenched  in 
moisture  near  the  drawbridge, — and,  mounting  it,  galloped 
towards  the  cave. 

At  its  entrance,  he  was  met  by  Humphrey  Chctham  and  Old- 
corne,  who  eagerly  inquired  what  had  happened. 

Guy  Fawkes  briefly  explained. 

"  It  is  the  hand  of  Heaven  manifested  by  your  arm,  my  son," 
observed  the  priest.  "  Would  that  it  had  stricken  the  tyrant  and 
apostate  prince  by  whom  our  church  is  persecuted  I  But  his  turn 
will  speedily  arrive." 

"  Peace,  father  1"  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  sternly. 

"  I  do  not  lament  the  fate  of  the  pursuivant,"  observed  Hum 
phrey  Chetham.  "  But  this  is  a  frightful  waste  of  human  life— « 
and  in  such  a  cause  !" 

"  It  is  the  cause  of  Heaven,  young  sir,"  rejoined  the  priest, 
angrily. 

"  I  do  not  think  so,"  returned  Chetham  ;  "  and,  but  for  my 
devotion  to  Viviana,  I  would  have  no  further  share  in  it." 

"  You  are  at  liberty  to  leave  us,  if  you  think  proper,"  retorted 
the  priest,  coldly. 

"  Nay,  say  not  so,  father,"  interposed  Viviana,  who  had  been 
an  unobserved  listener  to  the  foregoing  discourse.  "  You  owe 
your  life — your  liberty,  to  Mr.  Chetham." 

"  True,  daughter,"  replied  the  priest.  "  I  have  been  too  hasty, 
and  entreat  his  forgiveness." 

"  You  have  it,  reverend  sir,"  rejoined  the  young  merchant. 
"And  now,  Master  Heydocke,"  he  added,  turning  to  the  steward, 
"  you  may  return  to  the  Hall  with  safety.  No  one  will  molest 
you  more,  and  your  presence  may  be  needed." 

"  But  my  young  mistress — "  said  Heydocke. 

"  I  am  setting  out  for  Holywell  to  join  my  father,"  replied 
Viviana.  "  You  will  receive  our  instructions  from  that  place." 

"It  is  well,"  returned  the  old  man,  bowing  respectfully. 
"Heaven  shield  us  from  further  misfortune  I" 

Humphrey  Chetham  having  assisted  Viviana  into  the  saddle, 
and  the  rest  of  the  party  having  mounted,  they  took  the  road  to 
Chester,  while  Heydocke  returned  to  the  Hall. 


CHAPTER  XL 

THE  PILGRIMAGE  TO  ST.  WINIFRED'S  WELT* 

EARLY  on  the  following  morning,  the  party,  who  had  ridden 
bard,  and  had  paused  only  for  a  short  time  at  Knutsford  tor  e&< 


72  GUY  FAWKES. 

their  steeds,  approached  the  ancient  and  picturesque  city  of 
Chester.  Skirting  its  high,  and  then  partly  fortified  walls,  above 
which  appeared  the  massive  tower  of  the  venerable  cathedral, 
they  passed  through  the  east-gate,  and  proceeding  along  the 
street  deriving  its  name  from  that  entrance,  were  about  to  halt 
before  the  door  of  a  large  hostel,  called  the  Saint  Werburgh's 
Abbey,  when,  to  their  great  surprise,  they  perceived  Catesby 
riding  towards  them. 

"  I  thought  I  could  not  be  mistaken,"  cried  the  latter,  as  he 
drew  near  and  saluted  Vivian  a.  "I  was  about  to  set  out  for 
Manchester  with  a  despatch  to  you  from  your  father,  Miss  Rad- 
cliffe,  when  this  most  unexpected  and  fortunate  encounter  spares 
me  the  journey.  But  may  I  ask  why  I  see  you  here,  and  thus 
attended?"  he  added,  glancing  uneasily  at  Humphrey  Chetham. 

A  few  words  from  Father  Oldcorne  explained  all.  Catesby 
affected  to  bend  his  brow,  and  appear  concerned  at  the  relation. 
But  he  could  scarcely  repress  his  satisfaction. 

"  Sir  William  Radcliffe  must  join  us  now,"  he  whispered  to 
the  priest. 

"  He  must — he  shall"  replied  Oldcorne,  in  the  same  tone. 

"  Your  father  wishes  you  to  join  him  at  Holt,  Miss  Radcliffe/' 
remarked  Catesby,  turning  to  her,  "  whence  the  pilgrimage 
starts  to-morrow  for  Saint  Winfred's  Well.  There  are  already 
nearly  thirty  devout  persons  assembled." 

"  Indeed  1"  replied  Viviana.     "  May  I  inquire  their  names." 

"  Sir  Everard  and  Lady  Digby,"  replied  Catesby;  "  the  Lady 
Anne  Vaux  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Brooksby ;  Mr.  Ambrose  Rook- 
wood  and  his  wife,  the  two  Winters,  Tresham,  Wright,  Fathers 
Garnet  and  Fisher,  and  many  others,  in  all  probability  unknown 
to  you.  The  procession  started  ten  days  ago  from  Gothurst,  in 
Buckinghamshire,  Sir  Everard  Digby's  residence,  and  proceeded 
from  thence  by  slow  stages  to  Norbrook  and  Haddington,  at  each 
of  which  houses  it  halted  for  some  days.  Yesterday,  it  reached 
Holt,  and  starts,  as  I  have  just  told  you,  to-morrow  for  Holy- 
well.  If  you  are  so  disposed,  you  will  be  able  to  attend  it." 

"  I  will  gladly  do  so,"  replied  Viviana.  "  And  since  I  find  it 
is  not  necessary  to  hurry  forward,  I  will  rest  myself  for  a  short 
time  here." 

So  saying,  she  dismounted,  and  the  whole  party  entered  the 
hostel.  Viviana  withdrew  to  seek  a  short  repose,  and  glance 
over  her  father's  letter,  while  Catesby,  Guy  Fawkes,  and  Old 
corne,  were  engaged  in  deep  consultation.  itumphrey  Chetham, 
perceiving  that  his  attendance  was  no  further  required,  and  that 
he  was  an  object  of  suspicion  and  dislike  to  Catesby, — for  whom 
be  also  entertained  a  similar  aversion, — prepared  to  return. 
And  when  Viviana  made  her  appearance,  he  advanced  to  bid 
her  farewell. 

"  I  can  be  of  no  further  service  to  you,  Viviana,"  he  said,  in 


THE   PILGRIMAGE.  73 

c  mournful  tone ;  "  and  as  my  presence  might  be  as  unwelcome 
to  your  father,  as  it  seems  to  be  to  others  of  your  friends,  I  will 
now  take  my  leave." 

"  Farewell,  Mr.  Chetham,"  she  replied.  "  I  will  not  attempt 
to  oppose  your  departure  ;  for,  much  as  I  grieve  to  lose  you— 
and  that  I  do  so  these  tears  will  testify, — I  feel  that  it  is  for  the 
best.  I  owe  you  much — more — far  more  than  I  can  ever  repay. 
It  would  be  unworthy  in  me,  and  unfair  to  you,  to  say  that  I  do 
not,  and  shall  not  ever  feel  the  deepest  interest  in  you ;  that, 
next  to  my  father,  there  is  no  one  whom  I  regard — nay,  whom  1 
love  so  much." 

"  Love  I  Viviana  ?"  echoed  the  young  merchant,  trembling. 

"Love,  Mr.  Chetham,"  she  continued,  turning  very  pale; 
"  since  you  compel  me  to  repeat  the  word.  I  avow  it  boldly, 
because — "  and  her  voice  faltered, — "  I  would  not  have  you 
suppose  me  ungrateful,  and  because  I  never  can  be  yours." 

"  I  will  not  attempt  to  dissuade  you  from  the  fatal  determina 
tion  you  have  formed  of  burying  your  charms  in  a  cloister,"  re 
joined  Humphrey  Chetham.  "  But,  oh  I  if  you  do  love  me, 
why  condemn  yourself — why  condemn  me  to  hopeless  misery  ?" 

"  I  will  tell  you  why,"  replied  Viviana.  "  Because  you  are 
not  of  my  faith ;  and  because  I  never  will  wed  a  heretic." 

"  I  am  answered,"  replied  the  young  merchant,  sadly. 

"Mr.  Chetham,"  interposed  Oldcorne,  who  had  approached 
them  unperceived ;  "  it  is  in  your  power  to  change  Viviana's 
determination." 

"  How  ?"  asked  the  young  merchant,  starting. 

"  By  being  reconciled  to  the  Church  of  Rome." 

"  Then  it  will  remain  unaltered,"  replied  Chetham,  firmly. 

"And,  if  Mr.  Chetham  would  consent  to  this  proposal,  I 
•would  not,"  said  Viviana.  "  Farewell,"  she  added,  extending 
her  hand  to  him,  which  he  pressed  to  his  lips.  "  Do  not  let  us 
prolong  an  interview  so  painful  to  us  both.  The  best  wish  I 
can  desire  for  you  is,  that  we  may  never  meet  again." 

Without  another  word,  and  without  hazarding  a  look  at  the 
object  of  his  affections,  Chetham  rushed  out  of  the  room,  and 
mounting  his  horse,  rode  off  in  the  direction  of  Manchester. 

"Daughter,"  observed  Oldcorne,  as  soon  as  he  was  gone,  "  I 
cannot  too  highly  approve  of  your  conduct,  or  too  warmly 

applaud  the  mastery  you  display  over  your  feelings.     But 

and  he  hesitated. 

"  But  what,  father  ?"  cried  Viviana,  eagerly.  "  Do  you  think 
I  have  done  wrong  in  dismissing  him  ?" 

"  By  no  means,  dear  daughter,"  replied  the  priest.  "  You 
have  acted  most  discreetly.  But  you  will  forgive  me  if  I  urge 
you—  nay,  implore  you  not  to  take  the  veil ;  but  rather  to  bestow 
your  hand  upon  some  Catholic  gentleman " 

"  Such  as  Mr.  Catesby,"  interrupted  Viviana,  glancing  in  the 


74  GUY  FAWKES. 

direction  of  the  individual  she  mentioned,  who  was  watching 
them  narrowly  from  the  further  end  of  the  room. 

"  Ay,  Mr.  Catesby,"  repeated  Oldcorne,  affecting  not  to 
notice  the  scornful  emphasis  laid  on  the  name.  "  None  more 
fitting  could  be  found,  nor  more  worthy  of  you.  Our  Church 
has  not  a  more  zealous  servant  and  upholder ;  and  he  will  be 
at  once  a  father  and  a  husband  to  you.  Such  a  union  would  be 
highly  profitable  to  our  religion.  And,  though  it  is  well  for 
those  whose  hearts  are  burthened  with  affliction,  and  who  are 
unable  to  render  any  active  service  to  their  faith,  to  retire  from 
the  world,  it  behoves  every  sister  of  the  Romish  Church  to 
support  it  at  a  juncture  like  the  present,  at  any  sacrifice  of 
personal  feeling." 

"  Urge  me  no  more,  father,"  replied  Viviana,  firmly.  "  I  will 
make  every  sacrifice  for  my  religion,  consistent  with  principle 
and  feeling.  But  I  will  not  make  this ;  neither  am  I  required  to 
make  it.  And  I  beg  you  will  entreat  Mr.  Catesby  to  desist  from 
further  importunity." 

Oldcorne  bowed  and  retired.  Nor  was  another  syllable 
exchanged  between  them  prior  to  their  departure. 

Crossing  the  old  bridge  over  the  Dee,  then  defended  at  each 
extremity  by  a  gate  and  tower,  the  party  took  the  road  to  Holt, 
where  they  arrived  in  abouc  an  hour.  The  recent  conversation 
had  thrown  a  restraint  over  them,  which  was  not  removed  during 
the  journey.  Habitually  taciturn,  as  has  already  been  remarked, 
Guy  Favvkes  seemed  gloomier  and  more  thoughtful  than  ever  ; 
and  though  he  rode  by  the  side  of  Viviana,  he  did  not  volunteer 
a  remark,  and  scarcely  appeared  conscious  of  her  px«sence. 
Catesby  and  Oldcorne  kept  aloof,  and  it  was  not  until  they  came 
in  sight  of  the  little  town  which  formed  their  destination  that 
the  former  galloped  forward,  and  striking  into  the  path  on  the 
right,  begged  Viviana  to  follow  him.  A  turn  in  the  road  shortly 
afterwards  showed  them  a  large  mansion  screened  by  a  grove  of 
beech-trees. 

"  That  is  the  house  to  which  we  are  going/'  observed 
Catesby. 

And  as  he  spoke,  they  approached  a  lodge,  the  gates  of  which 
being  opened  by  an  attendant,  admitted  them  to  the  avenue. 

Viviana's  heart  throbbed  with  delight  at  the  anticipated  meet 
ing  with  her  father;  but  she  could  not  repress  a  feeling  of 
anxiety  at  the  distressing  intelligence  she  had  to  impart  to  him. 
As  she  drew  near  the  house  she  perceived  him  walking  beneath 
the  shade  of  the  trees  with  two  other  persons ;  and  quickening 
her  pace,  sprang  from  her  steed,  and  almost  before  he  was  aware 
of  it  was  in  his  arms. 

"Why  do  I  see  you  here  so  unexpectedly,  my  dear  child?" 
cried  Sir  William  Kadcliffe,  as  soon  as  he  had  recovered  from 
the  surprise  which  her  sudden  appearance  occasioned  him. 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  75 

•"  Mr.  Catesby  only  left  this  morning,  charged  with  a  letter 
entreating  you  to  set  out  without  delay, — and  now  I  behold  you. 
What  has  happened  ?" 

Viviana  then  recounted  the  occurrences  of  the  last  few  days. 

"  It  is  as  I  feared,"  replied  Sir  William,  in  a  desponding  tone. 
"  Our  oppressors  will  never  cease  till  they  drive  us  to  des 
peration  !" 

"  They  will  not !"  rejoined  a  voice  behind  him.  "  Well  may 
we  exclaim  with  the  prophet — *  How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  I  cry, 
and  thou  wilt  not  hear?  Shall  I  cry  out  to  thee  suffering 
violence,  and  thou  wilt  not  save  ?  Why  hast  thou  showed  me 
iniquity  and  grievance,  to  see  rapine  and  injustice  before  me? 
Why  lookest  thou  upon  them  that  do  unjust  things,  and  boldest 
thv  peace  when  the  wicked  devoureth  the  man  that  is  more  just 
than  himself?'" 

Viviana  looked  in  the  direction  of  the  speaker  and  beheld  a 
man  in  a  priestly  garb,  whose  countenance  struck  her  forcibly. 
He  was  rather  under  the  middle  height,  of  a  slight  spare  figure, 
and  in  age  might  be  about  fifty.  His  features,  which  in  hi» 
youth  must  have  been  pleasing,  if  not  handsome,  and  which 
were  still  regular,  were  pale  and  emaciated ;  but  his  eye  was 
dark,  and  of  unusual  brilliancy.  A  single  glance  at  this  person 
satisfied  her  it  was  Father  Garnet,  the  provincial  of  the  English 
Jesuits ;  nor  was  she  mistaken  in  her  supposition. 

Of  this  remarkable  person,  so  intimately  connected  with  the 
main  events  of  the  history  about  to  be  related,  it  may  be  proper 
to  offer  some  preliminary  account.  Born  at  Nottingham  in  1554, 
in  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary,  and  of  obscure  parentage,  Henry 
Garnet  was  originally  destined  to  the  Protestant  Church,  and 
educated,  with  a  view  to  taking  orders,  at  Winchester  school, 
whence  it  was  intended  he  should  be  removed  in  due  course  to 
Oxford.  But  this  design  was  never  carried  into  effect.  In 
fluenced  by  motives,  into  which  it  is  now  scarcely  worth  while 
inquiring,  and  which  have  been  contested  by  writers  on  both  sides 
of  the  question,  Garnet  proceeded  from  Winchester  to  London, 
where  he  engaged  himself  as  corrector  of  the  press  to  a  printer 
of  law-books,  named  Tottel,  in  which  capacity  he  became 
acquainted  with  Sir  Edward  Coke  and  Chief  Justice  Popham, — 
one  of  whom  was  afterwards  to  be  the  leading  counsel  against 
him,  and  the  other  his  judge.  After  continuing  in  this  employ 
ment  for  two  years,  during  which  he  had  meditated  a  change  in 
his  religion,  he  went  abroad,  and  travelling  first  to  Madrid,  and 
then  to  Rome,  saw  enough  of  the  Catholic  priesthood  to  confirm 
his  resolution,  and  in  1575  he  assumed  the  habit  of  a  Jesuit. 
Pursuing  his  studies  with  the  utmost  zeal  and  ardour  at  the 
Jesuits'  College,  under  the  celebrated  Bellarmine,  and  the  no 
less  celebrated  Clavius,  he  made  such  progress,  that  upon  the 
indisposition  of  the  latter,  he  was  able  to  fill  the  mathematical 


76  GUY   FAWKES. 

chair.  Nor  was  he  less  skilled  in  philosophy,  metaphysics,  and 
divinity ;  and  his  knowledge  of  Hebrew  was  so  profound  that 
he  taught  it  publicly  in  the  Roman  schools. 

To  an  enthusiastic  zeal  in  the  cause  of  the  religion  he  had 
espoused,  Garnet  added  great  powers  of  persuasion  and 
eloquence, — a  combination  of  qualities  well  fitting  him  for  the 
office  of  a  missionary  priest ;  and  undismayed  by  the  dangers  he 
would  have  to  encounter,  and  eager  to  propagate  his  doctrines, 
he  solicited  to  be  sent  on  this  errand  to  his  own  country.  At 
the  instance  of  Father  Persons,  he  received  an  appointment  to 
the  mission  in  1586,  and  he  secretly  landed  in  England  in  the 
same  year.  Braving  every  danger,  and  shrinking  from  no 
labour,  he  sought  on  all  hands  to  make  proselytes  to  the  ancient 
faith,  and  to  sustain  the  wavering  courage  of  its  professors.  Two 
years  afterwards,  on  the  imprisonment  of  the  Superior  of  the 
Jesuits,  being  raised  to  that  important  post,  he  was  enabled  to 
extend  his  sphere  of  action ;  and  redoubling  his  exertions  in 
consequence,  he  so  well  discharged  his  duties,  that  it  was  mainly 
owing  to  him  that  the  Catholic  party  was  kept  together  during 
the  fierce  persecutions  of  the  latter  end  of  Elizabeth's  reign. 

Compelled  to  personate  various  characters,  as  he  travelled 
from  place  to  place,  Garnet  had  acquired  a  remarkable  facility 
for  disguise  ;  and  such  was  his  address  and  courage,  that  he  not 
unfrequently  imposed  upon  the  very  officers  sent  in  pursuit  of 
him.  Up  to  the  period  of  Elizabeth's  demise,  he  had  escaped 
arrest ;  and,  though  involved  in  the  treasonable  intrigue  with  the 
king  of  Spain,  and  other  conspiracies,  he  procured  a  general 
pardon  under  the  great  seal.  His  office  and  profession  naturally 
brought  him  into  contact  with  the  chief  Catholic  families 
throughout  the  kingdom ;  and  he  maintained  an  active  corre 
spondence  with  many  of  them,  by  means  of  his  various  agents 
and  emissaries.  The  great  object  of  his  life  being  the  restora 
tion  of  the  fallen  religion,  to  accomplish  this,  as  he  conceived, 
great  and  desirable  end,  he  was  prepared  to  adopt  any  means, 
however  violent  or  obnoxious.  When,  under  the  seal  of  con^ 
fession,  Catesby  revealed  to  him  his  dark  designs,  so  far  from 
discouraging  him,  all  he  counselled  was  caution.  Having  tested 
the  disposition  of  the  wealthier  Romanists  to  rise  against  their 
oppressors,  and  finding  a  general  insurrection,  as  has  before  been 
stated,  impracticable,  he  gave  every  encouragement  and  assistance 
to  the  conspiracy  forming  among  the  more  desperate  and  discon 
tented  of  the  party.  At  his  instigation,  the  present  pilgrimage 
to  Saint  Winifred's  Well  was  undertaken,  in  the  hope  that,  when 
so  large  a  body  of  the  Catholics  were  collected  together,  some 
additional  aid  to  the  project  might  be  obtained. 

One  of  the  most  mysterious  and  inexplicable  portions  of  Garnet's 
history  is  that  relating  to  Anne  Vaux.  This  lady,  the  daughter 
of  Lord  Vaux  of  Harrowden.  a  rigid  Catholic  nobleman,  and 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  77 

one  of  Garnet's  earliest  patrons  and  friends,  on  the  death  of  her 
father,  in  1,595,  attached  herself  to  his  fortunes, — accompanied 
him  in  all  his  missions, — shared  all  his  privations  and  dangers, — 
and,  regardless  of  calumny  or  reproach,  devoted  herself  entirely 
to  his  service.  What  is  not  less  singular,  her  sister,  who  had 
married  a  Catholic  gentleman  named  Brooksby,  became  his 
equally  zealous  attendant.  Their  enthusiasm  produced  a  similar 
effect  on  Mr.  Brooksby ;  and  wherever  Garnet  went,  all  three 
accompanied  him. 

By  his  side,  on  the  present  occasion,  stood  Sir  Everard  Digby. 
Accounted  one  of  the  handsomest,  most  accomplished,  and  best- 
informed  men  of  his  time,  Sir  Everard,  at  the  period  of  this 
history  only  twenty-four,  had  married,  when  scarcely  sixteen, 
Maria,  heiress  of  the  ancient  and  honourable  family  of  Mulshoe, 
with  whom  he  obtained  a  large  fortune,  and  the  magnificent 
estate  of  Gothurst,  or  Gay thurst,  in  Buckinghamshire.  Knighted 
by  James  the  First  at  Belvoir  Castle,  on  his  way  from  Scotland 
to  London,  Digby,  who  had  once  formed  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  ornaments  of  the  court,  had  of  late  in  a  great  degree 
retired  from  it.  "  Notwithstanding,"  writes  Father  Greenway, 
"  that  he  had  dwelt  much  in  the  Queen's  court,  and  was  in  the 
way  of  obtaining  honours  and  distinction  by  his  graceful  manners 
and  rare  parts,  he  chose  rather  to  bear  the  cross  with  the  per 
secuted  Catholics,  et  vivere  abjectus  in  domo  Domini,  than  to  sail 
through  the  pleasures  of  a  palace  and  the  prosperities  of  the 
world,  to  the  shipwreck  of  his  conscience  and  the  destruction  of 
his  soul."  Having  only  when  ke  completed  his  minority  pro 
fessed  the  Catholic  religion,  he  became  deeply  concerned  at  its 
fallen  state,  and  his  whole  thoughts  were  bent  upon  its  restora 
tion.  This  change  in  feeling  was  occasioned  chiefly,  if  not 
altogether,  by  Garnet,  by  whom  his  conversion  had  been 
accomplished. 

Sir  Everard  Digby  was  richly  attired  in  a  black  velvet  doublet, 
with  sleeves  slashed  with  white  satin,  and  wore  a  short  mantle 
of  the  same  material,  similarly  lined.  He  had  the  enormous 
trunk  hose,  heretofore  mentioned  as  the  distinguishing  peculiarity 
of  the  costume  of  the  period,  and  wore  black  velvet  shoes,  orna 
mented  with  white  roses.  An  ample  ruff  encircled  his  throat. 
His  hat  was  steeple-crowned,  and  somewhat  broader  in  the  leaf 
than  was  ordinarily  worn,  and  shaded  with  a  plume  of  black 
feathers.  His  hair  was  raven  black,  and  he  wore  a  pointed 
beard,  and  moustaches.  His  figure  was  tall  and  stately,  and  his 
features  grave  and  finely  formed. 

By  this  time  the  group  had  been  joined  by  the  others,  and  a 
friendly  greeting  took  place.  Guy  Fawkes  was  presented  by 
Catesby  to  Sir  William  Raclcliffe  and  Sir  Everard  Digby.  To 
Garnet  he  required  no  introduction,  and  Father  Oldcorne 
was  known  to  all.  After  a  little  further  conversation,  the 


73  GUY   FAWKES 

party  adjourned  to  the  house,  which  belonged  to  a  Welsh 
Catholic  gentleman,  named  Griffiths,  who,  though  absent  at  the 
time,  had  surrendered  it  to  the  use  of  Sir  Everard  Digby  and 
his  friends. 

On  their  entrance,  Viviana  was  introduced  by  her  father  to 
Lady  Digby,  who  presided  as  hostess,  and  welcomed  her  with 
great  cordiality.  She  was  then  conducted  to  her  own  room, 
where  she  was  speedily  joined  by  Sir  William  ;  and  they 
remained  closeted  together  till  summoned  to  the  principal  meal 
of  the  day.  At  the  table,  which  was  most  hospitably  served, 
Viviana  found,  in  addition  to  her  former  companions,  a  large 
assemblage,  to  most  of  whom  she  was  a  stranger,  consisting  of 
Anne  Vaux,  Mr.  Brooksby  and  his  wife,  Ambrose  Rookwood, 
two  brothers  named  Winter,  two  Wrights,  Francis  Tresham, — 
persons  of  whom  it  will  be  necessary  to  make  particular  mention 
hereafter, — and  several  others,  in  all  amounting  to  thirty. 

The  meal  over,  the  company  dispersed,  and  Viviana  and  her 
father,  passing  through  an  open  window,  wandered  forth  upon  a 
beautiful  and  spreading  lawn,  and  thence  under  the  shade  of 
the  beech-trees.  They  had  not  been  long  here,  anxiously  con 
ferring  on  recent  events,  when  they  perceived  Garnet  and 
Catesby  approaching. 

"  Father,  dear  father  1"  cried  Viviana,  hastily,  "  I  was  about 
to  warn  you ;  but  I  have  not  time  to  do  so  now.  Some  dark 
and  dangerous  plot  is  in  agitation  to  restore  our  religion.  Mr. 
Catesby  is  anxious  to  league  you  with  it.  Do  not — do  not  yield 
U>  his  solicitations  1" 

"  Fear  nothing  on  that  score,  Viviana,"  replied  Sir  William, 
*'  I  have  already  perplexities  enow,  without  adding  to  them." 

"  I  will  leave  you,  then,"  she  replied.  And,  as  soon  as  the 
others  came  up,  she  made  some  excuse  for  withdrawing,  and 
returned  to  the  house.  The  window  of  her  chamber  com 
manded  the  avenue,  and  from  it  she  watched  the  group.  They 
remained  for  a  long  time  pacing  up  and  down,  in  earnest  con 
versation.  By  and  by,  they  were  joined  by  Oldcorne  and 
Fawkes.  Then  came  a  third  party,  consisting  of  the  Winters 
and  Wrights;  and,  lastly,  Sir  Everard  Digby  and  Tresham 
swollcd  the  list. 

The  assemblage  was  then  harangued  by  Catesby,  and  the 
moi,t  profound  attention  paid  to  his  address.  Viviana  kept  her 
eye  fixed  upon  her  father's  countenance,  and  from  its  changing 
expression  inferred  what  effect  the  speech  produced  upon  him. 
At  its  conclusion,  the  assemblage  separated  in  little  groups ;  and 
she  perceived,  with  great  uneasiness,  that  Father  Garnet  passed 
his  arm  through  that  of  her  father,  and  led  him  away.  Some 
time  elapsed,  and  neither  of  them  re-appeared. 

"  My  warning  was  in  vain ;  he  has  joined  them !"  she 
exclaimed. 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  79 

«'  No,  Viviana  I"  cried  her  father's  voice  behind  her.  "  I  have 
not  joined  them.  Nor  shall  I  do  so." 

"  Heaven  be  praised !"  she  exclaimed,  flinging  her  arms 
oronnd  his  neck. 

Neither  of  them  were  aware  that  they  were  overheard  by 
Garnet,  who  had  noiselessly  followed  Sir  William  into  the  room, 
and  muttered  to  himself,  "  For  all  this,  he  shall  join  the  plot, 
and  she  shall  wed  Catesby." 

He  then  coughed  slightly,  to  announce  his  presence ;  and, 
apologizing  to  Viviana  for  the  intrusion,  told  her  he  came  to 
confess  her  previously  to  the  celebration  of  mass,  which  would 
take  place  that  evening,  in  a  small  chapel  in  the  house. 
Wholly  obedient  to  the  command  of  her  spiritual  advisers, 
Viviana  instantly  signified  her  assent;  and,  her  father  having 
withdrawn,  she  laid  open  the  inmost  secrets  of  her  heart  to  the 
Jesuit.  Severely  reprobating  her  love  for  a  heretic,  before  he 
would  give  her  absolution,  Garnet  enjoined  her,  as  a  penance,  to 
walk  barefoot  to  the  holy  well  on  the  morrow,  and  to  make 
a  costly  offering  at  the  shrine  of  the  saint.  Compliance  being 
promised  to  his  injunction,  he  pronounced  the  absolution,  and 
departed. 

Soon  after  this,  mass  was  celebrated  by  Garnet,  and  the  sacra 
ment  administered  to  the  assemblage. 

An  hour  before  daybreak,  the  party  again  assembled  in  the 
chapel,  where  matins  were  performed ;  after  which,  the  female 
devotees,  who  were  clothed  in  snow-white  woollen  robes,  with 
wide  sleeves  and  hoods,  and  having  large  black  crosses  woven  in 
front,  retired  for  a  short  time,  and  re-appeared,  with  their  feet 
bared,  and  hair  unbound.  Each  had  a  large  rosary  attached  to 
the  cord  that  bound  her  waist. 

Catesby  thought  Viviana  had  never  appeared  so  lovely  as  in 
this  costume;  and  as  he  gazed  at  her  white  and  delicately 
formed  feet,  her  small  rounded  ankles,  her  dark  and  abundant 
tresses  falling  in  showers  almost  to  the  ground,  he  became  more 
deeply  enamoured  than  before.  His  passionate  gaze  was,  how 
ever,  unnoticed,  as  the  object  of  it  kept  her  eyes  steadily  fixed 
on  the  ground.  Lady  Digby,  who  was  a  most  beautiful  woman, 
scarcely  appeared  to  less  advantage  ;  and,  as  she  walked  side  by 
side  with  Viviana  in  the  procession,  the  pair  attracted  universal 
admiration  from  all  who  beheld  them. 

Everything  being  at  last  in  readiness,  and  the  order  of  march 
fully  arranged,  two  youthful  choristers,  in  surplices,  chanting  a 
hymn  to  Saint  Winifred,  set  forth.  They  were  followed  by  two 
men  bearing  silken  banners,  on  one  of  which  was  displayed  the 
martyrdom  of  the  saint  whose  shrine  they  were  about  to  visit, 
and  on  the  other  a  lamb  carrying  a  cross ;  next  came  Fathers 
Oldcorne  and  Fisher,  each  sustaining  a  large  silver  crucifix  ;  next, 
Garnet  alone,  in  the  full  habit  of  his  order ;  next,  the  femaies, 


80  GUY   FAWKES. 

in  the  attire  before  described,  and  walking  two  and  two;  next, 
Sir  Everard  Digby  and  Sir  William  Radcliffe ;  and  lastly,  the 
rest  of  the  pilgrims,  to  the  number  of  fourteen.  These  were  all 
on  foot.  But  at  the  distance  of  fifty  paces  behind  them  rode 
Guy  Fawkes  and  Catesby,  at  the  head  of  twenty  well-armed 
and  well-mounted  attendants,  intended  to  serve  as  a  guard  in 
case  of  need. 

In  such  order,  this  singular  procession  moved  forward  at  a 
slow  pace,  taking  its  course  along  a  secluded  road  leading 
to  the  ridge  of  hills  extending  from  the  neighbourhood  of 
Wrexham  to  Mold,  and  from  thence,  in  an  almost  unbroken 
chain,  to  Holywell. 

Along  these  heights,  whence  magnificent  views  were  obtained 
of  the  broad  estuary  of  the  Dee  and  the  more  distant  ocean,  the 
train  proceeded  without  interruption;  and  though  the  road 
selected  was  one  seldom  traversed,  and  through  a  country  thinly 
peopled,  still,  the  rumour  of  the  pilgrimage  having  gone  abroad, 
hundreds  were  stationed  at  different  points  to  behold  it.  Some 
expressions  of  disapprobation  were  occasionally  manifested  by 
the  spectators ;  but  the  presence  of  the  large  armed  force  effec 
tually  prevented  any  interference. 

Whenever  such  a  course  could  be  pursued,  the  procession 
took  its  way  over  the  sward.  Still  the  sufferings  of  the  females 
were  severe  in  the  extreme ;  and  before  Viviana  had  proceeded 
a  mile,  her  white,  tender  feet  were  cut  and  bruised  by  the  sharp 
rtints  over  which  she  walked;  every  step  she  took  leaving  a 
bloody  print  behind  it.  Lady  Digby  was  in  little  better  condi 
tion.  But  such  was  the  zeal  by  which  they,  in  common  with 
all  the  other  devotees  following  them,  were  animated,  that  not  a 
single  murmur  was  uttered. 

Proceeding  in  this  way,  they  reached  at  mid-day  a  small 
stone  chapel  on  the  summit  of  the  hill  overlooking  Plas- 
Newydd,  where  they  halted,  and  devotions  being  performed, 
the  females  bathed  their  lacerated  limbs  in  a  neighbouring 
brook,  after  which  they  were  rubbed  with  a  cooling  and 
odorous  ointment.  Thus  refreshed,  they  again  set  forward,  and 
halting  a  second  time  at  Plas-Isaf,  where  similar  religious 
ceremonies  were  observed,  they  rested  for  the  day  at  a  lodging 
prepared  for  their  reception  in  the  vicinity  of  Mold. 

The  night  being  passed  in  prayer,  early  in  the  morning  they 
commenced  their  march  in  the  same  order  as  before.  When 
Viviana  first  set  her  feet  to  the  ground,  she  felt  as  if  she  were 
treading  on  hot  iron,  and  the  pain  was  so  excruciating,  that  she 
could  not  repress  a  cry. 

"  Heed  not  your  sufferings,  dear  daughter,"  observed  Garnet, 
compassionately ;  "  the  waters  of  the  holy  fountain  will  heal  the 
wounds  both  of  soul  and  body.** 

Overcoming  her  agony  by  a  powerful  effort,  she  contrived  to 


THE  PILGRIMAGE.  SI 

limp  forward  ;  and  the  whole  party  was  soon  after  in  motion. 
Halting;  for  two  hours  at  Pentre-Terfyn,  and  again  at  Skeviog, 
the  train,  towards  evening,  reached  the  summit  of  the  hill  over 
looking  Holywell,  at  the  foot  of  which  could  be  seen  the  ruins 
of  Basingwerk  Abbey,  and  the  roof  of  the  ancient  chapel  erected 
over  the  sacred  spring.  At  this  sight,  those  who  were  foremost 
in  the  procession  fell  on  their  knees ;  and  the  horsemen  dis 
mounting,  imitated  their  example.  An  earnest  supplication  to 
Saint  Winifred  was  then  poured  forth  by  Father  Garnet,  in 
which  all  the  others  joined,  and  a  hymn  in  her  honour  chanted 
by  the  choristers. 

Their  devotions  ended,  the  whole  train  arose,  and  walked 
slowly  down  the  steep  descent.  As  they  entered  the  little  town, 
which  owes  its  name  and  celebrity  to  the  miraculous  spring 
rising  within  it,  they  were  met  by  a  large  concourse  of  people, 
who  had  flocked  from  Flint  and  the  other  neighbouring  places  to 
witness  the  ceremonial.  Most  of  the  inhabitants  of  Holywell, 
holding  their  saintly  patroness  in  the  deepest  veneration,  viewed 
this  pilgrimage  to  her  shrine  as  a  proper  tribute  of  respect,  while 
those  of  the  opposite  faith  were  greatly  impressed  by  it.  As  the 
procession  advanced,  the  crowd  divided  into  two  lines  to  allow 
it  passage,  and  many  fell  on  their  knees  imploring  a  blessing 
from  Garnet,  which  he  in  no  instance  refused.  When  within  a 
hundred  yards  of  the  sacred  well,  they  were  met  by  a  priest, 
followed  by  another  small  train  of  pilgrims.  A  Latin  oration 
having  been  pronounced  by  this  priest,  and  replied  to  in  the 
same  language  by  Garnet,  the  train  was  once  more  put  in 
motion,  and  presently  reached  the  ancient  fabric  built  over  the 
sacred  fountain. 

The  legend  of  Saint  Winifred  is  so  well  known,  that  it  is 
scarcely  necessary  to  repeat  it.  For  the  benefit  of  the  unin 
formed,  however,  it  may  be  stated  that  she  flourished  about  the 
middle  of  the  seventh  century,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Thewith, 
one  of  the  chief  lords  of  Wales.  Devoutly  educated  by  a  monk 
named  Beuno,  who  afterwards  received  canonization,  she  took 
the  veil,  and  retired  to  a  small  monastery  (the  ruins  of  which 
still  exist),  built  by  her  father  near  the  scene  of  her  subsequent 
martyrdom.  Persecuted  by  the  addresses  of  Caradoc,  son  of  Alan, 
Prince  of  Wales,  she  fled  from  him  to  avoid  his  violence.  He 
followed,  and  inflamed  by  fury  at  her  resistance,  struck  off  her 
head.  For  this  atrocity,  the  earth  instantly  opened  and  swal 
lowed  him  alive,  while  t'rom  the  spot  where  the  head  had  fallen 
gushed  forth  a  fountain  of  unequalled  force  and  purity,  pro 
ducing  more  than  a  hundred  tons  a  minute.  The  bottom  oMhis 
miraculous  well  is  strewn  with  pebbles  streaked  with  red  vv.ins, 
in  memory  of  the  virgin  saint  from  whose  blood  it  sprung.  On 
its  margin  grows  an  odorous  moss,  while  its  gelid  and  translucent 
waters  are  esteemed  a  remedy  for  many  disorders.  Winifred's 

O 


82  GUY  FAWKES. 

career  did  not  terminate  with  her  decapitation.  Resuscitated 
by  the  prayers  ol  Saint  Beuno,  she  lived  many  years  a  life  of  the 
utmost  sanctity,  bearing,  as  a  mark  of  the  miracle  performed  in 
her  behalf,  a  narrow  crimson  circle  round  her  throat. 

Passing  the  chapel  adjoining  the  well,  built  in  the  reign  of 
Henry  the  Seventh  by  his  mother,  the  pious  Countess  of  Rich 
mond,  the  pilgrims  came  to  the  swift  clear  stream  rushing  from 
the  well.  Instead  of  ascending  the  steps  leading  to  the  edifice 
built  over  the  spring,  they  plunged  into  the  stream,  and  crossing 
it  entered  the  structure  by  a  doorway  on  the  further  side. 
Erected  by  the  Countess  of  Richmond  at  the  same  period  as  the 
chapel,  this  structure,  quadrangular  in  form,  and  of  great  beauty, 
consists  of  light  clustered  pillars  and  mouldings,  supporting  the 
most  gorgeous  tracery  and  groining,  the  whole  being  ornamented 
with  sculptured  bosses,  pendent  capitals,  fretwork,  niches,  and 
tabernacles.  In  the  midst  is  a  large  stone  basin,  to  receive  the 
water  of  the  fountain,  around  which  the  procession  now  grouped, 
and  as  soon  as  all  were  assembled,  at  the  command  of  Father 
Garnet  they  fell  on  their  knees. 

It  was  a  solemn  and  striking  sight  to  see  this  large  group 
prostrated  around  that  beautiful  fountain,  and  covered  by  that 
ancient  structure, — a  touching  thing  to  hear  the  voice  of  prayer 
mingling  with  the  sound  of  the  rushing  water.  After  this,  they 
all  arose.  A  hymn  was  then  chanted,  and  votive  offerings  made 
at  the  shrine  of  the  saint.  The  male  portion  of  the  assemblage 
then  followed  Garnet  to  the  chapel,  where  further  religious  rites 
were  performed,  while  the  female  devotees,  remaining  near  the 
fountain,  resigned  themselves  to  the  care  of  several  attendants 
of  their  own  sex,  who,  having  bathed  their  feet  in  the  water, 
applied  some  of  the  fragrant  moss  above  described  to  the 
wounds ;  and,  such  was  the  faith  of  the  patients,  or  the  virtue 
of  the  application,  that  in  a  short  time  they  all  felt  perfectly 
restored,  and  able  to  join  their  companions  in  the  chapel.  In 
this  way  the  evening  was  spent ,  and  it  was  not  until  late  that 
they  finished  their  devotions,  and  departed  to  the  lodgings  pro 
vided  for  them  in  the  town. 

Impressed  with  a  strange  superstitious  feeling,  which  he  could 
scarcely  acknowledge  to  himself,  Guy  Fawkes  determined  to 
pass  the  night  near  the  well.  Accordingly,  without  communi 
cating  his  intention  to  his  companions,  he  threw  a  small  knap 
sack  over  his  shoulder,  containing  a  change  of  linen,  and  a  few 
articles  of  attire,  and  proceeded  thither. 

It  was  a  brilliant  moonlight  night,  and,  as  the  radiance, 
streaming  through  the  thin  clustered  columns  of  the  structure, 
lighted  up  its  fairy  architecture,  anil  fell  upon  the  clear  cold 
waves  of  the  fountain,  revealing  the  blood-streaked  pebbles 
beneath,  the  effect  was  inexpressibly  »x:<ir*.if.;l.  So  charmed  was 
Uuy  Fawkes  by  the  sight,  that  he  -emained  for  some  time 


S3 

od  by  the 

his   feet. 

*?  •    clothes 


is  right  hand,  to  be  . 
1  f  to  slumber. 

h,  he  soon  fell  a,vl< 
hen  he  dreamed  that  from  c  : 

unsubstai 
irote.     It  nas  >  .d  a 


y  moonlight 

5  of  the  figure,  as  well  as 
;  liroat,  he  knew  that  it  must  be 

the  patroness  of  t  sainted  Winifred,  that  he  beheld. 

He  felt  no  horror,  hut  the  deepest  awe.     The  arm  of  the  figure 
was  raised,  —  its  b  "egards  fixed  upon  him,  —  and,  as  soon 

as  it  gained  the  Ic  basin,  it  glided  towards  him. 


BEFORE  < 

been  engaged  in  « 

whole  of  ' 

of  bathin. 

the  shrine  of  the  saint  o  steps  of  the  s 

he  perceived  Guy  Fav.!. 

.    ,  .*< 
rcntly  occupied  in  prayer;  and,  being  \\ 

he  paused.     Finding,  however,  after  the  lapse  of  a  few 

that  he  did  not  move,  he  advanced  towards  him,  and  v 

his  hand  upon  his  shoulder,  when  he  was  arreste 

•  xtraordinary  expression  of  his  countenance. 


purpose 
devotions  at 


terror 


wus 


i,  but  perfectly  motionless,  and  his  eyes 
sockets,   were  fixed  upon  the   bo 
His  hands  were  clasped,  and  hit  k 
^  ooe  whose  faculties  were  benumb* 


her 
or 


:al  and  enthusiastical 
>t  that,  by  keeping  lo 
iMiself  into  such  a  stai 
«i  »oine  prettj 

1  tu»  awaited  the  result. 


i  ui  Fawke*, 
vtgil  At  the  tb'sn 
>f  over-excitement 
ipcarance;  and  U 
Glancing  >r- 


THE  VISION.  S3 

standing  near  the  edge  of  the  basin,  as  if  fascinated  by  the 
marvellous  spring  that  boiled  up  and  sparkled  at  his  feet. 
Resolved  to  try  the  efficacy  of  the  bath,  he  threw  off  his  clothes 
and  plunged  into  it.  The  water  was  cold  as  ice ;  but  on  emerg 
ing  from  it  he  felt  wonderfully  refreshed.  Having  dressed  him 
self,  he  wrapped  his  cloak  around  him,  and,  throwing  himself  on 
the  stone  floor,  placed  the  knapsack  under  his  head,  and 
grasping  a  petronel  in  his  right  hand,  to  be  ready  in  case  of 
a  surprise,  disposed  himself  to  slumber. 

Accustomed  to  a  soldier's  couch,  he  soon  fell  asleep.  He  had 
not  long  closed  his  eyes  when  he  dreamed  that  from  out  of  the 
well  a  female  figure,  slight  and  unsubstantial  as  the  element 
from  which  it  sprang,  arose.  It  was  robed  in  what  resembled  a 
nun's  garb ;  but  so  thin  and  vapoury,  that  the  very  moonlight 
shone  through  it.  From  the  garments  of  the  figure,  as  well  as 
from  the  crimson  circle  round  its  throat,  he  knew  that  it  must  be 
the  patroness  of  the  place,  the  sainted  Winifred,  that  he  beheld. 
He  felt  no  horror,  but  the  deepest  awe.  The  arm  of  the  figure 
was  raised, — its  benignant  regards  fixed  upon  him, — and,  as  soon 
as  it  gained  the  level  of  the  basin,  it  glided  towards  him. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE   VISION. 

BEFORE  daybreak  on  the  following  morning,  Garnet,  who  had 
been  engaged  in  earnest  conference  with  Catesby  during  the 
whole  of  the  night,  repaired  to  the  sacred  spring  for  the  purpose 
of  bathing  within  it,  and  performing  his  solitary  devotions  at 
the  shrine  of  the  saint.  On  ascending  the  steps  of  the  structure, 
he  perceived  Guy  Fawkes  kneeling  beside  the  fountain,  appa 
rently  occupied  in  prayer ;  and,  being  unwilling  to  disturb  him, 
he  paused.  Finding,  however,  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  minutes, 
that  he  did  not  move,  he  advanced  towards  him,  and  was  about 
to  lay  his  hand  upon  his  shoulder,  when  he  was  arrested  by  the 
very  extraordinary  expression  of  his  countenance.  His  lips  were 
partly  open,  but  perfectly  motionless,  and  his  eyes,  almost  start 
ing  from  their  sockets,  were  fixed  upon  the  boiling  waters  of 
the  spring.  His  hands  were  clasped,  and  his  look  altogether 
was  that  of  one  whose  faculties  were  benumbed  by  awe  or 
terror. 

Aware  of  the  fanatical  and  enthusiastical  character  of  Fawkes, 
Garnet  had  little  doubt  that,  by  keeping  long  vigil  at  the  foun 
tain,  he  had  worked  himself  into  such  a  state  of  over-excitement 
as  to  imagine  he  beheld  some  preternatural  appearance ;  and  it 
was  with  some  curiosity  that  he  awaited  the  result.  Glancing  in 


g£  GUY  FAWKES 

the  same  direction,  his  eye  rested  upon  the  bottom  of  the  well, 
but  he  could  discern  nothing  except  the  glittering  and  blood- 
streaked  pebbles,  and  the  reflection  of  the  early  sunbeams  that 
quivered  on  its  steaming  surface.  At  length,  a  convulsion 
passed  over  the  frame  of  the  kneeler,  and  heaving  a  deep  sigh 
he  arose.  Turning  to  quit  the  spring,  he  confronted  Garnet, 
and  demanded,  in  a  low  voice— 

"  Have  you  likewise  seen  the  vision,  father? 

Garnet  made  no  reply,  but  regarded  him  steadfastly. 

"  Has  the  blessed  Winifred  appeared  to  you,  I  say?"  continued 

Fawkes.  ...          T   . 

"No,"  answered  Garnet;  "I  am  but  just  come  hither.  It  is 
for  you,  my  son,— the  favoured  of  Heaven,— for  whom  such 
glorious  visions  are  reserved.  I  have  seen  nothing.  How  did 
the  saint  manifest  herself  to  you  ?"  . 

"  In  her  earthly  form,"  replied  Fawkes;  "or  rather,  I  should 
say,  in  the  semblance  of  the  form  she  bore  on  earth.  Listen  to 
me,  father.  I  came  hither  last  night  to  make  my  couch  beside 
the  fountain.  After  plunging  into  it,  I  felt  marvellously  re 
freshed,  and  disposed  myself  to  rest  on  that  stone.  Scarcely 
had  my  eyes  closed  when  the  saintly  virgin  appeared  to  me. 
Oh  !  father,  it  was  a  vision  of  seraphic  beauty,  such  as  the  eye 
of  man  hath  seldom  seen !" 

« And  such  only  as  it  is  permitted  the  elect  of  Heaven  to 
see,"  observed  Garnet. 

"Alas!  father,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes,  "I  can  lay  little 
claim  to  such  an  epithet.  Nay,  I  begin  to  fear  that  I  have 
incurred  the  displeasure  of  Heaven." 

"  Think  not  so,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet,  uneasily.  "  Relate 
your  vision,  and  I  will  interpret  it  to  you." 

"  Thus  then  it  was,  father,"  returned  Fawkes.  The  figure 
of  the  saint  arose  from  out  the  well,  and  gliding  towards  me  laid 
its  finger  upon  my  brow.  My  eyes  opened,  but  I  was  as  one 
oppressed  with  a  nightmare,  unable  to  move.  I  then  thought  I 
heard  my  name  pronounced  by  a  voice  so  wondrously  sweet  that 
my  senses  were  quite  ravished.  Fain  would  I  have  prostrated 
myself,  but  my  limbs  refused  their  office.  Neither  could  I  speak, 
for  my  tongue  was  also  enchained." 

"  Proceed,  my  son,"  observed  Garnet ;  "  I  am  curious  to  know 
what  ensued." 

"  Father,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes,  "  if  the  form  I  beheld  was 
that  of  Saint  Winifred, — and  that  it  was  so,  I  cannot  doubt, — the 
enterprise  on  which  we  are  engaged  will  fail.  It  is  not  approved 
by  Heaven.  The  vision  warned  me  to  desist." 

"  You  cannot  desist,  my  son,"  rejoined  Garnet,  sternly.  "  "iour 
oath  binds  you  to  the  project." 

"  True,"  replied  Fawkes ;  "  and  I  have  no  thought  of  aban 
doning  it.  But  I  am  well  assured  it  will  not  be  successful." 


THE  VISION.  85 

"  Your  thinking  so,  my  son,  will  be  the  most  certain  means  of 
realizing  your  apprehensions,"  replied  Garnet,  gravely.  "  But 
let  me  hear  the  exact  words  of  the  spirit.  You  may  have  mis 
understood  them." 

"  I  cannot  repeat  them  precisely,  father,"  replied  Fawkes ; 
"  but  I  could  not  misapprehend  their  import,  which  was  the 
deepest  commiseration  for  our  forlorn  and  fallen  church,  but  a 
positive  interdiction  against  any  attempt  to  restore  it  by  blood 
shed.  '  Suffer  on,'  said  the  spirit ;  *  bear  the  yoke  patiently, 
and  in  due  season  God  will  avenge  your  wrongs,  and  free  you 
from  oppression.  You  are  thus  afflicted  that  your  faith  may  be 
purified.  But  if  you  resort  to  violence,  you  will  breed  confusion, 
and  injure,  not  serve,  the  holy  cause  on  which  you  are  embarked.' 
Such,  father,  was  the  language  of  the  saint.  It  was  uttered  in  a 
tone  so  tender  and  sympathizing,  that  every  word  found  an  echo 
in  my  heart,  and  I  repented  having  pledged  myself  to  the  under 
taking.  But,  when  I  tell  you  that  she  added  that  all  concerned 
in  the  conspiracy  should  perish,  perhaps  you  may  be  deterred 
from  proceeding  further." 

"  Never !"  returned  Garnet.  "  Nor  will  I  suffer  any  one 
engaged  in  it  to  retreat.  What  matter  if  a  few  perish,  if  the 
many  survive  ?  Our  blood  will  not  be  shed  in  vain,  if  the  true 
religion  of  God  is  restored.  Nay,  as  strongly  as  the  blessed 
Winifred  herself  resisted  the  impious  ravisher,  Caradoc,  will  I 
resist  all  inducements  to  turn  aside  from  my  purpose.  It  may 
be  that  the  enterprise  will  fail.  It  may  be  that  we  shall  perish. 
But  if  we  die  thus,  we  shall  die  as  martyrs,  and  our  deaths  will 
be  highly  profitable  to  the  Catholic  religion." 

"  I  doubt  it,"  observed  Fawkes. 

"  My  son,"  said  Garnet,  solemnly,  "  I  have  ever  looked  upon 
you  as  one  destined  to  be  the  chief  agent  in  the  great  work  of 
redemption.  I  have  thought  that,  like  Judith,  you  were  chosen 
to  destroy  the  Holofernes  who  oppresses  us.  Having  noted  in 
you  a  religious  fervour,  and  resolution  admirably  fitting  you  for 
the  task,  I  thought,  and  still  think  you  expressly  chosen  by 
Heaven  for  it.  But,  if  you  have  any  misgiving,  I  beseech  you 
to  withdraw  from  it.  I  will  absolve  you  from  your. oath;  and, 
enjoining  you  only  to  strictest  secrecy,  will  pray  you  to  depart  at 
once,  lest  your  irresolution  should  be  communicated  to  the 
others." 

"  Fear  nothing  from  me,  father,'*  rejoined  Fawkes.  "  I  have 
no  irresolution,  no  wavering,  nor  shall  any  engaged  with  us  be 
shaken  by  my  apprehension.  You  have  asked  me  what  I  saw  and 
heard,  and  I  have  told  you  truly.  But  I  will  speak  of  it  no  more." 

"  It  will  be  well  to  observe  silence,  my  son,"  answered  Garnet; 
"  for  though  you,  like  myself,  are  unnerved,  its  effect  on  others 
might  be  injurious.  But  you  have  not  yet  brought  your  relation 
to  an  end.  How  did  the  figure  disappear  ?" 


g6  GUY   FAWKES. 

"  As  it  arose,  father,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Uttering  in  a  sweet 
out  solemn  voice,  which  yet  rings  in  my  ears,  the  words,  '  Be 
warned  I'  it  glided  back  to  the  fountain,  whose  waves  as  it  ap 
proached  grew  still,  and  gradually  melted  from  my  view." 

"  But  when  I  came  hither,  you  appeared  to  be  gazing  at  the 
spring,"  said  Garnet.  "  What  did  you  then  behold?" 

"  My  first  impulse  on  awakening  about  an  hour  ago,"  replied 
Fawkes,  "  was  to  prostrate  myself  before  the  fountain,  and  to 
entreat  the  intercession  of  the  saint,  who  had  thus  marvellously 
revealed  herself  to  me.  As  I  prayed,  methought  its  clear  lucid 
waters  became  turbid,  and  turned  to  the  colour  of  blood." 

"  It  is  a  type  of  the  blood  of  slaughtered  brethren  of  our  faith, 
which  has  been  shed  by  our  oppressors,"  rejoined  Garnet. 

"  Rather  of  our  own,  which  shall  be  poured  forth  in  this 
cause,"  retorted  Fawkes.  "  No  matter.  I  am  prepared  to  lose 
the  last  drop  of  mine." 

"  And  I,"  said  Garnet ;  "  and,  I  doubt  not,  like  those  holy 
men  who  have  suffered  for  their  faith,  that  we  shall  both  win  a 
crown  of  martyrdom." 

"  Amen  I"  exclaimed  Fawkes.  "  And  you  think  the  sacrifice 
we  are  about  to  offer  will  prove  acceptable  to  God  ?" 

"I  am  convinced  of  it,  my  son,"  answered  Garnet.  "And  I 
take  the  sainted  virgin,  from  whose  blood  this  marvellous  spring 
was  produced,  to  witness  that  I  devote  myself  unhesitatingly  to 
the  project,  and  that  I  firmly  believe  it  will  profit  our  church." 

As  he  spoke,  a  singlar  circumstance  occurred,  which  did  not 
fail  to  produce  an  impression  on  both  parties, — especially  Guy 
Fawkes.  A  violent  gust  of  wind,  apparently  suddenly  aroused, 
whistled  through  the  slender  columns  of  the  structure,  and  catch 
ing  the  surface  of  the  water  dashed  it  in  tiny  waves  against  their 
feet. 

"  The  saint  is  offended,"  observed  Fawkes. 

"  It  would  almost  seem  so,"  replied  Garnet,  after  a  pause. 
"  Let  us  proceed  to  the  chapel,  and  pray  at  her  shrine.  We  will 
confer  on  this  matter  hereafter.  Meantime,  swear  to  me  that 
you  will  observe  profound  secrecy  respecting  this  vision." 

"  I  swear,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes. 

At  this  moment,  another  and  more  violent  cust  agitated  the 
f         ' 
fountain. 

"  We  will  tarry  here  no  longer,"  said  Garnet,  "  I  am  not  proof 
against  these  portents  of  ill." 

So  saying,  he  led  the  way  to  the  chapel.  Here  they  were 
presently  joined  by  several  of  the  female  devotees,  including 
V iviana,  Anne  Vaux,  and  Lady  Digby.  Matins  were  then  said, 
after  which  various  offerings  were  made  at  the  shrine  of  the 
saint.  Lady  Digby  presented  a  small  tablet  set  in  gold,  repre 
senting  on  one  side  the  martyrdom  of  Saint  Winifred,  and  on 
the  other  the  Salutation  of  our  Lady.  Anne  Vaux  gave  a  small 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  87 

enamelled  cross  of  gold ;  Viviana  a  girdle  of  the  same  metal, 
with  a  pendant  sustaining  a  small  Saint  John's  head  surrounded 
with  pearls. 

"  Mine  will  be  a  poor  soldier's  offering,"  said  Guy  Fawkes, 
approaching  the  shrine,  which  was  hung  around  with  the  crutches, 
staves,  and  bandages  of  those  cured  by  the  healing  waters  of  the 
miraculous  spring.  "  This  small  silver  scallop-shell,  given  me  by 
a  pilgrim,  who  died  in  my  arms  near  the  chapel  of  Saint  James 
of  Compostclla,  in  Spain,  is  the  sole  valuable  I  possess.'1 

"  It  will  be  as  acceptable  as  a  more  costly  gift,  my  son," 
replied  Garnet,  placing  it  on  the  shrine. 

Of  all  the  offerings  then  made,  that  silver  scallop-shell  is  the 
only  one  preserved. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE    CONSPIRATORS. 

ON  Viviana's  return  from  her  devotions,  she  found  her  father  in 
the  greatest  perturbation  and  alarm.  The  old  steward,  Hey- 
docke,  who  had  ridden  express  from  Ordsall  Hall,  had  just 
arrived,  bringing  word  that  the  miserable  fate  of  the  pursuivant 
and  his  crew  had  aroused  the  whole  country;  that  officers, 
attended  by  a  strong  force,  and  breathing  vengeance,  were  in 
pursuit  of  Sir  William  Radcliffe  and  his  daughter;  that  large 
sums  were  offered  for  the  capture  of  Guy  Fawkes  and  Father 
Oldcorne ;  that  most  of  the  servants  were  imprisoned ;  that  he 
himself  had  escaped  with  great  difficulty;  and  that,  to  sum  up 
this  long  catalogue  of  calamities,  Master  Humphrey  Chetham  was 
arrested,  and  placed  in  the  New  Fleet.  *•  In  short,  my  dear 
young  mistress,"  concluded  the  old  man,  "  as  I  have  just  observed 
to  Sir  William,  all  is  over  with  us,  and  there  is  nothing  left  but 
the  grave." 

"  What  course  have  you  resolved  upon,  dear  father,"  inquired 
Viviana,  turning  anxiously  to  him. 

"  I  shall  surrender  myself,"  he  answered.  "  I  am  guilty  of  no 
crime,  and  can  easily  clear  myself  from  all  imputation." 

"You  are  mistaken,"  she  replied.  "Do  not  hope  for  justice 
from  those  who  know  it  not.  But,  while  the  means  of  escape 
are  allowed  you,  avail  yourself  of  them." 

"  No,  Viviana,"  replied  Sir  William  Radcliffe,  firmly;  "my 
part  is  taken.  I  shall  abide  the  arrival  of  the  officers.  For  you, 
1  shall  intrust  you  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Catesby." 

"  You  cannot  mean  this,  dear  father,"  she  cried,  with  a  look  of 
distress.  "  And,  if  you  do,  I  will  never  consent  to  such  an 
arrangement." 


83  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Mr.  Catesby  is  strongly  attached  to  you,  child,"  replied  Sir 
William,  "  and  will  watch  over  your  safety  as  carefully  as  I  could 
do  myself." 

"  He  may  be  attached  to  me,"  rejoined  Viviana,  "  though  I 
doubt  the  disinterestedness  of  his  love.  But  nothing  can  remove 
my  repugnance  to  him.  Forgive  me,  therefore,  if,  in  this  one 
instance,  I  decline  to  obey  your  commands.  I  dare  not  trust 
myself  with  Mr.  Catesby." 

"  How  am  I  to  understand  you?"  inquired  Sir  William. 

tt  Do  not  ask  me  to  explain,  dear  father,"  she  answered,  "  but 
imagine  I  must  have  good  reason  for  what  I  say.  Since  you 
are  resolved  upon  surrendering  yourself,  I  will  go  into  captivity 
with  you.  The  alternative  is  less  dreadful  than  that  you  have 
proposed." 

"  You  distract  me,  child,"  cried  the  knight,  rising  and  pacing 
the  chamber  in  great  agitation.  "  I  cannot  bear  the  thought  of 
your  imprisonment.  Yet  if  I  fly,  I  appear  to  confess  myself 
guilty." 

"  If  your  worship  will  intrust  Mistress  Viviana  with  me," 
interposed  the  old  steward,  "I  will  convey  her  whithersoever 
you  direct, — will  watch  over  her  day  and  night, — and,  if  need 
be,  die  in  her  defence." 

"  Thou  wert  ever  a  faithful  servant,  good  Heydocke,"  rejoined 
Sir  William,  extending  his  hand  kindly  to  him,  "and  art  as  true 
in  adversity  as  in  prosperity." 

"  Shame  to  me  if  I  were  not,"  replied  Heydocke,  pressing 
the  knight's  fingers  to  his  lips  and  bathing  them  in  his  tears. 
"  Shame  to  me  if  I  hesitated  to  lay  down  my  life  for  a  master  to 
whom  I  owe  so  much." 

"  If  it  is  your  pleasure,  dear  father,"  observed  Viviana,  "  I 
will  accompany  Master  Heydocke ;  but  I  would  far  rather  be 
permitted  to  remain  with  you." 

"  It  would  avail  nothing,"  replied  Sir  William,  "  we  should 
be  separated  by  the  officers.  Retire  to  your  chamber,  and  pre 
pare  for  instant  departure  ;  and,  in  the  mean  while,  I  will  consider 
what  is  best  to  be  done." 

"  Your  worship's  decision  must  be  speedy,"  observed  Hey 
docke  ;  "  I  had  only  a  few  hours'  start  of  the  officers.  They 
will  be  here  ere  long." 

"Take  this  purse,"  replied  Sir  William,  "  and  hire  three 
of  the  fleetest  horses  you  can  procure,  and  station  yourself  at 
the  outskirts  of  the  town,  on  the  road  to  Saint  Asaph.  You 
understand." 

"  Perfectly,"  replied  Heydocke.  And  he  departed  to  execute  his 
master's  commands,  while  Viviana  withdrew  to  her  own  chamber. 

Left  alone,  the  knight  was  perplexing  himself  as  to  where  he 
should  shape  his  course,  when  he  was  interrupted  by  the  sudden 
entrance  of  Catesby  and  Garnet. 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  89 

"  We  have  just  met  your  servant,  Sir  William,"  said  the 
former,  "  and  have  learnt  the  alarming  intelligence  he  has 
brought." 

"  What  is  your  counsel  in  this  emergency,  father  ?"  said 
Radcliffe,  appealing  to  Garnet. 

"  Flight, — instant  flight,  my  son,**  was  the  answer. 

"  My  counsel  is  resistance,"  said  Catesby.  "  We  are  here  as 
sembled  in  large  numbers,  and  are  well  armed.  Let  us  await 
the  arrival  of  the  officers,  and  see  whether  they  will  venture  to 
arrest  you." 

"  They  will  arrest  us  all,  if  they  have  force  sufficient  to  do 
so,"  replied  Garnet ;  "  and  there  are  many  reasons,  as  you  well 
know,  why  it  is  desirable  to  avoid  any  disturbance  at  present." 

"  True,"  replied  Catesby.  "  What  say  you  then,"  he  con 
tinued,  addressing  Radcliffe,  "  to  our  immediate  return  to  Holt, 
where  means  may  be  found  to  screen  you  till  this  storm  is  blown 
over  ?" 

Sir  William  having  assented  to  the  proposal,  Catesby  instantly 
departed  to  acquaint  the  others,  and,  as  soon  as  preparations 
could  be  made,  ana  horses  procured,  the  whole  party  composing 
the  pilgrimage  quitted  Holywell,  and,  ascending  the  hill  at  the 
back  of  the  town,  took  the  direction  of  Mold,  where  they  arrived, 
having  ridden  at  a  swift  pace,  in  about  half  an  hour.  From 
thence  they  proceeded,  without  accident  or  interruption,  to  the 
mansion  they  had  recently  occupied  near  Holt.  On  reaching 
it,  all  the  domestics  were  armed,  and  certain  of  their  number 
stationed  at  the  different  approaches  to  the  house  to  give  the 
alarm  in  case  of  the  enemy's  appearance.  But  as  nothing 
occurred  during  the  night,  the  fears  of  Sir  William  and  his 
friends  began  in  some  degree  to  subside. 

About  noon,  on  the  following  day,  as  Guy  Fawkes,  who  ever 
since  the  vision  at  Saint  Winifred's  Well  had  shunned  all  com 
panionship,  walked  forth  beneath  the  avenue  alone,  he  heard  a 
light  step  behind  him,  and,  turning,  beheld  Viviana  Gravely 
bowing,  he  was  about  to  pursue  his  course,  when  quickening  her 
pace  she  was  instantly  by  his  side. 

"  I  have  a  favour  to  solicit,"  she  said. 

"  There  is  none  I  would  refuse  you,"  answered  Fawkes, 
halting;  "but,  though  I  have  the  will,  I  may  not  have  the 
power  to  grant  your  request." 

"  Hear  me,  then,"  she  replied,  hurriedly.  "  Of  all  my  father's 
friends — of  all  who  are  here  assembled,  you  are  the  only  one  I 
dare  trust, — the  only  one  from  whom  I  can  hope  for  assistance." 

"  I  am  at  once  flattered  and  perplexed  by  your  words,  Viviana, " 
he  rejoined ;  "  nor  can  I  guess  whither  they  tend.  But  speak 
freely.  If  I  cannot  render  you  aid,  I  can  at  least  give  you 
counsel." 

"  I  must  premise,  then,"  said  Viviana,  "  that  I  am  aware  from 


90  GUY  FAWKES. 

certain  obscure  hints  let  fall  by  Father  Oldcorne,  that  you,  Mr. 
Catesby,  and  others  are  engaged  in  a  dark  and  dangerous  con 
spiracy." 

"  Viviana  Radcliffe,"  returned  Guy  Fawkes,  sternly,  "you 
have  once  before  avowed  your  knowledge  of  this  plot.  I  will 
not  attempt  disguise  with  you.  A  project  is  in  agitation  for  the 
deliverance  of  our  fallen  church;  and,  since  you  have  become 
acquainted  with  its  existence — no  matter  how — you  must  be 
bound  by  an  oath  of  secrecy,  or,"  and  his  look  grew  darker,  and 
his  voice  sterner,  "  I  will  not  answer  for  your  life." 

''  I  will  willingly  take  the  oath,  on  certain  conditions,"  said 
Viviana. 

"  You  must  take  it  unconditionally,"  rejoined  Fawkes. 

"  Hear  me  out,"  said  Viviana.  "  Knowing  that  Mr.  Catesby 
and  Father  Garnet  are  anxious  to  induce  my  father  to  join  this 
conspiracy,  I  carne  hither  to  implore  you  to  prevent  him  from 
doing  so." 

"Were  I  even  willing  to  do  this, — which  I  am  not,"  replied 
Fawkes,  "  I  have  not  the  power.  Sir  William  Radcliffe  would 
be  justly  indignant  at  any  interference  on  my  part." 

"  Heed  not  that,"  replied  Viviana.  "  You,  I  fear,  are  linked 
to  this  fearful  project  beyond  the  possibility  of  being  set  free. 
But  he  is  not.  Save  him  !  save  him  !" 

"  I  will  take  no  part  in  urging  him  to  join  it,"  replied  Fawkes. 
"  But  I  can  promise  nothing  further." 

"Then  mark  me,"  she  returned;  "if  further  attempts  are 
made  by  any  of  your  confederates  to  league  him  with  their  plot, 
I  myself  will  disclose  all  I  know  of  it." 

"  Viviana,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  in  a  threatening  tone,  "  I  again 
warn  you  that  you  endanger  your  life." 

"  I  care  not,"  she  rejoined  ;  "  I  would  risk  twenty  lives,  if  I 
possessed  them,  to  preserve  my  father." 

"You  area  noble-hearted  lady /'replied  Fawkes,  unable  to  repress 
the  admiration  inspired  by  her  conduct ;  "  and  if  I  can  accomplish 
what  you  desire,  I  will.  But  I  see  not  how  it  can  be  done." 

*'  Everything  is  possible  to  one  of  your  resolution,"  replied 
Viviana. 

"  Well,  well,"  replied  Fawkes,  a  slight  smile  crossing  his  rugged 
features ;  "  the  effort  at  least  shall  be  made." 

"  Thanks !  thanks  1"  ejaculated  Viviana ;  and,  overcome  by 
her  emotion,  she  sank  half-fainting  into  his  arms. 

While  he  held  her  thus,  debating  within  himself  whether  he 
should  convey  her  to  the  house,  Garnet  and  Catesby  appeared 
at  the  other  end  of  the  avenue.  Their  surprise  at  the  sight  was 
extreme ;  nor  was  it  less  when  Viviana,  opening  her  eyes  as  they 
drew  near,  uttered  a  slight  cry,  and  disappeared. 

"  This  requires  an  explanation,"  said  Catesby,  glancing  fiercely 
ftt  Fawkes. 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  91 

"  You  must  seek  it,  then,  of  the  lady,"  rejoined  tho  latter, 
moodily. 

"  It  will  be  easily  explained,  I  have  no  doubt,"  interposed 
Garnet.  "  Miss  Radcliffe  was  seized  with  a  momentary  weak 
ness,  and  her  companion  offered  her  support." 

"  That  will  scarcely  suffice  for  me,"  cried  Catesby. 

"  Let  the  subject  be  dropped  for  the  present,"  rejoined  Garnet, 
authoritatively.  **  More  important  matter  claims  our  attention. 
We  came  to  seek  you,  my  son,"  he  continued,  addressing  Fawkes. 
"  All  those  engaged  in  the  great  enterprise  are  about  to  meet  in 
a  summer-house  in  the  garden." 

"  I  am  ready  to  attend  you,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Will  Sir 
William  Radcliffe  be  there  ?" 

"  No,"  replied  Garnet ;  "  he  has  not  yet  joined  us.  None 
will  be  present  at  this  meeting  but  the  sworn  conspirators." 

With  this,  the  trio  took  their  way  towards  the  garden,  and 
proceeding  along  a  walk  edged  with  clipped  yew-trees,  came  to 
the  summer-house, — a  small  circular  building  overrun  with  ivy 
and  creepers,  and  ornamented  in  front  by  two  stone  statues  on 
pedestals.  Here  they  found  Sir  Everard  Digby,  Ambrose  Rook- 
wood,  Francis  Tresham,  Thomas  and  Robert  Winter,  John  and 
Christopher  Wright,  awaiting  their  arrival. 

The  door  being  closed  and  bolted,  Garnet,  placing  himself  in 
the  midst  of  the  assemblage,  said,  "  Before  we  proceed  further, 
I  will  again  administer  the  oath  to  all  present."  Drawing  from 
his  vest  a  primer,  and  addressing  Sir  Everard  Digby,  he  desired 
him  to  kneel,  and  continued  thus  in  a  solemn  tone,  "  You  shall 
swear  by  the  Blessed  Trinity,  and  by  the  sacr-unent  you  propose 
to  receive,  never  to  disclose  directly  nor  indirectly,  by  word  or 
circumstance,  the  matter  that  shall  be  proposed  to  you  to  keep 
secret,  nor  desist  from  the  execution  thereof,  until  the  rest  shall 
give  you  leave." 

"  I  swear,"  replied  Digby,  kissing  the  primer. 

The  oath  was  then  taken  in  like  manner  by  the  others.  This 
done,  Catesby  was  about  to  address  the  meeting,  when  Tresham, 
glancing  uneasily  at  the  door,  remarked,  "  Are  you  assured  we 
have  no  eavesdroppers?" 

"  I  will  keep  watch  without,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  "  if  you  have 
any  fears." 

"  It  were  better,"  replied  Robert  Winter.  "  We  cannot  be  too 
cautious.  But  if  you  go  forth,  you  will  not  be  able  to  take  part 
in  the  discussion." 

"  My  part  is  to  act,  riot  talk,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  marching 
towards  the  door.  And  shutting  it  after  him,  he  took  up  his 
position  outside. 

Upon  this  Catesby  commenced  a  long  and  inflammatory  ha 
rangue,  in  which  he  expatiated  with  great  eloquence  and  fervour 
on  the  wrongs  of  the  Catholic  party,  and  the  deplorable  condition 


92  GUY  FAWKES. 

of  their  church.  "  It  were  easy  to  slay  the  tyrant  by  whom  we  are 
oppressed,"  he  said,  in  conclusion ;  "  but  his  destruction  would 
be  small  gain  to  us.  We  must  strike  deeper,  to  hew  down  the 
baneful  stock  of  heresy.  All  our  adversaries  must  perish  with 
him,  and  in  such  a  manner  as  shall  best  attest  the  vengeance  of 
Heaven.  Placed  beneath  the  Parliament-house,  a  mine  of  pow 
der  shall  hurl  its  heretical  occupants  into  the  air, — nor  shall  any 
one  survive  the  terrible  explosion.  Are  we  all  agreed  to  this  plan?" 

All  the  conspirators  expressed  their  assent,  except  Sir  Everard 
Digby. 

"  Before  I  give  my  concurrence  to  the  measure,"  observed  the 
latter,  "  I  would  fain  be  resolved  by  Father  Garnet  whether  it 
is  lawful  to  destroy  some  few  of  our  own  faith  with  so  many 
heretics." 

"  Unquestionably,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet.  "  As  in  besieging 
a  city  we  have  a  right  to  kill  all  within  it,  whether  friends  or 
enemies,  so  in  this  case  we  are  justified  in  destroying  the  inno 
cent  with  the  guilty,  because  their  destruction  will  be  advan 
tageous  to  the  Catholic  cause." 

"  I  am  satisfied,"  replied  Digby. 

"  As  to  the  tyrant  and  apostate  James,"  continued  Garnet, 
"  he  is  excommunicated,  and  his  subjects  released  from  their 
allegiance.  I  have  two  breves  sent  over  by  his  holiness  Pope 
Clement  VIII.  three  years  ago,  one  directed  to  the  clergy,  and 
the  other  to  the  nobility  of  this  realm,  wherein,  alluding  to 
Queen  Elizabeth,  it  is  expressly  declared  that,  '  so  soon  as  that 
miserable  woman  should  depart  out  of  this  life,  none  shall  be 
permitted  to  ascend  the  throne,  how  near  soever  in  proximity  of 
blood,  unless  they  are  such  as  will  not  only  tolerate  the  Catholic 
faith,  but  in  every  way  support  it.'  By  this  brief,  James  is 
expressly  excluded.  He  has  betrayed,  not  supported  the  church 
of  Rome.  Having  broken  his  word  with  us,  and  oppressed  our 
brethren  more  rigorously  even  than  his  predecessor,  the  remorse 
less  Elizabeth,  he  is  unworthy  longer  to  reign,  and  must  be 
removed." 

"  He  must,"  reiterated  the  conspirators. 

"  The  Parliament-house  being  the  place  where  all  the  mischief 
done  us  has  been  contrived  by  our  adversaries,  it  is  fitting  that 
it  should  be  the  place  of  their  chastisement,"  remarked  Catesby. 

"Doubtless,"  rejoined  Ambrose  Rookwood. 

"Yet  if  the  blow  we  meditate  should  miscarry,"  observed 
Thomas  Winter,  "  the  injury  to  the  Catholic  religion  will  be  so 
great,  that  not  only  our  enemies,  but  our  ver}'  friends  will  con 
demn  us." 

"  There  is  no  chance  of  miscarriage,  if  we  are  true  to  each 
other,"  returned  Catesby,  confidently.  "And  if  I  suspected  any 
one  of  treachery,  I  would  plunge  my  sword  into  his  bosom,  were 
he  my  brother. 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  93 

"  You  would  do  wrong  to  act  thus  on  mere  suspicion,** remarked 
Tresham,  who  stood  near  him. 

"  In  a  case  like  this,  he  who  gives  the  slightest  ground  for 
doubt  would  merit  death,"  replied  Catesby,  sternly ;  "  and  I 
would  slay  him." 

"  Hum !"  exclaimed  Tresham,  uneasily. 

"  Mr.  Catesby  will  now  perhaps  inform  us  what  has  been  done 
to  carry  the  project  into  effect  ?"  inquired  Sir  Everard  Digby. 

"A  small  habitation  has  been  taken  by  one  of  our  confederates, 

Mr.  Thomas  Percy,  immediately  adjoining  the  Parliament-house," 

replied  Catesby,  "  from  the  cellar  of  which  it  is  proposed  to  dig 

a  mine  through  the  wall  of  the  devoted  building,  and  to  deposit 

within  it  a  sufficient  quantity  of  gunpowder  and  other  combus- 

Aibles  to  accomplish  our  purpose.     This  mine  must  be  digged  by 

ourselves,  as  we  can  employ  no  assistants,  and  will  be  a  laborious 

and  dangerous  task.     But  I  for  one  will  cheerfully  undertake  it." 

"  And  I,"  said  the  elder  Wright. 

"  And  I,"  cried  several  others. 

"  Supposing  the  mine  digged,  and  the  powder  deposited,"  ob 
served  Ambrose  Rookwood,  "  whose  hand  will  fire  the  train  ?" 

"  Mine !"  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  throwing  open  the  door.  As 
soon  as  he  had  spoken,  he  retired  and  closed  it  after  him. 

"  He  will  keep  his  word,"  remarked  Garnet.  "  He  is  of  a 
nature  so  resolute  that  he  would  destroy  himself  with  the  victims 
rather  than  fail.  Catiline  was  not  a  bolder  conspirator  than  Guy 
Fawkes." 

"Well,  gentlemen,"  observed  Catesby,  "we  are  now  at  tbft 
latter  end  of  July.  All  must  be  ready  against  the  meeting  of 
Parliament  in  November." 

"  There  is  some  likelihood,  I  hear,  that  the  meeting  of  the 
house  will  be  prorogued  till  February,"  remarked  Tresham. 

"  So  much  the  better,"  rejoined  Catesby,  "  it  will  give  us  more 
time  for  preparation." 

"  So  much  the  worse,  I  think,"  cried  Ambrose  Rookwood. 
"  Delays  are  ever  dangerous,  and  doubly  dangerous  in  a  case 
like  ours." 

"  I  am  far  from  desiring  to  throw  any  impediment  in  the  way 
of  our  design,"  observed  Sir  Everard  Digby,  "  but  I  would  re 
commend,  before  we  proceed  to  this  terrible  extremity,  that  one 
last  effort  should  be  made  to  move  the  King  in  our  behalf." 

"  It  is  useless,"  replied  Catesby.  "  So  far  from  toleration,  he 
meditates  severer  measures  against  us ;  and,  I  am  well  assured, 
if  Parliament  is  allowed  to  meet,  such  laws  will  be  passed  as  will 
bring  all  of  us  within  premunire.  No,  no.  We  have  no  hope 
from  James,  nor  his  ministers." 

"  Nor  yet  from  France  or  Spain,"  observed  Thomas  Winter. 
"  In  my  conference  with  the  Constable  Velasco  at  Bergen,  I 
received  assurances  of  the  good-will  of  Philip  towards  us,  but  no 


94  GUY  FAWKES. 

distinct  promise  of  interference  in  our  behalf.  The  Archduke 
Albert  is  well  disposed,  but  he  can  render  no  assistance.  We 
must  depend  upon  ourselves." 

"  Ay,  marry,  must  we,"  replied  Catesby,  "  and  fortunate  is  it 
that  we  have  devised  a  plan  by  which  we  can  accomplish  our 
purpose  unaided.  We  only  require  funds  to  follow  up  with  effect 
the  blow  we  shall  strike." 

"  My  whole  fortune  shall  be  placed  at  your  disposal,"  replied 
Sir  Everard  Digby. 

"  Part  of  mine  has  already  been  given,"  said  Tresham,  "  and 
the  rest  shall  follow." 

"Would  I  had  aught  to  peril  in  the  matter  except  my 
life,"  said  Catesby.  "  I  would  throw  everything  upon  the 
stake." 

"You  do  enough  in  venturing  thus  much,  my  son,"  rejoined 
Garnet.  "  To  you  the  whole  conduct  -of  the  enterprise  is  com 
mitted." 

"  I  live  for  nothing  else,"  replied  Catesby,  "  and  if  I  see  it 
successful,  I  shall  have  lived  long  enough." 

"  Cannot  Sir  William  Radcliffe  be  induced  to  join  us  ?"  asked 
Rookwood.  "  He  would  be  an  important  acquisition,  and  his 
wealth  would  prove  highly  serviceable." 

"  I  have  sounded  him,"  answered  Catesby.  "  But  he  appears 
reluctant." 

"  Be  not  satisfied  with  one  attempt,"  urged  Christopher  Wright. 
*'  The  jeopardy  in  which  he  now  stands  may  make  him  change 
his  mind." 

"I  am  loth  to  interrupt  the  discussion," returned  Garnet,  "but 
I  think  we  have  tarried  here  long  enough.  We  will  meet  again 
at  midnight,  when  I  hope  to  introduce  Sir  William  Radcliffe  to 
you  as  a  confederate." 

The  party  then  separated,  and  Garnet  went  in  search  of  the 
knight. 

Ascertaining  that  he  was  in  his  own  chamber,  he  proceeded 
thither,  and  found  him  alone.  Entering  at  once  upon  the  subject 
in  hand,  Garnet  pleaded  his  cause  with  so  much  zeal  that  he  at 
last  wrung  a  reluctant  consent  from  the  listener.  Scarcely  able 
to  conceal  his  exultation,  he  then  proposed  to  Sir  William  to 
adjourn  with  him  to  the  private  chapel  in  the  house,  where, 
having  taken  the  oath,  and  received  the  sacrament  upon  it,  he 
should  forthwith  be  introduced  to  the  conspirators,  and  the  whole 
particulars  of  the  plot  revealed  to  him.  To  this  the  knight,  with 
some  hesitation,  agreed.  As  they  traversed  a  gallery  leading  to 
the  chapel,  they  met  Viviana.  For  the  first  time  in  his  life 
Radcliffe 's  gaze  sank  before  his  daughter,  and  he  would  have 
passed  her  without  speaking  had  she  not  stopped  him. 

"  Father  I  dear  father  I"  she  cried,  "  I  know  whither  you  are 
going — and  for  what  purpose.  Do  not — do  i^t  join  them." 


X 


THE 

>iiliam  Radcllffe  made  no  reply,  out  «•; 
iwsh  her  aside. 

vould  not,  however,  be  renuKxL  '-•?  i 


"  Viviana,"  cried 

::,n;:ind  you  ;• 

her  r   brow,  •  "•»«?«;*    •<•;, 

frenzied  look  alter  him,  and  then  ru  •  •     •  gr.".U«ry. 

On  reaching  the  chapel,   Sir  Will  >  ?>KJ   •*•  •<:••. 

shaken  by  .this  meeting,  was  some  minutes  in   rfv.,;\ 
composure.     Garnet  employed  the  time  in  renewing  b 
ments,  and  with  so  much  address  that  he  succeeded  in 
the  scruples  of  conscience  which  had  been  awakened  in 
knight's  breast  by  his  daughter's  warning. 

"  And  now,  my  son,"  he  said,  "since  you  have  determir. 
enrol  your  name  in  the  list  of  those  sworn  to  deliver  their  ch 
from  oppression,  take  this  primer  in  your  hand,  and  kneel  down 
before  the  altar,  while  I  administer  the  oath   \vhu*h  is  to  unite 
you  to  us." 

Garnet  then  advanced  torc  r  \Villia< 

about  to  prostrate  bin;  'e  it,  \vhe 

door  was  suddenly  thr  D,  and  Guy  «trxwt 

the  chapel. 

*'  Hold  !"  he  exclaimed, 

_  his  dark  glance  upon 

"  What  mean  you  ?"  crir 

'zed  with  asto 
3  is  about  to  join 

**J  know  it,"  replied  Fawi-  •:  be.     lie  ha* 

u  the  business,  and  will  k 
>etter  without  him,  than  with  him." 
•oke,  he  took  the  primer  from  the  knight's  hand. 

•  ie  altar. 

duct  is  inexplicable,"  cried  Garnet,  angrily.     **  Yrr* 
i«m-<?r  for  it  to  others,  as  well  as  to  me." 

!i*wer  for  it  to  all,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes,     "L*.t  &f 
^  •  tie  declare  before  me,  and  before   He»v  v,,  »Ua> 

*  .    -.lie   measure,   and  I  am  content  he  s^-^j  ':;5 

!-r:y  conscience  by  saying  so,"  «-^H 
itated  by  conflicting  ei 

. 


that  prt?«ii^e  thttn  a  * 
sternly.     "  Sir  WHHim  H 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  95 

Sir  William  Radcliffe  made  no  reply,  but  endeavoured  gently 
to  push  her  aside. 

She  would  not,  however,  be  repulsed,  but  prostrating  herself 
before  him,  clasped  his  knees,  and  besought  him  not  to  proceed. 

Making  a  significant  gesture  to  Sir  William,  Garnet  walked 
forward. 

"  Viviana,**  cried  the  knight,  sternly,  "  my  resolution  is  taken. 
I  command  you  to  retire  to  your  chamber." 

So  saying,  he  broke  from  her,  and  followed  Garnet.  Clasping 
her  hands  to  her  brow,  Viviana  gazed  for  a  moment  with  a 
frenzied  look  alter  him,  and  then  rushed  from  the  gallery. 

On  reaching  the  chapel,  Sir  William,  who  had  been  much 
shaken  by  this  meeting,  was  some  minutes  in  recovering  his 
composure.  Garnet  employed  the  time  in  renewing  his  argu 
ments,  and  with  so  much  address  that  he  succeeded  in  quieting 
the  scruples  of  conscience  which  had  been  awakened  in  the 
knight's  breast  by  his  daughter's  warning. 

"  And  now,  my  son,"  he  said,  "  since  you  have  determined  to 
enrol  your  name  in  the  list  of  those  sworn  to  deliver  their  church 
from  oppression,  take  this  primer  in  your  hand,  and  kneel  down 
before  the  altar,  while  I  administer  the  oath  which  is  to  unite 
you  to  us." 

Garnet  then  advanced  towards  the  altar,  and  Sir  William  was 
about  to  prostrate  himself  upon  a  cushion  beside  it,  when  the 
door  was  suddenly  thrown  open,  and  Guy  Fawkes  strode  into 
the  chapel. 

"  Hold  !"  he  exclaimed,  grasping  Radcliffe's  right  arm,  and 
fixing  his  dark  glance  upon  him  ;  "  you  shall  not  take  that  oath.'* 

"  What  mean  you  ?"  cried  Garnet,  who,  as  well  as  the  knight, 
was  paralyzed  with  astonishment  at  this  intrusion.  "  Sir  William 
Radcliffe  is  about  to  join  us." 

"  I  know  it,"  replied  Fawkes ;  "  but  it  may  not  be.  He  has 
no  heart  in  the  business,  and  will  lend  it  no  efficient  assistance. 
We  are  better  without  him,  than  with  him." 

As  he  spoke,  he  took  the  primer  from  the  knight's  hand,  and 
laid  it  upon  the  altar. 

"  This  conduct  is  inexplicable,"  cried  Garnet,  angrily.  "  You 
will  answer  for  it  to  others,  as  well  as  to  me." 

"  I  will  answer  for  it  to  all,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes.  "  Let  Sir 
William  Radcliffe  declare  before  me,  and  before  Heaven,  that 
he  approves  the  measure,  and  I  am  content  he  should  take 
the  oath." 

"  I  cannot  belie  my  conscience  by  saying  so,"  replied  the 
knight,  who  appeared  agitated  by  conflicting  emotions. 

"Yet  you  have  promised  to  join  us,"  cried  Garnet,  reproach 
fully. 

"  Better  break  that  promise  than  a  solemn  oath,'*  rejoined 
Guy  Fawkes,  sternly.  "  Sir  William  Radcliffe,  there  are  reasons 


96  GUY   FAWKES. 

why  you  should  not  join  this  conspiracy.  Examine  your  inmost 
heart,  and  it  will  tell  you  what  they  arc." 

"  I  understand  you,"  replied  the  knight 

"Get  hence,"  cried  Garnet,  unable  to  control  his  indignation, 
"or  I  will  pronounce  our  Church's  most  terrible  malediction 
against  you." 

"I  shall  not  shrink  from  it,  father,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  humbly, 
but  firmly,  "  seeing  I  am  acting  rightly." 

"  Undeceive  yourself,  then,  at  once,"  returned  Garnet,  "  and 
learn  that  you  are  thwarting  our  great  and  holy  purpose." 

"  On  the  contrary,"  replied  Fawkes,  "  I  am  promoting  it, 
by  preventing  one  from  joining  it  who  will  endanger  its  success." 

"  You  are  a  traitor  !"  cried  Garnet,  furiously. 

"  A  traitor  1"  exclaimed  Guy  Fawkes,  his  eye  blazing  with 
fierce  lustre,  though  his  voice  and  demeanour  were  unaltered,— 
"  I,  who  have  been  warned  thrice,— ,-twice  by  the  dead, — and 
lastly  by  a  vision  from  heaven,  yet  still  remain  firm  to  my  pur 
pose, — I,  who  have  voluntarily  embraced  the  most  dangerous 
and  difficult  part  of  the  enterprise, — I,  who  would  suffer  the 
utmost  extremity  of  torture,  rather  than  utter  a  word  that  should 
reveal  it, — a  traitor  I  No,  father,  I  am  none.  If  you  think  so, 
take  this  sword  and  at  once  put  an  end  to  your  doubts." 

There  was  something  so  irresistible  in  the  manner  of  Guy 
Fawkes,  that  Garnet  remained  silent. 

"Do  with  me  what  you  please,"  continued  Fawkes  ;  "but  do 
not  compel  Sir  William  RadtTnTe  to  join  the  conspiracy.  He 
will  be  fatal  to  it." 

"  No  one  shall  compel  me  to  join  it,"  replied  the  knight. 

"Perhaps  it  is  better  thus,"  returned  Garnet,  after  a  pause, 
during  which  he  was  buried  in  reflection.  "  I  will  urge  you  no 
further,  my  son.  But  before  you  depart  you  must  swear  not  to 
divulge  what  you  have  just  learnt." 

"  Willingly,"  replied  the  knight. 

"  There  is  another  person  who  must  also  take  that  oath,"  said 
Guy  Fawkes,  "  having  accidentally  become  acquainted  with  as 
much  as  yourself." 

And  stepping  out  of  the  chapel,  he  immediately  afterwards 
returned  with  Viviana. 

"  You  will  now  understand  why  I  would  not  allow  Sir  William 
to  join  the  conspiracy,"  he  observed  to  Garnet. 

"  I  do,"  replied  the  latter,  gloomily. 

The  oath  administered,  the  knight  and  his  daughter  quitted 
the  chapel,  accompanied  by  Guy  Fawkes.  Viviana  was  profuse 
in  her  expressions  of  gratitude,  nor  was  her  father  less  earnest 
in  his  acknowledgments. 

A  few  hours  after  this,  Sir  William  Radcliffe  informed  Sir 
Everard  Digby  that  it  was  his  intention  to  depart  immediately, 
and,  though  the  latter  attempted  to  dissuade  him  by  representing 


THE  CONSPIRATORS.  97 

the  danger  to  which  he  would  be  exposed,  he  continued  inflexible. 
The  announcement  surprised  both  Catesby  and  Garnet,  who 
were  present  when  it  was  made,  and  added  their  entreaties  to 
those  of  Digby — but  without  effect.  Catesby's  proposal  to  serve 
as  an  escort  was  likewise  refused  by  Sir  William,  who  said  he 
had  no  fears,  and  when  questioned  as  to  his  destination,  he  re 
turned  an  evasive  answer.  This  sudden  resolution  of  the  knight 
coupled  with  his  refusal  to  join  the  plot,  alarmed  the  conspira 
tors,  and  more  than  one  expressed  fears  of  treachery.  Sir 
Everard  Digby,  however,  was  not  of  the  number,  but  asserted 
that  Radcliffe  was  a  man  of  the  highest  honour,  and  he  would 
answer  fur  his  secrecy  with  his  life. 

"  Will  you  answer  for  that  of  his  daughter  ?"  demanded 
Tresham. 

"  /  will,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  To  put  the  matter  beyond  a  doubt,"  observed  Catesby,  "  I 
•will  set  out  shortly  after  him,  and  follow  him  unobserved  till  he 
halts  for  the  night,  and  ascertain  whether  he  stops  at  any  sus 
picious  quarter." 

"  Do  so,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet. 

"  It  is  needless,"  observed  Sir  Everard  Digby ;  "  but  do  as 
you  please." 

By  this  time,  Radcliffe's  horses  being  brought  round  by  Hey- 
docke,  he  and  his  daughter  took  a  hasty  leave  of  their  friends. 
When  they  had  been  gone  a  few  minutes,  Catesby  called  for  his 
steed ;  and,  after  exchanging  a  word  or  two  with  Garnet,  rode 
after  them.  He  had  proceeded  about  a  couple  of  miles  along  a 
cross-road  leading  to  Nantwich,  which  he  learnt  from  some 
cottagers  was  the  route  taken  by  the  party  before  him,  when  he 
heard  the  tramp  of  a  horse  in  the  rear,  and,  turning  at  the  sound, 
beheld  Guy  Fawkes.  Drawing  in  the  bridle,  he  halted  till  the 
latter  came  up,  and  angrily  demanded  on  what  errand  he  was 
bent. 

"  My  errand  is  the  same  as  your  own,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I 
intend  to  follow  Sir  William  Radcliffe,  and,  if  need  be,  defend 
him." 

Whatever  Catesby's  objections  might  be  to  this  companionship, 
he  did  not  think  fit  to  declare  them,  and,  though  evidently  much 
displeased,  suffered  Guy  Fawkes  to  ride  by  his  side  without 
opposition. 

Having  gained  the  summit  of  the  mountainous  range  extending 
from  Malpas  to  Tottenhall,  whence  they  beheld  the  party  whose 
course  they  were  tracking  enter  a  narrow  lane  at  the  foot  of  the 
hill,  Catesby,  fearful  of  losing  sight  of  them,  set  spurs  to  his 
steed.  Guy  Fawkes  kept  close  beside  him,  and  they  did  not 
slacken  their  pace  until  they  reached  the  lane. 

Having  proceeded  along  it  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  they  were 
alarmed  by  the  sudden  report  of  fire-arms,  followed  by  a  loud 

H 


98  GUY  FAWKES. 

shriek,  which  neither  of  them  doubted  was  uttered  by  Viviana. 
Again  dashing  forward,  on  turning  a  corner  of  the  road,  they 
beheld  the  party  surrounded  by  half-a-dozen  troopers.  Sir 
William  Radcliffe  had  shot  one  of  his  assailants,  and,  assisted  by 
Hcydocke,  was  defending  himself  bravely  against  the  others. 
With  loud  shouts,  Catesby  and  Guy  Fawkes  galloped  towards 
the  scene  of  strife.  But  they  were  too  late.  A  bullet  pierced 
the  knight's  brain;  and  he  no  sooner  fell,  than,  regardless  of 
himself,  the  old  steward  flung  away  his  sword,  and  threw  himself, 
with  the  most  piteous  lamentations,  on  the  body. 

Viviana,  meanwhile,  had  been  compelled  to  dismount,  and 
was  in  the  hands  of  the  troopers.  On  seeing  her  father's  fate, 
her  shrieks  were  so  heart-piercing,  that  even  her  captors  were 
moved  to  compassion.  Fighting  his  way  towards  her,  Catesby 
cut  down  one  of  the  troopers,  and  snatching  her  from  the  grasp 
of  the  other,  who  was  terrified  by  the  'furious  assault,  placed  her 
on  the  saddle  beside  him,  and  striking  spurs  into  his  charger  at 
the  same  moment,  leapt  the  hedge,  and  made  good  his  retreat. 

This  daring  action,  however,  could  not  have  been  accomplished 
without  the  assistance  of  Guy  Fawkes,  who  warded  off  with  his 
rapier  all  the  blows  aimed  at  him  and  his  lovely  charge.  While 
thus  engaged,  he  received  a  severe  cut  on  the  head,  which 
stretched  him  senseless  and  bleeding  beneath  his  horse's  feet. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE  PACKET. 


ON  recovering  from  the  effects  of  the  wound  he  had  received 
from  the  trooper,  Guy  Fawkes  found  himself  stretched  upon  a 
small  bed  in  a  cottage,  with  Viviana  and  Catesby  watching  beside 
him.  A  thick  fold  of  linen  was  bandaged  round  his  head,  and 
he  was  so  faint  from  the  great  effusion  of  blood  he  had  sustained, 
that,  after  gazing  vacantly  around  him  for  a  few  minutes,  and 
but  imperfectly  comprehending  what  he  beheld,  his  eyes  closed, 
and  he  relapsed  into  insensibility.  Restoratives  being  applied, 
he  revived  in  a  short  time,  and,  in  answer  to  his  inquiries  how 
he  came  thither,  was  informed  by  Catesby  that  he  had  been  left 
for  dead  by  his  assailants,  who,  contenting  themselves  with 
making  the  old  steward  prisoner,  had  ridden  off  in  the  direction 
of  Chester. 

"What  has  become  of  Sir  William  Radcliffe ?"  asked  the 
wounded  man  in  a  feeble  voice. 

Catesby  raised  his  finger  to  his  lips,  and  Fawkes  learnt  the 
distressing  nature  of  the  question  he  had  asked  by  the  agonizing 
cry  that  burst  from  Viviana.  Unable  to  controf  her  grief,  she 


THE   PACKET.  99 

withdrew,  and  Catesby  then  told  him  that  the  body  of  Sir 
William  Radcliffe  was  lying  in  an  adjoining  cottage,  whither  it 
had  been  transported  from  the  scene  of  the  conflict ;  adding  that 
it  was  Viviana's  earnest  desire  that  it  should  be  conveyed  to 
Manchester  to  the  family  vault  in  the  Collegiate  Church ;  but 
that  he  teared  her  wish  could  not  be  safely  complied  with.  A 
messenger,  however,  had  been  despatched  to  Holt ;  and  Sir 
Everard  Digby,  and  Fathers  Garnet  and  Oldcorne,  were  mo 
mentarily  expected,  when  some  course  would  be  decided  upon 
for  the  disposal  of  the  unfortunate  knight's  remains. 

"  Poor  Viviana  I"  groaned  Fawkes.  "  She  has  now  no  pro 
tector." 

"  Rest  easy  on  that  score,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  She  shall 
never  want  one  while  I  live." 

The  wounded  man  fixed  his  eyes,  now  blazing  with  red  and 
unnatural  light,  inquiring'y  upon  him,  but  he  said  nothing. 

"  1  know  what  you  mean,"  continued  Catesby ;  "  you  think  I 
shall  wed  her,  and  you  are  in  the  right.  I  shall.  The  marriage 
is  essential  to  our  enterprise ;  and  the  only  obstacle  to  it  is 
removed." 

Fawkes  attempted  to  reply,  but  his  parched  tongue  refused 
its  office.  Catesby  arose,  and  carefully  raising  his  head,  held  a 
cup  of  water  to  his  lips.  The  sufferer  eagerly  drained  it,  and 
would  have  asked  for  more  ;  but  seeing  that  the  request  would 
be  refused,  he  left  it  unuttered. 

"  Have  you  examined  my  wound  ?"  he  said,  after  a  pause. 

Catesby  answered  in  the  affirmative. 

"  And  do  you  judge  it  mortal?"  continued  Fawkes.  "Not 
that  I  have  any  fear  of  Death.  I  have  looked  him  in  the  face 
too  often  for  that.  But  I  have  somewhat  on  my  mind  which  I 
would  fain  discharge  before  my  earthly  pilgrimage  is  ended." 

"  Do  not  delay  it,  then,"  rejoined  the  other.  "  Knowing  I 
speak  to  a  soldier,  and  a  brave  one,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  tell  you 
your  hours  are  numbered." 

"  Heaven's  will  be  done  I"  exclaimed  Fawkes,  in  a  tone  of 
resignation.  "  I  thought  myself  destined  to  be  one  of  the  chief 
instruments  of  the  restoration  of  our  holy  religion.  But  I  find 
I  was  mistaken.  When  Father  Garnet  arrives,  I  beseech  you 
let  me  see  him  instantly.  Or,  if  he  should  not  come  speedily, 
entreat  Miss  Radcliffe  to  grant  me  a  few  moments  in  private." 

"  Why  not  unburthen  yourself  to  me?"  returned  Catesby,  dis 
trustfully.  "In  your  circumstances  I  should  desire  no  better 
confessor  than  a  brother  soldier, — no  other  crucifix  than  a  sword- 
hilt." 

"  Nor  I,"  rejoined  Fawkes.  "  But  this  is  no  confession  I  am 
about  to  make.  What  I  have  to  say  relates  to  others,  not  to 
mvself." 

tf 

"  Indeed !"  exclaimed  Catesby.     "  Then  there  is  the  more 


100  GUY  FAWKES. 

reason  why  it  should  not  be  deferred.  I  hold  it  my  duty  to  tell 
you  that  the  fever  of  your  wound  will,  in  all  probability,  produce 
delirium.  Make  your  communication  while  your  senses  remain 
to  you.  And  whatever  you  enjoin  shall  be  rigorously  fulfilled." 

"  Will  you  swear  this  ?"  cried  Fawkes,  eagerly.  But  before  an 
answer  could  be  returned,  he  added,  in  an  altered  tone,  "No, — 
no, — it  cannot  be." 

"  This  is  no  time  for  anger,"  rejoined  Catesby,  sternly,  "  or  I 
should  ask  whether  you  doubt  the  assurance  I  have  given  you  ?" 

"  I  doubt  nothing  but  your  compliance  with  my  request,"  re 
turned  Fawkes.  "  And  oh  1  if  you  hope  to  be  succoured  at  your 
hour  of  need,  tell  Miss  Radcliffe  I  desire  to  speak  with  her." 

"  The  message  will  not  need  to  be  conveyed,"  said  Viviana, 
who  had  noiselessly  entered  the  room ;  "  she  is  here." 

Guy  Fawkes  turned  his  gaze  in  the  direction  of  the  voice ; 
and,  notwithstanding  his  own  deplorable  condition,  he  was  filled 
with  concern  at  the  change  wrought  in  her  appearance  by  the 
terrible  shock  she  had  undergone.  Her  countenance  was  as  pale 
as  death, — her  eyes,  from  which  no  tears  would  flow,  as  is  ever 
the  case  with  the  deepest  distress,  were  glassy  and  lustreless, — 
her  luxuriant  hair  hung  in  dishevelled  masses  over  her  shoulders, 
— and  her  attire  was  soiled  and  disordered. 

"  You  desire  to  speak  with  me,"  she  continued,  advancing 
towards  the  couch  of  the  wounded  man. 

"  It  must  be  alone,"  he  replied. 

Viviana  glanced  at  Catesby,  who  reluctantly  arose,  and  closed 
the  door  after  him.  "  We  are  alone  now,"  she  said. 

"Water!  water  I"  gasped  the  sufferer,  "or  I  perish."  His 
request  being  complied  with,  he  continued  in  a  low  solemn  voice, 
"  Viviana,  you  have  lost  the  dearest  friend  you  had  on  earth,  and 
you  will  soon  lose  one  who,  if  he  had  been  spared,  would  have 
endeavoured,  as  far  as  he  could,  to  repair  the  loss.  I  say  not 
this  to  aggravate  your  distress,  but  to  prove  the  sincerity  of  my 
regard.  Let  me  conjure  you,  with  my  dying  breath,  not  to  wed 
Mr.  Catesby." 

"  Fear  it  not,"  replied  Viviana.  "  I  would  rather  endure  doath 
than  consent  to  do  so." 

"  Be  upon  your  guard  against  him,  then,"  continued  Fawkes. 
"  When  an  object  is  to  be  gained,  he  suffers  few  scruples  to  stand 
in  his  way." 


small  packet  from  the  folds  of  his  doublet,  "  break  open  this ;  it 
will  inform  you  what  to  do.  Only  promise  me  you  will  r;oi. 
have  recourse  to  it  till  all  other  means  have  failed." 

Viviana  took  the  packet,  and  gave  the  required  promise. 

"Conceal  it  about  your  person,  and  guard  it  carefully,"  con- 


THE  PACKET.  101 

tinned  Fawkes;  "for  yon  know  not  when  you  may  require  it. 
And  now,  having  cleared  my  conscience,  I  can  die  easily.  Let 
me  have  your  prayers." 

Viviana  knelt  down  by  the  bedside,  and  poured  forth  the 
most  earnest  supplications  in  his  behalf. 

"  Perhaps,"  she  said,  as  she  arose,  "  and  it  is  some  consolation 
to  think  so, — you  may  be  saved  by  death  from  the  commission 
of  a  great  crime,  which  would  for  ever  have  excluded  you  from 
the  joys  of  heaven." 

"  Say  rather,"  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  whose  brain  began  to  wan 
der,  "  which  would  have  secured  them  to  me.  Others  will 
achieve  it ;  but  I  shall  have  no  share  in  their  glory,  or  their 
reward." 

"  Their  reward  will  be  perdition  in  this  world  and  in  the 
next,"  rejoined  Viviana.  "  I  repeat,  that  though  I  deeply  deplore 
your  condition,  I  rejoice  in  your  delivery  from  this  sin.  It  is 
better — far  better — to  die  thus,  than  by  the  hands  of  the  com 
mon  executioner." 

"  What  do  I  see?"  cried  Guy  Fawkes,  trying  to  raise  himself, 
and  sinking  back  again  instantly  upon  the  pillow.  "  Elizabeth 
Orton  rises  before  me.  She  beckons  me  after  her — I  come ! — 
I  come  I ' 

"  Heaven  pity  him  !"  cried  Viviana.  "  His  senses  have  left 
him!' 

"  She  leads  me  into  a  gloomy  cavern,"  continued  Fawkes,  more 
•wildly ;  "  but  my  eyes  are  like  the  wolf's,  and  can  penetrate  the 
darkness.  It  is  filled  with  barrels  of  gunpowder.  I  see  them 
ranged  in  tiers,  one  above  another.  Ah  I  I  know  where  I  am 
now.  It  is  the  vault  beneath  the  Parliament-house.  The  King 
and  his  nobles  are  assembled  in  the  hall  above.  Lend  me  a 
torch,  that  I  may  fire  the  train,  and  blow  them  into  the  air. 
Quick  I  quick  I  I  have  sworn  their  destruction,  and  will  keep 
my  oath.  What  matter  if  I  perish  with  them  ?  Give  me  the 
torch,  I  say,  or  it  will  be  too  late.  Is  the  powder  damp  that  i' 
vill  not  kindle  ?  And  see !  the  torch  is  expiring — it  is  gone 
out !  Distraction  ! — to  be  baffled  thus !  Why  do  you  stand  and 
glare  at  me  with  your  stony  eyes?  Who  are  those  with  you? 
Fiends  ! — no !  they  are  armed  men.  They  seize  me — they  drag 
ino  before  a  grave  assemblage.  What  is  that  hideous  engine? 
The  rack  I — Bind  me  on  it — break  every  limb — ye  shall  not 
force  me  to  confess — ha!  ha !  I  laugh  at  your  threats — ha  I  ha  1" 

"  Mother  of  mercy  I  release  him  from  this  torture  1"  cried 
Viviana. 

"  So !  ye  have  condemned  me,"  continued  Fawkes,  "  and  will 
drag  me  to  execution.  Well,  well,  I  am  prepared.  But  what  a 
host  is  assembled  to  see  me  I  Ten  thousand  faces  are  turned 
towards  me,  and  all  with  one  abhorrent  bloodthirsty  expression. 
And  what  a  scaffold !  Get  it  done  quickly,  thou  butcherly 


102  GUY  FAWKEb. 

villain.     The  rope  is  twisted  round  my  throat  in  serpent  folds. 
It  strangles  me — ah  !" 

"  Horror !"  exclaimed  Viviana.  "  I  can  listen  to  this  no 
longer.  Help,  Mr.  Catesby,  help!" 

"  The  knife  is  at  my  breast — it  pierces  my  flesh — my  heart  is 
torn  forth — I  die  !  I  die  !"  And  he  uttered  a  dreadful  groan. 

"  What  has  happened  ?"  cried  Catesby,  rushing  into  the  room. 
«  Is  he  dead  ?" 

"  I  fear  so,"  replied  Viviana ;  "  and  his  end  has  been  a  fearfu; 
one." 

"  No — no,"  said  Catesby ;  "  his  pulse  still  beats — but  fiercely 
and  feverishly.  You  had  better  not  remain  here  longer,  Miss 
Radcliffe.  I  will  watch  over  him.  All  will  soon  be  over." 

Aware  that  she  could  be  of  no  further  use,  Viviana  cast  a  look 
of  the  deepest  commiseration  at  the  sufferer,  and  retired.  The 
occupant  of  the  cottage,  an  elderly  female,  had  surrendered  all 
the  apartments  of  her  tenement,  except  one  small  room,  to  her 
guests,  and  she  was  therefore  undisturbed.  The  terrible  event 
which  had  recently  occurred,  and  the  harrowing  scene  she  had 
just  witnessed,  were  too  much  for  Viviana,  and  her  anguish  \vas 
so  intense,  that  she  began  to  fear  her  reason  was  deserting  her. 
She  stood  still, — gazed  fearfully  round,  as  if  some  secret  danger 
environed  her, — clasped  her  hands  to  her  temples,  and  found 
them  burning  like  hot  iron, — and,  then,  alarmed  at  her  own 
state,  knelt  down,  prayed,  and  wept.  Yes !  she  wept,  for  the 
first  time,  since  her  father's  destruction,  and  the  relief  afforded 
by  those  scalding  tears  was  inexpressible. 

From  this  piteous  state  she  was  aroused  by  the  tramp  of 
horses  at  the  door  of  the  cottage,  and  the  next  moment  Father 
Garnet  presented  himself. 

"  How  uncertain  are  human  affairs  1"  he  said,  after  a  sorrow 
ful  greeting  had  passed  between  them.  "  I  little  thought,  when 
we  parted  yesterday,  we  should  meet  again  so  soon,  and  under 
such  afflicting  circumstances." 

"  It  is  the  will  of  Heaven,  father,"  replied  Viviana,  "  and  we 
must  not  murmur  at  its  decrees,  but  bear  our  chastening  as  we 
best  may." 

"  I  am  happy  to  find  you  in  such  a  comfortable  frame  of  mind, 
dear  daughter.  I  feared  the  effect  of  the  shock  upon  your 
feelings.  But  I  am  glad  to  find  you  bear  up  against  it  so  well." 

"  I  am  surprised  at  my  own  firmness,  father,"  replied  Viviana. 
"But  I  have  been  schooled  in  affliction.  I  have  no  tie  left  to 
bind  me  to  the  world,  and  shall  retire  from  it,  not  only  without 
regret,  but  with  eagerness." 

"  Say  not  so,  dear  daughter,"  replied  Garnet.  "  You  have,  I 
trust,  much  happiness  in  store  for  you ;  and  when  the  sharp 
ness  of  your  affliction  is  worn  off,  you  will  view  your  con 
dition  in  a  more  cheering  light." 


THE  PACKET.  IOC 

"Impossible!"  she  cried,  mournfully.  "Hope  is  wholly 
extinct  in  my  breast.  But  I  will  not  contest  the  point.  Is 
not  Sir  Everard  Digby  with  you  ?" 

"  He  is  not,  daughter,"  replied  Garnet,  "and  I  will  explain  to 
you  wherefore.  Soon  after  your  departure  yesterday,  the 
mansion  we  occupied  at  Holt  was  attacked  by  a  band  of 
soldiers,  headed  by  Miles  Topcliffe,  one  of  the  most  unre 
lenting  of  our  persecutors;  and  though  they  were  driven  off 
with  some  loss,  yet,  as  there  was  every  reason  to  apprehend 
they  would  return  with  fresh  force,  Sir  Everard  judged  it 
prudent  to  retreat;  and  accordingly  he  and  his  friends,  with 
all  their  attendants,  except  those  he  has  sent  with  me,  have 
departed  for  Buckinghamshire." 

"  Where,  then,  is  Father  Oldcorne  ?"  inquired  Viviana. 

"  Alas  !  daughter,"  rejoined  Garnet,  "  I  grieve  to  say  he  is  a 
prisoner.  Imprudently  exposing  himself  dui'ing  the  attack,  he 
was  seized  and  carried  off  by  Topcliffe  and  his  myrmidons." 

"  How  true  is  the  saying  that  misfortunes  never  come  single !" 
sighed  Viviana.  "  I  seem  bereft  of  all  I  hold  dear." 

"  Sir  Everard  has  sent  four  of  his  trustiest  servants  with 
me,"  remarked  Garnet.  "  They  are  well  armed,  and  will  attend 
you  wherever  you  choose  to  lead  them.  He  has  also  furnished 
me  with  a  sum  of  money  for  your  use." 

"  He  is  most  kind  and  considerate,"  replied  Viviana.  "  And 
now,  father,"  she  faltered,  "  there  is  one  subject  which  it  is 
necessary  to  speak  upon  ;  and,  though  I  shrink  from  it,  it  must 
not  be  postponed." 

'*'  I  guess  what  you  mean,  daughter,"  said  Garnet,  sympa- 
thizingly ;  "  you  allude  to  the  interment  of  Sir  William  Radcliffe. 
Is  the  body  here  ?" 

"  It  is  in  an  adjoining  cottage,"  replied  Viviana  in  a  broken 
voice.  "  I  have  already  expressed  my  wish  to  Mr.  Catesby  to 
have  it  conveyed  to  Manchester,  to  our  family  vault." 

"I  see  not  how  that  can  be  accomplished,  dear  daughter," 
replied  Garnet;  "but  I  will  confer  with  Mr.  Catesby  on  the 
subject.  Where  is  he  ?" 

"  In  the  next  room,  by  the  couch  of  Guy  Fawkes,  who  is 
dying,"  said  Viviana. 

"  Dying  I"  echoed  Garnet,  starting.  "  I  heard  he  was  dan 
gerously  hurt,  but  did  not  suppose  the  wound  would  provi 
fatal.  Here  is  another  grievous  blow  to  the  good  cause." 

At  this  moment  the  door  was  opened  by  Catesby. 

'*  How  is  the  sufferer?"  asked  Garnet. 

"  A  slight  change  for  the  better  appears  to  have  taken  place,* 
answered  Catesby.  "  His  fever  has  in  some  degree  abated, 
and  he  has  sunk  into  a  gentle  slumber." 

"  Can  he  be  removed  with  safety  ?"  inquired  Garnet ;  "  for, 
I  fear,  if  he  remains  here,  he  will  fall  into  the  hands  of  Top- 


104  GUY   FAWKES. 

cliffe  and  his  crew,  who  are  scouring  the  country  in  evory 
direction."  And  he  recapitulated  all  he  had  just  stated  to 
Viviana. 

Catesby  was  for  some  time  lost  in  reflection. 

"  I  am  fairly  perplexed  as  to  what  course  it  will  be  best  to 
pursue,"  he  said.  "  Dangers  and  difficulties  beset  us  on  every 
side.  I  am  inclined  to  yield  to  Viviana's  request,  and  proceed 
to  Manchester." 

"  That  will  be  rushing  into  the  very  face  of  danger,"  ob 
served  Garnet. 

"  And,  therefore,  may  be  the  safest  plan,"  replied  Catesby. 
"  Our  adversaries  will  scarcely  suspect  us  of  so  desperate  a 
step." 

"Perhaps  you  are  in  the  right,  my  son,"  returned  Garnet, 
after  a  moment's  reflection.  "  At  all  events,  I  bow  to  your 
judgment." 

"  The  plan  is  too  much  in  accordance  with  my  own  wishes 
to  meet  with  any  opposition  on  my  part,"  observed  Viviana. 

"  Will  you  accompany  us,  father  ?"  asked  Catesby ;  "  or  da 
you  proceed  to  Gothurst  ?" 

"  I  will  go  with  you,  my  son.  Viviana  will  need  a  protector. 
And,  till  I  have  seen  her  in  some  place  of  safety,  I  will  not 
leave  her." 

"  Since  we  have  come  to  this  determination,"  rejoined  Catesby, 
"  as  soon  as  the  needful  preparations  can  be  made,  and  Guy 
Fawkes  has  had  some  hours'  repose,  we  will  set  out.  Under 
cover  of  night  we  can  travel  with  security;  and,  by  using  some 
exertion,  may  reach  Ordsall  Hall,  whither,  I  presume,  Viviana 
would  choose  to  proceed,  in  the  first  instance,  before  daybreak." 

"I  am  well  mounted,  and  so  are  my  attendants,"  replied 
Garnet ;  "  and,  by  the  provident  care  of  Sir  Everard  Digby, 
each  of  them  has  a  led  horse  with  him." 

"  That  is  well,"  said  Catesby.  "  And  now,  Viviana,  may  I 
entreat  you  to  take  my  place  for  a  short  time  by  the  couch  of 
the  sufferer.  In  a  few  hours  everything  shall  be  in  readiness." 

He  then  retired  with  Garnet,  while  Viviana  proceeded  to  the 
adjoining  chamber,  where  she  found  Guy  Fawkes  still  slumbering 
tranquilly. 

As  the  evening  advanced,  he  awoke,  and  appeared  much  re 
freshed.  While  he  was  speaking,  Garnet  and  Catesby  approached 
his  bedside,  and  he  seemed  overjoyed  at  the  sight  of  the  former. 
The  subject  of  the  journey  being  mentioned  to  him,  he  at  once 
expressed  his  ready  compliance  with  the  arrangement,  and  only 
desired  that  the  last  rites  of  his  church  might  be  performed  for 
him  before  he  set  out. 

Garnet  informed  him  that  he  had  come  for  that  very  purpose; 
and  as  soon  as  they  were  left  alone,  he  proceeded  to  the  dis 
charge  of  his  priestly  duties,  confessed  and  absolved  him,  giving 


THE   ELIXIR.  105 

him  the  viaticum  and  the  extreme  unction.  And,  lastly,  he 
judged  it  expedient  to  administer  a  powerful  opiate,  to  lull  the 
pain  of  his  wound  on  the  journey. 

This  done,  he  summoned  Catesby,  who,  with  two  of  the 
attendants,  raised  the  couch  on  which  the  wounded  man  was 
stretched,  and  conveyed  him  to  the  litter.  So  well  was  this 
managed,  that  Fawkes  sustained  no  injury,  and  little  incon 
venience,  from  the  movement.  Two  strong  country  vehicles 
had  been  procured;  the  one  containing  the  wounded  man's 
litter,  the  other  the  shell,  which  had  been  hastily  put  together, 
to  hold  the  remains  of  the  unfortunate  Sir  William  Radcliffe. 
Viviana  being  placed  in  the  saddle,  and  Catesby  having 
liberally  rewarded  the  cottagers  who  had  afforded  them 
shelter,  the  little  cavalcade  was  put  in  motion.  In  this  way 
they  journeyed  through  the  night;  and  shaping  their  course 
through  Tarporley,  Northwich,  and  Altringham,  arrived  at  day 
break  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Ordsall  Hall. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE    ELIXIR. 

ON  beholding  the  well-remembered  roof  and  gables  of  the  old 
mansion  peeping  from  out  the  grove  of  trees  in  which  it  was 
embosomed,  Viviana's  heart  died  away  within  her.  The  thought 
that  her  father,  who  had  so  recently  quitted  it  in  the  full  en 
joyment  of  health,  and  of  every  worldly  blessing,  should  be  so 
soon  brought  back  a  corpse,  was  almost  too  agonizing  for 
endurance.  Reflecting,  however,  that  this  was  no  season  for  the 
indulgence  of  grief,  but  that  she  was  called  upon  to  act  with 
firmness,  she  bore  up  resolutely  against  her  emotion. 

Arrived  within  a  short  distance  of  the  Hall,  Catesby  caused 
the  little  train  to  halt  under  the  shelter  of  the  trees,  while  he 
rode  forward  to  ascertain  that  they  could  safely  approach  it. 
As  he  drew  near,  everything  proclaimed  that  the  hand  of  the 
spoiler  had  been  there.  Crossing  the  drawbridge,  he  entered 
the  court,  which  bore  abundant  marks  of  the  devastation  re 
cently  committed.  Various  articles  of  furniture,  broken,  burnt, 
or  otherwise  destroyed,  were  lying  scattered  about.  The  glass 
in  the  windows  was  shivered  ;  the  doors  forced  from  their  hinges ; 
the  stone-copings  of  the  walls  pushed  off;  the  flower-beds 
trampled  upon ;  the  moat  itself  was  in  some  places  choked  up 
with  rubbish,  while  in  others  its  surface  was  covered  with  floating 
pieces  of  timber. 

Led  by  curiosity  Catesby  proceeded  to  the  spot  where  the 
stables  had  stood.  Nothing  but  a  heap  of  blackened  ruins  met 


106  GUY  FAWKES. 

his  ev.ze.  Scarcely  one  stone  was  standing  on  another.  The 
appearance  of  the  place  was  so  desolate  and  disheartening,  that 
he  turned  away  instantly.  Leaving  his  horse  in  a  shed,  he 
entered  the  house.  Here,  again,  he  encountered  fresh  ravages. 
The  oak-panels  and  skirting- boards  were  torn  from  the  walls ; 
the  ceilings  pulled  down;  and  the  floor  lay  inch-deep  in  broken 
plaster  and  dust.  On  ascending  to  the  upper  rooms,  he  found 
the  same  disorder.  The  banisters  of  the  stairs  were  broken  ;  the 
bedsteads  destroyed ;  the  roof  partially  untiled.  Every  room 
was  thickly  strewn  with  leaves  torn  from  valuable  books,  with 
fragments  of  apparel,  and  other  articles,  which  the  searchers  not 
being  able  to  carry  off  had  wantonly  destroyed. 

Having  contemplated  this  scene  of  havoc  for  some  time,  with 
feelings  of  the  bitterest  indignation,  Catesby  descended  to  the 
lowest  story ;  and,  after  searching  ineffectually  for  the  domestics, 
was  about  to  depart,  when,  turning  suddenly,  he  perceived  a 
man  watching  him  from  an  adjoining  room.  Catesby  instantly 
called  to  him ;  but,  seeing  that  the  fellow  disregarded  his  assur< 
ances,  and  was  about  to  take  to  his  heels,  he  drew  his  sword, 
and  threatened  him  with  severe  punishment  if  he  attempted  to 
fly.  Thus  exhorted,  the  man — who  was  no  other  than  the 
younger  Heydocke — advanced  towards  him ;  and  throwing  him 
self  at  his  feet,  begged  him  in  the  most  piteous  terms  to  do  him 
no  injury. 

"  I  have  already  told  you  I  am  a  friend,"  replied  Catesby, 
sheathing  his  sword. 

"  Ah  I  Mr.  Catesby,  is  it  you  I  behold  ?"  cried  Martin  Hey 
docke,  whose  fears  had  hitherto  prevented  him  from  noticing  the 
features  of  the  intruder.  "  What  brings  your  worship  to  this 
ill-fated  house  ?" 

"  First  let  me  know  if  there  is  any  enemy  about  ?"  replied 
Catesby. 

"  None  that  I  am  aware  of,"  rejoined  Martin.  "  Having  ran 
sacked  the  premises,  and  done  all  the  mischief  they  could,  as 
you  perceive,  the  miscreants  departed  the  day  before  yesterday, 
and  I  have  seen  nothing  of  them  since,  though  I  have  been 
constantly  on  the  watch.  The  only  alarm  I  have  had  was  that 
occasioned  by  your  worship  just  now." 

"  Are  you  alone  here  ?"  demanded  Catesby. 

"  No,  your  worship,"  answered  Martin.  "  There  are  several 
of  the  servants  concealed  in  a  secret  passage  under  the  house 
But  they  are  so  terrified  by  what  has  lately  happened,  that  they 
never  dare  show  themselves,  except  during  the  night-time." 

"  I  do  not  wonder  at  it,"  replied  Catesby. 

"  And  now  may  I  inquire  whether  your  worship  brings  any 
tidings  of  Sir  William  Radcliffe  and  Mistress  Viviana  ?"  rejoined 
Martin.  "I  hope  no  ill  has  befallen  them.  Mv  father,  old 


THE   ELIXIR.  107 

Jerome  Heydocke,  set  out  to  Holywell  a  few  days  ago,  to  apprise 
them  of  their  danger,  and  I  have  not  heard  of  them  since." 

"  Sir  William  Radcliffe  is  dead,"  replied  Catesby.  "  The  vil 
lains  have  murdered  him.  Your  father  is  a  prisoner." 

"  Alas !  alas!"  cried  the  young  man,  bursting  into  tears;  "these 
are  fearful  times  to  live  in.  What  will  become  of  us  all  ?" 

"  We  must  rise  against  the  oppressor," replied  Catesby,  sternly. 
"  Bite  the  heel  that  tramples  upon  us." 

"  We  must,"  rejoined  Martin.  "  And  if  my  poor  arm  could 
avail,  it  should  not  be  slow  to  strike." 

"  Manfully  resolved !"  cried  Catesby,  who  never  lost  an  oppor 
tunity  of  gaining  a  proselyte.  "  I  will  point  out  to  you  a  way 
by  which  you  may  accomplish  what  you  desire.  But  we  will 
talk  of  this  hereafter.  Hoard  up  your  vengeance  till  the  fitting 
moment  for  action  arrives." 

He  then  proceeded  to  explain  to  the  young  man,  who  was 
greatly  surprised  by  the  intelligence,  that  V iviana  was  at  hand, 
and  that  the  body  of  Sir  William  had  been  brought  thither  for 
interment  in  the  family  vault  at  the  Collegiate  Church.  Having 
ascertained  that  there  was  a  chamber,  which,  having  suffered  less 
than  the  others,  might  serve  for  Viviana's  accommodation,  Catesby 
returned  to  the  party. 

A  more  melancholy  cavalcade  has  been  seldom  seen  than  now 
approached  the  gates  of  Ordsall  Hall.  First  rode  Viviana,  in  an 
agony  of  tears,  for  her  grief  had  by  this  time  become  absolutely 
uncontrollable,  with  Catesby  on  foot,  leading  her  horse.  Next 
came  Garnet,  greatly  exhausted  and  depressed ;  his  eyes  cast 
dejectedly  on  the  ground.  Then  came  the  litter,  containing 
Guy  Fawkes ;  and,  lastly,  the  vehicle  with  the  body  of  Sir  Wil 
liam  Radcliffe.  On  arriving  at  the  gate,  Viviana  was  met  by 
two  female  servants,  whom  Martin  Heydocke  had  summoned 
from  their  hiding-places ;  and,  as  soon  as  she  had  dismounted, 
she  was  supported,  for  she  was  scarcely  able  to  walk  unaided,  to 
the  chamber  destined  for  her  reception.  This  done,  Catesby 
proceeded,  with  some  anxiety,  to  superintend  the  removal  of 
rawkes,  who  was  perfectly  insensible.  His  wound  had  bled 
considerably  during  the  journey ;  but  the  effusion  had  stopped 
when  the  raininess  supervened.  He  was  placed  in  one  of  the 
lower  rooms  till  a  sleeping-chamber  could  be  prepared  for  him. 
The  last  task  was  to  attend  to  the  remains  of  the  late  unfortunate 
possessor  of  the  mansion.  By  Catesby's  directions  a  large  oak 
table,  once  occupying  the  great  hall,  was  removed  to  the  Star 
Chamber,  already  described  as  the  principal  room  of  the  house  ; 
and,  being  securely  propped  up, — for,  like  the  rest  of  the  furni 
ture,  it  had  been  much  damaged  by  the  spoilers,  though,  being 
of  substantial  material,  it  offered  greater  resistance  to  their 
efforts, — the  shell  containing  the  body  was  placed  upon  it. 


108  GUY    FAWKES. 

"  Better  he  should  lie  thus,"  exclaimed  Catesby,  when  the 
melancholy  office  was  completed,  "  than  live  to  witness  the  wreck 
around  him.  Fatal  as  are  these  occurrences,"  he  added,  pur 
suing  the  train  of  thought  suggested  by  the  scene,  "  they  are  yet 
favourable  to  my  purpose.  The  only  person  who  could  have 
prevented  my  union  with  Viviana  Kadcliffe — her  father — lies 
there.  Who  would  have  thought  when  she  rejected  my  proposal 
a  few  days  ago,  in  this  very  room,  how  fortune  would  conspire — 
and  by  what  dark  and  inscrutable  means — to  bring  it  about ! 
Fallen  as  it  is,  this  house  is  not  yet  fallen  so  low,  but  I  can  rein 
state  it.  Its  young  mistress  mine,  her  estates  mine, — for  she  is 
now  inheritress  of  all  her  father's  possessions, — the  utmost  reach  of 
my  ambition  were  gained,  and  all  but  one  object  of  my  life — for 
which  I  have  dared  so  much,  and  struggled  so  long — achieved !" 

"  What  are  you  thinking  of,  my  son  ?"  asked  Garnet,  who  had 
watched  the  changing  expression  of  his  sombre  countenance, — 
*'  what  are  you  thinking  of?"  he  said,  tapping  him  on  the 
shoulder. 

"  Of  that  which  is  never  absent  from  my  thoughts,  father — the 
great  design,"  replied  Catesby;  "and  of  the  means  of  its  accom 
plishment,  which  this  sad  scene  suggests." 

"  I  do  not  understand  you,  my  son,"  rejoined  the  other. 

"  Does  not  Radcliffe's  blood  cry  aloud  for  vengeance  ?"  con 
tinued  Catesby ;  "  and  think  you  his  child  will  be  deaf  to  the 
cry  ?  No,  father,  she  will  no  longer  tamely  submit  to  wrongs 
that  would  steel  the  gentlest  bosom,  and  make  firm  the  feeblest 
arm,  but  will  go  hand  and  heart  with  us  in  our  project.  Viviana 
must  be  mine,"  he  added,  altering  his  tone,  "ours,  I  should  say, 
— for,  if  she  is  mine,  all  the  vast  possessions  that  have  accrued  to 
her  by  her  father's  death  shall  be  devoted  to  the  furtherance  of 
the  mighty  enterprise." 

"  I  cannot  think  she  will  refuse  you  now,  my  son,"  replied 
Garnet. 

"  She  shall  not  refuse  me,  father,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  The 
time  is  gone  by  for  idle  wooing." 

"I  will  be  no  party  to  forcible  measures,  my  son,"  returned 
Garnet,  gravely.  "  As  far  as  persuasion  goes,  I  will  lend  you 
every  assistance  in  my  power,  but  nothing  further." 

"Persuasion  is  all  that  will  be  required,  I  am  assured,  father," 
answered  Catesby,  hastily,  perceiving  he  had  committed  himself 
too  far.  "But  let  us  now  see  what  can  be  done  for  Guy 
Fawkes." 

"Would  there  was  any  hope  of  his  life!"  exclaimed  Garnet, 
sighing  deeply.  "  In  losing  him,  we  lose  the  bravest  of  out 
band." 

"  We  do,"  returned  Catesby.  "  And  yet  he  has  been  subject 
to  strange  fancies  of  late." 

"  lie  has  been  appalled,  but  never  shaken,"  rejoined  Garnet. 


THE  ELIXIR. 


«  Of  all  our  number,  you  and  he  were  the  only  two  upon  whom 
I  could  rely.     When  he  is  gone,  you  will  stand  alone." 

Catesby  made  no  reply,  but  led  the  way  to  the  chamber  where 
the  wounded  man  lay.  He  had  regained  his  consciousness,  but 
was  too  feeble  to  speak.  After  such  restoratives  as  were  at  hand 
had  been  administered,  Catesby  was  about  to  order  a  room  to  be 
fitted  up  for  him,  when  Viviana,  whose  anxiety  for  the  sufferer 
had  overcome  her  affliction,  made  her  appearance.  On  learning 
Catesby's  intentions,  she  insisted  upon  Fawkes  being  removed  to 
the  room  allotted  to  her,  which  had  not  been  dismantled  like  the 
rest.  Seeing  it  was  in  vain  to  oppose  her,  Catesby  assented,  and 
the  sufferer  *was  accordingly  carried  thither,  and  placed  within 
the  bed—  a  large  antique  piece  of  furniture,  hung  with  faded 
damask  curtains.  The  room  was  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  house, 
and  at  the  further  end  stood  a  small  closet,  approached  by  an 
arched  doorway,  and  fitted  up  with  a  hassock  and  crucifix,  which, 
strange  to  say,  had  escaped  the  ravages  of  the  searchers. 

Placed  within  the  couch,  Guy  Fawkes  began  to  ramble  as 
before  about  the  conspiracy;  and  fearing  his  ravings  might 
awaken  the  suspicion  of  the  servants,  Catesby  would  not  suffer 
any  of  them  to  come  near  him,  but  arranged  with  Garnet  to  keep 
watch  over  him  by  turns.  By  degrees,  he  became  more  com 
posed  ;  and,  after  dozing  a  little,  opened  his  eyes,  and,  looking 
round,  inquired  anxiously  for  his  sword.  At  first,  Catesby,  whu 
was  alone  with  him  at  the  time,  hesitated  in  his  answer,  but 
seeing  he  appeared  greatly  disturbed,  he  showed  him  that  his 
hat,  gauntlets,  and  rapier  were  lying  by  the  bedside. 

"  I  am  content,"  replied  the  wounded  man,  smiling  faintly  ; 
"  that  sword  has  never  left  my  side,  waking  or  sleeping,  lor 
twenty  years.  Let  me  grasp  it  once  more—  perhaps  for  the  last 

time."  „ 

Catesby  handed  him  the  weapon.  He  looked  at  it  for  a  tew 
moments^  and  pressed  the  blade  to  his  lips. 

«  Farewell,  old  friend  !"  he  said,  a  tear  gathering  in  his  eye, 
«  farewell  I  Catesby,"  he  added,  as  he  resigned  the  weapon  to 
him,  "  I  have  one  request  to  make.  Let  my  sword  be  buried 
with  me." 

«  It  shall,"  replied  Catesby,  in  a  voice  suffocated  by  emotion, 
for  the  request  touched  him  where  his  stern  nature  was  most 
accessible  :  "  I  will  place  it  by  you  myself." 

"  Thanks  !"  exclaimed  Fawkes.  And  soon  after  this,  1  e  agan 
fell  into  a  slumber. 

His  sleep  endured  for  some  hours;  but  his  breathing  grew 
fainter  and  fainter,  so  that  at  the  last  it  was  scarcely  perceptible. 
A  striking  change  had  likewise  taken  place  in  his  countenance, 
and  these  signs  convinced  Catesby  he  had  not  long  to  live. 
While  he  was  watching  him  with  great  anxiety,  Viviana  appeareu 
at  the  door  of  the  changer,  and  beckoned  him  out.  No.selesstv 


110  GUY  FAWKES. 

obeying  the  summons,  and  following  her  along  the  gallery,  he 
entered  a  room  where  he  found  Garnet. 

"  I  have  called  you  to  say  that  a  remedy  has  been  suggested 
to  me  by  Martin  Heydocke,"  observed  Viviana,  "by  which  I 
trust  Guy  Fawkes  may  yet  be  saved." 

"  How  ?"  asked  Catesby,  eagerly. 

"  Doctor  Dee,  the  warden  of  Manchester,  of  whom  you  must 
have  heard,"  she  continued,  "  is  said  to  possess  an  elixir  of  such 
virtue,  that  a  few  drops  of  it  will  snatch  him  who  drinks  them 
from  the  very  jaws  of  death." 

"  I  should  not  have  suspected  you  of  so  much  credulity, 
Viviana,"  replied  Catesby ;  "  but  grant  that  Doctor  Dee  pos 
sesses  this  marvellous  elixir — which  for  my  own  part  I  doubt — 
how  are  we  to  obtain  it?" 

"  If  you  will  repair  to  the  college,  and  see  him,  I  doubt  not  he 
will  give  it  you,"  rejoined  Viviana. 

Catesby  smiled  incredulously. 

"  I  have  a  claim  upon  Doctor  Dee,"  she  persisted,  "  which  I 
have  never  enforced.  I  will  now  use  it.  Show  him  this  token," 
she  continued,  detaching  a  small  ornament  from  her  neck  ;  "  tell 
him  you  bring  it  from  me,  and  I  am  sure  he  will  comply  with 
your  request." 

"  Your  commands  shall  be  obeyed,  Viviana,"  replied  Catesby  ; 
"  but  I  frankly  confess  I  have  no  faith  in  the  remedy." 

"  It  is  at  least  worth  the  trial,  my  son,"  observed  Garnet. 
"  Doctor  Dee  is  a  wonderful  person,  and  has  made  many  dis 
coveries  in  medicine,  as  in  other  sciences,  and  this  marvellous 
specific  may,  for  aught  we  know,  turn  out  no  imposture." 

"  If  such  is  your  opinion,"  replied  Catesby,  "  I  will  set  out  at 
once.  If  it  is  to  be  tried  at  all,  it  must  be  without  delay.  The 
poor  sufferer  is  sinking  fast." 

"  Go  then,"  cried  Viviana,  "  and  heaven  speed  your  mission  1 
If  you  could  prevail  upon  Doctor  Dee  to  visit  the  wounded  man 
in  person,  I  should  prefer  it.  Besides,  I  have  another  request  to 
make  of  him — but  that  will  do  hereafter.  Lose  not  a  moment 
now." 

"  I  will  fly  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,"  replied  Catesby. 
"  Heaven  grant  that  when  I  return  the  object  of  our  solicitude 
may  not  be  past  all  human  aid  I" 

With  this,  he  hurried  to  an  out-building  in  which  the  horses 
were  placed,  and  choosing  the  strongest  and  fleetest  from  out 
their  number,  mounted,  and  started  at  full  gallop  in  the  direction 
of  Manchester ;  nor  did  he  relax  his  speed  until  he  reached  the 
gates  of  the  ancient  College.  Hanging  the  bridle  of  his  smoking 
steed  to  a  hook  in  the  wall,  he  crossed  the  large  quadrangular 
com  t ;  and  finding  the  principal  entrance  open,  passed  the  lofty 
room  now  used  as  the  refectory,  ascended  the  flight  of  stone 
stairs  that  conducts  the  modern  visitor  to  the  library,  and  was 


THE   ELIXIR.  Ill 

traversing  the  long  galleries  communicating  with  it,  and  now 
crowded  with  the  learning  of  ages,  bequeathed  by  the  benevo 
lence  of  his  rival,  Humphrey  Chetham,  when  he  encountered  a 
crave  but  crafty-looking  personage,  in  a  loose  brown  robe  anil 
Polish  cap,  who  angrily  demanded  his  business. 

Apologizing  for  the  intrusion,  Catesby  was  about  to  explain, 
when  a  small  oak  door  near  them  was  partly  opened,  and  an 
authoritative  voice,  from  within,  exclaimed,  "  Do  not  hinder  him, 
Kclley.  I  know  his  business,  and  will  see  him." 

The  seer  made  no  further  remark,  but  pointing  to  the  door, 
Catesby  at  once  comprehended  that  it  was  Dee's  voice  he  had 
heard;  and,  though  somewhat  startled  by  the  intimation  that 
he  was  expected,  entered  the  room.  He  found  the  Doctor  sur 
rounded  by  his  magical  apparatus,  and  slowly  returning  to  the 
chair  he  had  just  quitted. 

Without  looking  behind  him  to  see  whom  he  addressed,  Dee 
continued,  "I  have  just  consulted  my  show-stone,  and  know  why 
you  are  come  hither.  You  bring  a  token  from  Viviana  Rad- 
cliffe." 

"I  do,"  replied  Catesby,  in  increased  astonishment.  "It  is 
here." 

fi  It  is  needless  to  produce  it,"  replied  Dee,  still  keeping  his 
back  towards  him.  "  I  have  seen  it  already.  Kelley,"  he  con 
tinued,  "  I  am  about  to  set  out  for  Ordsall  Hall  immediately. 
You  must  accompany  me." 

"  Amazement !"  cried  Catesby.  "  Is  the  purpose  of  my  visit 
then  really  known  to  your  reverence  ?" 

"  You  shall  hear,"  rejoined  Dee,  facing  him.  "  You  have  a 
friend  who  is  at  the  point  of  death,  and  having  heard  that  I  pos 
sess  an  elixir  of  wonderful  efficacy,  are  come  in  quest  of  it." 

"  True,"  replied  Catesby,  utterly  confounded. 

"  The  name  of  that  friend,"  pursued  Dee,  regarding  him 
fixedly,  "  is  Guy  Fawkes, — your  own,  Robert  Catesby." 

"  I  need  no  more  to  convince  me,  reverend  sir,"  rejoined 
Catesby,  trembling,  in  spite  of  himself,  "  that  all  I  have  heard 
of  your  wonderful  powers  falls  far  short  of  the  truth." 

"  You  are  but  just  in  time,"  replied  Dee,  bowing  gravely,  in 
acknowledgment  of  the  compliment.  "  Another  hour,  and  ;'* 
would  have  been  too  late." 

"  Then  you  think  he  will  live  !"  cried  Catesby,  eagerly. 

"  I  am  sure  of  it,"  replied  Dee,  "  provided " 

"  Provided  what  ?"  interrupted  Catesby.  "  Is  there  aught  I 
can  do  to  ensure  his  recovery  ?" 

"  No,"  replied  Dee,  sternly.  "  I  am  debating  within  myself 
whether  it  is  worth  while  reviving  him  for  a  more  dreadful 
fate." 

v  What  mean  you,  reverend  sir  ?"  asked  Catesby,  a  shade 
passing  over  his  countenance. 


112  our  FAWKES. 

"  You  understand  my  meaning,  and  therefore  need  no  explana 
tion,"  replied  Dee.  "  Return  to  Ordsall  Hall,  and  tell  Miss 
RadcliiYe  I  will  be  there  in  an  hour.  Bid  her  have  no  further 
fear.  If  the  wounded  man  breathes  when  I  arrive,  I  will  under 
take  to  cure  him.  Add  further,  that  I  know  the  other  request 
she  desires  to  make  of  me,  and  that  it  is  granted  before  it  is 
asked.  Farewell,  sir,  for  a  short  time." 

On  reaching  the  court,  Catesby  expanded  his  chest,  shook  his 
limbs,  and  exclaimed,  "  At  length,  I  breathe  freely.  The  atmo 
sphere  of  that  infernal  chamber  smelt  so  horribly  of  sulphur  that 
it  almost  stifled  me.  Well,  if  Doctor  Dee  has  not  dealings  with 
the  devil,  man  never  had  1  However,  if  he  cures  Guy  Fawkes, 
I  care  not  whence  the  medicine  comes  from." 

As  he  descended  Smithy  Bank,  and  was  about  to  cross  the  old 
bridge  over  the  Irwell,  he  perceived  a  man  riding  before  him, 
who  seemed  anxious  to  avoid  him.  Struck  by  this  person's 
manner,  he  urged  his  horse  into  a  quicker  pace,  and  being  better 
mounted  of  the  two,  soon  overtook  him,  when  to  his  surprise  he 
found  it  was  Martin  Heydocke. 

"  What  are  you  doing  here,  sirrah  ?"  he  demanded. 

"  I  have  been  sent  by  Mistress  Viviana  with  a  message  to  Mr. 
Humphrey  Chetham,"  replied  the  young  man,  in  great  con 
fusion. 

"  Indeed  !"  exclaimed  Catesby,  angrily.  "  And  how  dared 
you  convey  a  message  to  him,  without  consulting  me  on  the 
subject  ?" 

"  I  was  not  aware  you  were  my  master,"  replied  Martin, 
sulkily.  "If  I  owe  obedience  to  any  one,  it  is  to  Mr.  Chetham, 
whose  servant  I  am.  But  if  Mistress  Viviana  gives  me  a  mes 
sage  to  deliver,  I  will  execute  her  commands,  whoever  may  be 
pleased  or  displeased." 

"  I  did  but  jest,  thou  saucy  knave,"  returned  Catesby,  who 
did  not  desire  to  offend  him.  "  Here  is  a  piece  of  money  for 
thee.  Now,  if  it  be  no  secret,  what  was  Miss  Radcliffe's  mes 
sage  to  thy  master  ?" 

"  I  know  not  what  her  letter  contained,"  replied  Martin ; 
"  but  his  answer  was,  that  he  would  come  to  the  hall  at  mid 
night." 

"  It  is  well  I  ascertained  this,"  thought  Catesby,  and  he  added 
aloud,  "  I  understood  your  master  had  been  arrested  and  im 
prisoned." 

"  So  he  was,"  replied  Martin ;  "  but  he  had  interest  enough 
with  the  Commissioners  to  procure  his  liberation." 

"  Enough,"  replied  Catesby ;  and  striking  spurs  into  his 
charger,  he  dashed  off. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour's  hard  riding  brought  him  to  the  ha", 
and,  on  arriving  there,  he  proceeded  at  once  to  the  wounded 
man's  chamber,  where  he  found  Viviana  and  Garnet. 


THE  ELIXIR.  113 

"Have  yon  succeeded  in  your  errand?"  cried  the  former, 
eagerly.  "  Will  Doctor  Dee  come,  or  has  he  sent  the  elixir  ?" 

"  He  will  bring  it  himself,"  replied  Catesby. 

Viviana  uttered  an  exclamation  of  joy,  and  the  sound  ap« 
peared  to  reach  the  ears  of  the  sufferer,  for  he  stirred,  and 
groaned  faintly. 

"Doctor  Dee  desired  me  to  tell  you,"  continued  Catosby, 
drawing  Viviana  aside,  and  speaking  in  a  low  tone,  "  that  your 
other  request  was  granted." 

Viviana  looked  surprised,  and  as  if  she  did  not  clearly  under 
stand  him. 

"  Might  he  not  refer  to  Humphrey  Chetham  ?"  remarked 
Catesby,  somewhat  maliciously. 

"  Ah  I  you  have  learnt  from  Martin  Heydocke  that  I  have 
written  to  him,"  returned  Viviana,  blushing  deeply.  "  What  I 
was  about  to  ask  of  Doctor  Dee  had  no  reference  to  Humphrey 
Chetham.  It  was  to  request  permission  to  privately  inter  my 
father's  remains  in  our  family  vault  in  the  Collegiate  Church. 
But  how  did  he  know  1  had  any  request  to  make  ?" 

"  That  passes  my  comprehension,"  replied  Catesby,  "  unless 
he  obtained  his  information  from  his  familiar  spirits." 

Shortly  after  this,  Dr.  Dee  and  Kelley  arrived  at  the  halL 
Catesby  met  them  at  the  gate,  and  conducted  them  to  the 
wounded  man's  chamber.  Coldly  saluting  Garnet,  whom  he 
eyed  with  suspicion,  and  bowing  respectfully  to  Viviana,  the 
Doctor  slowly  advanced  to  the  bedside.  He  gazed  for  a  short 
time  at  the  wounded  man,  and  folded  his  arms  thoughtfully  upon 
his  breast.  The  eyes  of  the  sufferer  were  closed,  and  his  lips 
slightly  apart,  but  no  breath  seemed  to  issue  from  them.  His 
bronzed  complexion  had  assumed  the  ghastly  hue  of  death,  and 
his  strongly-marked  features  had  become  fixed  and  rigid.  His 
black  hair,  stiffened  and  caked  with  blood,  escaped  from  the 
bandages  around  his  head,  and  hung  in  elf  locks  on  the  pillow. 
It  was  a  piteous  spectacle  ;  and  Doctor  Dec  appeared  much 
moved  by  it. 

"  The  worst  is  over,"  he  muttered  :  "  why  recall  the  spirit  to 
its  wretched  tenement?" 

"  If  you  can  save  him,  reverend  sir,  do  not  hesitate,"  implored 
Viviana. 

"  I  am  come  hither  for  that  purpose,"  replied  Dee ;  "  but  I 
must  have  no  other  witness  to  the  experiment  except  yourself, 
and  my  attendant  Kelley.'* 

"  I  do  not  desire  to  be  present,  reverend  sir,"  replied  Viviana ; 
"  but  I  will  retire  into  that  closet,  and  pray  that  your  remedy 
may  prevail." 

"  My  prayers  for  the  same  end  shall  be  offered  in  the  adjoining 
room,"  observed  Garnet ;  and  taking  Catesby 's  arm,  who  seemed 
spell-bound  by  curiosity,  he  dragged  him  away. 

I 


114  GUY  TAWKES. 

The  door  closed,  and  Viviana  withdrew  into  the  closet,  where 
she  knelt  down  before  the  crucifix.  Doctor  Dee  seated  himself 
on  the  bedside ;  and  taking  a  gourd-shaped  bottle,  filled  with  a 
clear  sparkling  liquid,  from  beneath  his  robe,  he  raised  it  to  his 
eyes  with  his  left  hand,  while  he  placed  his  right  on  the  wrist  of 
the  wounded  man.  In  this  attitude  he  continued  for  a  few 
seconds,  while  Kelley,  with  his  arms  folded,  likewise  kept  his 
gaze  fixed  on  the  phial.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  Dee, 
who  had  apparently  counted  the  pulsations  of  the  sufferer,  took 
out  the  glass  stopper  from  the  bottle,  the  contents  of  which 
diffused  a  pungent  odour  around;  and  wetting  a  small  piece  of 
linen  with  it,  applied  it  to  his  temples.  He  then  desired  Kelley 
to  raise  his  head,  and  poured  a  few  drops  down  his  throat. 
This  done,  he  waited  a  few  minutes,  and  repeated  the  application. 

"  Look  I"  he  cried  to  Kelley.  "  The  elixir  already  begins  to 
operate.  His  chest  heaves.  His  limbs  shiver.  That  flush  upon 
the  cheek,  and  that  dampness  upon  the  brow,  denote  that  the 
animal  heat  is  restored.  A  third  draught  will  accomplish  the  cure." 

"  I  can  already  feel  his  heart  palpitate,"  observed  Kelley, 
placing  his  hand  on  the  patient's  breast. 

"  Heaven  be  praised  I"  ejaculated  Viviana,  who  had  suspended 
her  devotions  to  listen. 

"  Hold  him  tightly,"  cried  Dee  to  his  assistant,  "  while  I 
administer  the  last  draught  He  may  injure  himself  by  his 
struggles." 

Kelley  obeyed,  and  twined  his  arms  tightly  round  the  wounded 
man.  And  fortunate  it  was  that  the  precaution  was  taken,  for 
the  elixir  was  no  sooner  poured  down  his  throat  than  his  chest 
began  to  labour  violently,  his  eyes  opened,  and,  raising  himself 
bolt-upright,  he  struggled  violently  to  break  from  the  hold  im 
posed  upon  him.  This  he  would  have  effected,  if  Dee  had  not 
likewise  lent  his  aid  to  prevent  him. 

"  This  is,  indeed,  a  wonderful  sight  I"  cried  Viviana,  who  had 
quitted  the  closet,  and  now  gazed  on,  in  awe  and  astonishment. 
"  I  can  never  be  sufficiently  thankful  to  you,  reverend  sir." 

"  Give  thanks  to  Him  to  whom  alone  they  are  due,"  replied 
Dee.  "  Summon  your  friends.  They  may  now  resume  their 
posts.  My  task  is  accomplished." 

Catcsby  and  Garnet  being  called  into  the  room,  could  scarcely 
credit  their  senses  when  they  beheld  Guy  Fawkes,  who  by  this 
time  had  ceased  struggling,  reclining  on  Kelley's  shoulder,  and, 
except  a  certain  wildness  in  the  eye  and  cadaverousness  of  line, 
lookintr  as  he  was  wont  to  do. 


114 


<~.T7Y   FAWKKS. 


closed.  ;^nd  Viviana  withdrew  into  the  closet,  where 
sfc<-  knob  down  before  the  crucifix.  Doctor  Dee  seated  himself 
oftjhe  twdttdc ;  and  taking  a  gourd-shaped  bottle,  filled  with  • 
clear  sparkling  liquid,  from  beneath  his  robe,  he  raised  it  to  his 
eye*  with  his  left  hand,  while  he  placed  his  right  on  the  wrist  of 
2  wourj'.'ed  man.  In  this  attitude  lit1  <.d  for  a  few 


f  CCOJK!  •.  while  K- 
^•nze  fixed  on  the  plii^. 

\\ 

-.   M'      the     Clio        r> 

diffused  . 


TO 
Thi 

the 

i; 
plHC 


her  <!• 

"1! 
admi 
stni'j. 

Ko  < 

man.     Aac 
tl;c-  • 
b<  gtm  to  I« 

1      it   un.i'F*. 


! 

Dee.       "  SH 
j»osts.      My  th.sk 

Catesby  and  Gan 
credit  chcir  senses  w 
lime  had  ceased 
except  a  certain   wih 
lookintf  as  he  was  v. •  i 


with   his  aims   toltk'd,   likewise  kept  his 
At  the  ex|>ir-.«i»ori  of  that  time,  Dee, 
inte«l  thr  nf  the  sufferer,  took 

from  the  Ix^tic,  the  contents  of  which 
L:  a  small  piece  of 
:  >ien  desired  Kellcj 
down  Iris  throat. 
>cd  the  application, 
iixir  already  begins  to 
•'.liver.     That  flush  upon 
!>ro\v,  denote  that  the 
ill  accomplish  the  cure.** 
•pitate,"  observed  Kelley, 

»:a,  who  had  suspended 

-sistant,   "  while  1 
»0i;?r  injure  himself  by   his 

•tly  round  the  wounded 
1  '   t  on  was  taken,  for 

•Toat  than  his  chest 
»e<j,  and,  raising  himself 
from  the  hold  im- 
j,  if  Dee  had  not 

i  Viviana,  who  had 

awe  'M.d  astonishment. 
:-:ul  sir." 

,"  replie<l 

•  resume  their 

•  \nild  scarcely 

Mcr,  and, 
•w  «n  tJ  s  of  hue, 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHUKCII  AT  MANCHESTER.         115 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH  AT  MANCHESTER. 

BIDDING  Kelley  remain  with  Guy  Fawkes,  Doctor  Dee  signified 
to  Viviana  that  he  had  a  few  words  to  say  to  her  in  private 
before  his  departure,  and  leading  the  way  to  an  adjoining  room, 
informed  her  that  he  was  aware  of  her  desire  to  have  her  father's 
remains  interred  in  the  Collegiate  Church,  and  that,  so  far  from 
opposing  her  inclinations,  he  would  willingly  accede  to  them, 
only  recommending  as  a  measure  of  prudence  that  the  cere 
monial  should  be  performed  at  night,  and  with  as  much  secrecy 
as  possible.  Viviana  thanked  him  in  a  voice  of  much  emotion 
for  his  kindness,  and  entirely  acquiesced  in  his  suggestion  of 
caution.  At  the  same  time,  she  could  not  help  expressing  her 
surprise  that  her  thoughts  should  be  known  to  him.  "  Though, 
indeed,"  she  added,  "  after  the  wonderful  exhibition  I  have  just 
witnessed  of  your  power,  I  can  scarcely  suppose  that  any  limits 
are  to  be  placed  to  it." 

"  Few  things  are  hidden  from  me,"  replied  Dee,  with  a  grati 
fied  smile ;  "  even  the  lighter  matters  of  the  heart,  in  which  I 
might  be  supposed  to  take  little  interest,  do  not  altogether  elude 
my  observation.  In  reference  to  this,  you  will  not,  I  am  sure., 
be  offended  with  me,  Viviana,  if  I  tell  you  I  have  noticed  with 
some  concern  the  attachment  that  has  arisen  between  you  and 
Humphrey  Chetham." 

Viviana  uttered  an  exclamation  of  surprise,  and  a  deep  blush 
suffused  her  pallid  cheeks. 

"  I  am  assuming  the  privilege  of  an  old  man  with  you,  Viviana," 
continued  Dee,  in  a  graver  tone,  "  and  I  may  add,  of  an  old 
friend, — for  your  lamented  mother  was  one  of  my  dearest  and 
best  friends,  as  you  perchance  called  to  mind,  when  you  sent  me 
to-day,  by  Mr.  Catesby,  the  token  I  gave  her  years  ago.  You 
have  done  unwisely  in  inviting  Humphrey  Chetham  to  come 
hither  to-night." 

"  How  so  ?"  she  faltered. 

"  Because,  if  he  keeps  his  appointment,  fatal  consequences 
may  ensue,"  answered  Dee.  "  Your  message  has  reached  the 
ears  of  one  from  whom, — most  of  all, — you.  should  have  con 
cealed  it." 

"  Mr.  Catesby  has  heard  of  it,  I  know,"  replied  Viviana. 
"  But  you  do  not  apprehend  any  danger  from  him  ?" 

"  He  is  Chetham's  mortal  foe,"  rejoined  Dee,  "  and  will  slay 
him,  if  he  finds  an  opportunity." 

"  You  alarm  me,"  she  cried.     "  I  will  speak  to  Mr.  Catesby 


116  GUY   FAWKES. 

on  the  subject,  and  entreat  him,  as  he  values  my  regard,  to  oficr 
no  molestation  to  his  fancied  rival." 

"Fancied rival !"  echoed  Dee,  raising  his  brows  contemptuously. 
"  Do  you  seek  to  persuade  me  that  you  do  not  love  Humphrey 
Chetham?" 

"  Assuredly  not,"  replied  Viviana.  "  I  freely  acknowledge 
my  attachment  to  him.  It  is  as  strong  as  my  aversion  to  Mr. 
Catesby.  But  the  latter  is  aware  that  the  suit  of  his  rival  is  as 
hopeless  as  his  own." 

"  Explain  yourself,  I  pray  you  ?"  said  Dee. 

"  My  destiny  is  the  cloister, — and  this  he  well  knows,"  she 
rejoined.  "  As  soon  as  my  worldly  affairs  can  be  arranged,  I 
shall  retire  to  the  English  nunnery  at  Brussels,  where  1  shall 
vow  myself  to  Heaven." 

"  Such  is  your  present  intention,"  replied  Dee.  "  But  you 
will  never  quit  your  own  country." 

"  What  shall  hinder  me  ?"  asked  Viviana,  uneasily. 

"  Many  things,"  returned  Dee.  "  Amongst  others,  this 
meeting  with  your  lover." 

"  Call  him  not  by  that  name,  I  beseech  you,  reverend  sir," 
she  rejoined.  "  Humphrey  Chetham  will  never  be  other  to  mo 
than  a  friend." 

"  It  may  be,"  answered  Dee.  "  But  your  destiny  is  not  the 
cloister." 

"  For  what  am  I  reserved,  then  ?"  demanded  Viviana,  trembling. 

"All  I  dare  tell  you,"  he  returned,  "all  it  is  needful  for  3^011 
to  know,  is,  that  your  future  career  is  mixed  up  with  that  of 
Guy  Fawkes.  But  do  not  concern  yourself  about  what  is  to  come* 
The  present  is  sufficient  to  claim  your  attention." 

"  True,"  replied  Viviana ;  "  and  my  first  object  shall  be  to 
despatch  a  messenger  to  Humphrey  Chetham  to  prevent  him 
from  coming  hither." 

"  Trouble  yourself  no  further  on  that  score,"  returned  Dee. 
"  I  will  convey  the  message  to  him.  As  regards  the  funeral,  it 
must  take  place  without  delay.  I  will  be  at  the  south  porch  of 
the  church  with  the  keys  at  midnight,  and  Robert  Buincll,  the 
sexton,  and  another  assistant  on  whom  I  can  depend,  shall  be  in 
attendance.  Though  it  is  contrary  to  my  religious  opinions  and 
filings  to  allow  a  Romish  priest  to  perform  the  service,  I  will 
not  interfere  with  Father  Garnet.  I  owe  your  mother  a  deep 
debt  of  gratitude,  and  will  pay  it  to  her  husband  and  her 
child." 

"  Thank?  I — in  her  name,  thanks  I"  cried  Viviana,  in  a  voice 
suffocated  by  emotion. 

"  And  now,"  continued  Doe,  "  I  would  ask  you  one  further 
question.  My  art  has  mado  me  acquainted  that  a  plot  is  hatching 
against  the  King  and  his  Government  by  certain  of  the  Catholic 
party.  Are  you  favourable  to  the  design  ?" 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH   AT  MANCHESTER.         117 

**  I  am  not,"  replied  Viviana,  firmly.  "  Nor  can  you  regard 
it  with  more  horror  than  myself." 

"  I  was  sure  of  it,"  returned  Dee.  "  Nevertheless,  I  am 
glad  to  have  my  supposition  confirmed  from  your  own  mouth." 

With  this,  he  moved  towards  the  door,  but  Viviana  arrested 
his  departure. 

"  Stay,  reverend  sir,"  she  cried,  with  a  look  of  great  uneasiness  ; 
"if  you  are  in  possession  of  this  dread  secret,  the  lives  of  my 
companions  are  in  your  power.  You  will  not  betray  them. 
Or,  if  you  deem  it  your  duty  to  reveal  the  plot  to  those  en 
dangered  by  it,  you  will  give  its  contrivers  timely  warning." 

"  Fear  nothing,"  rejoined  Dee.  "  I  cannot,  were  I  so  dis 
posed,  interfere  with  the  fixed  purposes  of  fate.  The  things 
revealed  by  my  familiar  spirits  never  pass  my  lips.  They  are 
more  sacred  than  the  disclosures  made  to  a  priest  of  your  faith  at 
the  confessional.  The  bloody  enterprise  on  which  these  zealots 
are  bent  will  fail.  I  have  warned  Fawkes ;  but  my  warning, 
though  conveyed  by  the  lips  of  the  dead,  and  by  other  means 
equally  terrible,  was  unavailing  I  would  warn  Catesby  and 
Garnet,  but  they  would  heed  me  not.  Viviana  Radcliffe,"  he 
continued,  in  a  solemn  voice,  "you  questioned  me  just  now  about 
the  future.  Have  you  courage  to  make  the  same  demand  from 
your  dead  father?  If  so,  I  will  compel  his  corpse  to  answer  you." 

"Oh!  no— no,"  cried  Viviana,  horror-stricken;  "not  for 
worlds  would  I  commit  so  impious  an  act.  Gladly  as  I  would 
know  what  fate  has  in  store  for  me,  nothing  should  induce  me  to 
purchase  the  knowledge  at  so  dreadful  a  price." 

"  Farewell,  then,"  rejoined  Dee.  "  At  midnight,  at  the  south 
porch  of  the  Collegiate  Church,  I  shall  expect  you." 

So  saying,  he  took  his  departure  ;  and,  on  entering  the  gallery, 
he  perceived  Catesby  hastily  retreating. 

"Ahal"  he  muttered.  "We  have  had  a  listener  here.  Well, 
no  matter.  What  he  has  heard  may  prove  serviceable  to  him." 

He  then  returned  to  the  chamber  occupied  by  Guy  Fawkes, 
and  finding  he  had  dropped  into  a  deep  and  tranquil  sleep, 
motioned  Kelley,  who  was  standing  by  the  bedside  watching  his 
slumbers  with  folded  arms,  to  follow  him,  and  bowing  gravely  to 
Garnet  quitted  the  hall. 

As  he  crossed  the  court,  on  his  way  to  the  drawbridge,  Catesby 
suddenly  threw  himself  in  his  path,  and  laying  his  hand  upon 
his  sword,  cried  in  a  menacing  voice, — "  Doctor  Dee,  neither 
you  nor  your  companion  shall  quit  the  hall  till  you  have  solemnly 
sworn  not  to  divulge  aught  pertaining  to  the  plot,  of  which  you 
have  so  mysteriously  obtained  information." 

"  Is  this  my  recompence  for  rescuing  your  comrade  from  the 
jaws  of  death,  sir  ?"  replied  Dee,  sternly. 

"  The  necessity  of  the  case  must  plead  its  excuse,'1  rejoined 
Catesby.  "  My  own  safety,  and  the  safety  of  those  leagued  with 


118  GUY   FAWKES. 

me,  require  that  I  should  be  peremptory  in  my  demand.     Did  I 
not  owe  you  a  large  debt  or  gratitude  for  your  resuscitation  of 
Guy  Fawkes,  I  would  have  insured  your  secrecy  with  your  life 
As  it  is,  I  will  be  content  with  your  oath." 

"  Fool !"  exclaimed  Dee,  "  stand  aside,  or  I  will  compel  you 
to  do  so." 

"  Think  not  to  terrify  me  by  idle  threats,"  returned  Catesby. 
"  I  willingly  acknowledge  your  superior  skill, — as,  indeed,  I  have 
good  reason  to  do, — in  the  science  of  medicine ;  but  I  have  no 
faith  in  your  magical  tricks.  A  little  reflection  has  shown  me 
how  the  knowledge  I  at  first  thought  so  wonderful  was  acquired. 
You  obtained  it  by  means  of  Martin  Heydocke,  who,  mounted 
on  a  swift  steed,  reached  the  College  before  me.  He  told  you 
of  the  object  of  my  visit, — of  Viviana's  wish  to  have  her  father 
interred  in  the  Collegiate  Church, — of  her  message  to  Humphrey 
Chetham.  You  were,  therefore,  fully  prepared  for  my  arrival, 
and  at  first,  I  must  confess,  completely  imposed  upon  me.  Nay, 
had  I  not  overheard  your  conversation  just  now  with  Viviana, 
I  might  have  remained  your  dupe  still.  But  your  allusion  to 
Chetham's  visit  awakened  my  suspicions,  and,  on  re-considering 
the  matter,  the  whole  trick  flashed  upon  me." 

"  What  more  ?"  demanded  Dee,  his  brow  lowering,  and  his 
eyes  sparkling  with  rage. 

"  Thus  much,"  returned  Catesby.  "  I  have  your  secret,  and 
you  have  mine.  And  though  the  latter  is  the  more  important, 
inasmuch  as  several  lives  hang  upon  it,  whereas  a  conjuror's 
worthless  reputation  is  alone  dependent  on  the  other,  yet  both 
must  be  kept.  Swear,  then,  not  to  reveal  the  plot,  and  in  my 
turn  I  will  take  any  oath  you  choose  to  dictate  not  to  disclose 
the  jugglery  I  have  detected." 

"  I  will  make  no  terms  with  you,"  returned  Dee ;  "  and  if  I 
do  not  reveal  your  damnable  plot,  it  is  not  from  consideration  of 
you  or  your  associates,  but  because  the  hour  for  its  disclosure  is 
not  yet  arrived.  When  full  proof  of  your  guilt  can  be  obtained, 
then  rest  assured  it  will  be  made  known, — though  not  by  me. 
Not  one  of  your  number  shall  escape — not  one." 

Catesby  again  laid  his  hand  upon  his  sword,  and  seemed  from 
his  looks  to  be  meditating  the  destruction  of  the  Doctor  and  his 
assistant.  But  they  appeared  wholly  unconcerned  at  his  glances. 

"  What  you  have  said  concerning  Martin  Heydocke  is  false — 
as  false  as  your  own  foul  and  bloody  scheme,"  pursued  Dee.  "  I 
have  neither  seen,  nor  spoken  with  him." 

"  But  your  assistant,  Edward  Kelley,  has,"  retorted  Catesby, 
"  and  that  amounts  to  the  same  thing." 

"  For  the  third  and  last  time  I  command  you  to  stand  aside," 
cried  Dee,  in  a  tone  of  concentrated  anger. 

Catesby  laughed  aloud. 

"  What  if  I  refuse  ?"  he  said,  in  a  jeering  voice. 


THE   COLLEGIATE   CHURCH   AT   MANCHESTER.          119 

Doctor  Dee  made  no  answer;  but,  suddenly  drawing  a  small 
phial  from  beneath  his  robe,  cast  its  contents  in  his  opponent's  face. 
Blinded  by  the  spirit,  Catesby  raised  his  hand  to  his  eyes,  and 
while  in  this  condition  a  thick  cloth  was  thrown  over  his  head 
from  behind,  and,  despite  his  resistance,  he  was  borne  off,  and 
bound  with  a  strong  cord  to  an  adjoining  tree. 

Half  an  hour  elapsed,  during  which  he  exhausted  his  fury  in 
vain  outcries  for  assistance,  and  execrations  and  menaces  against 
Dee  and  his  companion.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  hearing 
steps  approaching,  he  called  loudly  to  be  released,  and  was 
answered  by  the  voice  of  Martin  Heydocke. 

"  What !  is  it  your  worship  I  behold  ?"  cried  Martin,  in  a  tone 
of  affected  commiseration.  "Mercy  on  us !  what  has  happened? 
Have  the  rascally  searchers  been  here  again  ?" 

"  Hold  your  peace,  knave,  and  unbind  me,"  rejoined  Catesby, 
angrily.  "  I  shrewdly  suspect,"  he  added,  as  his  commands  were 
obeyed,  and  the  cord  twined  around  his  arms  unfastened,  and 
the  cloth  removed, — "  I  shrewdly  suspect,"  he  said,  fixing  a  stern 
glance  upon  Martin,  which  effectually  banished  the  smile  from 
his  demure  countenance,  "  that  you  have  had  some  share  in  this 
business." 

"  What  I,  your  worship  ?"  exclaimed  Martin.  **  Not  the  slight 
est,  I  assure  you.  It  was  by  mere  chance  I  came  this  way,  and, 
perceiving  some  one  tied  to  a  tree,  was  about  to  take  to  my  heels, 
when,  fancying  I  recognised  your  worship's  well-formed  leg?,  I 
ventured  forward." 

"  You  shall  become  more  intimately  acquainted  with  my  wor 
ship's  boots,  rascal,  if  I  find  my  suspicions  correct,"  rejoined 
Catesby.  "  Have  you  the  effrontery  to  tell  me  you  have  never 
seen  this  rope  and  this  cloth  before  ?" 

"  Certes,  I  have,  your  worship,"  replied  Martin.  "  May  the 
first  hang  me,  and  the  last  serve  as  my  winding-sheet,  if  I  speak 
not  the  truth !  Ah,  now  I  look  again,"  he  added,  pretending  to 
examine  them,  "  it  must  be  a  horse-cloth  and  halter  from  the 
stable.  Peradventure,  I  have  seen  them." 

"  That  I  will  be  sworn  you  have,  and  used  them  too,"  rejoined 
Catesby.  "  I  am  half  inclined  to  tie  you  to  the  tree  in  my  place. 
But  where  is  your  employer? — where  is  Doctor  Dee  ?" 

"  Doctor  Dee  is  not  my  employer,"  answered  Martin,  "neither 
do  I  serve  him.  Mr.  Humphrey  Chetham,  as  I  have  already 
told  your  worship,  is  my  master.  As  to  the  Doctor,  he  left  the 
hall  some  time  since.  Father  Garnet  thought  you  had  accom 
panied  him  on  the  road.  I  have  seen  nothing  of  him.  Of  a 
truth  I  have  not." 

Catesby  reflected  a  moment,  and  then  strode  towards  the  hall, 
while  Martin,  with  a  secret  smile,  picked  up  the  halter  and  cloth, 
and  withdrew  to  the  stable. 

Repairing  to  the  chamber  of  the  wounded  man,  Catesby  found 


120  GUT  FAWKES. 

Garnet  seated  by  his  couch,  and  related  what  had  occurred.  The 
Jesuit  listened  with  profound  attention  to  the  recital,  and  on  ita 
conclusion  observed, — 

"  I  am  sorry  you  have  offended  Doctor  Dee,  my  son.  He 
might  have  proved  a  good  friend.  As  it  is,  you  have  made  him  a 
dangerous  enemy." 

"  He  was  not  to  be  trusted,  father,"  returned  Catesby.  "  But 
if  you  have  any  fears  of  him,  or  Kelley,  I  will  speedily  set  them 
at  rest." 

"No  violence,  my  son,"  rejoined  Garnet.  "You  will  only 
increase  the  mischief  you  have  already  occasioned.  I  do  not 
think  Dee  will  betray  us.  But  additional  circumspection  will  be 
requisite.  Tarry  here  while  I  confer  with  Viviana  on  this  sub 
ject.  She  has  apparently  some  secret  influence  with  the  Doctor, 
and  may  be  prevailed  upon  to  exert  it  in  our  behalf." 

It  was  long  before  Garnet  returned.-  When  he  reappeared, 
his  looks  convinced  Catesby  that  the  interview  had  not  proved 
satisfactory. 

"  Your  imprudence  has  placed  us  in  a  perilous  position,  my 
son,"  he  observed.  "  Viviana  refuses  to  speak  to  Doctor  Dee  on 
the  subject,  and  strongly  reprobates  your  conduct." 

Catesby 's  brow  lowered. 

"  There  is  but  one  course  to  pursue,"  he  muttered,  rising ; 
"  our  lives  or  his  must  be  sacrificed.  I  will  act  at  once." 

"  Hold  !"  exclaimed  Garnet  authoritatively.  "  Wait  till  to 
morrow  ;  v»iid,  if  aufjht  occurs  in  the  interim  to  confirm  your 
suspicions,  do  as  you  mink  proper.  I  will  not  oppose  you." 

"  If  I  forbear  so  long,"  returned  Catesby,  "  it  will  not  be  safe 
to  remain  here." 

"  I  will  risk  it,"  said  Garnet,  "  and  I  counsel  you  to  do  the 
same.  You  will  not  lea\~  Viviana  at  this  strait." 

"  I  have  no  such  thoughts,"  replied  Catesby.  "  If  I  go,  she 
goes  too." 

"  Then  it  will  be  in  vain,  I  am  sure,  to  endeavour  to  induce 
her  to  accompany  you  till  her  father  is  interred,"  observed 
Garnet. 

<;  True,"  replied  Catesby  ;  "  I  had  forgotten  that.  We  shall 
meet  the  hoary  juggler  at  the  church,  and  an  opportunity  may 
occur  for  executing  my  purpose  there.  Unless  he  will  swear  at 
the  altar  not  to  betray  us,  he  shall  die  by  my  hand." 

"  An  oath  in  such  a  case  would  be  no  security,  my  son," 
returned  Garnet;  "and  his  slaughter  and  that  of  his  companion 
would  be  equally  inefficacious,  and  greatly  prejudicial  to  our 
cause.  If  he  means  to  betray  us,  he  has  done  so  already.  But 
I  have  little  apprehension.  I  do  not  think  him  well  affected 
towards  the  government,  and  I  cannot  but  think,  if  you  had  not 
thus  grossly  insulted  him,  he  would  have  favoured  rather  than 
opposed  our  design.  If  he  was  aware  of  the  plot,  and  adverse 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH   AT  MANCHESTER.          121 

to  it,  what  need  was  there  to  exert  his  skill  in  behalf  of  our  dying 
friend,  who,  but  for  him,  would  have  been,  ere  this,  a  lump  of 
lifeless  clay  ?  No,  no,  my  son.  You  are  far  too  hasty  in  your 
judgment.  Nor  am  I  less  surprised  at  your  injustice.  Over 
looking  the  great  benefit  conferred  upon  us,  because  some 
trifling  scheme  has  been  thwarted,  you  would  requite  our  bene 
factor  by  cutting  his  throat/' 

"  Your  rebuke  is  just,  father,"  returned  Catesby.  "  I  have 
acted  heedlessly.  But  I  will  endeavour  to  repair  rny  error." 

u  Enough,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet.  "  It  will  be  advisable  to 
go  well  armed  to  the  church  to-night,  for  fear  of  a  surprise.  But 
1  shall  not  absent  myself  on  that  account." 

"  Nor  I,"  rejoined  Catesby. 

The  conversation  was  then  carried  on,  on  other  topics,  when 
the}r  were  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  Viviana,  who  came  to 
consult  them  about  the  funeral.  It  was  arranged — since  better 
could  not  be  found — that  the  vehicle  used  to  bring  thither  the 
body  of  the  unfortunate  knight  should  transport  it  to  its  last 
home.  No  persuasions  of  Garnet  could  induce  Viviana  to  relin 
quish  the  idea  of  attending  the  ceremony ;  and  Catesby,  though 
he  affected  the  contrary,  secretly  rejoiced  at  her  determination. 

Night  came,  and  all  was  in  readiness.  Viviana  to  the  last 
indulged  a  hope  that  Humphrey  Chetham  would  arrive  in  time 
to  attend  the  funeral  with  her;  but,  as  he  did  not  appear,  she 
concluded  he  had  received  Doctor  Dee's  warning.  Martin  Hey- 
docke  was  left  in  charge  of  Guy  Fawkes,  who  still  continued  to 
slumber  deeply,  and,  when  within  half  an  hour  of  the  appointed 
time,  the  train  set  out. 

They  were  all  well  mounted,  and  proceeded  at  a  slow  pace 
along  the  lane  skirting  the  west  bank  of  the  Irwell.  The  night 
was  profoundly  dark;  and,  as  it  was  not  deemed  prudent  to 
carry  torches,  some  care  was  requisite  to  keep  in  the  right  road. 
Catesby  rode  first,  and  was  followed  by  Garnet  and  Viviana, 
after  vrhom  came  the  little  vehicle  containing  the  body.  The 
rear  was  brought  up  by  three  of  the  servants  sent  by  Sir  Everard 
Digby ;  a  fourth  acting  as  driver  of  the  sorry  substitute  for  a 
hearse.  Not  a  word  was  uttered  by  any  of  the  party.  In  this 
stealthy  manner  was  the  once-powerful  and  wealthy  Sir  William 
Radcliffe,  the  owner  of  the  whole  district  through  which  they 
were  passing,  conveyed  to  the  burial-place  of  his  ancestors ! 

In  shorter  time  than  they  had  allowed  themselves  for  the 
iourney,  the  melancholy  cavalcade  reached  Salford  Bridge,  and 
crossing  it  at  a  quick  pace,  as  had  been  previously  arranged  by 
Catesby,  arrived  without  molestation  or  notice  (for  no  one  was 
abroad  in  the  town  at  that  hour)  at  the  southern  gate  of  the 
Collegiate  Church,  where,  it  may  be  remembered,  Guy  Fawkes 
had  witnessed  the  execution  of  the  two  seminary  priests,  and  on 
the  spikes  of  which  their  heads  and  dismembered  bodies  were 


122  GUY  FAWKES. 

now  fixed.  An  old  man  here  presented  himself,  and,  unlocking 
the  gate,  informed  them  he  was  Robert  Bnrnell,  the  sexton, 
The  shell  was  then  taken  out,  and  borne  on  the  shoulders  of  th-2 
servants  towards  the  church,  Burnell  leading  the  way.  Garnet 
followed ;  and  as  soon  as  Catesby  had  committed  the  horses  to 
the  care  of  the  driver  of  the  carriage,  he  tendered  his  arm  to 
Viviana,  who  could  scarcely  have  reached  the  sacred  structure 
unsupported. 

Doctor  Dee  met  them  at  the  church  porch,  as  he  had  ap 
pointed,  and,  as  soon  as  they  had  passed  through  it,  the  door 
was  locked.  Addressing  a  few  words  in  an  under  tone  to  Vivi 
ana,  but  not  deigning  to  notice  either  of  her  companions,  Dee 
directed  the  bearers  of  the  body  to  follow  him,  and  proceeded 
towards  the  choir. 

The  interior  of  the  reverend  and  beautiful  fane  was  buried  in 
profound  gloom,  and  the  feeble  light  diffused  by  the  sexton's 
lantern  only  made  the  darkness  more  palpable.  On  entering 
the  broad  and  noble  nave  nothing  could  be  seen  of  its  clustered 
pillars,  or  of  the  exquisite  pointed  arches,  enriched  with  cinque- 
foil  and  quatrefoil,  inclosing  blank  shields,  which  they  supported. 
Neither  could  its  sculptured  cornice ;  its  clerestory  windows ;  its 
upper  range  of  columns,  supporting  demi-angels  playing  on  mu 
sical  instruments;  its  moulded  roof  crossed  by  transverse  beams, 
enriched  in  the  interstices  with  sculptured  ornaments,  be  distin 
guished.  Most  of  these  architectural  glories  were  invisible ;  but 
the  very  gloom  in  which  they  were  shrouded  was  imposing.  As 
the  dim  light  fell  upon  pillar  after  pillar  as  they  passed,  revealing 
their  mouldings,  piercing  a  few  feet  into  the  side  aisles,  and 
falling  upon  the  grotesque  heads,  the  embattled  ornaments  and 
grotesque  tracery  of  the  arches,  the  effect  was  inexpressibly 
striking. 

Nor  were  the  personages  inappropriate  to  the  sombre  scene. 
The  reverend  figure  of  Dee,  with  his  loose  flowing  robe  and 
long  white  beard;  the  priestly  garb  and  grave  aspect  of  Garnet; 
the  soldier-like  bearing  of  Catesby,  his  armed  heel  and  rapier- 
point  clanking  upon  the  pavement ;  the  drooping  figure  of 
Viviana,  whose  features  were  buried  in  her  kerchief,  and  whose 
sobs  were  distinctly  audible ;  the  strangely-fashioned  coffin,  and 
the  attendants  by  whom  it  was  borne ; — all  constituted  a  singu 
lar,  and,  at  the  same  time,  deeply-interesting  picture. 

Approaching  the  magnificent  screen  terminating  the  nave, 
they  passed  through  an  arched  gateway  within  it,  and  entered 
the  choir.  The  west-end  of  this  part  of  the  church  was  assigned 
as  the  burial-place  of  the  ancient  and  honourable  family,  the 
head  of  which  was  about  to  be  deposited  within  it,  and  was  de 
signated  from  the  circumstance,  the  "  Radcliffe  chancel."  A 
long  slab  of  grey  marble,  in  which  a  brass  plate,  displaying  the 
armorial  bearings  of  the  Radcliffes,  was  inserted,  had  been  re- 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH   AT   MANCHESTER.          123 

moved,  and  the  earth  thrown  out  of  the  cavity  beneath  it. 
Kelley,  who  had  assisted  in  making  the  excavation,  was  standing 
beside  it,  leaning  on  a  spade,  with  a  lantern  at  his  feet.  He  drew 
aside  as  the  funeral  train  approached,  and  the  shell  was  deposited 
at  the  edge  of  the  grave. 

Picturesque  and  striking  as  was  the  scene  in  the  nave,  it  fell 
far  short  of  that  now  exhibited.  The  choir  of  the  Collegiate 
Church  at  Manchester  may  challenge  comparison  with  any  simi 
lar  structure.  Its  thirty  elaborately-carved  stalls,  covered  with 
canopies  of  the  richest  tabernacle  work,  surmounted  by  niches, 
mouldings,  pinnacles,  and  perforated  tracery,  and  crowned  with 
a  richly-sculptured  cornice;  its  side  aisles,  with  their  pillars  and 
arches ;  its  moulded  ceiling  rich  in  the  most  delicate  and  fairy 
tracery ;  its  gorgeous  altar-screen  of  carved  oak ;  and  its  mag 
nificent  eastern  window,  then  filled  with  stained  glass,  form  a 
coup-d'ceil  of  almost  unequalled  splendour  and  beauty.  Few  of 
these  marvels  could  now  be  seen.  But  such  points  of  the  pin 
nacles  and  hanging  canopies  of  the  stalls,  of  the  facades  of  the 
tide-aisles,  and  of  the  fretted  roof,  as  received  any  portion  of  the 
light,  came  in  with  admirable  effect. 

"  All  is  prepared,  you  perceive,"  observed  Dee  to  Viviana. 
"  I  will  retire  while  the  ceremony  is  performed."  And  gravely 
inclining  his  head,  he  passed  through  an  arched  door  in  the  south 
aisle,  and  entered  the  chapter-house. 

Garnet  was  about  to  proceed  with  the  service  appointed  by 
the  Romish  Church  for  the  burial  of  the  dead,  when  Viviana, 
uttering  a  loud  cry,  would  have  fallen,  if  Catesby  had  not  flown 
to  her  assistance,  and  borne  her  to  one  of  the  stalls.  Recovering 
her  self-possession  the  next  moment,  she  entreated  him  to  leave 
her ;  and  while  the  service  proceeded,  she  knelt  down  and  prayed 
fervently  for  the  soul  of  the  departed. 

Placing  himself  at  the  foot  of  the  body,  Garnet  sprinkled  it 
with  holy  water,  which  he  had  brought  with  him  in  a  small  silver 
consecrated  vessel.  He  then  recited  the  De  Profundis,  the  Mi 
serere,  and  other  antiphons  and  prayers;  placed  incense  in  a 
burner,  which  he  had  likewise  brought  with  him,  and  having 
lighted  it,  bowed  reverently  towards  the  altar,  sprinkled  the 
body  thrice  with  holy  water,  at  the  sides,  at  the  head,  and  the 
feet ;  and  then  walking  round  it  with  the  incense-burner,  dis 
persed  its  fragrant  odour  over  it.  This  done,  he  recited  another 
prayer,  pronounced  a  solemn  benediction  over  the  place  of  sepul 
ture,  and  the  body  was  lowered  into  it. 

The  noise  of  the  earth  falling  upon  the  shell  aroused  Viviana 
from  her  devotions.  She  looked  towards  the  grave,  but  could 
see  nothing  bnt  the  gloomy  group  around  it,  prominent  among 
which  appeared  the  tall  figure  of  Catesby.  The  sight  was  too 
much  for  her,  and,  unable  to  control  her  grief,  she  fainted. 
Meanwhile,  the  grave  was  rapidly  filled,  all  lending  their  aid  to 


GUY  FAWKES. 

the  task ;  and  nothing  was  wanting  but  to  restore  the  slab  to  its 
original  position.  By  the  united  efforts  of  Catesby,  Kelley,  and 
the  sexton,  this  was  soon  accomplished,  and  the  former,  unaware 
of  what  had  happened,  was  about  to  proceed  to  Viviana,  to  tell 
her  all  was  over,  when  he  was  arrested  by  a  loud  knocking  at 
the  church  door,  accompanied  by  a  clamorous  demand  for  ad 
mittance. 

"  We  are  betrayed  !"  exclaimed  Catesby.  "  It  is  as  I  sus 
pected.  Take  care  of  Viviana,  father.  1  will  after  the  hoary 
impostor,  and  cleave  his  skull !  Extinguish  the  lights — quick  ! 
quick  1" 

Garnet  hastily  complied  with  these  injunctions,  and  the  choir 
was  plunged  in  total  darkness.  He  then  rushed  to  the  stalls, 
but  could  nowhere  find  Viviana.  He  called  her  by  name,  but 
received  no  answer,  and  was  continuing  his  fruitless  search,  when 
•he  heard  footsteps  approaching,  and  the  voice  of  Catesby  ex 
claimed, 

"  Follow  me  with  your  charge,  father." 

"  Alas  I  my  son,  she  is  not  here,"  replied  Garnet.  "  I  have 
searched  each  stall  as  carefully  as  I  could  in  the  dark.  I  fear 
she  has  been  spirited  away." 

"  Impossible !"  cried  Catesby.  And  he  ran  his  hand  along 
the  row  of  sculptured  seats,  but  without  success.  "  She  is  indeed 
gone  I"  he  exclaimed  distractedly.  "  It  was  here  1  left  her — 
nay,  here  I  beheld  her  at  the  very  moment  the  lights  were  extin 
guished.  Viviana ! — Viviana  I" 

But  all  was  silent. 

"  It  is  that  cursed  magician's  handiwork  1 "  he  continued, 
striking  his  forehead  in  despair. 

"  Did  you  find  him  ?"  demanded  Garnet. 

"  No,"  replied  Catesby.  "  The  door  of  the  chapter-house  was 
locked  inside.  The  treacherous  villain  did  well  to  guard  against 
my  fury." 

"  You  provoked  his  resentment,  my  son,"  rejoined  Garnet. 
"  But  this  is  not  a  season  for  reproaches.  Something  must  be 
done.  Where  is  Kelley  ?" 

At  the  suggestion,  Catesby  instantly  darted  to  the  spot  where 
the  seer  had  stood.  He  was  not  there.  He  then  questioned 
the  servants,  whose  teeth  were  chattering  with  fright,  but  they 
had  neither  heard  him  depart,  nor  could  tell  anything  about 
him  ;  and  perceiving  plainly  from  their  trepidation  that  these 
men  would  lend  no  aid,  even  if  they  did  not  join  the  assailants, 
he  returned  to  communicate  his  apprehensions  to  Garnet. 

Duiing  all  this  time  the  knocking  and  vociferations  at  the 
door  had  continued  with  increased  violence,  and  reverberated  in 
hollow  peals  along  the  roof  and  aisles  of  the  church. 

The  emergency  was  a  fearful  one.  Catesby,  however,  had 
been  too  often  placed  in  situations  of  peril,  and  was  too  constitu- 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH   AT  MANCHESTER.         12$ 

tionally  brave,  to  experience  much  uneasiness  for  himself;  but  his 
apprehensions  lest  Garnet  should  be  captured,  and  the  sudden 
and  mysterious  disappearance  of  Viviana  almost  distracted  him. 
Persuading  himself  she  might  have  fallen  to  the  ground,  or  that 
he  had  overlooked  the  precise  spot  where  he  had  left  her,  he 
renewed  his  search,  but  with  no  better  success  than  before  ;  and 
he  was  almost  beginning  to  believe  that  some  magic  might  have 
been  practised  to  cause  her  disappearance,  when  it  occurred  to 
him  that  she  had  been  carried  off  by  Kelley. 

"  Fool  that  I  was,  not  to  think  of  that  before !"  he  exclaimed. 
"  I  have  unintentionally  aided  their  project  by  extinguishing  the 
lights.  But  now  that  I  am  satisfied  she  is  gone,  I  can  devote, 
my  whole  energies  to  the  preservation  of  Garnet.  They  shall 
not  capture  us  so  easily  as  they  anticipate." 

With  this,  he  approached  the  priest,  and  grasping  his  hand 
drew  him  noislessly  along.  They  had  scarcely  passed  through 
the  arched  doorway  in  the  screen,  and  set  foot  within  the  nave, 
when  the  clamour  without  ceased.  The  next  moment  a  thun 
dering  crash  was  heard  ;  the  door  burst  open,  and  a  number  of 
armed  figures  bearing  torches,  with  drawn  swords  in  their  hands,, 
rushed  with  loud  vociferations  into  the  church. 

"  We  must  surrender,  my  son,"  cried  Garnet.  "  It  will  be 
useless  to  contend  against  that  force." 

"But  we  may  yet  escape  them,"  rejoined  Catesby.  And 
glancing  hastily  round  he  perceived  a  small  open  door  in  the 
wall  at  the  right,  and  pointing  it  out  to  the  priest,  hurried 
towards  it. 

On  reaching  it,  they  found  it  communicated  with  a  flight  of 
stone  steps,  evidently  leading  to  the  roof. 

"  Saved  I  saved  I"  cried  Catesby,  triumphantly.  "  Mount  first, 
father.  I  will  defend  the  passage." 

The  pursuers,  who  saw  the  course  taken  by  the  fugitives,  set 
up  a  loud  shout,  and  ran  as  swiftly  as  they  could  in  the  same 
direction,  and  by  the  time  the  latter  had  gained  the  door  they 
were  within  a  few  yards  of  it.  Garnet  darted  up  the  steps;  but 
Catesby  lingered  to  make  fast  the  door,  and  thus  oppose  some 
obstacle  to  the  hostile  party.  His  efforts,  however,  were  unex 
pectedly  checked,  and,  on  examination,  he  found  it  was  hooked 
to  the  wall  at  the  back.  Undoing  the  fastening,  the  door  swung 
to,  and  he  instantly  bolted  it.  Overjoyed  at  his  success,  and 
leaving  his  pursuers,  who  at  this  moment  arrived,  to  vent  their 
disappointment  in  loud  menaces,  he  hastened  after  Garnet. 
Calling  loudly  to  him,  he  was  answered  from  a  small  dark  cham 
ber  on  the  right,  into  which  the  priest  had  retreated. 

"  We  have  but  prolonged  our  torture,"  groaned  Garnet.  "  I 
can  find  no  outlet.  Our  foes  will  speedily  force  an  entrance, 
and  we  must  then  fall  into  their  hands." 

"  There  must  be  some  door  opening  upon  the  roof,  father," 


126  GUY   FAWKES. 

rejoined  Catesby.  "  Mount  as  high  as  you  can,  and  search  care 
fully.  I  will  defend  the  stairs,  and  will  undertake  to  maintain 
my  post  against  the  whole  rout." 

Thus  urged,  Garnet  ascended  the  steps.  After  the  lapse  of  a 
few  minutes,  during  which  the  thundering  at  the  door  below 
increased,  and  the  heavy  blows  of  some  weighty  implement 
directed  against  it,  were  distinctly  heard,  he  cried, 

"  I  have  found  a  door,  but  the  bolts  are  rusty — I  cannot  move 
them." 

"  Use  all  your  strength,  father,"  shouted  Catesby,  who  having 
planted  himself  with  his  drawn  sword  at  an  advantageous  point, 
\vas  listening  with  intense  anxiety  to  the  exertions  of  the  assailing 
party.  "  Do  not  relax  your  efforts  for  a  moment." 

"  It  is  in  vain,  my  son,"  rejoined  Garnet,  in  accents  of  despair. 
"  My  hands  are  bruised  and  bleeding,  but  the  bolts  stir  not." 

"  Distraction  1"  cried  Catesby,  gnashing  his  teeth  with  rage. 
«  Let  me  try." 

And  he  was  about  to  hasten  to  the  priest's  assistance,  when 
the  door  below  was  burst  open  with  a  loud  crash,  and  the  as 
sailants  rushed  up  the  steps.  The  passage  was  so  narrc.v  that 
they  were  compelled  to  mount  singly,  and  Catesby's  was  scarcely 
a  vain  boast  when  he  said  he  could  maintain  his  ground  against 
the  whole  host.  Shouting  to  Garnet  to  renew  his  efforts,  he 
prepared  for  the  assault.  Reserving  his  petronels  to  the  last,  he 
trusted  solely  to  his  rapier,  and  leaning  against  the  newel,  or 
circular  column  round  which  the  stairs  twined,  he  was  in  a  great 
measure  defended  from  the  weapons  of  his  adversaries,  while 
they  were  completely  exposed  to  his  attack.  The  darkness, 
moreover,  in  which  he  was  enveloped  offered  an  additional  pro 
tection,  whereas  the  torches  they  carried  made  his  mark  certain. 
As  soon  as  the  foremost  of  the  band  came  within  reach,  Catesby 
plunged  his  sword  into  his  breast,  and  pushed  him  back  with  all 
his  force  upon  his  comrades.  The  man  fell  heavily  backwards, 
dislodging  the  next  in  advance,  who  in  his  turn  upset  his  suc 
cessor,  and  so  on,  till  the  whole  band  was  thrown  into  confusion. 
A  discharge  of  fire-arms  followed ;  but,  sheltered  by  the  newel, 
Catesby  sustained  no  injury.  At  this  moment,  he  was  cheered 
by  a  cry  from  Garnet  that  he  had  succeeded  in  forcing  back  the 
bolts,  terror  having  supplied  him  with  a  strength  not  his  own ; 
and,  making  another  sally  upon  his  assailants,  amid  the  disorder 
that  ensued,  Catesby  retreated,  and  rapidly  tracking  the  steps, 
reached  the  door,  through  which  the  priest  had  already  passed. 
When  within  a  short  distance  of  the  outlet,  Catesby  felt,  from 
the  current  of  fresh  air  that  saluted  him,  that  it  opened  upon 
the  roof  of  the  church.  Nor  was  he  deceived.  A  few  steps 
placed  him  upon  the  leads,  where  he  found  Garnet. 

"  It  is  you,  my  son,"  cried  the  latter,  on  beholding  him  j  "  I 


THE  COLLEGIATE  CHURCH   AT  MANCHESTER.         127 

thought  from  the  shouts  you  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy." 

"  No,  Heaven  be  praised  !  I  am  as  yet  safe,  and  trust  to  deliver 
you  out  of  their  hands.  Come  with  me  to  the  battlements." 

"  The  battlements  !"  exclaimed  Garnet.  "A  leap  from  such 
a  height  as  that  were  certain  destruction." 

"It  were  so,"  replied  Catesby,  dragging  him  along.  "But 
trust  to  me,  and  you  shall  yet  reach  the  ground  uninjured." 

Arrived  at  the  battlements,  Catesby  leaned  over  them,  and 
endeavoured  to  ascertain  what  was  beneath.  It  was  still  so  dark 
that  he  could  scarcely  discern  any  objects  but  those  close  to  him, 
but  as  far  as  he  could  trust  his  vision,  he  thought  he  perceived 
a  projecting  building  some  twelve  or  fourteen  feet  below ;  and 
calling  to  mind  the  form  of  the  church,  which  he  had  frequently 
seen  and  admired,  he  remembered  its  chantries,  and  had  no 
doubt  but  it  was  the  roof  of  one  of  them  that  he  beheld.  If  he 
could  reach  it,  the  descent  from  thence  would  be  easy,  and  he 
immediately  communicated  the  idea  to  Garnet,  who  shrank 
aghast  from  it.  Little  time,  however,  was  allowed  for  considera 
tion.  Their  pursuers  had  already  scaled  the  stairs,  and  were 
springing  one  after  another  upon  the  leads,  uttering  the  most 
terrible  threats  against  the  destroyer  of  their  comrade.  Hastily 
divesting  himself  of  his  cloak,  Catesby  clambered  over  the  battle 
ments,  and,  impelled  by  fear,  Garnet  threw  off  his  robe,  and 
followed  his  example.  Clinging  to  the  grotesque  stone  water 
spouts  which  projected  below  the  battlements,  and  placing  the 
points  of  his  feet  upon  the  arches  of  the  clerestory  windows, 
nnd  thence  upon  the  mullions  and  transom  bars,  Catesby  de 
scended  in  safety,  and  then  turned  to  assist  his  companion,  who 
was  quickly  by  his  side. 

The  most  difficult  and  dangerous  part  of  the  descent  had  yet 
to  be  accomplished.  They  were  now  nearly  thirty  feet  from  the 
ground,  and  the  same  irregularities  in  the  walls  which  had 
favoured  them  in  the  upper  structure  did  not  exist  in  the  lower. 
But  their  present  position,  exposed  as  it  was  to  their  pursuers, 
who,  having  reached  the  point  immediately  overhead,  were  pre 
paring  to  fire  upon  them,  was  too  dangerous  to  allow  of  its 
occupation  for  a  moment,  and  Garnet  required  no  urging  to 
make  him  clamber  over  the  low  embattled  parapet.  Descending 
a  flying  buttress  that  defended  an  angle  of  the  building,  Catesby, 
who  was  possessed  of  great  strength  and  activity,  was  almost 
instantly  upon  the  ground.  Garnet  was  not  so  fortunate. 
Missing  his  footing,  he  fell  from  a  considerable  height,  and  his 
groans  proclaimed  that  he  had  received  some  serious  injury. 
Catesby  instantly  flew  to  him,  and  demanded,  in  a  tone  of  the 
greatest  anxiety,  whether  he  was  much  hurt. 

"  My  right  arm  is  broken,"  gasped  the  sufferer,  raising  himself 


128  GUY   FAWKES. 

with  difficulty.  "What  other  injuries  I  have  sustained  I  know 
not ;  but  every  joint  seems  dislocated,  and  my  face  is  covered 
with  blood.  Heaven  have  pity  on  me  !" 

As  he  spoke,  a  shout  of  exultation  arose  from  the  hostile  party, 
who,  having  heard  Garnet's  fall,  and  the  groans  that  succeeded 
it,  at  once  divined  the  cause,  and  made  sure  of  a  capture.  A 
deep  silence  followed,  proving  that  they  had  quitted  the  roof, 
and  were  hastening  to  secure  their  prey. 

Aware  that  it  would  take  them  some  little  time  to  descend 
the  winding  staircase,  and  traverse  the  long  aisle  of  the  church, 
Catesby  felt  certain  of  distancing  them.  But  he  could  not 
abandon  Garnet,  who  had  become  insensible  from  the  agony 
of  his  fractured  limb,  and,  lifting  him  carefully  in  his  arms,  he 
placed  him  upon  his  shoulder,  and  started  at  a  swift  pace 
towards  the  further  extremity  of  the  churchyard. 

At  the  period  of  this  history,  the  western  boundary  of  the 
Collegiate  Church  was  formed  by  a  precipitous  sandstone  rock 
of  great  height,  the  base  of  which  was  washed  by  the  waters  of 
the  Irwell,  while  its  summit  was  guarded  by  a  low  stone  wall. 
In  after  years,  a  range  of  small  habitations  was  built  upon  this 
spot,  but  they  have  been  recently  removed,  and  the  rock  having 
been  lowered,  a  road  now  occupies  their  site.  Nerved  by  despe 
ration,  Catesby,  who  was  sufficiently  well  acquainted  with  the 
locality  to  know  whither  he  was  shaping  his  course,  determined 
to  hazard  a  descent,  which,  under  calmer  circumstances,  he  would 
have  deemed  wholly  impracticable.  His  pursuers,  who  issued 
from  the  church  porch  a  few  seconds  after  he  had  passed  it,  saw 
him  hurry  towards  the  low  wall  edging  the  precipice,  and, 
encumbered  as  he  was  with  the  priest,  vault  over  it.  Not  deeming 
it  possible  he  would  dare  to  spring  from  such  a  height,  they 
darted  after  him.  But  they  were  deceived,  and  could  scarcely 
credit  their  senses  when  they  found  him  gone.  By  the  light  of 
their  torches  they  perceived  him  shooting  down  the  almost 
perpendicular  side  of  the  rock,  and  the  next  moment  a  hollov.7 
plunge  told  that  he  had  reached  the  water.  They  stared  at  each 
other  in  mute  astonishment. 

"  Will  you  follow  him,  Dick  Haughtcn  ?''  observed  one,  as 
soon  as  he  had  recovered  his  speech. 

"  Not  I,"  replied  the  fellow  addressed.  "  I  have  no  fancy 
for  a  broken  neck.  Follow  him  thyself  if  thou  hast  a  mind 
to  try  the  soundness  of  thy  pate.  I  warrant  that  rock  will 
put  it  to  the  proof." 

"  Yet  the  feat  has  just  been  done,  and  by  one  burthened  with 
*  wounded  comrade  into  the  bargain,  remarked  the  first 
speaker. 

"He  must  be  the  devil,  that's  certain,"  rejoined  Haughtoa; 
"  and  Doctor  Dee  himself  is  no  match  for  him." 

"  He  has  the  Devil's  luck,  that's  certain,"  cried  a  third  soldier. 


THE   RENCOUNTER.  129 

**  But,  hark  !  he   is  swimming  across  the  river.     We  may  yet 
catch  him  on  the  opposite  bank.     Come  along,  comrades." 

With  this,  they  rushed  out  of  the  churchyard  ;  made  the  best 
of  their  way  to  the  bridge  ;  and  crossing  it,  flew  to  the  bank  of 
the  river,  where  they  dispersed  in  every  direction,  in  search  for 
the  fugitive.  But  they  could  not  discover  a  trace  of  him  or  his 
wounded  companion. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE  RENCOUNTER. 

CATESBY  himself  could  scarcely  tell  how  he  accomplished  his 
hair-breadth  escape.  Reckless  almost  of  the  result,  he  slided 
down  the  rock,  catching  at  occasional  irregularities  as  he  de 
scended.  The  river  was  of  great  depth  at  this  point,  and  broke 
the  force  of  his  fall.  On  rising,  he  struck  out  a  few  yards,  and 
suffered  himself  to  be  carried  down  the  stream.  He  had  never 
for  one  moment  relinquished  his  hold  of  Garnet,  and  being  an 
admirable  swimmer,  found  little  difficulty  in  sustaining  him  with 
one  arm,  while  with  the  other  he  guided  his  course  in  the  water. 
In  this  way  he  reached  the  shore  in  safety,  about  a  hundred 
yards  below  the  bridge,  by  which  means  he  avoided  his 
pursuers,  who,  as  has  just  been  stated,  searched  for  him 
above  it. 

After  debating  with  himself  for  a  short  time  as  to  what  course 
he  should  pursue,  he  decided  upon  conveying  Garnet  to  the 
Hall,  where  he  could  procure  restoratives  and  assistance ;  and 
though  he  was  fully  sensible  of  the  danger  of  this  plan,  not 
doubting  the  mansion  would  be  visited  and  searched  by  his  pur 
suers  before  morning,  yet  the  necessity  of  warning  Guy  Fawkes 
outweighed  every  other  consideration.  Accordingly,  again 
shouldering  the  priest,  who,  though  he  had  regained  his  sensi 
bility,  was  utterly  unable  to  move,  he  commenced  his  toilsome 
march ;  and  being  frequently  obliged  to  pause  and  rest  himself, 
more  than  an  hour  elapsed  before  he  reached  his  destination. 

It  was  just  growing  light  as  he  crossed  the  drawbridge,  and 
seeing  a  horse  tied  to  a  tree,  and  the  gate  open,  he  began  to 
fear  the  enemy  had  preceded  him.  Full  of  misgiving,  he  laid 
Garnet  upon  a  heap  of  straw  in  an  outbuilding,  and  entered  the 
house.  He  found  no  one  below,  though  he  glanced  into  each 
room.  He  then  noiselessly  ascended  the  stairs,  with  the  inten 
tion  of  proceeding  to  Guy  Fawkes's  chamber. 

As  he  traversed  the  gallery,  he  heard  voices  in  one  of  the 
chambers,  the  door  of  which  was  ajar,  and  pausing  to  listen,  dis 
tinguished  the  tones  of  Viviana.  Filled  with  astonishment,  he 

K 


ISO  GUY   FA\VKES. 

was  about  to  enter  the  room  to  inquire  by  what  means  she  had 
reached  the  Hall,  when  he  was  arrested  by  the  voice  of  her 
companion.  It  was  that  of  Humphrey  Chetham.  Maddened 
by  jealousy,  Catesby's  first  impulse  was  to  rush  into  the  room, 
and  slab  his  rival  in  the  presence  of  his  mistress.  But  he  re 
strained  his  passion  by  a  powerful  effort. 

After  listening  for  a  few  minutes  intently  to  their  conversa 
tion,  he  found  that  Chetham  was  taking  leave,  and  creeping 
softly  down-stairs,  stationed  himself  in  the  hall,  through  which 
he  knew  his  rival  must  necessarily  pass.  Chetham  presently 
appeared.  His  manner  was  dejected ;  his  looks  downcast ;  and 
he  would  have  passed  Catesby  without  observing  him,  if  the  latter 
had  not  laid  his  hand  upon  his  shoulder. 

"  Mr.  Catesby  !"  exclaimed  the  young  merchant,  starting  as 
he  beheld  the  stern  glance  fixed  upon  him  "  I  thought " 

"  You  thought  I  was  a  prisoner,  no  doubt,"  interrupted  Catesby, 
bitterly.  "  But  you  are  mistaken.  I  am  here  to  confound  you 
and  your  juggling  and  treacherous  associate." 

"  I  do  not  understand  you,"  replied  Chetham. 

"  I  will  soon  make  myself  intelligible,"  retorted  Catesby. 
"Follow  me  to  the  garden." 

"  I  perceive  your  purpose,  Mr.  Catesby,"  replied  Chetham, 
calmly ;  "  but  it  is  no  part  of  my  principles  to  expose  my  life 
to  ruffianly  violence.  If  you  choose  to  lay  aside  this  insolent 
demeanour,  which  is  more  befitting  an  Alsatian  bully  than  a 
gentleman,  I  will  readily  give  you  such  explanation  of  my  con 
duct  as  will  fully  content  you,  and  satisfy  you  that  any  sus 
picions  you  may  entertain  of  me  are  unfounded." 

"  Coward  I"  exclaimed  Catesby,  striking  him.  "  I  want  no 
explanation.  Defend  yourself,  or  I  will  treat  you  with  still 
greater  indignity." 

"  Lead  on,  then,"  cried  Chetham  :  "  I  would  have  avoided 
the  quarrel  if  I  could.  But  this  outrage  shall  not  pass  un 
punished." 

As  they  quitted  the  hall,  Viviana  entered  it ;  and,  though  she 
was  greatly  surprised  by  the  appearance  of  Catesby,  his  furious 
gestures  left  her  in  no  doubt  as  to  his  purpose.  She  called  to 
him  to  stop.  But  no  attention  was  paid  by  either  party  to  her 
cries. 

On  gaining  a  retired  spot  beneath  the  trees,  Catesby,  without 
giving  his  antagonist  time  to  divest  himself  of  the  heavy  horse 
man's  cloak  with  which  he  was  encumbered,  and  scarcely  to  draw 
his  sword,  assaulted  him.  The  combat  was  furious  on  both  sides, 
but  it  was  evident  that  the  young  merchant  was  no  match  for 
his  adversary.  He  maintained  his  ground,  however,  for  some 
time  with  great  resolution ;  but,  being  hotly  pressed,  in  retreating 
to  avoid  a  thrust,  his  foot  caught  in  the  long  grass,  and  he  fell. 
C'ate? by  would  have  passed  his  sword  through  his  body,  if  it  had 


130 


GUT   FAWKES. 


was  about  to  enter  the  room  to  inquire  by  what  means  she  U 
reached  tiie  Hall,  when  he  was  arrested  by  the  voice  of  h«" 
companion.  It  was  that  of  Humphrey  Chetham.  Maddeneti 
by  jealousy,  Catesby's  first  impulse  was  to  rush  into  the  room, 
and  stab  his  rival  in  the  presence  of  his  mistress.  But  he  re 
strained  his  passion  by  a  powerful  effort. 

After  listening  ior  a  few  minutes  intently  to  their  conversa 


tion,  he  found  that  Chethat 
softly  down-stairs,  stationed  1 
he  knew  bis  rival  must  net 
appeared.  His  manner  wa* 
he  would  have  passed  Catc*^ 
had  not  laid  hi.s  hand 

"  Mr.  Catesby  1"  exci«iu*t 
tie  beheld  the 

*'  You  thought  I  wa*  a  pmo< 
bitterly.  "  But  you  sr 

"  I  do  not  'in 
"I    will    toon    m«L 
"Follow  rnetothegai 

"  I     ]       .Vi'ivf     >      U!      pi 

calmly  ;  »«  but  it   i- 
to  ruffianly  violence.     If  you 
demeanour,  which  is  i 
gentleman,  I  \viii  readi! 
duct  as  will  l.i 
picions  you  n 
"  Coward  !"  Wl 


g  leave,  and  creeping 
'.all,  through  which 
pass.     Chetham  presently 
is  looks  downcast;  and 
erving  him,  if  the  latter 

;  merchant,  starting  as 

m      "I  thought -" 

doubt,"  interrupted  Catesby, 
I  am  here  to  confound  you 

ate." 

itetham. 
•iligible,"  retorted    Catesby. 

by,"  replied  Chetham, 

r  principles  to  expose  my  life 

*e  to  lay  aside  this  insolent 

ig  an  Alsatian  bully  than  a 

-,-planation  of  my  con- 

-Ky  you   that  any  sus- 

uinded." 

ng  him.     "  I  want  no 
"1  treat  you  with  still 


mid  have  avoided 
hall  not  pass  un- 

;  and,  thoug! 
•y,  his  ft:' 
•:he   called  to 
party  to  her 


explanation 
great  (i  in 

"1..  - 
the  quar 
punia 

As  they  qn 

grsture?  left  h( 

him  to  stop.     But  no  air/moon  - 

•..lies. 

On  gaining  a  retired  spot  beneath  thr  .':vc  --t  (^Rte«by,  withoin 
giving  his  t  time  to  divest  him*  heavy  horse- 

man's  cloak  with  which  he  was  encumbered.  !y  todrav* 

his  sword,  assaulted  him.    The  combat  was  furuM.--.  on  lx>U 
but  it  was  evident  that  the  young  merchant  was  no  match  tor 
his  adversary.     He  maintained  his  ground,  how/  v<-r.  W  *-;*«r 
time  with  great  resolution;  but,  being  hotly  pressed,  i*i  T^'M-,*-.^ 
to  avoid  a  thrust,  his  foot  caught  in    the  long  grass,  M*!  r«-   '»*i 
Catefby  would  have  passed  his  sword  through  his  bu»iy,  \i 


THE  EXPLANATION.  131 

not  been  turned  aside  by  another  weapon.  It  was  that  of  Guy 
Fawkes,  who,  followed  by  Martin  Heydocke,  had  staggered 
towards  the  scene  of  strife,  reaching  it  just  in  time  to  save  the 
life  of  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  Heaven  be  praised !     I  am  not  too  late  !"  he  exclaimed. 
"  Put  up  your  blade,  Catesby ;  or,  turn  it  against  me." 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  EXPLANATION. 

UTTERING  an  exclamation  of  rage,  Catesby  turned  fiercely 
upon  Fawkes,  and  for  a  moment  appeared  disposed  to 
accept  his  invitation  to  continue  the  combat  with  him.  But  as 
he  regarded  the  other's  haggard  features,  and  perceived  in  them 
the  traces  of  his  recent  struggle  with  death — as  he  saw  he  was 
scarcely  able  to  wield  the  blade  he  opposed  against  him — his 
wrath  changed  to  compassion,  and  he  sheathed  his  sword.  By 
this  time,  Humphrey  Chetham  had  sprung  to  his  feet,  and 
picking  up  his  fallen  weapon,  stood  on  his  defence.  But  finding 
that  Catesby  meditated  no  further  hostilities,  he  returned  it  to 
the  scabbard. 

"  I  owe  my  life  to  you,"  he  said  to  Guy  Fawkes,  in  a  tone  of 
deep  gratitude. 

"  You  owe  it  to  Viviana  Radcliffe,  not  to  ine,"  returned 
Fawkes  feebly,  and  leaning  upon  his  sword  for  support.  "  Had 
it  not  been  for  her  cries,  I  should  have  known  nothing  of  this 
quarrel.  And  I  would  now  gladly  learn  what  has  occasioned  it" 

"  So  would  I,"  added  Chetham  ;  "  for  I  am  as  ignorant  as 
yourself  how  I  have  offended  Mr.  Catesby." 

"  I  will  tell  you,  then,"  returned  Catesby,  sternly.  "  You 
were  a  party  to  the  snare  set  for  us  by  Dr.  Dee,  from  which  I 
narrowly  escaped  with  life,  and  Father  Garnet  at  the  expense  of 
a  broken  limb." 

"  Is  Garnet  hurt  ?"  demanded  Fawkes,  anxiously. 

"  Grievously,"  replied  Catesby;  "but  he  is  out  of  the  reach 
of  his  enemies,  of  whom,"  he  added,  pointing  to  Chetham,  "  one 
of  the  most  malignant  and  treacherous  now  stands  before  you." 

"  I  am  quite  in  the  dark  as  to  what  has  happened,"  observed 
Fawkes,  "  having  only  a  few  minutes  ago  been  roused  from  my 
slumbers  by  the  shrieks  of  Viviana,  who  entreated  me  to  come 
and  separate  you.  But  I  cannot  believe  Humphrey  Chetham 
so  treacherous  as  you  represent  him." 

"  So  far  from  having  any  enmity  towards  Father  Garnet,* 
observed  Chetham,  "  my  anxious  desire  was  to  preserve  him ; 
and  with  that  view,  I  was  repairing  to  Dr.  Dee,  when  I  en- 

K2 


132  GUY  FAWKES. 

countered  Mr.  Catesby  in  the  hall,  and  before  I  conld  offer  anj 
explanation,  I  was  forced  by  his  violence  and  insults  into  this 
combat." 

"  Is  this  the  truth,  Catesby  ?"  asked  Fawkes. 

"Something  near  it,"  rejoined  the  latter;  "  but  perhaps  Mr. 
Chetham  will  likewise  inform  you  by  whose  agency  Viviana  was 
transported  hither  from  the  Collegiate  Church  ?" 

"  That  inquiry  ought  rather  to  be  made  of  the  lady  herself, 
sir,"  rejoined  Chetham,  coldly.  "But,  as  I  am  assured  she 
would  have  no  objection  to  my  answering  it,  I  shall  not  hesitate 
to  do  so.  She  was  conveyed  hither  by  Kelley  and  an  assistant, 
who  departed  as  soon  as  their  task  was  completed." 

"  Indeed !"  exclaimed  Catesby  between  his  ground  teeth. 
"  But  how  chanced  it,  sir,  that  you  arrived  here  so  oppor 
tunely  ?" 

"  I  might  well  refuse  to  answer  a  question  thus  insolently 
put,"  rejoined  Chetham.  "But  to  prevent  further  misunder 
standing,  I  will  tell  you,  that  I  came  by  Viviana's  invitation  at 
midnight ;  and,  ascertaining  from  my  servant,  Martin  Heydocke, 
whom  I  found  watching  by  the  couch  of  Guy  Fawkes,  the 
melancholy  business  on  which  she  was  engaged,  I  determined  to 
await  her  return,  which  occurred  about  an  hour  afterwards,  in 
the  manner  I  have  just  related." 

"  I  was  in  the  court-yard  when  Mistress  Viviana  was  brought 
back,"  interposed  Martin  Heydocke,  who  was  standing  at  a 
respectful  distance  from  the  group;  "and,  after  Kelley  had 
delivered  her  to  my  charge,  I  heard  him  observe  in  an  under 
tone  to  his  companion,  *  Let  us  ride  back  as  fast  as  we  can,  and 
see  what  they  have  done  with  the  prisoners.'" 

"  They  made  sure  of  their  prey  before  it  was  captured,"  ob 
served  Catesby,  bitterly.  "But  we  have  disappointed  them. 
Dee  and  his  associate  may  yet  have  reason  to  repent  their 
perfidy." 

"You  will  do  well  not  to  put  yourself  again  in  their  power," 
observed  Humphrey  Chetham.  "  If  you  will  be  counselled  by 
me,  you  and  Guy  Fawkes  will  seek  safety  in  instant  flight." 

"And  leave  you  with  Viviana?"  rejoined  Catesby,  sar 
castically. 

"  She  is  in  no  present  danger,"  replied  Chetham.  "  But,  if  it 
is  thought  fitting  or  desirable,  I  will  remain  with  her." 

"  I  do  not  doubt  it,"  returned  Catesby,  with  a  sneer ;  "  but  it 
is  neither  fitting  nor  desirable.  And,  hark  ye,  young  sir,  if  you 
have  indulged  any  expectations  with  regard  to  Viviana  Radcliffe, 
it  is  time  you  were  undeceived.  She  will  never  wed  one  of  your 
•degree,  nor  of  your  faith." 

"  I  have  her  own  assurance  she  will  never  wed  at  all,"  replied 
Chetham,  in  an  offended  tone.  "  But  had  she  not  crushed  my 
hopes  by  declaring  she  was  vowed  to  a  convent,  no  menaces  of 


THE  DISCOVERY.  133 

yours,  who  have  neither  right  nor  title  thus  to  interfere,  should 
induce  me  to  desist  from  my  suit." 

-"  Either  resign  all  pretensions  to  her  hand,  or  prepare  to 
renew  the  combat,"  cried  Catesby,  fiercely. 

"  No  more  of  this,"  interposed  Guy  Fawkes.  "  Let  us  return 
to  the  house,  and  adjust  our  differences  there." 

"  I.  have  no  further  business  here,"  observed  Humphrey  Che- 
tham.  "  Having  taken  leave  of  Viviana,"  he  added,  with  much 
emotion,  "  I  do  not  desire  to  meet  her  again." 

"  It  is  well,  sir,"  rejoined  Catesby:  "yet,  stay  ! — you  mean  us 
no  treachery  ?" 

"  If  you  suspect  me,  I  will  remain,"  replied  Humphrey 
Chetham. 

"  On  no  account,"  interposed  Guy  Fawkes.  "I  will  answer 
for  him  with  my  life." 

"  Perhaps,  when  I  tell  you  I  have  procured  the  liberation  of 
Father  Oldcorne,"  returned  Chetham,  "  and  have  placed  him  in 
security  in  Ordsall  cave,  you  will  admit  that  you  have  done  me 
wrong." 

"  I  have  been  greatly  mistaken  in  you,  sir,  I  must  own,"  ob 
served  Catesby,  advancing  towards  him,  and  extending  his  hand. 
But  Humphrey  Chetham  folded  his  arms  upon  his  breast,  and 
bowing  coldly,  withdrew.  He  was  followed  by  Martin  Hey- 
docke,  and  presently  afterwards  the  tramp  of  his  horse's  feet 
was  heard  crossing  the  drawbridge. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE    DISCOVERY. 

TENDERING  his  arm  to  Fawkes,  who  was  almost  too  feeble  to 
walk  unsupported,  Catesby  led  him  slowly  to  the  Hall.  On 
reaching  it,  they  met  Viviana,  in  a  state  bordering  upon  distrac 
tion,  but  her  distress  was  speedily  relieved  by  their  assurances 
that  the  young  merchant  had  departed  unhurt, — a  statement 
immediately  afterwards  confirmed  by  the  entrance  of  Martin 
Heydocke,  charged  with  a  message  from  his  master  to  her. 
Without  communicating  his  design  to  the  others,  and,  indeed, 
almost  shunning  Viviana,  Catesby  proceeded  to  the  outbuilding 
where  he  had  deposited  Garnet.  He  found  him  in  great  pain, 
and  praying  fervently  to  be  released  from  his  suffering. 

"  Do  not  despair,  father,"  said  Catesby,  in  as  cheerful  a  tone 
as  he  could  assume,  "  the  worst  is  over.  Viviana  is  in  safety. 
Father  Oldcorne  has  escaped,  and  is  within  a  short  distance  of 
us,  and  Guy  Fawkes  is  fully  able  to  undertake  a  journey  of  any 
distance.  You  are  our  sole  concern.  But  I  am  assured,  if  you 


FAWKES. 

will  allow  me  to  exercise  the  slight  surgical  skill  I  possess  in 
your  behalf,  that  you  will  be  able  to  accompany  us." 

"Do  with  me  what  you  please,  my  son,"  groaned  Garnet. 
"  But,  if  my  case  is  as  desperate  as  I  believe  it,  I  entreat  you 
not  to  bestow  any  further  care  upon  me,  and,  above  all,  not  to 
expose  yourself  to  risk  on  my  account.  Our  enemies  are  sure 
to  pursue  us, — and  what  matter  if  I  am  captured  ?  They  will 
wreak  their  vengeance  on  a  worthless  carcass, — for  such  I  shall 
soon  be.  But  it  would  double  the  anguish  1  now  endure,  if  you, 
and  Fawkes  were  to  fall  into  their  hands.  Go,  then,  and  leave 
me  here  to  perish.  My  dying  moments  will  be  cheered  by  the 
conviction  that  the  great  enterprise — for  which  alone  I  desire  to 
live — will  not  be  unaccomplished." 

"  There  is  no  need  to  leave  you,  father,"  replied  Catesby, 
"  nor  shall  any  consideration  induce  me  to  do  so,  till  I  have  ren 
dered  you  every  aid  that  circumstances -will  permit." 

"  My  son,"  replied  Garnet,  faintly,  "  the  most  efficacious  balm 
you  can  apply  will  be  the  certainty  that  you  are  in  safety.  You 
say  Viviana  is  here.  Fly  with  Fawkes,  and  leave  me  to  her  care." 

"  She  must  go  with  us,"  observed  Catcsby,  uneasily. 

"  Not  so,  my  son,"  returned  Garnet ;  "  her  presence  will  only 
endanger  you.  She  must  not  go.  And  you  must  abandon  all 
hopes  of  an  union  with  her." 

"  I  would  as  soon  abandon  the  great  design  itself,"  returned 
Catesby,  moodily. 

"If  you  persist  in  this,  you  will  ruin  it,"  rejoined  Garnet. 
"  Think  of  her  no  more.  Bend  your  thoughts  exclusively  on 
the  one  grand  object,  and  be  what  you  are  chosen  to  be,  the 
defender  and  deliverer  of  our  holy  Church." 

"  I  would  gladly  act  as  you  advise  me,  faiher,"  replied  Catesby  ; 
"  but  I  am  spell-bound  by  this  maiden." 

"  This  is  idle  from  you,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet,  reproach 
fully.  "  Separate  yourself  from  her,  and  you  will  soon  regain 
your  former  mastery  over  yourself." 

"  Well,  well,  father,"  rejoined  Catesby,  "  the  effort,  at  least, 
shall  be  made.  But  her  large  possessions,  which  would  be  so 
useful  to  our  cause,  and  which,  if  I  wedded  her,  would  be  wholly 
devoted  to  it, — think  of  what  we  lose,  father." 

"  1  have,  thought  of  it,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet;  "but  the 
consideration  does  not  alter  my  opinion :  and  if  I  possess  any 
authority  over  you,  I  strictly  enjoin  you  not  to  proceed  farther 
in  the  matter.  Viviana  never  can  be  yours." 

"  She  shall  be,  nevertheless,"  muttered  Catesby,  "and  before 
many  hours  have  elapsed, — if  not  by  her  own  free  will,  by  force. 
I  have  ever  shown  myself  obedient  to  your  commands,  father," 
he  added  aloud,  "  and  I  shall  not  transgress  them  now." 

"  Heaven  keep  you  in  this  disposition,  my  dear  son  I"  exclaimed 
Garnet,  with  a  look  of  distrust :  "and  let  me  recommend  you  to 


THE   DISCOVERY.  135 

remove  yourself  as  soon  as  possible  out  of  the  way  of  tempta 
tion." 

Catesby  muttered  an  affirmative,  and  taking  Garnet  in  his 
arms,  conveyed  him  carefully  to  his  own  chamber,  and  placing 
him  on  a  couch,  examined  his  wounds,  which  were  not  so  serious 
as  either  he  or  the  sufferer  imagined,  and  with  no  despicable 
skill — for  the  experiences  of  a  soldier's  life  had  given  him  some 
practice — bandaged  his  broken  arm,  and  fomented  his  bruises. 

This  done,  Garnet  felt  so  much  easier,  that  he  entreated 
Catesby  to  send  Viviana  to  him,  and  to  make  preparations  for 
his  own  immediate  departure.  Feigning  acquiescence,  Catesby 
quitted  the  room,  but  with  no  intention  of  complying  with  the 
request.  Not  a  moment  he  felt  must  be  lost  if  he  would  execute 
his  dark  design,  and,  after  revolving  many  wild  expedients,  an 
idea  occurred  to  him.  It  was  to  lure  Viviana  to  the  cave  where 
Father  Oldcorne  was  concealed ;  and  he  knew  enough  of  the 
pliant  disposition  of  the  latter  to  be  certain  he  would  assent  to 
his  scheme.  No  sooner  did  this  plan  occur  to  him  than  he 
hurried  to  the  cell,  and  found  the  piiest,  as  Chelham  had  stated. 
As  he  had  foreseen,  it  required  little  persuasion  to  induce  Old 
corne  to  lend  his  assistance  to  the  forced  marriage,  and  he  only 
feared  the  decided  opposition  they  should  encounter  from 
Viviana. 

"Fear  nothing,  then,  father,"  said  Catesby;  "in  this  solitary 
spot  no  one  will  hear  her  cries.  Whatever  resistance  she  may 
make,  perform  the  ceremony,  and  leave  the  consequences  to  me." 

"  The  plan  is  desperate,  my  son,"  returned  Oldcorne,  "  but 
so  are  our  fortunes.  And,  as  Viviana  will  not  hear  reason,  we 
have  no  alternative.  You  swear  that  if  you  are  once  wedded  to 
her,  all  her  possessions  shall  be  devoted  to  the  furtherance  of  the 
great  cause." 

"  All,  father — I  swear  it,"  rejoined  Catesby,  fervently. 

"  Enough,"  replied  Oldcorne.  "  The  sooner  it  is  done,  the 
better." 

It  was  then  agreed  between  them  that  the  plan  least  likely 
to  excite  suspicion  would  be  for  Oldcorne  to  proceed  to  the 
Hall,  and  under  some  plea  prevail  upon  Viviana  to  return  with 
him  to  the  cave.  Acting  upon  this  arrangement,  they  left  the 
cell  together,  shaping  their  course  under  the  trees  to  avoid 
observation ;  and  while  Oldcorne  repaired  to  the  Hall,  Catesby 
proceeded  to  the  stable,  and  saddling  the  only  steed  left,  rode 
back  to  the  cave,  and  concealing  the  animal  behind  the  brush 
wood,  entered  the  excavation.  Some  time  elapsed  before  the 
others  arrived,  and  as  in  his  present  feverish  state  of  mind 
moments  appeared  ages,  the  suspense  was  almost  intolerable. 
At  length,  he  heard  footsteps  approaching,  and,  with  a  beating 
heart,  distinguished  the  voice  of  Viviana.  The  place  was  buried 
in  profound  darkness ;  but  Oldcorne  struck  a  light,  and  set  fire 


186  GUY  FAWKES. 

to  a  candle  in  a  lantern.  The  feeble  glimmer  diffused  by  it  was 
not  sufficient  to  penetrate  the  recesses  of  the  cavern;  and 
Catesby,  who  stood  at  the  farther  extremity,  was  completely 
sheltered  from  observation. 

"  And  now,  father,"  observed  Viviana,  seating  herself  with  her 
back  towards  Catesby,  upon  the  stone  bench  once  used  by  the 
unfortunate  prophetess,  "I  would  learn  the  communication  you 
desire  to  make  to  me.  It  must  be  something  of  importance  since 
you  would  not  disclose  it  at  the  Hall." 

"  It  is,  daughter,"  replied  Oldcorne,  who  could  scarcely  con 
ceal  his  embarrassment.  "  I  have  brought  you  hither,  where  I 
am  sure  we  shall  be  uninterrupted,  to  confer  with  you  on  a  sub 
ject  nearest  my  heart.  Your  lamented  father  being  taken  from 
us,  I,  as  his  spiritual  adviser,  aware  of  his  secret  wishes  and  inten 
tions,  conceive  myself  entitled  to  assume  his  place." 

"  I  consider  you  in  the  light  of  a  father,  dear  sir,"  replied 
Viviana,  "and  will  follow  your  advice  as  implicitly  as  I  would 
that  of  him  I  have  lost." 

"  Since  I  find  you  so  tractable,  child,"  returned  Oldcorne,  re 
assured  by  her  manner,  "  I  will  no  longer  hesitate  to  declare  the 
motive  I  had  in  bringing  you  hither.  You  will  recollect  that  I 
have  of  late  strongly  opposed  your  intention  of  retiring  to  a 
convent." 

"  I  know  it,  father,"  interrupted  Viviana ;  "  but " 

"  Hear  me  out,"  continued  Oldcorne ;  "  recent  events  have 
strengthened  my  disapproval  of  the  step.  You  are  now  called 
upon  to  active  duties,  and  must  take  your  share  in  the  business 
of  life, — must  struggle  and  suffer  like  others, — and  not  shrink 
from  the  burthen  imposed  upon  you  by  Heaven." 

"  I  do  not  shrink  from  it,  father,"  replied  Viviana:  "and  if  I 
were  equal  to  the  active  life  you  propose,  I  would  not  hesitate  to 
embrace  it,  but  I  feel  I  should  sink  under  it." 

"  Not  if  you  had  one  near  you  who  could  afford  you  that 
support  which  feeble  woman  ever  requires,"  returned  Oldoorne. 

"  What  mean  you,  father  ?"  inquired  Viviana,  fixing  her  dark 
eyes  full  upon  him. 

"  That  you  must  marry,  daughter,"  returned  Oldcorne,  "  unite 
yourself  to  some  worthy  man,  who  will  be  to  you  what  I  have 
described.'* 

"  And  was  it  to  tell  me  this  that  you  brought  me  here  ?" 
asked  Viviana,  in  a  slightly  offended  tone. 

"  It  was,  daughter,"  replied  Oldcorne;  "  but  I  have  not  yet 
done.  It  is  not  only  needful  you  should  marry,  but  your  choice 
must  be  such  as  I,  who  represent  your  father,  and  have  your 
welfare  thoroughly  at  heart,  can  approve." 

"You  can  find  me  a  husband,  I  doubt  not?"  remarked 
Viviana,  coldly. 

"I  have  already  found  one,"  returned  Oldcorne:  "a  gentle- 


THE  DISCOVERY.  127 

man  suitable  to  you  in  rank,  religion,  years, — for  your  husband 
should  be  older  than  yourself,  Viviana." 

"I  will  not  affect  to  misunderstand  you,  father,"  she  replied; 
"you  mean  Mr.  Catesby." 

"  You  have  guessed  aright,  dear  daughter,"  rejoined  Oldcorne. 

'•'  1  thought  I  had  made  myself  sufficiently  intelligible  on  this 
point  before,  father,"  she  returned. 

"  True," replied  Oldcorne;  "  but  you  are  no  longer,  as  I  have 
just  laboured  to  convince  you,  in  the  same  position  you  were 
when  the  subject  was  formerly  discussed." 

"  To  prevent  further  misunderstanding,  father,"  rejoined 
Viviana,  "  I  now  tell  you,  that  in  whatever  position  I  may  be 
placed,  I  will  never,  under  any  circumstances,  wed  Mr.  Catesby." 

"  What  are  your  objections  to  him,  daughter?"  asked  Oldcorne. 

"  They  are  numberless,"  replied  Viviana ;  "  but  it  is  useless  to 
particularize  them.  I  must  pray  you  to  change  the  conversation, 
or  you  will  compel  me  to  quit  you." 

"  Nay,  daughter,  if  you  thus  obstinately  shut  your  ears  to 
reason,  I  must  use  very  different  language  towards  you.  Armed 
with  parental  authority,  I  shall  exact  obedience  to  my  com 
mands." 

"  I  cannot  obey  you,  father,"  replied  Viviana,  bursting  into 
tears, — "indeed,  indeed  I  cannot.  My  heart,  I  have  already 
told  you,  is  another's." 

"  He  who  has  robbed  you  of  it  is  a  heretic,"  rejoined  Oldcorne, 
sternly,  "and  therefore  your  union  with  him  is  out  of  the  ques 
tion.  Promise  me  you  will  wed  Mr.  Catesby,  or,  in  the  name 
of  your  dead  father,  I  will  invoke  a  curse  upon  your  head.  Pro 
mise  me,  I  say." 

ic  Never,"  replied  Viviana,  rising.  "  My  father  would  never 
have  enforced  my  compliance,  and  I  dread  no  curse  thus  im 
piously  pronounced.  You  are  overstepping  the  bounds  of  your 
priestly  office,  sir.  Farewell." 

As  she  moved  to  depart,  a  strong  grasp  was  laid  on  her  arm, 
and  turning,  she  beheld  Catesby. 

*'  You  here,  sir  ?"  she  cried,  in  great  alarm. 

"  Ay,"  replied  Catesby.  "  At  last  you  are  in  my  power, 
Viviana." 

"  I  would  fain  misunderstand  you,  sir,"  she  rejoined,  trem 
bling  ;  "  but  your  looks  terrify  me.  You  mean  no  violence  ?" 

"  I  mean  that  Father  Oldcorne  shall  wed  us, — and  that  too 
without  a  moment's  delay,"  replied  Catesby,  sternly. 

"  Monster !"  shrieked  Viviana,  "  you  will  not, — dare  not  com 
mit  this  foul  offence.  And  if  you  dare,  Father  Oidcorne  will 
not  assist  you.  Ah !  what  means  that  sign  ?  I  cannot  be  mis 
taken  in  you,  father?  You  cannot  be  acting  in  concert  with 
this  wicked  man  ?  Save  me  from  him  ! — save  me." 

But  the  priest  kept  aloof,  and  taking  a  missal  from  his  vest, 


138  GUY  FAWKES. 

hastily  turned  over  the  leaves.  Viviana  saw  that  her  appeal  to 
him  was  vain. 

"  Let  me  go  !"  she  shrieked,  struggling  with  Catesby.  "  You 
cannot  force  me  to  wed  you  whether  I  will  or  not ;  and  I  will 
die  rather  than  consent.  Let  me  go,  I  say  ?  Help  ! — help  !" 
And  she  made  the  cavern  ring  with  her  screams. 

"  Heed  her  not,  father,"  shouted  Catesby,  who  still  held  her 
^ast,  "  but  proceed  with  the  ceremony." 

Oldcorne,  however,  appeared  irresolute,  and  Viviana  pcrceiv- 
tig  it,  redoubled  her  cries. 

"  This  will  be  no  marriage,  father,"  she  said,  "  even  if  you 
proceed  with  it.  I  will  protest  against  it  to  all  the  world,  and 
you  will  be  deprived  of  your  priestly  office  for  your  share  in  so 
infamous  a  transaction." 

"  You  will  think  otherwise  anon,  daughter,"  replied  Oldcorne, 
advancing  towards  them  with  the  rnissal  in  his  hand. 

u  If  it  be  no  marriage,"  observed  Catesby,  significantly,  "  the 
time  will  come  when  you  may  desire  to  have  the  ceremony 
repeated." 

"  Mr.  Catesby,"  cried  Viviana,  altering  her  manner,  as  if  she 
had  taken  a  sudden  resolution,  "  one  word  before  you  proceed 
with  your  atrocious  purpose,  which  must  end  in  misery  to  us  all. 
There  are  reasons  why  you  can  never  wed  me." 

"  Ha !"  exclaimed  Catesby,  starting. 

"  Is  it  so,  my  son  ?"  asked  Oldcorne,  uneasily. 

"  Pshaw  I"  exclaimed  Catesby.  "  She  knows  not  what  she 
says.  Proceed,  father." 

"  I  have  proofs  that  will  confound  you,"  cried  Viviana,  break 
ing  from  him.  And  darting  towards  the  light,  she  took  from 
her  bosom  the  packet  given  her  by  Guy  Fawkes,  and  tore  it 
open.  A  letter  was  within  it,  and  a  miniature. 

Opening  the  letter,  she  cast  her  eye  rapidly  over  its  contents, 
and  then  looking  up,  exclaimed  in  accents  of  delirous  joy, 
"  Saved !  saved !  Father  Oldcorne,  this  man  is  married  already." 

Catesby,  who  had  watched  her  proceedings  in  silent  astonish 
ment,  and  was  now  advancing  towards  her,  recoiled  as  if  a  thun 
derbolt  had  fallen  at  his  feet. 

"  Can  this  be  true  ?"  cried  the  priest,  in  astonishment. 

"  Let  your  own  eyes  convince  you,"  rejoined  Viviana,  hand 
ing  him  the  letter. 

"  I  am  satisfied,"  returned  Oldcorne,  after  he  had  glanced  at 
it.  "  We  have  both  been  spared  the  commission  of  a  great 
crime.  Mr.  Catesby,  it  appears  from  this  letter  that  you  have  a 
wife  living  in  Spain." 

"  It  is  useless  to  deny  it,"  replied  Catesby.  "  But,  as  you 
were  ignorant  of  the  matter,  the  offence  (if  any)  would  have  lain 
wholly  at  my  door;  nor  should  I  have  repented  of  it,  if  it  had 
enabled  mr  to  achieve  the  object  I  have  in  view." 


THE   DEPARTURE   FROM   THE   HALL.  139 

"  Thank  Heaven  it  has  gone  no  further !"  exclaimed  Old- 
corne.  "  Daughter,  I  humbly  entreat  your  forgiveness." 

"How  came  that  packet  in  your  possession?"  demanded 
Catesby  fiercely  of  Viviana. 

*'  It  was  given  me  by  Guy  Fawkes,"  she  replied. 

"  Guy  Fawkes  1"  exclaimed  Catesby.  "  Has  he  betrayed  his 
friend?" 

"  He  has  proved  himself  your  best  friend,  by  preventing  you 
from  committing  a  crime,  which  would  have  entailed  wretched 
ness  on  yourself  and  me,"  returned  Viviana. 

"  I  have  done  with  him,  and  with  all  of  you,"  cried  Catesby, 
with  a  fierce  glance  at  Oldcornc.  "Henceforth,  pursue  your 
projects  alone.  You  shall  have  no  further  assistance  from  me. 
I  will  serve  the  Spaniard.  Englishmen  are  not  to  be  trusted." 

So  saying,  he  rushed  out  of  the  cavern,  and  seeking  his  horse, 
mounted  him,  and  rode  off  at  full  speed. 

"  How  shall  I  obtain  your  forgiveness  for  my  conduct  in  this 
culpable  affair,  dear  daughter?"  said  Oldcorne,  with  an  imploring 
look  at  Viviana. 

"  By  joining  me  in  thanksgivings  to  the  Virgin  for  my  deli 
verance,"  replied  Viviana,  prostrating  herself  before  the  stone 
cross. 

Oldcorne  knelt  beside  her,  and  they  continued  for  some  time 
in  earnest  prayer.  They  then  arose,  and  quitting  the  cave,  pro 
ceeded  to  the  Hall. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE   DEPARTURE   FROM   THE   HALL. 

GUY  FAWKES  was  as  much  surprised  to  hear  of  the  sudden 
departure  of  Catesby  as  he  was  concerned  at  the  cause ;  but  he 
still  thought  it  probable  he  would  return.  In  this  expectation, 
however,  he  was  disappointed.  The  day  wore  on,  and  no  one 
came.  The  uncertainty  in  which  Fawkes  was  kept,  added  to  his 
unwillingness  to  leave  Garnet,  still  detained  him,  in  spite  of  the 
risk  he  ran,  at  the  Hall ;  and  it  was  only  when  urged  by  Viviana 
that  he  began  seriously  to  reflect  whither  he  should  bend  his 
steps.  Towards  evening,  Garnet  was  so  much  better,  that  he 
was  able  to  sit  up,  and  he  passed  some  hours  in  conference  with 
Oldcorne. 

"  If  I  do  not  suffer  a  relapse,"  he  observed  to  the  latter,  "  I 
will  set  out  with  Guy  Fawkes  to-morrow,  and  we  will  proceed  by 
easy  stages  to  London." 

"  I  cannot  but  approve  your  resolution,"  returned  Oldcorne  ; 
"for  though  so  long  a  journey  may  be  inconvenient,  and  retard 


140  GUY  FAWKES. 

your  recovery,  yet  every  hour  you  remain  here  is  fraught  with 
additional  peril.  I  will  accompany  you.  We  shall  both  be  safer 
in  the  capital ;  and  perhaps  Viviana,  now  she  will  be  no  longer 
exposed  to  the  persecutions  of  Catesby,  will  form  one  of  the  party." 

"  I  should  not  wonder,"  replied  Garnet.  "  1  shall  be  deeply 
concerned  if  Catesby  has  really  abandoned  the  enterprise.  But 
I  cannot  think  it.  I  did  all  I  could  to  dissuade  him  from  pro 
secuting  this  union,  knowing  how  hopeless  it  was,  and  little 
thinking  he  would  be  rash  enough  to  seek  to  accomplish  it  by 
force,  or  that  he  would  find  an  assistant  in  you." 

"  Say  no  more  about  it,  father,  I  entreat  you,"  rejoined  Old- 
corne.  "  The  scheme  failed,  as  it  deserved  to  do ;  and  I  sin 
cerely  repent  the  share  I  was  induced  by  Catesby's  artful  repre 
sentations  to  take  in  it.  If  we  have  lost  our  leader  we  have  still 
Guy  Fawkes,  who  is  a  host  in  himself,  and  as  true  as  the  steel 
that  hangs  by  his  side." 

"  We  cannot  spare  Catesby,"  replied  Garnet.  "  With  many 
faults,  he  has  one  redeeming  quality,  courage.  I  am  not  sorry 
he  has  been  thwarted  in  his  present  scheme,  as  if  he  returns  to 
us,  as  I  doubt  not  he  will,  it  will  fix  his  mind  steadily  on  the  one 
object,  which  should  be  ever  before  it.  Give  me  your  arm, 
father.  I  am  glad  to  find  I  can  walk,  though  feebly.  That  is 
well,"  he  added,  as  they  emerged  upon  the  gallery  ;  "  I  shall  be 
able  to  reach  Viviana's  chamber  without  further  assistance.  Do 
you  descend,  and  see  that  Martin  Heydocke  is  on  the  watch." 

In  obedience  to  the  injunctions  of  his  superior,  Oldcorne  went 
in  search  of  Martin  Heydocke,  who  had  been  stationed  in  the 
court-yard  to  give  timely  notice  of  any  hostile  approach  ;  but  not 
finding  him  there,  he  proceeded  towards  the  drawbridge.  Garnet, 
meanwhile,  had  reached  the  door  of  Viviana's  chamber,  which 
was  slightly  ajar,  and  he  was  about  to  pass  through  it,  when  he 
perceived  that  she  was  on  her  knees  before  Guy  Fawkes,  whom 
she  was  addressing  in  the  most  passionate  terms.  The  latter 
was  seated  at  a  table,  with  his  head  upon  his  hand,  in  a  thought 
ful  posture.  Surprised  at  the  sight,  and  curious  to  hear  what 
Viviana  could  be  saying,  Garnet  drew  back  to  listen. 

"  When  you  quit  this  house,"  were  the  first  words  that  caught 
the  listener's  ear,  "  we  shall  never  meet  again ;  and  oh  !  let  me 
have  the  consolation  of  thinking  that,  in  return  for  the  devoted 
attachment  you  have  shown  me,  and  the  dangers  from  which 
you  have  preserved  me,  I  have  preserved  you  from  one  equally 
imminent.  Catesby,  from  whatever  motive,  has  abandoned  the 
conspiracy.  Do  you  act  likewise,  and  the  whole  dreadful  scheme 
will  fall  to  the  ground." 

"  Catesby  cannot  abandon  it,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  He  is  bound 
by  ties  that  no  human  power  can  sunder.  And,  however  he 
may  estrange  himself  from  us  now,  when  the  time  for  action 
arrives,  rest  assured  he  will  not  be  absent" 


. 

,s 


PRfOt   THE  HALU 

'?  *>-..  ;;»  ;  '•  bul  1  deny  that  the  oath 

mti'.-r          -.  M^,     The  deed  you  have 

i  —avoid  further 

Ciin: -:-\,  ;ind  do  not 

•tain  your  soul 

'*  You  seek  iu  :>lv. 

"  My  pii:  the 

ys  many  innocent  lives,  but  it  is  not  the  less 
lesome  on  that  account.     Our  unhappy  land  is  choked  with 
the  pestilence  of  heresy,  and  must  be  freed  from  it,  cost  «hat  it 
will,  and  suffer  who  may.     The  wrongs  of  the  English  Catholics 
imperatively  demand  redress;  and,  since  it  us,  we  must 

take  it.     Oppression  can  go  no  farther  ;  n<;.  tec  hold  out 

longer.  IfthisJblow  be  not  struck  we  shall  have  no  longer  a 
religion.  And  how  comes  it,  Viviana,  that  you,  a  zealous 
Catholic,  whose  father  perished  by  these  very  oppressors,  ami 
who  are  yourself  in  danger  from  them,  can  seek  to  turn  me  from 
my  purpose  ?" 

"Because  I  know  it  is  wrongful,"  she   -  "I  have  no 

desire  to  avenge  the  death  <>{  ir.v  ;cd  father,  still  less  to 

see  our  religion  flirt:  :  means  you  propose. 

In  his  own  due  season  Iress  our  wrongs." 

"  The  Lord  i  me  of  the  ministers  of  his  ven 

geance,"  cried  Fawkes,  in  a  tone  of  enthusiasm. 

"Do  not  deceive  yourself,'' returned  "it  is  r 

Heaven,  but  by  the  powers  of  d;v  1  i» 

this  deed.     Do  not  persevere  in  thi*  fa  -ci, 

clasping  he?  or,  and  <r  »ce, 

"do  not — do 

Guy  Fawkes  with 

his  gaze  turned  upwan!       n  1  apparently  !o*t  in  thought. 

"  Have  I  no  power  to  move  you?"  cried  Viviaua,  her  eyes 
.  streaming  with  tears. 

"  None  whatever,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes,  firmly. 

"  Then  you  are  lost,'7  she  rejoined. 

**  If  it  is  Heaven's  will,  I  am,"  answered  Fawkes ;  "  but  at 
least  I  believe  I  am  acting  rightly." 

"  And  rest  assured  you  are  so,  my  son,"  cried  Garnet,  throw 
ing  open  the  door,  and  stepping  into  the  room.  "  I  have  over- 
lu-ar-i  IT  conversation,  and  I  applaud  your  resolution." 

d  have  no  fears  of  me,  father,"  replied  Fawkes. 
dr  r'y  undertake  a  project;  but  once  embarked  in   rt 

i**  turn,  rne  aside.** 

••we  your  determination  is  wisely  formed,  my  *i»»," 
-v-t ;  "  and  if  Viviana  will  ever  give  me  an 
-*ing  the  matter,  I  am  sure  I  can  sw«*v' 


THE  DEPARTURE  FROM  THE  HALL.        141 

"  It  may  be  so,"  replied  Viviana ;  "  but  I  deny  that  the  oath 
either  he  or  you  have  taken  is  binding.  The  deed  you  have 
sworn  to  do  is  evil,  and  no  vow,  however  solemnly  pronounced, 
can  compel  you  to  commit  crime.  Avoid  this  sin — avoid  further 
connexion  with  those  who  would  work  your  undoing,  and  do  not 
stain  your  soul  with  guilt  from  which  it  will  never  be  cleansed." 

"  You  seek  in  vain  to  move  me,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes,  firmly. 
"  My  purpose  is  unalterable.  The  tempest  that  clears  away  the 
pestilence  destroys  many  innocent  lives,  but  it  is  not  the  less 
wholesome  on  that  account.  Our  unhappy  land  is  choked  with 
the  pestilence  of  heresy,  and  must  be  freed  from  it,  cost  what  it 
will,  and  suffer  who  may.  The  wrongs  of  the  English  Catholics 
imperatively  demand  redress ;  and,  since  it  is  denied  us,  we  must 
take  it.  Oppression  can  go  no  farther ;  nor  endurance  hold  out 
longer.  If  this  blow  be  not  struck  we  shall  have  no  longer  a 
religion.  And  how  comes  it,  Viviana,  that  you,  a  zealous 
Catholic,  whose  father  perished  by  these  very  oppressors,  and 
who  are  yourself  in  danger  from  them,  can  seek  to  turn  me  from 
my  purpose  ?" 

"  Because  I  know  it  is  wrongful,"  she  replied.  "  I  have  no 
desire  to  avenge  the  death  of  my  slaughtered  father,  still  less  to 
see  our  religion  furthered  by  the  dreadful  means  you  propose. 
In  his  own  due  season,  the  Lord  will  redress  our  wrongs." 

"  The  Lord  has  appointed  me  one  of  the  ministers  of  his  ven 
geance,"  cried  Fawkes,  in  a  tone  of  enthusiasm. 

"  Do  not  deceive  yourself,"  returned  Viviana,  "  it  is  not  by 
Heaven,  but  by  the  powers  of  darkness,  that  you  are  incited  to 
this  deed.  Do  not  persevere  in  this  fatal  course,"  she  continued, 
clasping  her  hands  together,  and  gazing  imploringly  in  his  face, 
"  do  not — do  not !" 

Guy  Fawkes  continued  in  the  same  attitude  as  before,  with 
his  gaze  turned  upwards,  and  apparently  lost  in  thought. 

"  Have  I  no  power  to  move  you  ?"  cried  Viviana,  her  eyes 
streaming  with  tears. 

"  None  whatever,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes,  firmly. 

"  Then  you  are  lost,"  she  rejoined. 

'*  If  it  is  Heaven's  will,  I  am,"  answered  Fawkes ;  "  but  at 
least  I  believe  I  am  acting  rightly." 

"  And  rest  assured  you  are  so,  my  son,"  cried  Garnet,  throw 
ing  open  the  door,  and  stepping  into  the  room.  "  I  have  over 
heard  your  conversation,  and  I  applaud  your  resolution." 

"  You  need  have  no  fears  of  me,  father,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I 
do  not  lightly  undertake  a  project;  but  once  embarked  in  it 
nothing  can  turn  me  aside." 

"  In  this  case  your  determination  is  wisely  formed,  my  son,'* 
returned  Garnet ;  "  and  if  Viviana  will  ever  give  me  an  oppor 
tunity  of  fully  discussing  the  matter,  I  am  sure  I  can  satisfy  her 
you  are  in  the  right." 


142  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  I  will  discuss  it  with  yon  whenever  you  think  proper,"  she 
replied.  "  But  no  arguments  will  ever  convince  me  that  your 
project  is  approved  by  Heaven." 

"Let  it  pass  now,  daughter,"  rejoined  Garnet ;  "enough  has 
been  said  on  the  subject.  I  came  hither  to  tell  Guy  Fawkes, 
that  if  our  enemies  permit  us  to  pass  the  night  without  molesta 
tion  (as  Heaven  grant  they  may !)  I  think  I  shall  be  strong 
enough  to  set  out  with  him  to-morrow,  when  I  propose  we  should 
journey  together  to  London." 

"  Agreed,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Father  Oldcorne  will  accompany  us,"  pursued  Garnet. 

"  And  I,  too,  will  go  with  you,  if  you  will  permit  me,"  said 
Viviana.  "  I  cannot  remain  here ;  and  I  have  no  further  fears 
of  Mr.  Catesby.  Doctor  Dee  told  me  my  future  fate  was  strangely 
mixed  up  with  that  of  Guy  Fawkes.  I  know  not  how  it 
may  be,  but  I  will  not  abandon  him  while  there  is  a  hope  to 
cling  to." 

"Viviana  Radcliffe,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes,  coldly,  " deeply 
as  I  feel  the  interest  you  take  in  me,  I  think  it  right  to  tell  you 
that  no  efforts  you  can  use  will  shake  me  from  my  purpose.  If 
I  live,  I  will  execute  my  design." 

"  While  1  live,  I  will  urge  you  to  it,"  remarked  Garnet. 

"  And  while  /  live,  I  will  dissuade  you  from  it,"  added  Vivi 
ana.  "  We  shall  see  who  will  obtain  the  victory." 

"  We  shall,"  replied  Garnet,  smiling  confidently. 

"  Hear  me  further,"  continued  Viviana ;  "  I  do  not  doubt  that 
your  zeal  is  disinterested ;  yet  still,  your  mode  of  life,  and  the 
difficulties  in  which  you  are  placed,  may  not  unnaturally  influence 
your  conduct.  That  this  may  no  longer  be  the  case,  I  here  place 
part  of  my  fortune  at  your  disposal.  I  require  little  or  nothing 
myself.  But  I  would,  if  possible,  save  one  to  whom  I  owe  so 
much,  and  whom  I  value  so  much,  from  destruction." 

"  I  fully  appreciate  your  generosity — to  give  it  its  lightest 
term — Viviana,"  returned  Guy  Fawkes,  in  a  voice  of  deep  emo 
tion.  "  Under  any  circumstances  I  should  reject  it, — under  the 
present,  I  do  so  the  more  positively,  because  the  offer,  kind  as 
it  is,  seems  to  imply  that  my  poverty  leads  me  to  act  contrary  to 
my  principles.  Gold  has  no  power  over  me :  I  regard  it  as 
dross ;  and  when  I  could  easily  have  won  it,  I  neglected  the 
opportunity.  As  no  reward  would  ever  induce  me  to  commit  an 
action  my  conscience  disapproved,  so  none  will  deter  me  from  a 
purpose  which  I  regard  as  my  duty." 

"  Enough,"  replied  Viviana,  sadly.  "  I  will  no  longer  question 
your  motives,  or  oppose  your  plan,  but  will  pray  Heaven  to  open 
your  eyes  to  the  truth." 

"Your  conduct  is  in  all  respects  worthy  of  you,  daughter," 
observed  Garnet,  kindly. 

"  You  have  rejected  one  offer,"  continued  Viviana,  looking  at 


THE   DEPARTURE   FROM  THE   HALL.  143 

Fawkes ;  "  but  I  trust  you  will  not  decline  that  I  am  about  to 
propose  to  you." 

"  What  is  it  ?"  asked  Fawkes,  in  some  surprise. 

"  It  is  that  I  may  be  permitted  to  regard  you  as  a  father,"  re 
plied  Viviana,  with  some  hesitation.  "  Having  lost  my  own 
father,  I  feel  I  need  some  protector,  and  I  would  gladly  make 
choice  of  you,  if  you  will  accept  the  office." 

"  I  willingly  accede  to  your  request,  and  am  much  flattered 
by  it,  Viviana,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I  am  a  homeless  man,  and  a 
friendless,  and  the  affection  of  such  a  being  as  yourself  will  fill 
up  the  only  void  in  my  heart.  But  I  am  wedded  to  the  great 
cause.  I  can  never  be  more  to  you  than  a  father." 

"  Nay,  I  ask  nothing  more,"  she  replied,  blushing  deeply. 

"  Having  thus  arranged  the  terms  upon  which  we  shall  travel," 
observed  Garnet,  with  a  smile,  "  nothing  is  needed  but  to  pre 
pare  for  our  journey.  We  start  early  to-morrow  morning." 

"  I  shall  be  ready  at  daybreak,"  replied  Viviana 

"  And  I  am  ready  now,"  added  Guy  Fawkes.  "  In  my  opinion, 
we  run  great  risk  in  remaining  here  another  night.  But  be  it  as 
you  will." 

At  this  moment  they  were  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of 
Father  Oldcorne,  who  with  a  countenance  of  great  alarm  in 
formed  them  he  could  nowhere  find  Martin  Heydockc. 

"  Do  you  suspect  any  treachery  on  his  part?"  asked  Garnet  of 
Viviana. 

"I  have  always  found  him  trustworthy,"  she  answered  ;  "and 
his  father  was  my  father's  oldest  servant.  I  cannot  think  he 
would  betray  us.  At  the  same  time,  I  must  admit  his  disap 
pearance  at  this  juncture  looks  suspicious." 

"  If  my  strength  were  equal  to  it,"  returned  Guy  Fawkes,  "  I 
would  keep  watch  throughout  the  night ;  but  that  might  prevent 
me  from  accompanying  you  to-morrow.  My  advice,  I  repeat, 
is — to  set  out  at  once." 

This  opinion,  however,  was  overruled  by  Garnet  and  Viviana, 
who  did  not  think  the  danger  so  urgent,  and  attributed  the  ab 
sence  of  Martin  Heydocke  to  some  unimportant  cause.  Guy 
Fawkes  made  no  further  remonstrance,  and  it  was  agreed  they 
should  start,  as  originally  proposed,  at  daybreak. 

Thfi  party  then  separated,  and  Viviana  wandered  alone  over 
the  old  house,  taking  a  farewell,  which  she  felt  would  be  her 
last,  of  every  familiar  object.  Few  things  were  as  she  had  known 
them,  but  even  in  their  present  forlorn  state  they  were  dear  to 
her ;  and  the  rooms  she  trod,  though  dismantled,  were  the  same 
she  had  occupied  in  childhood. 

There  is  no  pang  more  acute  to  a  sensitive  nature  than  tnat 
occasioned  by  quitting  an  abode  or  spot  endeared  by  early  recol 
lections  and  associations,  to  which  we  feel  a  strong  presennment 
we  suall  never  return.  Viviana  experienced  this  feeling  in  its 


144  GUY  FAWKES. 

full  force,  and  she  lingered  in  each  room  as  if  she  had  not  the 
power  to  leave  it.  Her  emotions  at  length  became  so  over 
powering,  that  to  relieve  them  she  strolled  forth  into  the  garden. 
Here,  new  objects  awakened  her  attention,  and  recalled  happier 
times  with  painful  distinctness.  Twilight  was  fast  deepening, 
and,  viewed  through  this  dim  and  softened  medium,  everything 
looked  as  of  old,  and  produced  a  tightening  and  stifling  sensa 
tion  in  her  breast,  that  nothing  but  a  flood  of  tears  could 
remove. 

The  flowers  yielded  forth  their  richest  scents,  and  the  whole 
scene  was  such  as  she  had  often  beheld  it  in  times  long  ago, 
when  sorrow  was  wholly  unknown  to  her.  Perfumes,  it  is  well 
known,  exercise  a  singular  influence  over  the  memory.  A  par 
ticular  odour  will  frequently  call  up  an  event  and  a  long  train 
of  circumstances  connected  with  the  time  when  it  was  first 
inhaled.  Without  being  aware  whence  it  arose,  Viviana  felt  a 
tide  of  recollections  pressing  upon  her,  which  she  would  have 
willingly  repressed,  but  which  it  was  out  of  her  power  to  control. 
Her  tears  flowed  abundantly,  and  at  length,  with  a  heart  some 
what  lightened  of  its  load,  she  arose  from  the  bench  on  which 
she  had  thrown  herself,  and  proceeded  along  a  walk  to  gather  a 
few  flowers  as  memorials  of  the  place. 

In  this  way,  she  reached  the  further  end  of  the  garden,  and 
was  stooping  to  pluck  a  spray  of  some  fragrant  shrub,  when  she 
perceived  the  figure  of  a  man  behind  a  tree  at  a  little  distance 
from  her.  From  his  garb,  which  was  that  of  a  soldier,  she 
instantly  knew  he  was  an  enemy,  and,  though  greatly  alarmed, 
she  had  the  courage  not  to  scream,  but  breaking  off  the  branch, 
she  uttered  a  careless  exclamation,  and  slowly  retraced  her  steps. 
She  half  expected  to  hear  that  the  soldier  was  following  her,  and 
prepared  to  start  off'  at  full  speed  to  the  house ;  but,  deceived  by 
her  manner,  he  did  not  stir.  On  reaching  the  end  of  the  walk, 
she  could  not  resist  the  inclination  to  look  back,  and  glancing 
over  her  shoulder,  perceived  the  man  watching  her.  But  as  she 
moved,  he  instantly  withdrew  his  head. 

Her  first  step  on  reaching  the  house  was  to  close  and  fasten 
the  door;  her  next  to  hasten  to  Guy  Fawkes's  chamber,  where 
she  found  him,  together  with  Garnet  and  Oldcorne.  All  three 
were  astounded  at  the  intelligence,  agreeing  that  an  attack  was 
intended,  and  that  a  large  force  was,  in  all  probability,  concealed 
in  the  garden  awaiting  only  the  arrival  of  night  to  surprise  and 
seize  them.  The  disappearance  of  the  younger  Heydocke  was 
no  longer  a  mystery.  He  had  been  secured  and  carried  off  by 
the  hostile  party,  to  prevent  him  from  giving  the  alarm.  The 
emergency  was  a  fearful  one,  and  it  excited  consternation 
amongst  all  except  Guy  Fawkes,  who  preserved  his  calmness. 

"  I  foresaw  we  should  be  attacked  to-night,"  he  said,  "  and  I 
am  therefore  not  wholly  unprepared.  Our  only  chance  is  to 


THE  DEPARTURE  FROM  THE  HALL.         145 

steal  out  unobserved ;  for  resistance  would  be  in  vain,  as  their 
force  is  probably  numerous,  and  I  am  as  helpless  as  an  infant, 
while  Father  Garnet's  broken  arm  precludes  any  assistance  from 
him.  The  subterranean  passage  leading  from  the  oratory  to  the 
further  side  of  the  moat  having  been  stopped  up  by  the  pursui 
vant  and  his  band,  it  will  be  necessary  to  cross  the  drawbridge, 
and  as  soon  as  it  grows  sufficiently  dark,  we  must  make  the 
attempt.  We  have  no  horses,  and  must  trust  to  our  own  exer 
tions  for  Srtfety.  Catesby  would  now  be  invaluable.  It  is  not 
his  custom  to  desert  his  friends  at  the  season  of  their  greatest 
need." 

u  Great  as  is  my  danger,"  observed  Viviana,  "  I  would  rather, 
so  far  as  I  am  concerned,  that  he  were  absent,  than  owe  my  pre 
servation  to  him.  I  have  no  fears  for  myself." 

"  And  my  only  fears  are  for  you,"  rejoined  Fawkes. 

Half  an  hour  of  intense  anxiety  was  now  passed  by  the  party. 
Garnet  was  restless  and  uneasy.  Oldcorne  betrayed  his  agita 
tion  by  unavailing  lamentations,  by  listening  to  every  sound,  and 
by  constantly  rushing  to  the  windows  to  reconnoitre,  until  he 
was  checked  by  Fawkes,  who  represented  to  him  the  folly  of  his 
conduct.  Viviana,  though  ill  at  ease,  did  not  allow  her  terror 
to  appear,  but  endeavoured  to  imitate  the  immoveable  demea 
nour  of  Guy  Fawkes,  who  always  became  more  collected  in  pro 
portion  to  the  danger  by  which  he  was  threatened. 

At  the  expiration  of  the  time  above  mentioned,  it  had  become 
quite  dark,  and  desiring  his  companions  to  follow  him,  Guy 
Fawkes  drew  his  sword,  and,  grasping  Viviana's  hand,  led  the 
way  down  stairs.  Before  opening  the  door,  he  listened  intently, 
and,  hearing  no  sound,  issued  cautiously  forth.  The  party  had 
scarcely  gained  the  centre  of  the  court,  when  a  caliver  was  dis 
charged  at  them,  which,  though  it  did  no  damage,  served  as  a 
signal  to  the  rest  of  their  foes.  Guy  Fawkes,  who  had  never 
relinquished  his  hold  of  Viviana,  now  pressed  forward  as  rapidly 
as  his  strength  would  permit,  and  the  two  priests  followed.  But 
loud  shouts  were  raised  on  the  drawbridge,  and  it  was  evident  it 
was  occupied  by  the  enemy. 

Uncertain  what  to  do,  Guy  Fawkes  halted,  and  was  about  to 
return  to  the  house,  when  a  shout  from  behind  told  him  their 
retreat  was  intercepted.  In  this  dilemma  there  was  nothing  for 
it  but  to  attempt  to  force  a  passage  across  the  drawbridge,  or  to 
surrender  at  discretion ;  and  though  Guy  Fawkes  would  not  at 
other  seasons  have  hesitated  to  embrace  the  former  alternative, 
he  knew  that  his  strength  was  not  equal  to  it  now. 

While  he  was  internally  resolving  not  to  yield  himself  with 
life,  and  supporting  Viviana,  who  clung  closely  to  him,  the  clatter 
of  hoofs  was  heard  rapidly  approaching  along  the  avenue,  and 
presently  afterwards  two  horsemen  galloped  at  full  speed  toward 
the  drawbridge.  The  noise  had  likewise  attracted  the  attention 

L 


140  GUF  FAWKES. 

of  the  enemy;  who,  apprehensive  of  a  rescue,  prepared  to  stop 
them.  But  the  tremendous  pace  of  the  riders  rendered  this  im- 
possihle.  A  few  blows  were  exchanged,  a  few  shots  fired,  and 
they  had  crossed  the  drawbridge. 

"  Who  goes  there  ?"  shouted  Guy  Fawkes,  as  the  horsemen 
approached  him. 

"  It  is  the  voice  of  Guy  Fawkes,"  cried  the  foremost,  whose 
tones  proclaimed  it  was  Catesby.  "  They  are  here,"  he  cried, 
reining  in  his  steed. 

"  Where  is  Viviana  ?"  vociferated  his  companion,  who  was  no 
>ther  than  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  Here — here,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes. 

With  the  quickness  of  thought,  the  young  merchant  was  by 
her  side,  and  in  another  moment  she  was  placed  on  the  saddle 
before  him,  and  borne  at  a  headlong  pace  across  the  drawbridge. 

"  Follow  me,"  cried  Catesby.  "'I  will  clear  a  passage  for 
you.  Once  across  the  drawbridge,  you  are  safe.  A  hundred 
yards  down  the  avenue,  on  the  right,  you  will  find  a  couple  of 
horses  tied  to  a  tree.  Quick!  quick  !" 

As  he  spoke,  a  shot  whizzed  past  his  head,  and  a  tumultuous 
din  in  the  rear  told  that  their  pursuers  were  close  upon  them. 
Striking  spurs  into  his  steed,  Catesby  dashed  forward,  and  deal 
ing  blows  right  and  left,  cleared  the  drawbridge  of  its  occupants, 
many  of  whom  leaped  into  the  moat  to  escape  his  fury.  His 
•ompanions  were  close  at  his  heels,  and  got  over  the  bridge  in 
Aafety. 

"  Fly !— fly  I"  cried  Catesby, — "  to  the  horses — the  horses !  I 
will  check  all  pursuit." 

So  saying,  and  while  the  others  flew  towards  the  avenue,  he 
faced  his  opponents,  and  making  a  desperate  charge  upon  them, 
drove  them  backwards.  In  this  conflict,  though  several  shots 
were  fired,  and  blows  aimed  at  him  on  all  sides,  he  sustained  no 
injury,  but  succeeded  in  defending  the  bridge  sufficiently  long 
to  enable  his  friends  to  mount. 

He  then  rode  off  at  full  speed,  and  found  the  party  waiting 
for  him  at  the  end  of  the  avenue.  Father  Oldcorne  was  seated 
on  the  same  steed  as  his  superior.  After  riding  with  them 
upwards  of  a  mile,  Humphrey  Chetham  dismounted,  and  resign 
ing  his  horse  to  Viviana,  bade  her  farewell,  and  disappeared. 

"  And  now  to  London  1"  cried  Catesby,  striking  into  a  road 
on  the  right,  and  urging  his  steed  to  a  rapid  pace. 

"  Ay,  to  London  ! — to  the  Parliament  House  1"  echoed  Fawkes, 
following  him  with  the  others. 


END   OF  THE  FIRST  BOOK. 


]|C  OUY 

of  i  v.  h-.v  t'  H  rescue,  prepared  to  stotv 

t'itrjn      Bul'iho  tr««rrieat3o*w  i-.ti     or  the  riders  rendered  this  im~ 

. 

:  d  the  foremost,  whose 

v  are  here,"  he  cried, 

-\ 

lion,  who  was  n<- 


rchant  wa?  tn 
od  on  the  saddle 
-s  the  drawbi 
•,  ;r  a  passage   fur 
A  hun< 

id  a  couple  oi 

a  tumultuoiiM 
o  upon  them 
•tnl  forward,  and 

its  occupants 
ape  his  fury.      Hi- 
ot  over  the  bri<: 

horses — the  horses !    ' 

wards  the  avent, 
Charge  upon  thei 
i 

>tained  n- 
efficiently  lon^ 


ie  party  \^ 

\vas  seatf- 
i  HIT  with   thn? 

and  resig? 

>eared. 

•ito  a  nm 


ling  v 
ited,  a 


:"  echoed  FawJ. 


gccotrtr* 

THE     DISCOVER  Y. 


The  next  point  to  be  considered  is  the  means  to  compass  and  work  these  designs. 
These  means  were  most  cruel  and  damnable  ; — by  mining,  and  by  thirty-six  barrels 
of  powder,  having  crows  of  iron,  stones,  and  wood,  laid  upon  the  barrels,  to  have 
made  the  breach  the  greater.  Lord  !  what  a  wind,  what  a  fire,  what  a  motion  and 
commotion  of  earth  and  air  would  there  have  been  ! — Sir  Edward  Coke's  Speech  on 
the  Trial  of  the  Conspirators  in  the  Gunpowder  Plot. 


CHAPTER   I. 

THE  LANDING  OF  THE  POWDER. 

TOWARDS  the  close  of  the  sixth  day  after  their  departure  from 
Ordsall  Hall,  the  party  approached  the  capital.  The  sun  was 
setting  as  they  descended  Highgate  Hill,  and  the  view  of  the 
ancient,  and  then  most  picturesque  city,  was  so  enchanting,  that 
Viviana,  who  beheld  it  for  the  first  time,  entreated  her  compa 
nions  to  pause  for  a  few  minutes  to  allow  her  to  contemplate  it. 
From  the  spot  where  they  halted,  the  country  was  completely 
open  to  Clerkenwell,  and  only  a  few  scattered  habitations  lay 
between  them  and  the  old  grey  ramparts  of  the  city,  with  their 
gates  and  fortifications,  which  were  easily  discernible  even  at 
that  distance.  Above  them  rose  the  massive  body  and  central 
tower  of  Saint  Paul's  cathedral, — a  structure  far  surpassing  that 
which  has  succeeded  it, — while  amid  the  innumerable  gables, 
pointed  roofs,  and  twisted  chimneys  of  the  houses  sprang  a  mul 
titude  of  lesser  towers  and  spires,  lending  additional  beauty  to 
the  scene.  Viviana  was  enraptured,  and,  while  gazing  on  the 
prospect,  almost  forgot  her  sorrows.  Guy  Fawkes  and  Catesby, 
who  were  a  little  in  advance  of  the  others,  turned  their  gaze 
westward,  and  the  former  observed  to  his  companion, 

"  The  sun  is  setting  over  the  Parliament  House.  The  sky  seems 
stained  with  blood.  It  looks  portentous  of  what  is  to  follow." 

"  I  would  gladly  behold  the  explosion  from  this  hill,  or  from 
yon  heights,"  replied  Catesby,  pointing  towards  Harnpstead 
"It  will  be  a  sight  such  as  man  has  seldom  seen." 

"  I  shall  never  live  to  witness  it !"  exclaimed  Guy  Fawkes,  in 
a  melancholy  tone. 

'*  What !  still  desponding  ?"  returned  Catesby,  reproachfully. 
"  I  thought,  since  you  had  fully  recovered  from  your  wound, 
you  had  shaken  off  your  fears." 

"  You  misunderstand  me,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I  mean  that  I 
shall  r»erish  with  our  foes." 


148  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Why  so  ?"  cried  Catesby.  "  There  will  be  plenty  of  time  to 
escape  after  ym  have  fired  the  train." 

"  I  shall  not  attempt  it,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  in  a  sombre  voice. 
"  I  will  abide  the  result  in  the  vault.  If  I  perish,  it  will  be  a 
glorious  death." 

"  Better  live  to  see  the  regeneration  of  our  faith,  and  our 
restoration  to  our  rights,"  rejoined  Catesby..  "But  we  will 
speak  of  this  hereafter.  Here  comes  Garnet." 

"  Where  do  you  propose  we  should  lodge  to-night  ?"  asked  the 
latter,  riding  up. 

"  At  the  house  at  Lambeth,  where  the  powder  is  deposited," 
returned  Catesby. 

"  Will  it  be  safe  ?"  asked  Garnet,  uneasily. 

"We  shall  be  safer  there  than  elsewhere,  father,"  replied 
Catesby.  "If  it  is  dark  enough  to-night,  Fawkes  and  I  will 
remove  a  portion  of  the  powder.  But  we  are  losing  time.  We 
must  pass  through  the  city  before  the  gates  are  closed." 

In  this  suggestion  Garnet  acquiesced,  and  calling  to  Viviana 
to  follow  them, — for,  since  his  late  atrocious  attempt,  Catesby 
had  not  exchanged  a  word  or  look  with  her,  but  during  the  whole 
of  the  journey  kept  sedulously  aloof, — the  whole  party  set  for 
ward,  and  proceeding  at  a  brisk  pace,  soon  reached  the  walls  of 
the  city.  Passing  through  Cripplegate,  they  shaped  their  course 
towards  London  Bridge.  Viviana  was  filled  with  astonishment 
at  all  she  saw:  the  multitude  and  magnificence  of  the  shops, 
compared  with  such  as  she  had  previously  seen ;  the  crowds  in 
the  streets, — for  even  at  that  hour  they  were  thronged;  the 
varied  dresses  of  the  passengers — the  sober  garb  of  the  merchant, 
contrasting  with  the  showy  cloak,  the  preposterous  ruff,  swelling 
hose,  plumed  cap,  and  swaggering  gait  of  the  gallant  or  the 
ruffler;  the  brawls  that  were  constantly  occurring;  the  number 
of  signs  projecting  from  the  dwellings;  all  she  witnessed  or  heard 
surprised  and  amused  her,  and  she  would  willingly  have  proceeded 
at  a  slower  pace  to  indulge  her  curiosity,  had  not  her  companions 
urged  her  onward. 

As  they  were  crossing  Eastcheap,  in  the  direction  of  Crooked- 
lane,  a  man  suddenly  quitted  the  footpath,  and,  rushing  towards 
Garner,  seized  his  bridle,  and  cried, 

"  I  arrest  you.     You  are  a  Romish  priest." 

"  It  is  false,  knave,"  returned  Garnet.  "  I  am  as  good  a  Pro 
testant  as  thyself,  and  am  just  arrived  with  my  companions  from 
a  long  journey." 

"  Your  companions  are  all  rank  Papists,"  rejoined  the  stranger. 
"You  yourself  are  Father  Garnet,  superior  of  the  Jesuits,  and, 
if  I  am  not  deceived,  the  person  next  you  is  Father  Oldcorne, 
also  of  that  order.  If  I  am  wrong  you  can  easily  refute  the 
charge.  Come  with  me  to  the  council.  If  you  refuse,  I  will 
call  assistance  from  the  passengers." 


THE   LANDING   OF   THE   POWDER. 

Garnet  saw  he  was  lost  if  he  did  not  make  an  immediate 
effort  at  self-preservation,  and  resolving  to  be  beforehand  with 
his  assailant,  he  shouted  at  the  top  of  his  voice, 

"  Help !  help !  my  masters.  This  villain  would  rob  me  of 
my  pnrsc." 

"  He  is  a  Romish  priest,"  vociferated  the  stranger.  "  I  call 
upon  yon  to  assist  me  to  arrest  him." 

While  the  passengers,  scarcely  knowing  what  to  make  of  these 
contradictory  statements,  flocked  round  them,  Guy  Fawkes,  who 
was  a  little  in  advance  of  Catesby,  rode  back,  and  seeing  how 
matters  stood,  instantly  drew  a  petronel,  and  with  the  butt-end 
felled  the  stranger  to  the  ground.  Thus  liberated,  Garnet  struck 
spurs  into  his  steed,  and  the  whole  party  dashed  off  at  a  rapid 
pace.  Shouts  were  raised  by  the  bystanders,  a  few  of  whom 
started  in  pursuit,  but  the  speed  at  which  the  fugitives  rode  soon 
bore  them  out  of  danger. 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  London  Bridge,  and  Viviana, 
in  some  degree  recovered  from  the  fright  caused  by  the  recent 
occurrence,  ventured  to  look  around  her.  She  could  scarcely 
believe  she  was  crossing  a  bridge,  so  completely  did  the  tall 
houses  give  it  the  appearance  of  a  street ;  and,  if  it  had  not  been 
for  occasional  glimpses  of  the  river  caught  between  the  openings 
of  these  lofty  habitations,  she  would  have  thought  her  compa 
nions  had  mistaken  the  road.  As  they  approached  the  ancient 
gateway  (afterwards  denominated  Traitor's  Tower),  at  the  South  - 
wark  side  of  the  bridge,  she  remarked  with  a  shudder  the  dismal 
array  of  heads  garnishing  its  spikes,  and  pointing  them  out  to 
Fawkes,  cried, 

"  Heaven  grant  yours  may  never  be  amongst  the  number  F* 

Fawkes  made  no  answer,  but  dashed  beneath  the  low  and 
gloomy  arch  of  the  gate. 

Striking  into  a  street  on  the  right,  the  party  skirted  the  walls 
of  Saint  Saviour's  Church,  and  presently  drew  near  the  Globe 
theatre,  above  which  floated  its  banner.  Adjoining  it  was  the 
old  Bear-garden — the  savage  inmates  of  which  made  themselves 
sufficiently  audible.  Garnet  hastily  pointed  out  the  first-men 
tioned  place  of  amusement  to  Viviana  as  they  passed  it,  and  her 
reading  having  made  her  well  acquainted  with  the  noble  dramas 
produced  at  that  unpretending  establishment — little  better  than 
a  barn  in  comparison  with  a  modern  playhouse, — she  regarded  it 
with  deep  interest.  Another  theatre — the  Swan — speedily 
claimed  her  attention ;  and,  leaving  it  behind,  they  came  upon 
the  open  country. 

It  was  now  growing  rapidly  dark,  and  Catesby,  turning  off  into 
a  narrow  lane  on  the  right,  shouted  to  his  companions  to  keep 
near  him.  The  tract  of  land  they  were  traversing  was  flat  and 
marshy.  The  air  was  damp  and  unwholesome — for  the  swamp 
had  not  been  drained  as  in  later  times, — and  the  misty  exhala- 


150  GUY  FAWKES. 

tions  arising  from  it  added  to  the  obscurity.  Catesby,  however, 
did  not  relax  his  pace,  and  his  companions  imitated  his  example. 
Another  turn  on  the  right  seemed  to  bring  them  still  nearer  the 
river,  and  involved  them  in  a  thicker  fog. 

All  at  once  Catesby  stopped,  and  cried, 

"  We  should  be  near  the  house.  And  yet  this  fog  perplexes 
me.  Stay  here  while  I  search  for  it." 

"  If  you  leave  us,  we  shall  not  readily  meet  again,"  rejoined 
Fawkes. 

But  the  caution  was  unheeded,  Catesby  having  already  disap 
peared.  A  few  moments  afterwards,  Fawkes  heard  the  sound  of 
a  horse's  hoofs  approaching  him ;  and,  thinking  it  was  Catesby, 
he  hailed  the  rider. 

The  horseman  made  no  answer,  but  continued  to  advance 
towards  them. 

Just  then  the  voice  of  Catesby  was  heard  at  a  little  distance, 
shouting,  "  I  was  right.  It  is  here." 

The  party  then  hastened  in  the  direction  of  the  cry,  and  per 
ceived  through  the  gloom  a  low  building,  before  the  door  of 
which  Catesby,  who  had  dismounted,  was  standing. 

"  A  stranger  is  amongst  us,"  observed  Fawkes,  in  an  under 
tone,  as  he  rode  up. 

"  Where  is  he  ?"  demanded  Catesby,  hastily. 

"  Here,"  replied  a  voice.     "  But,  fear  nothing.     I  am  a  friend.'* 

"  I  must  have  stronger  assurance  than  that,"  replied  Catesby. 
«  Who  are  you  ?" 

"  Robert  Keyes,"  replied  the  other,  "  Do  you  not  know  my 
voice  ?" 

"  In  good  truth  I  did  not,"  rejoined  Catesby  ;  "  and  you  have 
spoken  just  in  time.  Your  arrival  is  most  opportune.  But  what 
brings  you  here  to-night  ?" 

"  The  same  errand  as  yourself,  I  conclude,  Catesby,"  replied 
Keyes.  "  I  came  here  to  see  that  all  was  in  safety.  But,  who 
have  you  with  you  ?" 

"Let  us  enter  the  house,  and  you  shall  learn,"  replied  Catesby. 

With  this,  he  tapped  thrice  at  the  door  in  a  peculiar  manner, 
and  presently  a  light  was  seen  through  the  windows,  and  a  voice 
from  within  demanded  who  knocked. 

"  Your  master,"  replied  Catesby. 

Upon  this,  the  door  was  instantly  unbarred.  After  a  hasty 
greeting  between  Catesby  and  his  servant,  whom  he  addressed  as 
Thomas  Bates,  the  former  inquired  whether  aught  had  occurred 
during  his  absence.,  and  was  answered  that,  except  an  occasional 
visit  from  Mr.  Percy,  one  of  the  conspirators,  no  one  had  been 
near  the  house;  everything  being  in  precisely  the  same  state  he 
had  left  it. 

"  That  is  well,"  replied  Catesby.  "  Now,  then,  to  dispose  of 
the  horses." 


THE   LANDING   OF   THE  POWDER  151 

All  the  party  having;  dismounted,  their  steeds  were  led  to  a 
stable  at  the  back  of  the  premises  by  Catesby  and  Bates,  while 
the  others  entered  the  house.  It  was  a  small,  mean-looking 
habitation,  standing  at  a  short  distance  from  the  river-side,  on 
the  skirts  of  Lambeth  Marsh,  and  its  secluded  situation  and 
miserable  appearance  seldom  induced  any  one  to  visit  it.  On 
one  side  was  a  deep  muddy  sluice  communicating  with  the  river. 
Within,  it  possessed  but  slight  accommodation,  and  only  num 
bered  four  apartments.  One  of  the  best  of  these  was  assigned 
to  Viviana,  and  she  retired  to  it  as  soon  as  it  could  be  prepared 
for  her  reception.  Garnet,  who  still  carried  his  arm  in  a  sling, 
but  who  was  in  other  respects  almost  recovered  from  his  accident, 
tendered  every  assistance  in  his  power,  and  would  have  remained 
with  her,  but  she  entreated  to  be  left  alone.  On  descending  to 
the  lower  room,  he  found  Catesby,  who,  having  left  Bates  in 
care  of  the  horses,  produced  such  refreshments  as  they  had 
brought  with  them.  These  were  scanty  enough  ;  but  a  few 
flasks  of  excellent  wine  which  they  found  within  the  house  made 
some  amends  for  the  meagre  repast.  Viviana  was  solicited  by 
Guy  Fawkes  to  join  them ;  but  she  declined,  alleging  that  she 
was  greatly  fatigued,  and  about  to  retire  to  rest. 

Their  meal  ended,  Catesby  proposed  that  they  should  ascer 
tain  the  condition  of  the  powder,  as  he  feared  it  might  have 
suffered  from  being  so  long  in  the  vault.  Before  making  this 
examination,  the  door  was  carefully  barred  ;  the  shutters  of  the 
windows  closed  ;  and  Guy  Fawkes  placed  himself  as  sentinel  at 
the  door.  A  flag  beneath  the  grate,  in  which  a  fire  was  never 
kindled,  was  then  raised,  and  disclosed  a  flight  of  steps  leading 
to  a  vault  beneath.  Catesby  having  placed  a  light  in  a  lantern, 
descended  with  Keyes;  but  both  Garnet  and  Oldcorne  refused 
to  accompany  them. 

The  vault  was  arched  and  lofty,  and,  strange  to  say,  for  its 
situation,  dry — a  circumstance  owing,  in  all  probability,  to  the 
great  thickness  of  the  walls.  On  either  side  were  ranged  twenty 
barrels  filled  with  powder ;  and  at  the  further  end  stood  a  pile 
of  arms,  consisting  of  pikes,  rapiers,  demi-lances,  petronels, 
calivers,  corslets,  and  morions.  Removing  one  of  the  barrels 
from  its  station,  Catesby  forced  open  the  lid,  and  examined  its 
contents,  which  he  found  perfectly  dry  and  uninjured. 

"  It  is  fit  for  use,*  he  observed,  with  a  significant  smile,  as  he 
exhibited  a  handful  of  the  powder  to  Keyes,  who  stood  at  a  little 
distance  with  the  lantern ;  "  if  it  will  keep  as  well  in  the  cellar 
beneath  the  Parliament  House,  our  foes  will  soon  be  nearer 
heaven,  than  they  would  ever  be  if  left  to  themselves." 

"  When  do  you  propose  to  transport  it  across  the  river?"  asked 
Keyes. 

"  To-night,"  replied  Catesby.  "  It  is  dark  and  foggy,  and 
fitting  for  the  purpose.  Bates !"  he  shouted ;  and  at  the  call 


152  GUY  FAWKES. 

Ins  servant  instantly  descended.  "Is  the  wherry  at  her 
moorings  ?" 

"  She  is,  your  worship,"  replied  Bates. 

"  You  must  cross  the  river  instantly,  then,"  rejoined  Catesby, 
"and  proceed  to  the  dwelling  adjoining  the  Parliament  House, 
which  we  hired  from  Ferris.  Here  is  the  key.  Examine  the 
premises, — and  bring  word  whether  all  is  secure." 

Bates  was  about  to  depart,  when  Keyes  volunteering  to  ac 
company  him,  they  left  the  house  together.  Having  fastened 
down  the  lid  of  the  cask,  Catesby  summoned  Fawkes  to  his 
assistance,  and  by  his  help  as  many  barrels  as  could  be  safely 
stowed  in  the  boat  were  brought  out  of  the  vault.  More  than 
two  hours  elapsed  before  Bates  returned.  He  was  alone,  and  in 
formed  them  that  all  was  secure,  but  that  Keyes  had  decided  on 
remaining  where  he  was, — it  being  so  dark  and  foggy,  that  it  was 
scarcely  possible  to  cross  the  river. 

"  I  had  some  difficulty  in  landing,"  he  added,  "  and  got  con 
siderably  out  of  my  course.  I  never  was  out  on  so  dark  a  night 

u  c      » 
before. 

"  It  is  the  better  for  us,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  We  shall  be 
sure  to  escape  observation." 

In  this  opinion  Guy  Fawkes  concurred,  and  they  proceeded 
to  transport  the  powder  to  the  boat,  which  was  brought  up  the 
sluice  within  a  few  yards  of  the  door.  This  done,  and  the  barrels 
covered  with  a  piece  of  tarpaulin,  they  embarked,  and  Fawkes, 
seizing  an  oar,  propelled  the  skiff  along  the  narrow  creek. 

As  Bates  had  stated,  the  fog  was  so  dense  that  it  was  wholly 
impossible  to  steer  correctly,  and  Fawkes  was  therefore  obliged 
to  trust  to  chance  as  to  the  course  he  took.  However,  having 
fully  regained  his  strength,  he  rowed  with  great  swiftness,  and, 
as  far  as  he  could  judge,  had  gained  the  mid-stream,  when,  be 
fore  he  could  avoid  it,  he  came  in  violent  contact  with  another 
boat,  oversetting  it,  and  plunging  its  occupants  in  the  stream. 

Disregarding  the  hints  and  even  menaces  of  Catesby,  who 
urged  him  to  proceed,  Fawkes  immediately  lay  upon  his  oars, 
and,  as  the  water  was  perfectly  smooth,  succeeded,  without  much 
difficulty,  in  extricating  the  two  men  from  their  perilous  situa 
tion.  Their  boat  having  drifted  down  the  stream,  could  not  be 
recovered.  The  chief  of  these  personages  was  profuse  in  his 
thanks  to  his  deliverers,  whom  he  supposed  were  watermen,  and 
they  took  care  not  to  undeceive  him. 

"  You  may  rely  upon  my  gratitude,"  he  said  ;  "  and  when  I 
tell  you  I  am  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  you  will  be  satisfied  I  have 
the  means  of  evincing  it." 

"  The  Earl  of  Salisbury  I"  exclaimed  Catesby,  who  was 
seated  by  Fawkes,  having  taken  one  of  the  oars.  "Is  it 
possible  ?" 

"  I  have  been  on  secret  state  business,"  replied  the  Earl,  "  and 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  POWDER.         153 

did  not  choose  to  employ  my  own  barge.  I  was  returning  to 
Whitehall,  when  your  boat  struck  against  mine." 

"  It  is  our  bitterest  enemy,"  observed  Catesby,  in  an  under 
tone,  to  Fawkes.  "  Fate  has  delivered  him  into  our  hands." 

"  What  are  you  about  to  do  ?"  demanded  Fawkes,  observing 
that  his  companion  no  longer  pulled  at  the  oar. 

"  Shoot  him,"  replied  Catesby.  "  Keep  still,  while  I  dis 
engage  my  petronel." 

"  It  shall  not  be,"  returned  Fawkes,  laying  a  firm  grasp  upon 
his  arm.  "  Let  him  perish  with  the  others." 

"  If  we  suffer  him  to  escape  now,  we  may  never  have  such  a 
chance  again,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  I  will  shoot  him." 

"  I  say  you  shall  not,"  rejoined  Fawkes.  "  His  hour  is  not 
yet  come." 

"  What  are  you  talking  about,  my  masters  ?"  demanded  the 
Earl,  who  was  shivering  in  his  wet  garments. 

"  Nothing,"  replied  Catesby,  hastily.  "  I  will  throw  him  over 
board,"  he  whispered  to  Fawkes. 

"  Again  I  say,  you  shall  not,"  replied  the  latter. 

"  I  see  what  you  are  afraid  of,"  cried  the  Earl.  "  You  are 
smugglers.  You  have  got  some  casks  of  distilled  waters  on  board, 
and  are  afraid  I  may  report  you.  Fear  nothing.  Land  me 
near  the  palace,  and  count  upon  my  gratitude." 

"  Our  course  lies  in  a  different  direction,"  replied  Catesby, 
sternly.  "If  your  lordship  lands  at  all,  it  must  be  where  we 
choose." 

"  But  I  have  to  see  the  King  to-night.  I  have  some  important 
papers  to  deliver  to  him  respecting  the  Papists,"  replied 
Salisbury. 

"  Indeed !"  exclaimed  Catesby.  "  We  must,  at  least,  have 
those  papers,"  he  observed,  in  a  whisper,  to  Fawkes. 

"  That  is  a  different  affair,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  They  may 
prove  serviceable  to  us." 

"  My  lord,"  observed  Catesby,  "  by  a  strange  chance  you  have 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  Catholics.  You  will  be  pleased  to 
deliver  these  papers  to  us." 

"  Ah  !  villains,  would  you  rob  me  ?"  cried  the  Earl.  "  You 
shall  take  my  life  sooner." 

"We  will  take  both,  if  you  resist,"  replied  Catesby,  in  a 
menacing  tone. 

"  Nay,  then,"  returned  Salisbury,  attempting  to  draw  his 
sword,  "  we  will  see  who  will  obtain  the  mastery.  We  are 
equally  matched.  Come  on  ;  I  fear  you  not." 

But  the  waterman  who  had  rowed  the  Earl  was  not  of  equal 
courage  with  his  employer,  and  refused  to  take  part  in  the 
conflict. 

"  It  will  be  useless  to  contend  with  us,"  cried  Catesby,  re 
linquishing  the  oar  to  Fawkes,  and  springing  forward.  "  I  must 


154  GUY  FAWKES. 

have  those  papers,"  he  added,  seizing  the  Earl  by  the  throat,  "  or 
I  will  throw  you  overboard." 

"  I  am  mistaken  in  you,"  returned  Salisbury ;  "  you  are  no 
common  mariner." 

"It  matters  not  who  or  what  I  am," rejoined  Catcsby,  fiercely. 
"  Your  papers,  or  you  die." 

Finding  it  in  vain  to  contend  with  his  opponent,  the  Earl  was 
fain  to  yield,  and  reluctantly  produced  a  packet  from  his  doublet, 
and  delivered  it  to  him. 

"  You  will  repent  this  outrage,  villain,"  he  said. 

"  Your  lordship  will  do  well  to  recollect  you  are  still  in  my 
power,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  One  thrust  of  my  sword  will  wipe 
off  some  of  the  injuries  you  have  inflicted  on  our  suffering 
party." 

"  I  have  heard  your  voice  before,"  cried  Salisbury  ;  "  you  shall 
not  escape  me." 

"  Your  imprudence  has  destroyed  you,"  retorted  Catesby, 
clutching  the  Earl's  throat  more  tightly,  and  shortening  his  sword, 
with  the  intent  to  plunge  it  into  his  breast. 

"  Hold  I"  exclaimed  Fawkes,  grasping  his  arm,  and  preventing 
the  blow.  '*  I  have  already  said  you  shall  not  slay  him.  You 
are  in  possession  of  his  papers.  What  more  would  you  have  ?" 

"  His  life,"  replied  Catesby,  struggling  to  liberate  his  arm. 

"  Let  him  swear  not  to  betray  us,"  rejoined  Fawkes.  "  If  he 
refuses,  I  will  not  stay  your  hand." 

"  You  hear  what  my  companion  says,  my  lord,"  cried  Catesby. 
"  Will  you  swear  to  keep  silence  as  to  what  has  just  occurred?" 

After  a  moment's  hesitation,  Salisbury  assented,  and  Catesby 
relinquished  his  grasp. 

During  this  time,  the  boat  had  drifted  considerably  down  the 
stream,  and,  in  spite  of  the  darkness,  Catesby  noticed  with  some 
uneasiness  that  they  were  approaching  more  than  one  vessel. 
The  Earl  of  Salisbury  also  perceived  this,  and  raised  a  cry  for 
help,  but  was  instantly  checked  by  Catesby,  who  took  a  seat 
beside  him,  and  placing  the  point  of  his  rapier  at  his  breast, 
swore  he  would  stab  him  if  he  made  any  further  clamour. 

The  threat,  and  the  dangerous  propinquity  of  his  enemy, 
effectually  silenced  the  Earl,  and  Catesby  directed  Fawkes  to 
make  for  the  shore  as  quickly  as  he  could.  His  injunctions  were 
obeyed,  and  Fawkes  plied  the  oars  with  so  much  good-will,  that 
in  a  few  minutes  the  wherry  struck  against  the  steps,  which  pro 
jected  far  into  the  water,  a  little  to  the  right  of  the  Star  Chamber, 
precisely  on  the  spot  where  Westminster  Bridge  now  stands. 

Here  the  Earl  and  his  companion  were  allowed  to  disembark, 
and  they  had  no  sooner  set  foot  on  land  than  Guy  Fawkes  pushed 
off  the  boat,  and  rowed  as  swiftly  as  he  could  towards  the  centre 
of  the  stream.  He  then  demanded  of  Catesby  whether  he  should 
make  for  the  Parliament  House,  or  return. 


THE   LANDING   OF   THE   POWDER.  155 

"  I  scarcely  know  what  to  advise,"  replied  Catesby.  "  I  do 
not  think  the  Earl  will  attempt  pursuit.  And  yet  I  know  not. 
The  papers  we  have  obtained  may  be  important  Cease  rowing 
for  a  moment,  and  let  us  listen." 

Guy  Fawkes  complied,  and  they  listened  intently,  but  could 
only  hear  the  rippling  of  the  current  against  the  sides  of  the 
skiff. 

"  We  have  nothing  to  fear,"  observed  Catesby.  "  He  will  not 
pursue  us,  or  he  cannot  find  a  boat." 

As  he  spoke,  the  glimmer  of  torches  was  visible  on  the  shore, 
and  the  plunge  of  oars  into  the  water  convinced  him  his  opinion 
was  erroneous. 

"  What  course  shall  we  take  ?"  inquired  Fawkes. 

"  I  care  not,"  replied  Catesby,  sullenly.  "  If  I  had  had  my 
own  way,  this  would  not  have  happened." 

"Have  no  fears,"  replied  Fawkes,  rowing  swiftly  down  the 
stream.  "  We  shall  easily  escape." 

"  We  will  not  be  taken  alive,"  returned  Catesby,  seating  him 
self  on  one  of  the  barrels,  and  hammering  against  the  lid  with 
the  butt-end  of  his  petronel.  "  I  will  sooner  blow  us  all  to  per 
dition  than  he  shall  capture  us." 

"  You  are  right,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  By  my  patron,  Saint 
James,  he  is  taking  the  same  course  as  ourselves." 

"  Well,  let  him  board  us,"  replied  Catesby.  "  I  am  ready  for 
him." 

"  Do  as  you  think  proper  if  the  worst  occurs,"  returned 
Fawkes.  "  But,  if  we  make  no  noise,  I  am  assured  we  shall  not 
be  perceived." 

With  this  he  ceased  rowing,  and  suffered  the  boat  to  drop 
down  the  stream.  As  ill-luck  would  have  it,  it  seemed  as  if  the 
hostile  bark  had  struck  completely  into  their  track,  and,  aided  by 
the  current,  and  four  sturdy  rowers,  was  swiftly  approaching. 

"  The  Earl  will  be  upon  us  in  a  few  minutes,"  replied  Catesby. 
"  If  you  have  any  prayers  to  offer,  recite  them  quickly,  for  I 
swear  I  will  be  as  good  as  my  word." 

"  I  am  ever  prepared  for  death,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Ha  !  we 
are  saved !" 

This  last  exclamation  was  occasioned  by  his  remarking  a  large 
barge,  towards  which  they  were  rapidly  drifting. 

"  What  are  you  about  to  do  ?"  cried  Catesby. — "  Leap  en 
board,  and  abandon  the  skiff,  together  with  its  contents  ?" 

"No,"  replied  Fawkes  ;  "  sit  still,  and  leave  the  rest  to  me." 

By  this  time,  they  had  approached  the  barge,  which  was  lying 
at  anchor,  and  Guy  Fawkes,  grasping  at  a  boat-hook,  fixed  it  in 
the  vessel  as  they  passed,  and  drew  their  own  boat  close  to  its 
side — so  close,  in  fact,  that  it  could  not  be  distinguished  from  it. 

The  next  moment,  the  chase  came  up,  and  they  distinctly  per 
ceived  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  seated  in  the  stern  of  the  boat, 


156  GUY  FAWKES. 

holding  a  torch.  As  he  approached  the  barge,  he  held  the  light 
towards  it;  but  the  skiff  being  on  the  off-side,  entirely  escaped 
notice.  When  the  chase  had  got  to  a  sufficient  distance  to  be 
out  of  hearing,  the  fugitives  rowed  swiftly  in  the  contrary  direc 
tion. 

Not  judging  it  prudent  to  land,  they  continued  to  ply  the  oars, 
until  fatigue  compelled  them  to  desist,  and  they  had  placed  some 
miles  between  them  and  their  pursuers. 

"  Long  before  this,  the  Earl  must  have  given  up  the  chase," 
observed  Catesby.  "  We  must  return  before  daybreak,  and 
either  land  our  powder  near  the  Parliament  House,  or  take  it 
back  to  the  vault  at  Lambeth." 

"  We  shall  run  equal  risk  either  way,"  replied  Fawkes,  "  and, 
having  ventured  thus  far,  we  may  as  well  go  through  with  it.  I 
am  for  landing  at  Westminster." 

"  And  I,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  I  do  not  like  giving  up  a 
project  when  I  have  once  undertaken  it." 

"  You  speak  my  sentiments  exactly,"  returned  Fawkes.  "  West 
minster  be  it." 

After  remaining  stationary  for  about  an  hour,  they  rowed  back 
again,  and,  aided  by  the  stream,  in  a  short  time  reached  their 
destination.  The  fog  had  in  a  great  degree  cleared  off,  and  day 
began  to  break  as  they  approached  the  stairs  leading  to  the  Par 
liament  House.  Though  this'  was  not  what  they  desired,  inas 
much  as  the  light  added  to  the  risk  they  would  have  run  in 
landing  the  powder,  it  enabled  them  to  ascertain  that  no  one  was 
on  the  watch. 

Running  swiftly  in  towards  a  sort  of  wharf,  protected  by  a 
roofed  building,  Catesby  leapt  ashore,  and  tied  the  skiff  to  a  ring 
in  the  steps.  He  then  desired  Fawkes  to  hand  out  the  powder 
as  quickly  as  he  could.  The  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  in 
a  few  minutes  several  barrels  were  on  the  strand. 

"  Had  you  not  better  fetch  Keyes  to  help  us,  while  I  get  out 
the  rest  ?"  observed  Fawkes. 

Catesby  assented,  and  hurrying  to  the  house,  found  Keyes, 
\vho  was  in  great  alarm  about  them.  He  instantly  accompanied 
the  other  to  the  wharf,  and  by  their  united  efforts  the  powder 
was  expeditiously  and  safely  removed. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE    TRAITOR. 


THE  habitation,  to  which  the  powder  was  conveyed,  adjoined,  as 
has  already  been  stated,  the  Parliament  House,  and  stood  at  the 
south-west  corner  of  that  structure.  It  was  a  small  building, 


THE   TRAITOR.  157 

two  stories  high,  with  a  little  garden  attached  to  it,  surrounded 
by  lofty  walls,  and  belonged  to  Whinneard,  the  keeper  of  the 
royal  wardrobe,  by  whom  it  was  let  to  a  person  named  Ferris. 
From  the  latter  it  was  hired  by  Thomas  Percy,  one  of  the  con 
spirators,  and  a  relative  of  the  Earl  of  Northumberland, — of 
whom  it  will  be  necessary  to  speak  more  fully  hereafter, — for  the 
purpose  to  which  it  was  now  put. 

Having  bestowed  the  barrels  of  powder  carefully  in  the  cella^ 
and  fastened  the  door  of  the  house  and  the  garden-gate  after 
them,  the  trio  returned  to  the  boat,  and  rowed  back  to  Lambethy 
where  they  arrived  without  being  noticed.  They  then  threw 
themselves  upon  the  floor,  and  sought  some  repose  after  their 
fatigue. 

It  was  late  in  the  day  before  they  awoke.  Garnet  and  Old- 
corne  had  been  long  astir ;  but  Viviana  had  not  quitted  her 
chamber.  Catesby's  first  object  was  to  examine  the  packet  he 
had  obtained  from  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  and  withdrawing  to  a 
corner,  he  read  over  the  papers  one  by  one  carefully. 

Guy  Fawkes  watched  his  countenance  as  he  perused  them, 
but  he  asked  no  questions.  Many  of  the  documents  appeared  to 
have  little  interest,  for  Catesby  tossed  them  aside  with  an  ex 
clamation  of  disappointment.  At  length,  however,  a  small  note 
dropped  from  the  bundle.  Catesby  picked  it  up,  opened  it,  and 
his  \\hole  expression  changed.  His  brow  grew  contracted  ;  and, 
springing  to  his  feet,  he  uttered  an  ejaculation  of  rage,  crying, 
**  It  is  as  I  suspected.  We  have  traitors  among  us," 

*'  Whom  do  you  suspect  ?"  cried  Fawkes. 

"  Tresham  I"  cried  Catesby,  in  a  voice  of  thunder, — '•  the 
fawning,  wily,  lying  Tresham.  Fool  that  I  was  to  league  him 
with  us." 

"  He  is  your  own  kinsman,"  observed  Garnet. 

"  He  is,"  replied  Catesby;  "  but  were  he  my  own  brother  he 
should  die.  Here  is  a  letter  from  him  to  Lord  Mounteagle, 
which  has  found  its  way  to  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  hinting  that  a 
plot  is  hatching  against  the  state,  and  offering  to  give  him  full 
information  of  it.** 

"  Traitor  1  false,  perjured  traitor!"  cried  Fawkes.  "  He  must 
die." 

"  He  shall  fall  by  my  hand,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  Stay  I  a 
plan  occurs  to  me.  He  cannot  be  aware  that  this  letter  is  in 
my  possession.  I  will  send  Bates  to  bid  him  come  hither.  We 
•will  then  charge  him  with  his  criminality,  and  put  him  to  death.'* 

"  He  deserves  severe  punishment,  no  doubt,"  replied  Garnet ; 
"  but  I  am  unwilling  you  should  proceed  to  the  last  extremities 
with  him." 

"  There  is  no  alternative,  father,"  replied  Catesby.  "  Our 
safety  demands  his  destruction." 

Garnet  returned  no  answer,  but  bowed  his  head  sorrowfully 


158  GUY  FAWKES. 

upon  his  breast.  Bates  was  then  despatched  to  Tresham  ;  and 
preparations  were  made  by  the  three  lay  conspirators  for  exe 
cuting  their  fell  design. 

It  was  agreed,  that  on  his  arrival,  Tresham  should  be  seized 
and  disarmed,  and  after  being  interrogated  by  Calesby  touching 
the  extent  of  his  treachery,  should  be  stabbed  by  Guy  Fawkes. 
This  being  resolved  upon,  it  became  a  question  how  they  should 
act  in  the  interim.  It  was  possible  that,  after  the  loss  of  his 
papers,  some  communication  might  take  place  between  the  Earl 
of  Salisbury  and  Lord  Mounteagle,  and  through  the  latter  with 
Tresham.  Thus  prepared,  on  the  arrival  of  Bates,  Tresham, 
seeing  through  their  design,  instead  of  accompanying  him,  might 
give  information  of  their  retreat  to  the  officers.  The  contin 
gency  was  by  no  means  improbable ;  and  it  was  urged  so 
strongly  by  Garnet,  that  Catesby  began  to  regret  his  pre 
cipitancy  in  sending  the  message.  '  Still,  his  choler  was  so 
greatly  roused  against  Tresham,  that  he  resolved  to  gratify  his 
vengeance  at  any  risk. 

"  If  he  betrays  us,  and  brings  the  officers  here,  we  shall 
know  how  to  act,"  he  remarked  to  Fawkes.  "There  is  that 
below  which  will  avenge  us  on  them  all." 

"  True,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  But  I  trust  we  shall  not  be 
obliged  to  resort  to  it." 

Soon  after  this,  Bates  returned  with  a  message  from  Tresham, 
stating  that  he  would  be  at  the  rendezvous  at  nightfall,  and 
that  he  had  important  disclosures  to  make  to  them.  He  de 
sired  them,  moreover,  to  observe  the  utmost  caution,  and  not 
to  stir  abroad. 

"  He  may,  perhaps,  be  able  to  offer  an  explanation  of  his 
conduct,"  observed  Keyes. 

"  Impossible,"  returned  Catesby.  "  But  he  shall  not  die 
without  a  hearing." 

"  That  is  all  I  desire,"  returned  Keyes. 

While  the  others  were  debating  upon  the  interrogations  they 
should  put  to  Tresham,  and  further  examining  the  Earl  of 
Salisbury's  papers,  Garnet  repaired  to  Vivinna's  chamber,  and 
informed  her  what  was  about  to  take  place.  She  was  filled 
with  consternation,  and  entreated  to  be  allowed  to  see  Guy 
Fawkes  for  a  few  moments  alone.  Moved  by  her  supplications, 
Garnet  complied,  and  presently  afterwards  Fawkes  entered  the 
room. 

"  You  have  sent  for  me,  Viviana,"  he  said.  "  What  would 
fou?" 

"  I  have  just  heard  you  are  about  to  put  one  of  your  com 
panions  to  death,"  she  replied.  "  It  must  not  be." 

"  Viviana  Radcliffe,"  returned  Fawkes,  "  by  your  own  desire 
you  have  mixed  yourself  up  with  my  fortunes.  I  will  not  now 
discuss  the  prudence  of  the  step  you  have  taken.  But  I  deem 


THE   TRAITOR.  159 

it  necessary  to  tell  you,  once  for  all,  that  any  attempts  to  turn 
me  from  the  line  of  conduct  I  have  marked  out  to  myself  will 
fail.  Tresham  has  betrayed  us,  and  he  must  pay  the  penalty  of 
his  treason." 

"  But  not  with  his  life,"  replied  Viviana.  "  Do  you  not  now 
perceive  into  what  enormities  this  fatal  enterprise  will  lead  you? 
It  is  not  one  crime  alone  that  you  are  about  to  commit,  but 
many.  You  constitute  yourselves  judges  of  your  companion, 
and  without  allowing  him  to  defend  himself,  take  his  life. 
Disguise  it  as  you  may,  it  is  assassination — cold-blooded 
assassination." 

"  His  life  is  justly  forfeited,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes,  sternly. 
"  When  he  took  the  oath  of  secrecy  and  fidelity  to  our  league, 
he  well  knew  what  the  consequences  would  be  if  he  violated 
it.  He  has  done  so.  He  has  compromised  our  safety.  Nay, 
he  has  sold  us  to  our  enemies,  and  nothing  shall  save  him." 

"  If  this  is  so,"  replied  Viviana,  "  how  much  better  would  it 
be  to  employ  the  time  now  left  in  providing  for  your  safety, 
than  in  contriving  means  of  vengeance  upon  one,  who  will  be 
sufficiently  punished  for  his  baseness  by  his  own  conscience. 
Even  if  you  destroy  him,  you  will  not  add  to  your  own  security, 
while  you  will  commit  a  foul  and  needless  crime,  equal,  if  not 
exceeding  in  atrocity  that  you  seek  to  punish." 

"  Viviana,"  replied  Fawkes,  in  an  angry  tone,  "  in  an  evil 
hour,  I  consented  to  your  accompanying  me.  I  now  repent  my 
acquiescence.  But,  having  passed  my  word,  I  cannot  retract. 
You  waste  time,  and  exhaust  my  patience  and  your  own  by 
these  unavailing  supplications.  When  I  embarked  in  this  en 
terprise,  I  embraced  all  its  dangers,  all  its  crimes  if  you  will,  and 
I  shall  not  shrink  from  them.  The  extent  of  Tresham's  treachery 
is  not  yet  known  to  us.  There  may  be — and  God  grant  it! — 
extenuating  circumstances  in  his  conduct  that  may  save  his  life. 
But,  as  the  case  stands  at  present,  his  offence  appears  of  that 
dye  that  nothing  can  wash  it  out  but  his  blood." 

And  he  turned  to  depart. 

"  When  do  you  expect  this  wretched  man  ?"  asked  Viviana, 
arresting  him. 

"  At  nightfall,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Oh  I  that  there  were  any  means  of  warning  him  of  his 
danger!"  she  cried. 

"  There  are  none,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  fiercely, — "  none  that 
you  can  adopt.  And  I  must  lay  my  injunctions  upon  you  not 
to  quit  your  chamber." 

So  saying,  he  retired. 

Left  alone,  Viviana  became  a  prey  to  the  most  agonizing  re 
flections.  Despite  the  strong,  and  almost  unaccountable  interest 
she  fck  in  Guy  Fawkes,  she  began  to  repent  the  step  she  had 
taken  in  joining  him,  as  calculated  to  make  her  a  party  to  his 


GUY   FAWKES. 

criminal  conduct.  But  this  feeling  was  transient,  and  was  suc 
ceeded  by  a  firmer  determination  to  pursue  the  good  work  she 
had  undertaken. 

"  Though  slight  success  has  hitherto  attended  my  efforts,"  she 
thought,  "  that  is  no  reason  why  I  should  relax  them.  The  time 
is  arrived  when  I  may  exert  a  beneficial  influence  over  him ;  and 
it  may  be,  that  what  occurs  to-night  will  prove  the  first  step 
towards  complete  triumph.  In  any  case,  nothing  shall  be  wanting 
to  prevent  the  commission  of  the  meditated  atrocity." 

With  this,  she  knelt  down  and  prayed  long  and  fervently,  and 
arose  confirmed  and  strengthened  in  her  resolution. 

Meanwhile,  no  alteration  had  taken  place  in  the  purposes  of 
the  conspirators.  Night  came,  but  with  it  came  not  Tresham. 
Catesby,  who,  up  to  this  time  had  managed  to  restrain  his  im 
patience,  now  arose,  and  signified  his  intention  of  going  in  search 
of  him,  and  was  with  difficulty  prevented  from  carrying  his 
threat  into  execution  by  Guy  Fawkes,  who  represented  the  folly 
and  risk  of  such  a  course. 

"  If  he  comes  not  before  midnight,  we  shall  know  what  to 
think,  and  how  to  act,"  he  observed ;  "  but  till  then  let  u» 
remain  tranquil." 

Keyes  and  the  others  adding  their  persuasions  to  those  of 
Fawkes,  Catesby  sat  sullenly  down,  and  a  profound  silence  en 
sued.  In  this  way,  some  hours  were  passed,  when  just  at  the 
stroke  of  midnight,  Viviana  descended  from  her  room,  and  ap 
peared  amongst  them.  Her  countenance  was  deathly  pale,  and 
she  looked  anxiously  around  the  assemblage.  All,  however, 
•with  the  exception  of  Fawkes,  avoided  her  gaze. 

"  Is  he  come  ?"  she  exclaimed  at  length.  "  I  have  listened 
Intently,  but  have  heard  nothing.  You  cannot  have  murdered 
him.  And  yet  your  looks  alarm  me.  Father  Garnet,  answer 
me, — is  the  deed  done  ?" 

"No,  my  daughter,"  replied  Garnet,  sternly. 

"  Then  he  has  escaped  1"  she  cried,  joyfully.  "  You  expected 
him  at  nightfall." 

"  It  is  not  yet  too  late,"  replied  Fawkes,  in  a  sombre  tone  ; 
'*  his  death  is  only  deferred." 

"  Oh  I  do  not  say  so,"  she  cried,  in  a  voice  of  agony.  "  I 
hoped  you  had  relented." 

At  this  moment  a  peculiar  knock  was  heard  at  the  door.  It 
was  thrice  repeated,  and  the  strokes  vibrated,  though  with 
different  effect,  through  every  bosom. 

"  He  is  here,"  cried  Catesby,  rising. 

"  Viviana,  go  to  your  chamber,"  commanded  Guy  Fawkes, 
grasping  her  hand,  and  leading  her  towards  the  stairs. 

But.  she  resisted  his  efforts,  and  fell  on  her  knees. 

"  I  will  not  go,"  she  cried,  in  a  supplicating  tonca  "  unless  you 
will  spare  this  man's  life." 


THE    TRAITOR.  161 

"  I  have  already  told  you  my  fixed  determination,"  rejoined 
Fawkes,  fiercely.  "  If  you  will  not  retire  of  your  own  free  will, 
I  must  force  you." 

"  If  you  attempt  it,  I  will  scream,  and  alarm  your  victim,"  she 
replied.  "  Mr.  Catesby,"  she  added,  "  have  my  prayers,  my 
entreaties,  no  weight  with  you  ?  Will  you  not  grant  me  his  life  ?'' 

"Nol"  replied  Catesby,  fiercely.  "She  must  be  silenced," 
he  added,  with  a  significant  look  at  Fawkes. 

"  She  shall,"  replied  the  latter,  drawing  his  poniard.  "  Viviana!" 
he  continued,  in  a  voice,  and  with  a  look  that  left  no  doubt  as 
to  his  intentions,  "  do  not  compel  me  to  be  your  destroyer." 

As  he  spoke,  the  knocking  was  repeated,  and  Viviana  uttered 
a  prolonged  and  piercing  cry.  Guy  Fawkes  raised  his  weapon, 
and  was  about  to  strike,  but  his  resolution  failed  him,  and  his 
arm  dropped  nerveless  to  his  side. 

"Your  better  angel  has  conquered!"  she  cried,  clasping  his  knees. 

While  this  was  passing,  the  door  was  thrown  open  by  Catesby, 
and  Tresham  entered  the  room. 

"  What  means  this  outcry  ?w  he  asked,  looking  round  in 
alarm.  "  Ah  !  what  do  I  see  ?  Viviana  lladcliffe  here  !  Did 
she  utter  the  scream  ?" 

"  She  did,"  replied  Viviana,  rising,  "  and  she  hoped  to  warn 
you  by  it.  But  you  were  led  on  by  your  fate." 

"  Warn  me  from  what  ?"  ejaculated  Tresham,  starting.  "  I 
am  among  friends." 

"  You  are  among  those  who  have  resolved  upon  your  death," 
replied  Viviana. 

"  All !"  exclaimed  Tresham,  making  an  effort  to  gain  the 
door,  and  draw  his  sword. 

In  both  attempts,  however,  he  was  foiled,  for  Catesby  inter 
cepted  him,  while  Fawkes  and  Keyes  flung  themselves  upon 
him,  and  binding  his  arms  together  with  a  sword-belt,  forced 
him  into  a  chair. 

"  Of  what  am  I  accused  ?"  he  demanded,  in  a  voice  tremulous 
with  rage  and  terror. 

"  You  shall  learn  presently,"  replied  Catesby.  And  he 
motioned  to  Fawkes  to  remove  Viviana. 

"  Let  me  remain,"  she  cried,  fiercely.  "  My  nature  is  changed, 
and  is  become  as  savage  as  your  own.  If  blood  must  be  spilt,  I 
will  tarry  to  look  upon  it." 

"  This  is  no  place  for  you,  dear  daughter,"  interposed  Garnet. 

"  Nor  lor  you  either,  father,"  retorted  Viviana,  bitterly ;  "unless 
you  will  act  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  and  prevent  this  violence." 

"  Let  her  remain,  if  she  will,"  observed  Catesby.  "  Her  pre 
sence  need  not  hinder  our  proceedings." 

So  saying,  he  seated  himself  opposite  Tresham,  while  the  two 
nriests  placed  themselves  on  either  side.  Guy  Fawkes  took  up 
a  position  on  the  left  of  the  prisoner,  with  his  drawn  dagger  iu 

M 


1G2  GUY  FAWKES. 

bis  band,  and  Keyes  stationed  hinisolf  near  the  door.  The 
unfortunate  captive  regarded  them  with  terrified  glances,  and 
trembled  in  every  limb. 

"  Thomas  Tresbam,"  commenced  Catesby,  in  a  stern  voice, 
"you  are  a  sworn  brother  in  our  plot.  Before  I  proceed  further, 
I  will  ask  you  what  should  be  his  punishment  who  violates  his 
oath,  and  betrays  his  confederates?  We  await  your  answer  ?" 

But  Tresham  remained  obstinately  silent. 

"  I  will  tell  you,  since  you  refuse  to  speak,"  continued 
Catesby.  "  It  is  death — death  by  the  hands  of  his  associates." 

"  It  may  be,"  replied  Tresham  ;  "  but  I  have  neither  broken 
my  oath,  nor  betrayed  you." 

"Your  letter  to  Lord  Mounteagle  is  in  my  possession,"  replied 
Catesby.  "  Behold  it !" 

"  Perdition  I"  exclaimed  Tresham.  "  But  you  will  not  slay 
me  ?  I  have  betrayed  nothing.  I  have  revealed  nothing.  On 
my  soul's  salvation,  I  have  not  1  Spare  me  !  spare  me  !  and  I 
will  be  a  faithful  friend  in  future.  I  have  been  indiscreet — I 
own  it — but  nothing  more.  I  have  mentioned  no  names.  And 
Lord  Mounteagle,  as  you  well  know,  is  as  zealous  a  Catholic  as 
any  now  present." 

"  Your  letter  has  been  sent  to  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,"  pursued 
Catesby,  coldly.  "  It  was  from  him  I  obtained  it." 

"  Then  Lord  Mounteagle  has  betrayed  me,"  returned  Tres 
ham,  becoming  pale  as  death. 

"Have  you  nothing  further  to  allege?"  demanded  Catesby. 
As  Tresham  made  no  answer,  he  turned  to  the  others,  and  said, 
"Is  it  your  judgment  he  should  die?" 

All,  except  Viviana,  answered  in  the  affirmative. 

" Tresham,"  continued  Catesby,  solemnly,  "prepare  to  meet 
your  fate  like  a  man.  And  do  you,  father,"  he  added  to  Garnet, 
"  proceed  to  shrive  him." 

"  Hold  1"  cried  Viviana,  stepping  into  the  midst  of  them, — 
"  hold !"  she  exclaimed,  in  a  voice  so  authoritative,  and  with  a 
look  so  commanding,  that  the  whole  assemblage  were  awe-stricken. 
"  If  you  think  to  commit  this  crime  with  impunity,  you  are  mis 
taken.  I  swear  by  everything  sacred,  if  you  take  this  man's  life, 
I  will  go  forth  instantly,  and  denounce  you  all  to  the  Council. 
You  may  stare,  sirs,  and  threaten  me,  but  you  shall  find  I  will 
keep  my  word." 

"  We  must  put  her  to  death  too,"  observed  Catesby,  in  an 
under  tone  to  Favvkes,  "  or  we  shall  have  a  worse  enemy  left 
than  Tresham." 

"  I  cannot  consent  to  it,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"If  you  mistrust  this  person,  why  not  place  him  in  restraint?1' 
pursued  Viviana.  "  You  will  not  mend  matters  by  killing  him." 

"  She  says  well,"  observed  Garnet;  "let  us  put  him  in  some 
place  of  security." 


THE   ESCAPE   PREVENTED.  163 

"  I  am  agreed,"  replied  Fawkes. 

«  And  I,"  added  Keyes. 

"  My  judgment,  then,  is  overruled,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  But 
I  will  not  oppose  you.  We  will  imprison  him  in  the  vault 
beneath  this  chamber." 

"  He  must  be  without  light,"  said  Garnet. 

'*  And  without  arms,"  added  Keyes. 

"  And  without  food,"  muttered  Gatesby.  '*  He  has  only 
exchanged  one  death  for  another." 

The  flag  was  then  raised,  and  Tresham  thrust  into  the  vault, 
after  which  it  was  restored  to  its  former  position. 

"  I  have  saved  you  from  the  lesser  crime,"  cried  Viviana  to 
Guy  Fawkes ;  "  and,  with  Heaven's  grace,  I  trust  to  preserve 
you  from  the  greater  1" 


CHAPTER  IIL 

THE    ESCAPE   PREVENTED. 

VIVIANA  having  retired  to  her  chamber,  apparently  to  rest,  a 
long  and  anxious  consultation  was  held  by  the  conspirators  as  to 
the  next  steps  to  be  pursued.  Garnet  was  of  opinion  that,  as 
the  Earl  of  Salisbury  was  aware  of  a  conspiracy  against  the 
state  being  on  foot  among  the  Catholics,  their  project  ought  to 
be  deferred,  if  not  altogether  abandoned. 

"We  are  sure  to  be  discovered,"  he  said.  "Arrests  without 
end  will  take  place.  And  such  rigorous  measures  will  be  adopted 
by  the  Earl,  such  inquiries  instituted,  that  all  will  infallibly  be 
brought  to  light.  Besides,  we  know  not  what  Tresham  may 
have  revealed.  He  denies  having  betrayed  our  secret,  but  no 
credit  can  be  attached  to  his  assertions." 

"  Shall  we  examine  him  again,  father,"  cried  Catesby,  "  and 
wring  the  truth  from  him  by  threats  or  torture  ?" 

"  No,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet;  "  let  him  remain  where  he  is 
till  morning.  A  night  of  solitary  confinement,  added  to  the 
stings  of  his  own  guilty  conscience,  is  likely  to  produce  a  stronger 
effect  upon  him  than  any  torments  we  could  inflict.  He  shall 
be  interrogated  strictly  to-morrow,  and,  I  will  answer  for  it,  will 
make  a  full  confession.  But  even  if  he  has  revealed  nothing 
material,  there  exists  another  and  equally  serious  ground  or 
alarm.  I  allude  to  your  meeting  with  the  Earl  on  the  river.  I 
should  be  the  last  to  counsel  bloodshed.  But  if  ever  it  could  be 
justified,  it  might  have  been  so  in  this  case." 

"  I  would  have  slain  him  if  I  had  had  my  own  way,"  returned 
Catesby,  with  a  fierce  and  reproachful  look  at  Fawkes. 

"  If  I  have  done  wrong,  I  will  speedily  repair  my   error,* 


GUY  FAWKES. 

observed  the  latter.     "  Do  yon  desire  his  death,  father  ?  and  will 
you  absolve  me  from  the  deed  ?"  he  added,  turning  to  Garnet. 

"It  is  better  as  it  is,"  replied  Garnet,  making  a  gesture  in  the 
negative.  "  I  would  not  have  our  high  and  holy  purpose  stained 
by  common  slaughter.  The  power  that  delivered  him  into  your 
hands,  and  stayed  them,  no  doubt  preserved  him  for  the  general 
sacrifice.  My  first  fear  was  lest,  having  noticed  the  barrels  of 
powder  within  the  boat,  he  might  have  suspected  your  design. 
But  I  am  satisfied  his  eyes  were  blinded,  and  his  reason  benighted, 
so  that  he  could  discern  nothing." 

"  Such  was  my  own  opinion,  father,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Let 
us  observe  the  utmost  caution,  but  proceed  at  all  hazards  with 
the  enterprise.  If  we  delay,  we  fail." 

"  Right,"  returned  Catesby  ;  "  and  for  that  counsel  I  forgive 
you  for  standing  between  me  and  our  enemy." 

Upon  this,  it  was  agreed  that  if  "nothing  occurred  in  the 
interim,  more  powder  should  be  transported  to  the  habitation  in 
Westminster  on  the  following  night, — that  Fawkes  and  Catesby, 
who  might  be  recognised  by  Salisbury's  description,  should  keep 
close  house  during  the  day, — and  that  the  rest  of  the  conspirators 
should  be  summoned  to  assist  in  digging  the  mine.  Prayers 
were  then  offered  up  by  the  two  priests  for  their  preservation 
from  peril,  and  for  success  in  their  enterprise  ;  after  which,  they 
threw  themselves  on  benches  or  seats,  and  courted  slumber.  AH 
slept  soundly  except  Fawkes,  who,  not  being  able  to  close  his 
eyes,  from  an  undefinable  apprehension  of  danger,  arose,  and 
cautiously  opening  the  door,  kept  watch  outside. 

Shortly  afterwards,  Viviana,  who  had  waited  till  all  was  quiet, 
softly  descended  the  stairs,  and,  shading  her  light,  gazed 
timorously  round.  Satisfied  she  was  not  observed,  she  glided 
swiftly  and  noiselessly  to  the  fire-place,  and  endeavoured  to  raise 
the  flag.  But  it  resisted  all  her  efforts,  and  she  was  about  to 
abandon  the  attempt  in  despair,  when  she  perceived  a  bolt  on 
one  side,  that  had  escaped  her  notice.  Hastily  withdrawing  it, 
she  experienced  no  further  difficulty.  The  stone  revolved  on 
hinges  like  a  trap-door,  and  lifting  it,  she  hurried  down  the  steps. 

Alarmed  by  her  approach,  Tresham  had  retreated  to  the 
further  end  of  the  vault,  and  snatching  up  a  halbert  from  the 
pile  of  weapons,  cried,  in  a  voice  of  desperation — 

'•'  Stand  off!  I  am  armed,  and  have  severed  my  bonds.  Off, 
I  say  !  You  shall  not  take  me  with  life." 

"  Hush  I"  cried  Viviana,  putting  her  finger  to  her  lips,  "  I  am 
come  to  set  you  free." 

"  Do  I  behold  an  inhabitant  of  this  world  ?"  cried  Tresham, 
crossing  himself,  and  dropping  the  halbert,  "or  some  blessed 
saint  ?  Ah  !"  he  exclaimed,  as  she  advanced  towards  him,  "  it 
is  Viviana  Radcliffe — my  preserver.  Pardon,  sweet  lady.  My 
eyes  were  dazzled  by  the  light,  and  your  sudden  appearance  and 


THE   ESCAPE   PREVENTED.  165 

speech, — and  I  might  almost  say  looks, — made  me  think  you 
were  some  supernatural  being  come  to  deliver  ine  from  these 
bloody-maided  men.  Where  are  they?" 

"  In  the  room  above,"  she  replied,  in  a  whisper, — "  asleep, — 
and  if  you  speak  so  loud  you  will  arouse  them." 

*'  Let  us  fly  without  a  moment's  delay,"  returned  Tresham,  in 
the  same  tone,  and  hastily  picking  up  a  rapier  and  a  dagger. 

"  Stay  1"  cried  Viviana,  arresting  him.  "  Before  you  go,  you 
must  tell  me  what  you  are  about  to  do." 

"  We  will  talk  of  that  when  we  are  out  of  this  accursed  place," 
he  replied. 

"  You  shall  not  stir  a  footstep,"  she  rejoined,  placing  herself 
resolutely  between  him  and  the  outlet,  "  till  you  have  sworn 
neither  to  betray  your  confederates,  nor  to  do  them  injury." 

"  May  Heaven  requite  me,  if  I  forgive  them  1"  cried  Tresham 
between  his  ground  teeth. 

"  Remember  1 — you  are  yet  in  their  power,"  she  rejoined. 
•"  One  word  from  me,  and  they  are  at  your  side.  Swear  I — and 
swear  solemnly,  or  you  do  not  quit  this  spot." 

Tresham  gazed  at  her  fiercely,  and  griped  his  dagger,  as  if 
determined  to  free  himself  at  any  cost. 

"  Ah  1"  she  ejaculated,  noticing  the  movement,  "  you  are 
indeed  a  traitor.  You  have  neither  sense  of  honour  nor  grati 
tude,  and  I  leave  you  to  your  fate.  Attempt  to  follow  me,  and 
I  give  the  alarm." 

"  Forgive  me,  Viviana,"  he  cried,  abjectly  prostrating  himself 
at  her  feet,  and  clinging  to  the  hem  of  her  dress.  "  I  meant 
only  to  terrify  you  ;  I  would  not  injure  you  for  worlds.  Do  not 
leave  me  with  these  ruthless  cut-throats.  They  will  assuredly 
murder  me.  Do  not  remain  with  them  yourself,  or  you  will 
come  to  some  dreadful  end.  Fly  with  me,  and  I  will  place  you 
beyond  their  reach — will  watch  over  your  safety.  Or,  if  you  are 
resolved  to  brave  their  fury,  let  me  go,  and  I  will  take  any  oath 
you  propose.  As  I  hope  for  salvation  I  will  not  betray  them." 

"  Peace  !"  cried  Viviana,  contemptuously.  "  If  I  set  you  free, 
it  is  not  to  save  you,  but  them." 

"  What  mean  you  ?"  asked  Tresham,  hesitating. 

"  Question  me  not,  but  follow,"  she  rejoined,  "  and  tread 
softly,  as  you  value  your  life." 

Tresham  needed  no  caution  on  this  head,  and  as  they  emerged 
from  the  trap-door  in  breathless  silence,  and  he  beheld  the  figures 
of  his  sleeping  foes,  he  could  scarcely  muster  sufficient  courage  to 
pass  through  them.  Motioning  him  to  proceed  quickly,  Viviana 
moved  towards  the  door,  and  to  her  surprise  found  it  unfastened. 
Without  pausing  to  consider  whence  this  neglect  could  arise,  she 
opened  it,  and  Trerham,  who  trembled  in  every  limb,  and  walked 
upon  the  points  of  his  feet,  stepped  forth.  As  he  crossed  the 
threshold,  however,  a  powerful  grasp  was  laid  upon  his  shoulder, 


1C6  GUY  FAWKES 

and  a  drawn  sword  presented  to  his  breast,  while  the  voice  of 
Fawkes  thundered  in  his  ear,  "  Who  goes  there  ?  Speak,  or  I 
strike." 

While  the  fugitive,  not  darins;  to  answer,  lest  his  accents 
should  betray  him,  endeavoured  vainly  to  break  away,  Viviana, 
hearing  the  struggle,  threw  open  the  door,  and  exclaimed,  "  It  is 
Tresham.  I  set  him  free," 

"  You  I"  cried  Fawkes,  in  astonishment     "  Wherefore  ?" 

u  In  the  hope  that  his  escape  would  induce  you  to  abandon 
your  design,  and  seek  safety  in  flight,"  she  rejoined.  "But  you 
have  thwarted  my  purpose." 

Fawkes  made  no  reply,  but  thrust  Treshatn  forcibly  into  the 
house,  and  called  to  Catesby,  who  by  this  time  had  been  roused 
with  the  others,  to  close  and  bar  the  door.  The  command  was 
instantly  obeyed,  and  as  Catesby  turned,  a  strange  and  fearful 
group  met  his  view.  In  the  midst  stood  Tresham,  his  haggard 
features  and  palsied  frame  bespeaking  the  extremity  of  his  terror. 
His  sword  having  been  beaten  from  his  grasp  by  Fawkes,  and  his 
dagger  wrested  from  him  by  Keyes,  he  was  utterly  defenceless. 
Viviana  had  placed  herself  between  him  and  his  assailants,  and 
screening  him  from  their  attack,  cried — 

"  Despatch  me.  The  fault  is  mine — mine  only — and  I  am 
ready  to  pay  the  penalty.  Had  I  not  released  him,  he  would 
not  have  attempted  to  escape.  I  am  the  rightful  victim." 

"  She  speaks  the  truth,"  gasped  Tresham.  "  If  she  had  not 
offered  to  liberate  me,  I  should  never  have  thought  of  flying. 
Would  to  Heaven  I  had  never  yielded  to  her  solicitations  I" 

"Peace,  craven  hound  1"  exclaimed  Fawkes,  furiously;  "you 
deserve  to  die  for  your  meanness  and  ingratitude,  if  not  for  your 
treachery.  And  it  is  for  this  miserable  wretch,  Viviana,"  he 
added,  turning  to  her,  "  that  you  would  have  placed  your  friends 
in  such  fearful  jeopardy, — it  is  for  him,  who  would  sacrifice  you 
without  scruple  to  save  himself,  that  you  now  offer  your  own  life  ?" 

"  I  deserve  your  reproaches,"  she  rejoined,  in  confusion. 

"  Had  I  not  fortunately  intercepted  him,"  pursued  Fawkes, 
"  an  hour  would  not  have  elapsed  ere  he  would  have  returned 
with  the  officers;  and  we  should  have  changed  this  dwelling  for 
a  dungeon  in  the  Tower, — these  benches  for  the  rack." 

"  In  pity  stab  me !"  cried  Viviana,  falling  at  his  feet.  "  But 
oh !  do  not  wound  me  with  your  words.  I  have  committed  a 
grievous  wrong ;  but  I  was  ignorant  of  the  consequences  ;  and,  as 
I  hope  for  mercy  hereafter,  my  sole  motive,  beyond  compassion 
for  this  wretched  man,  was  to  terrify  you  into  relinquishing  your 
dreadful  project." 

"You  have  acted  wrongfully, — very  wrongfully,  Viviana," 
interposed  Garnet:  "but  since  you  are  fully  convinced  of  your 
error,  no  more  need  be  said.  There  are  seasons  when  the  heart 
must  be  closed  against  compassion,  and  when  mercy  becomes 


THE   ESCAPE   PREVENTED.  167 

injustice.  Go  to  your  chamber,  and  leave  us  to  deal  with 
this  unhappy  man." 

"To-morrowyou  must  quit  us,"  observed  Fawkes,  as  she  passed 
him. 

"  Quit  you  I"  she  exclaimed.     "I  will  never  offend  again.'* 

"  I  will  not  trust  you,"  replied  Fawkes,  "  unless — but  it  is 
useless  to  impose  restrictions  upon  you,  which  you  will  not — 
perhaps,  cannot  observe." 

"  Impose  any  restrictions  you  please,"  replied  Viviana.  "  But 
do  not  bid  me  leave  you/' 

"  The  time  is  come  when  we  must  separate,"  rejoined  Fawkes. 
"  See  you  not  that  the  course  we  are  taking  is  slippery  with  blood, 
and  beset  with  perils  which  the  firmest  of  your  sex  could  not 
encounter  ?" 

"  1  will  encounter  them  nevertheless,"  replied  Viviana. 
"Be  merciful,"  she  added,  pointing  to  Tresham,  "and  mercy 
shall  be  shown  you  in  your  hour  of  need."  And  she  slowly 
withdrew. 

While  this  was  passing,  Catesby  addressed  a  few  words  aside 
to  Keyes  and  Oldcorne,  and  now  stepping  forward,  and  fixing 
his  eye  steadily  upon  the  prisoner,  to  note  the  effect  of  his  speech 
upon  him,  said — 

{ '  I  have  devised  a  plan  by  which  the  full  extent  of  Tresham's 
treachery  can  be  ascertained." 

"You  do  not  mean  to  torture  him,  I  trust  ?"  exclaimed  Garnet, 
uneasily. 

"  No,  father,"  replied  Catesby.  "  If  torture  is  inflicted  at  all, 
it  will  be  upon  the  mind,  not  the  body." 

"  Then  it  will  be  no  torture,"  observed  Garnet.  "  State  your 
plan,  my  son." 

"  It  is  this,"  returned  Catesby.  "  He  shall  write  a  letter  to 
Lord  Mounteagle,  stating  that  he  has  important  revelations  to 
make  to  him,  and  entreating  him  to  come  hither  unattended." 

"  Here  I"  exclaimed  Fawkes. 

"  Here,"  repeated  Catesby ;  "  and  alone.  We  will  conceal 
ourselves  in  such  manner  that  we  may  overhear  what  passes 
between  them,  and  if  any  attempt  is  made  by  the  villain  to  betray 
our  presence,  he  shall  be  immediately  shot.  By  this  means  we 
cannot  fail  to  elicit  the  truth." 

"  I  approve  your  plan,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet;  "but  who 
will  convey  the  letter  to  Lord  Mounteagle  ?" 

"  1  will,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Let  it  be  prepared  at  once,  and 
the  case  will  be  thought  the  more  urgent.  I  will  watch  him,  and 
see  that  he  comes  unattended,  or  give  you  timely  warning." 

"  Enough,"  rejoined  Garnet.  "  Let  writing  materials  be  pro 
cured,  and  I  will  dictate  the  letter." 

Tresham,  meanwhile,  exhibited  no  misgiving ;  but,  on  the  con 
trary,  his  countenance  brightened  up  as  the  plan  was  approved. 


163  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  My  life  will  be  spared  if  you  find  I  have  not  deceived  you, 
will  it  not?"  he  asked,  in  a  supplicating  voice. 

"  Assuredly,"  replied  Garnet. 

"  Give  me  pen  and  ink,  then,"  he  cried,  "  and  I  will  write 
whatever  you  desire." 

"  Our  secret  is  safe,"  whispered  Catesby  to  Garnet.  "  It  is 
useless  to  test  him  further." 

"  I  think  so,"  replied  Garnet.  "  Would  we  had  made  this 
experiment  sooner !" 

"  Do  not  delay,  I  entreat  you,"  implored  Tresham.  "  I  am 
eager  to  prove  my  innocence." 

"  We  are  satisfied  with  the  proof  we  have  already  obtained," 
returned  Garnet 

Tresham  dropped  on  his  knees  in  speechless  gratitude. 

"  We  are  spared  the  necessity  of  being  your  executioners,  my 
son,"  pursued  Garnet,  "  and  I  rejoice  at  it.  But  I  cannot  acquit 
you  of  the  design  to  betray  us;  and  till  you  have  unburthened 
your  whole  soul  to  me,  and  proved  by  severe  and  self-inflicted 
penance  that  you  are  really  penitent,  you  must  remain  a  captive 
within  these  walls." 

"  I  will  disguise  nothing  from  you,  father,"  replied  Tresham, 
"  and  will  strive  to  expiate  my  offence  by  the  severest  penance 
you  choose  to  inflict." 

"  Do  this,  my  son,"  rejoined  Garnet;  "leave  no  doubt  of  your 
sincerity,  and  you  may  be  yet  restored  to  the  place  you  have 
forfeited,  and  become  a  sharer  in  our  great  enterprise." 

"  I  will  never  trust  him  more,"  observed  Fawkes. 

"  Nor  I,"  added  Keyes. 

"/ will,"  rejoined  Catesby:  "not  that  I  have  more  faith  in 
him  than  either  of  you ;  but  I  will  so  watch  him  that  he  shall 
not  dare  to  betray  us.  Nay,  more,"  he  added,  in  an  under  tone, 
to  Garnet,  "  I  will  turn  his  treachery  to  account.  He  will  be  a 
useful  spy  upon  our  enemies." 

"  If  he  can  be  relied  on,"  observed  Garnet. 

"  After  this,  you  need  have  no  fears,"  rejoined  Catesby,  with 
a  significant  smile. 

"  The  first  part  of  your  penance,  my  son,"  said  Garnet,  ad 
dressing  Tresham,  "  shall  be  to  pass  the  night  in  solitary  vigil 
and  prayer  within  the  vault.  Number  your  transgressions,  and 
reflect  upon  their  enormity.  Consider  not  only  the  injury  your 
conduct  might  have  done  us,  but  the  holy  church  of  which  you 
are  so  sinful  a  member.  Weigh  over  all  this,  and  to-morrow  I 
will  hear  your  confession  ;  when,  if  I  find  you  in  a  state  of  grace, 
absolution  shall  not  be  refused." 

Tresham  humbly  bowed  his  head  in  token  of  acquiescence. 
He  was  then  led  to  the  vault,  and  the  flag  closed  over  him,  as 
before.  This  done,  after  a  brief  conversation,  the  others  again 
stretched  themselves  on  the  floor,  and  sought  repose. 


THE   MINE.  ]03 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  MINE. 

SOME  days  elapsed  before  the  conspirators  ventured  forth  from 
their  present  abode.  They  had  intended  to  remove  the  rest  of 
the  powder  without  loss  of  time,  but  were  induced  to  defer  their 
purpose  on  the  representations  of  Tresham,  who  stated  to  Garnet, 
that  in  his  opinion  they  would  run  a  great  and  needless  risk. 
Before  the  expiration  of  a  week,  Tresham's  apparent  remorse  for 
his  perfidy,  added  to  his  seeming  zeal,  had  so  far  reinstated  him 
in  the  confidence  of  his  associates,  that  he  was  fully  absolved  of 
his  offence  by  Garnet ;  and,  after  taking  fresh  oaths  of  even 
greater  solemnity  than  the  former,  was  again  admitted  to  the 
league.  Catesby,  however,  who  placed  little  faith  in  his  protes 
tations,  never  lost  sight  of  him  for  an  instant,  and,  even  if  he 
meditated  an  escape,  he  had  no  opportunity  of  effecting  it. 

A  coldness,  stronger  on  his  side  than  hers,  seemed  to  have 
arisen  between  Viviana  and  Guy  Fawkes.  Whenever  she  de 
scended  to  the  lower  room,  he  withdrew  on  some  excuse ;  and 
though  he  never  urged  her  departure  by  words,  his  looks  plainly 
bespoke  that  he  desired  it.  Upon  one  occasion,  she  found  him 
alone, — the  others  being  at  the  time  within  the  vault.  He  was 
whetting  the  point  of  his  dagger,  and  did  not  hear  her  approach, 
until  she  stood  beside  him.  He  was  slightly  confused,  and  a 
deep  ruddy  stain  flushed  his  swarthy  cheeks  and  browr;  but  he 
averted  his  gaze,  and  continued  his  occupation  in  silence. 

"  Why  do  you  shun  me  ?"  asked  Viviana,  laying  her  hand 
gently  upon  his  shoulder.  And,  as  he  did  not  answer,  she  re 
peated  the  question  in  a  broken  voice.  Guy  Fawkes  then 
looked  up,  and  perceived  that  her  eyes  were  filled  with  tears. 

"  I  shun  you,  Viviana,  for  two  reasons,"  he  replied  gravely, 
but  kindly  ;  "  first,  because  I  would  have  no  ties  of  sympathy  to 
make  me  cling  to  the  world,  or  care  for  it ;  and  I  feel  that  if  I 
suffer  myself  to  be  interested  about  you,  this  will  not  long  be 
the  case :  secondly,  and  chiefly,  because  you  are  constantly 
striving  to  turn  me  from  my  fixed  purpose ;  and,  though  your 
efforts  have  been,  and  will  be  unavailing,  yet  I  would  not  be 
exposed  to  them  further." 

"  You  fear  me,  because  you  think  I  shall  shake  your  resolu 
tion,"  she  rejoined,  with  a  forced  smile.  "But  I  will  trouble  you 
no  more.  Nay,  if  you  wish  it,  I  will  go." 

"  It  were  better,"  replied  Fawkes,  in  accents  of  deep  emotion, 
and  taking  her  hand.  "  Painful  as  will  be  the  parting  with  you, 
I  shall  feel  more  easy  when  it  is  over.  It  grieves  me  to  the  soul 
to  see  you — the  daughter  of  the  proud,  the  wealthy  Sir  William 
Radcliffe — an  inmate  of  this  wretched  abode,  surrounded  by 


170  GUY  FAWKES. 

desperate  men,  whose  actions  you  disapprove,  and  whose  danger 
you  are  compelled  to  share.  Think  how  it  would  add  to  my 
suffering  if  our  plot — which  Heaven  avert — should  be  discovered, 
and  you  be  involved  in  it." 

*'  Do  not  think  of  it,"  replied  Viviana. 

"  I  cannot  banish  it  from  my  thoughts,"  continued  Fawkes. 
"I  cannot  reconcile  it  to  my  feelings  that  one  so  young,  so 
beautiful,  should  be  thus  treated.  Dwelling  on  this  idea  unmans 
xne — unfits  me  for  sterner  duties.  The  great  crisis  is  at  hand, 
and  I  must  live  only  for  it." 

"  Live  for  it,  then,"  rejoined  Viviana ;  "  but,  oh  !  let  me  re 
main  with  you  till  the  blow  is  struck.  Something  tells  me  I 
may  yet  be  useful  to  you — may  save  you." 

"  No  more  of  this,  if  you  would  indeed  remain,"  rejoined  Guy 
Fawkes,  sternly.  "  Regard  me  as  a  sword  in  the  hand  of  fate, 
which  cannot  be  turned  aside, — as  a  boh  launched  from  the  cloud, 
and  shattering  all  in  its  course,  which  may  not  be  stopped, — as 
something  terrible,  exterminating,  immovable.  Regard  me  as 
this,  and  say  whether  I  am  not  to  be  shunned." 

"  No,"  replied  Viviana  ;  "  I  am  as  steadfast  as  yourself.  I  will 
remain." 

Guy  Fawkes  gazed  at  her  in  surprise  mixed  with  admiration, 
and  pressing  her  hand  affectionately,  said, 

"  1  applaud  your  resolution.  If  I  had  a  daughter,  I  should 
wish  her  to  be  like  you." 

"  You  promised  to  be  a  father  to  me,"  she  rejoined.  "  How 
can  you  be  so  if  I  leave  you  ?" 

"  How  can  I  be  so  if  you  stay  ?"  returned  Fawkes,  mournfully. 
"No,  you  must  indulge  no  filial  tenderness  for  one  so  utterly  un 
able  to  requite  it  as  myself.  Fix  your  thoughts  wholly  on 
Heaven.  Pray  for  the  restoration  of  our  holy  religion — for  the 
success  of  the  great  enterprise — and  haply  your  prayers  may 
prevail." 

"  I  cannot  pray  for  that,"  she  replied ;  "  for  I  do  not  wish  it 
success.  But  I  will  pray — and  fervently — that  all  danger  may 
be  averted  from  your  head." 

At  this  moment,  Catesby  and  Keyes  emerged  from  the  vault, 
and  Viviana  hurried  to  her  chamber. 

As  soon  as  it  grew  dark,  the  remaining  barrels  of  powder  were 
brought  out  of  the  cellar,  and  carefully  placed  in  the  boat. 
Straw  was  then  heaped  upon  them,  and  the  whole  covered  with 
a  piece  of  tarpaulin,  as  upon  the  former  occasion.  It  being 
necessary  to  cross  the  river  more  than  once,  the  conduct  of  the  first 
and  most  hazardous  passage  was  intrusted  to  Fawkes,  and  accom 
panied  by  Keyes  and  Bates,  both  of  whom  were  well  armed, 
he  set  out  a  little  before  midnight.  It  was  a  clear  starlight  night; 
hut  as  the  moon  had  not  yet  risen,  they  were  under  no  appre 
hension  of  discovery.  The  few  craft  they  encountered,  bent 


THE  MINE.  173 

probably  on  some  suspicious  errand  like  themselves,  paid  no 
attention  to  them  ;  and  plying  their  oars  swiftly,  they  shot  under 
the  low  parapet  edging  the  gardens  of  the  Parliament  House, 
just  as  the  deep  bell  of  the  Abbey  tolled  forth  the  hour  of  twelve. 
Keeping  in  the  shade,  they  silently  approached  the  stairs.  No 
one  was  there,  not  even  a  waterman  to  attend  to  the  numerous 
wherries  moored  to  the  steps ;  and,  without  losing  a  moment, 
they  sprang  ashore,  and  concealing  the  barrels  beneath  their 
cloaks,  glided  like  phantoms  summoned  by  the  witching  hour 
along  the  passage  formed  by  two  high  walls,  leading  to  Old 
Palace  Yard,  and  speedily  reached  the  gate  of  the  habitation. 
In  this  way,  and  with  the  utmost  rapidity,  the  whole  of  the  fear 
ful  cargo  was  safely  deposited  in  the  garden  ;  and  leaving  the 
others  to  carry  it  into  the  house,  Guy  Favvkes  returned  to  the 
boat.  As  he  was  about  to  push  off,  two  persons  rushed  to  the 
stair-head,  and  the  foremost,  evidently  mistaking  him  for  a 
waterman,  called  to  him  to  take  them  across  the  river. 

"  I  am  no  waterman,  friend,"  replied  Fawkes ;  "  and  am 
engaged  on  business  of  my  own.  Seek  a  wherry  elsewhere." 

"  By  heaven  1"  exclaimed  the  new-comer,  in  accents  of  surprise, 
"  it  is  Guy  Fawkes.  Do  you  not  know  me  ?" 

"  Can  it  be  Humphrey  Chetham  ?"  cried  Fawkes,  equally 
astonished. 

"  It  is,"  replied  the  other.  "  This  meeting  is  most  fortunate. 
I  was  in  search  of  you,  having  somewhat  of  importance  to  com 
municate  to  Viviana." 

"  State  it  quickly,  then,"  returned  Fawkes ;  "  I  cannot  tarry 
here  much  longer." 

"  I  will  go  with  you,"  rejoined  Chetham,  springing  into  the 
boat,  and  followed  by  his  companion.  "  You  must  take  me  to  her." 

"  Impossible,"  cried  Fawkes,  rising  angrily ;  "  neither  can  I 
permit  you  to  accompany  me.  I  am  busied  about  my  own  con 
cerns,  and  will  not  be  interrupted." 

"  At  least,  tell  me  where  I  can  find  Viviana,"  persisted 
Chetham. 

"  Not  now — not  now,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  impatiently.  "  Meet 
me  to-morrow  night,  at  this  hour,  in  the  Great  Sanctuary,  at  the 
farther  side  of  the  Abbey,  and  you  shall  learn  all  you  desire  to 
know." 

"  Why  not  now  ?"  rejoined  Chetham,  earnestly.  "  You  need 
not  fear  me.  I  am  no  spy,  and  will  reveal  nothing." 

"  But  your  companion  ?"  hesitated  Fawkes. 

"  It  is  only  Martin  Heydocke,"  answered  Chetham.  "He  can 
keep  a  close  tongue  as  well  as  his  master." 

"  Well,  sit  down,  then,"  returned  Fawkes,  sullenly.  "  There 
will  be  less  risk  in  taking  them  to  Lambeth,"  he  muttered,  "  than 
in  loitering  here."  And  rowing  with  great  swiftness,  he  soon 
gained  the  centre  of  the  stream. 


172  GUY   FAWKES. 

"  And  so,"  he  observed,  resting  for  a  moment  on  his  oars, 
"you  still  cherish  your  attachment  to  Viviana,  I  see.  Nay, 
never  start,  man.  I  am  no  enemy  to  your  suit,  though  others 
may  be.  And  if  she  would  place  herself  at  my  disposal,  I 
would  give  her  to  you,  —certain  that  it  would  be  to  one  upon 
whom  her  affections  are  fixed." 

"  Do  you  think  any  change  likely  to  take  place  in  her  senti 
ments  towards  me  ?"  faltered  Chetham.  "May  I  indulge  a  hope  ?" 

"  I  would  not  have  you  despair,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Because, 
as  far  as  I  have  noticed,  women  are  not  apt  to  adhere  to  their 
resolutions  in  matters  of  the  heart ;  and  because,  as  I  have  just 
said,  she  loves  you,  and  I  see  no  reasonable  bar  to  your  union." 

"You  give  me  new  life,"  cried  Chetham,  transported  with 
joy.  "  Oh  I  that  you,  who  have  so  much  influence  with  her, 
would  speak  in  my  behalf." 

"  Nay,  you  must  plead  your  own  cause,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I 
cannot  hold  out  much  hope  at  present ;  for  recent  events  have 
cast  a  deep  gloom  over  her  spirit,  and  she  appears  to  be  a  prey 
to  melancholy.  Let  this  wear  off, — and  with  one  so  young  and 
so  firm-minded  it  is  sure  to  do  so, — and  then  your  suit  may  be 
renewed.  Urge  it  when  you  may,  you  have  my  best  wishes  for 
success,  and  shall  have  my  warmest  efforts  to  second  you." 

Humphrey  Chetham  murmured  his  thanks  in  accents  almost 
unintelligible  from  emotion,  and  Guy  Fawkes  continued, 

"  It  would  be  dangerous  for  you  to  disembark  with  me ;  but 
when  I  put  you  ashore,  I  will  point  out  the  dwelling  at  present 
occupied  by  Viviana.  You  can  visit  it  as  early  as  you  please  to 
morrow.  You  will  find  no  one  with  her  but  Father  Oldcorne, 
and  I  need  scarcely  add,  it  will  gladden  me  to  the  heart  to  find 
on  my  return  that  she  has  yielded  to  your  entreaties." 

"  I  cannot  thank  you,"  cried  Chetham,  warmly  grasping  his 
hand ;  "  but  1  hope  to  find  some  means  of  evincing  my  gratitude." 

"  Prove  it  by  maintaining  the  strictest  secresy  as  to  all  you 
may  see  or  hear, — or  even  suspect, — within  the  dwelling  you 
are  about  to  visit,"  returned  Guy  Fawkes.  "  Knowing  that  I 
am  dealing  with  a  man  of  honour,  I  require  no  stronger  obliga 
tion  than  your  word." 

"  You  have  it,"  replied  Chetham,  solemnly. 

"  Your  worship  shall  have  rny  oath,  if  you  desire  it,"  remarked 
Martin  Heydocke. 

"  No,"  rejoined  Fawkes ;  "  your  master  will  answer  for  your 
fidelity." 

Shortly  after  this,  Guy  Fawkes  pulled  ashore,  and  his  com 
panions  landed.  After  pointing  out  the  solitary  habitation,  which 
possessed  greater  interest  in  Humphrey  Chatham's  eyes  than  the 
proud  structures  he  had  just  quitted,  and  extracting  a  promise 
that  the  young  merchant  would  not  approach  it  till  the  morrow, 
be  rowed  off,  and  while  the  others  proceeded  to  Lambeth  in 


THE  MINE.  173 

search  of  lodging  for  the  night,  made  the  best  of  his  way  to  the 
little  creek,  and  entered  the  house. 

He  found  the  other  conspirators  anxiously  awaiting  his  arriva!9 
and  the  certainty  afforded  by  his  presence  that  the  powder  had 
been  landed  in  safety  gave  general  satisfaction.  Preparations  were 
immediately  made  for  another  voyage.  A  large  supply  of  provi 
sions,  consisting  of  baked  meat  of  various  kinds,  hard-boiled  eggs, 
pasties,  bread,  and  other  viands,  calculated  to  serve  for  a  week's  con 
sumption,  without  the  necessity  of  having  recourse  to  any  culinary 
process,  and  which  had  been  previously  procured  with  that  view, 
together  with  a  few  flasks  of  wine,  occupied  the  place  in  the  boat 
lately  assigned  to  the  powder.  At  the  risk  of  overloading  the  vessel, 
they  likewise  increased  its  burthen  by  a  quantity  of  mining  im 
plements — spades,  pickaxes,  augers,  and  wrenching  irons.  To 
these  were  added  as  many  swords,  calivers,  pikes,  and  petronels, 
as  the  space  left  would  accommodate.  Garnet  and  Catesby  then 
embarked, — the  former  having  taken  an  affectionate  farewell  of 
Viviana,  whom  he  committed,  with  the  strictest  injunction  to 
watch  over  her,  to  the  care  of  Father  Oldcorne.  Guy  Fawkes 
lingered  for  a  moment,  doubting  whether  he  should  mention  his 
rencounter  with  Humphrey  Chetham.  He  was  the  more  un 
decided  from  the  deep  affliction  in  which  she  was  plunged.  At 
last,  he  determined  upon  slightly  hinting  at  the  subject,  and  to 
be  guided  as  to  what  he  said  further  by  the  manner  in  which 
the  allusion  was  received. 

"  And  you  decide  upon  remaining  here  till  we  return, 
Viviana  ?"  he  said. 

She  made  a  sign  in  the  affirmative. 

"  And  you  will  see  no  one?" 

"  No  one,"  she  answered. 

"  But,  should  any  old  friend  find  his  way  hither — Humphrey 
Chetham,  for  instance — will  you  not  receive  him  ?" 

"  Why  do  you  single  out  him  ¥*  demanded  Viviana,  inquir 
ingly.  "  Is  he  in  London  ?  Have  you  seen  him  ?" 

"  I  have,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes;  "I  accidentally  met  him  to 
night,  and  have  shown  him  this  dwelling.  He  will  come  hither 
to-morrow." 

*'  I  wanted  only  this  to  make  me  thoroughly  wretched,"  cried 
Viviana,  clasping  her  hands  with  anguish.  "  Oh  I  what  un 
happy  chance  threw  him  across  your  path  ?  Why  did  you  tell 
him  I  was  here?  Why  give  him  a  hope  that  I  would  see  him? 
But  I  will  not  see  him.  I  will  quit  this  house  rather  than  be 
exposed  to  the  meeting." 

"  What  means  this  sudden  excitement,  Viviana?"  cried  Guy 
Fawkes,  greatly  surprised  by  her  agitation.  "  Why  should  a 
visit  from  Humphrey  Chetham  occasion  you  uneasiness  ?" 

"  I  know  not,"  she  answered,  blushing  deeply ;  "  but  I  wilt 
not  hazard  it." 


17-t  GUY  FAWKES. 

"I  thought  you  superior  to  your  sex,"  rejoined  Fawkes, 
"  and  should  never  have  suspected  you  of  waywardness  or 
caprice." 

"  You  charge  me  with  failings  that  do  not  belong  to  me," 
ghe  answered.  "I  am  neither  wayward  nor  capricious;  but  I 
would  be  willingly  spared  the  pain  of  an  interview  with  one 
whom  I  thought  I  loved." 

"  Thought  you  loved  !"  echoed  Fawkes,  in  increased  astonish 
ment. 

"  Ay,  thought"  repeated  Viviana,  "  for  I  have  since  examined 
my  heart,  and  find  he  has  no  place  in  it." 

"  You  might  be  happy  with  him,  Viviana,"  rejoined  Fawkes, 
reproachfully. 

*'  I  might  have  been,"  she  replied,  "  had  circumstances  favoured 
our  union.  But  I  should  not  be  so  now.  Recent  events  have 
wrought  an  entire  change  in  my  feelings.  Were  I  to  abandon 
my  resolution  of  retiring  to  a  cloister, — were  I  to  return  to  the 
world, — and  were  such  an  event  possible  as  that  Humphrey 
Chetham  should  conform  to  the  faith  of  Rome, — still,  I  would 
not — could  not  wed  him." 

"  I  grieve  to  hear  it,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Would  you  have  me  wed  him  ?"  she  cried,  in  a  slightly  mor 
tified  tone. 

"  In  good  sooth  would  I,"  replied  Fawkes  ;  "  and  I  repeat  my 
firm  conviction  you  would  be  happier  with  him  than  with  one 
more  highly  born,  and  of  less  real  worth." 

Viviana  made  no  reply,  and  her  head  declined  upon  her 
bosom. 

"  You  will  see  him,"  pursued  Fawkes,  taking  her  hand,  "  if 
only  to  tell  him  what  you  have  just  told  me." 

"  Since  you  desire  it,  I  will,"  she  replied,  fixing  a  look  of 
melancholy  tenderness  upon  him  ;  "  but  it  will  cost  me  a  bitter 
pang." 

"  I  would  not  tax  you  with  it,  if  I  did  not  think  it  needful,** 
returned  Fawkes.  "  And  now,  farewell." 

"  Farewell, — it  may  be,  for  ever,"  replied  Viviana,  sadly. 

"  The  boat  is  ready,  and  the  tide  ebbing,"  cried  Catesby,  im 
patiently,  at  the  door.  "  We  shall  be  aground  if  you  tarry  longer.' 

"  I  come,"  replied  Fawkes.  And,  waving  an  adieu  to  Viviana, 
he  departed. 

"  Strange  I"  he  muttered  to  himself,  as  he  took  his  way  to  the 
creek.  "  I  could  have  sworn  she  was  in  love  with  Humphrey 
Chetham.  Who  can  have  superseded  him  in  her  regard  ?  No* 
Catesby,  of  a  surety.  'Tis  a  perplexing  sex.  The  best  are 
fickle.  Heaven  be  praised  1  I  have  long  been  proof  against 
their  wiles." 

Thus  musing,  he  sprang  into  the  skiff,  and  assisting  Catesby 
to  push  it  into  deep  water,  seized  an  oar,  and  exerted  himself 


THE  MINE.  173 

stoutly  to  make  up  for  lost  time.  The  second  voyage  was  as 
prosperous  as  the  first.  A  thick  veil  of  cloud  had  curtained  the 
stars ;  the  steps  were  deserted  as  before ;  and  the  provisions, 
arms,  and  implements  were  securely  conveyed  to  their  desti 
nation. 

Thus  far  fortune  seemed  to  favour  their  undertaking,  and 
Garnet,  falling  on  his  knees,  offered  up  the  most  fervent  thanks 
givings.  Prayers  over,  they  descended  to  the  cellar,  and  their 
first  care  was  to  seek  out  a  place  as  free  from  damp  as  possible, 
where  the  powder  could  be  deposited  till  the  excavation,  which 
it  was  foreseen  would  be  a  work  of  time  and  great  labour,  was 
completed.  A  dry  corner  being  found,  the  barrels  were  placed 
in  it,  and  carefully  concealed  with  billets  of  wood  and  coals,  so 
as  to  avert  suspicion  in  case  of  search.  This,  with  other  arrange 
ments,  occupied  the  greater  part  of  the  night,  and  the  commence 
ment  of  the  important  undertaking  was  deferred  till  the  morrow, 
when  an  increase  of  their  party  was  anticipated. 

Throughout  the  whole  of  the  day  no  one  stirred  forth.  The 
windows  were  kept  closed ;  the  doors  locked ;  and,  as  no  fires 
were  lighted,  the  house  had  the  appearance  of  being  uninhabited. 
In  the  course  of  the  morning  they  underwent  considerable  alarm. 
Some  mischievous  urchins  having  scaled  the  garden  wall,  one 
of  them  fell  within  it,  and  his  cries  so  terrified  his  playmates 
that  they  dropped  on  the  other  side,  and  left  him.  The  con 
spirators  reconnoitred  the  unhappy  urchin,  who  continued  his 
vociferations  in  a  loud  key,  through  the  holes  in  the  shutters, 
uncertain  what  to  do,  and  fearing  that  this  trifling  mischance 
might  lead  to  serious  consequences,  when  the  subject  of  their 
uneasiness  relieved  them  by  scrambling  up  the  wall  near  the 
door,  and  so  effecting  a  retreat.  With  this  exception,  nothing 
material  occurred  till  evening,  when  their  expected  associates 
arrived. 

The  utmost  caution  was  observed  in  admitting  them.  The 
new-comers  were  provided  with  a  key  of  the  garden-gate,  but  a 
signal  was  given  and  repeated  before  the  house-door  was  opened 
by  Bates,  to  whom  the  office  of  porter  was  intrusted.  As  soon 
as  the  latter  had  satisfied  himself  that  all  was  right,  by  unmasking 
a  dark  lantern,  and  throwing  its  radiance  upon  the  faces  of  the 
elder  Wright,  Rookwood,  and  Percy,  he  stamped  his  foot  thrice, 
and  the  conspirators  emerged  from  their  hiding-places.  A  warm 
greeting  passed  between  the  confederates,  and  they  adjourned 
to  a  lower  chamber,  adjoining  the  vault,  where  the  sound  of  their 
voices  could  not  be  overheard,  and  where,  while  partaking  of 
a  frugal  meal — for  they  desired  to  eke  out  their  store  of  pro 
visions  as  long  as  possible — they  discoursed  upon  their  plans, 
and  all  that  had  occurred  since  their  last  meeting.  Nothing  was 
said  of  the  treachery  of  Tresham — his  recent  conduct,  as  already 
observed,  having  been  such  as  to  restore  him  in  a  great  degree 


176  GUY   FAWKES. 

to  the  confidence  of  his  companions.  Percy,  whose  office  as  a 
gentleman-pensioner  gave  him  the  best  opportunities  of  hearing 
court-whispers  and  secrets,  informed  them  it  was  rumoured  that 
the  Earl  of  Salisbury  had  obtained  a  clue  to  some  Catholic  plot, 
whether  their  own  he  could  not  say ;  but  it  would  seem  from  all 
that  could  be  gathered,  that  his  endeavours  to  trace  it  out  had 
been  frustrated. 

"  Where  is  Lord  Mounteagle?"  demanded  Catesby. 

"At  his  mansion  near  Hoxton,"  replied  Percy. 

"  Have  you  observed  him  much  about  the  court  of  late,  or 
with  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  ?"  pursued  Catesby. 

"  No,"  replied  Percy.  "  Yet  now,  I  bethink  me,  I  did  observe 
them  together,  and  in  earnest  conversation  about  a  week  ago. 
But  Lord  Mounteagle  knows  nothing  of  our  plot." 

"  Hum  !"  exclaimed  Catesby,  shrugging  his  shoulders,  while 
significant  looks  were  exchanged  by  the  others,  and  Tresham 
hung  his  head.  "  Lord  Mounteagle  rnay  not  know  that  you  or 
I,  or  Fawkes,  or  Rookwood,  are  conspiring  against  the  State;  but 
he  knows  that  a  plot  is  hatching  amongst  our  party.  It  is  from 
him  that  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  derived  his  information." 

"Amazement!"  exclaimed  Percy. 

"  A  good  Catholic,  and  betray  his  fellows !"  cried  Rookwood : 
"this  passes  my  comprehension.  Are  you  sure  of  it?" 

"  Unhappily  we  are  so,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet,  gravely. 

"  We  will  speak  of  this  hereafter,"  interposed  Catesby.  "  I 
have  a  plan  to  get  his  lordship  into  our  power,  and  make  him 
serve  our  purposes  in  spite  of  himself.  We  will  outwit  the 
crafty  Salisbury.  Can  any  one  tell  if  Tresham's  sudden  dis 
appearance  has  been  noticed." 

"  His  household  report  that  he  is  on  a  visit  to  Sir  Everard 
Digby,  at  Gothurst,"  replied  Rookwood.  "  I  called  at  his  resi 
dence  yesterday,  and  was  informed  that  a  letter  had  just  been 
received  from  him  dated  from  that  place.  His  departure,  they 
said,  was  sudden,  but  his  letter  fully  accounted  for  it." 

"The  messenger  who  bore  that  letter  had  only  to  travel  from 
Lambeth,"  observed  Catesby,  smiling. 

"  So  I  conclude,"  returned  Rookwood. 

"  And,  now  that  our  meal  is  ended,  let  us  to  work,"  cried 
Fawkes,  who  had  taken  no  part  in  the  foregoing  conversation. 
"  I  will  strike  the  first  blow,"  he  added,  rising  and  seizing  a 
mattock. 

"Hold,  my  son  I"  exclaimed  Garnet,  arresting  him.  "The 
work  upon  which  the  redemption  of  our  holy  church  hangs  must 
be  commenced  with  due  solemnity." 

"You  are  right,  father,"  replied  Fawkes,  humbly. 

Headed  by  Garnet,  bearing  a  crucifix,  they  then  repaired  to 
the  vault.  A  silver  chalice,  filled  with  holy  water,  was  carried 
by  Fawkes,  and  two  lighted  tapers  by  Catesby.  Kneeling  down 


THE  MINE.  377 

before  that  part  of  the  wall  against  which  operations  were  about 
to  be  directed,  and  holding  the  crucifix  towards  it,  Garnet  com 
menced  praying  in  a  low  but  earnest  tone,  gradually  raising  his 
voice,  and  increasing  in  fervour  as  he  proceeded.  The  others 
knelt  around  him,  and  the  whole  formed  a  strange  and  deeply- 
interesting  group.  The  vault  itself  harmonized  with  its  occu 
pants.  It  was  of  great  antiquity  ;  and  its  solid  stone  masonry  had 
acquired  a  time-worn  hoary  tint.  In  width  it  was  about  nine 
feet,  and  of  corresponding  height,  supported  by  a  semi-circular 
arch,  and  its  length  was  more  than  twenty  feet. 

The  countenances  of  the  conspirators  showed  that  they  were 
powerfully  moved  by  what  was  passing ;  but  next  to  Garnet, 
Guy  Fawkes  exhibited  the  greatest  enthusiasm.  His  ecstatic 
looks  and  gestures  evinced  the  strong  effect  produced  upon  his 
superstitious  character  by  the  scene.  Garnet  concluded  his 
prayer  as  follows: — 

"  Thus  far,  O  Lord,  we  have  toiled  in  darkness  and  in  dif 
ficulty  ;  but  we  have  now  arrived  at  a  point  where  all  thy  support 
is  needed.  Do  not  desert  us,  we  beseech  thee,  but  let  thy  light 
guide  us  through  these  gloomy  paths.  Nerve  our  arms, — sharpen 
our  weapons, — and  crumble  these  hard  and  flinty  stones,  so  that 
they  may  yield  to  our  efforts.  Aid  our  enterprise,  if  thou 
approvest  it,  and  it  be  really,  as  in  our  ignorance  we  believe  it  to 
be,  for  the  welfare  of  thy  holy  Church,  and  the  confusion  of  its 
enemies.  Bear  witness,  O  Lord,  that  we  devote  ourselves  wholly 
and  entirely  to  this  one  end, —  and  that  we  implore  success  only 
for  thy  glory  and  honour." 

With  this  he  arose,  and  the  following  strains  were  chanted  bj 
the  whole  assemblage  : — 

HYMN  OF  THE  CONSPIRATORS. 

The  heretic  and  heathen,  Lord, 
Consume  with  fire,  cut  down  with  sword  ; 
The  spoilers  from  thy  temples  thrust, 
Their  altars  trample  in  the  dust. 

False  princes  and  false  priests  lay  low, 
Their  habitations  fill  with  woe. 
Scatter  them,  Lord,  with  sword  and  flame, 
And  bring  them  utterly  to  shame. 

Thy  vengeful  arm  no  longer  stay, 
Arise !  exterminate,  and  slay. 
So  shall  thy  fallen  worship  be 
Restored  to  its  prosperity. 

This  hymn  raised  the  enthusiasm  of  the  conspirators  to  the 
highest  pitch,  and  such  was  the  effect  produced  by  it,  as  it  rolled 
in  sullen  echoes  along  the  arched  roof  of  the  vault,  that  several  of 
them  drew  their  swords,  and  crossed  the  blades,  with  looks  of  the 
most  determined  devotion  to  their  cause.  When  it  was  ended, 
Garnet  recited  other  prayers,  and  sprinkled  holy  water  upon  the 
wall,  and  upon  every  implement  about  to  be  used,  bestowing  a 

N 


173  GUY  FAWKES. 

separate  benediction  on  each.     As  he  delivered  the  pick-axe  to 
Guy  Fawkes,  he  cried  in  a  solemn  voice — 

"  Strike,  my  son,  in  the  name  of  the  Most  High,  and  in  behalf 
of  our  holy  religion, — strike  !" 

Guy  Fawkes  raised  the  weapon,  and  stimulated  by  excitement, 
threw  the  whole  strength  of  his  arm  into  the  blow.  A  large 
piece  of  the  granite  was  chipped  off,  but  the  mattock  snapped  in 
twain.  Guy  Fawkes  looked  deeply  disconcerted,  and  Garnet, 
though  he  concealed  his  emotion,  was  filled  with  dismay. 

"  Let  me  take  your  place,"  cried  Keyes,  advancing,  as  Guy 
Fawkes  retired. 

Keyes  was  a  powerful  man,  and  exerting  his  energies,  he 
buried  the  point  of  the  pick-axe  so  deeply  in  the  mortar,  that  he 
could  not  remove  it  unassisted.  These  untoward  circumstances 
cast  a  slight  damp  upon  their  ardour ;  but  Catesby,  who  per 
ceived  it,  went  more  cautiously  to  work,  and  in  a  short  time  suc 
ceeded  with  great  labour  in  getting  out  the  large  stone  upon 
which  the  others  had  expended  so  much  useless  exertion.  The 
sight  restored  their  confidence,  and  as  many  as  could  work  in  the 
narrow  space  joined  him.  But  they  found  that  their  task  was 
much  more  arduous  than  they  had  anticipated.  More  than  an 
hour  elapsed  before  they  could  loosen  another  stone,  and  though 
»hey  laboured  with  the  utmost  perseverance,  relieving  each  other 
by  turns,  they  had  made  but  a  small  breach  when  morning 
arrived.  The  stones  were  as  hard  and  unyielding  as  iron,  and 
the  mortar  in  some  places  harder  than  the  stones. 

After  a  few  hours'  rest,  they  resumed  their  task.  Still,  they 
made  but  small  progress  ;  and  it  was  not  until  the  third  day  that 
they  had  excavated  a  hole  sufficiently  wide  and  deep  to  admit 
one  man  within  it.  They  were  now  arrived  at  a  compost  of 
gravel  and  flint  stones  ;  and  if  they  had  found  their  previous  task 
difficult,  what  they  had  now  to  encounter  was  infinitely  more  so. 
Their  implements  made  little  or  no  impression  on  this  unyielding 
substance,  and  though  they  toiled  incessantly,  the  work  pro 
ceeded  with  disheartening  slowness.  The  stones  and  rubbish 
were  conveyed  at  dead  of  night  in  hampers  into  the  garden,  and 
buried. 

One  night,  when  they  were  labouring  as  usual,  Guy  Fawkes, 
who  was  foremost  in  the  excavation,  thought  he  heard  the  tolling 
of  a  bell  within  the  wall.  He  instantly  suspended  his  task,  and 
being  convinced  that  he  was  not  deceived,  crept  out  of  the  hole, 
and  made  a  sign  to  the  others  to  listen.  Each  had  heard  the 
a\vful  sound  befoie  ;  but  as  it  was  partially  drowned  by  the  noise 
of  the  pick-axe,  it  had  not  produced  much  impression  upon 
them,  as  they  attributed  it  to  some  vibration  in  the  wall,  caused 
by  the  echo  of  the  blows.  But  it  was  now  distinctly  audible — 
deep,  clear,  slow, —  like  a  passing  bell, — but  so  solemn,  so  un.-. 
earthly,  that  its  tones  froze  the  blood  in  their  veins. 


r«e  *«v***fir  t#  tm*N.  179 

Thev  !;- 


"  My  arm  i<»  j«i- 
"  i  can  work  no  n 

"Tr 
from 

The  chalice  .e  sacred  Iv 

pronouncing  a  solemn  exurcis.  d  the  w. 

The  sound  immediately  ceased. 

"It  is  as  I  thought,  father,"  observe  y  ;   "it  i 

delusion  of  an  evil  spirit.*5 

As  he  spoke,  the  tolling  of  the  mysterious  tall  was  again 
heard,  and  more  solemnly, — more  slowly  than  be ; 

.  tinkle   the  wall -again,  in   Heaven's  name,  father,"  cried 
Fa wkes,  crossing  himself  devoutly.     "Avoi  ias  !** 

Garnet  complied,  and  throwing  holy  wn  ies, 

the  same  result  followed. 


THE   CAPTUBE  OF    TIVl\.V4. 

ON  the  mon 

Chethara,  accetot 

Lambeth  MM<  the 

miserable  dwcl 

could  scarcely  si. 

suiutnons  not  being  answer*-  r.d 

he  then  perceived  tl  jw, 

who,  having  satisfied  himself  that  it  was  a  frieud,  a  :iim 

and  his  attendant. 

u  were  expected,  my  son,"  said  the  priest,  «ft«r  ft  firieadfcr 
greeting.     "  Guy  Fawkes  has  prepared  Viviana  for  \  . 

"  Will  she  not   see   me  ?"  demanded   the  young   MMNflM^ 
unea- 

'•  I  believe  to,"  replied  Oldcorne.     "  But  I  «M  vppfitf  b«r  «f 
an'tvaL     B*  »e*ied,  my  son." 

:  •  •    .  1  .  v     •  • 

ibcr.   i(  .t\   in   th»t   stair 

Wbieh  ft  lovor,  iMpii     l»  (M^ioiri  his  mistre->. 


iitly  at 
n   in    her 


THE   CAPTURE  OF  VIVIANA.  J79 

They  listened  for  a  while  in  speechless  astonishment,  scarcely 
daring  to  look  at  each  other,  and  expecting  each  moment  that 
the  building  would  fall  upon  them,  and  bury  them  alive.  The 
light  of  a  single  lantern  placed  upon  an  upturned  basket  fell  upon 
figures  rigid  as  statues,  and  countenances  charged  with  awe. 

"  My  arm  is  paralysed,"  said  Guy  Fawkes,  breaking  silence  ; 
"  1  can  work  no  more." 

"  Try  holy  water,  father,"  cried  Catesby.  "  If  it  proceeds 
from  aught  of  evil,  that  will  quell  it." 

The  chalice  containing  the  sacred  lymph  was  brought,  and 
pronouncing  a  solemn  exorcism,  Garnet  sprinkled  the  wall. 

The  sound  immediately  ceased. 

"  It  is  as  I  thought,  father,"  observed  Catesby ;  "  it  is  the 
delusion  of  an  evil  spirit." 

As  he  spoke,  the  tolling  of  the  mysterious  bell  was  again 
heard,  and  more  solemnly, — more  slowly  than  before. 

"  Sprinkle  the  wall  again,  in  Heaven's  name,  father,"  cried 
Fawkes,  crossing  himself  devoutly.  "  Avoid  thee,  Sathanas  1" 

Garnet  complied,  and  throwing  holy  water  upon  the  stones, 
the  same  result  followed. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE   CAPTURE   OF   VIVIANA. 

ON  the  morning  after  his  encounter  with  Guy  Fawkes,  Humphrey 
Chetham,  accompanied  by  Martin  Heydocke,  took  his  way  to 
Lambeth  Marsh.  With  a  throbbing  heart  he  approached  the 
miserable  dwelling  he  knew  to  be  inhabited  by  Viviana,  and 
could  scarcely  summon  courage  to  knock  at  the  door.  His  first 
summons  not  being  answered,  he  repeated  it  more  loudly,  and 
he  then  perceived  the  face  of  Father  Oldcorne  at  the  window, 
who,  having  satisfied  himself  that  it  was  a  friend,  admitted  him 
and  his  attendant. 

"  You  were  expected,  my  son,"  said  the  priest,  after  a  friendly 
greeting.  "  Guy  Fawkes  has  prepared  Viviana  for  your  coming." 

"  Will  she  not  see  me  ?"  demanded  the  young  merchant, 
uneasily. 

'*  1  believe  so,"  replied  Oldcorne.  "  But  I  will  apprise  her  of 
your  arrival.  Be  seated,  my  son." 

He  then  carefully  fastened  the  door,  and  repaired  to  Viviana's 
chamber,  leaving  Chetham  in  that  state  of  tremor  and  anxiety 
which  a  lover,  hoping  to  behold  his  mistress,  only  knows. 

It  was  some  time  before  Viviana  appeared,  and  the  young 
Merchant,  whose  heart  beat  violently  at  the  sound  of  her  footstep, 
was  startled  by  the  alteration  in  her  looks,  and  the  extreme 

N2 


180  GUY   FAWKES. 

coldness  of  her  manner.  Oldcorne  was  with  her,  and  motioning 
Martin  Hevdocke  to  follow  him,  the  youthful  pair  were  left 
alone. 

"You  desire  to  see  me,  I  am  given  to  understand,  sir,** 
observed  Viviana,  in  a  freezing  tone. 

"  I  have  journeyed  to  London  for  that  express  purpose," 
replied  Humphrey  Chetham,  tremulously. 

"I  am  much  beholden  to  you,  sir,"  returned  Viviana,  in  the 
same  repelling  tone  as  before ;  "  but  I  regret  you  should  have 
taken  so  much  trouble  on  my  account." 

"  To  serve  you  is  happiness,  not  trouble,  Viviana,"  replied 
Humphrey  Chetham,  ardently ;  "  and  I  am  overjoyed  at  finding 
an  opportunity  of  proving  my  devotion." 

"  I  have  yet  to  learn  what  service  I  must  thank  you  for,"  she 
returned. 

"  I  can  scarcely  say  that  I  am  warranted  in  thus  intruding 
upon  you,"  replied  Chetham,  greatly  abashed ;  "  but,  having 
learnt  from  my  servant,  Martin  Heydocke,  that  Doctor  Dee  had 
set  out  for  London,  with  the  view  of  seeking  you  out,  and  with 
drawing  you  from  your  present  associates,  I  was  determined  to 
be  beforehand  with  him,  and  to  acquaint  you,  if  possible,  with 
his  intentions." 

"  What  you  say  surprises  me,"  replied  Viviana.  "  Doctor 
Dee  has  no  right  to  interfere  with  my  actions.  Nor  should  I 
obey  him  were  he  to  counsel  me,  as  is  scarcely  probable,  to  quit 
my  companions." 

"  I  know  not  what  connexion  there  may  be  between  you  to 
justify  the  interposition  of  his  authority,"  replied  Chetham ; 
"neither  did  I  tarry  to  inquire.  But  presuming  from  what  I 
heard,  that  he  would  attempt  to  exercise  some  control  over  you, 
I  set  out  at  once,  and,  without  guide  to  your  retreat,  or  the 
slightest  knowledge  of  it,  was  fortunate  enough,  on  the  very 
night  of  my  arrival  in  London,  to  chance  upon  Guy  Fawkes, 
who  directed  rne  to  you." 

"  I  am  aware  of  it,"  was  the  chilling  answer. 

"I  will  not  avouch,"  pursued  Chetham,  passionately,  "that  I 
have  not  been  actuated  as  much  by  an  irrepressible  desire  to  see 
you  again,  as  by  anxiety  to  apprise  you  of  Doctor  Dee's  coming. 
I  wanted  only  a  slight  excuse  to  myself  to  induce  me  to  yield  to 
my  inclinations.  Your  departure  made  me  wretched.  I  thought 
I  had  more  control  over  myself.  But  I  find  I  cannot  live  with 
out  you." 

"*AlasI  alas!"  cried  Viviana,  in  a  troubled  tone,  and  losing 
all  her  self-cornmand.  "  I  expected  this.  Why — why  did  you, 
come  ?" 

"  I  have  told  you  my  motive,"  replied  Chetham ;  "  but,  oh  I 
do  not  reproach  me  1" 

"  I  do  not  desire  to  do  t.o,"  returned  Viviana,  with  a  look  of 


THE   CAPTURE   OF  VIVIANA.  181 

agony.  "  I  bitterly  reproach  myself  that  I  cannot  meet  you  a? 
of  old  But  I  would  rather — far  rather  have  encountered 
Doctor  Dee,  had  he  come  hither  resolved  to  exert  all  his  magical 
power  to  force  me  away,  than  have  met  you." 

"Have  I  unwittingly  offended  you,  Viviana?"  asked  Che- 
tham,  in  astonishment. 

"  Oh  I  no — no — no  1"  she  replied,  "  you  have  not  offended 
me;  but " 

"  But  what  ?"  he  cried,  anxiously. 

"  I  would  rather  have  died  than  see  you,"  she  answered. 

"  I  will  not  inquire  wherefore,"  rejoined  Chetham,  "  because  I 
too  well  divine  the  cause.  I  am  no  longer  what  I  was  to  you." 

"  Press  this  matter  no  further,  I  pray  of  you,"  returned 
Viviana,  in  much  confusion,  and  blushing  deeply.  "  I  shall  ever 
esteem  you, — ever  feel  the  warmest  gratitude  to  you.  And  what 
matters  it  whether  my  heart  is  estranged  from  you  or  not,  since 
I  can  never  wed  you  ?" 

"  What  matters  it?"  repeated  the  young  merchant,  in  accents 
of  despair, — "  it  matters  much.  Drowning  love  will  cling  to 
straws.  The  thought  that  I  was  beloved  by  you,  though  I  could 
never  hope  to  possess  your  hand,  reconciled  me  in  some  degree 
to  my  fate.  But  now,"  he  added,  covering  his  face  with  his 
hands, — "  now,  my  heart  is  crushed." 

"  Nay,  say  not  so,"  cried  Viviana,  in  a  voice  of  the  deepest 
emotion.  "  I  do  love  you, — as  a  sister." 

"  That  is  small  comfort,"  rejoined  Chetham,  bitterly.  "  I 
echo  your  own  wish.  Would  we  had  never  met  again  1  I 
might,  at  least,  have  deluded  myself  into  the  belief  that  you 
loved  me." 

"  It  would  have  been  better  so,"  she  returned.  "  I  would 
inflict  pain  on  no  one — far  less  on  you,  whom  I  regard  so  much, 
and  to  whom  I  owe  so  much." 

" You  owe  me  nothing,  Viviana,"  rejoined  Chetham.  "All 
I  desired  was  to  serve  you.  In  the  midst  of  the  dangers  we  have 
shared  together,  I  felt  no  alarm  except  for  your  sake.  I  have 
done  nothing — nothing.  Would  I  had  died  for  you  1" 

"  Calm  yourself,  sir,  I  entreat  you,"  she  returned. 

"  You  did  love  me  once  T  demanded  Chetham,  suddenly. 

"  I  thought  so,"  she  answered. 

The  young  merchant  uttered  an  exclamation  of  anguish,  and 
a  mournful  pause  ensued,  broken  only  by  his  groans. 

"  Answer  me,  Viviana/'  he  said,  turning  abruptly  upon  her,— 
"answer  me,  and,  in  mercy,  answer  truly, — do  you  love  another?" 

"It  is  a  question  I  cannot  answer,"  she  replied,  becoming 
ashy  pale. 

"Your  looks  speak  for  you!"  H  vociferated,  in  a  terrible 
tone, — "  you  do  !  His  name  ? — his  name  ? — that  I  may  wreak 
my  vengeance  upon  him.'' 


182  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Your  violence  terrifies  me,"  returned  Viviana,  withdrawing 
the  hand  he  had  seized.  "  I  must  put  an  end  to  this  interview." 

"Pardon  me,  Viviana!"  cried  Chetham,  falling  on  his  knees 
before  her — "  in  pity  pardon  me  !  I  am  not  myself.  I  shall  be 
calmer  presently.  But  if  you  knew  the  anguish  of  the  wound 
you  have  inflicted,  you  would  not  add  to  it." 

"  Heaven  knows  I  would  not !"  she  returned,  motioning  him 
to  rise.  "  And,  if  it  will  lighten  your  suffering,  know  that  the 
love  I  feel  for  another — if  love,  indeed,  it  be, — is  as  hopeless  as 
your  own.  But  it  is  not  a  love  of  which  even  you  could  be 
jealous.  It  is  a  higher  and  a  holier  passion.  It  is  affection 
mixed  with  admiration,  and  purified  from  all  its  grossness.  It  is 
more,  perhaps,  than  the  love  of  a  daughter  for  her  father — but  it 
is  nothing  more.  I  shall  never  wed  him  I  love — could  not  if  I 
would.  Nay,  I  would  shun  him,  if  I  did  not  feel  that  the  hour 
will  soon  come  when  the  extent  of  my  affection  must  be  proved." 

"  This  is  strange  sophistry,"  returned  Chetham  ;  "  and  you 
may  deceive  yourself  by  it,  but  you  cannot  deceive  me.  You 
love  as  all  ardent  natures  do  love.  But  in  what  way  do  you 
mean  to  prove  your  affection  ?" 

"  Perhaps,  by  the  sacrifice  of  my  life,"  she  answered. 

"  I  can  tell  you  who  is  the  object  of  your  affections!"  said 
Chetham.  "  It  is  Guy  Fawkes." 

"  I  will  not  deny  it,"  replied  Viviana ;  "  he  is." 

"  Hear  me,  then,"  exclaimed  Chetham,  who  appeared  inex 
pressibly  relieved  by  the  discovery  he  had  made;  "in  my 
passage  across  the  river  with  him  last  night,  our  conversation 
turned  on  the  one  subject  ever  nearest  my  heart,  yourself, — and 
Guy  Fawkes  not  only  bade  me  not  despair,  but  promised  to  aid 
my  suit." 

"  And  he  kept  his  word,"  replied  Viviana,  "  for,  while  an 
nouncing  your  proposed  visit,  he  urged  me  strongly  in  your 
behalf." 

"  Then  he  knows  not  of  your  love  for  him  ?"  demanded 
Chetham. 

"  He  not  only  knows  it  not,  but  never  shall  know  it  from 
me, — nor  must  he  know  it  from  you,  sir,"  rejoined  Viviana, 
energetically. 

"  Fear  it  not,"  said  Chetham,  sighing.  "It  is  a  secret  I  shall 
carefully  preserve." 

"  And  now  that  you  are  in  possession  of  it,"  she  answered, 
"  I  no  longer  feel  your  presence  as  a  restraint.  Let  me  still 
regard  you  as  a  friend." 

"  Be  it  so,"  replied  Humphrey  Chetham,  mournfully  ;  "  and 
as  a  friend  let  me  entreat  you  to  quit  this  place,  and  abandon 
your  present  associates,  i  will  not  seek  to  turn  your  heart 
from  Fawkes — nor  will  I  try  to  regain  the  love  I  have  lost.  But 
let  me  implore  you  to  pause  ere  you  irretrievably  mix  yourself 


THE  CAPTURE   OF  VIVIANA.  183 

up  with  the  fortunes  of  one  so  desperate.  I  am  too  well  aware 
that  he  is  engaged  in  a  fearful  plot  against  the  State, — though  I 
know  not  its  precise  nature." 

"  You  will  not  betray  him  ?"  she  cried. 

"I  will  not,  though  he  is  my  rival,"  returned  Chetham. 
"  But  others  may — nay,  perhaps  have  done  so  already." 

"  Whom  do  you  suspect  ?"  demanded  Viviana,  in  the  greatest 
alarm. 

"I  fear  Doctor  Dee,"  replied  the  young  merchant ;  "but  I 
know  nothing  certainly.  My  servant,  Martin  Heydocke.  who  is 
in  the  Doctor's  confidence,  intimated  as  much  to  me,  and  I  have 
reason  to  think  that  his  journey  to  town,  under  the  pretext  of 
searching  for  you,  is  undertaken  for  the  purpose  of  tracing  out 
the  conspirators,  and  delivering  them  to  the  Government." 

"  Is  he  arrived  in  London  ?"  inquired  Viviana,  eagerly. 

"  I  should  think  not,"  returned  Chetham.  "  I  passed  him, 
four  days  ago,  on  this  side  Leicester,  in  company  with  Kelley 
and  Topclirfe." 

"  If  the  wretch  Topcliffe  was  with  him,  your  conjectures  are 
too  we!l  founded,"  she  replied.  "I  must  warn  Guy  Fawkes 
instantly  of  his  danger." 

"  Command  my  services  in  any  way,"  said  Chetham. 

"  I  know  not  what  to  do,"  cried  Viviana,  after  a  pause,  during 
which  she  betrayed  the  greatest  agitation.  "  I  dare  not  seek 
him  out; — and  yet,  if  I  do  not,  he  may  fall  into  the  hands  of  thi 
enemy.  I  must  see  him  at  all  hazards." 

"  Suffer  me  to  go  with  you,"  implored  Chetham.  "  You  maj 
rely  upon  my  secrecy.  And  now  I  have  a  double  motive  for 
desiring  to  preserve  Fawkes." 

"  You  are,  indeed,  truly  noble-hearted  and  generous,"  replied 
Viviana  ;  u  and  I  would  fully  confide  in  you.  But,  if  you  were 
to  be  seen  by  the  others,  you  would  be  certainly  put  to  death. 
Not  even  Fawkes  could  save  you." 

"  I  will  risk  it,  if  you  desire  it,  and  it  will  save  him"  replied 
the  young  merchant,  devotedly.  "  Nay,  I  will  go  alone." 

"  That  were  to  insure  your  destruction,"  she  answered.  "  No 
— no — it  must  not  be.  I  will  consult  with  Father  Oldcorne." 

With  this,  she  hurried  out  of  the  room,  and  returned  in  a 
short  time  with  the  priest 

"  Father  Oldcorne  is  of  opinion  that  our  friends  must  be 
apprised  of  their  danger,"  she  said.  "  And  he  thinks  it  needful 
we  should  both  go  to  their  retreat,  that  no  hindrance  may  be 
offered  to  our  flight,  in  case  such  a  measure  should  be  resolved 
upon." 

"  You  cannot  accompany  us,  my  son,"  added  Oldcorne  ;  "  for 
though  I  am  as  fully  assured  of  your  fidelity  as  Viviana,  and 
would  confide  my  life  to  you,  there  are  those  who  will  not  so  trust 
you,  and  who  might  rejoice  in  the  opportunity  of  removing  you." 


184  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Viviana  T'  exclaimed  Chetham,  looking  entreatingly  at  her. 

"For  tny  sake, — if  not  for  your  own, — do  not  urge  this 
further,"  she  returned.  "  There  are  already  dangers  and  diffi 
culties  enow  without  adding  to  them.  You  would  be  safer  amid 
a  horde  of  robbers  than  amidst  these  men." 

"  And  it  is  to  such  persons  you  commit  yourself?"  cried  Che 
tham,  reproachfully.  "  Oh  I  be  warned  by  me,  ere  it  is  too  late  ! 
Abandon  them !" 

"  It  is  too  late,  already,'*  replied  Viviana.     "  The  die  is  cast" 

"  Then  I  can  only  lament  it,"  returned  Chetham,  sadly. 
"  Suffer  me,  at  least,  to  accompany  you  to  some  place  near  their 
retreat,  that  you  may  summon  me  in  case  of  need." 

*'  There  can  be  no  objection  to  that,  Viviana,"  observed  Old- 
corne;  "provided  Humphrey  Chetham  will  promise  not  to 
follow  us." 

"Readily,"  replied  the  young  merchant. 

"  I  am  unwilling  to  expose  him  to  further  risk  on  my  account,** 
said  Viviana.  "  But  be  it  as  you  will." 

It  was  then  agreed,  that  they  should  not  set  out  till  nightfall, 
but  proceed,  as  soon  as  it  grew  dark,  to  Lambeth,  where  Hum 
phrey  Chetham  undertook  to  procure  a  boat  for  their  conveyance 
across  the  river. 

The  hour  of  departure  at  length  arrived.  Viviana,  who  had 
withdrawn  to  her  own  room,  appeared  in  her  travelling  habit, 
and  was  about  to  set  forth  with  her  companions,  when  they  were 
all  startled  by  a  sudden  and  loud  knocking  at  the  door. 

"  We  are  discovered,"  she  cried.  "  Doctor  Dee  has  found  out 
our  retreat." 

"  Fear  nothing,"  rejoined  Chetham,  drawing  his  sword,  while 
his  example  was  imitated  by  Martin  Heydocke ;  "  they  shall  not 
capture  you  while  I  live." 

As  he  spoke,  the  knocking  was  repeated,  and  the  door  shaken 
so  violently  as  to  threaten  to  burst  its  fastenings. 

"  Extinguish  the  light,"  whispered  Chetham,  "  and  let  Fathei 
Oldcorne  conceal  himself.  We  have  nothing  to  fear." 

"  Where  shall  I  fly?"  cried  Oldcorne  despairingly.  "It  will 
be  impossible  to  raise  the  flag,  and  seek  refuge  in  the  vault." 

"  Fly  to  my  room,"  cried  Viviana.  And  finding  he  stood 
irresolute,  as  if  paralysed  with  terror,  she  took  his  arm,  and 
dragged  him  away.  The  next  moment  the  door  was  burst  open 
with  a  loud  crash,  and  several  armed  men,  with  their  swords 
drawn,  followed  by  Topcliffe,  and  another  middle-aged  man,  of 
slight  stature,  and  rather  under-sized,  but  richly  dressed,  and 
bearing  all  the  marks  of  exalted  rank,  rushed  into  the  room. 

"  You  are  my  prisoner  1"  cried  Topcliffe,  rushing  up  to 
Chetham,  who  had  planted  himself,  with  Martin  Heydocke,  at 
the  foot  of  the  stairs.  "  I  arrest  you  in  the  King's  name  !" 

"  You  are  mistaken  in  your  man,  sir,"  cried  Chetham,  fiercely. 


THE  CAPTURE  OF  VIVIANA.  185 

"  I  have  committed  no  offence.  Lay  a  band  upon  me,  at  your 
peril  P 

"  How  is  this  ?"  cried  Topcliffe.    "  Humphrey  Chetham  here  P 

"  Ay,"  returned  the  young  merchant;  "you  have  fallen  upon 
the  wrong  house." 

"Not  so,  sir,"  replied  Topcliffe.  "I  am  satisfied  from  your 
presence  that  I  am  right.  Where  you  are,  Viviana  Radcliffe  is 
not  far  off.  Throw  down  your  arms.  You  can  offer  no  resist 
ance  to  my  force,  and  your  zeal  will  not  benefit  your  friends, 
while  it  will  place  your  own  safety  in  jeopardy." 

But  Chetham  fiercely  refused  compliance,  and  after  a  few 
minutes'  further  parley,  the  soldiers  were  about  to  attack  him, 
when  Viviana  opened  a  door  above,  and  slowly  descended  the 
stairs.  At  her  appearance  the  young  merchant,  seeing  that 
further  resistance  would  be  useless,  sheathed  his  sword,  and  she 
passed  between  him  and  Heydocke,  and  advanced  towards  the 
leaders  of  the  band. 

"  What  means  this  intrusion  ?"  she  asked. 

"  We  are  come  in  search  of  two  Jesuit  priests,  whom  we  have 
obtained  information  are  hidden  here,"  replied  Topcliffe ; — "  as 
well  as  of  certain  other  Papists,  disaffected  against  the  State,  for 
whose  apprehension  I  hold  a  warrant." 

*'  You  are  welcome  to  search  the  house,"  replied  Viviana. 
"  But  there  is  no  one  within  it  except  those  you  see." 

As  she  said  this,  Chetham,  who  gazed  earnestly  at  her,  caught 
her  eye,  and  from  a  scarcely-perceptible  glance,  felt  oertain  that 
the  priest,  through  her  agency,  had  effected  his  escape.  But 
the  soldiers  had  not  waited  for  her  permission  to  make  the 
search.  Rushing  up-stairs  they  examined  the  different  cham 
bers, — there  were  two  small  rooms  besides  that  occupied  by 
Viviana, — and  found  several  of  the  priests'  habiliments;  but 
though  they  examined  every  corner  with  the  minutest  attention, 
sounded  the  walls,  peered  up  the  chimneys,  underneath  the  bed, 
and  into  every  place,  likely  and  unlikely,  they  could  find  no 
other  traces  of  those  they  sought,  and  were  compelled  to  return 
to  their  leader  with  tidings  of  their  ill  success.  Topcliffe,  with 
another  party,  continued  his  scrutiny  below,  and  discovering  the 
moveable  flag  in  the  hearth,  descended  into  the  vault,  where  he 
made  certain  of  discovering  his  prey.  But  no  one  was  there ; 
and,  the  powder  and  arms  having  been  removed,  he  gained 
nothing  by  his  investigations. 

Meanwhile,  his  companion, — and  evidently  from  his  garb,  and 
the  deference  paid  him,  though  he  was  addressed  by  no  title 
which  could  lead  to  the  absolute  knowledge  of  his  rank,  his 
superior, — seated  himself,  and  put  many  questions  in  a  courteous 
but  authoritative  tone  to  Viviana  respecting  her  residence  in  this 
solitary  abode, — the  names  of  her  companions, — where  they  were, 
— and  upon  what  scheme  they  were  engaged.  To  none  of  these 


186  GUY  FAWKES. 

questions  would  she  return  an  answer,  and  her  interrogator,  al 
last,  losing;  patience,  said, 

"  I  hold  it  my  duty,  to  inform  you  that  you  will  be  carried 
before  the  Council,  and  if  you  continue  thus  obstinate,  means 
will  be  taken — and  those  none  of  the  gentlest — to  extort  the 
truth  from  you." 

"  You  may  apply  the  torture  to  me,"  replied  Viviana,  firmly 
"  but  it  will  wrest  nothing  from  me." 

"  That  remains  to  be  seen,"  replied  the  other;  "  I  only  trust 
you  will  not  compel  me  to  put  my  threat  into  execution." 

At  this  moment  Topcliffe  emerged  from  the  vault,  and  the 
soldiers  returned  from  their  unsuccessful  search  above. 

"  They  have  escaped  us  now,"  remarked  Topcliffe  to  his  supe 
rior.  "  But  I  will  conceal  a  party  of  men  on  the  premises,  who 
will  be  certain  to  capture  them  on  their  return." 

Viviana  uttered  an  exclamation  of  'irrepressible  uneasiness, 
which  did  not  escape  her  auditors. 

"  I  am  right,  you  see,"  observed  Topcliffe,  significantly,  to 
his  companion. 

"  You  are  so,"  replied  the  other. 

As  this  was  said,  Viviana  hazarded  a  look  at  Humphrey 
Chetham,  the  meaning  of  which  he  was  not  slow  to  comprehend. 
He  saw  that  she  wished  him  to  make  an  effort  to  escape,  that  he 
might  warn  her  companions,  and  regardless  of  the  consequence, 
be  prepared  to  obey  her.  While  those  around  were  engaged  in 
a  last  fruitless  search,  he  whispered  his  intentions  to  Martin 
Heydocke,  and  only  awaited  a  favourable  opportunity  to  put 
them  in  execution.  It  occurred  sooner  than  he  expected. 
Before  quitting  the  premises,  Topcliffe  determined  to  visit  the 
upper  rooms  himself,  and  he  took  several  of  the  men  with  him. 

Chetham  would  have  made  an  attempt  to  liberate  Viviana, 
but,  feeling  certain  it  would  be  unsuccessful,  he  preferred  obey 
ing  her  wishes  to  his  own  inclinations.  Topcliffe  gone,  he  sud 
denly  drew  his  sword, — for  neither  he  nor  Heydocke  had  been 
disarmed, — and  rushing  towards  the  door,  struck  down  the  man 
next  it,  and  followed  by  his  servant,  passed  through  it  before  he 
could  be  intercepted.  They  both  then  flew  at  a  swift  pace 
towards  the  marshy  fields,  and,  owing  to  the  darkness  and 
unstable  nature  of  the  ground,  speedily  distanced  their  pursuers. 

Hearing  the  disturbance  below,  and  guessing  its  cause,  Top 
cliffe  immediately  descended.  But  he  was  too  late  ;  and  though 
he  joined  in  the  pursuit,  he  was  baffled  like  his  attendants.  Half 
an  hour  afterwards,  he  returned  to  the  house  with  an  angry  and 
disappointed  look. 

"  He  has  given  us  the  slip,"  he  observed  to  his  superior,  who 
appeared  exceedingly  provoked  by  the  young  merchant's  flight ; 
"  But  we  will  soon  have  him  again." 

After  giving  directions  to  his  men  how  to  conceal  themselvesj 


THE  CELLAR.  187 

Topcliffe  informed  his  companions  that  he  was  ready  to  attend 
him.  Viviana,  who  had  remained  motionless  and  silent  during 
the  foregoing  scene,  was  taken  out  of  the  house,  and  conducted 
towards  the  creek,  in  which  lay  a  large  wherry  manned  by  four 
rowers.  She  was  placed  within  it,  and  as  soon  as  his  superior 
was  seated,  Topcliffe  inquired — 

"  Where  will  your  lordship  go  first  ?" 

"  To  the  Star- Chamber,"  was  the  answer. 

At  this  reply,  in  spite  of  herself,  Viviana  could  not  repress  a 
shudder. 

"All  is  lost!"  she  mentally  ejaculated. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

THE    CELLAR. 

IT  was  long  before  the  conspirators  gained  sufficient  courage  to 
recommence  digging  the  mine.  Whenever  holy  water  was 
thrown  upon  the  stones,  the  mysterious  bell  ceased  tolling,  but 
it  presently  began  anew,  and  such  was  the  appalling  effect  of  the 
sound  that  it  completely  paralysed  the  listeners.  Prayers  were 
said  by  Garnet;  hymns  sung  by  the  others;  but  all  was  of  no 
avail.  It  continued  to  toll  on  with  increased  solemnity,  unless 
checked  by  the  same  potent  application  as  before. 

The  effect  became  speedily  manifest  in  the  altered  looks  and 
demeanour  of  the  conspirators,  and  it  was  evident  that  if  some 
thing  was  not  done  to  arouse  them,  the  enterprise  would  be 
abandoned.  Catesby,  equally  superstitious  with  his  confederates, 
but  having  nerves  more  firmly  strung,  was  the  first  to  conquer  his 
terror.  Crossing  himself,  he  muttered  a  secret  prayer,  and,  snatch 
ing  up  a  pick-axe,  entered  the  cavity,  and  resumed  his  labour. 

The  noise  of  the  heavy  blows  dealt  by  him  against  the  wall 
drowned  the  tolling  of  the  bell.  The  charm  was  broken.  And 
stimulated  by  his  conduct,  the  others  followed  his  example,  and 
though  the  awful  tolling  continued  at  intervals  during  the  whole 
of  their  operations,  it  offered  no  further  interruption  to  them. 

Another  and  more  serious  cause  of  anxiety,  however,  arose. 
As  the  work  advanced,  without  being  aware  of  it,  they  ap 
proached  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  the  water  began  to  ooze 
through  the  sides  of  the  excavation, — at  first,  slightly,  but  by 
degrees  to  such  an  extent  as  to  convince  them  that  their  labour 
would  be  entirely  thrown  away.  Large  portions  of  the  clay, 
loosened  by  the  damp,  fell  in  upon  them,  nearly  burying  those 
nearest  the  tumbling  mass ;  and  the  floor  was  now  in  some  places 
more  than  a  foot  deep  in  water,  clearly  proving  it  would  be 
utterly  impossible  to  keep  the  powder  fit  for  use  in  such  a  spot. 


188  GUY   FAWKES. 

Catesby  bore  these  untoward  circumstances  with  ill-concealed 
mortification.  For  a  time,  he  struggled  against  them ;  and 
though  he  felt  that  it  was  hopeless,  worked  on  like  a  desperate 
military  leader  conducting  a  forlorn  hope  to  certain  destruction. 
At  length,  however,  the  water  began  to  make  such  incursions 
that  he  could  no  longer  disguise  from  himself  or  his  companions 
that  they  were  contending  against  insurmountable  difficulties, 
and  that  to  proceed  further  would  be  madness.  He,  therefore, 
with  a  heavy  heart,  desisted,  and  throwing  down  his  pick-axe, 
said  it  was  clear  that  Heaven  did  not  approve  their  design,  and 
that  it  must  be  relinquished. 

"  We  ought  to  have  been  warned  by  that  doleful  bell,"  he 
observed  in  conclusion.  "  I  now  perceive  its  meaning.  And  as 
I  was  the  first  to  act  in  direct  opposition  to  the  declared  will  of 
the  Supreme  Being,  so  now  I  am  the  first  to  admit  my  error." 

"  I  cannot  account  for  that  dread  and  mysterious  sound,  my 
son,"  replied  Garnet,  "and  can  only  attribute  it,  as  you  do,  to 
Divine  interference.  But  whether  it  was  intended  as  a  warning 
or  a  guidance,  I  confess  I  am  unable  to  say." 

"  Can  you  longer  doubt,  father,"  returned  Catesby,  bitterly, 
"  when  you  look  at  yon  excavation  ?  It  took  us  more  than  a 
week's  incessant  labour  to  get  through  the  first  wall ;  and  our 
toil  was  no  sooner  lightened  than  these  fatal  consequences  ensued. 
If  we  proceed,  we  shall  drown  ourselves,  instead  of  blowing  up 
our  foes.  And  even  if  we  should  escape,  were  the  powder 
stowed  for  one  day  in  that  damp  place,  it  would  never  explode. 
We  have  failed,  and  must  take  measures  accordingly." 

"  I  entirely  concur  with  you,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet ;  "  we 
must  abandon  our  present  plan.  But  do  not  let  us  be  dis 
heartened.  Perhaps  at  this  very  moment  Heaven  is  preparing 
for  us  a  victory  by  some  unlooked-for  means." 

"  It  may  be  so,"  replied  Catesby,  with  a  look  of  incredulity. 

As  he  spoke,  an  extraordinary  noise,  like  a  shower  of  falling 
stones,  was  heard  overhead.  And  coupling  the  sound  with  their 
fears  of  the  encroachment  of  the  damp,  the  conspirators  glanced 
at  each  other  in  dismay,  thinking  the  building  was  falling  in 
upon  them. 

"  All  blessed  saints  protect  us !"  cried  Garnet,  as  the  sound 
•ceased.  "  What  was  that  ?" 

But  no  one  was  able  to  account  for  it,  and  each  regarded  his 
neighbour  with  apprehension.  After  a  short  interval  of  silence, 
the  sound  was  heard  again.  There  was  then  another  pause — 
and  again  the  same  rushing  and  inexplicable  noise. 

"  What  can  it  be  ?"  cried  Catesby.  "  I  am  so  enfeebled  by 
this  underground  life,  that  trifles  alarm  me.  Are  our  enemies 
pulling  down  the  structure  over  our  heads  ? — or  are  they  earthing 
•us  up  like  vermin  ?"  he  added  to  Fa\vkes.  "  What  is  it  ?" 

"  I  will  go  and  see,"  replied  the  other. 


THE  CELLAR.  189 

"  Do  not  expose  yourself,  my  son,"  cried  Garnet.  "  Let  us 
abide  the  result  here." 

"  No,  father,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Having  failed  in  our  scheme, 
•what  befals  me  is  of  little  consequence.  I  will  go.  If  I  return 
not,  you  will  understand  what  has  happened." 

Pausing  for  a  moment  to  receive  Garnet's  benediction,  he  then 
strode  away. 

Half  an  hour  elapsed  before  Fawkes  returned,  and  the  interval 
appeared  thrice  its  duration  in  the  eyes  of  the  conspirators. 
When  he  re-appeared,  a  smile  sat  upon  his  countenance,  and  his 
looks  instantly  dispelled  the  alarm  that  had  been  previously  felt. 

"  You  bring  us  good  news,  my  son  ?"  cried  Garnet. 

"  Excellent,  father,"  replied  Fawkes :  "  and  you  were  right  in 
saying  that  at  the  very  moment  we  were  indulging  in  misgiving, 
Heaven  was  preparing  for  us  a  victory  by  unforeseen  and  mys 
terious  means." 

Garnet  raised  his  hands  gratefully  and  reverentially  upwards 
And  the  other  conspirators  crowded  round  Fawkes  to  listen  to 
his  relation. 

"The  noise  we  heard,"  he  said,  "arose  from  a  very  simple 
circumstance, — and  when  you  hear  it,  you  will  smile  at  your  fears. 
But  you  will  not  smile  at  the  result  to  which  it  has  led.  Exactly 
overhead,  it  appears,  a  cellar  is  situated,  belonging  to  a  person 
named  Bright,  and  the  sound  was  occasioned  by  the  removal  ot 
his  coals,  which  he  had  been  selling  off." 

"  Is  that  all  ?"  cried  Catesby.  "  We  are  indeed  grown 
childish,  to  be  alarmed  by  such  a  cause." 

"  It  appears  slight  now  it  is  explained,"  observed  Keyes, 
gravely;  "  but  how  were  we  to  know  whence  it  arose  ?" 

"  True,"  returned  Fawkes ;  "and  I  will  now  show  you  how  the 
hand  of  Heaven  has  been  manifested  in  the  matter.  The  noise 
which  led  me  to  this  investigation,  and  which  I  regard  as  a  signal 
from  on  high,  brought  me  to  a  cellar  I  had  never  seen  before, 
and  knew  not  existed.  That  cellar  lies  immediately  beneath  the 
House  of  Lords" 

"  Ah  1  I  see  1"  exclaimed  Catesby.  "  You  think  it  would  form 
a  good  depository  for  the  powder." 

"  If  it  had  been  built  for  the  express  purpose,  it  could  not  be 
better,"  returned  Fawkes.  "  It  is  commodious  and  dry,  and  in 
an  out-of-the-way  place,  as  you  may  judge,  when  we  ourselves 
have  never  hitherto  noticed  it" 

"  But  what  is  all  this  to  us,  if  we  cannot  use  it  ?"  returned 
Catesby. 

"  We  can  use  it,"  replied  Fawkes.     "  It  is  ours." 

There  was  a  general  exclamation  of  surprise. 

"  Finding,  on  inquiry,  that  Bright  was  about  to  quit  the 
neighbourhood,"  continued  Fawkes,  "  and  did  not  require  the 
place  longer,  I  instantly  proposed  to  take  it  from  him,  and  to 


190  GUY  FAWKES. 

create  no  suspicion,  engaged  it  in  Percy's  name,  stating  that  he 
wanted  it  for  his  own  fuel." 

"  Yon  have  done  admirably,"  cried  Catesby,  in  a  tone  of 
exultation.  "  The  success  of  the  enterprise  will  now  be  entirely 
owing  to  you." 

"  Not  to  me,  but  to  the  Providence  that  directed  me,"  replied 
Fawkes,  solemnly. 

"  Right,  my  son,"  returned  Garnet.  '*  And  let  this  teach  us 
never  to  despair  again." 

The  next  day,  Percy  having  taken  possession  of  the  cellar,  it 
was  carefully  examined,  and  proved,  as  Fawkes  had  stated, 
admirably  adapted  to  their  purpose.  Their  fears  were  now  at  an 
end,  and  they  looked  on  the  success  of  their  project  as  certain. 
The  mysterious  bell  no  longer  tolled,  and  their  sole  remaining 
task  was  to  fill  up  the  excavation  so  far  as  to  prevent  any  damage 
from  the  wet. 

This  was  soon  done,  and  their  next  step  was  to  transport  the 
powder  during  the  night  to  the  cellar.  Concealing  the  barrels 
as  before  with  faggots  and  coals,  they  gave  the  place  the  appear 
ance  of  a  mere  receptacle  for  lumber,  by  filling  it  with  old  hampers, 
boxes  without  lids,  broken  bottles,  stone  jars,  and  other  rubbish. 

They  now  began  to  think  of  separating,  and  Fawkes  expressed 
his  intention  of  returning  that  night  to  the  house  at  Lambeth. 
No  intelligence  had  reached  them  of  Viviana's  captivity,  and 
they  supposed  her  still  an  inmate  of  the  miserable  dwelling  with 
Father  Oldcorne. 

Fawkes  had  often  thought  of  her,  and  with  uneasiness,  during 
his  toilsome  labours;  but  they  had  so  much  engrossed  him  that 
her  image  was  banished  almost  as  soon  as  it  arose.  Now  that 
grand  obstacle  was  surmounted,  and  nothing  was  wanting,  how 
ever,  except  a  favourable  moment  to  strike  the  blow,  he  began  to 
feel  the  greatest  anxiety  respecting  her. 

Still,  he  thought  it  prudent  to  postpone  his  return  to  a  late  hour, 
and  it  was  not  until  near  midnight  that  he  and  Catesby  ventured 
to  their  boat.  As  he  was  about  to  descend  the  steps,  he  heard 
his  name  pronounced  by  some  one  at  a  little  distance  ;  and  the 
next  moment,  a  man,  whom  he  immediately  recognised  as  Hum 
phrey  Cheiham,  rushed  up  to  him. 

"  You  here  again !"  cried  Fawkes,  angrily,  and  not  unsuspi 
ciously.  (e  Do  you  play  the  spy  upon  me  ?" 

"  I  have  watched  for  you  for  the  last  ten  nights,"  replied 
Chetham  hastily.  "  I  knew  not  where  you  were.  But  I  found 
your  boat  here,  and  I  hoped  you  would  not  cross  the  water  in 
any  other." 

"  Why  all  this  care  ?"  demanded  Fawkes.  "  Has  aught  hap 
pened? — Is  Viviana  safe? — Speak,  man  !  do  not  keep  me  longer 
in  suspense  I" 

"Alas!"  rejoined  Chetham,  "she  is  a  prisoner." 


190  OUT  PAWKF.8. 

cr«*afc  no  .s»spi;-i.--M,       _  •>.  in  Percy's  name,  stating  that  be 

\rrti>rcd  it  tor  ir-  tmn 

:   »•  .';.,"*  cried  Catesby,  in  a  tone  of 

enterprise  will  now  be  entire!  v 

U,     VV.M.*         . 

;-nce  that  directed  me,"  r. 
-u-t.     "And  let  this  teach  •.* 

a  of  the  cell 
'.iwkes   had    s 
rs  were  now  at    • 
,>roject  as  ceri 
ole  remai 
.it  any  dr 

;',s  to  transpor 
no;  the  b 
»  place  the  aj 
t  \vitholdhai 
nd  other  rub 
•  <  \  Fawkes  expi 

.ouse  at  Lan; 
vi ana's  captivity, 
miserable  dwelling 

thought  nd  with  uneasiness,  d 

.   but  the}  ;nuch  engrossed  him 

ilm  >n  as  it  arose. 

ung  was  wanting. 
<-.-  the  blow,  h. 

i  to  a  late 


tiincc ;  am 


"I"  nights-  rep 

Chetham  ha.-  But  I  fu 

•>'"iir  boat  here,  • 
«»j  other." 

'  Wl'v  all  thi«  care?'  •*  \l& 

1*  Vivian*  sale  V  -  rv^t  keep  in*  i<?< 

limn,  "  sho  ;;  ;\  prisoner." 


<sr 


THE  CELLAR.  191 

*  A  prisoner !"  ejaculated  Fawkes,  in  a  hollow  voice.  "Then 
my  forebodings  were  not  without  cause." 

"  How  has  this  happened  ?"  cried  C.'  tesby,  who  had  listened 
to  what  was  said  in  silent  wonder. 

Chetham  then  hastily  related  all  that  had  taken  place. 
"  I  know  not  what  has  become  of  her,"  he  said,  in  conclusion ; 
"  but  I  have  heard  that  she  was  taken  to  the  Star-Chamber  by 
the  Earl  of  Salisbury, — for  he,  it  appears,  was  the  companion  of 
Topeliffe, — and,  refusing  to  answer  the  interrogations  of  the 
Council,  was  conveyed  to  the  Tower,  and,  I  fear,  subjected  to 
the  torture." 

"Tortured!"  exclaimed  Fawkes,  horror-stricken;  "Viviana 
tortured!  And  I  have  brought  her  to  this!  Oh,  God!  Oh, 
God !" 

"  It  is  indeed  an  agonizing  reflection,"  replied  Humphrey 
Chetham,  in  a  sombre  tone,  "  and  enough  to  drive  you  to 
despair.  Her  last  wishes,  expressed  only  in  looks,  for  she  did 
not  dare  to  give  utterance  to  them,  were  that  I  should  warn  you 
not  to  approach  the  house  at  Lambeth,  your  enemies  being  con 
cealed  within  it.  I  have  now  fulfilled  them.  Farewell !" 
And  he  turned  to  depart. 

"  Stay !"  cried  Catesby,  arresting  him.  "  Where  is  Father 
Oldcorne  ?" 

"  I  know  not,"  replied  Humphrey  Chetham.  "  As  I  have  told 
you,  Viviana  by  some  means  contrived  his  escape.  I  have  seen 
nothing  of  him." 

And,  hurrying  away,  he  was  lost  beneath  the  shadow  of  the 
wall. 

"  Is  this  a  troubled  dream,  or  dread  reality  ?"  cried  Fawkes  to 
Catesby. 

"  I  fear  it  is  too  true,"  returned  the  other,  in  a  voice  of  much 
emotion.  "Poor  Viviana  I" 

"  Something  must  be  done  to  set  her  free,"  cried  Fawkes.  "  I 
will  purchase  her  liberty  by  delivering  up  myself." 

"  Your  oath — remember  your  oath  !"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  You 
may  destroy  yourself,  but  not  your  associates." 

"  True — true,"  replied  Fawkes,  distractedly, — I  do  remember 
it  I  am  sold  to  perdition." 

"  Anger  not  Heaven  by  these  idle  lamentations, — and  at  a 
time,  too,  when  all  is  so  prosperous,"  rejoined  Catesby. 

"  What  1"  cried  Fawkes,  fiercely,  "  would  you  have  me  calm, 
when  she  who  called  me  father,  and  was  dear  to  me  as  a  child, 
is  taken  from  me  by  these  remorseless  butchers, — subjected  to 
their  terrible  examinations, — plunged  in  a  dismal  dungeon, — 
and  stretched  upon  the  rack, — and  all  for  me — for  me  I  I  shall 
go  mad  if  I  think  upon  it  I" 

"  You  must  not  think  upon  it,"  returned  Catesby, — "  at  least, 
not  here.  We  shall  be  observed.  Let  us  return  to  the  house; 


192  GUY   FAWKES. 

and  perhaps — though  I  scarcely  dare  indulge  the  hope — some 
plan  may  be  devised  for  her  liberation." 

With  this,  he  dragged  Fawkes,  who  was  almost  frenzied  with 
anguish,  forcibly  along,  and  they  returned  to  the  house. 

Nothing  more  was  said  that  night.  Catesby  judged  it  pru 
dent  to  let  the  first  violence  of  his  friend's  emotion  expend  itself 
before  he  attempted  to  soothe  him ;  and  when  he  communicated 
the  sad  event  to  Garnet,  the  latter  strongly  approved  the  plan. 
Garnet  was  greatly  distressed  at  the  intelligence,  and  his  afflic 
tion  was  shared  by  the  other  conspirators.  No  fears  were  enter 
tained  by  any  of  them  that  Viviana  would  reveal  aught  of  thr 
plot,  but  this  circumstance  only  added  to  their  regrets. 

"  I  will  stake  my  life  for  her  constancy,"  said  Catesby. 

"  And  so  will  I,"  returned  Garnet.  "  She  will  die  a  martyr 
for  us." 

He  then  proposed  that  they  should  pray  for  her  deliverance. 
And  all  instantly  assenting,  they  knelt  down,  while  Garnet 
poured  forth  the  most  earnest  supplications  to  the  Virgin  in  her 
behalf. 

The  next  morning,  Guy  Fawkes  set  forth,  and  ascertained  that 
Humphrey  Chetham's  statement  was  correct,  and  that  Viviana 
was  indeed  a  prisoner  in  the  Tower.  He  repaired  thither,  and 
tried  to  ascertain  in  what  part  of  the  fortress  she  was  confined, 
in  the  hope  of  gaining  admittance  to  her.  But  as  he  could 
obtain  no  information  and  his  inquiries  excited  suspicion,  he 
was  compelled  to  return  without  accomplishing  his  object. 

Crossing  Tower  Hill  on  his  way  back,  he  turned  to  glance  at 
the  stern  pile  he  had  just  quitted,  and  which  was  fraught  with 
the  most  fearful  interest  to  him,  when  he  perceived  Chetham 
jssue  from  the  Bulwark  Gate.  He  would  have  made  up  to  him; 
but  the  young  merchant,  who  had  evidently  seen  him,  though 
he  looked  sedulously  another  way,  set  off  in  the  direction  of  the 
river,  and  was  quickly  lost  to  view.  Filled  with  the  gloomiest 
thoughts,  Guy  Fawkes  proceeded  to  Westminster,  where  he 
arrived  without  further  adventure  of  any  kind. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  same  day,  as  the  conspirators  were 
conferring  together,  they  were  alarmed  by  a  knocking  at  the 
outer  gate ;  and  sending  Bates  to  reconnoitre,  he  instantly 
returned  with  the  intelligence  that  it  was  Lord  Mounteagle.  At 
the  mention  of  this  name,  Tresham,  who  was  one  of  the  party, 
turned  pale  as  death,  and  trembled  so  violently  that  he  could 
scarcely  support  himself.  Having  been  allowed  to  go  forth  on 
that  day,  the  visit  of  Lord  Mounteagle  at  this  juncture,  coupled 
with  the  agitation  it  occasioned  him,  seemed  to  proclaim  him 
guilty  of  treachery  for  the  second  time. 

"  You  have  betrayed  us,  villain  I"  cried  Catesby,  drawing  hif 
dagger;  "but  you  shall  not  escape.     I  will  poniard  you  on  t' 
•pot." 


THE  CELLAR.  193 

**  As  you  hope  for  mercy,  do  not  strike  I"  cried  Tresham. 
"  On  my  soul,  I  have  not  seen  Lord  Mounteagle,  and  know  not, 
any  more  than  yourselves,  what  brings  him  hither.  Put  it  to 
the  proof.  Let  him  come  in.  Conceal  yourselves,  and  you  will 
hear  what  passes  between  us." 

"  Let  it  be  so,"  interposed  Fawkes.  "  I  will  step  within  this 
closet,  the  door  of  which  shall  remain  ajar.  From  it  I  can  watch 
him  without  being  observed,  and  if  aught  occurs  to  confirm  our 
suspicions,  he  dies." 

"  Bates  s\a\\  station  himself  in  the  passage,  and  stab  him  if  he 
attempts  to  nV,"  added  Catesby.  "  Your  sword,  sir." 

"  It  is  here,"  replied  Tresham,  delivering  it  to  Catesby,  who 
handed  it  to  Bates.  "  Are  you  satisfied  ?" 

"  Is  Lord  Mounteagle  alone  ?"  inquired  Catesby,  without 
noticing  the  question. 

"  He  appears  to  be  so,"  replied  Bates. 

"  Admit  him,  then,"  rejoined  Catesby. 

Entering  the  closet  with  Keyes,  he  was  followed  by  Fawkes, 
who  drew  his  dagger,  and  kept  the  door  slightly  ajar,  while  Garnet 
and  the  rest  retired  to  other  hiding-places.  A  few  moments  after 
wards,  Bates  returned  with  Lord  Mounteagle,  and,  having 
ushered  him  into  the  room,  took  his  station  in  the  passage,  as 
directed  by  Catesby.  The  room  was  very  dark,  the  shutters 
being  closed,  and  light  only  finding  its  way  through  the  chinks 
in  them ;  and  it  appeared  totally  so  to  Lord  Mounteagle,  who, 
groping  his  way,  stumbled  forward,  and  exclaimed  in  accents  of 
some  alarm, 

"  Where  am  I  ?     Where  is  Mr.  Tresham  ?" 

"  I  am  here,"  replied  Tresham,  advancing  towards  him. 
"  How  did  your  lordship  find  me  out  ?"  he  added,  after  the 
customary  salutations  were  exchanged. 

"  My  servant  saw  you  enter  this  house,"  replied  Mounteagle, 
"  and,  knowing  I  was  anxious  to  see  you,  waited  for  some  hours 
without,  in  the  expectation  of  your  coming  forth.  But  as  this 
did  not  occur,  he  mentioned  the  circumstance  to  me  on  his 
return,  and  I  immediately  came  in  quest  of  you.  When  I 
knocked  at  the  gate,  1  scarcely  knew  what  to  think  of  the  place, 
and  began  to  fear  you  must  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  cut 
throats  ;  and,  now  that  I  have  gained  admittance,  my  wonder — 
and  I  may  add  my  uneasiness — is  not  diminished.  Why  do  you 
hide  yourself  in  this  wretched  place  ?" 

"  Be  seated,"  replied  Tresham,  placing  a  chair  for  Lord 
Mounteagle,  with  his  back  to  the  closet,  while  he  took  one  oppo 
site  him,  and  near  a  table,  on  which  some  papers  were  laid 
"  Your  lordship  may  remember,"  he  continued,  scarcely  know 
ing  what  answer  to  make  to  the  question,  "  that  I  wrote  to  you 
some  time  ago,  to  say  that  a  conspiracy  was  hatching  among 
certain  of  our  party  against  the  State." 

o 


194  GUY  FAWKES. 

"I  have  reason  to  remember  it,"  replied  Mounteagle.  "The 
letter  was  laid  before  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  and  inquiries  insti 
tuted  in  consequence.  But,  owing  to  your  disappearance, 
nothing  could  be  elicited.  What  plot  had  you  discovered  ?" 

At  this  moment,  Tresham,  who  kept  his  eye  fixed  on  the 
closet,  perceived  the  door  noiselessly  open,  and  behind  it  the 
figure  of  Guy  Fawkes,  with  the  dagger  in  his  hand. 

"  I  was  misinformed  as  to  the  nature  of  the  plot,"  he  stam 
mered. 

"  Was  it  against  the  King's  life  ?"  demanded  Mounteagle. 

"  No,"  rejoined  Tresham ;  "  as  far  as  I  could  learn,  it  was  an 
insurrection." 

"  Indeed  1"  exclaimed  Mounteagle,  sceptically.  "  My  infor 
mation,  then,  differed  from  yours.  Who  were  the  parties  you 
suspected  ?" 

"  As  I  wrongfully  suspected  them,n  replied  Tresham,  evasively, 
"  your  lordship  must  excuse  my  naming  them." 

"  Was  Catesby — or  Winter — or  Wright — or  Rookwood — or 
Sir  Everard  Digby  concerned  in  it  ?"  demanded  Mouuteagle. 

"  Not  one  of  tliem,"  asseverated  Tresham. 

"  They  are  the  persons  I  suspect,"  replied  Mounteagle ;  "  and 
they  are  suspected  by  the  Earl  of  Salisbury.  But  you  have  not 
told  me  what  you  are  doing  in  this  strange  habitation.  Are  you 
ferreting  out  a  plot,  or  contriving  one  ?" 

"  Both,"  replied  Tresham. 

"  How  ?"  cried  Mounteagle. 

"  I  am  plotting  for  myself,  and  counterplotting  the  designs  of 
others,"  replied  Tresham,  mysteriously. 

"  Is  this  place,  then,  the  rendezvous  of  a  band  of  conspirators  ?" 
asked  Mounteagle,  uneasily. 

Tresham  nodded  in  the  affirmative. 

"  Who  are  they  ?"  continued  Mounteagle.  "  There  is  no  need 
of  concealment  with  me." 

As  this  was  said,  Tresham  raised  his  eyes,  and  saw  that  Guy 
Fawkes  had  stepped  silently  forward,  and  placed  himself  behind 
Mounteagle's  chair.  His  hand  grasped  his  dagger,  and  his  gaze 
never  moved  from  the  object  of  his  suspicion. 

"  Who  are  they  ?"  repeated  Mounteagle.  "  Is  Guy  Fawkes 
one  of  them  ?" 

"  Assuredly  not,"  replied  Tresham.  "  Why  should  you  name 
him  ?  I  never  mentioned  him  to  your  lordship." 

"  I  think  you  did,"  replied  Mounteagle.  "  But  I  am  certain 
you  spoke  of  Catesby." 

And  Tresham's  regards  involuntarily  wandered  to  the  closet, 
when  he  beheld  the  stern  glance  of  the  person  alluded  to  fixed 
upon  him. 

"  You  have  heard  of  Viviana  Radcliffe's  imprisonment,  I  sup 
pose  ?"  pursued  Mounteagle,  unconscious  of  what  was  passing. 


194  OUT  FAWKM. 

"  I  have  reason  to  remember  it.    replied  Mounteagle.     "  The 
letfer  wcu»  laid  befat  the  KM}  of  Salisbury,  and  inquiries  insti 
tuted    ift   «M**qi»HXN        But,   owing   to   your    disappearance, 
:*<i     What  plot  had  you  discovered  ?M 

sham,  who  kept  his  eye  fixed  on  the 
ti*.or  noiselessly  open,  and  behind  it  the 

the  dapper  in  his  hand, 
as  to  the  nature  of  the  plot,"  he  stam- 

fe  P*  demanded  Mounteagle. 
wbora ;  •*  a*  f*  ild  learn,  it  was  an 

were  the  parties  you 
Yeshani,  evasively, 

1    llookwood— or 
Hiuied  Mounteagle. 

Mounteagle;  "and 
»bury.     But  you  have 
;>ange  habitation.   Are 

rtbatn. 
?]$. 

siy»elf,  and  counterplotting  the  desig 
•••>  ysteriously. 

-  of  a  band  of  conspirat 


gle.    "  There  is  no 

vf  5,  and  saw  that 
q  flUoid  himself  be 
;-Ci$er,  and  his 

*  la  Guy  Fa 

"  Why  should  you  i: 
:lc.     "  But  I  am  et^ 

^red  to  ' 

:    ;.-.,• 


wtiat 


«  The 
all  from 


Mounteualc. 

"  So  I  am,"  replied  Tresh 
revealed,  I  had  rather  he  the  I 
I  atn  sorry  for  Viv 

"  I  could  procure  her  liberation,  if 

i4  Say  you  so?*  cried  Fawkes,  clapping  him  <> 
*'  then  you  stir  not  hence  till  you  have  procured  it  1" 


CHAPTER  VII. 


THE    STAR  :  II. 

VIVIANA,  as  has  alreac!; 

the  house  at 

Here  she  was  detail 

when  she  » 

members  of  t 

purpose  by  ti 

trial  she   maintain'  -t  comj> 

single  moment 

less  beauty  ant' 

beholders;  but 

an  effect  as  the  prt- 

bloom,  but  their  very  paleucs- 

large  dark  eyes,  which  blazed  wi-.h  mr-.vuited  brillii 

as  with  her  jet-black  hair,  so  far  frori  ng  fro 

lines?,  appeared  to  add  to  it. 

As  she  was  brought  before  the  Council,  who 
round  a  table,  and  remained  standing  at  a  short  d 
them,  guarded  by  Topclifte  and  two  halberdier*, 
tthniration  pervaded  the  group, — nor  was  this  ?'« - 

Mon  proceeded.    Once,  when  th«  ih , >>!••• 
j*Jv-n«-';  r  >  -,Nc  unworthy  position  in  whi 
Sir  William  1\ 


atcd 


rrom 

'•iramr  of 
fc*ij«£  lessened 
rWi  <>!  Salisbury 
the  daughter  of 
•  ed  herself,  a 
avulsion  agitated  her 
( overed  herself,  and  said, 
appear  against  me,  an<{   *h*t» 
y  entertain  of  my  co»v^>-j,  tt  * 
than  myself,  nor  £>»vt  .c^t  -^ 
«>  *J 


all 


THE  STAR-CHAMBER.  195 

I  have,"  replied  Tresham. 

"  The  Earl  of  Salisbury  expected  he  would  be  able  to  wrin" 
from  her,  but  he  has  failed,"  observed  Mounteao-le. 
"  I  am  glad  of  it,"  observed  Tresham. 
"I   thought  you   were  disposed  to  serve  him?"   remarked 
Mounteagle. 

"So  I  am,"  replied  Tresham.  «  But,  if  secrets  are  to  be 
revealed,  I  had  rather  be  the  bearer  of  them  than  any  one  else. 
I  am  sorry  for  Viviana." 

"  I  could  procure  her  liberation,  if  I  chose,"  observed  Mount- 
eagle. 

"  SaJ  you  so  ?"  cried  Fawkes,  clapping  him  on  the  shoulder; 
"  then  you  stir  not  hence  till  you  have  procured  it  1" 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE    STAR-CHAMBER. 

VIVIANA,  as  has  already  been  intimated,  after  her  capture  at 
the  house  at  Lambeth,  was  conveyed  to  the  Star-Chamber 
Here  she  was  detained  until  a  late  hour  on  the  following  day, 
when  she  underwent  a  long  and  rigorous  examination  by  certain 
members  of  the  Privy  Council,  who  were  summoned  for  that 
purpose  by  the  Earl  of  Salisbury.  Throughout  this  arduous 
trial  she  maintained  the  utmost  composure,  and  never  for  a 
single  moment  lost  her  firmness.  On  all  occasions,  her  match 
less  beauty  and  dignity  produced  the  strongest  impression  on  the 
beholders ;  but  on  no  occasion  had  they  ever  produced  so  strono- 
an  effect  as  the  present.  Her  features  were  totally  destitute  of 
bloom,  but  their  very  paleness,  contrasted  as  it  was  with  her 
large  dark  eyes,  which  blazed  with  unwonted  brilliancy,  as  well 
as  with  her  jet-black  hair,  so  far  from  detracting  from  her  love 
liness,  appeared  to  add  to  it. 

As  she  was  brought  before  the  Council,  who  were  seated 
round  a  table,  and  remained  standing  at  a  short  distance  from 
them,  guarded  by  Topcliffe  and  two  halberdiers,  a  murmur  of 
admiration  pervaded  the  group,— nor  was  this  feeling  lessened 
as  the  examination  proceeded.  Once,  when  the  Earl  of  Salisbury 
adverted  to  the  unworthy  position  in  which  she,  the  daughter  of 
the  proud  and  loyal  Sir  William  RadclifFe,  had  placed  herself,  a 
shade  passed  over  her  brow,  and  a  slight  convulsion  agitated  her 
tramc.  But  the  next  moment  she  recovered  herself,  and  said, 

"  However  circumstances  may  appear  against  me,  and  what 
ever  opinion  your  lordships  may  entertain  of  my  conduct,  the 
ilmg  has  not  a  more  loyal  subject  than  myself,  nor  have  any  of 

O  2 


196  GUY  FAWKES. 

you  made  greater  efforts  to  avert  the  danger  by  which  he  is 
threatened." 

"  Then  you  admit  that  his  Majesty  is  in  danger  ?"  cried  the 
Earl  of  Salisbury,  eagerly. 

"  I  admit  nothing,  replied  Viviana.  "  But  I  affirm  that  I  am 
his  true  and  loyal  subject." 

"  You  cannot  expect  us  to  believe  your  assertion,"  replied  the 
Earl ;  "  unless  you  approve  it  by  declaring  all  you  know  touch 
ing  this  conspiracy." 

"  I  have  already  told  you,  my  lord,"  she  returned,  "  that  my 
lips  are  sealed  on  that  subject." 

"  You  disclaim,  then,  all  knowledge  of  a  plot  against  the 
King's  life,  and  against  his  government  ?"  pursued  Salisbury. 

Viviana  shook  her  head. 

"You  refuse  to  give  up  the  names. of  your  companions,  or  to 
reveal  their  intentions  ?"  continued  the  Earl. 

"  I  do,"  she  answered,  firmly. 

"  Your  obstinacy  will  not  save  them,"  rejoined  the  Earl,  in  a 
severe  tone,  and  after  a  brief  pause.  "  Their  names  and  their 
atrocious  designs  are  known  to  us." 

"  If  such  be  the  case,"  replied  Viviana,  "  why  interrogate  me 
on  the  subject?" 

"  Because — but  it  is  needless  to  give  a  reason  for  the  course 
which  justice  requires  me  to  pursue,"  returned  the  Earl.  "  You 
are  implicated  in  this  plot,  and  nothing  can  save  you  from  con 
dign  punishment  but  a  frank  and  full  confession. 

"  Nothing  can  save  me  then,  my  lord,"  replied  Viviana;  "  but 
Heaven  knows  I  shall  perish  unjustly." 

A  consultation  was  then  held  by  the  lords  of  the  council,  who 
whispered  together  for  a  few  minutes.  Viviana  regarded  them 
anxiously,  but  suffered  no  expression  of  uneasiness  to  escape  her. 
As  they  again  turned  towards  her,  she  saw  from  their  looks,  some 
of  which  exhibited  great  commiseration  for  her,  that  they  had 
come  to  a  decision  (she  could  not  doubt  what)  respecting  her 
fate.  Her  heart  stopped  beating,  and  she  could  scarcely  support 
herself.  Such,  however,  was  the  control  she  exercised  over  her 
self  that,  though  filled  with  terror,  her  demeanour  remained 
unaltered.  She  was  not  long  kept  in  suspense.  Fixing  his 
searching  gaze  upon  her,  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  observed  in  a 
severe  tone, 

"  Viviana  Radcliffe,  I  ask  you  for  the  last  time  whether  you 
will  avow  the  truth  ?" 

No  answer  was  returned. 

"  I  will  not  disguise  from  you,"  continued  the  Earl,  "  that 
your  youth,  your  beauty,  your  constancy,  and,  above  all,  your  ap 
parent  innocence,  have  deeply  interested  me,  as  well  as  the  other 
noble  persons  here  assembled  to  interrogate  you,  and  who  would 
villingly  save  you  from  the  sufferings  you  will  necessarily 


THE  STAR-CHAMBER.  197 

undergo,  from  a  mistaken  fidelity  to  the  heinous  traitors  with 
whom  you  are  so  unhappily  leagued.  I  would  give  you  time  to 
reflect  did  I  think  the  delay  would  answer  any  good  purpose.  I 
would  remind  you  that  no  oath  of  secresy,  however  solemn,  can 
be  binding  in  an  unrighteous  cause.  I  would  tell  you  that  your 
first  duty  is  to  your  prince  and  governor,  and  that  it  is  as  great 
a  crime,  as  unpardonable  in  the  eyes  of  God  as  of  man,  to  with 
hold  the  revelation  of  a  conspiracy  against  the  State,  should  it 
come  to  your  knowledge,  as  to  conspire  against  it  yourself.  I 
would  lay  all  this  before  you.  I  would  show  you  the  magnitude 
of  your  offence,  the  danger  in  which  you  stand,  and  the  utter 
impossibility  of  screening  your  companions,  who,  ere  long,  will 
be  confronted  with  you, — did  I  think  it  would  avail.  But,  as 
you  continue  obstinate,  justice  must  take  its  course." 

"  I  am  prepared  for  the  worst,  my  lord,"  replied  Viviana, 
humbly.  "  I  ihank  your  lordship  for  your  consideration :  but  I 
take  you  all  to  witness  that  I  profess  the  utmost  loyalty  and 
devotion  for  my  sovereign,  and  that,  whatever  may  be  my  fate, 
those  feelings  will  remain  unchanged  to  the  last." 

"  Your  manner  and  your  words  are  so  sincere,  that,  were  not 
your  conduct  at  variance  with  them,  they  might  convince  us," 
returned  the  Earl.  "  As  it  is,  even  if  we  could  credit  your  inno 
cence,  we  are  bound  to  act  as  if  you  were  guilty.  You  will  be 
committed  to  the  Tower  till  his  Majesty's  pleasure  is  known. 
And  I  grieve  to  add,  if  you  still  continue  obstinate,  the  severest 
measures  will  be  resorted  to,  to  extract  the  truth  from  you  " 

As  he  concluded,  he  attached  his  signature  to  a  warrant  which 
•was  lying  on  the  table  before  him,  and  traced  a  few  lines  to  Sir 
William  VVaad,  lieutenant  of  the  Tower. 

This  done,  he  handed  the  papers  to  Topcliffe,  and  waving  his 
hand,  Viviana  was  removed  to  the  chamber  in  which  she°had 
been  previously  confined,  and  where  she  was  detained  under  a 
strict  guard,  until  Topcliffe,  who  had  left  her,  returned  to  say 
that  all  was  in  readiness,  and  bidding  her  follow  him,  led  the 
way  to  the  river-side,  where  a  wherry,  manned  by  six  rowers, 
was  waiting  for  them. 

The  night  was  profoundly  dark,  and,  as  none  of  the  guard 
carried  torches,  their  course  was  steered  in  perfect  obscurity.  But 
the  rowers  were  too  familiar  with  the  river  to  require  the 
guidance  of  light.  Shooting  the  bridge  in  safety,  and  pausing 
only  for  a  moment  to  give  the  signal  of  their  approach  to  the 
sentinels  on  the  ramparts,  they  passed  swiftly  under  the  low 
browed  arch  of  Traitor's  Gate. 


198  GUY  FAWKES. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
THE  JAILER'S  DAUGHTER. 

As  Viviana  set  foot  on  those  fatal  stairs,  which  so  many  have 
trod,  and  none  without  feeling  that  they  took  their  first  step 
towards  the  scaffold,  she  involuntarily  shrank  backward.  But  it 
was  now  too  late  to  retreat ;  and  she  surrendered  her  hand  to 
Topcliffe,  who  assisted  her  up  the  steps.  Half-a-dozen  men-at- 
arms,  with  a  like  number  of  warders  bearing  torches,  were  pre 
sent  ;  and  as  it  was  necessary  that  Topcliffe  should  deliver  his 
warrant  into  Sir  William's  Waad's  own  hands,  he  committed  his 
prisoner  to  the  warders,  with  instructions  to  them  to  take  her  to 
the  guard-room  near  the  By- ward  Tower,  while  he  proceeded  to 
the  lieutenant's  lodgings. 

It  was  the  first  time  Viviana  had  beheld  the  terrible  pile  in 
which  she  was  immured,  though  she  was  well  acquainted  with 
its  history,  and  with  the  persecutions  which  many  of  the  profes 
sors  of  her  faith  had  endured  within  it  during  the  recent  reign 
of  Elizabeth ;  and  as  the  light  of  the  torches  flashed  upon  the 
grey  walls  of  the  Bloody  Tower,  and  upon  the  adjoining  ramparts, 
all  the  dreadful  tales  she  had  heard  rushed  to  her  recollection. 
But  having  recovered  the  first  shock,  the  succeeding  impressions 
were  powerless  in  comparison,  and  she  accompanied  the  warders 
to  the  guard-room  without  expressing  any  outward  emotion. 
Here  a  seat  was  offered  her,  and  as  the  men  considerately  with 
drew,  she  was  able  to  pursue  her  reflections  unmolested.  They 
were  sad  enough,  and  it  required  all  her  firmness  to  support  her. 

When  considering  what  was  likely  to  befal  her  in  consequence 
of  her  adherence  to  the  fortunes  of  Fawkes  and  his  companions, 
she  had  often  pictured  some  dreadful  situation  like  the  present, 
but  the  reality  far  exceeded  her  worst  anticipations.  She  had 
deemed  herself  equal  to  any  emergency,  but  as  she  thought  upon 
the  dark  menaces  of  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  she  felt  it  would 
require  greater  fortitude  than  she  had  hitherto  displayed  to  bear 
her  through  her  trial.  Nor  were  her  meditations  entirely  con 
fined  to  herself.  While  trembling  for  the  perilous  situation  of 
Guy  Fawkes,  she  reproached  herself  that  she  could  not  requite 
even  in  thought  the  passionate  devotion  of  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  What  matters  it  now,"  she  thought,  "  that  I  cannot  love 
him  ?  I  shall  soon  be  nothing  to  him,  or  to  any  one.  And  yet 
I  feel  I  have  done  him  wrong,  and  that  I  should  be  happier  if  I 
could  requite  his  attachment.  But  the  die  is  cast.  It  is  too  late 
to  repent,  or  to  retreat.  My  heart  acquits  me  of  having  been 
influenced  by  any  unworthy  motive,  and  I  will  strive  to  endure 
the  keenest  pang  without  a  murmur." 

Shortly  after  this,  Topcliffe  returned  with  Sir  William  Waad. 


THE  JAILER'S  DAUGHTER.  199 

On  their  entrance,  Viviana  arose,  and  the  lieutenant  eyed  her 
with  some  curiosity.  He  was  a  middle-aged  man,  tall,  stoutly- 
built,  and  having  harsh  features,  stamped  with  an  expression  of 
mingled  cunning  and  ferocity.  His  eyes  had  a  fierce  and  blood 
thirsty  look,  and  were  overshadowed  by  thick  and  scowling 
brows.  Saluting  the  captive  with  affected  courtesy,  he  observed, 

"  So  you  refuse  to  answer  the  interrogations  of  the  Privy- 
Council,  madam,  I  understand.  I  am  not  sorry  for  it,  because  I 
would  have  the  merit  of  wringing  the  truth  from  you.  Those 
who  have  been  most  stubborn  outside  these  walls,  have  been  the 
most  yielding  within  them." 

"  That  will  not  be  my  case,"  replied  Viviana,  coldly. 

"  We  shall  see,"  returned  the  lieutenant,  with  a  significant 
glance  at  Topcliffe. 

Ordering  her  to  follow  him,  he  then  proceeded  along  the 
ward  in  the  direction  of  the  Bloody  Tower,  and  passing  beneath 
its  arched  gateway,  ascended  the  steps  on  the  left,  and  led  her 
to  his  lodgings.  Entering  the  habitation,  he  mounted  to  the 
upper  story,  and  tracking  a  long  gallery,  brought  her  to  a  small 
circular  chamber  in  the  Bell  Tower.  Its  sole  furniture  were  a 
chair,  a  table,  and  a  couch. 

"  Here  you  will  remain  for  the  present,"  observed  the  lieu 
tenant,  smiling  grimly,  and  placing  a  lamp  on  the  table.  u  It 
will  depend  upon  yourself  whether  your  accommodations  are 
better  hereafter." 

With  this,  he  quitted  the  cell  with  his  attendants,  and  barred 
the  door  outside. 

Left  alone,  Viviana,  who  had  hitherto  restrained  her  anguish, 
suffered  it  to  find  vent  in  tears.  Never  had  she  felt  so  utterly 
forlorn  and  desolate.  All  before  her  was  threatening  and  terrible, 
full  of  dangers,  real  and  imaginary;  nor  could  she  look  back 
upon  her  past  career  without  something  like  remorse. 

"  Oh,  that  Heaven  would  take  me  to  itself  1"  she  murmured, 
clasping  her  hands  in  an  agony  of  distress,  "  for  I  feel  unequal 
to  my  trials.  Oh,  that  I  had  perished  with  my  dear  father ! 
For  what  dreadful  fate  am  I  reserved  ? — Torture, — I  will  bear 
it,  if  I  can.  But  death  by  the  hands  of  the  public  executioner, 
— it  is  too  horrible  to  think  of  I  Is  there  no  way  to  escape 
that?" 

As  this  hideous  thought  occurred  to  her,  she  uttered  a  loud 
and  prolonged  scream,  and  fell  senseless  on  the  floor.  When 
she  recovered  it  was  daylight;  and,  weak  and  exhausted,  she 
crept  to  the  couch,  and  throwing  herself  upon  it,  endeavoured 
to  forget  her  misery  in  sleep.  But,  as  is  usually  the  case  with 
the  afflicted,  it  fled  her  eyelids,  and  she  passed  several  hours  in 
the  severest  mental  torture,  unrelieved  by  a  single  cheering 
thought. 

About  the  middle  of  the  day,  the  door  of  the  cell  was  opened 


£00  GUY  VAWKES. 

by  an  old  woman  with  a  moio&r  and  forbidding  countenance, 
attended  by  a  younger  female,  who  resembled  her  in  all  but  the 
expression  of  her  features  (her  look  was  gentle  and  com 
passionate),  and  who  appeared  to  be  her  daughter. 

Without  paying  any  attention  to  Viviana,  the  old  woman 
took  a  small  loaf  of  bread  and  other  provisions  from  a  basket  she 
had  brought  with  her,  and  placed  them  on  the  table.  This 
done,  she  was  about  to  depart,  when  her  daughter,  who  had 
glanced  uneasily  at  the  couch,  observed  in  a  kindly  tone, 

"  Shall  we  not  inquire  whether  we  can  be  of  service  to  the 
poor  young  lady,  mother?" 

"  Why  should  we  concern  ourselves  about  her,  Ruth  ?"  returned 
the  old  woman,  sharply.  "If  she  wants  anything,  she  has  a 
tongue,  and  can  speak.  If  she  desires  further  comforts,"  she 
added,  in  a  significant  tone,  "  they  must  be  paid  for." 

"  I  desire  nothing  but  death,"  groaned  Viviana. 

"  The  poor  soul  is  dying,  I  believe,"  cried  Ruth,  rushing  to 
the  couch.  "  Have  you  no  cordial-water  about  you,  mother  ?" 

"Truly  have  I,"  returned  the  old  woman;  "  and  I  have  other 
things  besides.  But  I  must  be  paid  for  them." 

As  she  spoke  she  drew  from  her  pocket  a  small,  square, 
Dutch-shaped  bottle. 

"  Give  it  me,"  cried  Ruth,  snatching  it  from  her.  "  I  am 
sure  the  young  lady  will  pay  for  it." 

"You  are  very  kind,"  said  Viviana,  faintly.  "But  I  have  no 
means  of  doing  so." 

"  I  knew  it,"  cried  the  old  woman,  fiercely.  "  I  knew  it. 
Give  me  back  the  flask,  Ruth.  She  shall  not  taste  a  drop.  Do 
you  not  hear,  she  has  no  money,  wench?  Give  it  me,  I  say." 

"  Nay,  mother,  for  pity's  sake,"  implored  Ruth. 

"  Pity,  forsooth  !"  exclaimed  the  old  woman,  derisively.  "  If 
I,  and  thy  father,  Jasper  Ipgreve,  had  any  such  feeling,  it  would 
be  high  time  for  him  to  give  up  his  post  of  jailer  in  the  Tower 
of  London.  Pity  for  apoor  prisoner  !  Thou  a  jailer's  daughter, 
and  talk  so.  I  am  ashamed  of  thee,  wench.  But  I  thought  this 
was  a  rich  Catholic  heiress,  and  had  powerful  and  wealthy 
friends." 

"  So  she  is,"  replied  Ruth ;  "  and  though  she  may  have  no 
money  with  her  now,  she  can  command  any  amount  she  pleases. 
I  heard  Master  Topcliffe  tell  young  Nicholas  Hardesty,  the 
warder,  so.  She  is  the  daughter  of  the  late  Sir  William  Rad- 
cliffe,  of  Ordsall  Hall,  in  Lancashire,  and  sole  heiress  of  his  vast 
estates." 

"  Is  this  so,  sweet  lady  ?"  inquired  the  old  woman,  stepping 
towards  the  couch.  "Are  you  truly  Sir  William  Radcliffe's 
daughter  ?" 

"  I  am,"  replied  Viviana.  "  But  I  have  said  I  require  nothing 
from  you.  Leave  ma" 


THE  JAILER'S  DAUGHTER.  201 

"No — r,o,  dear  young  lady,"  rejoined  Dame  Ipgreve,  in  a 
whining  tone,  which  was  infinitely  more  disagreeable  to  Viviana 
than  her  previous  harshness,  "  I  cannot  leave  you  in  this  state. 
Raise  her  head,  Ruth,  while  I  pour  a  few  drops  of  the  cordial 
down  her  throat." 

"  I  will  not  taste  it,"  replied  Viviana,  putting  the  flask  aside. 

"  You  would  find  it  a  sovereign  restorative,"  replied  Dame 
Ipgreve,  with  a  mortified  look ;  "  but  as  you  please.  I  will  not 
urge  you  against  your  inclination.  The  provisions  I  have  been 
obliged  to  bring  you  are  too  coarse  for  a  daintily-nurtured 
maiden  like  you, — but  you  shall  have  others  presently." 

"  It  is  needless,"  rejoined  Viviana.     "Pray  leave  me." 

"  Well,  well,  I  am  going,"  rejoined  Dame  Ipgreve,  hesitating. 
"  Do  you  want  to  write  to  any  one  ?  I  can  find  means  of 
conveying  a  letter  secretly  out  of  the  Tower." 

"  Ah  1"  exclaimed  Viviana,  raising  herself.  "  And  yet  no — 
no — I  dare  not  trust  you." 

"  You  may,"  replied  the  avaricious  old  woman, — "  provided 
you  pay  me  well." 

"I  will  think  of  it,"  returned  Viviana.  "But  I  have  not 
strength  to  write  now." 

"  You  must  not  give  way  thus, — indeed,  you  must  not,  dear 
lady,"  said  Ruth,  in  a  voice  of  great  kindness.  "  It  will  not  be 
safe  to  leave  you.  Suffer  me  to  remain  with  you." 

"  Willingly,"  replied  Viviana ;  "  most  willingly." 

"  Stay  with  her,  then,  child,"  said  Dame  Ipgreve.  "  I  will 
go  and  prepare  a  nourishing  broth  for  her.  Take  heed  and 
make  a  shrewd  bargain  with  her  for  thy  attendance,"  she  added 
in  a  hasty  whisper,  as  she  retired. 

Greatly  relieved  by  the  old  woman's  departure,  Viviana 
turned  to  Ruth,  and  thanked  her  in  the  warmest  terms  for  her 
kindness.  A  few  minutes  sufficed  to  convert  the  sympathy 
which  these  two  young  persons  evidently  felt  towards  each  other 
into  affectionate  regard,  and  the  jailer's  daughter  assured 
Viviana,  that  so  long  as  she  should  be  detained,  she  would 
devote  herself  to  her. 

By  this  time  the  old  woman  had  returned  with  a  mess  of  hot 
broth,  which  she  carried  with  an  air  of  great  mystery  beneath 
her  cloak.  Viviana  was  prevailed  upon  by  the  solicitations  of 
Ruth  to  taste  it,  and  found  herself  much  revived  in  consequence. 
Her  slight  meal  ended,  Dame  Ipgreve  departed,  with  a  promise 
to  return  in  the  evening  with  such  viands  as  she  could  manage 
to  introduce  unobserved,  and  with  a  flask  of  wine. 

"  You  will  need  it,  sweet  lady,  I  fear,"  she  said ;  "  for  my 
husband  tells  me  you  are  in  peril  of  the  torture.  Oh  !  it  is  a 
t-ad  thing,  that  such  as  you  should  be  so  cruelly  dealt  with  I 
But  we  will  take  all  the  care  of  you  we  can.  You  will  not  forget 
to  requite  us.  You  must  give  me  an  order  on  your  steward,  or 


202  GUY  FAWKES. 

on  some  rich  Catholic  friend.  I  am  half  a  Papist  myself,—  that 
is,  I  like  one  religion  as  well  as  the  other, — and  I  like  those 
best,  whatever  their  creed  may  be,  who  pay  best.  That  is  my 
maxim :  and  it  is  the  same  with  my  husband.  We  do  all  we 
can  to  scrape  together  a  penny  for  our  child." 

"No  more  of  this,  good  mother,"  interrupted  Ruth.  "It 
distresses  the  lady !  I  will  take  care  she  wants  nothing." 

"  Right,  child,  right,"  returned  Dame  Ipgreve  ; — "  do  not 
forget  what  I  told  you,"  she  added  in  a  whisper. 

And  she  quitted  the  cell. 

Ruth  remained  with  Viviana  during  the  rest  of  the  day,  and 
it  was  a  great  consolation  to  the  latter  to  find  that  her  com 
panion  was  of  the  same  faith  as  herself, — having  been  converted 
by  Father  Poole,  a  Romish  priest  who  was  confined  in  the 
Tower  during  the  latter  part  of  Elizabeth's  reign,  and  whose 
sufferings  and  constancy  for  his  religion  had  made  a  powerful 
impression  on  the  jailer's  daughter.  As  soon  as  Viviana  ascer 
tained  this,  she  made  Ruth,  so  far  as  she  thought  prudent,  a 
confidante  in  her  misfortunes,  and  after  beguiling  some  hours  in 
conversation,  they  both  knelt  down  and  offered  up  fervent 
prayers  to  the  Virgin.  Ruth  then  departed,  promising  to  return 
in  the  evening  with  her  mother. 

Soon  after  it  became  dark,  Dame  Ipgreve  and  her  daughter 
reappeared,  the  former  carrying  a  lamp,  and  the  latter  a  basket 
of  provisions.  Ruth's  countenance  was  so  troubled,  that  Viviana 
was  certain  that  some  fresh  calamity  was  at  hand. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?"  she  hastily  demanded. 

"Make  your  meal  first,  dear  young  lady,"  replied  Dame 
Ipgreve.  "  Our  news  might  take  away  your  appetite,  and  you 
will  have  to  pay  for  your  supper,  whether  you  eat  it  or  not." 

"  You  alarm  me  greatly,"  cried  Viviana,  anxiously.  "  What 
ill  news  do  you  bring  ?" 

"  I  will  not  keep  you  longer  in  suspense,  madam,"  said  Ruth. 
"  You  are  to  be  examined  to-night  by  the  lieutenant  and  certain 
members  of  the  Privy  Council,  and  if  you  refuse  to  answer  their 
questions,  I  lament  to  say  you  will  be  put  to  the  torture." 

"  Heaven  give  me  strength  to  endure  it  I"  ejaculated  Viviana, 
in  a  despairing  tone. 

"  Eat,  madam,  eat,"  cried  Dame  Ipgreve,  pressing  the  viands 
upon  her.  "  You  will  never  be  able  to  go  through  with  the 
examination,  if  you  starve  yourself  in  this  way." 

"  Are  you  sure,"  inquired  Viviana,  appealing  to  Ruth,  "  that 
it  will  take  place  so  soon  ?" 

"  Quite  sure,"  replied  Ruth.  "  My  father  has  orders  to  attend 
the  lieutenant  at  midnight." 

"  Let  me  advise  you  to  conceal  nothing,"  insinuated  the  old 
woman.  "  They  are  determined  to  wring  the  truth  from  you, — 
and  they  will  do  so." 


THE  JAILER'S  DAUGHTER.  203 

"  You  are  mistaken,  good  woman,"  replied  Viviana,  firmly. 
**  I  will  die  before  I  utter  a  word." 

"  You  think  so  now,"  returned  Dame  Ipgreve,  maliciously. 
"But  the  sight  of  the  rack  and  the  thumbscrews  will  alter  your 
tone.  At  all  events,  support  nature." 

"  No,"  replied  Viviana ;  "  as  I  do  not  desire  to  live,  I  will 
use  no  effort  to  sustain  myself.  They  may  kill  me  if  they  please.'* 

"  Misfortune  has  turned  her  brain,"  muttered  the  old  woman 
"  I  must  take  care  and  secure  my  dues.  Well,  madam,  if  you 
will  not  eat  the  supper  I  have  provided,  it  cannot  be  helped.  I 
must  find  some  one  who  will.  You  must  pay  for  it  all  the  same. 
My  husband,  Jasper  Ipgreve,  will  be  present  at  your  interroga 
tion,  and  I  am  sure,  for  my  sake,  he  will  use  you  as  lightly  as  he 
can.  Come,  Ruth,  you  must  not  remain  here  longer." 

"  Oh,  let  her  stay  with  me,"  implored  Viviana.  "  I  will  make 
it  well  worth  your  while  to  grant  me  the  indulgence." 

"  What  will  you  give  ?"  cried  the  old  woman,  eagerly.  "  But 
no — no — I  dare  not  leave  her.  The  lieutenant  may  visit  you, 
and  find  her,  and  then  I  should  lose  my  place.  Come  along, 
Ruth.  She  shall  attend  you  after  the  interrogation,  madam.  I 
shall  be  there  myself." 

"  Farewell,  madam,"  sobbed  Ruth,  who  was  almost  drowned  in 
tears.  "  Heaven  grant  you  constancy  to  endure  your  trial !" 

"  Be  ruled  by  me,"  said  the  old  woman.  "  Speak  out,  and 
secure  your  own  safety." 

She  would  have  continued  in  the  same  strain,  but  Ruth 
dragged  her  away.  And  casting  a  commiserating  glance  at 
Viviana,  she  closed  the  door. 

The  dreadful  interval  between  their  departure  and  midnight 
was  passed  by  Viviana  in  fervent  prayer.  As  she  heard  through 
the  barred  embrasure  of  her  dungeon  the  deep  strokes  of  the 
clock  toll  out  the  hour  of  twelve,  the  door  opened,  and  a  tall, 
gaunt  personage,  habited  in  a  suit  of  rusty  black,  and  with  a 
large  bunch  of  keys  at  his  girdle,  entered  the  cell. 

"  You  are  Jasper  Ipgreve  ?"  said  Viviana,  rising. 

"  Right,"  replied  the  jailer.  "  I  am  come  to  take  you  before 
the  lieutenant  and  the  council.  Are  you  ready  ?" 

Viviana  replied  in  the  affirmative,  and  Ipgreve  quitting  the 
~ell,  outside  which  two  other  officials  in  sable  habiliments  were 
tationed,  led  the  way  down  a  short  spiral  staircase,  which 
brought  them  to  a  narrow  vaulted  passage.  Pursuing  it  for  some 
time,  the  jailer  halted  before  a  strong  door,  cased  with  iron,  and 
opening  it,  admitted  the  captive  into  a  square  chamber,  the  root 
of  which  was  supported  by  a  heavy  stone  pillar,  while  its  walls 
Jvere  garnished  with  implements  of  torture.  At  a  table  on  the 
left  sat  the  lieutenant  and  three  other  grave-looking  personages. 
Across  the  lower  end  of  the  chamber  a  thick  black  curtain  was 
stretched,  hiding  a  deep  recess;  and  behind  it,  as  was  evident 


204  GUY  FAWKES. 

from  the  glimmer  that  escaped  from  its  folds,  there  was  a  light 
Certain  indi>tinct,  but  ominous  sounds,  issuing  from  the  recess, 
proved  that  there  were  persons  within  it,  and  Viviana's  quaking 
heart  told  her  what  was  the  nature  of  their  proceedings. 

She  had  ample  lime  to  survey  this  dismal  apartment  and  its 
occupants,  for  several  minutes  elapsed  before  a  word  was  ad 
dressed  to  her  by  her  interrogators,  who  continued  to  confer 
together  in  an  under  tone,  as  if  unconscious  of  her  presence. 
During  this  pause,  broken  only  by  the  ominous  sounds  before 
mentioned,  Viviana  scanned  the  countenances  of  the  group  at 
the  table,  in  the  hope  of  discerning  in  them  some  glimpses  of 
compassion ;  but  they  were  inscrutable  and  inexorable,  and 
scarcely  less  dreadful  to  look  upon  than  the  hideous  implements 
on  the  walls. 

Viviana  wished  the  earth  would  open  and  swallow  her,  that 
she  might  escape  from  them.  Anything  was  better  than  to  be 
left  at  the  mercy  of  such  men.  At  certain  times,  and  not  un- 
frequently  at  the  most  awful  moments,  a  double  current  o 
thought  will  flow  through  the  brain,  and  at  this  frightful  juncture 
it  was  so  with  Viviana.  While  shuddering  at  all  she  saw  around 
her,  nay,  dwelling  upon  it,  another  and  distinct  train  of  thought 
led  her  back  to  former  scenes  of  happiness,  when  she  was  undis 
turbed  by  any  but  remote  apprehensions  of  danger.  She  thought 
of  her  tranquil  residence  at  Ordsall, — of  the  flowers  she  had 
tended  in  the  garden, — of  her  father,  and  of  his  affection  for 
her, — of  Humphrey  Chetham,  and  of  her  early  and  scarce- 
acknowledged  attachment  to  him, — and  of  his  generosity  and 
devotion,  and  how  she  had  requited  it.  And  then,  like  a  sullen 
cloud  darkening  the  fair  prospect,  arose  the  figure  of  Guy 
Fawkes — the  sombre  enthusiast — who  had  unwittingly  exercised 
such  a  baneful  influence  upon  her  fortunes. 

"  Had  he  not  crossed  my  path,"  she  mentally  ejaculated,  "  I 
might  have  been  happy — might  have  loved  Humphrey  Chetham 
—might,  perhaps,  have  wedded  him  !" 

These  reflections  were  suddenly  dispersed  by  the  lieutenant, 
who,  in  a  stern  tone,  commenced  his  interrogations. 

As  upon  her  previous  examination,  Viviana  observed  the 
utmost  caution,  and  either  refused  to  speak,  or  answered  such 
questions  only  as  affected  herself.  At  first,  in  spite  of  all  her 
efforts,  she  trembled  violently,  and  her  tongue  clove  to  the  roof 
of  her  mouth.  But  after  a  while,  she  recovered  her  courage,  and 
regarded  the  lieutenant  with  a  look  as  determined  as  his  own. 

"  It  is  useless  to  urge  me  farther,"  she  concluded.  "  I  have 
said  all  I  will  say." 

'•'  Is  it  your  pleasure,  my  lords,*'  observed  Sir  William  Waad 
to  the  others,  "  to  prolong  the  examination  ?" 

His  companions  replied  in  the  negative,  and  the  one  nearest 
him  remarked,  "  Is  she  aware  what  will  follow  ?" 


THE  JAILER'S  DAUGHTER.  205 

"I  am,"  replied  Viviana,  resolutely,  "and  lam  not  to  he 
intimidated." 

Sir  William  Waad  then  made  a  sign  to  Ipgreve,  who  imme 
diately  stepped  forward  and  seized  her  arm.  "You  will  be 
taken  to  that  recess,"  said  the  lieutenant,  "  where  the  question 
will  be  put  to  you.  But,  as  we  shall  remain  here,  you  have  only 
to  titter  a  cry  if  you  are  willing  to  avow  the  truth,  and  the 
torture  shall  be  stayed.  And  it  is  our  merciful  hope  that  this 
may  be  the  case." 

Summoning  up  all  her  resolution,  and  walking  with  a  firm 
footstep,  Viviana  passed  with  Ipgreve  behind  the  curtain.  She 
there  beheld  two  men  and  a  woman — the  latter  was  the  jailer's 
wife,  who  instantly  advanced  to  her,  and  besought  her  to 
confess. 

"  There  is  no  help  for  it,  if  you  refuse,"  she  urged ;  "  not  all 
your  wealth  can  save  you." 

"  Mind  your  own  business,  dame,"  interposed  Ipgreve,  angrily, 
"  and  assist  her  to  unrobe." 

Saying  this,  he  stepped  aside  with  the  two  men,  one  of  whom 
was  the  chirurgeon,  and  the  other  the  tormentor,  while  Dame 
Ipgreve  helped  to  take  off  Viviana's  gown.  She  then  tied  a 
scarf  over  her  shoulders,  and  informed  her  husband  she  was 
ready. 

The  recess  was  about  twelve  feet  high,  and  ten  wide.  It  was 
crossed  near  the  roof,  which  was  arched  and  vaulted,  by  a  heavy 
beam,  with  pulleys  and  ropes  at  either  extremity.  But  what 
chiefly  attracted  the  unfortunate  captive's  attention  was  a  couple 
of  iron  gauntlets  attached  to  it,  about  a  yard  apart.  Upon  the 
ground  under  the  beam,  and  immediately  beneath  that  part  of  it 
where  the  gauntlets  were  fixed,  were  laid  three  pieces  of  wood, 
of  a  few  inches  in  thickness,  and  piled  one  upon  another. 

"  What  must  I  do  ?"  inquired  Viviana,  in  a  hollow  voice,  but 
with  unaltered  resolution,  of  the  old  woman. 

"  Step  upon  those  pieces  of  wood,"  replied  Dame  Ipgreve, 
leading  her  towards  them. 

Viviana  obeyed,  and  as  soon  as  she  had  set  foot  upon  the  pile, 
the  tormentor  placed  a  joint-stool  beside  her,  and  mounting  it, 
desired  her  to  place  her  right  hand  in  one  of  the  gauntlets. 
She  did  so,  and  the  tormentor  then  turned  a  screw,  which  com 
pressed  the  iron  glove  so  tightly  as  to  give  her  excruciating 
pain.  He  then  got  down,  and  Ipgreve  demanded  if  he  should 
proceed. 

A  short  pause  ensued;  but,  notwithstanding  her  agony, 
Viviana  made  no  answer.  The  tormentor  then  placed  the  stool 
on  the  left  side,  and  fastened  the  hand  which  was  still  at  liberty 
within  the  other  gauntlet.  The  torture  was  dreadful— and  the 
fingers  appeared  crushed  by  the  pressure.  Still  Viviana  uttered 
no  cry.  After  another  short  pause,  Ipgreve  said, 


206  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  You  had  better  let  us  stop  here.  This  is  mere  child's  play 
compared  with  what  is  to  come." 

No  answer  being  returned,  the  tormentor  took  a  mallet  and 
struck  one  of  the  pieces  of  wood  from  under  Viviana's  feet.  The 
shock  was  dreadful,  and  seemed  to  dislocate  her  wrists,  while  the 
pressure  on  the  hands  was  increased  in  a  tenfold  degree.  The 
poor  sufferer,  who  was  resting  on  the  points  of  her  feet,  felt  that 
the  removal  of  the  next  piece  of  wood  would  occasion  almost 
intolerable  torture.  Her  constancy,  however,  did  not  desert 
her,  and,  after  the  question  had  been  repeated  by  Ipgreve,  the 
second  block  was  struck  away.  She  was  now  suspended  by  her 
hands,  and  the  pain  was  so  exquisite,  that  nature  gave  way,  and 
uttering  a  piercing  scream,  she  fainted. 

On  recovering,  she  found  herself  stretched  upon  a  miserable 
pallet,  with  Ruth  watching  beside  her.  A  glance  round  the 
chamber,  which  was  of  solid  stone  masonry,  with  a  deep  em 
brasure  on  one  side,  convinced  her  that  she  had  been  removed 
to  some  other  prison. 

"  Where  am  I  ?"  she  asked,  in  a  faint  voice. 

"  In  the  Well  Tower,  madam,"  replied  Ruth :  "  one  of  the 
fortifications  near  the  moat,  and  now  used  as  a  prison-lodging. 
My  father  dwells  within  it,  and  you  are  under  his  custody." 

"  Your  father,"  cried  Viviana,  shuddering  as  she  recalled  the 
sufferings  she  had  recently  undergone.  "  Will  he  torture  me 
again  ?" 

"  Not  if  I  can  prevent  it,  dear  lady,"  replied  Ruth.  "  But 
hush  !  here  comes  my  mother.  Not  a  word  before  her." 

As  Ruth  spoke,  Dame  Ipgreve,  who  had  been  lingering  at 
the  door,  entered  the  room.  She  affected  the  greatest  solicitude 
for  Viviana — felt  her  pulse — looked  at  the  bandages  fastened 
round  her  swollen  and  crippled  fingers,  and  concluded  by  coun 
selling  her  not  to  persist  in  refusing  to  speak. 

"  I  dare  not  tell  you  what  tortures  are  in  store  for  you,"  she 
said,  "  if  you  continue  thus  obstinate.  But  they  will  be  a 
thousand  times  worse  than  what  you  endured  last  night." 

"  When  will  my  next  interrogation  take  place  ?"  inquired 
Viviana. 

"  A  week  hence,  it  may  be, — or  it  may  be  sooner,"  returned 
the  old  woman.  "  It  depends  upon  the  state  you  are  in — and 
somewhat  upon  the  fees  you  give  my  husband,  for  he  has  a 
voice  with  the  lieutenant." 

"  I  would  give  him  all  I  possess,  if  he  could  save  me  from 
further  torture,"  cried  Viviana. 

"  Alas !  alas !"  replied  Dame  Ipgreve,  "  you  ask  more  than 
can  be  done.  He  would  save  you  if  he  could.  But  you  will 
not  let  him.  However,  we  will  do  all  we  can  to  mitigate  your 
Bufferings — all  we  can — provided  you  pay  us.  Stay  with  her, 


THE  JAILER'S  DAUGHTER.  207 

child,"  she  added,  with  a  significant  gesture  to  her  daughter,  as 
she  quitted  the  room,  "  stay  with  her." 

"  My  heart  bleeds  for  you,  madam,"  said  Ruth,  in  accents  of 
the  deepest  commiseration,  as  soon  as  they  were  alone.  "  You 
may  depend  upon  my  fidelity.  If  I  can  contrive  your  escape, 
I  will, — at  any  risk  to  myself." 

"  On  np  account,"  replied  Viviana.  "  Do  not  concern  your 
self  about  me  more.  My  eai'thly  sufferings,  I  feel,  will  have 
terminated  before  further  cruelty  can  be  practised  upon  me." 

"  Oh  I  say  not  so,  madam,"  returned  Ruth.  "  I  hope — nay, 
I  am  sure  you  will  live  long  and  happily." 

Viviana  shook  her  head,  and  Ruth,  finding  her  very  feeble, 
thought  it  better  not  to  continue  the  conversation.  She 
accordingly  applied  such  restoratives  as  were  at  hand,  and 
observing  that  the  eyes  of  the  sufferer  closed  as  if  in  slumber, 
glided  noiselessly  out  of  the  chamber,  and  left  her. 

In  this  way  a  week  passed.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time, 
the  chirurgeon  pronounced  her  in  so  precarious  a  state,  that  if 
the  torture  were  repeated  he  would  not  answer  for  her  life.  The 
interrogation,  therefore,  was  postponed  for  a  few  days,  during 
which  the  chirurgeon  constantly  visited  her,  and  by  his  care, 
and  the  restoratives  she  was  compelled  to  take,  she  rapidly 
regained  her  strength. 

One  day,  after  the  chirurgeon  had  departed,  Ruth  cautiously 
closed  the  door,  and  observed  to  her, 

"  You  are  now  so  far  recovered,  madam,  as  to  be  able  to 
make  an  attempt  to  escape.  I  have  devised  a  plan,  which  I 
will  communicate  to  you  to-morrow.  It  must  not  be  delayed, 
or  you  will  have  to  encounter  a  second  and  more  dreadful 
examination." 

"  I  will  not  attempt  it  if  you  are  exposed  to  risk,"  replied 
Viviana. 

"  Heed  me  not,"  returned  Ruth.  "  One  of  your  friends  has 
found  out  your  place  of  confinement,  and  has  spoken  to  me 
about  you." 

"  What  friend  ?"  exclaimed  Viviana,  starting.  "  Guy  Fawkes  ? 

— I  mean "  And  she  hesitated,  while  her  pale  cheeks  were 

suffused  with  blushes. 

"  He  is  named  Humphrey  Chetham,"  returned  Ruth.  "  Like 
myself,  he  would  risk  his  life  to  preserve  you." 

"  Tell  him  he  must  not  do  so,"  cried  Viviana,  eagerly.  "  He 
has  done  enough — too  much  for  me  already.  I  will  not  expose 
him  to  further  hazard.  Tell  him  so,  and  entreat  him  to  abandon 
the  attempt." 

" But  I  shall  not  see  him,  dear  lady,"  replied  Ruth.  "Be 
sides,  if  I  read  him  rightly,  he  is  not  likely  to  be  turned  aside 
by  any  selfish  consideration." 


208  GUY   FAWKES. 

"  You  are  right,  he  is  not/'  groaned  Yiviana.  "  But  this 
only  adds  to  my  affliction.  Oh  !  if  you  should  see  him,  dear 
Ruth,  try  to  dissuade  him  from  his  purpose." 

"I  will  obey  you,  madam,"  replied  the  jailer's  daughter 
"  But  I  am  well  assured  it  will  be  of  no  avail." 

After  some  further  conversation,  Ruth  retired,  and  Viviana 
was  left  alone  for  the  night.  Except  the  slumber  procured  by 
soporific  potions,  she  had  known  no  repose  since  she  had  been 
confined  within  the  Tower ;  and  this  night  she  felt  more  than 
usually  restless.  After  ineffectually  endeavouring  to  compose 
herself,  she  arose,  and  hastily  robing  herself— a  task  she  per 
formed  with  no  little  difficulty,  her  fingers  being  almost  useless — 
continued  to  pace  her  narrow  chamber. 

It  has  been  mentioned  that  on  one  side  of  the  cell  there  was 
a  deep  embrasure.  It  was  terminated  by  a  narrow  and  strongly- 
grated  loophole,  looking  upon  the  moat.  Pausing  before  it, 
Viviana  gazed  forth.  The  night  was  pitchy  dark,  and  not  even 
a  solitary  star  could  be  discerned ;  but  as  she  had  no  light  in  her 
chamber,  the  gloom  outside  was  less  profound  than  that  within. 

While  standing  thus,  buried  in  thought,  and  longing  for  day 
break,  Viviana  fancied  she  heard  a  slight  sound  as  of  some  one 
swimming  across  the  moat.  Thinking  she  might  be  deceived, 
tihe  listened  more  intently,  and  as  the  sound  continued,  she  felt 
sure  she  was  right  in  her  conjecture.  All  at  once  the  thought 
of  Humphrey  Chetham  flashed  upon  her,  and  she  had  no  doubt 
it  must  be  him.  Nor  was  she  wrong.  The  next  moment,  a 
noise  was  heard  as  of  some  one  clambering  up  the  wall ;  a  hand 
grasped  the  bars  of  the  loophole,  which  was  only  two  or  three 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  water ;  and  a  low  voice,  which  she 
instantly  recognised,  pronounced  her  name. 

"Is  it  Humphrey  Chetham ?"  she  asked,  advancing  as  near  as 
she  could  to  the  loophole. 

"It  is,"  was  the  reply.  "Do  not  despair.  1  will  accomplish 
your  liberation.  I  have  passed  three  days  within  the  Tower, 
and  only  ascertained  your  place  of  confinement  a  few  hours  ago. 
I  have  contrived  a  plan  for  your  escape,  with  the  jailer's  daughter, 
which  she  will  make  known  to  you  to-morrow." 

"  I  cannot  thank  you  sufficiently  for  your  devotion/'  replied 
Viviana,  in  accents  of  the  deepest  gratitude.  "  But  I  implore 
you  to  leave  me  to  my  fate.  I  am  wretched  enough  now, 
Heaven  knows,  but  if  aught  should  happen  to  you,  I  shall  be 
infinitely  more  so.  If  I  possess  any  power  over  you, — and  that 
I  do  so,  I  well  know, — I  entreat,  Hay,  I  command,  you  to  desist 
from  this  attempt." 

"  I  have  never  yet  disobeyed  you,  Viviana,"  replied  the  young 
merchant,  passionately — "  nor  will  I  do  so  now.  But  if  yoiubid 
me  abandon  you,  I  will  plunge  into  this  moat,  never  to  rise 
again." 


THE  JAILER'S  DAUGHTER.  209 

His  manner,  notwithstanding  the  low  tone  in  which  he  spoke, 
was  so  determined,  that  Viviana  felt  certain  he  would  carry  his 
threat  into  execution ;  she  therefore  rejoined  in  a  mournful  tone, 

"  Well,  be  it  as  you  will.  It  is  in  vain  to  resist  our  fate.  I 
am  destined  to  bring  misfortune  to  you." 

"  Not  so,"  replied  Chetham.  "  If  I  can  save  you,  I  would 
rather  die  than  live.  The  jailer's  daughter  will  explain  her  plan 
to  you  to-morrow.  Promise  me  to  accede  to  it." 

Viviana  reluctantly  assented. 

"  I  shall  quit  the  Tower  at  daybreak,"  pursued  Chetham ; 
"  and  when  you  are  once  out  of  it,  hasten  to  the  stairs  beyond 
the  wharf  at  Petty  Wales.  I  will  be  there  with  a  boat.  Fare 
well  I" 

As  he  spoke,  he  let  himself  drop  into  the  water,  but  his  foot 
slipping,  the  plunge  was  louder  than  he  intended,  and  attracted 
the  attention  of  a  sentinel  on  the  ramparts,  who  immediately 
called  out  to  know  what  was  the  matter,  and  not  receiving  any 
answer,  discharged  his  caliver  in  the  direction  of  the  sound. 

Viviana,  who  heard  the  challenge  and  the  shot,  uttered  aloud 
scream,  and  the  next  moment  Ipgreve  and  his  wife  appeared. 
The  jailer  glanced  suspiciously  round  the  room  ;  but  after  satis 
fying  himself  that  all  was  right,  and  putting  some  questions  to 
the  captive,  which  she  refused  to  answer,  he  departed  with  his 
wife,  and  carefully  barred  the  door. 

It  is  impossible  to  imagine  greater  misery  than  Viviana 
endured  the  whole  of  the  night.  The  uncertainty  in  which  she 
was  kept  as  to  Chetham's  fate  was  almost  insupportable,  and  the 
bodily  pain  she  had  recently  endured  appeared  light  when  com 
pared  with  her  present  mental  torture.  Day  at  length  dawned; 
but  it  brought  with  it  no  Ruth.  Instead  of  this  faithful  friend, 
Dame  Ipgreve  entered  the  chamber  with  the  morning  meal,  and 
her  looks  were  so  morose  and  distrustful,  that  Viviana  feared  she 
must  have  discovered  her  daughter's  design.  She  did  not,  how 
ever,  venture  to  make  a  remark,  but  suffered  the  old  woman  to 
depart  in  silence. 

Giving  up  all  for  lost,  and  concluding  that  Humphrey  Chet 
ham  had  either  perished,  or  was,  like  herself,  a  prisoner,  Viviana 
bitterly  bewailed  his  fate,  and  reproached  herself  with  being 
unintentionally  the  cause  of  it.  Later  in  the  day,  Ruth  entered 
the  cell.  To  Viviana's  eager  inquiries  she  replied,  that  Hum 
phrey  Chetham  had  escaped.  Owing  to  the  darkness,  the  sen 
tinel  had  missed  his  aim,  and  although  the  most  rigorous  search 
Was  instituted  throughout  the  fortress,  he  had  contrived  to  elude 
observation. 

"  Our  attempt,"  pursued  Ruth,  "  must  be  made  this  evening. 
The  lieutenant  has  informed  my  father  that  you  are  to  be  inter- 
togated  at  midnight,  the  chirurgeon  having  declared  that  you  are 
sufficiently  recovered  to  undergo  the  torture  (if  needful)  a  second 

P 


210  GUY  FAWKES. 

time.  Now  listen  to  me.  The  occurrence  of  last  night  has 
made  my  mother  suspicious,  and  she  watches  my  proceedings 
with  a  jealous  eye.  She  is  at  this  moment  with  a  female  pri 
soner  in  the  Beauchamp  Tower,  or  I  should  not  be  able  to  visit 
you.  She  has  consented,  however,  to  let  me  bring  in  your 
supper.  You  must  then  change  dresses  with  me.  Being  about 
\ny  height,  you  may  easily  pass  for  me,  and  I  will  take  care 
there  is  no  light  below,  so  that  your  features  will  not  be  distin 
guished." 

Viviana  would  have  checked  her,  but  the  other  would  not  be 
interrupted. 

"  As  soon  as  you  are  ready,"  she  continued,  "you  must  lock 
the  door  upon  me.  You  must  then  descend  the  short  flight  of 
steps  before  you,  and  pass  as  quickly  as  you  can  through  the 
room  where  you  will  see  my  father  and  mother.  As  soon  as  you 
are  out  of  the  door,  turn  to  the  left,  and  go  straight  forward  to 
the  By-ward  Tower.  Show  this  pass  to  the  warders.  It  is 
made  out  in  my  name,  and  they  will  suffer  you  to  go  forth.  Do 
the  same  with  the  warders  at  the  next  gate, — the  Middle 
Tower, — and  again  at  the  Bulwark  Gate.  That  passed,  you  are 
free." 

"And  what  will  become  of  you?"  asked  Viviana,  with  a 
bewildered  look. 

"  Never  mind  me,"  rejoined  Ruth :  "  I  shall  be  sufficiently 
rewarded  if  I  save  you.  And  now,  farewell.  Be  ready  at  the 
time  appointed." 

"  I  cannot  consent,"  returned  Viviana. 

"  You  have  no  choice,"  replied  Ruth,  breaking  from  her,  and 
hurrying  out  of  the  room. 

Time,  as  it  ever  does,  when  expectation  is  on  the  rack, 
appeared  to  pass  with  unusual  slowness.  But  as  the  hour  at 
length  drew  near,  Viviana  wished  it  farther  off.  It  was  with 
the  utmost  trepidation  that  she  heard  the  key  turn  in  the  lock, 
and  beheld  Ruth  enter  the  cell  with  the  evening  meal. 

Closing  the  door,  and  setting  down  the  provisions,  the  jailer's 
daughter  hastily  divested  herself  of  her  dress,  which  was  of  brown 
serge,  as  well  as  of  her  coif  and  kerchief,  while  Viviana  imitated 
her  example.  Without  pausing  to  attire  herself  in  the  other's 
garments,  Ruth  then  assisted  Viviana  to  put  on  the  dress  she 
had  just  laid  aside,  and  arranged  her  hair  and  the  head-gear  so 
skilfully,  that  the  disguise  was  complete. 

Hastily  whispering  some  further  instructions  to  her,  and 
explaining  certain  peculiarities  in  her  gait  and  deportment,  she 
then  pressed  her  to  her  bosom,  and  led  her  to  the  door.  Viviana 
would  have  remonstrated,  but  Ruth  pushed  her  through  it,  and 
closed  it. 

There  was  now  no  help,  so  Viviana,  though  with  great  pain  to 
herself,  contrived  to  turn  the  key  in  the  lock.  Descending  the 


THE  JAILER'S  DAUGHTER.  211 

steps,  she  found  herself  in  a  small  circular  chamber,  in  which 
Ipgreve  and  his  wife  were  seated  at  a  table,  discussing  their 
evening  meal.  The  sole  light  was  afforded  by  a  few  dying 
embers  on  the  hearth. 

"What  I  has  she  done,  already?"  demanded  the  old  woman, 
as  Viviana  appeared.  "  Why  hast  thou  not  brought  the  jelly 
with  thee,  if  she  has  not  eaten  it  all,  and  those  cates,  which 
Master  Pilchard,  the  chirurgeon,  ordered  her  ?  Go  and  fetch 
them  directly.  They  will  finish  our  repast  daintily  ;  and  there 
are  other  matters  too,  which  I  dare  say  she  has  not  touched. 
She  will  pay  for  them,  and  that  will  make  them  the  sweeter. 
Go  back,  I  say.  What  dost  thou  stand  there  for,  as  if  thou  wert 
thunderstruck  ?  Dost  hear  me,  or  not  ?" 

"  Let  the  wench  alone,  dame,"  growled  Ipgreve.  "  You 
frighten  her." 

"  So  I  mean  to  do,"  replied  the  old  woman  ;  "  she  deserves  to 
be  frightened.  Hark  thee,  girl,  we  must  get  an  order  from  her 
on  some  wealthy  Catholic  family  without  delay — for  I  don't 
think  she  will  stand  the  trial  to-night." 

"  Nor  I,"  added  Ipgreve,  "  especially  as  she  is  to  be  placed  on 
the  rack." 

"  She  has  a  chain  of  gold  round  her  throat,  I  have  observed,'* 
said  the  old  woman  ;  "  we  must  get  that." 

"  I  have  it,"  said  Viviana,  in  a  low  tone,  and  imitating  as  well 
as  she  could  the  accents  of  Ruth.  "  Here  it  is." 

"  Did  she  give  it  thee  ?"  cried  the  old  woman,  getting  up,  and 
grasping  Viviana's  lacerated  fingers  with  such  force,  that  she  had 
difficulty  in  repressing  a  scream.  "  Did  she  give  it  thee,  I  say?" 

"  She  gave  it  me  for  you,"  gasped  Viviana.     "  Take  it." 

While  the  old  woman  held  the  chain  to  the  fire,  and  called  to 
her  husband  to  light  a  lamp,  that  she  might  feast  her  greedy 
eyes  upon  it,  Viviana  flew  to  the  door. 

Just  as  she  reached  it,  the  shrill  voice  of  Dame  Ipgreve 
arrested  her. 

"  Come  back  !"  cried  the  dame.  "  Whither  art  thou  going  at 
this  time  of  night  ?  I  will  not  have  thee  stir  forth.  Come  back, 
I  say." 

"  Pshaw !  let  her  go,"  interposed  Ipgreve.  "  I  dare  say  she 
hath  an  appointment  on  the  Green  with  young  Nicholas 
Hardesty,  the  warder.  Go,  wench.  Be  careful  of  thyself,  and 
return  within  the  hour." 

"  If  she  does  not,  she  will  rue  it,"  added  the  dame.  "  Go, 
then,  and  I  will  see  the  prisoner." 

Viviana  required  no  further  permission.  Starting  off  as  she 
had  been  directed  on  the  left,  she  ran  as  fast  as  her  feet  could 
carry  her ;  and,  passing  between  two  arched  gateways,  soon 
reached  the  By- ward  Tower.  Showing  the  pass  to  the  warder, 
he  chucked  her  under  the  chin,  and,  drawing  an  immense  bolt, 

P2 


212  GUY  FAWKES. 

opened  the  wicket,  and  gallantly  helped  her  to  pass  through  it. 
The  like  good  success  attended  her  at  the  Middle  Tower,  and 
at  the  Bulwark  Gate.  Scarcely  able  to  credit  her  senses,  and 
doubting  whether  she  was  indeed  free,  she  hurried  on  till  she 
came  to  the  opening  leading  to  the  stairs  at  Petty  Wales.  As 
she  hesitated,  uncertain  what  to  do,  a  man  advanced  towards  and 
addressed  her  by  name.  It  was  Humphrey  Chetham.  Over 
come  by  emotion,  Viviana  sank  into  his  arms,  and  in  another 
moment  she  was  placed  in  a  wherry,  which  was  ordered  to  be 
rowed  towards  Westminster. 


CHAPTER   JX. 

THE  COUNTERPLOT. 

STARTLED,  but  not  dismayed — for  he  was  a  man  of  great  courage 
— by  the  sudden  address  and  appearance  of  Guy  Fawkes,  Lord 
Mounteagle  instantly  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  drawing  his  sword, 
put  himself  into  a  posture  of  defence. 

"  You  have  betrayed  me,"  he  cried,  seizing  Tresham  with  his 
left  hand ;  "  but  if  I  fall,  you  shall  fall  with  me." 

"  You  have  betrayed  yourself,  my  lord,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes; 
"  or  rather,  Heaven  has  placed  you  in  our  hands  as  an  instru 
ment  for  the  liberation  of  Viviana  Radcliffe.  You  must  take  an 
oath  of  secrecy — a  binding  oath, — such  as.  being  a  good  Catholic, 
you  cannot  break, — not  to  divulge  what  has  come  to  your  know 
ledge.  Nay,  you  must  join  me  and  my  confederates,  or  you 
quit  not  this  spot  with  life." 

"  I  refuse  your  terms,"  replied  Mounteagle,  resolutely  ;  "  I  will 
never  conspire  against  the  monarch  to  whom  I  have  sworn  alle 
giance.  I  will  not  join  you.  1  will  not  aid  you  in  procuring 
Viviana  RadclifTe's  release.  Nor  will  I  take  the  oath  you  pro 
pose.  On  the  contrary,  I  arrest  you  as  a  traitor,  and  I  command 
you,  Tresham,  in  the  King's  name,  to  assist  me  in  his  capture." 

But  suddenly  extricating  himself  from  the  grasp  imposed  upon 
him,  and  placing  Guy  Fawkes  between  him  and  the  Earl, 
Tresham  rejoined, — 

"  It  is  time  to  throw  off  the  mask,  my  good  lord  and  brother. 
I  can  render  you  no  assistance.  I  am  sworn  to  this  league,  and 
must  support  it.  Unless  you  assent  to  the  conditions  proposed, — 
and  which  for  your  own  sake  I  would  counsel  you  to  do, — I 
must,  despite  our  near  relationship,  take  part  against  you, — 
even,"  he  added,  significantly,  "if  your  destruction  should  be 
resolved  upon." 

"  1  will  sell  my  life  dearly,  as  you  shall  find,"  replied  Mount- 


THE   COUNTERPLOT.  213 

eagle.  "  And,  but  for  the  sake  of  my  dear  lady,  your  sister,  I 
would  stab  you  where  you  stand." 

"  Your  lordship  will  find  resistance  in  vain,"  replied  Guy 
Fawkes,  keeping  his  eye  steadily  fixed  upon  him.  "  We  seek 
not  your  life,  but  your  co-operation.  You  are  a  prisoner." 

"A  prisoner!"  echoed  Mounteagle,  derisively.  "You  have 
not  secured  me  yet" 

And  as  he  spoke,  he  rushed  towards  the  door,  but  his  depar 
ture  was  checked  by  Bates,  who  presented  himself  at  the  entrance 
of  the  passage  with  a  drawn  sword  in  his  hand.  At  the  same 
moment,  Catesby  and  Keyes  issued  from  the  closet,  while  Garnet 
and  the  other  conspirators  likewise  emerged  from  their  hiding- 
places.  Hearing  the  noise  behind  him,  Lord  Mounteagle 
turned,  and  beholding  the  group,  uttered  an  exclamation  of  sur 
prise  and  rage. 

"  I  am  fairly  entrapped,"  he  said,  sheathing  his  sword,  and 
advancing  towards  them.  "  Fool  that  I  was,  to  venture  hither!" 

"  These  regrets  are  too  late,  my  lord,"  replied  Catesby. 
"You  came  hither  of  your  own  accord.  But  being  here, 
nothing,  except  compliance  with  our  demands,  can  ensure  your 
departure." 

"  Yes,  one  thing  else,"  thought  Mounteagle, — "  cunning.  It 
shall  go  hard  if  I  cannot  outwit  you.  Tresham  will  act  with 
me.  I  know  his  treacherous  nature  too  well  to  doubt  which  way 
he  will  incline.  Interest,  as  well  as  relationship,  binds  him 
to  me.  He  will  acquaint  me  with  their  plans.  I  need  not, 
therefore,  compromise  myself  by  joining  them.  If  I  take  the 
oath  of  secrecy,  it  will  suffice — and  I  will  find  means  of  eluding 
the  obligation  I  may  thus  make  my  own  bargain  with  Salis 
bury.  But  I  must  proceed  cautiously.  Too  sudden  a  com 
pliance  might  awaken  their  suspicions."  . 

"  My  lord,"  said  Catesby,  who  had  watched  his  countenance 
narrowly,  and  distrusted  its  expression,  "  we  must  have  no 
double-dealing.  Any  attempt  to  play  us  false  will  prove  fatal  to 
you." 

"  I  have  not  yet  consented  to  your  terms,  Mr.  Catesby,"  re 
plied  Mounteagle,  "  and  I  demand  a  few  moments'  reflection 
before  I  do  so." 

"  What  say  you,  gentlemen  ?"  said  Catesby.  "  Do  you  agree 
to  his  lordship's  request  ?" 

There  was  a  general  answer  in  the  affirmative. 

"I  would  also  confer  for  a  moment  alone  with  my  brother 
Tresham,"  said  Mounteagle. 

"  That  cannot  be,  my  lord,"  rejoined  Garnet,  peremptorily. 
"  And  take  heed  you  meditate  no  treachery  towards  us,  or  you 
will  destroy  yourself  here  and  hereafter." 

"  I  have  no  desire  to  speak  with  him,  father,"  observed 
Tresham.  "  Let  him  declare  what  he  has  to  say  before  you  all." 


214  GEY  FAWKES. 

Mounteagle  looked  hard  at  him,  but  he  made  no  remark. 

"  In  my  opinion,  we  ought  not  to  trust  him,"  observed  Kejes. 
•'  It  is  plain  he  is  decidedly  opposed  to  us.  And  if  the  oath  is 
proposed  to  him,  he  may  take  it  with  some  mental  reservation." 

"  /  will  guard  against  that,"  replied  Garnet. 

(C  If  I  take  the  oath,  I  will  keep  it,  father,"  rejoined  Mount- 
eagle.  u  But  I  have  not  yet  decided." 

"  You  must  do  so,  then,  quickly,  my  lord,"  returned  Catesby. 
"You  shall  have  five  minutes  for  reflection.  But  first,  you 
must  deliver  up  your  sword." 

The  Earl  started. 

"  We  mean  you  no  treachery,  my  lord,"  observed  Keyes, 
"  and  expect  to  be  dealt  with  with  equal  fairness." 

Surrendering  his  sword  to  Catesby,  Mounteagle  then  walked 
to  the  farther  end  of  the  room,  and  leaning  against  the  wall, 
with  his  back  to  the  conspirators,  appeared  buried  in  thought. 

"  Take  Tresham  aside,"  whispered  Catesby  to  Wright.  "  I 
do  not  wish  him  to  overhear  our  conference.  Watch  him 
narrowly,  and  see  that  no  signal  passes  between  him  and  Lord 
Mounteagle." 

Wright  obeyed ;  and  the  others  gathering  closely  together, 
began  to  converse  in  a  low  tone. 

"It  will  not  do  to  put  him  to  death,"  observed  Garnet. 
"  From  what  he  stated  to  Tresham,  it  appears  that  his  servant 
was  aware  of  his  coming  hither.  If  he  disappears,  therefore, 
search  will  be  immediately  made,  and  all  will  be  discovered. 
We  must  either  instantly  secure  ourselves  by  flight,  and  give  up 
the  enterprise,  or  trust  him." 

"  You  are  right,  father,"  replied  Rookwood.  "  The  danger 
is  imminent." 

"  We  are  safe  at  present,"  observed  Percy,  "  and  may  escape 
to  France  or  Flanders  before  information  can  be  given  against 
us.  Nay,  we  may  carry  off  Mounteagle  with  us,  for  that  matter. 
But  I  am  loth  to  trust  him." 

"  So  am  I,"  rejoined  Catesby.     "  I  do  not  like  his  looks." 

"  There  is  no  help,"  said  Fawkes.  "  We  must  trust  him,  or 
give  up  the  enterprise.  He  may  materially  aid  us,  and  has 
himself  asserted  that  he  can  procure  Viviana's  liberation  from 
the  Tower." 

"Pshaw  I"  exclaimed  Catesby,  impatiently.  "  What  has  that 
to  do  with  the  all-important  question  we  are  now  considering  ?" 

"  Much,"  returned  Fawkes.  "  And  I  will  not  move  further 
in  the  matter  unless  that  point  is  insisted  on." 

"  You  have  become  strangely  interested  in  Viviana  of  late," 
observed  Catesby,  sarcastically.  "  Could  I  suspect  you  of  so 
light  a  passion,  I  should  say  you  loved  her." 

A  deep  flush  dyed  Fawkes  s  swarthy  cheeks,  but  he  answered 
\n  a  voice  of  constrained  calmness, 


THE  COUNTERPLOT.  215 

"  I  do  love  her, — as  a  daughter." 

"  Humph  I"  exclaimed  the  other,  drily. 

"  Catesby,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  sternly,  "  you  know  me  well — 
too  well,  to  suppose  I  would  resort  to  any  paltry  subterfuge.  I 
am  willing  to  let  what  you  have  said  pass.  But  I  counsel  you 
not  to  jest  thus  in  future." 

"  Jest  I"  exclaimed  Catesby.  "I  was  never  more  serious  in 
my  life." 

"  Then  you  do  me  wrong,"  retorted  Fawkes,  fiercely ;  "  and 
yon  will  repeat  the  insinuation  at  your  peril." 

"  My  sons — my  sons,"  interposed  Garnet,  "  what  means  this 
sudden — this  needless  quarrel,  at  a  moment  when  we  require 
the  utmost  calmness  to  meet  the  danger  that  assails  us  ?  Guy 
Fawkes  is  right.  Viviana  must  be  saved.  If  we  desert  her,  our 
cause  will  never  prosper.  But  let  us  proceed  step  by  step,  and 
first  decide  upon  what  is  to  be  done  with  Lord  Mounteagle." 

"  I  am  filled  with  perplexity,"  replied  Catesby. 

"  Then  I  will  decide  for  you,"  replied  Percy.  "  Our  project 
must  be  abandoned." 

"  Never,"  replied  Fawkes,  energetically.  "  Fly,  and  secure 
your  own  safety.  I  will  stay  and  accomplish  it  alone." 

"  A  brave  resolution  1"  exclaimed  Catesby,  tendering  him  his 
hand,  which  the  other  cordially  grasped.  "  I  will  stand  by  you 
to  the  last.  No — we  have  advanced  too  far  to  retreat." 

"  Additional  caution  will  be  needful,"  observed  Keyes.  "  Can 
we  not  make  it  a  condition  with  Lord  Mounteagle  to  retire,  till 
the  blow  is  struck,  to  his  mansion  at  Hoxton  ?" 

"  That  would  be  of  no  avail,"  replied  Garnet  "  We  must 
trust  him  wholly,  or  not  at  all." 

"  There  I  agree  with  you,  father,"  said  Percy.  "  Let  us  pro 
pose  the  oath  of  secrecy  to  him,  and  detain  him  here  until  we 
nave  found  some  secure  retreat,  utterly  unknown  to  him,  or  to 
Tresham,  whence  we  can  correspond  with  our  friends.  A  few 
days  will  show  whether  he  has  betrayed  us  or  not.  We  need 
not  visit  this  place  again  till  the  moment  for  action  arrives." 

"You  need  not  visit  it  again  at  all,"  rejoined  Fawkes. 
"Everything  is  prepared,  and  I  will  undertake  to  fire  the  train. 
Prepare  for  what  is  to  follow  the  explosion,  and  leave  the 
management  of  that  to  me." 

"I  cannot  consent  to  such  a  course,  my  son,"  said  Garnet. 
"  The  whole  risk  will  thus  be  yours." 

"  The  whole  glory  will  be  mine,  also,  father,"  rejoined  Fawkes, 
enthusiastically.  "I  pray  you,  let  me  have  my  own  way." 

"  Well,  be  it  as  you  will,  my  son,"  returned  Garnet,  with 
affected  reluctance.  "  I  will  not  oppose  the  hand  of  Heaven, 
which  clearly  points  you  out  as  the  chief  agent  in  this  mighty 
enterprise.  In  reference  to  what  Percy  has  said  about  a  retreat 
till  Lord  Mounteagle's  trust-worthiness  can  be  ascertained,"  he 


216  GUY  FAWKES. 

added  to  Catesby,  "I  have  just  bethought  me  of  a  large  retired 
house  on  the  borders  of  Enfield  Chase,  called  White  Webbs. 
It  has  been  recently  taken  by  Mrs.  Brooksby,  and  her  sister, 
Anne  Vaux,  and  will  afford  us  a  safe  asylum." 

"  An  excellent  plan,  father,"  cried  Catesby.  "  Since  Guy 
Fawkes  is  willing  to  undertake  the  risk,  we  will  leave  Lord 
iVfounteagle  in  his  charge,  and  go  there  at  once." 

"  What  must  be  done  with  Tresham  ?"  asked  Percy.     "  We 
cannot  take  him  with  us,  nor  must  he  know  of  our  retreat" 
"  Leave  him  with  ine,"  said  Fawkes. 

"  You  will  be  at  a  disadvantage,"  observed  Catesby,  "  should 
he  take  part,  as  there  is  reason  to  fear  he  may  do,  with  Lord 
Mounteagle." 

"  They  are  both  unarmed/'  returned  Fawkes ;  "  but  were  it 
otherwise,  I  would  answer  with  my  head  for  their  detention." 

"All  good  saints  guard  you,  my' son  1"  exclaimed  Garnet 
"  Henceforth,  we  resign  the  custody  of  the  powder  to  you." 
"  It  will  be  in  safe  keeping,"  replied  Fawkes. 
The  party  then  advanced  towards  Lord  Mounteagle,  who, 
hearing  their  approach,  instantly  faced  them. 
"  Your  decision,  my  lord  ?"  demanded  Catesby. 
"  You  shall  have  it  in  a  word,  sir,"  replied  Mounteagle,  firmly. 
"I  will  not  join  you,  but  I  will  take  the  required  oath  of 
secrecy." 

"  Is  this  your  final  resolve,  my  lord  ?"  rejoined  Catesby. 
"  It  is,"  replied  the  Earl. 

"  It  must  content  us,"  observed  Garnet ;  "  though  we  hoped 
you  would  have  lent  your  active  services  to  further  a  cause, 
having  for  its  sole  object  the  restoration  of  the  church  to  which 
you  belong." 

"  I  know  not  the  means  whereby  you  propose  to  restore  it, 
father,"  replied  Mounteagle,  "and  I  do  not  desire  to  know  them. 
But  I  guess  that  they  are  dark  and  bloody,  and  as  such  I  can 
take  no  part  in  them." 

"  And  you  refuse  to  give  us  any  counsel  or  assistance  ?" 
pursued  Garnet. 

"I  will  not  betray  you,"  replied  Mounteagle.  "I  can  say 
nothing  further." 

"  I  would   rather   he  promised   too  little,  than   too  much," 
whispered  Catesby  to  Garnet.     "  I  begin  to  think  him  sincere." 
"  I  am  of  the  same  opinion,  my  son,"  returned  Garnet. 
"  One  thing  you  shall  do,  before  /  consent  to  set  you  free,  on 
any  terms,  my  lord,"  observed  Guy  Fawkes.     "You  shall  engage 
to  procure  the  liberation  of  Viviana  Radcliffe  from  the  Tower. 
You  told  Tresham  you  could  easily  accomplish  it." 

"  I  scarcely  knew  what  I  said,"  replied  Mounteagle,  with  a 
look  of  embarrassment. 

"  You  spoke  confidently,  my  lord,"  rejoined  Fawkes. 


THE  COUNTERPLOT.  217 

"  Because  I  had  no  idea  I  should  be  compelled  to  make  good 
my  words,"  returned  the  Earl.  "  But  as  a  Catholic,  and  related 
by  marriage  to  Tresham,  who  is  a  suspected  person,  any  active 
exertions  in  her  behalf  on  my  part  might  place  me  in  jeopardy." 

"  This  excuse  shall  not  avail  you,  my  lord,"  replied  Fawkes. 
"  You  must  weigh  your  own  safety  against  hers.  You  stir  not 
hence  till  you  have  sworn  to  free  her." 

"  I  must  perforce  assent,  since  you  will  have  no  refusal,"  re 
plied  Mounteagle.  "  But  I  almost  despair  of  success.  If  I  can 
effect  her  deliverance,  I  swear  to  do  so." 

"  Enough,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  And  now,  gentlemen,"  said  Catesby,  appealing  to  the  others, 
"  are  you  willing  to  let  Lord  Mounteagle  depart  upon  the  pro 
posed  terms  ?" 

"  We  are,"  they  replied. 

"  I  will  administer  the  oath  at  once,"  said  Garnet ;  "  and  you 
will  bear  in  mind,  my  son,"  he  added,  in  a  stern  tone  to  the 
Earl,  "  that  it  will  be  one  which  cannot  be  violated  without  per* 
dition  to  your  soul." 

"  I  am  willing  to  take  it,"  replied  Mounteagle. 

Producing  a  primer,  and  motioning  the  Earl  to  kneel  before 
him,  Garnet  then  proposed  an  oath  of  the  most  solemn  and 
binding  description.  The  other  repeated  it  after  him,  and  at 
its  conclusion  placed  the  book  to  his  lips. 

r'  Are  you  satisfied  ?"  he  asked,  rising. 

"  I  am/'  replied  Garnet. 

"And  so  am  I,"  thought  Tresham,  who  stood  in  the  rear, 
s — that  he  will  perjure  himself." 

"  Am  I  now  at  liberty  to  depart  ?"  inquired  the  Earl. 

"  Not  yet,  my  lord,"  replied  Catesby.  "  You  must  remain 
here  till  midnight." 

Lord  Mounteagle  looked  uneasy,  but  seeing  remonstrance 
would  be  useless,  he  preserved  a  sullen  silence. 

"You  need  have  no  fear,  my  lord,"  said  Catesby.  "  But  we 
must  take  such  precautions  as  will  ensure  our  safety,  in  case  you 
intend  us  any  treachery." 

"You  cannot  doubt  me,  sir,  after  the  oath  I  have  taken,'* 
replied  Mounteagle,  haughtily.  "  But  since  you  constitute  your 
self  my  jailer,  I  must  abide  your  pleasure." 

"If  I  am  your  jailer,  my  lord,"  rejoined  Catesby,  "I  will 
prove  to  you  that  I  am  not  neglectful  of  my  office.  Will  it 
please  you  to  follow  me  ?" 

The  Earl  bowed  in  acquiescence;  and  Catesby,  marching 
before  him  to  a  small  room,  the  windows  of  which  were  carefully 
barred,  pointed  to  a  chair,  and  instantly  retiring,  locked  the 
door  upon  him.  He  then  returned  to  the  others,  and  taking 
Guy  Fawkes  aside,  observed  in  a  low  tone, 

"We  shall  set  out  instantly  for  White  Webbs.      You  will 


218  GUY   FAWKES. 

remain  on  guard  with  Tresham,  whom  you  will,  of  course,  keep 
in  ignorance  of  our  proceedings.  After  you  have  set  the  Earl 
at  liberty,  you  can  follow  us  if  you  choose.  But  take  heed  you 
are  not  observed." 

"  Fear  nothing,"  replied  Fawkes. 

Soon  after  this,  Catesby,  and  the  rest  of  the  conspirators,  with 
the  exception  of  Guy  Fawkes  and  Tresham,  quitted  the  room, 
and  the  former  concluded  they  were  about  to  leave  the  house. 
He  made  no  remark,  however,  to  his  companion,  but  getting 
between  him  and  the  door,  folded  his  arms  upon  his  breast, 
and  continued  to  pace  backwards  and  forwards  before  it. 

"  Am  I  a  prisoner,  as  well  as  Lord  Mounteagle  ?"  asked  Tre 
sham,  after  a  pause. 

"  You  must  remain  with  me  here  till  midnight,"  replied 
Fawkes.  "  We  shall  not  be  disturbed." 

"  What !  are  the  others  gone  ?"  cried'  Tresham. 

»'  They  are,"  was  the  reply. 

Tresham's  countenance  fell,  and  he  appeared  to  be  meditating 
some  project,  which  he  could  not  muster  courage  to  execute. 

"  Be  warned  by  the  past,  Tresham,"  said  Fawkes,  who  had 
regarded  him  fixedly  for  some  minutes.  "  If  I  find  reason  to 
doubt  you,  I  will  put  it  out  of  your  power  to  betray  us  a  second 
time."* 

"  You  have  no  reason  to  doubt  me,"  replied  Tresham,  with 
apparent  candour.  "  I  only  wondered  that  our  friends  should 
leave  me  without  any  intimation  of  their  purpose.  It  is  for  me, 
not  you,  to  apprehend  some  ill  design.  Am  I  not  to  act  with 
you  further  ?" 

"  That  depends  upon  yourself,  and  on  the  proofs  you  give  of 
your  sincerity,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Answer  me  frankly.  Do 
you  think  Lord  Mounteagle  will  keep  his  oath  ?" 

"  I  will  stake  my  life  upon  it,"  replied  Tresham. 

The  conversation  then  dropped,  and  no  attempt  was  made  on 
either  side  to  renew  it.  In  this  way  several  hours  passed,  when 
at  length  the  silence  was  broken  by  Tresham,  who  requested 
permission  to  go  in  search  of  some  refreshment;  and  Guy 
Fawkes  assenting,  they  descended  to  the  lower  room,  and  par 
took  of  a  slight  repast. 

Nothing  further  worthy  of  note  occurred.  On  the  arrival  of 
the  appointed  hour,  Guy  Fawkes  signified  to  his  companion  that 
he  might  liberate  Lord  Mounteagle ;  and  immediately  availing 
himself  of  the  permission,  Tresham  repaired  to  the  chamber,  and 
threw  open  the  door.  The  Earl  immediately  came  forth,  and 
they  returned  together  to  the  room  in  which  Guy  Fawket 
remained  on  guard. 

"  You  are  now  at  liberty  to  depart,  my  lord,"  said  the  latter ; 
"  and  Tresham  can  accompany  you,  if  he  thinks  proper.  Re 
member  that  you  have  sworn  to  procure  Viviana's  liberation.' 


THE  COUNTERPLOT.  219 

"  I  do,"  replied  the  Earl. 

And  he  then  quitted  the  house  with  Tresham. 

"  You  have  had  a  narrow  escape,  my  lord,"  remarked  the 
latter  as  they  approached  Whitehall,  and  paused  for  a  moment 
under  the  postern  of  the  great  western  gate. 

"  True,"  replied  the  Earl ;  "  but  I  do  not  regret  the  risk  I 
have  run.  They  are  now  wholly  in  my  power." 

"  You  forget  your  oath,  my  lord,"  said  Tresham. 

"  If  I  do,"  replied  the  Earl,  "  I  but  follow  your  example. 
You  have  broken  one  equally  solemn,  equally  binding,  and 
would  break  a  thousand  more  were  they  imposed  upon  you. 
But  I  will  overthrow  this  conspiracy,  and  yet  not  violate  mine." 

"  I  see  not  how  that  can  be,  my  lord,"  replied  Tresham. 

"  You  shall  learn  in  due  season,"  replied  the  Earl.  "  I  have 
had  plenty  of  leisure  for  reflection  in  that  dark  hole,  and  have 
hit  upon  a  plan  which,  I  think,  cannot  fail." 

"  I  hope  I  am  no  party  to  it,  my  lord,"  rejoined  Tresham.  "  I 
dare  not  hazard  myself  among  them  further." 

"  I  cannot  do  without  you,"  replied  Mounteagle ;  "  but  I  will 
ensure  you  against  all  danger.  It  will  be  necessary  for  you, 
however,  to  act  with  the  utmost  discretion,  and  keep  a  constant 
guard  upon  every  look  and  movement,  as  well  as  upon  your 
words.  You  must  fully  regain  the  confidence  of  these  men,  and 
lull  them  into  security." 

"  I  see  your  lordship's  drift,"  replied  Tresham.  "  You  wish 
them  to  proceed  to  the  last  point,  to  enhance  the  value  of  the 
discovery." 

"  Right,"  replied  the  Earl.  "  The  plot  must  not  be  discovered 
till  just  before  its  outbreak,  when  its  magnitude  and  danger  will 
be  the  more  apparent.  The  reward  wi'ii  ihen  be  proportionate. 
Now,  you  understand  me,  Tresham.'5 

"  Fully,"  replied  the  other. 

"  Return  to  your  own  house,"  rejoined  Mounteagle.  "  We 
need  hold  no  further  communication  together  till  the  time  for 
action  arrives." 

"  And  that  will  not  be  before  the  meeting  of  Parliament," 
replied  Tresham ;  "  for  they  intend  to  whelm  the  King  and  all 
his  nobles  in  one  common  destruction." 

"  By  Heaven  I  a  brave  design  !"  cried  Mounteagle.  "  It  is  a 
pity  to  mar  it.  I  knew  it  was  a  desperate  and  daring  project, 
but  should  never  have  conceived  aught  like  this.  Its  discovery 
will  indeed  occasion  universal  consternation." 

"  It  may  benefit  you  and  me  to  divulge  it,  my  lord,"  said 
tresham ;  "  but  the  disclosure  will  deeply  and  lastinglv  injure 
the  Church  of  Rome." 

"  It  would  injure  it  more  deeply  if  the  plot  succeeded,"  replied 
Mounteagle,  "  because  all  loyal  Catholics  must  disapprove  so 
horrible  and  sanguinary  a  design.  But  we  will  not  discuss  the 


220  GUY  FAWKES. 

question  further,  though  what  you  have  said  confirms  my  pur 
pose,  and  removes  any  misgiving  I  might  have  felt  as  to  the 
betrayal.  Farewell,  Trcsham.  Keep  a  watchful  eye  upon  the 
conspirators,  and  communicate  with  me  should  any  change  take 
place  in  their  plans.  We  may  not  meet  for  some  time.  Par 
liament,  though  summoned  for  the  third  of  October,  will,  in  all 
probability,  be  prorogued  till  November." 

"  In  that  case,"  replied  Tresham,  "  you  will  postpone  your 
disclosure  likewise  till  November  ?" 

*'  Assuredly,"  replied  Mounteagle.  "  The  King  must  be  con 
vinced  of  his  danger.  If  it  were  found  out  now,  he  would  think 
lightly  of  it.  But  if  he  has  actually  set  foot  upon  the  mine  which 
a  single  spark  might  kindle  to  his  destruction,  he  will  duly 
appreciate  the  service  rendered  him.  Farewell!  and  do  not 
neglect  my  counsel." 


CHAPTER   X. 

WHITE  WEBBS. 

TARRYING  for  a  short  time  within  the  house  after  the  departure 
of  the  others,  Guy  Fawkes  lighted  a  lantern,  and  concealing  it 
beneath  his  cloak,  proceeded  to  the  cellar,  to  ascertain  that  the 
magazine  of  powder  was  safe.  Satisfied  of  this,  he  made  all 
secure,  and  was  about  to  return  to  the  house,  when  he  perceived 
a  figure  approaching  him.  Standing  aside,  but  keeping  on  his 
guard  for  fear  of  a  surprise,  he  would  have  allowed  the  person  to 
pass,  but  the  other  halted,  and  after  a  moment's  scrutiny 
addressed  him  by  name  in  the  tones  of  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  You  seem  to  haunt  this  spot,  young  sir,"  said  Fawkes,  in 
answer  to  the  address.  "  This  is  the  third  time  we  have  met 
hereabouts." 

"  On  the  last  occasion,"  replied  Chetham,  "  I  told  you  -Viviana 
was  a  prisoner  in  the  Tower.  I  have  now  better  news  for  you. 
She  is  free." 

"  Free  !"  exclaimed  Fawkes,  joyfully.  "  By  Lord  Mount- 
eagle's  instrumentality? — But  I  forget.  He  has  only  just  left 
me." 

"  She  has  been  freed  by  my  instrumentality,"  replied  the 
young  merchant.  "  She  escaped  from  the  Tower  a  few  hours 
ago." 

"  Where  is  she  ?"  demanded  Guy  Fawkes,  eagerly. 

"  In  a  boat  at  the  stairs  near  the  Parliament  House,"  replied 
Chetham. 

"  Heaven  and  Our  Lady  be  praised !"  exclaimed  Fawkes. 
*'  This  is  more  than  I  hoped  for.  Your  news  is  so  good,  young 
sir,  that  I  can  scarce  credit  it." 


"WHITE  WEBBS.  22> 

"  Come  with  me  to  the  boat,  and  you  shall  soon  be  satisfied  of 
the  truth  of  my  statement,"  rejoined  Chetham. 

And  followed  by  Guy  Favvkes,  he  hurried  to  the  river  side, 
where  a  wherry  was  moored.  Within  it  sat  Viviana,  covered  by 
the  tilt. 

Assisting  her  to  land,  and  finding  she  was  too  much  exhausted 
to  walk,  Guy  Fawkes  took  her  in  his  arms,  and  carried  her  to 
the  house  he  had  just  quitted. 

Humphrey  Chetham  followed  as  soon  as  he  had  dismissed  the 
waterman.  Placing  his  lovely  burthen  in  a  seat,  Guy  Fawkes 
instantly  went  in  search  of  such  restoratives  as  the  place  afforded, 
Viviana  was  extremely  faint,  but  after  she  had  swallowed  a  glass 
of  wine,  she  revived,  and,  looking  around  her,  inquired  where 
she  was. 

"  Do  not  ask,"  replied  Fawkes ;  "  let  it  suffice  you  are  in 
safety.  And  now,"  he  added,  "  perhaps,  Humphrey  Chetham 
will  inform  me  in  what  manner  he  contrived  your  escape.  I  am 
impatient  to  know." 

The  young  merchant  then  gave  the  required  information,  and 
Viviana  added  such  particulars  as  were  necessary  to  the  full 
understanding  of  the  story.  Guy  Fawkes  could  scarcely  control 
himself  when  she  related  the  tortures  she  had  endured,  nor  was 
Chetham  less  indignant. 

"  You  rescued  me  just  in  time,"  said  Viviana.  "  I  should 
have  sunk  under  the  next  application." 

"  Thank  Heaven  !  you  have  escaped  it,"  exclaimed  Fawkes. 
"  You  owe  much  to  Humphrey  Chetham,  Viviana." 

"  I  do,  indeed,"  she  replied. 

"  And  can  you  not  requite  it  ?"  he  returned.  "  Can  you  not 
make  him  happy  ? —  Can  you  not  make  me  happy  ?" 

Viviana's  pale  cheek  was  instantly  suffused  with  blushes,  but 
she  made  no  answer. 

"  Oh,  Viviana  !"  cried  Humphrey  Chetham,  "  you  hear  what 
is  said-.  If  you  could  doubt  my  love  before,  you  must  be  con 
vinced  of  it  now.  A  hope  will  make  me  happy.  Have  I  that  ?" 

"  Alas  !  no,"  she  answered.  "  It  would  be  the  height  of 
cruelty,  after  your  kindness,  to  deceive  you.  You  have  not." 

The  young  merchant  turned  aside  to  hide  his  emotion. 

"  Not  even  a  hope  1"  exclaimed  Guy  Fawkes,  "  after  what  he 
has  done.  Viviana,  I  cannot  understand  you.  Does  gratitude 
form  no  part  of  your  nature  ?" 

"  I  hope  so,"  she  replied,  "  nay,  I  am  sure  so, — for  I  feel  the 
deepest  gratitude  towards  Humphrey  Chetham.  But  gratitude 
is  not  love,  and  must  not  be  mistaken  for  it." 

*'  I  understand  the  distinction  too  well,"  returned  the  young 
merchant,  sadly. 

l*  It  is  more  than  I  do,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes ;  "  and  I  will 
frankly  confess  that  I  think  the  important  services  Humphrey 


222  GUY  FAWKES. 

Chetham  has  rendered  you  entitle  him  to  your  hand.  It  is 
seldom — whatever  poets  may  feign, — that  love  is  so  strongly 
proved  as  his  has  been  ;  and  it  ought  to  be  adequately  requited." 

"  Say  no  more  about  it,  I  entreat,"  interposed  Chetham. 

"  But   I   will  deliver  my  opinion,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes 
"  because  I  am  sure  what  I  advise  is  for  Viviana's  happiness 
No  one  can  love  her  better  than  you.     No  one  is  more  wort  hi 
of  her.     Nor  is  there  any  one  to  whom  I  so  much  desire  to  see 
her  united." 

"  Oh,  Heaven  I"  exclaimed  Viviana.  "  This  is  worse  thafl 
the  torture." 

"  What  mean  you  ?"  exclaimed  Fawkes,  in  astonishment. 

"  She  means,"  interposed  Chetham,  "  that  this  is  not  the 
fitting  season  to  urge  the  subject — that  she  will  never  marry." 

"  True — true,"  replied  Viviana.  "  If  I  ever  did  marry — I 
ought  to  select  you." 

"  You  ought,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  And  I  know  nothing  of  the 
female  heart,  if  it  can  be  insensible  to  youth,  devotion,  and 
manly  appearance  like  that  of  Humphrey  Chetham." 

"  You  do  know  nothing  of  it,"  rejoined  Chetham,  bitterly. 
"  Women's  fancies  are  unaccountable." 

"  Such  is  the  received  opinion,"  replied  Fawkes ;  "  but  as  I 
am  ignorant  of  the  sex,  I  can  only  judge  from  report  You  are 
the  person  I  should  imagine  she  would  love — nay,  to  be  frank, 
whom  I  thought  she  did  love." 

"  No  more,"  said  Humphrey  Chetham.  "  It  is  painful  both 
to  Viviana  and  to  me." 

"  This  is  not  a  time  for  delicacy,"  rejoined  Guy  Fawkes. 
"  Viviana  has  given  me  the  privilege  of  a  father  with  her.  And 
where  her  happiness  is  so  much  concerned  as  in  the  present 
case,  I  should  imperfectly  discharge  my  duty  if  I  did  not  speak 
out.  It  would  sincerely  rejoice  me,  and  I  am  sure  contribute 
materially  to  her  own  happiness,  if  she  would  unite  herself 
to  you." 

"  I  cannot — I  cannot,"  she  rejoined.     "  I  will  never  marry." 

"  You  hear  what  she  says,"  remarked  Chetham.  "  Do  not 
orge  the  matter  further." 

"  I  admire  maiden  delicacy  and  reserve,"  replied  Fawkes ; 
"  but  when  a  man  has  acted  as  you  have  done,  he  deserves  to  be 
treated  with  frankness.  I  am  sure  Viviana  loves  you.  Let  her 
tell  you  so." 

"  You  are  mistaken,"  replied  Chetham ;  "  and  it  is  time  you 
should  be  undeceived.  She  loves  another." 

"  Is  this  so  ?"  cried  Fawkes,  in  astonishment. 

She  made  no  answer. 

"  Whom  do  you  love  ?"  he  asked. 

Still,  no  answer. 


WHITE  WEBHS.  223 

tt  I  will  tell  you  whom  she  loves — and  let  her  contradict  me 
if  I  am  wrong,"  said  Chetham. 

"  Oh,  no! — no! — in  pity  spare  me  !"  cried  Viviana. 

"  Speak  !" — thundered  Fawkes.     "  Who  is  it  ?" 

"  Yourself,"  replied  Chetham. 

"What!"  exclaimed  Fawkes,  recoiling, — "love  met  I  will 
not  believe  it.  She  loves  me  as  a  father — but  nothing  more — 
nothing  more*  But  you  were  right.  Let  us  change  the  subject. 
A  more  fitting  season  may  arrive  for  its  discussion." 

After  some  further  conversation,  it  was  agreed  that  Viviana 
should  be  taken  to  White  Webbs ;  and  leaving  her  in  charge  of 
Humphrey  Chetham,  Guy  Fawkes  went  in  search  of  a  convey 
ance  to  Enfield. 

Traversing  the  Strand, — every  hostel  in  which  was  closed,— 
he  turned  up  Wych-street,  immediately  on  the  right  of  which 
there  was  a  large  inn  (still  in  existence),  and  entering  the  yard, 
discovered  a  knot  of  carriers  moving  about  with  lanterns  in  their 
hands.  To  his  inquiries  respecting  a  conveyance  to  Enfield,  one 
of  them  answered,  that  he  was  about  to  return  thither  with  his 
waggon  at  four  o'clock, — it  was  then  two, — and  should  be  glad 
to  take  him  and  his  friends.  Overjoyed  at  the  intelligence,  and 
at  once  agreeing  to  the  man's  terms,  Guy  Fawkes  hurried  back 
to  his  companions,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  Humphrey 
Chetham,  contrived  to  carry  Viviana  (for  she  was  utterly  unable 
to  support  herself)  to  the  inn-yard,  where  she  was  immediately 
placed  in  the  waggon,  on  a  heap  of  fresh  straw. 

About  an  hour  after  this,  but  long  before  daybreak,  the  car 
rier  attached  his  horses  to  the  waggon,  and  set  out.  Guy 
Fawkes  and  Humphrey  Chetham  were  seated  near  Viviana, 
but  little  was  said  during  the  journey,  which  occupied  about 
three  hours.  By  this  time  it  was  broad  daylight ;  and  as  the 
carrier  stopped  at  the  door  of  a  small  inn,  Guy  Fawkes  alighted, 
and  inquired  the  distance  to  White  Webbs. 

"  It  is  about  a  mile  and  a  half  off,"  replied  the  man.  "  If 
you  pursue  that  lane,  it  will  bring  you  to  a  small  village  about 
half  a  mile  from  this,  where  you  are  sure  to  find  some  one  who 
will  gladly  guide  you  to  the  house,  which  is  a  little  out  of  the 
road,  on  the  borders  of  the  forest." 

He  then  assisted  Viviana  to  alight,  and  Humphrey  Chetham 
descending  at  the  same  time,  the  party  took  the  road  indicated — 
a  winding  country  lane  with  high  hedges,  broken  by  beautiful 
timber — and  proceeding  at  a  slow  pace,  they  arrived  in  about 
half  an  hour  at  a  little  cluster  of  cottages,  which  Guy  Fawkes 
guessed  to  be  the  village  alluded  to  by  the  carrier.  As  they 
approached  it,  a  rustic  leaped  a  hedge,  and  was  about  to  cross  to 
another  field,  when  Guy  Fawkes  calling  to  him,  inquired  the 
way  to  White  Webbs. 


224  GUV  FAWKES. 

"  I  am  going  in  that  direction,"  replied  the  man.  "  If  you 
desire  it,  I  will  show  you  the  road." 

u  I  shall  feel  much  indebted  to  you,  friend,"  returned  Fawkes, 
"and  will  reward  you  for  your  trouble." 

"  I  want  no  reward,"  returned  the  countryman,  trudging 
forward. 

Following  their  guide,  after  a  few  minutes'  brisk  walking  the\ 
reached  the  borders  of  the  forest,  and  took  their  way  along  a 
patch  of  greensward  that  skirted  it.  In  some  places  their  track 
was  impeded  by  gigantic  thorns  and  brushwood,  while  at  others 
avenues  opened  upon  them,  affording  them  peeps  into  the  heart 
of  the  wood.  It  was  a  beautiful  sylvan  scene.  And  as  at  length 
they  arrived  at  the  head  of  a  long  glade,  at  the  farther  end  of 
which  a  herd  of  deer  were  seen,  with  their  branching  antlers 
mingling  with  the  overhanging  boughs,  Viviana  could  not  help 
pausing  to  admire  it. 

"  King  James  often  hunts  within  the  forest,"  observed  the 
countryman.  "  Indeed,  I  heard  one  of  the  rangers  say  it  was 
not  unlikely  he  might  be  here  to-day.  He  is  at  Theobald's 
Palace  now." 

"  Indeed !"  exclaimed  Fawkes.  "  Let  us  proceed.  We  lose 
time.  Are  we  far  from  the  house  ?" 

"  Not  above  a  quarter  of  a  mile,"  was  the  answer.  "  You  will 
see  it  at  the  next  turn  of  the  road." 

As  the  countryman  had  intimated,  they  speedily  perceived  the 
roof  and  tall  chimneys  of  an  ancient  house  above  the  trees, 
and  as  it  was  now  impossible  to  mistake  the  road,  Guy  Fawkes 
thanked  their  guide  for  his  trouble,  and  would  have  rewarded  him, 
but  he  refused  the  gratuity,  and  leaping  a  hedge,  disappeared. 

Pursuing  the  road,  they  shortly  afterwards  arrived  at  a  gate 
leading  to  the  house — a  large  building,  erected  probably  at  the 
beginning  of  Elizabeth's  reign — and  entering  it,  they  passed 
under  an  avenue  of  trees.  On  approaching  the  mansion,  they 
observed  that  many  of  the  windows  were  closed,  and  the  whole 
appearance  of  the  place  was  melancholy  and  deserted.  The 
garden  was  overgrown  with  weeds,  and  the  door  looked  as  if  it 
was  rarely  opened. 

Not  discouraged  by  these  appearances,  but  rather  satisfied  by 
them  of  the  security  of  the  asylum,  Guy  Fawkes  proceeded  to 
the  back  of  the  house,  and  entering  a  court,  the  flags  and  stones 
of  which  were  covered  with  moss,  while  the  interstices  were 
filled  with  long  grass,  Guy  Fawkes  knocked  against  a  small  door, 
and,  after  repeating  the  summons,  it  was  answered  by  an  old 
woman-servant,  who  popped  her  head  out  of  an  upper  window, 
and  demanded  his  business. 

Guy  Fawkes  was  about  to  inquire  for  Mrs.  Brooksby,  when 
another  head,  which  proved  to  be  that  of  Catesby,  appeared  at 
the  window.  On  seeing  Fawkes  and  his  companions,  Catesby 


WHITE   WEBBS.  225 

instantly  descended,  and  unfastened  the  door.  The  house 
proved  far  more  comfortable  within  than  its  exterior  promised ; 
and  the  old  female  domestic  having  taken  \vord  to  Anne  Vaux 
that  Viviana  was  below,  the  former  lady,  who  had  not  yet  risen, 
sent  for  her  to  her  chamber,  and  provided  everything  for  her 
comfort. 

Guy  Fawkes  and  Humphrey  Chetham,  neither  of  whom  had 
rested  during  the  night,  were  glad  to  obtain  a  few  hours'  repose 
on  the  floor  of  the  first  room  into  which  they  were  shown, 
and  they  were  not  disturbed  until  the  day  had  considerably 
advanced,  when  Catesby  thought  fit  to  rouse  them  from  their 
slumbers. 

Explanations  were  then  given  on  both  sides.  Chetham  de 
tailed  the  manner  of  Viviana's  escape  from  the  Tower,  and 
Catesby  in  his  turn  acquainted  them  that  Father  Oldcorne  was  in 
the  house,  having  found  his  way  thither  after  his  escape  from  the 
dwelling  at  Lambeth.  G  uy  Fawkes  was  greatly  rejoiced  at  the  in 
telligence,  and  shortly  afterwards  had  the  satisfaction  of  meeting 
with  the  priest.  At  noon,  the  whole  party  assembled,  with  the 
exception  of  Viviana,  who,  by  the  advice  of  Anne  Vaux,  kept 
her  chamber,  to  recruit  herself  after  the  sufferings  she  had 
undergone. 

Humphrey  Chetham,  of  whom  no  suspicions  were  now  enter 
tained,  and  of  whom  Catesby  no  longer  felt  any  jealousy,  was 
invited  to  stay  in  the  house ;  and  he  was  easily  induced  to  pass 
his  time  near  Viviana,  although  he  might  not  be  able  to  see  her. 
Long  and  frequent  consultations  were  held  by  the  conspirators, 
and  letters  were  despatched  by  Catesby  to  the  elder  Winter  at 
his  seat,  Huddington,  in  Worcestershire,  entreating  him  to  make 
every  preparation  for  the  crisis,  as  well  as  to  Sir  Everard  Digby, 
to  desire  him  to  assemble  as  many  friends  as  he  could  muster 
against  the  meeting  of  Parliament,  at  Dunchurch,  in  Warwick 
shire,  under  the  plea  of  a  grand  hunting-party. 

Arrangements  were  next  made  as  to  the  steps  to  be  taken 
by  the  different  parties  after  the  explosion.  Catesby  undertook, 
with  a  sufficient  force,  to  seize  the  Princess  Elizabeth,  the 
eldest  daughter  of  James  the  First,  who  was  then  at  the  resi 
dence  of  the  Earl  of  Harrington,  near  Coventry,  ar.d  to  proclaim 
her  queen,  in  case  the  others  should  fail  in  securing  the  princes. 
It  was  supposed  that  Henry,  Prince  of  Wales,  (who,  it  need 
scarcely  be  mentioned,  died  in  his  youth,)  would  be  present 
with  the  King,  his  father,  in  the  Parliament  House,  and  would 
perish  with  him ;  and  in  this  case,  as  Charles,  Duke  of  York, 
(afterwards  Charles  the  First,)  would  become  successor  to  the 
throne,  it  was  resolved  that  he  should  be  seized  by  Percy,  and 
instantly  proclaimed.  Other  resolutions  were  decided  upon, 
and  the  whole  time  of  the  conspirators  was  spent  in  maturing 
their  projects. 

Q 


226  GUY  FAWKES. 

And  thus  weeks,  and  even  months,  stole  on.  Viviana  had 
completely  regained  her  strength,  and  passed  a  life  of  perfect 
seclusion,  seldom,  if  ever,  mixing  with  the  others.  She,  how 
ever,  took  a  kindly  farewell  of  Humphrey  Chetham,  before  his 
departure  for  Manchester  (for  which  place  he  set  out  about  a 
fortnight  after  his  arrival  at  White  Webbs,  having  first  sought 
out  his  servant,  Martin  Heydocke);  but  though  strongly  urged 
by  Guy  Fawkes,  she  would  hold  out  no  hopes  of  a  change  in 
her  sentiments  towards  the  young  merchant.  Meetings  were 
occasionally  held  by  the  conspirators  elsewhere,  and  Catesby 
and  Fawkes  had  more  than  one  interview  with  Tresham — but 
never,  except  in  places  where  they  were  secure  from  a  surprise. 

The  latter  end  of  September  had  now  arrived,  and  the 
meeting  of  Parliament  was  still  fixed  for  the  third  of  October. 
On  the  last  day  of  the  month,  Guy  Fawkes  prepared  to  start  for 
town ;  but  before  doing  so  he  desired  to  see  Viviana.  They 
had  not  met  for  some  weeks ;  nor,  indeed,  since  Fawkes  had 
discovered  the  secret  of  her  heart,  (and  perhaps  of  his  own,)  had 
they  ever  met  with  the  same  freedom  as  heretofore.  As  she 
entered  the  room,  in  which  he  awaited  her  coming,  a  tremor 
agitated  his  frame,  but  he  had  nerved  himself  for  the  interview, 
and  speedily  subdued  the  feeling. 

"  I  am  starting  for  London,  Viviana,"  he  said,  in  a  voice  of 
forced  calmness.  "  You  may  guess  for  what  purpose.  But  as  I 
may  never  behold  you  again,  I  would  not  part  with  you  without 
a  confession  of  my  weakness.  I  will  not  deny  that  what  Hum 
phrey  Chetham  stated,  and  which  you  have  never  contradicted — 
namely,  that  you  loved  me,  for  I  must  speak  out — has  produced 
a  strong  effect  upon  me.  I  have  endeavoured  to  conquer  it,  but 
it  will  return.  Till  I  knew  you  I  never  loved,  Viviana." 

"  Indeed  I"  she  exclaimed. 

"  Never,"  he  replied.  "  The  fairest  had  not  power  to  move 
me.  But  I  grieve  to  say — notwithstanding  my  struggles — I  do 
not  continue  equally  insensible." 

"  Ah  !"  she  ejaculated,  becoming  as  pale  as  death. 

"  Why  should  I  hesitate  to  declare  my  feelings  ?  Why  should 
I  not  tell  you  that — though  blinded  to  it  so  long — I  have  dis 
covered  that  I  do  love  you  ?  Why  should  I  hesitate  to  tell  you 
that  I  regret  this,  and  lament  that  we  ever  met  ?" 

"  What  mean  you?"  cried  Viviana,  with  a  terrified  look. 

"  I  will  tell  you,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Till  I  saw  you,  my 
thoughts  were  removed  from  earth,  and  fixed  on  one  object. 
Till  I  saw  you,  I  asked  not  to  live,  but  to  die  the  death  of  a 
martyr.55 

"  Die  so  still,"  rejoined  Viviana.  "  Forget  me — oh  J  forget 
me." 

"  I  cannot,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I  have  striven  against  it. 
but  your  image  is  perpetually  before  me.  Nay,  at  this  very 


WHITE  WEBBS.  1*7 

moment,  when  I  am  about  to  set  out  on  the  enterprise,  you  alone 
detain  me." 

"  I  am  glad  of  it,"  exclaimed  Viviana,  fervently.  "  Oh  that  I 
could  prevent  you — could  save  you  !" 

"  Save  me !"  echoed  Fawkes,  bitterly.     "  You  destroy  me." 

«  How  ?"  she  asked. 

"  Because  I  am  sworn  to  this  project,"  he  rejoined ;  "  and  if 
I  were  turned  from  it,  I  would  perish  by  my  own  hand." 

"  Oh  !  say  not  so,"  replied  Viviana,  "  but  listen  to  me.  Aban 
don  it,  and  I  will  devote  myself  to  you." 

Guy  Fawkes  gazed  at  her  for  a  moment  passionately,  and 
then,  covering  his  face  with  his  hands,  appeared  torn  by  con 
flicting  emotions. 

Viviana  approached  him,  and  pressing  his  arm,  asked  in  an 
entreating  voice,  "Are  you  still  determined  to  pursue  your 
dreadful  project?" 

"  I  am,"  replied  Fawkes,  uncovering  his  face,  and  gazing  at 
her;  "but,  if  I  remain  here  a  moment  longer,  I  shall  not  be 
able  to  do  so." 

"  I  will  detain  you,  then,"  she  rejoined,  "  and  exercise  the 
power  I  possess  over  you  for  your  benefit." 

"  No !"  he  replied,  vehemently.  "  It  must  not  be.  Farewell, 
for  ever !" 

And  breaking  from  her,  he  rushed  out  of  the  room. 

As  he  gained  the  passage,  he  encountered  Catesby,  who  looked 
abashed  at  seeing  him. 

"  I  have  overheard  what  has  passed,"  said  the  latter,  "  and 
applaud  your  resolution.  Few  men,  similarly  circumstanced, 
•would  have  acted  as  you  have  done." 

"  You  would  not,"  said  Fawkes,  coldly. 

"  Perhaps  not,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  But  that  does  not  lessen 
my  admiration  of  your  conduct." 

"  I  am  devoted  to  one  object,"  replied  Fawkes,  "  and  nothing 
shall  turn  me  from  it." 

"  Remove  yourself  instantly  from  temptation,  then,"  replied 
Catesby.  "  I  will  meet  you  at  the  cellar  beneath  the  Parliament 
House  to-morrow  night." 

With  this,  he  accompanied  Guy  Fawkes  to  the  door ;  and  the 
latter,  without  hazarding  a  look  behind  him,  set  out  for  London, 
where  he  arrived  at  nightfall. 

On  the  following  night,  Fawkes  examined  the  cellar,  and 
found  it  in  all  respects  as  he  had  left  it;  and,  apprehensive  lest 
some  difficulty  might  arise,  he  resolved  to  make  every  prepara 
tion.  He,  accordingly,  pierced  the  sides  of  several  of  the  bar 
rels  piled  against  the  walls  with  a  gimlet,  and  inserted  in  the 
holes  small  pieces  of  slow-burning  match.  Not  content  with 
this,  he  staved  in  the  tops  of  the  uppermost  tier,  and  scattered 
powder  among  them  to  secure  their  instantaneous  ignition. 

Q  2 


5?3  GUT 

This  done,  be  took  a  powder-horn,  with  which  he  was  pro 
vided,  and  kneeling  down,  and  holding  his  lantern  so  as  to  throw 
a  light  upon  the  floor,  laid  a  train  to  one  of  the  lower  barrels, 
and  brought  it  within  a  few  inches  of  the  door,  intending  to 
fire  it  from  that  point.  His  arrangements  completed,  he  arose, 
and  muttered, 

"  A  vessel  is  provided  for  my  escape  in  the  river,  and  my 
companions  advise  me  to  use  a  slow  match,  which  will  allow  me 
to  get  out  of  harm's  way.  But  I  will  see  the  deed  done,  and  if 
the  train  fails,  will  hold  a  torch  to  the  barrels  myself." 

At  this  juncture,  a  slight  tap  was  heard  without. 

Guy  Fawkes  instantly  masked  his  lantern,  and  cautiously 
opening  the  door,  beheld  Catesby. 

"  T  am  come  to  tell  you  that  Parliament  is  prorogued,"  said 
the  latter.  "  The  House  does  not  meet  till  the  fifth  of  November. 
We  have  another  month  to  wait." 

"  I  am  sorry  for  it,"  rejoined  Fawkes.  "  I  have  just  laid  the 
train.  The  lucky  moment  will  pass." 

And,  locking  the  door,  he  proceeded  with  Catesby  to  the 
adjoining  house. 

They  had  scarcely  been  gone  more  than  a  second,  when  two 
figures  muffled  in  cloaks  emerged  from  behind  a  wall. 

"  The  train  is  laid,"  observed  the  foremost,  "  and  they  are 
gone  to  the  house.  You  might  seize  them  now  without  danger." 

"  That  will  not  answer  my  purpose,"  replied  the  other.  "  I 
will  give  them  another  month." 

"  Another  month  !"  replied  the  first  speaker.  "  Who  knows 
what  may  happen  in  that  time?  They  may  abandon  their 
project." 

"  There  is  no  fear  of  that,"  replied  the  other.  "  But  you  had 
better  go  and  join  them." 


CHAPTER  XL 

THE  MARRIAGE  IN  THE  FOREST. 

TRESHAM,  for  it  will  have  been  conjectured  that  he  was  one  of 
the  speakers  mentioned  in  the  preceding  chapter,  on  separating 
from  Lord  Mounteagle,  took  the  same  direction  as  the  conspira 
tors.  He  hesitated  for  some  time  before  venturing  to  knock  at 
the  garden-gate ;  and  when  he  had  done  so,  felt  half-disposed  to 
take  to  his  heels.  But  shame  restrained  him ;  and  hearing  foot 
steps  approach,  he  gave  the  customary  signal,  and  was  instantly 
admitted  by  Guy  Fawkes. 

"  What   brings  you   here  ?"  demanded   the   latter,   as    they 
entered  the  house,  and  made  fast  the  door  behind  them. 


MARRIAGE  IN  THE  FOREST.  £23 

"I  have  ju*t  heard  that  Parliament  is  prorogued  to  the  fifth 
of  November,"  replied  Tresham,  "  and  came  to  tell  you  so." 

"I  already  know  it,"  returned  Fawkes,  gloomily;  "and  for 
the  first  time  feel  some  misgiving  as  to  the  issue  of  our 
enterprise." 

"  Why  so  ?"  inquired  Tresham. 

"  November  is  unlucky  to  me,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  "  and  I  can 
not  recollect  a  year  in  my  life  in  which  some  ill  has  not  befallen 
me  during  that  month,  especially  on  the  fifth  day.  On  the  last 
fifth  of  November,  I  nearly  died  of  a  fever  at  Madrid.  It  is  a 
strange  and  unfortunate  coincidence  that  the  meeting  of  the  Par 
liament  should  be  appointed  for  that  particular  day." 

''•  Shall  I  tell  you  what  I  think  it  portends  ?"  hesitated 
Tresham. 

"  Do  so,"  replied  Fawkes,  "  and  speak  boldly.  I  am  no  child 
to  be  frightened  at  shadows." 

"You  have  more  than  once  declared  your  intention  of  perish 
ing  with  our  foes,"  rejoined  Tresham.  "  The  design,  though 
prosperous  in  itself,  may  be  fatal  to  you." 

"  You  are  right,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I  have  little  doubt  I 
shall  perish  on  that  day.  You  are  both  aware  of  my  superstitious 
nature,  and  are  not  ignorant  that  many  mysterious  occurrences 
have  combined  to  strengthen  the  feeling, — such  as  the  dying 
words  of  the  prophetess,  Elizabeth  Orton, — her  warning  speech 
•when  she  was  raised  from  the  dead  by  Doctor  Dee, — and  lastly, 
the  vision  at  St.  Winifred's  Well.  What  if  I  tell  you  the  saint 
IMS  again  appeared  to  me  ?" 

"  In  a  dream  ?"  inquired  Catesby,  in  a  slightly  sceptical  tone. 

"  Ay,  in  a  dream,"  returned  Fawkes.  "  But  I  saw  her  as 
plainly  as  if  I  had  been  awake.  It  was  the  same  vapoury  figure 
— the  same  transparent  robes,  the  same  benign  countenance,  only 
far  more  pitying  than  before — that  I  beheld  at  Holywell.  I 
heard  no  sound  issue  from  her  lips,  but  I  felt  that  she  warned 
me  to  desist." 

"  Do  you  accept  the  warning  ?"  asked  Tresham,  eagerly. 

"  It  is  needless  to  answer,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I  have  laid  the 
train  to-night." 

"  You  have  infected  me  with  your  misgivings,"  observed 
Tresham.  "  Would  the  enterprise  had  never  been  undertaken  !" 

"  But  being  undertaken,  it  must  be  gone  through  with," 
rejoined  Catesby,  sternly.  "  Hark'e,  Tresham.  You  promised 
us  two  thousand  pounds  in  aid  of  the  project,  but  have  con 
stantly  deferred  payment  of  the  sum  on  some  plea  or  other." 

"  Because  I  have  not  been  able  to  raise  it,"  replied  Tresham, 
sullenly.  "  I  have  tried  in  vain  to  sell  part  of  my  estates  at 
Rushton,  in  Northamptonshire.  I  cannot  effect  impossibilities." 

"  Tush  !"  cried  Catesby,  fiercely.  "  You  well  know  I  ask  no 
impossibility.  I  will  no  longer  be  trifled  with.  The  monej 


230  GUY  FAWKES. 

must  be  forthcoming  by  the  tenth  of  October,  or  you  shall  pay 
the  penalty  with  your  life." 

"  This  is  the  language  of  a  cut-throat,  Mr.  Catesby,"  replied 
Tresham. 

"  It  is  the  only  language  I  will  hold  towards  you,"  rejoined 
Catesby,  contemptuously.  "  Look  you  disappoint  me  not,  or 
take  the  consequences." 

"  I  must  leave  for  Northamptonshire  at  once,  then,"  said 
Tresham. 

"  Do  as  you  please,"  returned  Catesby.  "  Play  the  cut-throat 
yourself,  and  ease  some  rich  miser  of  his  store,  if  you  think  fit. 
Bring  us  the  money,  and  we  will  not  ask  how  you  came  by  it." 

"  Before  we  separate,"  said  Tresham,  disregarding  these 
sneers,  "  I  wish  to  be  resolved  on  one  point  Who  are  to  be 
saved  from  destruction  ?" 

"  Why  do  you  ask  ?"  inquired  Fawkes. 

"  Because  I  must  stipulate  for  the  lives  of  my  brothers-in-law, 
the  Lords  Mounteagle  and  Stourton." 

"  If  anything  detains  them  from  the  meeting,  well  and  good,** 
replied  Catesby.  "  But  no  warning  must  be  given  them.  That 
would  infallibly  lead  to  a  discovery  of  the  plot" 

"  Some  means  might  surely  be  adopted  to  put  them  on  their 
guard  without  danger  to  ourselves  ?"  urged  Tresham. 

"  I  know  of  none,"  replied  Catesby. 

"  Nor  I,"  added  Fawkes.  "  If  I  did,  I  would  warn  Lord 
Montague,  and  some  others  whom  I  shall  grieve  to  destroy." 

"  We  are  all  similarly  circumstanced,"replied  Catesby.  "  Keyes 
is  anxious  for  the  preservation  of  his  patron  and  friend,  Lord 
Mordaunt, — Percy,  for  the  Earl  of  Northumberland.  I,  myself, 
would  gladly  save  the  young  Earl  of  Arundel.  But  we  must 
sacrifice  our  private  feeling  for  the  general  good." 

"  We  must,"  acquiesced  Fawkes. 

"  We  shall  not  meet  again  till  the  night  of  the  tenth  of 
October,"  said  Catesby,  "  when  take  care  you  are  in  readiness 
with  the  money." 

Upon  this,  the  conversation  dropped,  and  soon  afterwards 
Tresham  departed. 

When  he  found  himself  alone,  he  suffered  his  rage  to  find 
vent  in  words.  "  Perdition  seize  them !"  he  cried,  "  I  shall  now 
lose  two  thousand  pounds,  in  addition  to  what  I  have  already 
advanced ;  and,  as  Mounteagle  will  not  have  the  disclosure  made 
till  the  beginning  of  November,  there  is  no  way  of  avoiding  pay 
ment.  They  would  not  fall  into  the  snare  I  laid  to  throw  the 
blame  of  the  discovery,  when  it  takes  place,  upon  their  own 
indiscretion.  But  1  must  devise  some  other  plan.  The  warning 
shall  proceed  from  an  unknown  quarter.  A  letter,  written  in  a 
feigned  hand,  and  giving  some  obscure  intimation  of  danger, 
Siall  be  delivered  with  an  air  of  mystery  to  Mounteagle.  This 


MARRIAGE  IN  THE  FOREST.  231 

will  serve  as  a  plea  for  its  divulgement  to  the  Earl  of  Salisbury. 
Well,  well,  they  shall  have  the  money ;  but  they  shall  pay  me 
back  in  other  coin." 

Early  on  the  following  day,  Catesby  and  Fawkes  proceeded 
to  White  Webbs.  Garnet  was  greatly  surprised  to  see  them, 
and  could  not  conceal  his  disappointment  at  the  cause  of  their 
return. 

"  This  delay  bodes  no  good,"  he  observed.  "  Parliament  has 
been  so  often  prorogued,  that  I  begin  to  think  some  suspicion  is 
entertained  of  our  design." 

"  Make  your  mind  easy,  then,"  replied  Catesby.  "  I  have 
made  due  inquiries,  and  find  the  meeting  is  postponed  to  suit 
the  King's  convenience,  who  wishes  to  prolong  his  stay  at 
Royston.  He  may  probably  have  some  secret  motive  for  the 
delay,  but  I  am  sure  it  in  no  way  concerns  us." 

Everything  being  now  fully  arranged,  the  conspirators  had 
only  to  wait  patiently  for  the  arrival  of  the  expected  fifth  of 
November.  Most  of  them  decided  upon  passing  the  interval  in 
the  country.  Ambrose  Rookwood  departed  for  Clopton,  near 
Stratford-upon-Avon, — a  seat  belonging  to  Lord  Carew,  where 
his  family  were  staying.  Keyes  went  to  visit  Lord  Mordaunt  at 
Turvey,  in  Bedfordshire ;  and  Percy  and  the  two  Wrights  set 
out  for  Gothurst,  in  Buckinghamshire,  to  desire  Sir  Everard 
Digby  to  postpone  the  grand  hunting-party  which  he  was  to  hold 
at  Dunsmore  Heath,  as  an  excuse  for  mustering  a  strong  party 
of  Catholics,  to  the  beginning  of  November.  The  two  Winters 
repaired  to  their  family  mansion,  Huddington,  in  Worcestershire ; 
while  Fawkes  and  Catesby,  together  with  the  two  priests, 
remained  at  White  Webbs.  The  three  latter  held  daily  con 
ferences  together,  but  were  seldom  joined  by  Fawkes,  who 
passed  his  time  in  the  adjoining  forest,  selecting  its  densest  and 
most  intricate  parts  for  his  rambles. 

It  was  now  the  beginning  of  October,  and,  as  is  generally  the 
case  in  the  early  part  of  this  month,  the  weather  was  fine,  and 
the  air  pure  and  bracing.  The  forest  could  scarcely  have  been 
seen  to  greater  advantage.  The  leaves  had  assumed  theii 
gorgeous  autumnal  tints,  and  the  masses  of  timber,  variegated  in 
colour,  presented  an  inexpressibly  beautiful  appearance.  Guy 
Fawkes  spent  hours  in  the  depths  of  the  wood.  His  sole  com 
panions  were  the  lordly  stag  and  the  timid  hare,  that  occasionally 
started  across  his  path.  Since  his  return,  he  had  sedulously 
avoided  Viviana,  and  they  had  met  only  twice,  and  then  no 
speech  had  passed  between  them.  One  day,  when  he  had 
plunged  even  deeper  than  usual  into  the  forest,  and  had  seated 
himself  on  the  stump  of  a  decayed  tree,  with  his  eyes  fixed  on  a 
mall  clear  rivulet  welling  at  his  feet,  he  saw  the  reflection  of  a 
Temale  figure  in  the  water;  and,  filled  with  the  idea  of  the 
vision  of  Saint  Winifred,  at  first  imagined  he  was  about  to 


232  GUY  FAWKES. 

receive  another  warning.  But  a  voice  that  thrilled  to  his  heart's 
core,  soon  undeceived  him,  and,  turning,  he  beheld  Viviana. 
She  was  habited  in  a  riding-dress,  and  appeared  prepared  to  set 
out  upon  a  journey. 

"  So  you  have  tracked  me  to  my  solitude,"  he  observed,  in  a 
tone  of  forced  coldness.  "  I  thought  I  was  secure  from  inter 
ruption  here." 

"  You  will  forgive  me,  I  am  sure,  when  you  know  my  errand," 
she  replied.  "It  is  to  take  an  eternal  farewell  of  you." 

"  Indeed  I"  he  exclaimed.  "  Are  you  about  to  quit  White 
Webbs?" 

"lam,"  she  mournfully  rejoined.  "I  arn  about  to  set  out 
with  Father  Oldcorne  for  Gothurst,  where  I  shall  remain  till  all 
is  over." 

"  I  entirely  approve  your  determination,"  returned  Fawkes, 
after  a  short  pause. 

"I  knew  you  would  do  so,  or  I  should  have  consulted  you 
upon  it,"  she  rejoined.  "  And  as  you  appear  to  avoid  me,  I 
would  fain  have  departed  without  taking  leave  of  you,  but  found 
it  impossible  to  do  so." 

"  You  well  know  my  motive  for  avoiding  you,  Viviana,"  re 
joined  Fawkes.  "  We  are  no  longer  what  we  were  to  each 
other.  A  fearful  struggle  has  taken  place  within  me,  though  I 
have  preserved  an  unmoved  exterior,  between  passion  and  the 
sense  of  my  high  calling.  I  have  told  you  I  never  loved  before, 
and  fancied  my  heart  immoveable  as  adamant.  But  I  now 
find  out  my  error.  It  is  a  prey  to  a  raging  and  constant  flame. 
I  have  shunned  you,"  he  continued,  with  increased  excitement, 
"because  the  sight  of  you  shakes  my  firmness, — because  I  feel  it 
sinful  to  think  of  you  in  preference  to  holier  objects, — and 
because,  after  I  have  quitted  you,  your  image  alone  engrosses 
my  thoughts.  Here,  in  the  depths  of  this  wood,  by  the  side  of 
this  brook,  I  can  commune  with  my  soul, — can  abstract  myself 
from  the  world  and  the  thoughts  of  the  world — from  you — yes, 
you,  who  are  all  the  world  to  me  now, — and  prepare  to  meet  my 
end." 

"  Then  you  are  resolved  to  die  ?"  she  cried. 

"  I  shall  abide  the  explosion,  and  nothing  but  a  miracle  can 
save  me,"  returned  Fawkes. 

"  And  think  not  it  will  be  exerted  in  your  behalf,"  she 
replied.  "  Heaven  does  not  approve  your  design,  and  you  will 
assuredly  incur  its  vengeance  by  your  criminal  conduct." 

"  Viviana,"  replied  Guy  Fawkes,  rising,  is  man  cannot  read 
my  heart,  but  Heaven  can ;  and  the  sincerity  of  my  purpose 
will  be  recognised  above.  What  I  am  about  to  do  is  for  the 
regeneration  of  our  holy  religion  ;  and  if  the  welfare  of  that  reli 
gion  is  dear  to  the  Supreme  Being,  our  cause  must  prosper.  If 
the  contrary,  it  deserves  to  fail,  and  will  fail.  I  have  ever  told 


MARRIAGE   IN   THE   FOREST.  233 

you  that  I  care  not  what  becomes  of  myself.  I  am  now  more 
than  ever  indifferent  to  life, — or  rather,"  he  added,  in  a  sombre 
tone,  "  I  am  anxious  to  die." 

"  Your  dreadful  wish,  I  fear,  will  be  accomplished,"  replied 
Viviana,  sadly.  "  I  have  been  constantly  haunted  by  frightful 
apprehensions  respecting  you,  and  my  dead  father  has  appeared 
to  me  in  my  dreams.  His  spirit,  if  such  it  were,  seemed  to  gaze 
upon  me  with  a  mournful  look,  and,  as  I  thought,  pronounced 
your  name  in  piteous  accents." 

"  These  forebodings  chime  with  my  own,"  muttered  Fawkes, 
repressing  a  shudder;  "but  nothing  shall  shake  me.  It  will 
inflict  a  bitter  pang  upon  me  to  part  with  you,  Viviana, — the 
bitterest  I  can  ever  feel, — and  T  shall  be  glad  when  it  is  over." 

"  I  echo  your  own  wish,"  she  returned,  "  and  deeply  lament 
that  we  ever  met.  But  the  fate  that  brought  us  together  must 
for  ever  unite  us." 

"  What  mean  you  ?"  he  inquired,  gazing  fixedly  at  her. 

"  There  is  one  sad  consolation  which  you  can  afford  me,  and 
which  you  owe  me  for  the  deep  and  lasting  misery  I  shall  endure 
on  your  account,"  replied  Viviana ; — "  a  consolation  that  will 
enable  me  to  bear  your  loss  with  fortitude,  and  to  devote  myself 
wholly  to  Heaven." 

"  Whatever  I  can  do  that  will  not  interfere  with  my  purpose, 
you  may  command,"  he  rejoined. 

"  What  I  have  to  propose  will  not  interfere  with  it,"  she 
answered.  "  Now,  hear  me,  and  put  the  sole  construction  I 
deserve  on  my  conduct.  Father  Garnet  is  at  a  short  distance 
from  us,  behind  those  trees,  waiting  my  summons.  I  have 
informed  him  of  my  design,  and  he  approves  of  it.  It  is  to  unite 
us  in  marriage — solemnly  unite  us — that  though  I  may  never  live 
with  you  as  a  wife,  I  may  mourn  you  as  a  widow.  Do  you 
consent  ?" 

Guy  Fawkes  returned  an  affirmative,  in  a  voice  broken  by 
emotion. 

"  The  moment  the  ceremony  is  over,"  pursued  Viviana,  "  I 
shall  start  with  Father  Oldcorne  for  Gothurst.  We  shall  never 
meet  again  in  this  world." 

"  Unless  I  succeed,"  said  Fawkes. 

"  You  will  not  succeed,"  replied  Viviana.  "  If  I  thought  so, 
I  should  not  take  this  step.  I  look  upon  it  as  an  espousal  with 
the  dead." 

So  saying,  she  hurried  away,  and  disappearing  beneath  the 
covert,  returned  in  a  few  seconds  with  Garnet. 

"  I  have  a  strange  duty  to  perform  for  you,  my  son,"  said 
Garnet  to  Fawkes,  who  remained  motionless  and  stupified;  "  but 
I  am  right  willing  to  perform  it,  because  1  think  it  will  lead  to 
your  future  happiness  with  the  fair  creature  who  has  bestowed 
her  affections  on  you." 


234  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Do  not  speculate  on  the  future,  father,"  cried  Viviana. 
<f  You  know  why  I  asked  you  to  perform  this  ceremony.  You 
know,  also,  that  I  have  made  preparations  for  instant  departure ; 
and  that  I  indulge  no  hope  of  seeing  Guy  Fawkes  again." 

"All  this  I  know,  dear  daughter,"  returned  Garnet;  "but,  in 
spite  of  your  anticipations  of  ill,  I  still  hope  that  your  union  may 
prove  auspicious." 

"  I  take  you  to  witness,  father,"  said  Viviana,  "  that  in  bestow 
ing  my  hand  upon  Guy  Fawkes,  I  bestow  at  the  same  time  all 
my  possessions  upon  him.  He  is  free  to  use  them  as  he  thinks 
proper, — even  in  the  furtherance  of  his  design  against  the  state, 
which,  though  I  cannot  approve  it,  seems  good  to  him." 

"  This  must  not  be,"  cried  Fawkes. 

"  It  shall  be"  rejoined  Viviana.  "  Proceed  with  the  cere 
mony,  father." 

"  Let  her  have  her  own  way,  my  son,"  observed  Garnet,  in  a 
low  tone.  "  Under  any  circumstances,  her  estates  must  now  be 
necessarily  yours." 

He  then  took  a  breviary  from  his  vest,  and  placing  them  near 
each  other,  began  to  read  aloud  the  marriage-service  appointed 
by  the  Romish  Church.  And  there,  in  that  secluded  spot,  and 
under  such  extraordinary  circumstances,  with  no  other  witnesses 
than  the  ancient  trees  around  them,  and  the  brook  rippling  at 
their  feet,  were  Guy  Fawkes  and  Viviana  united.  The  cere 
mony  over,  Guy  Fawkes  pressed  his  bride  to  his  breast,  and 
imprinted  a  kiss  upon  her  lips. 

"  I  have  broken  my  faith  to  Heaven,  to  which  I  was  first 
espoused,"  he  cried. 

"  No,"  she  returned ;  "  you  will  now  return  to  your  first  and 
holiest  choice.  Think  of  me  only  as  I  shall  think  of  you, — as 
of  the  dead." 

With  this,  the  party  slowly  and  silently  returned  to  the  house, 
where  they  found  a  couple  of  steeds,  with  luggage  strapped  to 
the  saddles,  at  the  door. 

Father  Oldcorne  was  already  mounted,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
Viviana  was  by  his  side.  Before  her  departure,  she  bade  Guy 
Fawkes  a  tender  farewell;  and  at  this  trying  juncture  her  firm 
ness  nearly  deserted  her.  But  rousing  herself,  she  sprang  upon 
her  horse,  and  urging  the  animal  into  a  quick  pace,  and  followed 
by  Oldcorne,  she  speedily  disappeared  from  view.  Guy  Fawkes 
watched  her  out  of  sight,  and  shunning  the  regards  of  Catesbj 
who  formed  one  of  the  group,  struck  into  the  forest,  and  was  not 
seen  again  till  the  following  day. 

The  tenth  of  October  having  arrived,  Guy  Fawkes  and 
Catesby  repaired  to  the  place  of  rendezvous.  But  the  night 
passed,  and  Tresham  did  not  appear.  Catesby  was  angry  and 
disappointed,  and  could  not  conceal  his  apprehensions  ol 
treachery.  Fawkes  took  a  different  view  of  the  matter,  and 


MARRIAGE  IN  THE  FOREST.  235 

thought  it  not  improbable  that  their  confederate's  absence  might 
be  occasioned  by  the  difficulty  he  found  in  complying  with  their 
demands;  and  this  opinion  was  confirmed  the  next  morning  by 
the  arrival  of  a  letter  from  Tresham,  stating  that  he  had  been 
utterly  unable  to  effect  the  sales  he  contemplated,  and  could  not, 
therefore,  procure  the  money  till  the  end  of  the  month. 

"  I  will  immediately  go  down  to  Rushton,"  said  Catesby, 
"  and  if  1  find  him  disposed  to  palter  with  us,  I  will  call  him  to 
instant  account.  But  Garnet  informs  me  that  Viviana  has 
bestowed  all  her  wealth  upon  you.  Are  you  willing  to  devote 
it  to  the  good  cause  ?'* 

"  No  I"  replied  Fawkes,  in  a  tone  so  decisive  that  his  com 
panion  felt  it  would  be  useless  to  urge  the  matter  further. 
"  I  give  my  life  to  the  cause, — that  must  suffice." 

The  subject  was  never  renewed.  At  night,  Catesby,  having 
procured  a  powerful  steed,  set  out  upon  his  journey  to  North 
amptonshire,  while  Fawkes  returned  to  White  Webbs. 

About  a  fortnight  passed  unmarked  by  any  event  of  import 
ance.  Despatches  were  received  from  Catesby,  stating  that  he 
had  received  the  money  from  Tresham,  and  had  expended  it  in 
procuring  horses  and  arms.  He  also  added  that  he  had  raised 
numerous  recruits  on  various  pretences.  This  letter  was  dated 
from  Ashby  St.  Leger's,  the  seat  of  his  mother,  Lady  Catesby, 
but  he  expressed  his  intention  of  proceeding  to  Coughton  Hall, 
near  Alcester,  in  Warwickshire,  the  residence  of  Mr.  Thomas 
Throckmorton  (a  wealthy  Catholic  gentleman),  whither  Sir 
Everard  Digby  had  removed  with  his  family,  to  be  in  readiness 
for  the  grand  hunting-party  to  be  held  on  the  fifth  of  November 
on  Dunsmore  Heath.  Here  he  expected  to  be  joined  by  the 
two  Wrights,  the  Winters,  Rookwood,  Keyes,  and  the  rest  of 
the  conspirators,  and  undertook  to  bring  them  all  up  to  White 
Webbs  on  Saturday  the  twenty-sixth  of  October. 

By  this  time,  Guy  Fawkes  had  in  a  great  degree  recovered 
his  equanimity,  and  left  alone  with  Garnet,  held  long  and 
frequent  religious  conferences  with  him ;  it  being  evidently  his 
desire  to  prepare  himself  for  his  expected  fate.  He  spent  the 
greater  part  of  the  nights  in  solitary  vigils — fasted  even  more 
rigorously  than  he  was  enjoined  to  do — and  prayed  with  such 
fervour  and  frequency,  that,  fearing  an  ill  effect  upon  his  health, 
and  almost  upon  his  mind,  which  had  become  exalted  to  the 
highest  pitch  of  enthusiasm,  Garnet  thought  it  necessary  to  check 
him.  The  priest  did  not  fail  to  note  that  Viviana's  name  never 
passed  his  lips,  and  that  in  all  their  walks  in  the  forest  he  care 
fully  shunned  the  scene  of  his  espousals. 

And  thus  time  flew  by.  On  the  evening  of  the  twenty-sixth 
of  October,  in  accordance  with  Catesby's  intimation,  the  con 
spirators  arrived.  They  were  all  assembled  at  supper,  and  were 
relating  the  different  arrangements  which  had  been  made  ia 


236  GUY  FAWKES. 

anticipation  of  the  important  event,  when  Garnet  observed  with 
a  look  of  sudden  uneasiness  to  Catesby,  "  You  said  in  one  of 
your  letters  that  you  would  bring  Tresham  with  you,  my  son. 
Why  do  I  not  see  him  ?" 

"  He  sent  a  message  to  Coughton  to  state,  that  having  been 
attacked  by  a  sudden  illness,  he  was  unable  to  join  us,"  replied 
Catesby,  "  but  as  soon  as  he  could  leave  his  bed,  he  would 
hasten  to  London.  This  may  be  a  subterfuge,  but  I  shall 
speedily  ascertain  the  truth,  for  I  have  sent  my  servant  Bates  to 
Rushton,  to  investigate  the  matter.  I  ought  to  tell  you,"  he 
added,  "  that  he  has  given  substantial  proof  of  his  devotion  to 
the  cause  by  sending  another  thousand  pounds,  to  be  expended 
in  the  purchase  of  arms  and  horses/' 

"  I  hope  it  is  not  dust  thrown  into  our  eyes,"  returned  Garnet. 
**  I  have  always  feared  Tresham  would  deceive  us  at  the  last." 

"  This  sudden  illness  looks  suspicious,  I  must  own,"  said 
Catesby.  "  Has  aught  been  heard  of  Lord  Mounteagle  ?" 

"  Guy  Fawkes  heard  that  he  was  at  his  residence  at  Southwark 
yesterday,"  returned  Garnet. 

"  So  far,  good,'*  replied  Catesby.  "  Did  you  visit  the  cellar 
where  the  powder  is  deposited  ?"  he  addod,  turning  to  Fawkes. 

"I  did,"  replied  the  other,  "and  found  all  secure.  The 
powder  is  in  excellent  preservation.  Before  quitting  the  spot,  I 
placed  certain  private  marks  against  the  door,  by  which  I  can 
tell  whether  it  is  opened  during  our  absence." 

"  A  wise  precaution,"  returned  Catesby.  "  And  now,  gentle 
men,"  he  added,  filling  a  goblet  with  wine,  "success  to  our 
enterprise !  Everything  is  prepared,"  he  continued,  as  the 
pledge  was  enthusiastically  drunk ;  "  I  have  got  together  a 
company  of  above  two  hundred  men,  all  well  armed  and  ap 
pointed,  who  will  follow  me  wherever  I  choose  to  lead  them. 
They  will  be  stationed  near  Dunsmore  Heath  on  the  fifth  of 
next  month,  and  as  soon  as  the  event  of  the  explosion  is  known, 
I  shall  ride  thither  as  fast  as  I  can,  and,  hurrying  with  my 
troops  to  Coventry,  seize  the  Princess  Elizabeth.  Percy  and 
Keyes  will  secure  the  person  of  the  Duke  of  York,  and  proclaim 
him  King ;  while  upon  the  rest  will  devolve  the  arduous  duty 
of  rousing  our  Catholic  brethren  in  London  to  rise  to  arms." 

"  Trust  to  us  to  rouse  them,"  shouted  several  voices. 

"  Let  each  man  swear  not  to  swerve  from  the  fulfilment  of  his 
task,"  cried  Catesby  ;  "  swear  it  upon  this  cup  of  wine,  in  which 
we  will  all  mix  our  blood." 

And  as  he  spoke,  he  pricked  his  arm  with  the  point  of  his 
sword,  and  suffered  a  few  drops  of  blood  to  fall  into  the  goblet, 
while  the  others,  roused  to  a  state  of  frenzied  enthusiasm,  imi 
tated  his  example,  and  afterwards  raised  the  horrible  mixture  to 
their  lips,  pronouncing  at  the  same  time  the  oath. 

Guy  Fawkes  was  the  last  to  take  the  pledge,  and  crying  in  a 


THE  FIFTH  OP    NOVEMBER.  237 

loud  voice,   "  I  swear  not  to  quit  my  post  till  the  explosion  is 
over,"  he  drained  the  cup. 

After  this,  they  adjourned  to  a  room  in  another  wing  of 
the  house,  fitted  up  as  a  chapel,  where  mass  was  performed 
by  Garnet,  and  the  sacrament  administered  to  the  whole 
assemblage.  They  were  about  to  retire  for  the  night,  when 
a  sudden  knocking  was  heard  at  the  door.  Reconnoitring  the 
intruder  through  an  upper  window,  overlooking  the  court, 
Catesby  perceived  it  was  Bates,  who  was  holding  a  smoking  and 
mud-bespattered  steed  by  the  bridle. 

"  Well,  what  news  do  you  bring  ?"  cried  Catesby,  as  he 
admitted  him.  "  Have  you  seen  Tresham  ?" 

"No,"  replied  Bates.  "His  illness  was  a  mere  pretence. 
He  has  left  Rushton  secretly  for  London." 

"  I  knew  it,"  cried  Garnet.     "  He  has  again  betrayed  us." 

"  He  shall  die,"  said  Catesby. 

And  the  determination  was  echoed  by  all  the  other  con 
spirators. 

Instead  of  retiring  to  rest,  they  passed  the  night  in  anxious 
deliberation,  and  it  was  at  last  proposed  that  Guy  Fawkes 
should  proceed  without  loss  of  time  to  Southwark,  to  keep  watch 
near  the  house  of  Lord  Mounteagle,  and  if  possible  ascertain 
whether  Tresham  had  visited  it. 

To  this  he  readily  agreed.  But  before  setting  out,  he  took 
Catesby  aside  for  a  moment,  and  asked,  "  Did  you  see  Viviana 
at  Coughton  ?" 

"  Only  for  a  moment,  and  that  just  before  I  left  the  place,** 
was  the  answer.  "  She  desired  to  be  remembered  to  you,  and 
said  you  were  never  absent  from  her  thoughts  or  prayers." 

Guy  Fawkes  turned  away  to  hide  his  emotion,  and  mounting 
one  of  the  horses  brought  by  the  conspirators,  rode  off  towards 
London. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE    FIFTH   OF    NOVEMBER. 

ON  the  same  day  as  the  occurrences  last  related,  Lord  Mount- 
eagle,  who  was  then  staying  at  Southwark,  suddenly  intimated 
his  intention  of  passing  the  night  at  his  country  mansion  at 
Hoxton ;  a  change  of  place  which,  trivial  as  it  seemed  at  the 
moment,  afterwards  assumed  an  importance,  from  the  circum 
stances  that  arose  out  of  it.  At  the  latter  part  of  the  day,  he 
accordingly  proceeded  to  Hoxton,  accompanied  by  his  customary 
attendants,  and  all  appeared  to  pass  on  as  usual,  until,  just  as 
supper  was  over,  one  of  his  pages  arrived  from  town,  and  desired 
to  see  his  lordship  immediately. 


238  GUY  FAWKES. 

Affecting  to  treat  the  matter  with  indifference,  Lord  Mount.- 
eagle  carelessly  ordered  the  youth  to  be  ushered  into  his  presence  ; 
and  when  he  appeared,  he  demanded  his  business.  The  page 
replied,  that  he  brought  a  letter  for  his  lordship,  which  had  been 
delivered  under  circumstances  of  great  mystery. 

"  I  had  left  the  house  just  as  it  grew  dusk,"  he  said,  "  on  an 
errand  of  little  importance,  when  a  man,  muffled  in  a  cloak, 
suddenly  issued  from  behind  a  corner,  and  demanded  whether  I 
\vasoneofyour  lordship's  servants?  On  my  replying  in  the 
affirmative,  he  produced  this  letter,  and  enjoined  me,  as  I 
valued  my  life  and  your  lordship's  safety,  to  deliver  it  into  your 
own  hands  without  delay." 

So  saying,  he  delivered  the  letter  to  his  lord,  who,  gazing  at 
its  address,  which  was,  "  To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Lord 
Mounteagle,"  observed,  "  There  is  nothing  very  formidable  in 
its  appearance.  What  can  it  mean  ?"  • 

Without  even  breaking  the  seal,  which  was  secured  with  a 
silken  thread,  he  gave  it  to  one  of  his  gentlemen,  named  Ward, 
who  was  standing  near  him. 

"  Read  it  aloud,  sir,"  said  the  Earl,  with  a  slight  smile.  "  I 
have  no  doubt  it  is  some  vapouring  effusion,  which  will  afford  us 
occasion  for  laughter.  Before  I  hear  what  the  writer  has  to  say, 
I  can  promise  him  he  shall  not  intimidate  me." 

Thus  exhorted,  Ward  broken  open  the  letter,  and  read  as 
follows : — 

"  My  lord,  out  of  the  love  I  bear  to  some  of  your  friends,  I 
have  a  care  of  your  preservation.  Therefore  I  would  advise 
you,  as  you  tender  your  life,  to  devise  some  excuse  to  shift  from 
your  attendance  at  this  Parliament,  for  God  and  man  have  con 
curred  to  punish  the  wickedness  of  this  time.  Think  not 
slightingly  of  this  advice,  but  retire  into  the  country,  where  you 
may  expect  the  event  in  safety ;  for,  though  there  be  no 
appearance  of  any  stir,  yet  I  say  they  shall  receive  a  terrible  blow 
this  Parliament,  and  yet  they  shall  not  know  who  hurts  them. 
This  counsel  is  not  to  be  contemned.  It  may  do  you  good,  and 
can  do  you  no  harm,  for  the  danger  is  passed  as  soon  as  you  have 
burned  the  letter.  God,  I  hope,  will  give  you  grace  to  make 
good  use  of  it,  to  whose  holy  protection  I  commend  you." 

*'  A  singular  letter !"  exclaimed  Mounteagle,  as  soon  as  Ward 
had  finished.  "  What  is  your  opinion  of  it  ?" 

"  I  think  it  hints  at  some  dangerous  plot,  my  lord,"  replied 
Ward,  who  had  received  his  instruction?,  "  some  treason  against 
the  state.  With  submission,  I  would  advise  your  lordship 
instantly  to  take  it  to  the  Earl  of  Salisbury." 

"  I  see  nothing  in  it,"  replied  the  Earl.  "  What  is  your  opinion, 
Mervyn  ?"  he  added,  turning  to  another  of  his  gentlemen,  to 
whom  he  had  likewise  given  his  lesson. 

"  I  am  of  the  same  mind  as  Ward,"  replied  the  attendant. 


THE   FIFTH   OF   NOVEMBER.  259 

"Your  lordship  will  hardly  hold  yourself  excused,  if  you  neglect 
to  give  due  warning,  should  aught  occur  hereafter." 

"  Say  you  so,  sirs  ?"  cried  Lord  Mounteagle.  "  Let  me  hear 
it  once  more." 

The  letter  was  accordingly  read  again  by  Ward,  and  the  Earl 
feigned  to  weigh  over  each  passage. 

"  I  am  advised  not  to  attend  the  Parliament,"  he  said,  " (  for 
God  and  man  have  concurred  to  punish  the  wickedness  of  this 
time.'  That  is  too  vague  to  be  regarded.  Then  I  am  urged  to 
retire  into  the  country.  The  recommendation  must  proceed 
from  some  discontented  Catholic,  who  does  not  wish  me  to  be 
present  at  the  opening  of  the  house.  This  is  not  the  first 
time  I  have  been  so  adjured.  '  They  shall  receive  a  terrible 
blow  this  Parliament,  and  yet  shall  not  know  who  hurts  them.' 
That  is  mysterious  enough,  but  it  may  mean  nothing, — any 
more  than  what  follows,  namely,  *  the  danger  is  passed  as  soon 
as  you  have  burnt  the  letter.' " 

"  I  do  not  think  so,  my  lord,"  replied  Ward ;  "  and  though  I 
cannot  explain  the  riddle,  I  am  sure  it  means  mischief." 

"  Well,"  said  Lord  Mounteagle,  "  since  you  are  of  this  mind, 
I  must  lose  no  time  in  communicating  the  letter  to  the  Secretary 
of  State.  It  is  better  to  err  on  the  safe  side." 

Accordingly,  after  some  further  consultation,  he  set  out  at  that 
late  hour  for  Whitehall,  where  he  roused  the  Earl  of  Salisbury, 
and  showed  him  the  letter.  It  is  almost  needless  to  state  that 
the  whole  was  a  preconcerted  scheme  between  these  two  crafty 
statesmen ;  but  as  the  interview  took  place  in  the  presence  of 
their  attendants,  the  utmost  caution  was  observed. 

Salisbury  pretended  to  be  greatly  alarmed  at  the  communica 
tion,  and  coupling  it,  he  said,  with  previous  intelligence  which 
he  had  received,  ne  could  not  help  fearing,  to  adopt  the  words 
of  the  writer  of  the  mysterious  letter,  that  the  Parliament  was 
indeed  threatened  with  some  "  terrible  blow."  Acting,  appa 
rently,  upon  this  supposition,  he  caused  such  of  the  lords  of  the 
Privy  Council  as  lodged  at  Whitehall  to  be  summoned,  and 
submitting  the  letter  to  them,  they  all  concurred  in  the  opinion 
that  it  referred  to  some  dangerous  plot,  though  none  could  give 
a  guess  at  its  precise  nature. 

"  It  is  clearly  some  Popish  project,"  said  Salisbury,  "  or  Lord 
Mounteagle  would  not  have  been  the  party  warned.  We  must 
keep  a  look-out  upon  the  disaffected  of  his  faith." 

"  As  I  have  been  the  means  of  revealing  the  plot  to  your 
lordship — if  plot  it  be — I  must  pray  you  to  deal  gently  with 
them,"  rejoined  Mounteagle. 

"  I  will  be  as  lenient  as  I  can,"  returned  Salisbury ;  "  but 
in  a  matter  of  this  kind  little  favour  can  be  shown.  If  your 
lordship  will  enable  me  to  discover  the  principal  actors  in  this 
affair,  I  will  take  care  that  no  innocent  party  suffers." 


240  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  You  ask  an  impossibility,"  replied  Mounteagle.  "  I  know 
nothing  beyond  what  can  be  gathered  from  that  letter.  But 
I  pray  your  lordship  not  to  make  it  a  means  of  exercising 
unnecessary  severity  towards  the  members  of  my  religion." 

"  On  that  you  may  rely,"  returned  the  Earl.  "  His  Majesty 
will  not  return  from  the  hunting  expedition  on  which  he  i& 
engaged  at  Royston  till  Thursday  next,  the  30th.  I  think  it 
scarcely  worth  while  (considering  his  naturally  timid  nature, 
with  which  your  lordships  are  well  acquainted)  to  inform  him  of 
the  threatened  danger,  until  his  arrival  at  the  palace.  It  will 
then  be  time  enough  to  take  any  needful  steps,  as  Parliament 
will  not  meet  for  four  or  five  days  afterwards." 

In  the  policy  of  this  course  the  Privy  Councillors  agreed,  and 
it  was  arranged  that  the  matter  should  be  kept  perfectly  secret 
until  the  King's  opinion  had  been  taken  upon  the  letter.  The 
assemblage  then  broke  up,  it  being  previously  arranged  that,  for 
fear  of  some  attempt  upon  his  life,  Lord  Mounteagle  should 
remain  within  the  palace  till  full  inquiries  had  been  instituted 
into  the  affair. 

When  the  two  confederate  nobles  were  left  alone,  Salisbury 
observed,  with  a  slight  laugh,  to  his  companion, 

"  Thus  far  we  have  proceeded  well,  and  without  suspicion, 
and,  rely  upon  it,  none  shall  fall  on  you.  As  soon  as  all  is 
over,  the  most  important  post  the  King  has  to  bestow  shall  be 
yours." 

"But  what  of  Tresham?"  asked  Mounteagle.  "  He  was  the 
deliverer  of  this  letter,  and  I  have  little  faith  in  him." 

"  Hum  1"  said  Salisbury,  after  a  moment's  reflection,  "  if  you 
think  it  desirable,  we  can  remove  him  to  the  Tower,  where  he 
can  be  easily  silenced." 

"  It  will  be  better  so,"  replied  Mounteagle.  "  He  may  else 
babble  hereafter.  I  gave  him  a  thousand  pounds  to  send  in  his 
own  name  to  the  conspirators  the  other  day  to  lure  them  into 
our  nets." 

"  It  shall  be  repaid  you  a  hundred-fold,"  replied  Salisbury. 
"  But  we  are  observed,  and  must  therefore  separate." 

So  saying,  he  withdrew  to  his  own  chamber,  while  Lord 
Mounteagle  was  ushered  to  the  apartments  allotted  to  him. 

To  return  to  Guy  Fawkes.  Arriving  at  Southwark,  he 
stationed  himself  near  Lord  Mounteagle's  residence.  But  he 
observed  nothing  to  awaken  his  suspicions,  until  early  in  the 
morning  he  perceived  a  page  approaching  the  mansion,  whom, 
from  his  livery,  he  knew  to  be  one  of  Lord  Mounteagle's  house 
hold,  (it  was,  in  fact,  the  very  youth  who  had  delivered  the 
mysterious  letter,)  and  from  him  he  ascertained  all  that  had 
Dccurred.  Filled  with  alarm,  and  scarcely  knowing  what  to  do, 
he  crossed  the  river,  and  proceeding  to  the  cellar,  examined  the 
marks  at  the  door,  and  finding  all  precisely  as  he  had  left  it,  felt 


THE  FIFTH  OF   NOVEMBER.  24-1 

certain,  that  whatever  discovery  had  been  made,  the  magazine 
had  not  been  visited. 

He  next  repaired  to  the  house,  of  which  he  possessed  the  key, 
and  was  satisfied  that  no  one  had  been  there.  Somewhat 
relieved  by  this,  he  yet  determined  to  keep  watch  during  the  day, 
and  concealing  himself  near  the  cellar,  remained  on  the  look-out 
till  night.  But  no  one  came ;  nor  did  anything  occur  to  excite 
his  suspicions.  He  would  not,  however,  quit  his  post  till  about 
six  o'clock  on  the  following  evening,  when,  thinking  further 
delay  might  be  attended  with  danger,  he  set  out  to  White 
Webbs,  to  give  his  companions  intelligence  of  the  letter. 

His  news  was  received  by  all  with  the  greatest  alarm,  and  not 
one,  except  Catesby,  who  strove  to  put  a  bold  face  upon  the 
matter,  though  he  was  full  of  inward  misgiving,  but  confessed 
that  he  thought  all  chance  of  success  was  at  an  end.  While 
deliberating  upon  what  should  be  done  in  this  fearful  emergency, 
they  were  greatly  alarmed  by  a  sudden  knocking  without.  All 
the  conspirators  concealed  themselves,  except  Guy  Fawkes,  whc 
opening  the  door,  found,  to  his  infinite  surprise,  that  the  sum 
mons  proceeded  from  Tresham.  He  said  nothing  till  the  other 
had  entered  the  house,  and  then  suddenly  drawing  his  dagger, 
held  it  to  his  throat. 

"  Make  your  shrift  quickly,  traitor,"  he  cried  in  a  furious  tone, 
"  for  your  last  hour  is  arrived.  What  ho  I"  he  shouted  to  the 
others,  who  instantly  issued  from  their  hiding-places,  "  the  fox 
has  ventured  into  the  lion's  den." 

"  You  distrust  me  wrongfully,"  rejoined  Tresham,  with  more 
confidence  than  he  usually  exhibited  in  time  of  danger ;  "  I  am 
come  to  warn  you,  not  betray  you.  Is  this  the  return  you  make 
me  for  the  service  ?" 

"  Villain  1"  cried  Catesby,  rushing  up  to  him,  and  holding 
his  drawn  sword  to  his  breast.  "  You  have  conveyed  the  letter 
to  Lord  Mounteagle." 

"  It  is  false,"  replied  Tresham ;  "I  have  only  just  heard  of  it; 
and,  in  spite  of  the  risk  I  knew  I  should  run  from  your  suspi 
cions,  I  came  to  tell  you  what  had  happened." 

"  Why  did  you  feign  illness,  and  depart  secretly  for  town, 
instead  of  joining  us  at  Coughton  ?"  demanded  Catesby. 

"  I  will  instantly  explain  my  motive,  which,  though  it  may 
not  be  satisfactory  to  you  on  one  point,  will  be  so  on  another," 
replied  Tresham  unhesitatingly,  and  with  apparent  frankness. 
"  I  was  fearful  you  would  make  a  further  tool  of  me,  and 
resolved  not  to  join  you  again  till  a  few  days  before  the  outbreak 
of  the  plot.  To  this  determination  I  should  have  adhered,  had  I 
not  learnt  to-night  that  a  letter  had  been  transmitted  by  some 
one  to  Lord  Mounteagle,  which  he  had  conveyed  to  the  Earl  of 
Salisbury.  It  may  not  convey  any  notion  of  the  plot,  but  it  is 
certain  to  occasion  alarm,  and  I  thought  it  my  duty,  in  spite  of 

B 


24?.  GUY  FAWKES. 

every  personal  consideration,  to  give  yon  warning.  If  you  design 
to  escape,  there  is  yet  time.  A  vessel  lies  in  the  river,  in  which 
\ve  can  all  embark  for  Flanders." 

"  Can  he  be  innocent  ?"  said  Catesby  in  a  whisper  to  Garnet 

"  If  I  had  betrayed  you,"  continued  Tresham,  "  I  should  not 
have  come  hither.  And  I  have  no  motive  for  such  baseness,  for 
I  am  in  equal  danger  with  yourselves.  But  though  the  alarm 
has  been  given,  I  do  not  think  any  discovery  will  be  made. 
They  are  evidently  on  the  wrong  scent." 

"I  hope  so,"  replied  Catesby;  "but  I  fear  the  contrary." 

"  Shall  I  put  him  to  death?"  demanded  Fawkes  of  Garnet. 

"  Do  not  sully  your  hands  with  his  blood,  my  son,"  returned 
Garnet.  "  If  he  has  betrayed  us,  he  will  reap  the  traitor's 
reward  here  and  hereafter.  If  he  has  not,  it  would  be  to  take 
away  a  life  unjustly.  Let  him  depart.  We  shall  feel  more 
secure  without  him." 

*'  Will  it  be  safe  to  set  him  free,  father?"  cried  Fawkes. 

"I  think  so,"  replied  Garnet.  "We  will  not  admit  him  to  our 
further  conferences  ;  but  let  us  act  mercifully." 

The  major  part  of  the  conspirators  concurring  in  this  opinion, 
though  Fawkes  and  Catesby  were  opposed  to  it,  Tresham  was 
suffered  to  depart.  As  soon  as  he  was  gone,  Garnet  avowed 
that  the  further  prosecution  of  the  design  appeared  so  hazardous, 
that  it  ought  to  be  abandoned,  and  that,  in  his  opinion,  each  of 
the  conspirators  had  better  consult  his  own  safety  by  flight.  He 
added,  that  at  some  future  period  the  design  might  be  resumed, 
or  another  planned,  which  might  be  more  securely  carried  out. 

After  much  discussion,  all  seemed  disposed  to  acquiesce  in  the 
proposal,  except  Fawkes,  who  adhered  doggedly  to  his  purpose, 
and  treated  the  danger  so  slightingly,  that  lie  gradually  brought 
the  others  round  to  his  views.  At  length*  it  was  resolved  that 
Garnet  should  set  out  immediately  for  Coughton  Hall,  and  place 
himself  under  the  protection  of  Sir  Everard  Digby,  and  there 
await  the  result  of  the  attempt,  while  the  other  conspirators  de 
cided  upon  remaining  in  town,  in  some  secure  places  of  conceal 
ment,  until  the  event  was  known.  Unmoved  as  ever,  Guy 
Fawkes  declared  his  intention  of  watching  over  the  magazine  of 
powder. 

"  If  anything  happens  to  me,"  he  said,  "  you  will  take  care  of 
yourselves.  You  well  know  nothing  will  be  wrung  from  me." 

Catesby  and  the  others,  aware  of  his  resolute  nature,  affected 
to  remonstrate  with  him,  but  they  willingly  suffered  him  to  take 
his  own  course.  Attended  by  Bates,  Garnet  then  set  out  for 
Warwickshire,  and  the  rest  of  the  conspirators  proceeded  to 
London,  where  they  dispersed,  after  appointing  Lincoln's  Inn 
Walks  as  their  place  of  midnight  rendezvous.  Each  then  made 
preparations  for  sudden  flight,  in  case  it  should  be  necessary,  and 
Kookwood  provided  relays  of  horses  all  the  way  to  Dunchurch. 


THE  FIFTH  OF  NOVEMBER.  243 

Guy  Fawkes  alone  remained  at  his  post.  He  took  up  his 
abode  in  the  cellar,  resolved  to  blow  up  himself  together  with 
his  foes,  in  case  of  a  surprise. 

On  Thursday,  the  31st  of  October,  the  King  returned  to 
Whitehall,  and  the  mysterious  letter  was  laid  before  him  in  the 
presence  of  the  Privy  Council  by  the  Earl  of  Salisbury.  James 
perused  it  carefully,  but  could  scarcely  hide  his  perplexity. 

"  Your  Majesty  will  not  fail  to  remark  the  expressions,  *  a 
terrible  blow'  to  the  Parliament,  and  *  that  the  danger  will  be 
past  as  soon  as  you  have  burnt  the  letter,'  evidently  referring  to 
combustion,"  observed  the  Earl. 

"  You  are  right,  Salisbury,"  said  James,  snatching  at  the  sug 
gestion.  "  I  should  not  wonder  if  these  mischievous  Papists 
mean  to  blow  us  all  up  with  gunpowder." 

"  Your  Majesty  has  received  a  divine  illumination,"  returned 
the  Earl.  "  Such  an  idea  never  occurred  to  me  ;  but  it  must  be 
as  you  intimate." 

"  Undoubtedly — undoubtedly,"  replied  the  monarch,  pleased 
with  the  compliment  to  his  sagacity^  though  alarmed  by  the 
danger;  "  but  what  desperate  traitors  they  must  be  to  imagine 
such  a  deed !  Blow  us  up  !  God's  mercy,  that  were  a  dread 
ful  death !  And  jet  that  must  evidently  be  the  meaning  of  the 
passage.  How  else  can  it  be  construed,  except  by  reference  to 
the  suddenness  of  the  act,  which  might  be  as  quickly  performed 
as  that  paper  would  take  to  be  consumed  in  the  fire?" 

"Your  Majesty's  penetration  has  discovered  the  truth,"  re 
plied  Salisbury,  "  and  by  the  help  of  your  wisdom,  I  will  fully 
develop  this  dark  design.  Where,  think  you,  the  powder  may 
lie  hidden  ?" 

"  Are  there  any  vaults  beneath  the  Parliament  House  ?" 
demanded  James,  trembling.  "Heaven  save  us!  We  have 
often  walked  there — perhaps,  over  a  secret  mine." 

"  There  are,"  replied  Salisbury ;  "  and  I  am  again  indebted  to 
your  Majesty  for  a  most  important  suggestion.  Not  a  corner  in 
the  vaults  shall  be  left  unsearched.  But,  perhaps  you  will  think 
with  me,  that,  in  order  to  catch  these  traitors  in  their  own  trap, 
it  will  be  well  to  defer  the  search  till  the  very  night  before  the 
meeting  of  Parliament." 

"  I  was  about  to  recommend  such  a  course  myself,  Salisbury," 
replied  James. 

"  I  was  sure  you  would  think  so,"  returned  the  Earl ;  "  and 
now  I  must  entreat  you  to  dismiss  the  subject  from  your 
thoughts,  and  to  sleep  securely;  for  you  may  rely  upon  it 
(after  your  Majesty's  discovery)  that  the  plot  shall  be  fully 
unravelled." 

The  significant  tone  in  which  the  Earl  uttered  the  latter  part 
•of  this  speech,  convinced  the  King  that  he  knew  more  of  the 
matter  than  he  cared  to  confess ;  and  he  contented  himself  with 

II  2 


244-  GUY   FAWKES. 

saying,  "  Well,  let  it  be  so.     I  trust  all  to  you.     But  I  at  once 
divined  their  purpose, — I  at  once  divined  it." 

The  Council  then  broke  up,  and  James  laughed  and  chuckled 
to  himself  at  the  discernment  he  had  displayed.  Nor  was  he  less 
pleased  with  his  minister  for  the  credit  given  him  in  the  affair. 
But  he  took  care  not  to  enter  the  Parliament  House. 

On  the  afternoon  of  Monday,  the  4th  of  November,  the  Lord 
Chamberlain,  accompanied  by  the  Lords  Salisbury  and  Mount- 
eagle,  visited  the  cellars  and  vaults  beneath  the  Parliament 
House.  For  some  time,  they  discovered  nothing  to  excite  sus 
picion.  At  length,  probably  at  the  suggestion  of  Lord  Mount- 
eagle,  who,  as  will  be  recollected,  was  acquainted  with  the 
situation  of  the  magazine,  they  proceeded  to  the  cellar,  where 
they  found  the  store  of  powder;  but  not  meeting  with  any  of  the 
conspirators,  as  they  expected,  they  disturbed  nothing,  and  went 
away,  reporting  the  result  of  their  search  to  the  King. 

By  the  recommendation  of  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  James 
advised  that  a  guard  should  be  placed  near  the  cellar  during  the 
whole  of  the  night,  consisting  of  Topcliffe  and  a  certain  number 
of  attendants,  and  headed  by  Sir  Thomas  Knevet,  a  magistrate 
of  Westminster,  upon  whose  courage  and  discretion  full  reliance 
could  be  placed.  Lord  Mounteagle  also  requested  permission 
to  keep  guard  with  them  to  witness  the  result  of  the  affair.  To 
this  the  King  assented,  and  as  soon  as  it  grew  dark,  the  party 
secretly  took  up  their  position  at  a  point  commanding  the 
entrance  of  the  magazine. 

Fawkes,  who  chanced  to  be  absent  at  the  time  the  search  was 
made,  returned  a  few  minutes  afterwards,  and  remained  within 
the  cellar,  seated  upon  a  barrel  of  gunpowder,  the  head  of  which 
lie  had  staved  in,  with  a  lantern  in  one  hand,  and  petronel  in  the 
other,  till  past  midnight. 

The  fifth  of  November  was  now  at  hand,  and  the  clock  of  the 
adjoining  abbey  had  scarcely  ceased  tolling  the  hour  that  pro 
claimed  its  arrival,  when  Fawkes,  somewhat  wearied  with  his 
solitary  watching,  determined  to  repair,  for  a  short  space,  to  the 
adjoining  house.  He  accordingly  quitted  the  cellar,  leaving  his 
lantern  lighted  within  it  in  one  corner. 

Opening  the  door,  he  gazed  cautiously  around,  but  perceiving 
nothing,  after  waiting  a  few  seconds,  he  proceeded  to  lock  the 
door.  While  thus  employed,  he  thought  he  heard  a  noise 
behind  him,  and  turning  suddenly,  he  beheld  through  the  gloom 
several  persons  rushing  towards  him,  evidently  with  hostile 
intent.  His  first  impulse  was  to  draw  a  petronel,  and  grasp  his 
sword :  but  before  he  could  effect  his  purpose,  his  arms  were 
pinioned  by  a  powerful  grasp  from  behind,  while  the  light  of  a 
lantern  thrown  full  in  his  face  revealed  the  barrel  of  a  petrone 
levelled  at  his  head,  and  an  authoritative  voice  commanded  him 
in  the  King's  name  to  surrender. 


24*  Gl?Y 

savins?,  *'  Weil,  lot  it  bt  *».     I  m»t  all  to  you.     But  I  at  once 
i  *t  iJiK'c  divined  it." 
«  up,  and  James  laughed  and  chucki<-<! 
lie  had  displayed.     Nor  was  he  less 

r  the  Parliament  House. 

.    ;ie  4th  of  November,  the  Lord 
the  Lorda  Salisbury  and  Mount- 
neath   the   Parliament 
nothing  to  excite  sus- 
>u  of  Lord  Mount- 
•;  (tainted   with  the 
the  cellar,  where 
ujj  with  any  of  the 
ing,  and  went 


;ry,  James 

Miring  the 

.  r.-rtain  number 

t  vet,  a  magistrate 

;i  full  reliance 

requested  permission 

;ult  of  the  afl'air.     To 

.s  it  grew  dark,  the  party 

point  commanding  the 

•  nt  at  the  time  the  search  was 
and  remained  within 
er,  the  head  of  which 
one  hand,  and  petronel  isi 

!  the  clock  of  the 
i  hat  pro- 
.Sed  with 


j*d  to  lock  thr 

>»r    heard    a  noil* 

hrough  the  glo;^fcj 

*1o  dmw  a  petronel,  and  gra>; 

i->  purpose,  his  arms  w*-:-- 


FLIGHT   OF  THE  CONSPIRATORS.  245 

CHAPTER  XIIL 

THE  FLIGHT  OF  THE  CONSPIRATORS. 

ON  the  same  night,  and  at  the  same  hour  that  Guy  Fawkes  was 
captured,  the  other  conspirators  held  their  rendezvous  in 
Lincoln's  Inn  Walks.  A  presentiment  of  the  fate  awaiting  them 
filled  the  breasts  of  all,  and  even  Catesby  shared  in  the  general 
depression.  Plan  after  plan  was  proposed,  and,  as  soon  as  pro 
posed,  rejected ;  and  they  seemed  influenced  only  by  alarm  and 
irresolution.  Feeling  at  length  that  nothing  could  be  done,  and 
that  they  were  only  increasing  their  risk  by  remaining  together 
longer,  they  agreed  to  separate,  appointing  to  meet  at  the  same 
place  on  the  following  night,  if  their  project  should  not,  in  the 
interim,  be  discovered. 

"  Before  daybreak,"  said  Catesby,  "  I  will  proceed  to  the 
cellar  under  the  Parliament  House,  and  ascertain  whether  any 
thing  has  happened  to  Guy  Fawkes.  My  heart  misgives  me 
about  him,  and  I  reproach  myself  that  I  have  allowed  him  to 
incur  this  peril  alone." 

"  Guy  Fawkes  is  arrested,"  said  a  voice  near  them,  "  and  is  at 
this  moment  under  examination  before  the  King." 

"  It  is  Tresham  who  speaks,"  cried  Catesby ;  "  secure  him  P 

The  injunction  was  instantly  obeyed.  Tresham  was  seized, 
and  several  weapons  pointed  against  his  breast.  He  did  not, 
however,  appear  to  be  dismayed,  but,  so  far  as  could  be  dis 
cerned  in  the  obscurity,  seemed  to  maintain  great  boldness  of 
demeanour.' 

"  I  have  again  ventured  among  you,  at  the  hazard  of  my  life,** 
he  said,  in  a  firm  tone,  "  to  give  you  this  most  important  intel 
ligence  ;  and  am  requited,  as  I  have  ever  been  of  late,  with 
menaces  and  violence.  Stab  me,  and  see  whether  my  death  will 
avail  you  in  this  extremity.  I  am  in  equal  danger  with  your 
selves  ;  and  whether  I  perish  by  your  hands,  or  by  those  of  the 
executioner,  is  of  little  moment." 

"  Let  me  question  him  before  we  avenge  ourselves  upon  him,** 
said  Catesby  to  Rookwood.  "How  do  you  know  that  Guy 
Fawkes  is  a  prisoner  ?" 

"I  saw  him  taken,"  replied  Tresham,  "and  esteem  myself  sin 
gularly  fortunate  that  I  escaped  the  same  fate.  Though  ex 
cluded  from  further  share  in  the  project,  I  could  not  divest 
myself  of  a  strong  desire  to  know  how  matters  were  going  on, 
and  I  resolved  to  visit  the  cellar  secretly  at  midnight.  As  I 
stealthily  approached  it,  I  remarked  several  armed  figures 
beneath  a  gateway,  and  conjecturing  their  purpose,  instantly 
concealed  myself  behind  a  projection  of  the  wall.  I  had  not 


216  GUT   FAWKES. 

been  in  this  situation   many  minutes,  when   the   cellar 
opened,  and  Guy  Fawkes  issued  from  it." 

"  Well !"  cried  Catesby,  breathlessly. 

"  The  party  I  had  noticed  immediately  rushed  forward,  and 
secured  him  before  he  could  offer  any  resistance,"  continued 
Trcsham.  "After  a  brief  struggle,  certain  of  their  number 
dragged  him  into  the  cellar,  while  others  kept  watch  without 
I  should  now  have  flown,  but  my  limbs  refused  their  office,  and 
I  was  therefore  compelled,  however  reluctantly,  to  see  the  end 
of  it.  In  a  short  time  Guy  Fawkes  was  brought  forth  again,  and 
I  heard  some  one  in  authority  give  directions  that  he  should  be 
instantly  taken  to  Whitehall,  to  be  interrogated  before  the  King 
and  the  Privy  Council.  He  was  then  led  away,  and  a  guard 
placed  at  the  door  of  the  cellar.  Feeling  certain  I  should  be 
discovered,  I  continued  for  some  time  in  an  agony  of  appre 
hension,  not  daring  to  stir.  But,  at  length,  summoning  up 
sufficient  resolution,  I  crept  cautiously  along  the  side  of  the  wall, 
and  got  off  unperceived.  My  first  object  was  to  warn  you." 

"  How  did  you  become  acquainted  with  our  place  of  rendez 
vous?"  demanded  the  elder  Wright. 

"I  overheard  you,  at  our  last  interview  at  White  Webbs, 
appoint  a  midnight  meeting  in  this  place,"  replied  Tresham, 
"  and  I  hurried  hither  in  the  hope  of  finding  you,  and  have  not 
been  disappointed." 

"  When  I  give  the  word,  plunge  your  swords  into  his  breast," 
said  Catesby,  in  a  low  tone. 

"  Hold  1"  cried  Percy,  taking  him  aside.  "  If  we  put  him  to 
Jeath  in  this  spot,  his  body  will  be  found,  and  his  slaughter 
may  awaken  suspicions  against  us.  Guy  Fawkes  will  reveal 
nothing." 

"  Of  that  I  am  well  assured,"  said  Catesby.  "  Shall  we  take 
the  traitor  with  us  to  some  secure  retreat,  where  we  can  detain 
him  till  we  learn  what  takes  place  at  the  palace,  and  if  we  find 
he  has  betrayed  us,  despatch  him  ?" 

"  That  would  answer  no  good  purpose,"  returned  Percy 
"  The  sooner  we  are  rid  of  him  the  better.  We  can  then  deli 
berate  as  to  what  is  best  to  be  done." 

"  You  are  right,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  If  he  has  betrayed  us, 
life  will  be  a  burthen  to  him,  and  the  greatest  kindness  we  could 
render  him  would  be  to  rid  him  of  it.  Let  him  go.  Tresham," 
he  added,  in  a  loud  voice,  "you  are  free.  But  we  meet  no 
more." 

"  We  have  not  parted  yet,"  cried  the  traitor,  springing  back 
wards,  and  uttering  a  loud  cry.  "  I  arrest  you  all  in  the  King's 
name." 

The  signal  was  answered  by  a  band  of  soldiers,  who  emerged 
from  behind  the  trees  where  they  had  hitherto  been  concealed., 
and  instantly  surrounded  the  conspirators. 


FLIGHT  OF  THE  CONSPIRATORS.  247 

"  It  is  now  my  turn  to  threaten,"  laughed  Tresham. 

Catesby  replied  by  drawing  a  petronel,  and  firing  it  in  the 
supposed  direction  of  the  speaker.  But  he  missed  his  mark. 
The  ball  lodged  in  the  brain  of  a  soldier  who  was  standing 
beside  him,  and  the  ill-fated  wretch  fell  to  the  ground. 

A  desperate  conflict  now  ensued.  Topcliffe,  who  commanded 
the  assailing  party,  ordered  his  followers  to  take  the  conspirators 
alive,  and  it  was  mainly  owing  to  this  injunction  that  the  latter 
were  indebted  for  their  safety.  Whispering  his  directions  to  his 
companions,  Catesby  gave  the  word,  and  making  a  simultaneous 
rush  forward,  they  broke  through  the  opposing  ranks,  and  instantly 
dispersing,  and  favoured  by  the  gloom,  they  baffled  pursuit. 

"  We  have  failed  in  this  part  of  our  scheme,"  said  Tresham  to 
Topcliffe,  as  they  met  half  an  hour  afterwards.  "  What  is  to  be 
done?" 

"We  must  take  the  Earl  of  Salisbury's  advice  upon  it,"  returned 
Topcliffe.  "  I  shall  now  hasten  to  Whitehall  to  see  how  Guy 
Fawkes's  interrogation  proceeds,  and  will  communicate  with  his 
lordship." 

Upon  this,  they  separated. 

None  of  the  conspirators  met  again  that  night.  Each  fled  in 
a  different  direction,  and,  ignorant  of  what  had  happened  to  the 
rest,  sought  some  secure  retreat.  Catesby  ran  towards  Chancery- 
lane,  and  passing  through  a  narrow  alley,  entered  the  large 
gardens  which  then  lay  between  this  thoroughfare  and  Fetter- 
lane.  Listening  to  hear  whether  he  was  pursued,  and  finding 
nothing  to  alarm  him,  he  threw  himself  on  the  sod  beneath  a 
tree,  and  was  lost  in  painful  reflection. 

"  All  my  fair  schemes  are  marred  by  that  traitor,  Tresham," 
he  muttered.  "  I  could  forgive  myself  for  being  duped  by  him, 
if  I  had  slain  him  when  he  was  in  my  power.  But  that  he 
should  escape  to  exult  in  our  ruin,  and  reap  the  reward  of  his 
perfidy,  afflicts  me  even  more  than  failure." 

Tortured  by  thoughts  like  these,  and  in  vain  endeavouring  to 
snatch  such  brief  repose  as  would  fit  him  for  the  fatigue  he  might 
have  to  endure  on  the  morrow,  he  did  not  quit  his  position  till 
late  in  the  morning  of  a  dull  November  day — it  was,  as  will  be 
recollected,  the  memorable  Fifth — had  arrived. 

He  then  arose,  and  slouching  his  hat,  and  wrapping  his  cloak 
around  him,  shaped  his  course  towards  Fleet-street.  From  the 
knots  of  persons  gathered  together  at  different  corners, — from 
their  muttered  discourse  and  mysterious  looks,  as  well  as  from 
the  general  excitement  that  prevailed, — he  felt  sure  that  some 
rumour  of  the  plot  had  gone  abroad.  Shunning  observation  as 
much  as  he  could,  he  entered  a  small  tavern  near  Fleet  Bridge, 
and  called  for  a  flask  of  wine  and  some  food.  While  discussing 
these,  he  was  attracted  by  the  discourse  of  the  landlord,  who  was 
conversing  with  his  guests  about  the  conspiracy. 


248  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  I  hear  that  all  the  Papists  are  to  be  hanged,  drawn,  and 
quartered,"  cried  the  host ;  "  and  if  it  be  true,  as  I  have  heard, 
that  this  plot  is  their  contrivance,  they  deserve  it.  I  hope  I  have 
no  believer  in  that  faith — no  recusant  in  my  house." 

"  Don't  insult  us  by  any  such  suspicion,"  cried  one  of  the 
guests.  "  We  are  all  loyal  men — all  good  Protestants." 

"  Do  you  know  whether  the  conspirators  have  been  discovered, 
sir  ?"  asked  the  host  of  Catesby. 

"  I  do  not  even  know  of  the  plot,"  replied  the  other.  "  What 
was  its  object  ?" 

"  What  was  its  object  I"  cried  the  host.  "  You  will  scarcely 
credit  me  when  I  tell  you.  I  tremble  to  speak  of  it.  Its  object 
was  to  blow  up  the  Parliament  House,  and  the  King  and  all  the 
nobles  and  prelates  of  the  land  along  with  it." 

"  Horrible  I"  exclaimed  the  guests. 

"  But  how  do  you  know  it  is  a  scheme  of  the  Papists  ?M 
asked  Catesby. 

"  Because  I  have  been  told  so,"  rejoined  the  host.  "  But  who 
else  could  devise  such  a  monstrous  plan  ?  It  would  never  enter 
into  the  head  or  heart  of  a  Protestant  to  conceive  so  detestable 
an  action.  We  love  our  King  too  well  for  that,  and  would  shed 
the  last  drop  of  our  blood  rather  than  a  hair  of  his  head  should 
be  injured.  But  these  priest-ridden  Papists  think  otherwise. 
They  regard  him  as  a  usurper ;  and  having  received  a  dispensa 
tion  from  the  Pope  to  that  effect,  fancy  it  would  be  a  pious  act 
to  remove  him.  There  will  be  no  tranquillity  in  the  kingdom 
while  one  of  them  is  left  alive;  and  I  hope  his  Majesty  will  take 
advantage  of  the  present  ferment  to  order  a  general  massacre  of 
them,  like  that  of  the  poor  Protestants  on  Saint  Bartholomew's 
day  in  Paris." 

"  Ay, — massacre  them,*5  cried  the  guests ;  "  that's  the  way. 
Burn  their  houses  and  cut  their  throats.  Will  it  be  lawful  to  do 
so  without  further  authority,  mine  host  ?  If  so,  we  will  set  about 
it  immediately." 

"  I  cannot  resolve  you  on  that  point,"  replied  the  landlord. 
"  You  had  better  wait  a  short  time.  I  dare  say  their  slaughter 
will  be  publicly  commanded." 

"  Heaven  grant  it  may  be  so  1"  cried  one  of  the  guests.  "  I 
will  bear  my  part  in  the  business." 

Catesby  arose,  paid  his  reckoning,  and  strode  out  of  the 
tavern. 

"  Do  you  know,  mine  host,"  said  the  guest  who  had  last 
spoken,  "  I  half  suspect  that  tali  fellow,  who  has  just  left  us,  is  a 
Papist." 

"Perhaps  a  conspirator,"  said  another. 

"  Let  us  watch  him,"  cried  a  third. 

"  Stay,"  cried  the  host,  **  he  has  paid  me  double  my  reckon 
ing.  I  believe  him  to  be  an  honest  man  and  a  good  Protestant." 


FLIGHT  OF  THE  CONSPIRATORS.  249 

"What  you  say  confirms  my  suspicions,"  rejoined  the  first 
speaker.  "  We  will  follow  him." 

On  reaching  Temple  Bar,  Catesby  found  the  gates  closed, 
and  a  guard  stationed  at  them, — no  one  being  allowed  to  pass 
through  without  examination.  Not  willing  to  expose  himself  to 
this  scrutiny,  Catesby  turned  away,  and  in  doing  so,  perceived 
three  of  the  persons  he  had  just  left  in  the  tavern.  The  expres 
sion  of  their  countenances  satisfied  him  they  were  dogging  him ; 
but  affecting  not  to  perceive  it,  he  retraced  his  steps,  gradually 
quickening  his  pace  until  he  reached  a  narrow  street  leading  into 
Whitefriars,  down  which  he  darted.  The  moment  his  pursuers 
saw  this,  they  hurried  after  him,  shouting,  "  A  Papist — a  Papist  I 
— a  conspirator !" 

But  Catesby  was  now  safe.  Claiming  the  protection  of  cer 
tain  Alsatians  who  were  lounging  at  the  door  of  a  tavern,  and 
offering  to  reward  them,  they  instantly  drew  their  swords,  and 
drove  the  others  away,  while  Catesby,  tossing  a  few  pieces  of 
money  to  his  preservers,  passed  through  a  small  doorway  into 
the  Temple,  and  making  the  best  of  his  way  to  the  stairs,  leaped 
into  a  boat,  and  ordered  the  waterman  to  row  to  Westminster. 
The  man  obeyed,  and  plying  his  oars,  soon  gained  the  middle  of 
the  stream.  Little  way,  however,  had  been  made,  when  Catesby 
descried  a  large  wherry,  manned  by  several  rowers,  swiftly  ap 
proaching  them,  and  instinctively  comprehending  whom  it  con 
tained,  ordered  the  man  to  rest  on  his  oars  till  it  had  passed. 

In  a  few  moments  the  wherry  approached  them.  It  was  filled 
with  Serjeants  of  the  guard  and  halberdiers,  in  the  midst  of  whom 
sat  Guy  Fawkes.  Catesby  could  not  resist  the  impulse  that 
prompted  him  to  rise,  and  the  movement  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  prisoner.  The  momentary  glance  they  exchanged  con 
vinced  Catesby  that  Fawkes  perceived  him,  though  his  motion 
less  features  gave  no  token  of  recognition,  and  he  immediately 
afterwards  fixed  his  eyes  towards  heaven,  as  if  to  intimate, — at 
least  Catesby  so  construed  the  gesture, — that  his  earthly  career 
was  well-nigh  ended.  Heaving  a  deep  sigh,  Catesby  watched 
the  wherry  sweep  on  towards  the  Tower, — its  fatal  destination, 
— until  it  was  lost  to  view. 

"  All  is  over,  I  fear,  with  the  bravest  of  our  band,"  he  thought, 
as  he  tracked  its  course;  "but  some  effort  must  be  made  to  save 
him.  At  all  events,  we  will  die  sword  in  hand,  and  like  soldiers, 
and  not  as  common  malefactors." 

Abandoning  his  intention  of  proceeding  to  Westminster,  he 
desired  the  man  to  pull  ashore,  and  landing  at  Arundel  Stairs, 
hastened  to  the  Strand.  Here  he  found  large  crowds  collected, 
the  shops  closed,  and  business  completely  at  a  stand.  Nothing 
was  talked  of  but  the  conspiracy,  and  the  most  exaggerated  and 
extraordinary  accounts  of  it  were  circulated  and  believed.  Some 
would  have  it  that  the  Parliament  House  was  already  blown  up, 


250  GUT   FAWKES. 

and  that  the  city  of  London  itself  had  been  set  fire  to  in  several 
places  by  the  Papists.  It  was  also  stated  that  numerous  arrests 
nad  taken  place,  and  it  was  certain  that  the  houses  of  several 
Catholic  nobles  and  wealthy  gentlemen  had  been  searched.  To 
such  a  height  was  the  popular  indignation  raised,  that  it  required 
the  utmost  efforts  of  the  soldiery  to  prevent  the  mob  from  break 
ing  into  these  houses,  and  using  violence  towards  their  inmates. 

Every  gate  and  avenue  to  the  palace  was  strictly  guarded,  and 
troops  of  horse  were  continually  scouring  the  streets.  Sentinels 
were  placed  before  suspected  houses,  and  no  one  was  suffered  to 
enter  them,  or  to  go  forth  without  special  permission.  Detach 
ments  of  soldiery  were  also  stationed  at  the  end  of  all  the  main 
thoroughfares.  Bars  were  thrown  across  the  smaller  streets  and 
outlets,  and  proclamation  was  made  that  no  one  was  to  quit  the 
city,  however  urgent  his  business,  for  three  days. 

On  hearing  this  announcement,  Catesby  saw  at  once  that  if  he 
did  not  effect  his  escape  immediately,  it  would  be  impracticable. 
Accordingly,  he  hurried  towards  Charing-cross,  and  turning  up 
St.  Martin's- lane,  at  the  back  of  the  King's  Mews,  contrived  to 
elude  the  vigilance  of  the  guard,  and  speeded  along  the  lane, — 
for  it  was  then  literally  so,  and  surrounded  on  either  side  by  high 
hedges, — until  he  came  to  St.  Giles's, — at  this  time  nothing  more 
than  a  few  scattered  houses,  intermixed  with  trees.  Here  he 
encountered  a  man  mounted  on  a  powerful  steed,  and  seeing  this 
person  look  hard  at  him,  would  have  drawn  out  of  the  way,  if 
the  other  had  not  addressed  him  by  name.  He  then  regarded 
the  equestrian  more  narrowly,  and  found  it  was  Martin 
Heydocke. 

"  I  have  heard  what  has  happened,  Mr.  Catesby,"  said  Martin, 
"and  can  imagine  the  desperate  strait  in  which  you  must  be 
placed.  Take  my  horse, — it  may  aid  your  flight.  I  was  sent  to 
London  by  my  master,  Mr.  Humphrey  Chetham,  to  bring  him 
intelligence  of  the  result  of  your  attempt,  and  I  am  sure  I  am 
acting  in  accordance  with  his  wishes  in  rendering  you  such^a 
service.  At  all  events,  I  will  risk  it.  Mount,  sir, — mount,  and 
make  the  best  of  your  way  hence." 

Catesby  needed  no  further  exhortation,  but,  springing  into  the 
saddle,  hastily  murmured  his  thanks,  and  striking  into  a  lane  on 
the  right,  rode  off  at  a  swift  pace  towards  Highgate. 

On  reaching  the  brow  of  this  beautiful  hill,  he  drew  in  the 
bridle  for  a  moment,  and  gazed  towards  the  city  he  had  just 
quitted.  Dark  and  bitter  were  his  thoughts  as  he  fixed  his  eye 
upon  Westminster  Abbey,  and  fancied  he  could  discern  the 
neighbouring  pile,  whose  destruction  he  had  meditated.  Re 
membering  that  from  this  very  spot,  when  he  had  last  approached 
the  capital,  in  company  with  Guy  Fawkes  and  Viviana  Radcliffe, 
he  had  looked  in  the  same  direction,  he  could  not  help  contrast 
ing  his  present  sensations  with  those  he  had  then  experienced. 


FI/.GHT   OF  THE  CONSPIRATORS.  251 

At  that  time  he  was  full  of  ardour,  and  confident  of  success. 
Now,  all  was  lost  to  him,  and  he  was  anxious  for  little  more  than 
self-preservation.  Involuntarily,  his  eye  wandered  along  the 
great  city,  until  passing  over  the  mighty  fabric  of  Saint  Paul's, 
it  settled  upon  the  Tower, — upon  the  place  of  Guy  Fawkes's 
captivity. 

"And  can  nothing  be  done  for  his  deliverance?"  sighed 
Catesby,  as  he  turned  away,  his  eyes  filling  with  moisture 
"  must  that  brave  soldier  die  the  death  of  a  felon — must  he  be 
subjected  to  the  torture — horror !  If  he  had  died  defending 
himself,  I  should  scarcely  have  pitied  him.  And  if  he  had  de 
stroyed  himself,  together  with  his  foes,  as  he  resolved  to  do,  I 
should  have  envied  him.  But  the  idea  of  what  he  will  have  to 
suffer  in  that  dreadful  place — nay,  what  he  is  now,  perhaps, 
suffering — makes  the  life-blood  curdle  in  my  veins.  I  will  never 
fall  alive  into  their  hands." 

With  this  resolve,  he  struck  spurs  into  his  steed,  and,  urging 
him  to  a  swift  pace,  dashed  rapidly  forward.  He  had  ridden 
more  than  a  mile,  when  hearing  shouts  behind  him,  he  perceived 
two  troopers  galloping  after  him  as  fast  as  their  horses  could 
carry  them.  They  shouted  to  him  to  stay,  and  as  they  were 
better  mounted  than  he  was,  it  was  evident  they  would  soon 
come  up  with  him.  Determined,  however,  to  adhere  to  the 
resolution  he  hadjust  formed,  and  not  to  yield  himself  with  life, 
he  prepared  for  a  conflict,  and  suddenly  halting,  he  concealed  a 
petronel  beneath  his  cloak,  and  waited  till  his  foes  drew  near. 

"  I  command  you,  in  the  King's  name,  to  surrender,"  said 
the  foremost  trooper,  riding  up.  "  You  are  a  rebel  and  a 
traitor." 

"  Be  this  my  answer,"  replied  Catesby,  aiming  at  the  man, 
and  firing  with  such  certainty,  that  he  fell  from  his  horse  mortally 
wounded.  Unsheathing  his  sword,  he  then  prepared  to  attack 
the  other  trooper.  But,  terrified  at  the  fate  of  his  comrade,  the 
man  turned  his  horse's  head,  and  rode  off. 

Without  bestowing  a  thought  on  the  dying  man  who  lay 
groaning  in  the  mire,  Catesby  caught  hold  of  the  bridle  of  his 
horse,  and  satisfied  that  the  animal  was  better  than  his  own, 
mounted  him,  and  proceeded  at  the  same  headlong  pace  as 
before. 

In  a  short  time  he  reached  Finchley,  where  several  persons 
rushed  from  their  dwellings  to  inquire  whether  he  brought  any 
intelligence  of  the  plot,  rumours  of  which  had  already  reached 
them.  Without  stopping,  Catesby  replied  that  most  important 
discoveries  had  been  made,  and  that  he  was  carrying  despatches 
from  the  King  to  Northampton.  No  opposition  was  therefore 
offered  him,  and  he  soon  left  all  traces  of  habitation  behind  him. 
Urging  his  horse  to  its  utmost,  he  arrived,  in  less  than  a  quarter 
of  an  hour,  at  Chipping  Barnet.  Here  the  same  inquiries  were 


252  GUY  FAWKES. 

made  as  at  Finchley,  and  returning  the  same  answer — for  he 
never  relaxed  his  speed  for  a  moment — he  pursued  his  course. 

In  less  than  three  quarters  of  an  hour  after  this,  he  arrived  at 
Saint  Albans,  and  proceeding  direct  to  the  post-house,  asked  for 
a  horse.  But  instead  of  complying  with  the  request,  the  land 
lord  of  the  Rose  and  Crown — such  was  the  name  of  the  hostel 
— instantly  withdrew,  and  returned  the  next  moment  with  an 
officer,  who  desired  to  speak  with  Catesby  before  he  proceeded 
further.  The  latter,  however,  took  no  notice  of  the  demand,  but 
rode  off. 

The  clatter  of  horses'  hoofs  behind  him  soon  convinced  him 
he  was  again  pursued,  and  he  was  just  beginning  to  consider  in 
what  way  he  should  make  a  second  defence,  when  he  observed 
two  horsemen  cross  a  lane  on  the  left,  and  make  for  the  main 
road.  His  situation  now  appeared  highly  perilous,  especially  as 
his  pursuers,  who  had  noticed  the  other  horsemen  at  the  same- 
time  as  himself,  shouted  to  them.  But  he  was  speedily  relieved. 
These  persons,  instead  of  stopping,  accelerated  their  pace,  and 
appeared  as  anxious  as  he  was  to  avoid  those  behind  him. 

They  were  now  within  a  short  distance  of  Dunstable,  and 
were  ascending  the  lovely  downs  which  lie  on  the  London  side 
of  this  ancient  town,  when  one  of  the  horsemen  in  front  chancing 
to  turn  round,  Catesby  perceived  it  was  Rookwood.  Overjoyed 
at  the  discovery,  he  shouted  to  him  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  and 
the  other,  who  it  presently  appeared  was  accompanied  by 
Keyes,  instantly  stopped.  In  a  few  seconds  Catesby  was  by 
their  side,  and  a  rapid  explanation  taking  place,  they  all  three 
drew  up  in  order  of  battle. 

By  this  time  their  pursuers  had  arrived  within  a  hundred  yards 
of  them,  and  seeing  how  matters  stood,  and  not  willing  to  hazard 
an  engagement,  after  a  brief  consultation,  retired.  The  three 
friends  then  pursued  their  route,  passed  through  Dunstable,  and 
without  pausing  a  moment  on  the  road,  soon  neared  Fenny 
Stratford.  Just  before  they  arrived  at  this  place,  Catesby's 
horse  fell  from  exhaustion.  Instantly  extricating  himself  from 
the  fallen  animal,  he  ran  by  the  side  of  his  companions  till  they 
got  to  the  town,  where  Rookwood,  who  had  placed  relays  on  the 
road,  changed  his  horse,  and  the  others  were  fortunate  enough 
to  procure  fresh  steeds. 

Proceeding  with  unabated  impetuosity,  they  soon  cleared  a 
few  more  miles,  and  had  just  left  Stony  Stratford  behind  them, 
when  they  overtook  a  solitary  horseman,  who  proved  to  be  John 
Wright,  and  a  little  further  on  they  came  up  with  Percy,  and 
Christopher  Wright. 

Though  their  n umbel's  were  thus  increased,  they  did  not 
consider  themselves  secure,  but  flinging  their  cloaks  away  to 
enable  them  to  proceed  with  greater  expedition,  hurried  on  to 
Towcester.  Here  Keyes  quitted  his  companions,  and  shaped 


FLIGHT  OF  THE  CONSPIRATORS.  253 

his  course  into  Warwickshire,  where  he  was  afterwards  taken, 
while  the  others,  having  procured  fresh  horses,  made  the  best  of 
their  way  to  Ashby  Saint  Leger's. 

About  six  o'clock,  Catesby  and  his  companions  arrived  at  his 
old  family  seat,  which  he  had  expected  to  approach  in  triumph, 
but  which  he  now  approached  with  feelings  of  the  deepest  mor 
tification  and  disappointment.  They  found  the  house  filled  with 
guests — among  whom  was  Robert  Winter — who  were  just  sitting 
down  to  supper.  Catesby  rushed  into  the  room  in  which  these 
persons  were  assembled,  covered  with  mud  and  dirt,  his  haggard 
looks  and  dejected  appearance  proclaiming  that  his  project  had 
failed.  His  friends  followed,  and  their  appearance  confirmed 
the  impression  that  he  had  produced.  Lady  Catesby  hastened 
to  her  son,  and  strove  to  comfort  him ;  but  he  rudely  repulsed  her. 

"  What  is  the  matter?"  she  anxiously  inquired. 

*•'  What  is  the  matter  I"  cried  Catesby,  in  a  furious  tone,  and 
stamping  his  foot  to  the  ground.  "  All  is  lost !  our  scheme  is 
discovered ;  Guy  Fawkes  is  a  prisoner,  and  ere  long  we  shall  all 
be  led  to  the  block.  Yes,  all!"  he  repeated,  gazing  sternly 
around. 

"  I  will  never  be  led  thither  with  life,"  said  Robert  Winter. 

"  Nor  I,"  added  a  young  Catholic  gentleman,  named  Acton 
of  Ribbesford,  who  had  lately  joined  the  conspiracy.  "  Though 
the  great  design  has  failed,  we  are  yet  free,  and  have  swords  to 
draw,  and  arms  to  wield  them." 

'*  Ay,"  exclaimed  Robert  Winter,  "  all  our  friends  are  assembled 
at  Dunchurch.  Let  us  join  them  instantly,  and  we  may  yet  stir 
up  a  rebellion  which  may  accomplish  all  we  can  desire.  I, 
myself  accompanied  Humphrey  Littleton  to  Dunchurch  this 
morning,  and  know  we  shall  find  everything  in  readiness." 

"  Do  not  despnir,"  cried  Lady  Catesby ;  "  all  will  yet  be  well. 
Every  member  >1  our  faith  will  join  you,  and  you  will  soon 
muster  a  formidable  army." 

"  We  must  not  yield  without  a  blow,"  cried  Percy,  pouring 
out  a  bumper  of  wine,  and  swallowing  it  at  a  draught. 

"You  are  right,"  said  Rookwood,  imitating  his  example. 
"  We  will  sell  our  lives  dearly." 

"  If  you  will  adhere  to  this  resolution,  gentlemen,"  rejoined 
Catesby,  "  we  may  yet  retrieve  our  loss.  With  five  hundred 
stanch  followers,  who  will  stand  by  me  to  the  last,  I  will  engage 
to  raise  such  a  rebellion  in  England  as  shall  not  be  checked, 
except  by  the  acknowledgment  of  our  rights,  or  the  dethrone 
ment  of  the  king." 

"  We  will  all  stand  by  you,"  cried  the  others. 

"  Swear  it,"  cried  Catesby,  raising  the  glass  to  his  lips. 

"  We  do,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Wearied  as  we  are,"  cried  Catesby,  "  we  must  at  once  pro 
ceed  to  Dunchurch,  and  urge  our  friends  to  rise  in  arms  with  us." 


254  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Agreed,"  cried  the  others. 

Summoning  all  his  household,  and  arming  them,  Catesby 
then  set  out  with  the  rest  for  Dunchurch,  which  lay  about  five 
miles  from  Ashby  Saint  Leger's.  They  arrived  there  in  about, 
three  quarters  of  an  hour,  and  found  the  mansion  crowded  with 
Catholic  gentlemen  and  their  servants.  Entering  the  banquet 
hall,  tbey  found  Sir  Everard  Digby  at  the  head  of  the  board, 
with  Garnet  on  his  right  hand.  Upwards  of  sixty  persons  were 
seated  at  the  table.  Their  arrival  was  greeted  with  loud  shouts, 
and  several  of  the  guests  drew  their  swords  and  flourished  them 
over  their  heads. 

"What  news?"  cried  Sir  Everard  Digby.  "Is  the  blow 
struck  ?" 

"  No,"  replied  Catesby  ;  "  we  have  been  betrayed." 

A  deep  silence  prevailed.  A  change  came  over  the  coun 
tenances  of  the  guests.  Significant  glances  were  exchanged,  and 
it  was  evident  that  general  uneasiness  prevailed. 

t(  What  is  to  be  done  ?"  cried  Sir  Everard  Digby,  after  a 
pause. 

"  Our  course  is  clear,"  returned  Catesby.  "  We  must  stand 
by  each  other.  In  that  case,  we  have  nothing  to  fear,  and  shall 
accomplish  our  purpose,  though  not  in  the  way  originally 
intended." 

"  I  will  have  nothing  further  to  do  with  the  matter,"  said  Sir 
Robert  Digby  of  Coleshill,  Sir  Everard's  uncle.  And  rising,  he 
quitted  the  room  with  several  of  his  followers,  while  his  example 
was  imitated  by  Humphrey  Littleton  and  others. 

"  All  chance  for  the  restoration  of  our  faith  in  England  is 
over,"  observed  Garnet,  in  a  tone  of  despondency. 

"  Not  so,  father,"  replied  Catesby,  "  if  we  are  true  to  each  other. 
My  friends,"  he  cried,  stopping  those  who  were  about  to  depart, 
."  in  the  name  of  our  holy  religion  I  beseech  you  to  pause.  Much 
is  against  us  now.  But  let  us  hold  together,  and  all  will  speedily 
be  righted.  Every  Catholic  in  this  county,  in  Cheshire,  in  Lan 
cashire,  and  Wales,  must  flock  to  our  standard  when  it  is  once  dis 
played—do  not  desert  us — do  not  desert  yourselves — for  our  cause 
is  your  cause.  I  have  a  large  force  at  my  command  ;  so  has  Sir 
Everard  Digby,  and  together  we  can  muster  nearly  five  hundred 
adherents.  With  these,  we  can  offer  such  a  stand  as  will  enable 
us  to  make  conditions  with  our  opponents,  or  even  to  engage 
with  them  with  a  reasonable  prospect  of  success.  I  am  well 
assured,  moreover,  if  we  lose  no  time,  but  proceed  to  the  houses 
of  our  friends,  we  shall  have  a  large  army  with  us.  Do  not  fall 
off,  then.  On  you  depends  our  success." 

This  address  was  followed  by  loud  acclamations;  and  all  who 
heard  it  agreed  to  stand  by  the  cause  in  which  they  had  em 
barked  to  the  last. 

As  Catesby  left  the  banqueting-hall  with  Sir  Everard,  to  make 


THE  EXAMINATION.  255 

preparations  for  their  departure,  they  met  Viviana  and  a  fcmaie 
•attendant. 

"  I  hear  the  enterprise  has  failed,''  she  cried,  in  a  voice  suffo 
cated  by  emotion.  "  What  has  happened  to  my  husband?  Is 
he  safe  ?  Is  he  with  you  ?" 

"  Alas !  no,"  replied  Catesby ;  "  he  is  a  prisoner." 
Viviana  uttered  a  cry  of  anguish,  and  fell  senseless  into  the 
arms  of  the  attendant. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

THE  EXAMINATION. 

DISARMED  by  Sir  Thomas  Knevet  and  his  followers,  who  found 
upon  his  person  a  packet  of  slow  matches  and  touchwood,  and 
bound  hand  and  foot,  Guy  Fawkes  was  dragged  into  the  cellar 
by  his  captors,  who  instantly  commenced  their  search.  In  a 
corner  behind  the  door  they  discovered  a  dark  lantern,  with  a 
light  burning  within  it ;  and  moving  with  the  utmost  caution — 
for  they  were  afraid  of  bringing  sudden  destruction  upon  them 
selves — they  soon  perceived  the  barrels  of  gunpowder  ranged 
against  the  wall.  Carefully  removing  the  planks,  billets,  and 
iron  bars  with  which  they  were  covered,  they  remarked  that  two 
of  the  casks  were  staved  in,  while  the  hoops  from  a  third  were, 
taken  off,  and  the  powder  scattered  around  it.  They  also  noticed 
that  several  trains  were  laid  along  the  floor, — everything,  in 
short,  betokening  that  the  preparations  for  the  desperate  deed 
were  fully  completed. 

While  they  were  making  this  investigation,  Guy  Fawkes,  who, 
seeing  that  further  resistance  was  useless,  had  remained  perfectly 
motionless  up  to  this  moment,  suddenly  made  a  struggle  to  free 
himself;  and  so  desperate  was  the  effort,  that  he  burst  the 
leathern  thong  that  bound  his  hands,  and  seizing  the  soldier 
nearest  to  him,  bore  him  to  the  ground.  He  then  grasped  the 
lower  limbs  of  another,  who  held  a  lantern,  and  strove  to  over 
throw  him,  and  wrest  the  lantern  from  his  grasp,  evidently 
intending  to  apply  the  light  to  the  powder.  And  he  would 
unquestionably  have  executed  his  terrible  design,  if  three  of  the 
most  powerful  of  the  soldiers  had  not  thrown  themselves  upon 
him,  and  overpowered  him.  All  this  was  the  work  of  a  moment; 
but  it  was  so  startling,  that  Sir  Thomas  Knevet  and  Topcliffe, 
though  both  courageous  men,  and  used  to  scenes  of  danger — 
especially  the  latter — rushed  towards  the  door,  expecting  some 
dreadful  catastrophe  would  take  place. 

"Do  him  no  harm,"  cried  Knevet,  as  he  returned  to  the 


556  GUY  FAWKES. 

soldiers,  who  were  still  struggling  with  Fawkes, — "  do  him  n«> 
harm.  It  is  not  here  he  must  die." 

"  A  moment  more,  and  I  had  blown  you  all  to  perdition," 
cried  Fawkes.  "  But  Heaven  ordained  it  otherwise." 

"  Heaven  will  never  assist  such  damnable  designs  as  yours," 
rejoined  Knevet.  "  Thrust  him  into  that  corner,"  he  added  to 
his  men,  who  instantly  obeyed  his  injunctions,  and  held  down  the 
prisoner  so  firmly  that  he  could  not  move  a  limb.  "  Keep  him 
there.  I  will  question  him  presently." 

"You  may  question  me,"  replied  Fawkes,  sternly;  "but  you 
will  obtain  no  answer." 

"  We  shall  see,"  returned  Knevet. 

Pursuing  the  search  with  Topcliffe,  he  counted  thirty-six 
hogsheads  and  casks  of  various  sizes,  all  of  which  were  afterwards 
found  to  be  filled  with  powder.  Though  prepared  for  this  dis 
covery,  Knevet  could  not  repress  his  horror  at  it,  and  gave  vent 
to  execrations  against  the  prisoner,  to  which  the  other  replied  by 
a  disdainful  laugh.  They  then  looked  about,  in  the  hope  of 
finding  some  document  or  fragment  of  a  letter,  which  might 
serve  as  a  clue  to  the  other  parties  connected  with  the  fell  design, 
but  without  success.  Nothing  was  found  except  a  pile  of  arms; 
but  though  they  examined  them,  no  name  or  cipher  could  be 
traced  on  any  of  the  weapons. 

"  We  will  now  examine  the  prisoner  more  narrowly,"  said 
Knevet. 

This  was  accordingly  done.  On  removing  Guy  Fawkes's 
doublet,  a  horse-hair  shirt  appeared,  and  underneath  it,  next  his 
heart,  suspended  by  a  silken  cord  from  his  neck,  was  a  small 
silver  cross.  When  this  was  taken  from  him,  Guy  Fawkes  could 
not  repress  a  deep  sigh. 

"  There  is  some  secret  attached  to  that  cross,"  whispered 
Topcliffe,  plucking  Knevet's  sleeve. 

Upon  this,  the  other  held  it  to  the  light,  while  Topcliffe  kept 
his  eye  fixed  upon  the  prisoner,  and  observed  that,  in  spite  of  all 
his  efforts  to  preserve  an  unmoved  demeanour,  he  was  slightly 
agitated. 

"  Do  you  perceive  anything  ?"  he  asked. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Knevet,  "  there  is  a  name.  But  the  character 
is  so  small  I  cannot  decipher  it." 

"  Let  me  look  at  it,"  said  Topcliffe.  "  This  is  most  important,** 
he  added,  after  gazing  at  it  for  a  moment;  "the  words  inscribed 
on  it  are, '  Viviana  Radcliffe,  Ordsall  Hall?  You  may  remember 
that  this  young  lady  was  examined  a  short  time  ago,  on  suspicion 
of  being  connected  with  some  Popish  plot  against  the  state,  and 
committed  to  the  Tower,  whence  she  escaped  in  a  very  extraor 
dinary  manner.  This  cross,  found  upon  the  prisoner,  proves 
h*;r  connexion  with  the  present  plot.  Every  effort  must  be  used 
to  discover  her  retreat.r 


THE  EXAMINATION.  25? 

Another  deep  sigh  involuntarily  broke  from  the  breast  of  Guy 
Favvkes. 

"  You  hear  how  deeply  interested  he  is  in  the  matter," 
observed  Topcliffe,  in  a  low  tone.  "  This  trinket  will  be  of 
infinite  service  to  us  in  future  examinations,  and  may  do  more 
for  us  with  this  stubborn  subject  even  than  the  rack  itself." 

"  You  are  right,"  returned  Knevet.  "  I  will  now  convey  him 
to  Whitehall,  and  acquaint  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  with  his  capture." 

"  Do  so,"  replied  Topcliffe.  "  I  have  a  further  duty  to  per 
form.  Before  morning  I  hope  to  net  the  whole  of  this  wolfish 
pack." 

"  Indeed  I"  exclaimed  Knevet.  "  Have  you  any  knowledge 
of  the  others  ?" 

Topcliffe  smiled  significantly. 

"  Time  will  show,"  he  said.  "  But  if  you  do  not  require  me 
further,  I  will  leave  you." 

With  this,  he  quitted  the  cellar,  and  joined  the  Earl  of  Mount- 
eagle  and  Tresham,  who  were  waiting  for  him  outside  at  a  little 
distance  from  the  cellar.  After  a  brief  conference,  it  was  arranged, 
in  compliance  with  the  Earl  of  Salisbury's  wishes,  that  if  they 
failed  in  entrapping  the  conspirators,  nothing  should  be  said 
about  the  matter.  He  then  departed  with  Tresham.  Their  sub 
sequent  proceedings  have  already  been  related. 

By  Sir  Thomas  Knevet's  directions,  Guy  Fawkes  was  now 
raised  by  two  of  the  soldiers,  and  led  out  of  the  cellar.  As  he 
passed  through  the  door,  he  uttered  a  deep  groan. 

"  You  groan  for  what  you  have  done,  villain,"  said  one  of  the 
soldiers. 

"  On  the  contrary,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  sternly,  "  I  groan  for 
what  I  have  not  done." 

He  was  then  hurried  along  by  his  conductors,  and  conveyed 
through  the  great  western  gate,  into  the  palace  of  Whitehall, 
where  he  was  placed  in  a  small  room,  the  windows  of  which  were 
strongly  grated. 

Before  quitting  him,  Sir  Thomas  Knevet  put  several  questions 
to  him,  but  he  maintained  a  stern  and  obstinate  silence.  Com 
mitting  him  to  the  custody  of  an  officer  of  the  guard,  whom  he 
enjoined  to  keep  strict  guard  over  him,  as  he  valued  his  life, 
Knevet  then  went  in  search  of  the  Earl  of  Salisbury. 

The  Secretary,  who  had  not  retired  to  rest,  and  was  anxiously 
awaiting  his  arrival,  was  delighted  with  the  success  of  the  scheme. 
They  were  presently  joined  by  Lord  Mounteagle ;  and  after  a 
brief  conference  it  was  resolved  to  summon  the  Privy  Council 
immediately,  to  rouse  the  King,  and  acquaint  him  witli  what 
had  occurred,  and  to  interrogate  the  prisoner  in  his  presence. 

"  Nothing  will  be  obtained  from  him,  I  fear,"  said  Krievet. 
•*  He  is  one  of  the  most  resolute  and  determined  fellows  I  ever 
encountered." 


258  GUY  FAWKES. 

And  he  then  related  the  desperate  attempt  made  by  Fawkes 
in  the  vault  to  blow  them  all  up. 

"  Whether  he  will  speak  or  not,  the  King  must  see  him,"  said 
Salisbury.  As  soon  as  Knevet  was  gone,  the  Earl  observed  to 
Mounteagle,  "  You  had  now  better  leave  the  palace.  You  must 
not  appear  further  in  this  matter,  except  as  we  have  arranged. 
Before  morning,  I  trust  we  shall  have  the  whole  of  the  conspi 
rators  in  our  power,  with  damning  proofs  of  their  guilt." 

"  By  this  time,  my  lord,  they  are  in  Tresham's  hands,"  replied 
Mounteagle. 

"  If  he  fails,  not  a  word  must  be  said,"  observed  Salisbury. 
"  It  must  not  be  supposed  we  have  moved  in  the  matter.  All 
great  statesmen  have  contrived  treasons,  that  they  might  after 
wards  discover  them ;  and  though  I  have  not  contrived  this  plot, 
I  have  known  of  its  existence  from  the  first,  and  could  at  any 
time  have  crushed  it  had  I  been  so  minded.  But  that  would 
not  have  answered  my  purpose.  And  I  shall  now  use  it  as  a 
pretext  to  crush  the  whole  Catholic  party,  except  those  on  whom, 
like  yourself,  I  can  confidently  rely." 

"  Your  lordship  must  admit  that  I  have  well  seconded  your 
efforts,"  observed  Mounteagle. 

"  I  do  so,"  replied  Salisbury,  "  and  you  will  not  find  me  un 
grateful.  Farewell!  I  hope  soon  to  hear  of  our  further  success." 

Mounteagle  then  took  his  departure,  and  Salisbury  imme 
diately  caused  all  such  members  of  the  Privy  Council  as  lodged 
in  the  palace  to  be  aroused,  desiring  they  might  be  informed 
that  a  terrible  plot  had  been  discovered,  and  a  conspirator 
arrested.  In  a  short  time,  the  Duke  of  Lennox,  the  Earl  of 
Marr,  Lord  Hume,  the  Earl  of  Southampton,  Lord  Henry 
Howard,  Lord  Mountjoy,  Sir  George  Hume,  and  others,  were 
assembled;  and  all  eagerly  inquired  into  the  occasion  of  the 
sudden  alarm. 

Meanwhile,  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  had  himself  repaired  to  the 
King's  bedchamber,  and  acquainted  him  with  what  had  hap 
pened.  James  immediately  roused  himself,  and  desired  the 
chamberlain,  who  accompanied  the  Earl,  to  quit  the  presence. 

"  Will  it  be  safe  to  interrogate  the  prisoner  here  ?"  he  asked. 

"I  will  take  care  your  Majesty  shall  receive  no  injury," 
replied  Salisbury;  "and  it  is  absolutely  necessary  you  should 
examine  him  before  he  is  committed  to  the  Tower." 

"  Let  him  be  brought  before  me,  then,  directly,"  said  the 
King.  "  I  am  impatient  to  behold  a  wretch  who  has  conceived 
so  atrocious — so  infernal  a  design  against  me,  and  against  my 
children.  Hark  'e,  Salisbury,  one  caution  I  wish  to  observe. 
Let  &  captain  of  the  guard,  with  his  drawn  sword  in  hand,  place 
himself  between  me  and  the  prisoner,  and  let  two  halberdiers 
stand  beside  him,  and  if  the  villain  moves  a  step,  bid  them  strike 
him  dead.  You  understand  ?" 


2.'8  GUY  FAWKES. 

And  he  then  related  the  desperate  attempt  made  by  Fawkf»3 
in  the  vault  to  blow  them  all  up. 

"  Whether  he  will  speak  or  not,  the  King  must  see  him,"  said 
Salisbury.     As  soon  as  Knevet  was  gone,  the  Earl  observed  to 
Mouuteagle,  **  You  had  now  better  leave  the  palace.     You  i< 
iv  t  appenr  further  in  this  matter,  except  as  we  have  arram 
Before  morning,  I  trust  we  shall  have  the  whole  of  the  coi 
raiur*  in  our  power,  with  damning  proofs  of  their  guilt." 

this  time,  my  lord,  they  an   in  Tresham's  hands,"  n 

. 

•It   ;:>«-  fail*,  not  8  word  must   i>t    '•ml,"  observed  Sails; 
"-u*»  not  be  supposed  we  have  moved  in  the  matter. 

c  contrived  treasons,  that  they  might  ai 
;,:  and  though  I  !  rived  thl- 

cistence  from  and  could  y 

>    been  so-  minded.     But  that 

1  I  shall  now  use  it  as  * 
t  those  on  wh 

c  well  seconded  • 

•  •  i  will  not  find  me 

f  our  further  suet  - 
are,  and   Salisbury  it 

•1  ail  !-iu  e  Privy  Council  as  lo> 

to  be  a  <iey  might  be  inf< 

plot   hao  vered,  and  a  cot. 

be  Duke  of  Lennox,  the 

Southampton,   Lord   "• 

11  joy,  Sir  Hume,  and  othc 

id  all  ea.  to  the  occasion 

the  Earl  of  S.-.i'.sbury  had  himseffrq    ! 

1  acquainted  him  with   what  had 
cs   imtii- -iiiati-ly  roused   himself,  and  desired   ; 

•  oil  tho  '  .nit  the  presence 

rr  T  he  n*k*A 
e   no   it 
vi  it  is  »l*olnte1v  necessary  von  *K. 

I  \  '<'•        T        r>     "'  " 

•  ion    me?,  then,  directlv,"  »»*iJi 
•;  to  behold  a  wretch  who  !i.i-«  -.fn-. 

»*— *>  farfHtiHl  a  design  against  mo,  auti   ^c" 
*'•••»;    <     Sa!i>'iury,  one  caution   I    w»*i; 

.^r-;?  -ind  the  })risoner,  and   !<  > 

t  if  the  villain  moves  a  su 
;.     You  understand  ?" 


THE  EXAMINATION.  259 

«  Perfectly,"  replied  Salisbury,  bowing. 

"In  that  case,  you  may  take  off  his  bonds— that  is,  if  you 
think  it  prudent  to  do  so— not  otherwise,"  continued  James. 
"  1  would  not  have  the  knave  suppose  he  can  awe  me." 

<  Your  Majesty's  commands  shall  be  fulfilled  to  the  letter  " 
returned  the  Earl. 

"  Lose  no  time,  Salisbury,"  cried  James,  springing  out  of  bed 
and  beginning  to  dress  himself  without  the  assistance  of  his 
chamberlain. 

The  Earl  hastily  retired,  and  ordered  the  attendants  to  repair 
to  their  royal  master.  He  next  proceeded  to  the  chamber  where 
Ouy  fawkes  was  detained,  and  ordered  him  to  be  unbound,  and 
brought  before  the  King.  When  the  prisoner  heard  this  man 
date,  a  slight  smile  crossed  his  countenance,  but  he  instantly 
resumed  his  former  stern  composure.  The  smile,  however,  did 
not  escape  the  notice  of  Salisbury,  and  he  commanded  the  hal 
berdiers  to  keep  near  to  the  prisoner,  and  if  he  made  the 
slightest  movement  in  the  King's  presence,  instantly  to  despatch 

Giving  some  further  directions,  the  Earl  then  led  the  way 
across  a  court,  and  entering  another  wing  of  the  palace,  ascended 
a  night  of  steps,  and  traversed  a  magnificent  corridor  Guy 
Jjawkes  followed,  attended  by  the  guard."  They  had  now  reached 
the  antechamber  leading  to  the  royal  sleeping  apartment,  and 
Salisbury  ascertained  from  the  officers  in  attendance  that  all  was 
in  readiness.  Motioning  the  guard  to  remain  where  they  were 
be  entered  the  inner  room  alone,  and  found  James  seated  on  a 
chair  ot  state  near  the  bed,  surrounded  by  his  council ;— the  Earl 
of  Marr  standing  on  his  right  hand,  and  the  Duke  of  Lennox  on 
ins  left,  all  anxiously  awaiting  his  arrival.  Behind  the  Kin* 
were  stationed  half  a  dozen  halberdiers. 

"The  prisoner  is  without,"  said  Salisbury.  "Is  it  your 
Majesty  s  pleasure  that  he  be  admitted  ?" 

"  Ay,  let  him  come  in  forthwith,"  replied  James.  «  Stand  by 
me,  my  lords.  And  do  you,  varlets,  keep  a  wary  eye  upon  him. 
1  here  is  no  saying  what  he  may  attempt." 

Salisbury  then  waved  his  hand.     The  door  was  thrown  open, 

and  an  officer  entered  the  room,  followed  by  Guy  Fawkes,  who 

marched  between  two  halberdiers.    When  within  a  couple  of  yards 

of  the  King,  the  officer  halted,  and  withdrew  a  little  on  the  rio-ht, 

w  as  to  allow  full  view  of  the  prisoner,  while  he  extended°his 

sword  between   him  and  the  King.     Nothing  could  be  more 

undaunted  than  the  looks  and  demeanour  of  Fawkes.     He  strode 

irmly  into  the  room,  and  without  making  any  reverence,  folded 

ins  amis  upon  his  breast,  and  looked  sternly  at  James. 

;  A  bold  villain  !"  cried  the  King,  as  he  regarded  him  with 
cnnosuy  not  unmixed  with  alarm,     «  Who,  and  what  are  you, 


260  GUY  FAWKES. 

<e  A  conspirator,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  That  I  know,"  rejoined  James,  sharply.  "  But  how  are  you 
called?" 

"  John  Johnson,"  answered  Fawkes.  "  I  am  servant  to  Mr. 
Thomas  Percy." 

"  That  is  false,"  cried  Salisbury.  "  Take  heed  that  you  speak 
the  truth,  traitor,  or  the  rack  shall  force  it  from  you." 

"  The  rack  will  force  nothing  from  me,"  replied  Fawkes, 
sternly;  "neither  will  I  answer  any  question  asked  by  your 
lordship." 

"  Leave  him  to  me,  Salisbury, — leave  him  to  rne,"  interposed 
James.  "  And  it  was  your  hellish  design  to  blow  us  all  up  with 
gunpowder  ?"  he  demanded. 

"  It  was,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  And  how  could  you  resolve  to  destroy  so  many  persons, 
none  of  whom  have  injured  you  ?"  pursued  James. 

"  Dangerous  diseases  require  desperate  remedies,"  replied 
Fawkes.  "  Milder  means  have  been  tried,  but  without  effect. 
It  was  God's  pleasure  that  this  scheme,  which  was  for  the  benefit 
of  his  holy  religion,  should  not  prosper,  and  therefore  I  do  not 
repine  at  the  result." 

"  And  are  you  so  blinded  as  to  suppose  that  Heaven  can 
approve  the  actions  of  him  who  raises  his  hand  against  the  King 
— against  the  Lord's  anointed  ?"  cried  James. 

*'  He  is  no  king  who  is  excommunicated  by  the  apostolic  see," 
replied  Fawkes. 

"  This  to  our  face  1"  cried  James,  angrily.  "  Have  you  no- 
remorse — no  compunction  for  what  you  have  done  ?" 

"  My  sole  regret  is  that  I  have  failed,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  You  will  not  speak  thus  confidently  on  the  rack,"  said 
James. 

"  Try  me,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  What  purpose  did  you  hope  to  accomplish  by  this  atrocious 
design  ?r'  demanded  the  Earl  of  Marr. 

"  My  main  purpose  was  to  blow  back  the  beggarly  Scots  to 
their  native  mountains,"  returned  Fawkes. 

"This  audacity  surpasses  belief,"  said  James.  "  Mutius 
Scaevola,  when  in  the  presence  of  Porsenna,  was  not  more  reso 
lute.  "  Hark  'e,  villain,  if  I  give  you  your  life,  will  you  disclose 
the  names  of  your  associates  ?" 

"  No,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  They  shall  be  wrung  from  you,"  cried  Salisbury. 

Fawkes  smiled  contemptuously.  "  You  know  me  not,"  he 
said. 

"  It  is  idle  to  interrogate  him  further,"  said  James.  "  Let 
him  be  removed  to  the  Tower." 

"  Be  it  so,"  returned  Salisbury;  "  and  when  next  your  Majesty 


THE   EXAMINATION.  2G1 

questions  him,  I  trust  it  will  be  in  the  presence  of  his  con 
federates." 

"  Despite  the  villain's  horrible  intent,  I  cannot  help  admiring 
his  courage,"  observed  James,  in  a  low  tone ;  "  and  were  he  as 
loyal  as  he  is  brave,  he  should  always  be  near  our  person." 

With  this,  he  waved  his  hand,  and  Guy  Fawkes  was  led 
forth.  He  was  detained  by  the  Earl  of  Salisbury's  orders  till 
the  morning, —  it  being  anticipated  that  before  that  time  the 
other  conspirators  would  be  arrested.  But  as  this  was  not  the 
case,  he  v,  as  placed  in  a  wherry,  and  conveyed,  as  before  related, 
to  the  Tower. 


IND  OF  THE  SECOND  BOOK 


2Soofc  tfie 
THE    CONSPIRATORS. 


The  conclusion  shall  be  from  the  admirable  clemency  and  moderation  of  ths 
king ;  in  that,  howsoever  these  traitors  have  exceeded  all  others  in  mischief,  yei 
neither  will  the  king  exceed  the  usual  punishment  of  law,  nor  invent  any  new 
torture  or  torment  for  them,  but  is  graciously  pleased  to  afford  them  as  well  an 
ordinary  course  of  trial  as  an  ordinary  punishment  much  inferior  to  their  offence. 
And  surely  worthy  of  observation  is  the  punishment  by  law  provided  and  appointed 
for  high  treason  :  for,  first,  after  a  traitor  hath  had  his  just  trial,  and  is  convicted 
and  attainted,  he  shall  have  his  judgment  to  be  drawn  to  the  place  of  execution 
from  his  prison,  as  being  not  worthy  any  more  to  tread  upon  the  face  of  the  earth 
whereof  he  was  made ;  also,  for  that  he  hath  been  retrograde  to  nature,  therefore 
is  he  drawn  backward  at  a  horsetail.  After,  to  have  his  head  cut  off  which  had 
imagined  the  mischief.  And,  lastly,  his  body  to  be  quartered,  and  the  quarters  set 
up  in  some  high  and  eminent  place,  to  the  view  and  detestation  of  men,  and  to 
become  a  prey  for  the  fowls  of  the  air.  And  this  is  a  reward  due  to  traitors,  whose 
hearts  be  hardened ;  for  that  it  is  a  physic  of  state  and  government  to  let  out 
corrupt  blood  fiom  the  heart. — Sir  Edward  Cokes  Speech  on  the  Gunpowder  Treason. 


CHAPTER  I 

HOW  GUY  FAWKES  WAS  PUT  TO  THE  TORTUEE. 

INTIMATION  of  the  arrest  of  Guy  Fawkes  having  been  sent  to 
the  Tower,  his  arrival  was  anxiously  expected  by  the  warders 
and  soldiers  composing  the  garrison,  a  crowd  of  whom  posted 
themselves  at  the  entrance  of  Traitor's  Gate,  to  obtain  a  sight 
of  him.  As  the  bark  that  conveyed  the  prisoner  shot  through 
London  Bridge,  and  neared  the  fortress,  notice  of  its  approach 
was  given  to  the  lieutenant,  who,  scarcely  less  impatient,  had 
stationed  himself  in  a  small  circular  chamber  in  one  of  the  turrets 
of  Saint  Thomas's  or  Traitor's  Tower,  overlooking  the  river. 
He  hastily  descended,  and  had  scarcely  reached  the  place  of  dis 
embarkation,  when  the  boat  passed  beneath  the  gloomy  archway , 
the  hnsnense  wooden  wicket  closed  behind  it ;  and  the  officer  in 
command  springing  ashore,  was  followed  more  deliberately  by 
Fawkes,  who  mounted  the  slippery  stairs  with  a  firm  footstep. 
As  he  gained  the  summit,  the  spectators  pressed  forward ;  but- 
Sir  William  Waad,  ordering  them  in  an  authoritative  tone  to 
stand  back,  fixed  a  stern  and  scrutinizing  glance  on  the  prisoner. 

"  Many  vile  traitors  have  ascended  those  steps,"  he  said,  "  but 
none  so  false-hearted,  none  so  bloodthirsty  as  you." 

"  None  ever  ascended  them  with  less  misgiving,  or  with  less 
self-reproach,"  replied  Fawkes. 


THE  TORTURE.  263 

"  Miserable  wretch  I  Do  you  glory  in  your  villany  ?"  cried 
the  lieutenant.  "  If  anything  could  heighten  my  detestation  of 
the  pernicious  creed  you  profess,  it  would  be  to  witness  its  effects 
cm  such  minds  as  yours.  What  a  religion  must  that  be,  which 
can  induce  its  followers  to  commit  such  monstrous  actions,  and 
delude  them  into  the  belief  that  they  are  pious  and  praise 
worthy  !" 

"  It  is  a  religion,  at  least,  that  supports  them  at  seasons  when 
they  most  require  it,"  rejoined  Fawkes. 

"Peace I"  cried  the  lieutenant,  fiercely,  u or  I  will  have  your 
viperous  tongue  torn  out  by  the  roots." 

Turning  to  the  officer,  he  demanded  his  warrant,  and  glancing 
at  it,  gave  some  directions  to  one  of  the  warders,  and  then  re 
sumed  his  scrutiny  of  Fawkes,  who  appeared  wholly  unmoved, 
and  steadily  returned  his  gaze. 

Meanwhile,  several  of  the  spectators,  eager  to  prove  their 
loyalty  to  the  king,  and  abhorrence  of  the  plot,  loaded  the 
prisoner  with  execrations,  and  finding  these  produced  no  effect, 
proceeded  to  personal  outrage.  Some  spat  upon  his  face  and 
garments ;  some  threw  mud,  gathered  from  the  slimy  steps,  upon 
him  ;  some  pricked  him  with  the  points  of  their  halberds;  while 
others,  if  they  had  not  been  checked,  would  have  resorted  to 
greater  violence.  Only  one  bystander  expressed  the  slightest 
commiseration  for  him.  It  was  Ruth  Ipgreve,  who,  with  her 
parents,  formed  part  of  the  assemblage. 

A  few  kindly  words  pronounced  by  this  girl  moved  the  prisoner 
more  than  all  the  insults  he  had  just  experienced.  He  said 
nothing,  but  a  slight  and  almost  imperceptible  quivering  of  the  lip 
told  what  was  passing  within.  The  jailer  was  extremely  in 
dignant  at  his  daughter's  conduct,  fearing  it  might  prejudice  him 
in  the  eyes  of  the  lieutenant 

"  Get  hence,  girl,"  he  cried,  "  and  stir  not  from  thy  room  for 
the  rest  of  the  day.  I  am  sorry  I  allowed  thee  to  come  forth." 

"  You  must  look  to  her,  Jasper  Ipgreve,"  said  Sir  William 
Waad,  sternly.  "  No  man  shall  hold  an  office  in  the  Tower  who 
is  a  favourer  of  papacy.  If  you  were  a  good  Protestant,  and  a 
faithful  servant  of  King  James,  your  daughter  could  never  have 
acted  thus  unbecomingly.  Look  to  her,  I  say, — and  to 
yourself." 

"  I  will,  honourable  sir,"  replied  Jasper,  in  great  confusion. 
u  Take  her  home  directly,"  he  added,  in  an  under  tone  to  his  wife. 
"  Lock  her  up  till  I  return,  and  scourge  her  if  thou  wilt.  She  will 
ruin  us  by  her  indiscretion." 

In  obedience  to  this  injunction,  Dame  Ipgreve  seized  her 
daughter's  hand,  and  dragged  her  away.  Ruth  turned  for  a 
moment  to  take  a  last  look  at  the  prisoner,  and  saw  that  his  gaze- 
followed  her,  and  was  fraught  with  an  expression  of  the  deepcbi. 
gratitude.  By  way  of  showing  his  disapproval  of  his  daughter's 


Sci  GUY   FAWKES. 

conduct,  the  jailer  now  joined  the  bitterest  of  Guy  Fawkes's 
assailants ;  and  ere  long  the  assemblage  became  infuriated  to 
such  an  ungovernable  pitch,  that  the  lieutenant,  who  had  allowed 
matters  to  proceed  thus  far  in  the  hope  of  shaking  the  prisoner's 
constancy,  finding  his  design  fruitless,  ordered  him  to  be  taken 
nv:ay.  Escorted  by  a  dozen  soldiers  with  calivers  on  their 
shoulders,  Guy  Fawkes  was  led  through  the  archway  of  the 
Bloody  Tower,  and  across  the  Green  to  the  Beauchamp  Tower. 
He  was  placed  in  the  spacious  chamber  on  the  first  floor  of  that 
fortification,  now  used  as  a  mess-room  by  the  Guards.  Sir 
William  Waad  followed  him,  and  seating  himself  at  a  table, 
referred  to  the  warrant. 

"  You  are  here  called  John  Johnson.  Is  that  your  name  ?" 
he  demanded. 

"  If  you  find  it  thus  written,  you  need  make  no  further  inquiry 
from  me,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I  am  'the  person  so  described. 
That  is  sufficient  for  you." 

"  Not  so,"  replied  the  lieutenant;  "and  if  you  persist  in  this 
stubborn  demeanour,  the  severest  measures  will  be  adopted 
towards  you.  Your  sole  chance  of  avoiding  the  torture  is  in 
making  a  full  confession." 

"  I  do  not  desire  to  avoid  the  torture,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  It 
will  wrest  nothing  from  me." 

"  So  all  think  till  they  have  experienced  it,"  replied  the  lieu 
tenant  ;  "  but  greater  fortitude  than  yours  has  given  way  before 
our  engines." 

Fawkes  smiled  disdainfully,  but  made  no  answer. 

The  lieutenant  then  gave  directions  that  he  should  be  placed 
within  a  small  cell  adjoining  the  larger  chamber,  and  that  two  of 
the  guard  should  remain  constantly  beside  him,  to  prevent  him 
from  doing  himself  any  violence. 

"  You  need  have  no  fear,"  observed  Fawkes.  "  I  shall  not 
destroy  my  chance  of  martyrdom." 

At  this  juncture  a  messenger  arrived,  bearing  a  despatch  from 
the  Earl  of  Salisbur}'.  The  lieutenant  broke  the  seal,  and  after 
hurriedly  perusing  it,  drew  his  sword,  and  desiring  the  guard  to 
station  themselves  outside  the  door,  approached  Fawkes. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  enormity  of  your  offence,"  he  observed, 
"  I  find  his  Majesty  will  graciously  spare  your  life,  provided  you 
will  reveal  the  names  of  all  your  associates,  and  disclose  every 
particular  connected  with  the  plot." 

Guy  Fawkes  appeared  lost  in  reflection,  and  the  lieutenant, 
conceiving  he  had  made  an  impression  upon  him,  repeated  the 
offer. 

"  How  am  I  to  be  assured  of  this  ?"  asked  the  prisoner. 

"  My  promise  must  suffice,"  rejoined  Waad. 

"  It  will  not  suffice  to  me,"  returned  Fawkes.  "I  must  have 
a  pardon  signed  by  the  King." 


THE   TORTURE.  265 

*•'  You  shall  have  it  on  one  condition,"  replied  Waad.  "  You 
are  evidently  troubled  with  few  scruples.  It  is  the  Earl  of  Salis 
bury's  conviction  that  the  heads  of  many  important  Catholic 
families  are  connected  with  this  plot.  If  they  should  prove  to 
be  so, — or,  to  be  plain,  if  you  will  accuse  certain  persons  whom 
I  will  specify,  you  shall  have  the  pardon  you  require." 

'•  Is  this  the  purport  of  the  Earl  of  Salisbury's  despatch?** 
asked  Guy  Fawkes. 

The  lieutenant  nodded. 

"  Let  me  look  at  it,"  continued  Fawkes.  "  You  may  be 
practising  upon  me." 

"  Your  own  perfidious  nature  makes  you  suspicious  of  treachery 
in  others,"  cried  the  lieutenant.  "  Will  this  satisfy  you  ?" 

And  he  held  the  letter  towards  Guy  Fawkes,  who  instantly 
snatched  it  from  his  grasp. 

"  What  ho  I"  he  shouted  in  a  loud  voice  ;  "what  ho  !"  and  the 
guards  instantly  rushed  into  the  room.  "  You  shall  learn  why 
you  were  sent  away.  Sir  William  Waad  has  offered  me  my  life, 
on  the  part  of  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  provided  I  will  accuse 
certain  innocent  parties — innocent,  except  that  they  are  Catholics 
— of  being  leagued  with  me  in  my  design.  Read  this  letter,  and 
see  whether  I  speak  not  the  truth." 

And  he  threw  it  among  them.  But  no  one  stirred,  except  a 
warder,  who,  picking  it  up,  delivered  it  to  the  lieutenant. 

"  You  will  now  understand  whom  you  have  to  deal  with,** 
pursued  Fawkes. 

"  I  do,"  replied  Waad.  "  But  were  you  as  unyielding  as  the 
walls  of  this  prison,  I  would  shake  your  obduracy." 

*'  I  pray  you  not  to  delay  the  experiment,"  said  Fawkes. 

"  Have  a  little  patience,"  retorted  Waad.  "  I  will  not  balk 
your  humour,  depend  upon  it." 

With  this,  he  departed,  and  repairing  to  his  lodgings,  wrote  a 
hasty  despatch  to  the  Earl,  detailing  all  that  had  passed,  and  re 
questing  a  warrant  for  the  torture,  as  he  was  apprehensive,  if  the 
prisoner  expired  under  the  severe  application  that  would  be 
necessary  to  force  the  truth  from  him,  he  might  be  called  to 
account.  Two  hours  afterwards  the  messenger  returned  with 
the  warrant.  It  was  in  the  handwriting  of  the  King,  and  con 
tained  a  list  of  interrogations  to  be  put  to  the  prisoner,  con 
cluding  by  directing  him  "  to  use  the  gentler  torture  first,  et  sic 
per  gradus  ad  ima  tenditur.  And  so  God  speed  you  in  your 
good  work  !" 

Tims  armed,  and  fearless  of  the  consequences,  the  lieutenant 
summoned  Jasper  Ipgreve. 

"  We  have  a  very  refractory  prisoner  to  deal  with,"  he  said, 
as  the  jailer  appeared.  "  But  I  have  just  received  the  royal 
authority  to  put  him  through  all  the  degrees  of  torture  if  he  con 
tinues  obstinate.  How  shall  we  begin  ?" 


£GS  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  With  the  Scavenger's  Daughter  and  the  Little  Ease,  if  it 
please  yon,  honourable  sir,"  replied  Ipgreve.  "  If  these  fail,  \vc 
can  try  the  gauntlets  and  the  rack  ;  and  lastly,  the  dungeon 
among  the  rats,  and  the  hot  stone." 

"  A  good  progression,"  said  the  lieutenant,  smiling.  "  I  will 
now  repair  to  the  torture-chamber.  Let  the  prisoner  be  brought 
there  without  delay.  He  is  in  the  Beauchamp  Tower." 

Ipgreve  bowed  and  departed,  while  the  lieutenant,  calling  to 
an  attendant  to  bring  a  torch,  proceeded  along  a  narrow  passage 
communicating  with  the  Bell  Tower.  Opening  a  secret  door 
within  it,  he  descended  a  flight  of  stone  steps,  and  traversing  a 
number  of  intricate  passages,  at  length  stopped  before  a  strong 
door,  which  lie  pushed  aside,  and  entered  the  chamber  he  had 
mentioned  to  Ipgreve.  This  dismal  apartment  has  already  been 
described.  It  was  that  in  which  Viviana's  constancy  was  so  fear 
fully  approved.  Two  officials  in  the  peculiar  garb  of  the  place — 
a  sable  livery — were  occupied  in  polishing  the  various  steel 
implements.  Besides  these,  there  was  the  chirurgeon,  who  was 
seated  at  a  side  table,  reading  by  the  light  of  a  brazen  lamp. 
He  instantly  arose  on  seeing  the  lieutenant,  and  began,  with  the 
other  officials,  to  make  preparations  for  the  prisoner's  arrival. 
The  two  latter  concealed  their  features  by  drawing  a  large  black 
capoch,  or  hood,  attached  to  their  gowns  over  them,  and  this 
disguise  added  materially  to  their  lugubrious  appearance.  One 
of  them  then  took  down  abroad  iron  hoop,  opening  in  the  centre 
with  a  hinge,  and  held  it  in  readiness.  Their  preparations  were 
scarcely  completed  when  heavy  footsteps  announced  the  approach 
of  Fawkes  and  his  attendants.  Jasper  Ipgreve  ushered  them 
into  the  chamber,  and  fastened  the  door  behind  them.  All  the 
subsequent  proceedings  were  conducted  with  the  utmost  deli 
beration,  and  were  therefore  doubly  impressive.  No  undue 
haste  occurred,  and  the  officials,  who  might  have  been  mistaken 
for  phantoms  or  evil  spirits,  spoke  only  in  whispers.  Guy 
Fawkes  watched  their  movements  with  unaltered  composure. 
At  length,  Jasper  Ipgreve  signified  to  the  lieutenant  that  all  was 
ready. 

"  The  opportunity  you  desired  of  having  your  courage  put  to 
the  test  is  now  arrived,"  said  the  latter  to  the  prisoner. 

"  What  am  I  to  do  ?"  was  the  reply. 

"  Remove  your  doublet,  and  prostrate  yourself,"  subjoined 
Ipgreve. 

Guy  Fawkes  obeyed,  and  when  in  this  posture  began  audibly 
to  recite  a  prayer  to  the  Virgin. 

"Be  silent,"  cried  the  lieutenant,  "or  a  gag  shall  be  thrust 
into  your  mouth." 

Kneeling  upon  the  prisoner's  shoulders,  and  passing  the  hoop 
under  his  legs,  Ipgreve  then  succeeded,  with  the  help  of  his 
who  added  their  weight  to  his  own,  in  fastening  the 


THE  TORTURE.  267 

hoop  with  an  iron  button.  This  done,  they  left  the  prisoner 
with  his  limbs  and  body  so  tightly  compressed  together  that  he 
was  scarcely  able  to  breathe.  In  this  state  he  was  allowed  to 
remain  for  an  hour  and  a  half.  The  chirurgeon  then  found  on 
examination  that  the  blood  had  burst  profusely  from  his  mouth 
and  nostrils,  and  in  a  slighter  degree  from  the  extremities  of  his 
hands  and  feet. 

"  He  must  be  released,"  he  observed  in  an  under  tone  to  the 
lieutenant.  "  Further  continuance  might  be  fatal." 

Accordingly,  the  hoop  was  removed,  and  it  was  at  this  moment 
that  the  prisoner  underwent  the  severest  trial.  Despite  his 
efforts  to  control  himself,  a  sharp  convulsion  passed  across  his 
frame,  and  the  restoration  of  impeded  circulation  and  respiration 
occasioned  him  the  most  acute  agony. 

The  chirurgeon  bathed  his  temples  with  vinegar,  and  his  limbs 
being  chafed  by  the  officials,  he  was  placed  on  a  bench. 

"  My  warrant  directs  me  to  begin  with  the  '  gentler  tortures,* 
and  to  proceed  by  degrees  to  extremities,"  observed  the  lieu 
tenant,  significantly.  "  You  have  now  had  a  taste  of  the  milder 
sort,  and  may  form  some  conjecture  what  the  worst  are  like.  Do 
you  still  continue  contumacious?" 

"I  am  in  the  same  mind  as  before,'*  replied  Fawkes,  in  a 
hoarse  but  firm  voice. 

"  Take  him  to  the  Little  Ease,  and  let  him  pass  the  night 
there,"  said  the  lieutenant.  "  To-morrow  I  will  continue  the 
investigation." 

Fawkes  was  then  led  out  by  Ipgreve  and  the  officials,  and 
conveyed  along  a  narrow  passage,  until  arriving  at  a  low  door, 
in  which  there  was  an  iron  grating,  it  was  opened,  and  disclosed 
a  narrow  cell  about  four  feet  high,  one  and  a  few  inches  wide,  and 
two  deep.  Into  this  narrow  receptacle,  which  seemed  wholly 
inadequate  to  contain  a  tall  and  strongly-built  man  like  himself, 
the  prisoner  was  with  some  difficulty  thrust,  and  the  door  locked 
upon  him. 

In  this  miserable  plight,  with  his  head  bent  upon  his  breast, — 
the  cell  being  so  contrived  that  its  wretched  inmate  could  neither 
sit,  nor  recline  at  full  length  within  it, —  Guy  Fawkes  prayed 
long  and  fervently ;  and  no  longer  troubled  by  the  uneasy  feelings 
which  had  for  some  time  haunted  him,  he  felt  happier  in  his 
present  forlorn  condition  than  he  had  been  when  anticipating  tlie 
full  success  of  his  project. 

"  At  least,"  he  thought,  "I  shall  now  win  myself  a  crown  of 
martyrdom,  and  whatever  my  present  sufferings  may  be,  they 
will  be  speedily  effaced  by  the  happiness  I  shall  enjoy  hereafter." 

Overcome,  at  length,  by  weariness  and  exhaustion,  he  fell  into 
a  sort  of  doze — it  could  scarcely  be  called  sleep — and  while  iu 
this  state,  fancied  he  was  visited  by  Saint  Winifred,  who, 
approaching  the  door  of  the  cell,  touched  it,  and  it  instantly 


2fig  GUY   FAWKES. 

opened.  She  then  placed  her  hand  upon  his  limbs,  and  the 
pain  he  had  hitherto  felt  in  them  subsided. 

"  Your  troubles  will  soon  be  over,"  murmured  the  saint,  "and 
you  will  be  at  rest.  Do  not  hesitate  to  confess.  Your  silence 
will  neither  serve  your  companions  nor  yourself."  With  these 
words  the  vision  disappeared,  and  Guy  Fawkes  awoke.  Whether 
it  was  the  effect  of  imagination,  or  that  his  robust  constitution 
had  in  reality  shaken  off  the  effects  of  the  torture,  it  is  impos 
sible  to  say,  but  it  is  certain  that  he  felt  his  strength  restored  to 
him,  and  attributing  his  recovery  entirely  to  the  marvellous 
interposition  of  the  saint,  he  addressed  a  prayer  of  gratitude  to 
her.  While  thus  occupied,  he  heard — for  it  was  so  dark  he 
could  distinguish  nothing — a  sweet  low  voice  at  the  grating  of 
the  cell,  and  imagining  it  was  the  same  benign  presence  as 
before,  paused  and  listened. 

"Do  you  hear  me?"  asked  the  voice.- 

"  I  do,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Is  it  the  blessed  Winifred,  who 
again  vouchsafes  to  address  me  ?" 

"  Alas,  no  !"  replied  the  voice  ;  "  it  is  one  of  mortal  mould. 
I  am  Ruth  Ipgreve,  the  jailer's  daughter.  You  may  remember 
that  I  expressed  some  sympathy  in  your  behalf  at  your  landing 
at  Traitor's  Gate  to-day,  for  which  I  incurred  my  father's  dis 
pleasure.  But  you  will  be  quite  sure  I  am  a  friend,  when  I  tell 
you  I  assisted  Viviana  Radcliffe  to  escape." 

"  Ha  I"  exclaimed  Guy  Fawkes,  in  a  tone  of  great  emotion. 

*'  I  was  in  some  degree  in  her  confidence,"  pursued  Ruth  ; 
'*  and,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  YOU  are  the  obiect  of  her  warmest 
regard." 

The  prisoner  could  not  repress  a  groan. 

"You  are  Guy  Fawkes,"  pursued  Ruth.  "Nay,  you  need 
have  no  fear  of  me.  I  have  risked  my  life  for  Viviana,  and 
would  risk  it  for  you." 

"  I  will  disguise  nothing  from  you,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  I  am 
he  you  have  named.  As  the  husband  of  Viviana — for  such  I 
am — I  feel  the  deepest  gratitude  to  you  for  the  service  you 
rendered  her.  She  bitterly  reproached  herself  with  having 
placed  you  in  so  much  danger.  How  did  you  escape?" 

"  I  was  screened  by  my  parents,"  replied  Ruth.  "  It  was 
given  out  by  them  that  Viviana  escaped  through  the  window  of 
her  prison,  and  I  was  thus  preserved  from  punishment.  Where 
is  she  uow  ?" 

"  In  safety,  I  trust,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  Alas  I  I  shall  never 
behold  her  again." 

"  Do  not  despair,"  returned  Ruth.  "I  will  try  to  effect  your 
liberation;  and  though  I  have  but  slender  hope  of  accomplishing 
it,  still  there  is  a  chance." 

"  I  do  not  desire  it,"  returned  Fawkes.  "  I  am  content  to 
perish.  All  I  lived  for  is  at  an  end." 


THE  TORTURE.  209 

" This  shall  not  deter  me  from  trying  to  save  you"  replied 
Ruth  ;  "  and  I  still  trust  there  is  happiness  in  store  for  you  with 
Viviana.  Amid  all  your  sufferings,  rest  certain  there  is  one  who 
will  ever  watch  over  you.  I  dare  not  remain  here  longer,  for 
fear  of  a  surprise.  Farewell !" 

She  then  departed,  and  it  afforded  Guy  Fawkes  some  solace 
to  ponder  on  the  interview  during  the  rest  of  the  night. 

On  the  following  morning  Jasper  Ipgreve  appeared,  and 
placed  before  him  a  loaf  of  the  coarsest  bread,  and  a  jug  of  dirty 
water.  His  scanty  meal  ended,  he  left  him,  but  returned  in  two 
hours  afterwards  with  a  party  of  halberdiers,  and  desiring  him 
to  follow  him,  led  the  way  to  the  torture-chamber.  Sir  William 
Waad  was  there  when  he  arrived,  and  demanding  in  a  stern  tone 
whether  he  still  continued  obstinate,  and  receiving  no  answer, 
ordered  him  to  be  placed  in  the  gauntlets.  Upon  this,  he  was 
suspended  from  a  beam  by  his  hands,  and  endured  five  hours  of 
the  most  excruciating  agony — his  fingers  being  so  crushed  and 
lacerated  that  he  could  not  move  them. 

He  was  then  taken  down,  and  still  refusing  to  confess,  was 
conveyed  to  a  horrible  pit,  adjoining  the  river,  called,  from  the 
loathsome  animals  infesting  it,  "  the  dungeon  among  the  rats." 
It  was  about  twenty  feet  wide  and  twelve  deep,  and  at  high  tide 
was  generally  more  than  two  feet  deep  in  water. 

Into  this  dreadful  chasm  was  Guy  Fawkes  lowered  by  his 
attendants,  who,  warning  him  of  the  probable  fate  that  awaited 
him,  left  him  in  total  darkness.  At  this  time  the  pit  was  free 
from  water ;  but  he  had  not  been  there  more  than  an  hour, 
when  a  bubbling  and  hissing  sound  proclaimed  that  the  tide 
was  rising,  while  frequent  plashes  convinced  him  that  the  rats 
were  at  hand.  Stooping  down,  he  felt  that  the  water  was  alive 
with  them — that  they  were  all  around  him — and  would  not, 
probably,  delay  their  attack.  Prepared  as  he  was  for  the  worst, 
he  could  not  repress  a  shudder  at  the  prospect  of  the  horrible 
death  with  which  he  was  menaced. 

At  this  juncture,  he  was  surprised  by  the  appearance  of  a 
light,  and  perceived  at  the  edge  of  the  pit  a  female  figure  bearing 
a  lantern.  Not  doubting  it  was  his  visitant  of  the  former  night, 
he  called  out  to  her,  and  was  answered  in  the  voice  of  Ruth 
Ipgreve. 

"  I  dare  not  remain  here  many  minutes,"  she  said,  "  because 
my  father  suspects  me.  But  I  could  not  let  you  perish  thus. 
I  will  let  down  this  lantern  to  you,  and  the  light  will  keep  away 
the  rats.  When  the  tide  retires  you  can  extinguish  it." 

So  saying,  she  tore  her  kerchief  into  shreds,  and  tying  the 
slips  together,  lowered  the  lantern  to  the  prisoner,  and  without 
waiting  to  receive  his  thanks,  hurried  away. 

Thus  aided,  Guy  Fawkes  defended  himself  as  well  as  he  could 
against  his  loathsome  assailants.  The  light  showed  that  the 


270  GUY  FAWKES. 

water  was  swarming  with  them — that  they  were  creeping  by 
hundreds  up  the  sides  of  the  pit,  and  preparing  to  make  a 
general  attack  upon  him. 

At  one  time,  Fawkes  determined  not  to  oppose  them,  but  to 
let  them  work  their  will  upon  him ;  but  the  contact  of  the 
noxious  animals  made  him  change  his  resolution,  and  he  instinc 
tively  drove  them  off.  They  were  not,  however,  to  be  easily 
repulsed,  and  returned  to  the  charge  with  greater  fury  than 
before.  The  desire  of  self  preservation  now  got  the  better  of 
every  other  feeling,  and  the  dread  of  being  devoured  alive  giving 
new  vigour  to  his  crippled  limbs,  he  rushed  to  the  other  side  of 
the  pit.  His  persecutors,  however,  followed  him  in  myriads, 
springing  upon  him,  and  making  their  sharp  teeth  meet  in  his 
flesh  in  a  thousand  places. 

In  this  way  the  contest  continued  for  some  time,  Guy  Fawkes 
speeding  round  the  pit,  and  his  assailants  never  for  one  moment 
relaxing  in  the  pursuit,  until  he  fell  from  exhaustion,  and  his 
lantern  being  extinguished,  the  whole  host  darted  upon  him. 

Thinking  all  over,  he  could  not  repress  a  loud  cry,  and  it  was 
scarcely  uttered,  when  lights  appeared,  and  several  gloomy 
figures  bearing  torches  were  seen  at  the  edge  of  the  pit.  Among 
these  he  distinguished  Sir  William  Waad,  who  offered  instantly 
to  release  him  if  he  would  confess. 

"  I  will  rather  perish,"  replied  Fawkes,  "  and  I  will  make  no 
further  effort  to  defend  myself.  I  shall  soon  be  out  of  the  reach 
of  your  malice." 

u  This  must  not  be,"  observed  the  lieutenant  to  Jasper  Ipgreve, 
•who  stood  by.  "  The  Earl  of  Salisbury  will  never  forgive  me  if 
he  perishes." 

*'  Then  not  a  moment  must  be  lost,  or  those  ravenous  brutes 
will  assuredly  devour  him,"  replied  Ipgreve.  "  They  are  so  fierce, 
that  I  scarcely  like  to  venture  among  them." 

A  ladder  was  then  let  down  into  the  pit,  and  the  jailer  and  the 
two  officials  descended.  They  were  just  in  time.  Fawkes  had 
ceased  to  struggle,  and  the  rats  were  attacking  him  with  such 
fury  that  his  words  would  have  been  speedily  verified,  but  for 
Ip'ireve's  timely  interposition. 

On  being  taken  out  of  the  pit,  he  fainted  from  exhaustion  and 
loss  of  blood ;  and  when  he  came  to  himself,  found  he  was 
stretched  upon  a  couch  in  the  torture-chamber,  with  the  chirur- 
geon  and  Jasper  Ipgreve  in  attendance.  Strong  broths  and 
other  restoratives  were  then  administered  ;  and  his  strength  being 
sufficiently  restored  to  enable  him  to  converse,  the  lieutenant 
again  visited  him,  and  questioning  him  as  before,  received  a 
similar  aiiswer. 

In  ihe  course  of  that  day  and  the  next,  he  underwent  at 
intervals  various  kinds  of  torture,  each  more  excruciating  than 
the  preceding,  all  of  which  he  bore  with  unabated  fortitude. 


THE  TORTURE.  271 

Among  other  applications,  the  rack  was  employed  with  such 
rigour,  that  his  joints  started  from  their  sockets,  and  his  frame 
seemed  torn  asunder. 

On  the  fourth  day  he  was  removed  to  another  and  yet  gloomier 
chamber,  devoted  to  the  same  dreadful  objects  as  the  first.  It 
had  an  arched  stone  ceiling,  and  at  the  further  extremity  yawned 
a  deep  recess.  Within  this  there  was  a  small  furnace,  in  which 
fuel  was  placed,  ready  to  be  kindled ;  and  over  the  furnace  lay  a 
large  black  flag,  at  either  end  of  which  were  stout  leathern 
straps.  After  being  subjected  to  the  customary  interrogations 
of  the  lieutenant,  Fawkes  was  stripped  of  his  attire,  and  bound  to 
the  flag.  The  fire  was  then  lighted,  and  the  stone  gradually 
heated.  The  writhing  frame  of  the  miserable  man  ere  long 
showed  the  extremity  of  his  suffering ;  but  as  he  did  not  even 
utter  a  groan,  his  tormentors  were  compelled  to  release  him. 

On  this  occasion,  there  were  two  personages  present  who  had 
never  attended  any  previous  interrogation.  They  were  wrapped 
in  large  cloaks,  and  stood  aloof  during  the  proceedings.  Both 
were  treated  with  the  most  ceremonious  respect  by  Sir  William 
Waad,  who  consulted  them  as  to  the  extent  to  which  he  should 
continue  the  torture.  When  the  prisoner  was  taken  off  the 
heated  stone,  one  of  those  persons  advanced  towards  him,  and 
gazed  curiously  at  him. 

Fawkes,  upon  whose  brow  thick  drops  were  standing,  and  who 
was  sinking  into  the  oblivion  brought  on  by  overwrought  endu 
rance,  exclaimed,  "  It  is  the  King  ;"  and  fainted. 

"  The  traitor  knew  your  Majesty,"  said  the  lieutenant.  "  But 
you  see  it  is  in  vain  to  attempt  to  extort  anything  from  him." 

"  So  it  seems,"  replied  James  ;  "  and  I  am  greatly  disappointed, 
for  1  was  led  to  believe  that  I  should  hear  a  full  confession  of  the 
conspiracy  from  his  own  lips.  How  say  you,  good  Master 
chirurgeon,  will  he  endure  further  torture  ?" 

"  Not  without  danger  of  life,  your  Majesty,  unless  he  has  some 
days'  repose,"  replied  the  chirurgeon,  "  even  if  he  can  endure  it 
then." 

"  It  will  not  be  necessary  to  apply  it  further,"  replied  Salis 
bury.  "  I  am  now  in  full  possession  of  the  names  of  all  the  prin 
cipal  conspirators ;  and  when  the  prisoner  finds  further  conceal 
ment  useless,  he  will  change  his  tone.  To-morrow,  the  com 
missioners  appointed  by  your  Majesty  for  the  examination  of  all 
those  concerned  in  this  dreadful  project,  will  interrogate  him  in 
the  lieutenant's  lodgings,  and  I  will  answer  with  my  life  that  the 
result  will  be  satisfactory." 

"  Enough,"  said  James.  "  It  has  been  a  painful  spectacle 
which  we  have  just  witnessed,  and  yet  we  would  not  have  missed 
it.  The  wretch  possesses  undaunted  resolution,  and  we  can 
never  be  sufficiently  grateful  to  the  beneficent  Providence  that 
prevented  him  from  working  his  ruthless  purpose  upon  us.  The 


272  GUY  FAWKES. 

day  on  which  we  were  preserved  from  this  Gunpowder  Treason 
shall  ever  hereafter  be  kept  sacred  in  our  church,  and  thanks 
shall  be  returned  to  Heaven  for  our  wonderful  deliverance." 

"  Your  Majesty  will  act  wisely,"  replied  Salisbury.  "  The 
Ordinance  will  impress  the  nation  with  a  salutary  horror  of  all 
Papists  and  traitors, — for  they  are  one  and  the  same  thing, — and 
keep  alive  a  proper  feeling  of  enmity  against  them.  Such  a  fear 
ful  example  shall  be  made  of  these  miscreants  as  shall,  it  is  to  be 
hoped,  deter  all  others  from  following  their  cause.  Not  only 
shall  they  perish  infamously,  but  their  names  shall  for  ever  be 
held  in  execration." 

"  Be  it  so,"  rejoined  James.  "  It  is  a  good  legal  maxim — 
Crescente  malitid,  crescere  debuit  et  poena" 

Upon  this,  he  left  the  chamber,  and,  traversing  a  number  of 
subterranean  passages  with  his  attendants,  crossed  the  drawbridge 
near  the  By  ward  Tower  to  the  wharf,  where  his  barge  was  waiting 
for  him,  and  returned  in  it  to  Whitehall. 

At  an  early  hour  on  the  following  day,  the  commissioners 
appointed  to  the  examination  of  the  prisoner,  met  together  in  a 
large  room  on  the  second  floor  of  the  lieutenant's  lodgings,  after 
wards  denominated,  from  its  use  on  this  occasion,  the  Council 
Chamber.  Affixed  to  the  walls  of  this  room  may  be  seen  at  the 
present  day  a  piece  of  marble  sculpture,  with  an  inscription  com 
memorative  of  the  event.  The  commissioners  were  nine  in 
number,  and  included  the  Earls  of  Salisbury,  Northampton, 
Nottingham,  Suffolk,  Worcester,  Devon,  Marr,  and  Dunbar,  and 
Sir  John  Popham,  Lord  Chief  Justice.  With  these  were  asso 
ciated  Sir  Edward  Coke,  attorney-general,  and  Sir  William 
Waad. 

The  apartment  in  which  the  examination  took  place  is  still  a 
spacious  one,  but  at  the  period  in  question  it  was  much  larger 
and  loftier.  The  walls  were  panelled  with  dark  lustrous  oak, 
covered  in  some  places  with  tapestry,  and  adorned  in  others  with 
paintings.  Over  the  chimney-piece  hung  a  portrait  of  the  late 
sovereign,  Elizabeth.  The  commissioners  were  grouped  round 
a  large  heavily  carved  oak  table,  and,  after  some  deliberation 
together,  it  was  agreed  that  the  prisoner  should  be  introduced. 

Sir  William  Waad  then  motioned  to  Topcliffe,  who  was  in 
attendance  with  half  a  dozen  halberdiers,  and  a  few  moments 
afterwards  a  panel  was  pushed  aside,  and  Guy  Fawkes  was 
brought  through  it.  He  was  supported  by  Tcpcliffe  and  Ipgreve, 
and  it  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  he  could  drag  himself 
along.  So  severe  had  been  the  sufferings  to  which  he  had  been 
subjected,  that  they  had  done  the  work  of  time,  and  placed  more 
than  twenty  years  on  his  head.  His  features  were  thin  and 
sharp,  and  of  a  ghastly  whiteness,  and  his  eyes  hollow  and  blood 
shot.  A  large  cloak  was  thrown  over  him,  which  partially  con 
cealed  his  shattered  frame  and  crippled  limbs  ;  but  his  bent 


THE  TORTURE.  Sf>-> 

shoulders,  and  the  difficulty  with  which  he  moved,  told  how 
much  he  had  undergone. 

On  seeing  the  presence  in  which  he  stood,  a  flush  for  a  moment 
rose  to  his  pallid  cheek,  his  eye  glowed  with  its  wonted  fire,  and 
he  tried  to  stand  erect — but  his  limbs  refused  their  office — and 
the  effort  was  so  painful,  that  he  fell  back  into  the  arms  of  his 
attendants.  He  was  thus  borne  forward  by  them,  and  supported 
during  his  examination.  The  Earl  of  Salisbury  then  addressed 
him,  and  enlarging  on  the  magnitude  and  horrible  nature  of  his 
treason,  concluded  by  saying  that  the  only  reparation  he  could 
onvr  was  to  disclose  not  only  all  his  own  criminal  intentions,  but 
the  names  of  his  associates. 

"  I  will  hide  nothing  concerning  myself,"  replied  Fawkes: 
"  but  I  shall  be  for  ever  silent  respecting  others." 

The  Earl  then  glanced  at  Sir  Edward  Coke,  who  proceeded 
to  take  down  minutes  of  the  examination. 

"You  have  hitherto  falsely  represented  yourself,"  said  the 
Earl.  "  What  is  your  real  name  ?" 

"  Guy  Fawkes,"  replied  the  prisoner. 

"  And  do  you  confess  your  guilt  ?"  pursued  the  Earl. 

"  I  admit  that  it  was  rny  intention  to  blow  up  the  King  and 
the  whole  of  the  lords  spiritual  and  temporal  assembled  in  the 
Parliament  House  with  gunpowder,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  And  you  placed  the  combustibles  in  the  vault  where  they 
were  discovered  ?"  demanded  Salisbury. 

The  prisoner  answered  in  the  affirmative. 

"  You  are  a  Papist  ?"  continued  the  Earl. 

"  I  am  a  member  of  the  Church  of  Rome,"  returned  Fawkes. 

"  And  you  regard  this  monstrous  design  as  righteous  and 
laudable — as  consistent  with  the  religion  you  profess,  and  as 
likely  to  uphold  it  ?"  said  the  Earl. 

"  I  did  so,"  replied  Fawkes.  "  But  I  am  now  convinced  that 
Heaven  did  not  approve  it,  and  I  lament  that  it  was  ever  under 
taken." 

"  Still,  you  refuse  to  make  the  only  reparation  in  your  power 
— you  refuse  to  disclose  your  associates  ?"  said  Salisbury. 

"  I  cannot  betray  them,"  replied  Fawkes. 

"  Traitor  I  it  is  needless,"  cried  the  Earl;  "  they  are  known  to 
us — nay,  they  have  betrayed  themselves.  They  have  risen  in 
open  and  armed  rebellion  against  the  King;  but  a  sufficient 
power  has  been  sent  against  them ;  and  if  they  are  not  ere  this 
defeated  and  captured,  many  days  will  not  elapse  before  they 
will  be  lodged  in  the  Tower." 

"  If  this  is  the  case,  you  require  no  information  from  mo," 
rejoined  Fawkes.  "  But  I  pray  you  name  them  to  me." 

**  I  will  do  so,"  replied  Salisbury;  "  and  if  I  have  omitted  &n*< 
you  can  supply  the  deficiency.  I  will  begin  with  Robert  Cate&b"'/ 
thi  cliief  contriver  of  this  hell-engendered  plot, — 1  will  next  pro- 

T 


GUY  FAWKES. 

cecd  to  the  superior  of  the  Jesuits,  Father  Garnet, — next,  to 
another  Jesuit  priest,  Father  Oldcorne, — next,  to  Sir  Everard 
Digby, — then,  to  Thomas  Winter  and  Robert  Winter, — then,  to 
John  Wright  and  Christopher  Wright, — then,  to  Ambrose  Rook- 
wood,  Thomas  Percy,  and  John  Grant,  and  lastly,  to  Robert  Keyes." 

"  Are  these  all  ?"  demanded  Fawkes. 

"  All  we  are  acquainted  with,"  said  Salisbury. 

"  Then  add  to  them  the  names  of  Francis  Tresham,  and  of  his 
brother-in-law,  Lord  Mounteagle,"  rejoined  Fawkes.  "  I  charge 
Doth  with  being  privy  to  the  plot." 

"  I  have  forgotten  another  name,"  said  Salisbury,  in  some  con 
fusion,  "  that  of  Viviana  Radcliffe,  of  Ordsall  Hall.  I  have 
received  certain  information  that  she  was  wedded  to  you  while 
you  were  resident  at  White  Webbs,  near  Epping  Forest,  and 
was  cognisant  of  the  plot.  If  captured,  she  will  share  your  fate." 

Fawkes  could  not  repress  a  groan. 

Salisbury  pursued  his  interrogations,  but  it  was  evident,  from 
the  increasing  feebleness  of  the  prisoner,  that  he  would  sink 
vinder  it  if  the  examination  was  further  protracted.  He  was 
therefore  ordered  to  attach  his  signature  to  the  minutes  taken  by 
Sir  Edward  Coke,  and  was  placed  in  a  chair  for  that  purpose. 
A  pen  was  then  given  him,  but  for  some  time  his  shattered 
fingers  refused  to  grasp  it.  By  a  great  effort,  and  with  acute 
pain,  he  succeeded  in  tracing  his  Christian  name  thus: — 


WLLe  endeavouring  to  write  his  surname,  the  pen  fell  from  his 
hand,  and  he  became  insensible. 


CHAPTER  IL 

SHOWING  THE  TROUBLES  OF  VIVIANA. 

ON  coming  to  herself,  Viviana  inquired  for  Garnet;  and  being 
told  that  he  was  in  his  chamber  alone,  she  repaired  thither,  and 
found  him  pacing  to  and  fro  in  the  greatest  perturbation, 

"If  you  come  to  me  for  consolation,  daughter," he  said,  "you 
come  to  one  who  cannot  offer  it.  I  arn  completely  prostrated  in 
spirit  by  the  disastrous  issue  of  our  enterprise;  and  though  I 
tried  to  prepare  myself  for  what  has  taken  place,  I  now  find  my- 
solf '.ictfriy  unable  to  cope  with  it." 

"  L  6ucn  is  your  condition,  lather,"  replied  Viviana,  "  what 


5>*1  GUY  FAWKES. 

ccctl  to  the  superior  of  the  Jesuits,  Father  Garnet, — next,  to 
another  Jt-suit  f  Oldcorne, — next,  to  Sir  Everard 

Digby, — then,  i  <-.tui  Robert  Winter, — then,  to 

-John  Wr  =  Bright, — then,  to  Ambrose  Rook - 

'  it, and  lastly,  to  Robert  Key«fc," 
<   ' 
»»  ,"  said  Salisbury. 

>  of  Francis  Tresham,  and  of  his 
,"  rejoined  Fawkes.     *'  I  charge 

ilisbury,  in  some  con- 
-•f  Ordsall   Hall.     I  have 
,«.  was  wedded  to  you  while 
:  Forest,  and 
are  vour  fate." 

m 

as  evident,  from 
'io  would  sink 
u  ted.     He  was 
minutes  taken  by 
;ir  for  that  purpose. 
.10  his  shattered 

Ky  a  iir<.-*t  oilort,  and  with  acute 
\s  his  (  .  si.-mic  thus: — 


sum  {>en  fell  from  his 


K},  "yon 

v  (ind  my- 
what 


j^J 


s? 


TROUBLES  OF  VIVIANA.  £7-5 

must  be  that  of  my  husband,  upon  whose  devoted  head  all  the 
weight  of  this  dreadful  calamity  now  falls?  You  are  still  at 
liberty — still  able  to  save  yourself — still  able,  at  least,  to  resist 
unto  the  death,  if  you  are  so  minded.  But  he  is  a  captive  in 
the  Tower,  exposed  to  every  torment  that  human  ingenuity  can 
invent,  and  with  nothing  but  the  prospect  of  a  lingering  death 
before  his  eyes.  What  is  your  condition,  compared  with  his  ?" 

**  Happy — most  happy,  daughter,"  replied  Garnet,  "  and  I 
have  been  selfish  and  unreasonable.  I  have,  given  way  to  the 
weakness  of  humanity,  and  I  thank  you  from  the  bottom  of  my 
heart  for  enabling  me  to  shake  it  off." 

"  You  have  indulged  false  hopes,  father,"  said  Viviana, 
"  whereas  I  have  indulged  none,  or  rather,  all  has  come  to  pass 
as  I  desired.  The  dreadful  crime  with  which  I  feared  my  hus 
band's  soul  would  have  been  loaded  is  now  uncommitted,  and  I 
have  firm  hope  of  his  salvation.  If  I  might  counsel  you,  I  would 
advise  you  to  surrender  yourself  to  justice,  and  by  pouring  out 
your  blood  on  the  scaffold,  wash  out  your  offence.  Such  will  be 
my  own  course.  I  have  been  involuntarily  led  into  connexion 
with  this  plot ;  and  though  I  have  ever  disapproved  of  it,  since  I 
have  not  revealed  it  I  am  as  guilty  as  if  I  had  been  its  contriver. 
I  shall  not  shun  my  punishment.  Fate  has  dealt  hardly  with 
me,  and  my  path  on  earth  has  been  strewn  with  thorns,  and  cast 
in  grief  and  trouble.  But  I  humbly  trust  that  my  portion  here 
after  will  be  with  the  blessed." 

"  I  cannot  doubt  it,  daughter,"  replied  Garnet ;  "  and  though 
I  do  not  view  our  design  in  the  light  that  you  do,  but  regard  it 
as  justifiable,  if  not  necessary,  yet,  with  your  feelings,  I  cannot 
sufficiently  admire  your  conduct.  Your  devotion  and  self-sacri 
fice  is  wholly  without  parallel.  At  the  same  time,  I  would  try 
to  dissuade  you  from  surrendering  yourself  to  our  relentless 
enemies.  Believe  me,  it  will  add  the  severest  pang  to  your  hus 
band's  torture  to  know  that  you  are  in  their  power.  His  nature 
is  stern  and  unyielding,  and,  persuaded  as  he  is  of  the  justice  of 
his  cause,  he  will  die  happy  in  that  conviction,  certain  that  his 
name,  though  despised  by  our  heretical  persecutors,  will  be  held 
in  reverence  by  all  true  professors  of  our  faith.  No,  daughter, 
fly  and  conceal  yourself  till  pursuit  is  relinquished,  and  pass  the 
rest  of  your  life  in  prayer  for  the  repose  of  your  husband's  soul." 

"  I  will  pass  it  in  endeavouring  to  bring  him  to  repentance," 
replied  Viviana.  "The  sole  boon  I  shall  seek  from  my  judges 
will  be  permission  to  attempt  this." 

"  It  will  be  refused,  daughter,"  replied  Garnet,  "  and  you  will 
only  destroy  yourself,  not  aid  him.  Rest  satisfied  that  the  Great 
Power  who  judges  the  hearts  of  men,  and  implants  certain 
impulses  within  them,  for  his  own  wise  but  inscrutable  purposes, 
weli  knows  that  Guy  Fawkes,  however  culpable  his  conduct  may 
appear  in  your  eyes,  acted  according  to  the  dictates  of  his  con- 

T  2 


276  GUY  FAWKES. 

science,  and  in  the  full  confidence  that  the  design  would  restore 
the  true  worship  of  God  in  this  kingdom.  The  failure  of  the 
enterprise  proves  that  he  was  mistaken — that  we  were  all  mis 
taken, — and  that  Heaven  was  unfavourable  to  the  means  adopted, 
— but  it  does  not  prove  his  insincerity." 

"  These  arguments  have  no  weight  with  me,  father,"  replied 
Viviana;  "I  will  leave  nothing  undone  to  save  his  soul,  and 
whatever  may  be  the  result,  I  will  surrender  myself  to  justice." 

"  I  shall  not  seek  to  move  you  from  your  purpose,  daughter," 
replied  Garnet,  "  and  can  only  lament  it.  Before,  however,  you 
finally  decide,  let  us  pray  together  for  directions  from  on  high." 

Thus  exhorted,  Viviana  knelt  down  with  the  priest  before  a 
small  silver  image  of  the  Virgin,  which  stood  in  a  niche  in  the 
wall,  and  they  both  prayed  long  and  earnestly.  Garnet  was  the 
first  to  conclude  his  devotions;  and  as  he  gazed  at  the  upturned 
countenance  and  streaming  eyes  of  his  companion,  his  heart  was 
filled  with  admiration  and  pity. 

At  this  juncture  the  door  opened,  and  Catesby  and  Sir  Everard 
Digby  entered.  On  hearing  them,  Viviana  immediately  arose. 

"The  urgency  of  our  business  must  plead  an  excuse  for  the 
interruption,  if  any  is  needed,"  said  Catesby ;  "  but  do  not 
retire,  madam.  We  have  no  secrets  from  you  now.  Sir  Everard 
and  I  have  fully  completed  our  preparations,"  he  added,  to 
Garnet.  "  Our  men  are  all  armed  and  mounted  in  the  court, 
and  are  in  high  spirits  for  the  enterprise.  As  the  service,  how 
ever,  will  be  one  of  the  greatest  danger  and  difficulty,  you  had 
better  seek  a  safe  asylum,  father,  till  the  first  decisive  blow  is 
struck." 

"  I  would  go  with  you,  my  son,"  rejoined  Garnet,  "if  I  did 
not  think  my  presence  might  be  an  hinderance.  I  can  only  aid 
you  with  my  prayers,  and  those  can  be  more  efficaciously  uttered 
in  some  secure  retreat,  than  during  a  rapid  march  or  dangerous 
encounter." 

"  You  had  better  retire  to  Coughton  with  Lady  Digby  and 
Viviana,"  said  Sir  Everard.  "  I  have  provided  a  sufficient  escort 
to  guard  you  thither, — and,  as  you  are  aware,  there  are  many 
hiding-places  in  the  house,  where  you  can  remain  undiscovered 
in  case  of  search." 

"  I  place  myself  at  your  disposal,"  replied  Garnet.  "  But 
Viviana  is  resolved  to  surrender  herself." 

"  This  must  not  be,"  returned  Catesby.  "  Such  an  act  at  this 
juncture  would  be  madness,  and  would  materially  injure  our 
cause.  Whatever  your  inclinations  may  prompt,  you  must  con 
sent  to  remain  in  safety,  madam." 

"  I  have  acquiesced  in  your  proceedings  thus  far,"  replied 
Viviana,  "because  I  could  not  oppose  them  without  injury  to 
those  dear  to  me.  But  I  will  take  no  further  share  in  them.  My 
mind  is  made  up  as  to  the  course  I  shall  pursue." 


TROUBLES  OF  VIVIANA.  277 

"  Since  you  are  bent  upon  your  own  destruction, — for  it  is 
r>otliing  less, — it  is  the  duty  of  your  friends  to  save  you,"  rejoined 
Catcsby.  "  You  shall  not  do  what  you  propose,  and  when  yon 
are  yourself  again,  and  have  recovered  from  the  shock  your  feel 
ings  have  sustained,  you  will  thank  me  for  my  interference." 

"You  are  right,  Catesby,"  observed  Sir  Everard;  "it  would 
be  worse  than  insanity  to  allow  her  to  destroy  herself  thus." 

"  I  am  glad  you  are  of  this  opinion,"  said  Garnet.  "  I  tried 
to  reason  her  out  of  her  design,  but  without  avail." 

"  Catesby,"  cried  Viviana,  throwing  herself  at  his  feet,  "  by 
the  love  you  once  professed  for  me, — by  the  friendship  you 
entertained  for  him  who  unhesitatingly  offered  himself  for  you, 
and  your  cause,  I  implore  you  not  to  oppose  me  now  I" 

"  I  shall  best  serve  you,  and  most  act  in  accordance  with  the 
wishes  of  my  friend,  by  doing  so,"  replied  Catesby.  "  There 
fore,  you  plead  in  vain." 

"  Alas !"  cried  Viviana.  "  My  purposes  are  ever  thwarted. 
You  will  have  to  answer  for  my  life." 

"  I  should,  indeed,  have  it  to  answer  for,  if  I  permitted  you  to 
act  as  you  desire,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "I  repeat  you  will  thank 
me  ere  many  days  are  passed." 

"  Sir  Everard,"  exclaimed  Viviana,  appealing  to  the  knight, 
*(  I  entrea';  you  to  have  pity  upon  me." 

"I  do  sincerely  sympathise  with  your  distress," replied  Digby, 
in  a  tone  of  the  deepest  commiseration  ;  "  but  I  am  sure  what 
Catesby  advises  is  for  the  best.  I  could  not  reconcile  it  to  my 
conscience  to  allow  you  to  sacrifice  yourself  thus.  Be  governed 
by  prudence." 

"  Oh  no— no  !"  cried  Viviana,  distractedly.  "  I  will  not  be 
stayed.  I  command  you  not  to  detain  me." 

"  Viviana,"  said  Catesby,  taking  her  arm,  "  this  is  no  season 
for  the  display  of  silly  weakness  either  on  our  part  or  yours.  If 
you  cannot  control  yourself,  you  must  be  controlled.  Father 
JQarnet,  I  intrust  her  to  your  care.  Two  of  my  troop  shall 
attend  you,  together  with  your  own  servant,  Nicholas  Owen. 
You  shall  have  stout  horses,  able  to  accomplish  the  journey  with 
the  greatest  expedition,  and  I  should  wish  you  to  convey  her 
to  her  own  mansion,  Ordsall  Hall,  and  to  remain  there  with 
her  till  you  hear  tidings  of  us." 

"  It  shall  be  as  you  direct,  my  son,"  said  Garnet.  "  I  am  pre 
pared  to  set  out  at  once." 

"  That  is  well,"  replied  Catesby. 

"  You  will  not  do  me  this  violence,  sir,"  cried  Viviana.  "  I 
appeal  against  it,  to  you,  Sir  Everard." 

"  I  cannot  help  you,  madam,"  replied  the  knight,  "  indeed,  I 
cannot." 

"  Then  Heaven,  I  trust,  will  help  me,"  cried  Viviana,  "  for  I 
am  wholly  abandoned  of  man." 


273  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  I  beseech  you,  madam,  put  some  constraint  upon  yourself," 
said  Catesby.  "  If,  after  your  arrival  at  Ordsall,  you  are  still 
bent  upon  your  rash  and  fatal  design,  Father  Garnet  shall  not 
oppose  its  execution.  But  give  yourself  time  for  reflection." 

"  Since  it  may  not  be  otherwise,  I  assent,"  replied  Viviana. 
"  If  I  must  go,  I  will  start  at  once." 

"  Wisely  resolved,"  replied  Sir  Everard. 

Viviana  then  retired,  and  soon  afterwards  appeared  equipped 
for  her  journey.  The  two  attendants  and  Nicholas  Owen  were 
in  the  court-yard,  and  Catesby  assisted  her  into  the  saddle. 

"  Do  not  lose  sight  of  her,"  he  said  to  Garnet,  as  the  latter 
mounted. 

"  Rest  assured  I  will  not,"  replied  the  other. 

And  taking  the  direction  of  Coventry,  the  party  rode  off  at  a 
brisk  pace. 

Catesby  then  joined  the  other  conspirators,  while  Sir  Everard 
sent  off  Lady  Digby  and  his  household,  attended  by  a  strong 
escort,  to  Coughton.  This  done,  the  whole  party  repaired  to  the 
court-yard,  where  they  called  over  the  muster-roll  of  their  men, 
to  ascertain  that  none  were  missing, — examined  their  arms  and 
ammunition, — and  finding  all  in  order,  sprang  to  their  steeds, 
and  putting  themselves  at  the  head  of  the  band,  rode  towards 
Southam  and  Warwick. 


CHAPTER     III. 

HUDDINGTON. 

ABOUT  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  conspirators  reached 
Leamington  Priors,  at  that  time  an  inconsiderable  village  ;  and 
having  ridden  nearly  twenty  miles  over  heavy  and  miry  roads, — 
for  a  good  deal  of  rain  had  fallen  in  the  night, — they  stood  in 
need  of  some  refreshment.  Accordingly,  they  entered  the  first 
farm-yard  they  came  to,  and  proceeding  to  the  cow-houses  and 
shcepfolds,  turned  out  the  animals  within  them,  and  fastening  up 
their  own  steeds  in  their  places,  set  before  them  whatever  pro 
vender  they  could  find.  Those,  and  they  were  by  far  the  greater 
number,  who  could  not  find  better  accommodation,  fed  their 
horses  in  the  yard,  which  was  strewn  with  trusses  of  hay  and 
great  heaps  of  corn.  The  whole  scene  formed  a  curious  picture. 
Here  was  one  party  driving  away  the  sheep  and  cattle,  which 
were  bleating  and  lowing, — there,  another  rifling  a  hen-roost, 
and  slaughtering  its  cackling  inmates.  On  this  hand,  by  the 
direction  of  Catesby,  two  stout  horses  were  being  harnessed  with 
ropes  to  a  cart,  which  he  intended  to  use  as  a  baggage-waggon  ; 


HUDDINGTON.  2?J 

on  that,  Sir  Everard  Digby  was  interposing  his  authority  to  pre 
vent  the  destruction  of  a  fine  porker. 

Their  horses  fed,  the  next  care  of  the  conspirators  was  to 
obtain  something  for  themselves :  and  ordering  the  master  of  the 
house,  who  was  terrified  almost  out  of  his  senses,  to  open  his 
doors,  they  entered  the  dwelling,  and  causing  a  fire  to  be  lighted 
in  the  chief  room,  began  to  boil  a  large  kettle  of  broth  upon  it, 
and  to  cook  other  provisions.  Finding  a  good  store  of  eatables 
in  the  larder,  rations  were  served  out  to  the  band.  Two  casks 
of  strong  ale  were  likewise  broached,  and  their  contents  dis 
tributed  ;  and  a  small  keg  of  strong  waters  being  also  discovered, 
it  was  disposed  of  in  the  same  way. 

This,  however,  was  the  extent  of  the  mischief  done.  All  the 
conspirators,  but  chiefly  Catesby  and  Sir  Everard  Digby,  dis* 
persed  themselves  amongst  the  band,  and  checked  any  disposition. 
to  plunder.  The  only  articles  taken  away  from  the  house  were 
a  couple  of  old  rusty  swords  and  a  caliver.  Catesby  proposed 
to  the  farmer  to  join  their  expedition.  But  having  now  regained 
his  courage,  the  sturdy  churl  obstinately  refused  to  stir  a  foot 
with  them,  and  even  ventured  to  utter  a  wish  that  the  enterprise 
might  fail. 

"  I  am  a  good  Protestant,  and  a  faithful  subject  of  King 
James,  and  will  never  abet  Popery  and  treason,"  he  said. 

This  bold  sally  would  have  been  answered  by  a  bullet  from 
one  of  the  troopers,  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  con 
science,  and  we  claim  the  same  right  ourselves.  Will  you  join 
us,  good  fellows  ?"  he  added,  to  two  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  con 
straint  whatever  put  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,  "  and  wilt  come  to  a  traitor's  end.  I  will  never  fight 
against  King  James.  And  if  I  must  take  up  arms,  it  shall  be 
against  his  enemies,  and  in  defence  of  our  religion.  No  priests, 
— no  papistry  for  me." 

"  Well  said,  Hugh,"  cried  his  master ;  "  we'll  die  in  that  cause, 
if  need  be." 

Catesby  turned  angrily  away,  and  giving  the  word  to  his  men 
to  prepare  to  set  forth,  in  a  few  minutes  all  were  in  the  saddle  ; 
but  on  inquiring  for  the  new  recruit,  Sam  Morrell,  it  was  found 
he  had  disappeared.  The  cart  was  laden  with  arms,  ammunitiont 
and  a  few  sacks  of  corn ;  and  the  line  being  formed,  they  com 
menced  their  march. 


280  GUY  FAWKES. 

The  morning  was  dark  and  misty,  and  all  looked  dull  and 
dispiriting.  The  conspirators,  however,  were  full  of  confidence, 
and  their  men,  exhilarated  and  refreshed  by  their  meal,  appeared 
anxious  for  an  opportunity  of  distinguishing  themselves. 
Arrived  within  half  a  mile  of  Warwick,  whence  the  lofty  spire 
of  the  church  of  Saint  Nicholas,  the  tower  of  Saint  Mary's,  and 
the  ancientgates  of  this  beautiful  old  town  could  just  be  discerned 
through  the  mist,  a  short  consultation  was  held  by  the  rebel 
leaders  as  to  the  expediency  of  attacking  the  castle,  and  carry  ing 
off  the  horses  with  which  they  had  learnt  its  stables  were  filled. 

Deciding  upon  making  the  attempt,  their  resolution  was  com 
municated  to  their  followers,  and  received  with  loud  acclama 
tions.  Catesby  then  put  himself  at  the  head  of  the  band,  and 
they  all  rode  forward  at  a  brisk  pace.  Crossing  the  bridge  over 
the  Avon,  whence  the  castle  burst  upon  them  in  all  its  grandeur 
and  beauty,  Catesby  dashed  forward  to  an  embattled  gate  com 
manding  the  approach  to  the  structure,  and  knocking  furiously 
against  it,  a  wicket  was  opened  by  an  old  porter,  who  started 
back  on  beholding  the  intruders.  He  would  have  closed  the 
wicket,  but  Catesby  was  too  quick  for  him,  and  springing  from 
his  steed,  dashed  aside  the  feeble  opposition  of  the  old  man,  and 
unbarred  the  gate.  Instantly  mounting  again,  he  galloped  along 
a  broad  and  winding  path  cut  so  deeply  in  the  rock,  that  the 
mighty  pile  they  were  approaching  was  completely  hidden  from 
view.  A  few  seconds,  however,  brought  them  to  a  point,  from 
which  its  three  towers  reared  themselves  full  before  them. 
Another  moment  brought  them  to  the  edge  of  the  moat,  at  this 
time  crossed  by  a  stone  bridge,  but  then  filled  with  water,  and 
defended  by  a  drawbridge. 

As  no  attack  like  the  present  was  apprehended,  and  as  the 
owner  of  the  castle,  the  celebrated  Fulke  Greville,  afterwards 
Lord  Brooke,  to  whom  it  had  been  recently  granted  by  the 
reigning  monarch,  was  then  in  the  capital,  the  drawbridge  was 
down,  and  though  several  retainers  rushed  forth  on  hearing  the 
approach  of  so  many  horsemen,  they  were  too  late  to  raise  it. 
Threatening  these  persons  with  destruction  if  any  resistance  was 
offered,  Catesby  passed  through  the  great  entrance,  and  rode 
into  the  court,  where  he  drew  up  his  band. 

By  this  time,  the  whole  of  the  inmates  of  the  castle  had  col 
lected  on  the  ramparts,  armed  with  calivers  and  partisans,  and 
whatever  weapons  they  could  find,  and  though  their  force  was 
utterly  disproportioned  to  that  of  their  opponents,  they  seemed 
disposed  to  give  them  battle.  Paying  no  attention  to  them, 
Catesby  proceeded  to  the  stables,  where  he  found  upwards  of 
twenty  horses,  which  he  exchanged  for  the  worst  and  most  jaded 
of  his  own,  and  was  about  to  enter  the  castle  in  search  of  arms, 
when  he  was  startled  by  hearing  the  alarm-bell  rung.  This  was 
succeeded  by  the  discharge  of  a  culverin  on  the  summit  of  the 


HtJDDINGTON.  281 

tower,  named  after  the  redoubted  Guy,  Earl  of  Warwick  ;  and 
though  the  bell  was  instantly  silenced,  Rookwood,  who  had  dis 
lodged  the  party  from  the  ramparts,  brought  word  that  the 
inhabitants  of  Warwick  were  assembling,  that  drums  were 
beating  at  the  gates,  and  that  an  attack  might  be  speedily  ex 
pected.  Not  desiring  to  hazard  an  engagement  at  this  juncture, 
Catesby  gave  up  the  idea  of  ransacking  the  castle,  and  ordered 
his  men  to  their  horses. 

Some  delay,  however,  occurred  before  they  could  all  be  got 
together,  and,  meanwhile,  the  ringing  of  bells  and  other  alarming 
sounds  continued.  At  one  time,  it  occurred  to  Catesby  to 
attempt  to  maintain  possession  of  the  castle  ;  but  this  design  was 
overruled  by  the  other  conspirators,  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  a  large  body  of 
men,  some  on  horseback,  and  some  on  foot,  drawn  up.  These 
persons,  however,  struck  with  terror  at  their  appearance,  re 
treated,  and  allowed  them  a  free  passage. 

On  turning  to  cross  the  bridge,  they  found  it  occupied  by  a 
strong  and  well-armed  body  of  men,  headed  by  the  Sheriff  of 
Warwickshire,  who  showed  no  disposition  to  give  way.  While 
the  rebel  party  were  preparing  to  force  a  passage,  a  trumpet  was 
sounded,  and  the  Sheriff,  riding  towards  them,  commanded 
them  in  the  King's  name  to  yield  themselves  prisoners. 

"  We  do  not  acknowledge  the  supremacy  of  James  Stuart, 
whom  you  call  king,"  rejoined  Catesby,  sternly.  "  We  fight  for 
our  liberties,  and  for  the  restoration  of  the  holy  Catholic  religion 
which  we  profess.  Do  not  oppose  us,  or  you  will  have  cause  to 
rue  your  temerity." 

"  Hear  me,"  cried  the  Sheriff,  turning  from  him  to  his  men : 
*'  I  promise  you  all  a  free  pardon  in  the  King's  name,  if  you  will 
throw  down  your  arms,  and  deliver  up  your  leaders.  But,  if 
after  this  warning,  you  continue  in  open  rebellion  against  your 
sovereign,  you  will  all  suffer  the  vilest  death." 

"  Rejoin  your  men,  sir,"  said  Catesby,  in  a  significant  tone, 
and  drawing  a  petronel. 

"  A  free  pardon  and  a  hundred  pounds  to  him  who  will  bring 
me  the  head  of  Robert  Catesby,"  said  the  Sheriff,  disregarding 
the  menace. 

"  Your  own  is  not  worth  half  the  sum,"  rejoined  Catesby ;  and 
levelling  the  petronel,  he  shot  him  dead. 

The  Sheriff's  fall  was  the  signal  for  a  general  engagement. 
Exasperated  by  the  death  of  their  leader,  the  royalist  party 
assailed  the  rebels  with  the  greatest  fury,  and  as  the  latter  were 
attacked  at  the  same  time  in  the  rear,  their  situation  began  to 
appear  perilous.  But  nothing  could  withstand  the  vigour  and 
determination  of  Catesby.  Cheering  on  his  men,  he  soon  cut 


282  GUY  FAWKES. 

a  way  across  the  bridge,  and  would  have  made  good  his  retreat, 
if  he  had  not  perceived,  to  his  infinite  dismay,  that  Percy  and 
Rookvvood  had  been  captured. 

Regardless  of  any  risk  he  might  run,  he  shouted  to  those  near 
to  follow  him,  and  made  such  a  desperate  charge  upon  the 
royalists  that  in  a  few  minutes  he  was  by  the  side  of  his  friends, 
and  had  liberated  them.  In  trying,  however,  to  follow  up  his 
advantage  he  got  separated  from  his  companions,  and  was  so 
hotly  pressed  on  all  sides,  that  his  destruction  seemed  inevitable. 
His  petronels  had  both  brought  down  their  mark ;  and  in  striking 
a  blow  against  a  stalwart  trooper  his  sword  had  shivered  close  to 
the  handle.  In  this  defenceless  state  his  enemies  made  sure  of 
him,  but  they  miscalculated  his  resources. 

He  was  then  close  to  the  side  of  the  bridge,  and,  before  his 
purpose  could  be  divined,  struck  spurs  deeply  into  his  horse,'and 
cleared  the  parapet  with  a  single  bound'.  A  shout  of  astonish 
ment  and  admiration  arose  alike  from  friend  and  foe,  and  there 
was  a  general  rush  towards  the  side  of  the  bridge.  The  noble 
animal  that  had  borne  him  out  of  danger  was  seen  swimming 
towards  the  bank,  and,  though  several  shots  were  fired  at  him, 
he  reached  it  in  safety.  This  gallant  action  so  raised  Catesby 
in  the  estimation  of  his  followers,  that  they  welcomed  him  with 
the  utmost  enthusiasm,  and  rallying  round  him,  fought  with 
such  vigour,  that  they  drove  their  opponents  over  the  bridge 
and  compelled  them  to  flee  towards  the  town. 

Catesby  now  mustered  his  men,  and  finding  his  loss  slighter 
than  he  expected,  though  several  were  so  severely  wounded,  that 
he  was  compelled  to  leave  them  behind,  rode  off  at  a  quick  pace. 
After  proceeding  for  about  four  miles  along  the  Stratford  road, 
they  turned  off  on  the  right  into  a  narrow  lane  leading  to  Snit- 
terfield,  with  the  intention  of  visiting  Norbrook,  the  family  resi 
dence  of  John  Grant.  On  arriving  there,  they  put  the  house 
into  a  state  of  defence,  and  then  assembled  in  the  hall,  while 
their  followers  recruited  themselves  in  the  court-yard. 

"  So  far,  well,"  observed  Catesby,  flinging  himself  into  a  chair; 
"  the  first  battle  has  been  won." 

"  True,"  replied  Grant ;  "  but  it  will  not  do  to  tarry  here  long. 
This  house  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  inarch  to  the  Earl  of  Harrington's 
mansion  near  Coventry,  and  carry  off"  the  Princess  Elizabeth  ?* 
asked  Percy. 

"  She  were  indeed  a  glorious  prize,"  replied  Catesby  ;  "  but  I 
have  no  doubt,  on  the  first  alarm  of  our  rising,  she  has  been  con 
veyed  to  a  place  of  safety.  And  even  if  she  were  there,  we 


HUDDINGTON.  283 

should  have  the  whole  armed  force  of  Coventry  to  contend  with. 
No — no,  it  will  not  do  to  attempt  that." 

"  Nothing  venture,  nothing  have !"  cried  Sir  Everard  Digby. 
"  We  ought,  in  my  opinion,  to  run  any  risk  to  secure  her." 

"  You  know  me  too  well,  Digby,"  rejoined  Catesby,  "  to  doubt 
my  readiness  to  undertake  any  project,  however  hazardous,  which 
would  offer  the  remotest  chance  of  success.  But  in  this  I  see 
none,  unless,  indeed,  it  could  be  accomplished  by  stratagem. 
Let  us  first  ascertain  what  support  we  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  ?" 
continued  Catesby,  addressing  Thomas  Winter.  *'  Can  you 
induce  him  to  join  us  ?" 

"  I  will  try,"  replied  Thomas  Winter;  "  but  I  have  some  mis 
givings." 

"  Be  not  faint-hearted,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  You  and  Stephen 
Littleton  shall  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.  Use  every  argument  you  can 
devise  with  Talbot, — tell  him  that  the  welfare  of  the  Catholic 
cause  depends  on  our  success, — and  that  neither  his  years  nor 
infirmities  can  excuse  his  absence  at  this  juncture.  If  he  will 
not,  or  cannot  come  himself,  cause  him  to  write  letters  to  all  his 
Catholic  neighbours,  urging  them  to  join  us,  and  bid  him  send 
all  his  retainers  and  servants  to  us." 

"  I  will  not  neglect  a  single  plea,"  replied  Thomas  Winter, 
"and  I  will  further  urge  compliance  by  his  long  friendship 
towards  myself.  But,  as  I  have  just  said,  I  despair  of  success." 

Soon  after  this,  he  and  Stephen  Littleton,  with  two  of  the 
troopers  well-mounted  and  well-armed,  rode  across  the  country 
through  lanes  and  by-roads,  with  which  they  were  well  acquainted, 
to  Grafton.  At  the  same  time,  Catesby  repaired  to  the  court 
yard,  and  assembling  his  men,  found  there  were  twenty-five 
missing.  More  than  half  of  these  it  was  known  had  been  killed 
or  wounded  at  Warwick;  but  the  rest,  it  was  suspected,  had 
deserted. 

Whatever  effect  this  scrutiny  might  secretly  have  upon 
Catesby,  he  maintained  a  cheerful  and  confident  demeanour, 
and  mounting  a  flight  of  steps,  harangued  the  band  in  energetic 
and  exciting  terms.  Displaying  a  small  image  of  the  virgin  to 
them,  he  assured  them  they  were  under  the  special  protection 
of  heaven,  whose  cause  they  were  fighting — and  concluded  by 
reciting  a  prayer,  in  which  the  whole  assemblage  heartily  joined. 
This  done,  they  filled  the  baggage-cart  with  provisions  and 
further  ammunition,  and  forming  themselves  into  good  order, 
took  the  road  to  Alcester. 

They  had  not  gone  far,  when  torrents  of  rain  fell,  and  the 


284  GUY   FAWKES. 

roads  being  in  a  shocking  condition,  and  ploughed  up  with  ruts, 
they  turned  into  the  fields  wherever  it  was  practicable,  and 
continued  their  march  very  slowly,  and  under  excessively  dis 
heartening  circumstances.  On  arriving  at  the  ford  across  the 
Avon,  near  Bishopston,  they  found  the  stream  so  swollen  that 
it  was  impossible  to  get  across  it.  Sir  Everard  Digby,  who 
made  the  attempt,  was  nearly  carried  off  by  the  current.  They 
were  therefore  compelled  to  proceed  to  Stratford,  and  cross  the 
bridge. 

"  My  friends,"  said  Catesby,  commanding  a  halt  at  a  short 
distance  of  the  town,  "  I  know  not  what  reception  we  may  meet 
with  here.  Probably  much  the  same  as  at  Warwick.  But  I 
command  you  not  to  strike  a  blow,  except  in  self-defence." 

Those  injunctions  given,  attended  by  the  other  conspirators, 
except  Percy  and  Rookwood,  who  brought  up  the  rear,  he  rode 
slowly  into  Stratford,  and  proceeding  to  the  market-place, 
ordered  a  trumpet  to  be  sounded.  On  the  first  appearance  of 
the  troop,  most  of  the  inhabitants  fled  to  their  houses,  and 
fastened  the  doors,  but  some  few  courageous  persons  followed 
them  at  a  wary  distance.  These  were  harangued  at  some  length 
by  Catesby,  who  called  upon  them  to  join  the  expedition,  and 
held  out  promises,  which  only  excited  the  derision  of  the 
hearers. 

Indeed,  the  dejected  looks  of  most  of  the  band,  and  the 
drenched  and  muddy  state  of  their  apparel,  made  them  objects 
of  pity  and  contempt,  rather  than  of  serious  apprehension  :  and 
nothing  but  their  numbers  prevented  an  attack  being  made  upon 
them.  Catesby 's  address  concluded  amid  groans  of  dissatis 
faction;  and  finding  he  was  wasting  time,  and  injuring  his  own 
cause,  he  gave  the  word  to  march,  and  moved  slowly  through 
the  main  street,  but  not  a  single  recruit  joined  him. 

Another  unpropitious  circumstance  occurred  just  as  they  were 
leaving  Stratford.  Two  or  three  of  his  followers  tried  to  slink 
away,  when  Catesby,  riding  after  them,  called  to  them  to  return, 
and  no  attention  being  paid  to  his  orders,  he  shot  the  man 
nearest  him,  and  compelled  the  others,  by  threats  of  the  same 
punishment,  to  return  to  their  ranks.  This  occurrence,  while  it 
occasioned  much  discontent  and  ill-will  among  the  band,  gave 
great  uneasiness  to  their  leaders.  Catesby  and  Percy  now 
brought  up  the  rear,  and  kept  a  sharp  look-out  to  check  any 
further  attempt  at  desertion. 

Digby  and  Winter,  being  well  acquainted  with  all  the  Catholic 
gentry  in  the  neighbourhood,  they  proceeded  to  their  different 
residences,  and  were  uniformly  coldly  received,  and  in  some 
cases  dismissed  with  reproaches  and  menaces.  In  spite  of  all 
their  efforts,  too,  repeated  desertions  took  place ;  and  long  before 
they  reached  Alcester,  their  force  was  diminished  by  a  dozen 
men.  Not  thinking  it  prudent  to  pass  through  the  town,  they 


HUDDINGTON.  283 

struck  into  a  lane  on  the  right,  and  fording  the  Arrow  near 
Ragley,  skirted  that  extensive  park,  and  crossing  the  hills  near 
Weethly  and  Stoney  Moreton,  arrived  in  about  an  hour  and  a 
half,  in  a  very  jaded  condition,  at  Huddington,  the  seat  of 
Robert  Winter.  Affairs  seemed  to  wear  so  unpromising  an 
aspect,  that  Catesby,  on  entering  the  house,  immediately  called 
a  council  of  his  friends,  and  asked  them  what  they  proposed 
to  do. 

"  For  my  own  part,"  he  said,  "  I  am  resolved  to  fight  it  out. 
I  will  continue  my  march  as  long  as  I  can  get  a  man  to  follow 
me,  and  when  they  are  all  gone,  will  proceed  alone.  But  I  will 
never  yield." 

"  We  will  all  die  together,  if  need  be,"  said  Sir  Everard 
Digby.  "  Let  us  rest  here  to-night,  and  in  the  morning  proceed 
to  Lord  Windsor's  mansion,  Hewel  Grange,  which  1  know  to 
be  well  stocked  with  arms,  and,  after  carrying  off  all  we  can, 
we  will  fortify  Stephen  Littleton's  house  at  Holbeach,  and 
maintain  it  for  a  few  days  against  our  enemies." 

This  proposal  agreed  to,  they  repaired  to  the  court-yard,  and 
busied  themselves  in  seeing  the  wants  of  their  followers  attended 
to ;  and  such  a  change  was  effected  by  good  fare  and  a  few 
hours'  repose,  that  the  spirits  of  the  whole  party  revived,  and 
confidence  was  once  more  restored.  A  slight  damp,  however, 
was  again  thrown  upon  the  satisfaction  of  the  leaders,  by  the 
return  of  Thomas  Winter  and  Stephen  Littleton  from  Grafton. 
Their  mission  had  proved  wholly  unsuccessful.  Mr.  Talbot  had 
not  merely  refused  to  join  them,  but  had  threatened  to  detain 
them. 

"  He  says  we  deserve  the  worst  of  deaths,"  observed  Thomas 
Winter,  in  conclusion,  "  and  that  we  have  irretrievably  injured 
the  Catholic  cause." 

"  And  I  begin  to  fear  he  speaks  the  truth,"  rejoined  Christo 
pher  Wright.  "  However,  for  us  there  is  no  retreat." 

"  None  whatever,"  rejoined  Catesby,  in  a  sombre  tone.  "  We 
must  choose  between  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  con 
spirators,  and  many  a  plan  was  proposed  and  abandoned.  It 
had  been  arranged  among  them  that  they  should  each  in  suc 
cession  make  the  rounds  of  the  place,  to  see  that  the  sentinels 
were  at  their  posts — strict  orders  having  been  given  to  the 
latter  to  fire  upon  whomsoever  might  attempt  to  fly — but,  as 
Catesby,  despite  his  great  previous  fatigue,  was  unable  to  rest, 
he  took  this  duty  chiefly  upon  himself. 

Returning  at  midnight  from  an  examination  of  the  court 
yard,  he  was  about  to  enter  the  house,  when  he  perceived  before 


286  GUY   FAWKES. 

him  a  tall  figure,  with  a  cloak  muffled  about  its  face,  standing 
in  his  path.  It  was  perfectly  motionless,  and  Catesby,  who 
carried  a  lantern  in  his  hand,  threw  the  light  upon  it,  but  it 
neither  moved  forward,  nor  altered  its  position.  Catesby  would 
have  challenged  it,  but  an  undefinable  terror  seized  him,  and 
his  tongue  clove  to  the  roof  of  his  mouth.  An  idea  rose  to  his 
mind  that  it  was  the  spirit  of  Guy  Fawkes,  and,  by  a  powerful 
effort,  he  compelled  himself  to  address  it. 

"  Are  you  come  to  warn  me  ?"  he  demanded. 

The  figure  moved  in  acquiescence,  and  withdrawing  the  cloak, 
revealed  features  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 
ghastly  visage  in  its  cloak,  and  melted  from  his  view. 

For  some  time  Catesby  remained  in  a  state  almost  of  stupe 
faction.  He  then  summoned  up  all  the  resolution  of  his  nature, 
and  instead  of  returning  to  the  house,  continued  to  pace  to  and 
fro  in  the  court,  and  at  last  walked  forth  into  the  garden.  It 
was  profoundly  dark ;  and  he  had  not  advanced  many  steps 
when  he  suddenly  encountered  a  man.  Repressing  the  excla 
mation  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  in 
stantly  recognised  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  within  a  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  in 
ducing  the  other  to  betray  his  design. 

"  Or  shall  we  wait  the  arrival  of  Sir  Richard  Walsh,  the 
Sheriff  of  Worcestershire,  and  the  posse  comitatusT*  pursued 
Topcliffe. 

"  How  soon  do  you  think  the  Sheriff  will  arrive  ?"  asked 
Catesby,  scarcely  able  to  disguise  his  anxiety. 

"  He  cannot  be  here  before  daybreak — if  so  soon,"  returned 
Topeliff'e,  "  and  then  we  shall  have  to  besiege  the  house ;  and 
though  I  have  no  fear  of  the  result,  yet  some  of  the  conspirators 
may  fall  in  the  skirmish;  and  my  orders  from  the  Earl  of 


HUDDINGTON.  287 

Salisbury,  as  I  have  already  apprised  you,  are,  to  take  them 
alive." 

"  True,"  replied  Catesby. 

"  I  would  not,  for  twice  the  reward  I  shall  receive  for  the 
capture  of  the  whole  party,  that  that  desperate  traitor,  Catesby, 
should  be  slain,"  continued  Topcliffe.  "  The  plot  was  contrived 
by  him,  and  the  extent  of  its  ramifications  can  alone  be  ascer 
tained  through  him." 

"  I  think  1  can  contrive  their  capture,"  observed  Catesby ;  "  but 
the  utmost  caution  must  be  used.  I  will  return  to  the  house, 
and  find  out  where  the  chief  conspirators  are  lodged.  I  will 
then  throw  open  the  door,  and  will  return  to  this  place,  where 
you  can  have  our  men  assembled.  If  we  can  seize  and  secure 
the  leaders,  the  rest  will  be  easy." 

"  You  will  run  great  risk,  Sir  John,"  said  Topcliffe,  with 
affected  concern. 

"  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, 
and  acquainted  them  with  what  had  occurred. 

"  My  object,"  he  said,  "  is  to  make  Topcliffe  a  prisoner.  We 
may  obtain  much  useful  information  from  him.  As  to  the 
others,  if  they  offer  resistance,  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  than  a  handful  of  men,  I  should  imagine,  as  they  are 
waiting  for  Sir  Richard  Walsh." 

"  I  know  not  what  may  be  the  issue  of  this  matter,"  observed 
Robert  Winter,  whose  looks  were  unusually  haggard;  "but  1 
have  had  a  strange  and  ominous  dream,  which  fills  me  with 
apprehension." 

"  Indeed  !"  exclaimed  Catesby,  upon  whose  mind  the  recollec 
tion  of  the  apparition  he  had  beheld  rushed. 

"  Catesby,"  pursued  Robert  Winter,  taking  him  aside,  "  if 
you  have  any  sin  unrepented  of,  I  counsel  you  to  make  your 
peace  with  Heaven,  for  I  fear  you  are  not  long  for  this  world." 

"  It  may  be  so,"  rejoined  Catesby,  firmly;  **  and  I  have  many 
dark  and  damning  sins  upon  my  soul,  but  I  will  die  as  I  have 
lived,  firm  and  unshaken  to  the  last.  And  now,  let  us  prepare 
for  our  foes." 

So  saying,  he  proceeded  to  call  up  the  trustiest  of  his  men, 
and  enjoining  profound  silence  upon  them,  disposed  them  in 
various  places,  that  they  might  instantly  appear  at  his  signal. 
After  giving  them  other  directions,  he  returned  to  the  garden, 
and  coughed  slightly.  He  was  answered  by  a  quickly-approach 
ing  footstep,  and  a  voice  demanded, 


253  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  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 
seizing  Catesby,  he  cried,  in  a  triumphant  tone,  while  he  un 
masked  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 
powerful  effort. 

Springing  backwards,  he  drew  his  sword,  and  making  the 
blade  describe  a  circle  round  his  body,  effected  his  retreat  in 
safety,  though  a  dozen  shots  were  fired  at  him.  Leaping  the 
garden  wall,  he  was  instantly  surrounded  by  the  other  ctnspi- 
rators,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  band,  who,  hearing  the  reports 
of  the  fire-arms,  had  hurried  to  the  spot-.  Instantly  putting  him 
self  at  their  head,  Catesby  returned  to  the  garden ;  but  Topcliffe 
and  his  party  had  taken  the  alarm  and  fled.  Torches  were 
brought,  and,  by  Catesby's  directions,  a  large  heap  of  dry 
stubble  was  set  on  fire.  But,  though  the  flames  revealed  every 
object  for  a  considerable  distance  around  them,  no  traces  of  the 
hostile  party  could  be  discerned. 

After  continuing  their  ineffectual  search  for  some  time,  the 
conspirators  returned  to  the  house,  and  abandoning  all  idea  of 
retiring  to  rest,  kept  strict  watch  during  the  remainder  of  the 
night.  Little  conversation  took  place.  All  were  deeply 
depressed ;  and  Catesby  paced  backwards  and  forwards  within 
a  passage  leading  from  the  hall  to  the  dining-chamber.  His 
thoughts  were  gloomy  enough,  and  he  retraced  the  whole  of  his 
wild  and  turbulent  career,  pondering  upon  its  close,  which  he 
could  not  disguise  from  himself  was  at  hand. 

"It  matters  not,"  he  mentally  ejacula'cd ;  "I  shall  not  die 
ignominiously,  and  I  would  rather  perish  in  the  vigour  of  man 
hood  than  linger  out  a  miserable  old  age.  I  have  striven  hard 
to  achieve  a  great  enterprise,  and  having  failed,  have  little  else 
to  live  for.  This  band  cannot  hold  together  two  days  longer. 
Our  men  will  desert  us,  or  turn  upon  us  to  obtain  the  price  set 
upon  our  heads.  And,  were  they  true,  I  have  little  reliance 
upon  my  companions.  They  have  no  longer  the  confidence  that 
can  alone  insure  success,  and  I  expect  each  moment  some  one 
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  the  presence  of  Robert  Winter,  who  stood  at  the  end  of 
the  passage,  watching  him. 

"  Your  prayer  will  not  be  granted,  Catesby,"  said  the  latter. 
"  Some  dreadful  doom,  I  fear,  is  reserved  for  you  and  all  of  us.* 


BUDDING  TON.  289 

"  What  mean  you  ?"  demanded  the  other,  uneasily. 
"  Listen  to  me,"  replied  Robert  Winter.  "  I  told  you  I  had 
a  strange  and  appalling  dream  to-night,  and  I  will  now  relate  it. 
I  thought  I  was  in  a  boat  upon  the  river  Thames,  when  all  at 
once  the  day,  which  had  been  bright  and  smiling,  became  dark 
and  overcast, — not  dark  like  the  shades  of  night,  but  gloomy  and 
ominous,  as  when  the  sun  is  shrouded  by  an  eclipse.  I  looked 
around,  and  every  object  was  altered.  The  tower  of  Saint  Paul's 
stood  awry,  and  seemed  ready  to  topple  down, — so  did  the  spires 
and  towers  of  all  the  surrounding  fanes.  The  houses  on  London 
Bridge  leaned  frightfully  over  the  river,  and  the  habitations 
lining  its  banks  on  either  side,  seemed  shaken  to  their  founda 
tions.  I  fancied  some  terrible  earthquake  must  have  occurred, 
or  that  the  end  of  the  world  was  at  hand." 

"  Go  on/'  said  Catesby,  who  had  listened  with  profound  atten 
tion  to  the  relation. 

"  The  stream,  too,  changed  its  colour,"  continued  Robert 
Winter,  "  and  became  red  as  blood,  and  the  man  who  rowed  my 
boat  was  gone,  and  his  place  occupied  by  a  figure  masked  and 
habited  like  an  executioner.  I  commanded  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.  My  steps 
involuntarily  led  me  toward  the  cathedral,  and  on  entering  it,  I 
found  its  pillars,  shrines,  monuments,  and  roof  hung  with  black. 
The  throng  that  ever  haunt  Paul's  Walk  had  disappeared,  and 
a  few  dismal  figures  alone  traversed  the  aisles.  On  approaching 
them,  I  recognised  in  their  swollen,  death-like,  and  blackened 
lineaments,  some  resemblance  to  you  and  our  friends.  I  was 
about  to  interrogate  them,  when  I  was  awakened  by  yourself." 

"  A  strange  dream,  truly,"  observed  Catesby,  musingly,  "  and 
coupled  with  what  I  myself  have  seen  to-night,  would  seem  to 
bode  evil." 

And  he  then  proceeded  to  describe  the  supernatural  appear 
ance  he  had  beheld  to  his  companion. 

"  All  is  over  with  us,"  rejoined  Robert  Winter.  "  We  must 
prepare  to  meet  our  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  vision's 
are  more  terrible  than  the  contemplation  of  death  itself." 

"  If  you  require  further  rest,  take  it,"  returned  Catesby.  "  In 
an  hour  I  shall  call  up  our  met),  and  march  to  Hewel  Grange." 

"  I  am  wearied  enough,"  replied  Robert  Winter,  "  but  I  dare 
not  close  my  eyes  again." 

"  Then  recommend  your  soul  to  Heaven,"  said  Catesby.  "  I 
would  be  alone.  Melancholy  thoughts  press  upon  me,  and  I 
desire  vo  unburden  my  heart  to  God." 

U 


290  GUY  FAWKES. 

Robert  Winter  then  left  him,  and  he  withdrew  into  a  closet 
where  there  was  an  image  of  the  Virgin,  and  kneeling;  before  it, 
prayed  long  and  fervently.  Arising  in  a  calmer  frame  of  mind, 
he  returned  to  the  hall,  and  summoning  his  companions  and  fol 
lowers,  their  horses  were  brought  forth,  and  they  commenced 
their  march. 

It  was  about  four  o'clock  when  they  started,  and  so  dark,  that 
they  had  some  difficulty  in  finding  the  road.  They  proceeded 
at  a  slow  pace,  and  with  the  utmost  caution ;  but  notwithstand 
ing  this,  and  though  the  two  Winters  and  Grant,  who  were  well 
acquainted  with  the  country,  led  the  way,  many  trifling  delays 
and  disasters  occurred.  Their  baggage-cart  frequently  stuck 
fast  in  the  deep  ruts,  while  the  men  missing  their  way,  got  into 
the  trenches  skirting  the  lane,  and  were  not  unfrequently  thrown 
from  their  horses.  More  than  once,  too,  the  alarm  was  given 
that  they  were  pursued,  and  a  sudden  halt  ordered  ;  but  these 
apprehensions  proved  groundless,  and,  after  a  most  fatiguing  ride, 
they  found  themselves  at  Stoke  Prior,  and  within  two  miles  of 
Hewel  Grange. 

Originally  built  in  the  early  part  of  the  reign  of  Henry  the 
Eighth,  and  granted  by  that  monarch  to  an  ancestor  of  its  pre 
sent  possessor,  Lord  Windsor,  this  ancient  mansion  was  quadran 
gular  in  form,  and  surrounded  by  a  broad  deep  fosse.  Situated 
in  the  heart  of  an  extensive  park,  at  the  foot  of  a  gentle  hill,  it 
was  now  approached  from  the  brow  of  the  latter  beautiful 
eminence  by  the  rebel  party.  But  at  this  season,  and  at  this 
hour,  both  park  and  mansion  had  a  forlorn  look.  The  weather 
still  continued  foggy,  with  drizzling  showers,  and  though  the 
trees  were  not  yet  entirely  stripped  of  their  foliage,  their  glories 
had  altogether  departed.  The  turf  was  damp  and  plashy,  and  in 
some  places  partook  so  much  of  the  character  of  a  swamp,  that 
the  horsemen  were  obliged  to  alter  their  course. 

But  all  obstacles  were  eventually  overcome,  and  in  ten  minutes 
after  their  entrance  into  the  park,  they  were  within  gunshot  of 
the  mansion.  There  were  no  symptoms  of  defence  apparent, 
but  the  drawbridge  being  raised,  it  was  Catesby's  opinion,  not 
withstanding  appearances,  that  their  arrival  was  expected.  He 
was  further  confirmed  in  this  idea  when,  sounding  a  trumpet, 
and  calling  to  the  porter  to  let  down  the  drawbridge,  no  answer 
was  returned. 

The  entrance  to  the  mansion  was  through  a  lofty  and  machio- 
lated  gateway,  strengthened  at  each  side  by  an  embattled  turret. 
Perceiving  a  man  at  one  of  the  loopholes,  Catesby  discharged 
his  petronel  at  him,  and  it  was  evident  from  the  cry  that  followed 
that  the  person  was  wounded.  An  instant  afterwards  calivers 
were  thrust  through  the  other  loopholes,  and  several  shots  fired 
upon  the  rebels,  while  some  dozen  armed  men  appeared  upon 
ihe  summit  of  the  tower,  and  likewise  commenced  tiring. 


HUDDINGTON.  291 

Perceiving  Topcliffe  among  the  latter,  arid  enraged  at  the 
sight,  Catesby  discharged  another  petronel  at  him,  but  without 
effect.  He  then  called  to  some  of  his  men  to  break  down  the 
door  of  an  adjoining  barn,  and  to  place  it  in  the  moat.  The 
order  was  instantly  obeyed,  and  the  door  afloat  in  the  fosse,  and 
springing  upon  it,  he  impelled  himself  with  a  pike  towards  the 
opposite  bank.  Several  shots  were  fired  at  him,  and  though 
more  than  one  struck  the  door,  he  crossed  the  moat  uninjured. 
So  suddenly  was  this  daring  passage  effected,  that  before  any  of 
the  defenders  of  the  mansion  could  prevent  him,  Catesby  had 
severed  the  links  of  the  chain  fastening  the  drawbridge,  and  it 
fell  clattering  down. 

With  a  loud  shout,  his  companions  then  crossed  it.  But  they 
had  still  a  difficulty  to  encounter.  The  gates,  which  were  of 
great  strength,  and  covered  with  plates  of  iron,  were  barred. 
But  a  ladder  having  been  found  in  the  barn,  it  was  brought  for 
ward,  and  Catesby  mounting  it  sword  in  hand,  drove  back  all 
who  opposed  him,  and  got  upon  the  wall.  He  was  followed  by 
Sir  Everard  Digby,  Percy,  and  several  others,  and  driving  the 
royalists  before  them,  they  made  their  way  down  a  flight  of  stone 
steps,  and  proceeding  to  the  gateway,  threw  it  open,  and  admitted 
the  others.  All  this  was  the  work  of  a  few  minutes. 

Committing  the  ransacking  of  the  mansion  to  Digby  and 
Percy,  and  commanding  a  dozen  men  to  follow  him,  Catesby 
entered  a  small  arched  doorway,  and  ascended  a  winding  stone 
staircase  in  search  of  Topcliffe.  His  progress  was  opposed  by 
the  soldiers,  but  beating  aside  afl  opposition,  he  gained  the  roof. 
Topcliffe,  however,  was  gone.  Anticipating  the  result  of  the 
attack,  he  had  let  himself  drop  from  the  summit  of  the  tower  to 
the  walls,  and  descending  by  the  ladder,  had  made  good  his  retreat. 

Disarming  the  soldiers,  Catesby  then  descended  to  the  court 
yard,  where  in  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  the  baggage-waggon.  Meanwhile,  the  larder  and 
cellar  had  been  explored,  and  provisions  of  all  kinds,  together 
with  a  barrel  of  mead,  and  another  of  strong  ale,  being  found, 
they  were  distributed  among  the  men. 

While  this  took  place,  Catesby  searched  the  mansion,  and, 
partly  by  threats,  partly  by  persuasion,  induced  about  twenty 
persons  to  join  them.  This  unlooked-for  success  so  encouraged 
the  conspirators,  that  their  drooping  spirits  began  to  revive. 
Catesby  appeared  as  much  elated  as  the  others,  but  at  heart  he 
was  full  of  misgiving. 

Soon  afterwards,  the  rebel  party  quitted  Hewel  Grange, 
taking  with  them  every  weapon  they  could  find.  The  forced 
recruits  were  placed  in  the  midst  of  the  band,  so  that  escape  was 
impracticable. 

U2 


29£  GUY  FAWKES. 

CHAPTER   IV. 

HOLBEACH. 

AVOIDING  the  high  road,  and  traversing  an  unfrequented  part  of 
the  country,  the  conspirators  shaped  their  course  towards  Stour- 
bridge.  As  they  reached  Forfield  Green,  they  perceived  a  large 
party  descending  the  hilly  ground  near  Bromsgrove,  and 
evidently  in  pursuit  of  them.  An  immediate  halt  was  ordered, 
and  taking  possession  of  a  farm-house,  they  prepared  for  defence. 

Seeing  these  preparations,  their  pursuers,  who  proved  to  be 
Sir  Richard  Walsh  the  Sheriff  of  Worcestershire,  Sir  John  Foliot, 
three  gentlemen  named  Ketelbye,  Sal w aye,  and  Conyers,  at 
tended  by  a  large  p^sse  of  men,  all  tolerably  well  armed,  drew 
up  at  some  distance  from  the  farm,  and.  appeared  to  be  consulting 
as  to  the  prudence  of  making  an  attack.  TopclifFe  was  with 
them ;  and  Catesby,  who  reconnoitered  their  proceedings  from  a 
window  of  the  dwelling,  inferred  from  his  gestures  that  he  was- 
against  the  assault.  And  so  it  proved.  The  royalist  party 
remained  where  they  were,  and  as  one  or  two  of  their  number 
occasionally  disappeared,  Catesby  judged,  and  correctly,  that 
they  were  despatched  for  a  reinforcement. 

Not  willing  to  wait  for  this,  he  determined  to  continue  his 
march,  and,  accordingly,  forming  his  men  into  a  close  line,  and 
bringing  up  the  rear  himself,  they  again  set  forward.  Sir  Richard 
Walsh  and  his  party  followed  them,  and  whenever  they  were  in 
a  difficult  part  of  the  road,  harassed  them  with  a  sudden  attack. 
In  this  way,  several  stragglers  were  cut  off,  and  a  few  prisoners 
made.  So  exasperated  did  Catesby  become  by  these  annoyances, 
that,  though  desirous  to  push  forward  as  fast  as  possible,  he 
halted  at  the  entrance  of  a  common,  and  prepared  for  an  engage 
ment.  But  his  purpose  was  defeated,  for  the  royalist  party 
took  another  course,  nor  did  he  see  anything  more  of  them  for 
some  time. 

In  about  an  hour  the  rebels  arrived  at  the  banks  of  the  river 
Stour,  not  far  from  the  little  village  of  Churchill,  and  here,  just 
as  they  were  preparing  to  ford  the  stream,  the  sheriff  and  his 
followers  again  made  their  appearance.  By  this  time,  also,  the 
forces  of  their  opponents  were  considerably  augmented,  and  as 
more  than  a  third  of  their  own  party  were  engaged  in  crossing 
the  stream,  which  was  greatly  swollen  by  the  recent  rains,  and 
extremely  dangerous,  their  position  was  one  of  no  slight  peril. 

Nothing  daunted,  Catesby  instantly  drew  up  his  men  on  the 
bank,  and,  after  a  short  skirmish,  drove  away  the  enemy,  and 
afterwards  contrived  to  cross  the  river  without  much  loss.  He 
found,  however,  that  the  baggage-cart  had  got  immersed  in  the 
stream,  and  it  was  feared  that  the  powder  would  be  damaged. 


tiolbeadi,  u 

been  already  stated,   n> 

without  further  m<-U  .  . 

into  a  con 

After  a  long  atvJ  ar.x.-^.t*    -  ,»>..• 
quitted  them,  HIM. 

succours.      Stephen    L*  •< f- ••:•    t^«       i 
evening.     His  fl;. 
and  he  besought  •  n--*«    t-. 

to  stand  by  it,  as  he  himself  meant  »o  M 
earnestly  assured  him  that  they  wou! 
"Winter,  who  sat  apart,  and  t-v^k  no  share  in  th< 

Catesby  then  examined  lite  powder  that  had  b* 
the  water  in  crossing  the  "•  ,d  found  ii  - 

to  be  nearly  useless.  ier  u-juc.  i/ 

utmost  consequei 
barrel,  not  di 
platter,  and 

kindled  -cen 

sli^,  d  a  safe 

Winter, 
shall  walk 

"  You  are   n  > 
rejoined  Gate.- 

"  I  will  go 
be  under  no  apprehcn- 

Accordingly,  he  quitted  'utler,  and 

they  proceeded  to  the  cotii 

on  the  dismal  prospects  of  thr  P.  ;  »  tremendous  explo 

sion  took  place.     The  roof  ot  -Hremed  rent  in  twain, 

and  amidst  a  shower  of  f  •  Bricks,  and  broken  wo»«t! 

falling  around,  the  bag  •••  tapped  untouclwi  •*• 

fvct. 

**  Mojfu'r  of  »«rs**i'  '-urd  Christopher 

it  nit      •  i5*i  tK-currencf: 


>enrd,"  * 


HOLBEACH.  593 

They  remained  on  the  opposite  bank  for  some  time ;  but  as  their 
enemies  did  not  attempt  to  follow  them,  they  took  the  way  to 
Holbeach,  a  large  and  strongly  built  mansion  belonging,  as  has 
been  already  stated,  to  Stephen  Littleton.  Here  they  arrived 
without  further  molestation,  and  their  first  business  was  to  put  it 
into  a  complete  state  of  defence. 

After  a  long  and  anxious  consultation,  Sir  Everard  Digby 
quitted  them,  undertaking  to  return  on  the  following  day  with 
succours.  Stephen  Littleton  also  disappeared  on  the  same 
evening.  His  flight  produced  a  strong  impression  on  Catesby, 
and  he  besought  the  others  not  to  abandon  the  good  cause,  but 
to  stand  by  it,  as  he  himself  meant  to  do,  to  the  last.  They  all 
earnestly  assured  him  that  they  would  do  so,  except  Robert 
Winter,  who  sat  apart,  and  took  no  share  in  their  discourse. 

Catesby  then  examined  the  powder  that  had  been  plunged  in 
the  water  in  crossing  the  Stour,  and  found  it  so  much  wetted  as 
to  be  nearly  useless.  A  sufficient  stock  of  powder  being  of  the 
utmost  consequence  to  them,  he  caused  all  the  contents  of  the 
barrel,  not  dissolved  by  the  immersion,  to  be  poured  into  a  large 
platter,  and  proceeded  to  dry  it  before  a  fire  which  had  been 
kindled  in  the  hall.  A  bag  of  powder,  which  had  likewise  been 
slightly  wetted,  was  also  placed  at  what  was  considered  a  safe 
distance  from  the  fire. 

"  Heaven  grant  this  may  prove  more  destructive  to  our  enemies 
than  the  combustibles  we  placed  in  the  mine  beneath  the  Par 
liament  House  I"  observed  Percy. 

"  Heaven  grant  so,  indeed  !"  rejoined  Catesby,  with  a  moody 
smile.  "  They  would  call  it  retribution,  where  we  to  perish  by 
the  same  means  which  we  designed  for  others." 

"  Jest  not  on  so  serious  a  matter,  Catesby,"  observed  Robert 
Winter.  "  For  my  own  part,  I  dread  the  sight  of  powder,  and 
shall  walk  forth  till  you  have  dried  this,  and  put  it  away." 

"  You  are  not  going  to  leave  us,  like  Stephen  Littleton  ?" 
rejoined  Catesby,  suspiciously. 

"  I  will  go  with  him,"  said  Christopher  Wright ;  "  so  you  need 
be  under  no  apprehension." 

Accordingly,  he  quitted  the  hall  with  Robert  Winter,  and 
they  proceeded  to  the  court-yard  and  were  conversing  together 
en  the  dismal  prospects  of  the  party,  when  a  tremendous  explo 
sion  took  place.  The  roof  of  the  building  seemed  rent  in  twain, 
and  amidst  a  shower  of  tiles,  plaster,  bricks,  and  broken  wood 
falling  around,  the  bag  of  powder  dropped  untouched  at  their 
feet. 

"  Mother  of  mercy  I"  exclaimed  Christopher  Wright,  picking 
it  up.  "  Here  is  a  providential  occurrence.  Had  this  exploded, 
we  must  all  have  been  destroyed." 

*'  Let  us  see  what  has  happened,"  cried  Robert  Winter. 

And,  followed  by  Christopher  Wright,  he  rushed  towards  the 


294  GUY  FAWKES. 

hall,  and  bursting  open  the  door,  beheld  Catesby  envelo])ed  in  a 
cloud  of  smoke,  and  pressing  his  hand  to  his  face,  which  was 
scorched  and  blackened  by  the  explosion.  Rookwood  was 
stretched  on  the  floor  in  a  state  of  insensibility,  and  it  at  first 
appeared  that  life  was  extinct.  Percy  was  extinguishing  the 
flames,  which  had  caught  his  dress,  and  John  Grant  was  similarly 
occupied. 

"  Those  are  the  very  faces  I  beheld  in  my  dream,"  cried 
Robert  Winter,  gazing  at  them  with  affright.  "  It  was  a  true 
warning." 

Rushing  up  to  Catesby,  Christopher  Wright  clasped  him  in 
his  arms,  and  extinguishing  his  flaming  apparel,  cried,  "  Wretch 
that  I  am  1  that  I  should  live  to  see  this  day  !" 

"  Be  not  alarmed  I"  gasped  Catesby.  "It  is  nothing — it  was 
a  mere  accident." 

"  It  is  no  accident,  Catesby,"  replied  Robert  Winter.  "  Heaven 
is  against  us  and  our  design." 

And  he  quitted  the  room,  and  left  the  house.  Nor  did  he 
return  to  it. 

"  I  will  pray  for  forgiveness  I"  cried  John  Grant,  whose  vision 
was  so  much  injured  by  the  explosion  that  he  could  as  yet  see 
nothing.  And  dragging  himself  before  an  image  of  the  Virgin, 
he  prayed  aloud,  acknowledging  that  the  act  he  had  designed 
was  so  bloody  that  it  called  for  the  vengeance  of  Heaven,  and 
expressing  his  sincere  repentance. 

"  No  more  of  this,"  cried  Catesby,  staggering  up  to  him,  and 
snatching  the  image  from  him.  "  It  was  a  mere  accident,  I  tell 
you.  We  are  all  alive,  and  shall  yet  succeed." 

On  inquiry,  Christopher  Wright  learnt  that  a  blazing  coal  had 
shot  out  of  the  fire,  and  falling  into  the  platter  containing  the 
powder,  had  occasioned  the  disastrous  accident  above  described. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  REBELLION. 

UNABLE  longer  to  endure  the  agony  occasioned  by  his  scorched 
visage,  Catesby  called  for  a  bucket  of  water,  and  plunged  hit 
head  into  it.  Somewhat  relieved  by  the  immersion,  he  turned 
to  inquire  after  his  fellow-sufferers.  Rookwood  having  been 
carried  into  the  open  air,  had  by  this  time  regained  his  conscious 
ness  ;  Percy  was  shockingly  injured,  his  hair  and  eyebrows  burnt, 
his  skin  blackened  and  swollen  with  unseemly  blisters,  and  the 
eight  of  one  eye  entirely  destroyed ;  while  John  Grant,  though 
a  degree  less  hurt  than  his  companions,  presented  a  grim  and 
ghastly  appearance.  In  fact,  the  four  sufferers  looked  as  if  they 


CLOSE   OF   THE   REBELLION.  295' 

had  just  escaped  from  some  unearthly  place  of  torment,  and 
were  doomed  henceforth  to  bear  the  brand  of  Divine  wrath  on 
their  countenances.  Seeing  the  effect  produced  on  the  others, 
Catesby  rallied  all  his  force,  and  treating  the  accident  as  a  matter 
of  no  moment,  and  which  ought  not  to  disturb  the  equanimity 
of  brave  men,  called  for  wine,  and  quaffed  a  full  goblet. 
Injured  as  he  was,  and  smarting  with  pain,  Percy  followed  his 
example,  but  both  John  Grant  and  Rookwood  refused  the  cup. 

"  Hark'e,  gentlemen,"  cried  Catesby,  fiercely,  "  you  may  drink 
or  not,  as  you  see  fit.  But  I  will  not  have  you  assume  a  deport 
ment  calculated  to  depress  our  followers.  Stephen  Littleton  and 
Robert  Winter  have  basely  deserted  us.  If  you  have  any  inten 
tion  of  following  them,  go  at  once.  We  are  better  without  you 
than  with  you." 

"  I  have  no  thought  of  deserting  you,  Catesby,"  rejoined; 
Rookwood,  mournfully  ;  "  and  when  the  time  arrives  for  action, 
you  will  find  I  shall  not  be  idle.  But  lam  now  assured  that  we 
have  sold  ourselves  to  perdition." 

"  Pshaw  !"  cried  Catesby,  with  a  laugh  that  communicated  an 
almost  fiendish  expression  to  his  grim  features ;  "  because  a  little 
powder  has  accidentally  exploded  and  blackened  our  faces,  are 
we  to  see  in  the  occurrence  the  retributive  justice  of  Heaven  ? 
Are  we  to  be  cast  down  by  such  a  trifle  ?  Be  a  man,  and  rouse 
yourself.  Recollect  that  the  eyes  of  all  England  are  upon  us ; 
and  if  we  must  fall,  let  us  perish  in  a  manner  that  becomes  us. 
No  real  mischief  has  been  done.  My  hand  is  as  able  to  wield 
a  blade,  and  my  sight  to  direct  a  shot,  as  heretofore.  If  Heaven, 
had  meant  to  destroy  us,  the  bag  of  powder  which  has  been  taken 
up  in  the  yard,  and  which  was  sufficient  not  only  to  annihilate 
us,  but  to  lay  this  house  in  ruins,  would  have  been  suffered  to 
explode." 

"  Would  it  had  exploded  ?"  exclaimed  John  Wright.  "  All 
would  then  have  been  over." 

"  Are  you,  too,  fainthearted,  John  ?"  cried  Catesby.  "  Well, 
well,  leave  me  one  and  all  of  you.  I  will  fight  it  out  alone." 

"  You  wrong  me  by  the  suspicion,  Catesby,"  returned  John 
Wright.  "  I  am  as  true  to  the  cause  as  yourself.  But  I  perceive 
that  our  last  hour  is  at  hand,  and  I  would  it  were  past." 

"  The  indulgence  of  such  a  wish  at  such  a  moment  is  a  weak 
ness,"  rejoined  Catesby.  "  I  care  not  when  death  comes,  pro 
vided  it  comes  gloriously;  and  such  should  be  your  feeling.  On 
the  manner  in  which  we  meet  our  fate  will  depend  the  effect 
which  our  insurrection  will  produce  throughout  the  country, 
We  must  set  a  brave  example  to  our  brethren.  Heaven  be  praised, 
\ve  shall  not  perish  on  the  scaffold  !" 

"Be  not  too  sure  of  that,"  said  Grant,  gloomily  "  It  may 
yet  be  our  fate." 

"  It  shall  never  be  mine,"  cried  Catesby. 


296  GUY   FAWKES. 

"  Nor  mine,"  added  Percy.  "  I  am  so  far  from  regarding  the 
recent  disaster  as  a  punishment,  though  I  am  the  severest  sufferer 
by  it,  that  I  think  we  ought  to  return  thanks  to  Heaven  for  our 
preservation." 

"  In  whatever  light  the  accident  is  viewed,"  observed  John 
Wright,  "  we  cannot  too  soon  address  ourselves  to  Heaven.  We 
know  not  how  long  it  may  be  in  our  power  to  do  so." 

"Again  desponding,"  cried  Catesby.  "  But  no  matter.  You 
will  recover  your  spirits  anon." 

John  Wright  shook  his  head,  and  Catesby,  pulling  his  hat  over 
his  brows  to  hide  his  features,  walked  forth  into  the  court-yard. 
He  found,  as  he  expected,  that  general  consternation  prevailed 
amongst  the  band.  The  men  were  gathered  together  in  little 
knots,  and,  though  they  became  silent  as  he  approached,  he 
perceived  they  were  discussing  the  necessity  of  a  surrender. 
Nothing  daunted  by  these  unfavourable,  appearances,  Catesby 
harangued  them  in  such  bold  terms  that  he  soon  inspired  them 
with  some  of  his  own  confidence,  and  completely  resteadied 
their  wavering  feelings. 

Elated  with  his  success,  he  caused  a  cup  of  strong  ale  to  be 
given  to  each  man,  and  proposed  as  a  pledge,  the  restoration  of 
the  Romish  Church.  He  then  returned  to  the  house;  and  sum 
moning  the  other  conspirators  to  attend  him  in  a  chamber  on  the 
ground-floor,  they  all  prayed  long  and  fervently,  and  concluded 
by  administering  the  sacrament  to  each  other. 

It  was  now  thought  necessary  to  have  the  damage  done  by  the 
explosion  repaired,  and  a  few  hours  were  employed  in  the  opera 
tion.  Evening  was  fast  approaching,  and  Catesby,  who  was 
anxiously  expecting  the  return  of  Sir  Everard  Digby,  stationed 
himself  on  the  turreted  walls  of  the  mansion  to  look  out  for  him. 
But  he  came  not;  and,  fearing  some  mischance  must  have 
befallen  him,  Catesby  descended.  Desirous  of  concealing  his 
misgivings  from  his  companions,  he  put  on  a  cheerful  manner  as 
he  joined  them. 

"  I  am  surprised  ere  this  that  we  have  not  been  attacked," 
remarked  Percy.  "  Our  enemies  may  be  waiting  for  the  dark 
ness,  to  take  us  by  surprise.  But  they  will  be  disappointed." 

"  I  can  only  account  for  the  delay  by  supposing  they  have 
encountered  Sir  Everard  Digby,  and  the  force  he  is  bringing  to 
us,"  remarked  Christopher  Wright. 

*'  It  may  be  so,"  returned  Catcsoy,  "  and  if  so,  we  shall  soon 
learn  the  result." 

In  spite  of  all  Catesby's  efforts  he  failed  to  engage  his  com 
panions  in  conversation,  and  feeling  it  would  best  suit  his  present 
frame  of  mind,  and  contribute  most  to  their  safety,  to  keep  in 
constant  motion,  he  proceeded  to  the  court-yard,  saw  that  all  the 
defences  were  secure,  that  the  drawbridge  was  raised,  the  senti 
nels  at  their  posts,  and  everything  prepared  for  the  anticipated 


CLOSE   OF   THE   REBELLION.  297 

attack.     Every  half  hour  he  thus  made  his  rounds,  and  when 
towards  midnight  he  was  going  forth,  Percy  said  to  him, 

"  Do  you  not  mean  to  take  any  rest,  Catesby  ?" 

"  Not  till  I  am  in  my  grave,"  was  the  moody  reply. 

Catesby's  untiring  energy  was  in  fact  a  marvel  to  all  his 
followers.  His  iron  frame  seemed  wholly  unsusceptible  of 
fatigue ;  and  even  when  he  returned  to  the  house,  he  continued 
to  pace  to  and  fro  in  the  passage  in  preference  to  lying  down. 

"  Rest  tranquilly,"  he  said  to  Christopher  Wright,  who  offered 
to  take  his  place.  "  I  will  rouse  you  on  the  slightest  approach 
of  danger." 

But  though  he  preserved  this  stoical  exterior,  Catesby's  breast 
was  torn  by  the  keenest  pangs.  He  could  not  hide  from  himself 
that,  to  serve  his  own  ambitious  purposes,  he  had  involved  many 
loyal  and  worth}'  (till  he  had  deluded  them)  persons  in  a  treason 
able  project,  which  must  now  terminate  in  their  destruction; 
and  their  blood,  he  feared,  would  rest  upon  his  head.  But  what 
weighed  heaviest  of  all  upon  his  soul  was  the  probable  fate  of 
Viviana. 

"  If  I  were  assured  she  would  escape,"  he  thought,  "  I  should 
care  little  for  all  the  rest,  even  for  Fawkes.  They  say  it  is  never 
too  late  to  repent.  But  my  repentance  shall  lie  between  my 
Maker  and  myself.  Man  shall  never  know  it." 

The  night  was  dark,  and  the  gloom  was  rendered  more  pro 
found  by  a  dense  fog.  Fearing  an  attack  might  now  be  attempted, 
Catesby  renewed  his  vigilance.  Marching  round  the  edge  of 
the  moat,  he  listened  to  every  sound  that  might  betray  the 
approach  of  a  foe.  For  some  time,  nothing  occurred  to  excite 
his  suspicions,  until  about  an  hour  after  midnight,  as  he  was 
standing  at  the  back  of  the  house,  he  fancied  he  detected  a 
stealthy  tread  on  the  other  side  of  the  fosse,  and  soon  became 
convinced  that  a  party  of  men  were  there.  Determined  to  ascer 
tain  their  movements  before  giving  the  alarm,  he  held  his 
breath,  and  drawing  a  petronel,  remained  perfectly  motionless. 
Presently,  though  he  could  discern  no  object,  he  distinctly  heard 
a  plank  pushed  across  the  moat,  and  could  distinguish  in  the 
whispered  accents  of  one  of  the  party  the  voice  of  Topcliffe.  A 
thrill  of  savage  joy  agitated  his  bosom,  and  he  internally  con 
gratulated  himself  that  revenge  was  in  his  power. 

A  footstep,  though  so  noiseless  as  to  be  inaudible  to  any  ear 
less  acute  than  his  own,  was  now  heard  crossing  the  plank, 
and  feeling  certain  it  was  Topcliffe,  Catesby  allowed  him  to 
iand,  and  then  suddenly  advancing,  kicked  the  plank,  on  which 
were  two  other  persons,  into  the  water,  and  unmasking  a  dark 
lantern,  threw  its  light  upon  the  face  of  a  man  near  him,  who 
proved,  as  he  suspected,  to  be  Topcliffe. 

Aware  of  the  advantage  of  making  a  prisoner  of  importance, 
Catesby  controlled  the  impulse  that  prompted  him  to  sacrifice 


298  GUY  FAWKES. 

Topcliffe  to  his  vengeance,  and  firing  his  petronel  in  the  air  as  a 
signal,  he  drew  his  sword,  and  sprang  upon  him.  Topcliffe 
attempted  to  defend  himself,  but  he  was  no  match  for  the  skill 
and  impetuosity  of  Catesby,  and  was  instantly  overpowered  and 
thrown  to  the  ground.  By  this  time,  Percy  and  several  of  the 
band  had  come  up,  and  delivering  Topcliffe  to  the  charge  of  two 
of  the  stoutest  of  them,  Catesby  turned  his  attention  to  the  other 
assailants.  One  of  them  got  across  the  moat;  but  the  other, 
encumbered  by  his  arms,  was  floundering  about,  when  Catesby 
pointing  a  petronel  at  his  head,  he  was  fain  to  surrender,  and 
was  dragged  out. 

A  volley  of  musketry  was  now  fired  by  the  rebels  in  the  sup 
posed  direction  of  their  opponents,  but  it  could  not  be  ascer 
tained  what  execution  was  done.  After  waiting  for  some  time, 
in  expectation  of  a  further  attack,  Catesby  placed  a  guard  upon 
the  spot,  and  proceeded  to  examine  Topcliffe.  He  had  been 
thrown  into  a  cellar  beneath  the  kitchen,  and  the  two  men  were 
on  guard  over  him.  He  refused  to  answer  any  of  Catesby's 
questions,  though  enforced  by  threats  of  instant  death.  On 
searching  him  some  letters  were  found  upon  him,  and  thrusting 
them  into  his  doublet,  Catesby  left  him,  with  the  strictest 
injunctions  to  the  men  as  to  his  safe  custody. 

He  then  proceeded  to  examine  the  other  captive,  and  found 
him  somewhat  more  tractable.  This  man  informed  him  that 
Topcliffe  had  intended  to  steal  into  the  house  with  the  design 
of  capturing  the  conspirators,  or,  failing  in  that,  of  setting  fire 
to  the  premises.  He  also  ascertained  that  Topcliffe's  force 
consisted  only  of  a  dozen  men,  so  that  no  further  attack  need  be 
apprehended. 

Notwithstanding  this  information,  Catesby  determined  to  be 
on  the  safe  side,  and  doubling  the  sentinels,  he  stationed  one  of 
the  conspirators,  all  of  whom  had  sprung  to  arms  at  his  signal, 
at  each  of  the  exposed  points.  He  then  withdrew  to  the  man 
sion,  and  examined  Topcliffe's  papers.  The  first  despatch  he 
opened  was  from  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  bearing  date  about  the 
early  part  of  Fawkes's  confinement  in  the  Tower,  in  which  the 
Earl  expressed  his  determination  of  wringing  a  full  confession 
from  the  prisoner.  A  bitter  smile  curled  Catesby's  lip  as  he  read 
this,  but  his  brow  darkened  as  he  proceeded,  and  found  that  a 
magnificent  reward  was  offered  for  his  own  arrest. 

"  1  must  have  Catesby  captured,"  ran  the  missive, — "  so  see 
you  spare  no  pains  to  take  him.  I  would  rather  all  escaped  than 
he  did.  His  confession  is  of  the  last  importance  in  the  matter, 
and  I  rely  upon  your  bringing  him  to  me  alive." 

"I  will  at  least  balk  him  of  that  satisfaction,"  muttered 
Catesby.  "  But  what  is  this  of  Viviana  ?" 

Reading  further,  he  found  that  the  Earl  had  issued  the  sami 


CLOSE   OF   THE   REBELLION.  299 

orders  respecting  Viviana,  and  that  she  would  be  rigorously  dealt 
with  if  captured. 

"  Alas !"  groaned  Catesby;  "  I  hope  she  will  escape  these 
inhuman  butchers." 

The  next  despatch  he  opened  was  from  Tresham,  and  with  a 
savage  satisfaction  he  found  that  the  traitor  was  apprehensive  of 
double-dealing  on  the  part  of  Salisbury  and  Mounteagle.  He 
stated  that  he  had  been  put  under  arrest,  and  was  detained  a 
prisoner  in  his  own  house ;  and  fearing  he  should  be  sent  to  the 
Tower,  besought  Topcliffe  to  use  his  influence  with  the  Earl  of 
Salisbury  not  to  deal  unfairly  with  him. 

"  He  is  rightly  served  I"  cried  Catesby,  with  a  bitter  smile. 
"  Heaven  grant  they  may  deal  with  him  as  he  dealt  with  us !" 

The  consideration  of  these  letters  furnished  Catesby  with  food 
for  much  bitter  reflection.  Pacing  the  room  to  and  fro  with 
uncertain  footsteps,  he  remained  more  than  an  hour  by  himself, 
and  at  last  yielding  to  the  promptings  of  vengeance,  repaired  to 
the  cellar  in  which  he  had  placed  Topcliffe,  with  the  intention 
of  putting  him  to  death.  What  was  his  rage  and  mortification 
to  find  both  the  guard  and  the  prisoner  gone  !  A  door  was 
open,  and  it  was  evident  that  the  fugitives  had  stolen  to  the 
moat,  and,  swimming  noiselessly  across  it  in  the  darkness,  had 
securely  effected  their  retreat. 

Fearful  of  exciting  the  alarm  of  his  followers,  Catesby  con 
trolled  his  indignation,  and  said  nothing  of  the  escape  of  the 
prisoner  to  any  but  his  confederates,  who  entirely  approved  of 
the  policy  of  silence.  They  continued  on  the  alert  during  the 
remainder  of  the  night,  and  no  one  thought  of  seeking  repose 
till  it  was  fully  light,  and  all  danger  of  a  surprise  at  an  end. 

Day  dawned  late  and  dismally.  The  fog  that  had  hung  round 
the  mansion  changed  just  before  daybreak  into  drizzling  rain, 
and  this  increased  ere  long  to  heavy  and  drenching  showers. 
Everything  looked  gloomy  and  depressing,  and  the  conspirators 
were  so  disheartened,  that  they  avoided  each  other's  regards. 

Catesby  mounted  the  walls  of  the  mansion  to  reconnoitre. 
The  prospect  was  forlorn  and  melancholy  to  the  last  degree. 
The  neighbouring  woods  were  obscured  by  mist ;  the  court-yard 
and  garden  flooded  with  rain ;  and  the  waters  of  the  moat 
spotted  by  the  heavy  shower.  Not  an  object  was  in  view,  except 
a  hind  driving  cattle  to  a  neighbouring  farm.  Catesby  shouted 
to  him,  and  the  fellow  with  evident  reluctance  approaching  the 
brink  of  the  moat,  was  asked  whether  he  had  seen  any  troops  in, 
the  neighbourhood.  The  man  answered  in  the  negative,  but 
said  he  had  heard  that  an  engagement  had  taken  place  in  the 
night,  about  five  miles  from  thence,  near  Hales  Owen,  between 
Sir  Everard  Digby  and  Sir  Richard  Walsh,  and  that  Sir  Everard's 
parly  had  been  utterly  routed,  and  himself  taken  prisoner. 


300  GUY  FAWKES. 

This  intelligence  was  a  severe  blow  to  Catesby,  as  it  destroyed 
the  last  faint  hope  he  had  clung  to.  For  some  time  he  con 
tinued  wrapt  in  thought,  and  then  descended  to  the  lower  part 
of  the  house.  A  large  fire  had  been  kept  up  during  the  night 
in  the  hall,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  band  were  now  gathered 
round  it,  drying  their  wet  clothes,  and  conversing  together.  A 
plentiful  breakfast  had  been  served  out  to  them,  so  that  they 
were  in  tolerably  good  spirits,  and  many  of  them  talked  loudly 
of  the  feats  they  meant  to  perform  in  case  of  an  attack. 

Catesby  heard  these  boasts,  but  they  fell  upon  an  idle  ear. 
He  felt  that  all  was  over;  that  his  last  chance  was  gone ;  and 
that  the  struggle  could  not  be  much  longer  protracted.  Entering 
the  inner  room,  he  sat  down  at  table  with  his  companions,  but 
ihe  ate  nothing,  and  continued  silent  and  abstracted. 

"  It  is  now  my  turn  to  reproach  you,"  observed  Grant.  "  You 
look  deeply  depressed." 

"  Sir  Everard  Digby  is  a  prisoner,"  replied  Catesby,  sternly. 
"His  capture  grieves  me  sorely.  He  should  have  died  with 
us." 

All  echoed  the  wish. 

Catesby  arose  and  closed  the  door. 

"  The  attack  will  not  be  many  hours  delayed,"  he  said ;  "  and 
unless  there  should  be  some  miraculous  interposition  in  our 
behalf,  it  must  end  in  our  defeat.  Do  not  let  us  survive  it,"  he 
continued  earnestly.  "Let  us  swear  to  stand  by  each  other  as 
long  as  we  can,  and  to  die  together." 

"  Agreed  1"  cried  the  others. 

"  And  now,"  continued  Catesby,  "  I  must  compel  myself  to 
take  some  nourishment,  for  I  have  much  to  do." 

Having  swallowed  a  few  mouthfuls  of  bread,  and  drained  a 
goblet  of  wine,  he  again  visited  every  part  of  the  habitation, 
examined  the  arms  of  the  men,  encouraged  them  by  his  looks 
and  words,  and  became  satisfied,  unless  some  unlooked-for 
circumstance  occurred  to  damp  their  ardour,  they  would  offer  a 
determined  and  vigorous  resistance. 

'•  If  I  could  only  come  oft'  victorious  in  this  last  conflict,  I 
should  die  content,"  thought  Catesby.  "  And  I  do  not  despair 
of  it." 

The  rain  continued  till  eleven  o'clock,  when  it  ceased,  and 
the  mist  that  had  attended  it  partially  cleared  off.  About  noon, 
Catesby,  who  was  on  the  look-out  from  the  walls  of  the  mansion, 
descried  a  large  troop  of  horsemen  issuing  from  the  wood.  He 
immediately  gave  the  alarm.  The  bell  was  rung,  and  all  sprang 
to  arms. 

By  this  time  the  troop  had  advanced  within  a  hundred  yards 
of  the  house,  and  Catesby,  who  had  rushed  into  the  court-yard, 
mounted  a  turret  near  the  gate  to  watch  their  movements,  and 
issue  his  commands.  The  royalists  were  headed  by  Sir  Richard 


CLOSE  OF  THE  REBELLION.  301 

Walsh,  who  was  attended  on  the  right  by  Sir  John  Foliot, 
and  on  the  left  by  Topcliffe.  Immediately  behind  them  were 
Ketelbye,  Salwaye,  Conyers,  and  others  who  had  accompanied 
the  posse  comitatuft  the  day  before.  A  trumpet  was  then  sounded, 
and  a  proclamation  made  in  a  loud  voice  by  a  trooper,  com 
manding  the  rebels  in  the  King's  name  to  surrender,  and  to 
deliver  up  their  leaders.  The  man  had  scarcely  concluded  his 
speech  when  he  was  for  ever  silenced  by  a  shot  from  Catesby. 

A  loud  and  vindictive  shout  was  raised  by  the  royalists,  and 
the  assault  instantly  commenced.  Sir  Richard  Walsh  directed 
the  attack  against  the  point  opposite  the  drawbridge,  while  Sir 
John  Foliot,  Topcliffe,  and  the  others  dispersed  themselves,  and 
completely  surrounded  the  mansion.  Several  planks  were  thrust 
across  the  moat,  and  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of  the  rebels  many  of 
the  assailants  effected  a  passage. 

Catesby  drove  back  the  party  under  Sir  Richard  Walsh,  and 
with  his  own  hand  hewed  asunder  their  plank.  In  doing  this, 
he  so  much  exposed  himself  that,  but  for  the  injunctions  of  the 
Sheriff,  who  commanded  his  followers  not  to  fire  upon  him,  he 
must  have  been  slain. 

The  other  rebel-leaders  displayed  equal  courage,  and  equal 
indifference  to  danger,  and  though,  as  has  just  been  stated,  a 
considerable  number  of  the  royalists  had  got  across  the  moat,  and 
entered  the  garden,  they  had  obtained  no  material  advantage. 
Sir  John  Foliot  and  TopclirTe  commanded  this  party,  and 
encouraged  them  to  press  on.  But  such  a  continued  and  well- 
directed  firing  was  kept  up  upon  them  from  the  walls  and 
windows  of  the  mansion,  that  they  soon  began  to  show  symptoms 
of  wavering. 

At  this  juncture,  and  while  Topcliffe  was  trying  to  keep  his 
men  together,  a  concealed  door  in  the  wall  was  opened,  and 
Catesby  issued  from  it  at  the  head  of  a  dozen  men.  He  in 
stantly  attacked  Topcliffe  and  his  band,  put  several  to  the  sword, 
and  drove  those  who  resisted  into  the  moat.  Foliot  and  Top 
cliffe  with  difficulty  escaped  across  the  plank,  which  was  seized 
and  pulled  over  to  his  own  side  by  Catesby. 

But  the  hope  which  this  success  inspired  was  instantly  crushed. 
Loud  shouts  were  raised  from  the  opposite  wing  of  the  mansion, 
and  Catesby  to  his  great  dismay  perceived  from  the  volumes  of 
smoke  ascending  from  it  that  it  was  on  fire.  Uttering  an 
exclamation  of  rage  and  despair,  he  commanded  those  with  him 
not  to  quit  their  present  position,  and  set  off  in  the  direction  of 
the  fire. 

He  found  that  an  outbuilding  had  been  set  in  flames  by  a 
lighted  brand  thrown  across  the  moat  by  a  trooper.  The  author 
of  the  action  was  named  John  Streete,  and  was  afterwards  ren 
dered  notorious  by  another  feat  to  be  presently  related.  Efforts 
were  made  to  extinguish  the  conflagration,  but  such  was  the 


302  GUY  FAWKES. 

contusion  prevailing  that  it  was  found  wholly  impossible  to  dc 
so,  and  it  was  feared  that  the  destruction  of  the  whole  mansion 
would  ensue. 

Disaster  after  disaster  followed.  Another  party  had  crossed 
the  moat,  and  burst  into  the  court-yard.  In  the  desperate  con 
flict  that  ensued,  Rookwood  was  shot  through  the  arm,  and 
severely  wounded  by  a  pike,  and  was  borne  into  the  house  by 
one  of  his  followers,  whom  he  entreated  to  kill  him  outright,  but 
his  request  was  refused. 

Meantime,  the  drawbridge  was  lowered,  and  with  loud  and 
exulting  shouts  the  great  body  of  the  royalists  crossed  it. 
Catesby  now  perceived  that  the  day  was  irretrievably  lost. 
Calling  to  Christopher  Wright,  who  was  standing  near  him,  to 
follow  him,  and  rushing  towards  the  court-yard,  he  reached  it 
just  as  the  royalists  gained  an  entrance. 

In  numbers  both  parties  were  pretty,  well  matched,  but  the 
rebels  were  now  thoroughly  disheartened,  and  seeing  how  matters 
must  end,  many  of  them  threw  down  their  arms,  and  begged  for 
mercy.  A  destructive  fire,  however,  was  still  kept  up  on  the 
royalists  by  a  few  of  the  rebels  stationed  on  the  walls  of  the 
mansion,  under  the  command  of  John  Wright. 

Putting  himself  at  the  head  of  a  few  faithful  followers,  Catesby 
fought  with  all  the  fury  of  despair.  Christopher  Wright  was 
shot  by  his  side.  Grant  instantly  sprang  forward,  but  was  cut 
down  by  a  trooper.  Catesby  was  too  busily  occupied  to  attend 
to  the  fate  of  his  companions,  but  seeing  Thomas  Winter  near 
him,  called  to  him  to  come  on. 

"  I  can  fight  no  longer,"  said  Thomas  Winter.  "  My  right 
arm  is  disabled  by  a  bolt  from  a  cross-bow." 

"  Then  die,"  cried  Catesby. 

"  He  shall  die — on  the  scaffold,"  rejoined  Topcliffe,  who  had 
heard  the  exclamation.  And  rushing  up  to  Thomas  Winter,  he 
seized  him,  and  conveyed  him  to  the  rear  of  his  party. 

Catesby  continued  to  fight  with  such  determined  bravery  that 
Sir  Richard  Walsh,  seeing  it  would  be  vain  to  take  him  alive, 
withdrew  his  restrictions  from  his  men,  and  ordered  them  to 
slay  him. 

By  this  time  most  of  the  rebels  had  thrown  down  their  arms. 
Those  on  the  walls  had  been  dislodged,  and  John  Wright, 
refusing  to  yield,  was  slaughtered.  Catesby,  however,  having 
been  joined  by  Percy  and  half  a  dozen  men,  made  a  last  despe 
rate  charge  upon  his  opponents. 

In  doing  this,  his  sword  shivered,  and  he  would  have  fallen 
back,  but  found  himself  surrounded.  Percy  was  close  behind 
him,  and  keeping  together,  they  fought  back  to  back.  Even  in 
this  disabled  state,  they  made  a  long  and  desperate  resistance. 

"  Remember  your  oath,  Percy,"  cried  Catesby.  "  You  have 
sworn  not  to  be  taken  to  the  scaffold." 


The  words  w 
:id  mortall 
•reast  ha 


his  oppor. 
Just  as  he   r< 
strength  failec'. 
dragged  himself  i; 
wooden  statue  of  the 
pressed  his  lips  to  the 
Streete,  with  his  drawi 
other,  prepared  to  finish  his 
Catesby  had  expired. 

"  So,"  exclaimed  TopcliffV 
with  Sir  Richard  V 
The  Earl  of  £ 
ment." 

"T 


pension  . 
siderable  sum  i 

The  conflict 
more  desperate  oi 
leaders  had  fallen 
and  Topcliffe  went  in  s*  in 
ing  Rookwood  and  G 
not  dead,  lying  in  the  hall,  im 
wood  on  their  approach  -row.    ••••• 
into  his  breast,  but  his  lian^i 

**  We  shall  not  go  av 
"But  these  are  scnry 

'<  Has  ( 


CLOSE   OF   THE   REBELLION.  303 

"  Fear  nothing,"  replied  Percy.  "  I  will  never  quit  this  spot 
alive." 

The  words  were  scarcely  out  of  his  moiith  when  he  fell  to  the 
ground  mortally  wounded,  and  the  same  shot  that  had  pierced 
his  breast  had  likewise  stricken  Catesby.  It  was  fired  by  the 
trooper,  John  Streete,  who  has  just  been  mentioned. 

Collecting  all  his  force,  Catesby  struck  a  few  terrible  blows  at 
his  opponents,  and,  dashing  through  them,  made  for  the  house. 
Just  as  he  reached  the  door,  which  was  standing  open,  his 
strength  failed,  and  he  fell  to  the  ground.  In  this  condition,  he 
dragged  himself  into  the  vestibule,  where  there  was  a  large 
wooden  statue  of  the  Virgin,  and  clasping  his  arms  around  it 
pressed  his  lips  to  the  feet  of  the  image.  He  was  followed  by 
Streete,  with  his  drawn  sword  in  one  hand  and  a  petronel  in  the 
other,  prepared  to  finish  his  work.  But  ere  he  could  reach  him, 
Catesby  had  expired. 

"  So,"  exclaimed  Topcliffe,  who  came  up  the  next  moment, 
with  Sir  Richard  Walsh,  "  we  have  been  robbed  of  our  prey. 
The  Earl  of  Salisbury  will  never  forgive  me  for  this  disappoint 
ment." 

"  I  am  glad  I  have  done  it,  though,"  observed  Stroete.  "  To 
kill  two  such  traitors  with  one  shot  is  something  to  talk  of." 

"  You  will  be  well  rewarded  for  it,  no  doubt,"  remarked 
Topcliffe,  sarcastically. 

"  I  care  not  whether  I  am  or  not,"  rejoined  Streete.  "  I  have 
done  my  duty,  and  besides  I  have  avenged  my  comrade, 
Richard  Trueman,  who  was  shot  by  this  traitor  when  he  read 
the  proclamation." 

"  I  will  take  care  that  your  brave  action  is  duly  represented  to 
his  Majesty,"  observed  Sir  Richard  Walsh. 

And  he  failed  not  to  keep  his  promise.  Streete  received  a 
pension  of  two  shillings  a  day  for  the  rest  of  his  life — no  incon 
siderable  sum  in  those  days. 

The  conflict  was  now  at  au  end,  for  though  some  few  of  the 
more  desperate  of  the  rebels  continued  to  struggle  after  their 
leaders  had  fallen,  they  were  soon  disarmed.  Sir  Richard  Walsh 
and  TopclifFe  went  in  search  of  the  other  conspirators,  and  find 
ing  Rookwood  and  Grant,  who  though  severely  wounded  were 
not  dead,  lying  in  the  hall,  immediately  secured  them.  Rook- 
wood  on  their  approach  made  an  effort  to  plunge  his  dagger 
into  his  breast,  but  his  hand  was  stayed  by  Sir  Richard  Walsh. 

"  We  shall  not  go  away  quite  empty-handed,"  cried  TopclifFe. 
"  But  these  are  sorry  substitutes  for  Catesby. 

"  Has  Catesby  escaped  ?"  demanded  Grant,  faintly. 

"  Ay,  to  the  other  world,"  replied  TopclifFe. 

"  He  has  kept  his  word,"  groaned  Grant. 

"  He  may  have  escaped  some  part  of  his  punishment,"  said 
TopclifFe,  bitterly;  "  but  the  worst  remains.  His  quarters  will 


304  GUY   FAWKES. 

be  exposed  on  every  gate  in  London,  and  his  head  on  the  bridge. 
As  to  you,  traitors,  you  know  your  doom." 

"  And  are  prepared  for  it,"  rejoined  Grant. 

A  guard  being  left  over  the  prisoners,  Sir  Richard  Walsh  and 
Topcliffe  then  went  to  see  that  the  other  captives  were  properly 
secured.  Some  few  having  made  their  escape  into  the  adjoining 
fields,  they  were  pursued  and  recaptured. 

The  whole  of  the  prisoners  were  then  conveyed  to  Stourbridge, 
where  they  were  lodged  in  the  gaol,  after  which  Sir  Richard 
Walsh  despatched  a  messenger  to  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  and  the 
Lords  of  the  Council  acquainting  them  with  what  he  had 
done. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

HAGLEY. 

ROBERT  WINTER,  it  may  be  remembered,  immediately  after 
the  explosion,  quitted  Holbeach,  and  did  not  return  to  it.  He 
proceeded  to  the  neighbouring  thicket,  and  while  wandering 
about  in  a  state  bordering  on  distraction  encountered  Stephen 
Littleton,  who  had  likewise  deserted  his  companions  on  the  same 
day.  Acquainting  him  with  the  disastrous  occurrence  that  had 
taken  place,  and  stating  his  impression  that  both  God  and  man 
were  against  them,  and  that  it  would  be  vain  as  well  as  impious 
to  struggle  longer,  he  proposed  to  him  to  surrender.  But 
Stephen  Littleton  so  strongly  combated  this  opinion,  that  he  at 
last  consented  to  make  an  effort  to  escape.  This,  however,  was 
no  easy  matter,  nor  could  they  devise  a  plan  that  appeared 
feasible.  Both  were  well  provided  with  money;  but  under  pre 
sent  circumstances  it  would  be  of  little  use  to  them.  A  large 
price  being  set  on  their  heads,  and  the  whole  country  alarmed, 
they  scarcely  knew  where  to  seek  shelter.  After  a  long  debate, 
they  quitted  the  covert,  and  keeping  clear  of  all  habitations,  took 
the  direction  of  Stourbridge. 

On  approaching  the  Stour,  at  a  point  opposite  Churchill, 
where  they  knew  the  river  was  fordable,  they  perceived  Sir 
Richard  Walsh's  force  approaching,  and  threw  themselves  into 
a  ditch  to  avoid  observation.  It  was  quite  dark  when  they  again 
ventured  forth,  and  at  the  peril  of  their  lives  they  forded  the 
Stour,  which  was  swollen  more  than  it  had  been  in  the  morning 
by  the  long-continued  rain.  Their  design  was  to  proceed  to 
Hagley,  the  residence  of  Stephen  Littleton's  sister,  Mrs.  Littleton, 
and  to  claim  her  protection.  This  magnificent  mansion  lay 
about  two  miles  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  in  the  heart  of  an 
extensive  park,  but  they  were  obliged  to  take  a  circuitous  route 
of  nearly  double  the  distance  to  reach  it,  and  when  af  length 


EAGLE?.  305 

they  arrived  there,  and  were  about  to  steal  into  the  court-yard, 
they  found  it  occupied  by  a  portion  of  Sir  Richard  Walshra 
troop. 

Overcome  by  anxiety  and  fatigue,  and  scarcely  knowing 
whither  to  proceed,  they  recrossed  the  park,  and  sought  out  the 
cottage  of  a  poor  woman,  whose  two  sons  had  joined  their  ill- 
fated  expedition,  and  were  at  that  moment  under  arms  at  Hoi- 
beach.  She  was  a  good  Catholic,  and  they  thought  they  might 
confide  in  her.  Arriving  at  her  cottage,  they  glanced  in  at  the 
window,  and  perceiving  her,  as  they  concluded,  alone,  and  cook 
ing  a  small  piece  of  meat  at  the  fire,  they  raised  the  latch,  and 
entered  the  house.  The  woman  turned  at  their  approach,  and 
uttering  a  cry  of  surprise  and  alarm,  pointed  towards  a  back 
room.  They  then  saw  that  they  had  betrayed  themselves ;  but 
the  caution  came  too  late,  and  a  stalwart  trooper,  alarmed  by  the 
cry,  issued  from  the  back  room.  From  the  wretched  appearance 
of  the  new-comers,  he  at  once  guessed  that  they  were  rebels,  and 
felt  satisfied,  from  the  richness  of  their  apparel,  dirtied  and 
stained  as  it  was,  that  they  were  persons  of  consequence. 
Accordingly,  he  drew  a  brace  of  petronels,  and  holding  them  at 
their  heads,  commanded  them  to  surrender. 

They  were  too  much  taken  by  surprise,  and  too  enfeebled  to 
offer  resistance,  and  the  trooper  calling  to  the  old  woman  to 
bring  a  cord  to  bind  them,  at  the  same  time  unloosed  his  own 
girdle,  with  which  he  fastened  Robert  Winter's  arms  behind  his 
back.  In  doing  this,  he  was  compelled  to  lay  down  his  petronels, 
and  he  had  scarcely  done  so,  when  the  woman  snatched  them 
up,  and  gave  them  to  Stephen  Littleton,  who  presented  them  at 
his  head. 

It  was  now  the  turn  of  the  conspirators  to  triumph.  In  another 
instant,  Robert  Winter  was  released  by  the  old  woman,  and  the 
pair  throwing  themselves  upon  the  trooper,  forced  him  to  the 
ground.  They  then  dragged  him  to  the  back  room,  and  stripped 
him  of  his  habiliments,  which  Stephen  Littleton  put  on  instead 
of  his  own  attire,  and  binding  him  hand  and  foot,  returned  to 
the  old  woman.  At  the  request  of  Robert  Winter,  she  furnished 
him  with  a  suit  of  clothes  belonging  to  one  of  her  sons,  and  then 
set  before  them  the  best  eatables  she  possessed.  They  were 
ravenously  hungry,  and  soon  disposed  of  the  viands.  Meanwhile, 
their  hostess  told  them  that  the  whole  country  was  in  arms 
against  them ;  that  Mrs.  Littleton  being  suspected,  though  she 
had  always  been  adverse  to  the  design,  her  house  had  undergone 
a  rigorous  search  ;  but  that  Mr.  Humphrey  Littleton,  not  having 
taken  any  part  in  the  insurrection,  had  not  as  yet  been  arrested, 
though  it  was  feared  he  would  be  proved  to  be  connected  with 
the  plot.  She  concluded  by  strongly  counselling  them  to  use 
the  utmost  caution,  and  to  expose  themselves  as  little  as  possible. 
They  assured  her  she  need  have  no  apprehension  on  that  score, 

X 


306  GUY  FA.WKES. 

and  expressed  great  anxiety  as  to  what  would  befal  her  when 
they  were  gone. 

"  I  do  not  desire  to  shed  blood,  if  it  can  be  helped,"  said 
Stephen  Littleton;  "but  in  a  case  01  necessity,  like  the  present, 
where  life  must  be  weighed  against  life,  I  hold  it  lawful  to  shed 
it.  Shall  we  put  the  trooper  to  death  ?" 

"  Not  unless  your  own  safety  requires  it,  good  sirs,"  she  said. 
"  I  shall  quit  this  cottage  soon  after  you  have  left  it,  and  obtain 
a  safe  asylum  with  one  of  my  neighbours.  It  matters  not  what 
becomes  of  me.  Having  lost  my  two  sons, — ior  I  consider  them 
as  already  dead, — I  have  nothing  left  to  bind  me  to  life." 

Unable  to  make  any  reply,  the  conspirators  remained  for  some 
time  silent,  when,  by  the  poor  woman's  advice,  they  withdrew  to 
an  upper  chamber,  and  stretching  themselves  on  a  bed,  sought  a 
few  hours'  repose.  The  old  woman  kept  watch  below,  and  they 
gave  her  one  of  the  petronels,  with  strict  injunctions  to  blow  out 
the  trooper's  brains  if  he  attempted  to  move.  Nothing,  however, 
occurred  to  alarm  her,  and  at  three  o'clock  she  awakened  them. 

Offering  the  woman  a  handsome  reward,  which,  however,  she 
declined,  they  then  set  out ;  and  shortly  afterwards  their  hostess 
quitted  her  habitation,  and  withdrew  to  the  cottage  of  a  neigh 
bour,  where  she  remained  concealed  for  some  weeks,  and  then 
died  of  grief  on  learning  that  her  sons  had  been  slain  during  the 
assault  of  Holbeach  by  the  royalists. 

Recruited  by  the  rest  they  had  enjoyed,  the  conspirators  pur 
sued  their  course  over  the  fields.  The  weather  was  the  same  as 
that  which  disheartened  their  confederates  at  Holbeach,  and  the 
rain  iell  so  heavily  that  they  had  soon  not  a  dry  thread  upon 
them.  But  being  now  disguised,  they  were  not  under  so  much 
apprehension  of  detection.  Shaping  their  course  towards  Rowley 
Regis,  in  Staffordshire,  which  lay  about  five  miles  from  Hagley, 
where  a  farmer  named  Pelborrow,  a  tenant  of  Humphrey  Lit 
tleton,  resided,  and  whom  they  thought  would  befriend  them, 
they  proceeded  swiftly  on  their  way ;  but,  though  well  acquainted 
with  the  country,  they  were  so  bewildered  and  deceived  by  the 
fog,  that  they  strayed  materially  out  of  their  course,  and  when  it 
grew  light  found  themselves  near  Weoley  Castle,  and  about  four 
miles  from  Birmingham. 

Confiding  in  their  disguises,  and  in  their  power  of  sustaining 
the  characters  they  assumed,  they  got  into  the  high  road,  and 
approaching  a  farm-house,  Stephen  Littleton,  who  had  tied  his 
companion's  arms  behind  him  with  his  belt,  represented  himself 
as  a  trooper  conveying  a  prisoner  from  Stourbridge  to  Birming 
ham,  and  in  consequence  of  this  obtained  a  breakfast  from  the 
farmer.  After  their  meal  was  over,  the  host,  who  had  eyed  them 
suspiciously,  observed  to  the  supposed  trooper, — 

"You  will  overtake  some  of  your  comrades  before  you  reach 
Eghaston,  and  had  better  lose  no  time  in  joining  ther.u  You 


HAGLEY.  307 

are  "known  to  me,  my  masters,"  he  added,  in  a  tone  that  could 
not  be  heard  by  the  household ;  "  but  I  will  not  betray  you. 
Get  you  gone." 

The  conspirators  did  not  fail  to  act  upon  the  suggestion,  and 
as  soon  as  they  got  out  of  sight,  struck  across  the  country  in  the 
direction  of  Rowley  Regis,  and  arrived  at  the  farm-house  which 
was  their  destination  in  about  an  hour. 

Pclborrow  chanced  to  be  in  a  barn  adjoining  his  house,  and 
alone,  and  on  seeing  them  readily  offered  to  hide  them.  No 
one  had  noticed  their  approach,  and  carefully  concealing  them 
amid  the  hay  in  the  loft,  he  proceeded  about  his  business  as  if 
nothing  had  happened.  He  could  not  just  then  procure  them 
provisions  without  exciting  suspicion;  but  when  night  arrived 
brought  them  a  sufficient  supply  for  the  next  day. 

In  this  way  they  passed  nearly  a  week,  never  venturing  to  stir 
forth,  for  they  had  been  traced  to  the  neighbourhood,  and 
constant  search  was  going  on  after  them.  Pelborrow  bad  great 
difficulty  in  keeping  his  men  out  of  the  barn,  and  the  disap 
pearance  of  the  provisions  excited  the  suspicions  of  his  female 
domestics,  who  began  to  think  all  was  not  right.  He  therefore 
intimated  to  the  conspirators  that  they  must  change  their 
quarters,  and  in  the  dead  of  the  night,  they  removed  to  the  house 
of  another  farmer  named  Perkes,  residing  on  the  borders  of 
Hagley  Park,  to  whom  Pelborrow  had  confided  the  secret  of 
their  being  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  who,  on  promise  of  a  large 
reward,  readily  undertook  to  secrete  them. 

Perkes  met  them  at  a  little  distance  from  his  house,  and  con 
ducted  them  to  a  barley-mow,  where  he  had  contrived  a  hiding- 
place  amid  the  straw  for  them.  A  woman-servant  and  a  man 
were  both  let  into  the  secret  by  Perkes,  and  a  sum  of  money, 
given  him  for  that  purpose  by  the  conspirators,  bribed  them  to 
silence.  Here  they  remained  close  prisoners,  unable  to  stir  forth, 
or  even  to  change  their  habiliments  for  nearly  six  weeks,  during 
which  time  they  received  constant  intelligence  from  their  pro 
tector  of  what  was  going  forward,  and  learnt  that  the  search  for 
them  had  not  relaxed.  They  were  not  without  hope,  however, 
that  the  worst  was  over,  when  an  incident  occurred  that  gave 
them  serious  uneasiness. 

One  night,  Perkes,  who  was  a  stout,  hale  yeoman,  and  had 
formerly  been  warrener  to  Mrs.  Littleton,  went  to  catch  conies, 
with  a  companion  named  Poynter,  and  returned  laden  with  spoil. 
After  drinking  a  cup  or  two  of  ale  together,  the  pair  separated, 
and  Poynter  feeling  fatigued  with  his  exertions,  as  well  as  drowsy 
with  the  liquor  he  had  swallowed,  determined  to  pass  the  night 
in  his  friend's  barn,  and  entering  it,  clambered  up  to  the  loft, 
and  laid  himself  in  the  straw.  In  doing  this,  he  slipped  into  the 
hole  made  for  the  conspirators,  who,  aroused  by  his  fall,  instantly 
him.  Terrified  to  death,  and  fancying  he  had  fallen  into 
X2 


SOS  GUY   FAWKES. 

the  hands  of  gipsies  or  other  plunderers,  Poyntcr  roared  for 
mercy,  which  they  were  not  at  first  disposed  to  show  him ;  but 
the  poor  wretch,  rinding  into  whose  hands  he  had  fallen,  besought 
them  in  such  piteous  terms  to  spare  his  life,  affirming  with  the 
strongest  oaths  that  he  would  never  betray  them,  that  they  con 
sented  to  spare  him,  on  condition  of  his  remaining  with  them  as 
long  as  they  should  occupy  their  place  of  concealment. 

When  Perkes  appeared  in  the  morning,  he  was  not  a  little  sur 
prised  at  finding  his  comrade  caught  in  such  a  trap,  but  entirely 
approved  of  the  course  taken  by  the  conspirators.  Poynter,  as 
may  be  supposed,  was  no  willing  captive  ;  and  being  constantly 
pondering  on  the  means  of  escape,  and  of  obtaining  the  reward 
for  the  apprehension  of  the  conspirators,  at  last  hit  upon  the 
following  expedient.  While  engaged  in  the  poaching  expedition 
with  Perkes,  he  had  received  a  slight  wound  in  the  lea;,  and  the 
close  confinement  to  which  he  was  now  subjected  inflamed  it  to 
such  a  degree  as  to  render  it  highly  dangerous.  This  he  repre 
sented  to  the  conspirators,  who,  however,  would  not  suffer  him 
to  depart ;  but  desired  Perkes  to  bring  him  some  ointment  to 
dress  his  wound.  The  request  was  complied  with,  and  feigning 
that  it  was  necessary  to  approach  the  light  to  apply  the  salve, 
Poynter  scrambled  up  the  straw,  apparently  for  that  sole  purpose. 
He  did  not  attempt  to  fly  for  several  days;  but  at  last,  when  they 
were  grown  less  suspicious,  he  slided  down  the  other  side  of  the 
loft,  and  made  good  his  retreat. 

The  conspirators  saw  the  error  they  had  committed  when  too 
late.  Not  daring  tc  pursue  him,  they  remained  in  fearful  anti 
cipation  of  an  arrest  throughout  the  day.  But  they  were  not 
disturbed  until  night,  when  Perkes  made  his  appearance.  They 
told  him  what  had  happened;  but  he  did  not  appear  to  be  much 
alarmed. 

"  I  do  not  think  you  need  be  afraid  of  him,"  he  said.  "  Let 
me  have  some  money,  and  I  will  go  in  quest  of  him  at  once,  and 
bribe  him  to  silence." 

"  Here  are  fifty  marks,"  replied  Stephen  Littleton.  "  If  thai 
is  not  enough,  take  more." 

"  It  will  amply  suffice,"  replied  Perkes.  "  I  will  answer  fo» 
his  silence." 

This  assurance  greatly  relieved  the  conspirators,  and  they  were 
made  completely  easy  by  the  return  of  Perkes  in  less  than  an. 
hour  afterwards,  who  told  them  he  had  seen  Poynter,  and  had 
given  him  the  money,  binding  him  by  the  most  solemn  oaths  not 
to  betray  them. 

"  I  have  still  better  news  for  you,  my  masters,"  he  added. 
"  Mrs.  Littleton  has  set  out  for  London  to-day ;  and  I  have 
received  orders  from  Mr.  Humphrey  Littleton  to  bring  you  to 
the  hall  at  midnight." 

This  last  intelligence  completed  their  satisfaction,  and  they 


HAGLEY.  309 

awaited  Perkcs's  return  with  impatience.  Shortly  before  mid 
night,  he  came  to  summon  them,  and  they  set  forth  together. 
Perkes's  house  lay  about  a  mile  from  the  hall,  and  they  soon 
entered  the  park.  The  night  was  clear  and  frosty, — it  was  now 
the  middle  of  December, — and  as  the  conspirators  trod  the  crisp 
sod,  and  gazed  at  the  noble  but  leafless  trees  around  them,  they 
silently  returned  thanks  to  Heaven  for  their  restoration  to  free 
dom.  Humphrey  Littleton  was  waiting  for  them  at  the  end  of 
an  avenue  near  the  mansion,  and  tenderly  embraced  them. 

Tears  of  joy  were  shed  on  both  sides,  and  it  seemed  to 
Humphrey  Littleton  as  if  his  brother  had  been  restored  from  the 
grave.  Dismissing  Perkes  with  warm  thanks,  and  promises  of  a 
further  recompence,  they  then  entered  the  house  by  a  window, 
which  had  been  left  purposely  open.  Humphrey  Littleton  con 
ducted  them  to  his  own  chamber,  where  fresh  apparel  was  pro 
vided  for  them  ;  and  to  poor  wretches  who  had  not  been  able  to 
put  off  their  attire  for  so  long  a  period,  the  luxury  of  the  change 
was  indescribably  great. 

The  arrival  of  the  fugitives  was  kept  secret  from  all  the  house 
hold  except  the  man-cook,  John  Ocklie,  upon  whose  fidelity 
Humphrey  Littleton  thought  he  could  rely.  A  good  supper  was 
prepared  by  this  man,  and  brought  up  into  his  master's  chamber, 
where  the  conspirators  were  now  seated  before  a  hearth  heaped 
with  blazing  logs.  The  conspirators  needed  no  solicitation  to 
fall  to,  and  they  did  ample  justice  to  the  good  things  before  them. 
His  spirits  being  raised  by  the  good  cheer,  Robert  Winter 
observed  to  the  cook,  who  was  in  attendance  upon  them, 

"  Ah !  Jack,  thy  mistress  little  thinks  what  guests  are  now  in 
her  house,  who  have  neither  seen  fire  nor  tasted  a  hot  morsel  for 
well-nigh  two  months." 

"  Ay,  it  is  a  sad  matter,"  returned  the  cook,  shaking  his  head, 
"and  I  wish  I  could  offer  your  worships  a  flask  of  wine,  or  a  cup 
of  stout  ale  at  the  least.  But  the  butler  is  in  bed,  and  if  I  were 
to  rouse  him  at  this  hour  it  might  excite  his  suspicion.  If  you 
are  willing,  sir,"  he  added,  to  Humphrey  Littleton,  "  I  will  hie 
to  my  mother's  cottage  in  the  park,  and  bring  a  jug  of  ale  from 
her." 

This  was  agreed  to,  and  the  cook  left  the  house.  His  sole 
object,  however,  was  to  instruct  his  mother  to  give  the  alarm,  so 
that  the  conspirators  might  be  arrested  before  morning. 

On  reaching  her  cottage,  he  was  surprised  to  see  a  light 
within  it,  and  two  men  there,  one  of  whom  was  Poynter,  and  the 
other  Mrs.  Littleton's  steward,  Robert  Hazlewood.  Poynter 
had  acquainted  Hazlewood  with  all  he  knew  respecting  the  con 
spirators,  supposing  them  still  in  the  barley-mow,  and  they  were 
discussing  the  best  means  of  arresting  them,  when  the  cook 
entered  the  house. 

"  The  birds  are  flown,"  he  said,  "  as  you  will  find,  if  you  search 


310  GUY   FAWKES. 

the  nest.  But  come  to  the  hall  with  a  sufficient  force  betimes 
to-morrow  morning,  and  I  will  show  you  where  to  find  them.  I 
shall  claim,  however,  my  share  of  the  reward,  though  I  must  not 
appear  in  the  matter." 

Having  fully  arranged  their  plan,  he  procured  the  ale  from  his 
mother,  and  returned  to  the  hall.  The  conspirators  soon  disposed 
of  the  jug,  threw  themselves  on  a  couch  in  the  room,  and 
instantly  dropping  asleep,  enjoyed  such  repose  as  only  falls  to 
the  lot  of  those  who  have  similarly  suffered.  And  it  was  well 
they  did  sleep  soundly,  for  it  was  the  last  tranquil  night  they  ever 
enjoyed ! 

Humphrey  Littleton,  who,  as  has  been  stated,  reposed  implicit 
confidence  in  the  cool?,  had  committed  the  key  of  the  chamber 
to  him,  strictly  enjoining  him  to  call  them  in  the  morning  ;  and 
the  fellow,  feeling  secure  of  his  prey,  retired  to  rest. 

About  seven  o'clock,  he  burst  suddenly  into  the  room,  and 
with  a  countenance  of  well-feigned  alarm,  which  struck  terror 
into  the  breasts  of  the  conspirators,  cried — 

"  Master  Hazlewood  and  the  officers  are  below,  and  say  they 
must  search  the  house.  Poynter  is  with  them." 

"  The  villain  has  betrayed  us !"  cried  Stephen  Littleton. 
"  Fools  that  we  were  to  spare  his  life  !" 

"  There  is  no  use  in  lamenting  your  indiscretion  now,  sir," 
replied  the  cook ;  "  leave  it  to  me,  and  I  will  yet  effect  your 
escape." 

"  We  place  ourselves  entirely  in  your  hands,"  said  Stephen 
Littleton. 

"  Go  down  stairs,  sir,"  said  the  cook  to  Humphrey  Littleton, 
"and  hold  Master  Hazlewood  in  conversation  fora  few  minutes, 
and  I  will  engage  to  get  the  gentlemen  safely  out  of  the  house." 

Humphrey  Littleton  obeyed,  and  descending  to  the  steward, 
told  him  he  was  willing  to  conduct  him  to  every  room  in  the 
house. 

"  I  am  certain  they  are  here,  and  shall  not  quit  it  till  I  find 
them,"  rejoined  Hazlewood.  "  Ah  !"  he  exclaimed,  as  if  struck 
by  a  sudden  thought,  "you  say  they  are  not  in  the  house. 
Perhaps,  they  are  in  the  garden — in  the  summer-house  ?  We 
will  go  and  see." 

So  saying,  he  took  half-a-dozen  of  his  men  with  him,  leaving 
Poynter  and  the  rest  with  Humphrey  Littleton,  who  was  per 
plexed  and  alarmed  at  his  conduct. 

Meanwhile,  the  cook  led  the  two  conspirators  along  the  gal 
lery,  and  from  thence  down  a  back  staircase,  which  brought  them 
to  a  small  door  communicating  with  the  garden.  A  few  seconds 
were  lost  in  opening  it,  and  when  they  issued  forth  they  encoun 
tered  Hazlewood  and  his  men,  who  instantly  arrested  them. 
The  unfortunate  conspirators  were  conveyed  under  a  strong 
guard  to  London,  where  they  were  committed  to  the  Tower,  to 
oike  their  trial  with  their  confederates. 


THE   LAST   NIGHT   AT   ORDSALL.  311 

CHAPTER  VII. 

VIVIANA'S  LAST  NIGHT  AT  ORDSALL  HALL. 

ON  the  evening  of  the  third  day  after  quitting  Dunchurch, 
Viviana  Radclifie  and  her  companions  arrived  at  Ordsall  Hall. 
They  had  encountered  many  dangers  and  difficulties  on  the 
journey,  and  were  well-nigh  overcome  with  fatigue  and  anxiety. 
Fearful  of  being  detained,  Garnet  had  avoided  all  the  larger 
towns  in  the  way,  and  had  consequently  been  driven  greatly 
out  of  the  direct  course.  He  had  assumed  the  disguise  which  he 
usually  wore  when  travelling,  that  of  a  lawyer,  and  as  he  pos- 
sessed  great  mimetic  talent,  he  sustained  the  character  admirably. 
Viviana  passed  for  his  daughter,  and  his  servant,  Nicholas  Owen, 
who  was  almost  as  clever  an  actor  as  his  master,  represented  his 
clerk,  while  the  two  attendants  performed  the  parts  of  clients. 
At  Abbots'-Bromley,  where  they  halted  for  refreshment  on  the 
second  day,  having  spent  the  night  at  a  small  village  near  Lich- 
iield,  they  were  detained  by  the  landlord,  who  entertained  some 
suspicions  of  them  ;  but  Garnet  succeeded  in  frightening  the  man 
into  allowing  them  to  depart.  They  underwent  another  alara 
of  the  same  kind  at  Leek,  and  were  for  two  hours  locked  up. 
But  on  the  arrival  of  a  magistrate,  who  had  been  sent  for  by  the 
host,  Garnet  gave  so  plausible  an  account  of  himself  that  the 
party  were  instantly  set  at  liberty,  and  arrived  without  further 
molestation  at  their  journey's  end. 

Viviana's  last  visit  to  the  hall  had  been  sad  enough,  but  it  was 
not  so  sad  as  the  present.  It  was  a  dull  November  evening,  and 
the  wind  moaned  dismally  through  the  trees,  scattering  the 
yellow  leaves  on  the  ground.  The  house  looked  forlorn  and 
desolate.  No  smoke  issued  from  the  chimneys,  nor  was  there 
any  external  indication  that  it  was  inhabited.  The  drawbridge  was 
down,  and  as  they  passed  over  it,  the  hollow  trampling  of  their 
steeds  upon  the  planks  vibrated  painfully  upon  Viviana's  heart. 
Before  dismounting,  she  cast  a  wistful  look  around,  and  surveyed 
the  grass-grown  and  neglected  court,  where,  in  years  gone  by, 
she  had  sported;  the  moat  on  whose  brink  she  had  lingered;  and 
the  surrounding  woods,  which  she  had  never  looked  upon,  even 
on  a  dreary  day  like  the  present,  and  when  they  were  robbed  in 
some  measure  of  their  beauty,  without  delight.  Scanning  the 
deserted  mansion  from  roof  to  foundation,  she  traced  all  its 
gables,  angles,  windows,  doors,  and  walls,  and  claimed  every 
piece  of  carved  work,  every  stone  as  a  familiar  object,  and  as 
associated  with  other  and  happier  hours. 

"  It  is  but  the  wreck  of  what  it  was,"  she  thought.  "  The 
spirit  that  animated  it  is  fled.  Grass  grows  in  its  courts — no 
cheerful  voices  echo  in  its  chambers — no  hospitality  is  main- 


312  olTY  FAWKES. 

tained  in  its  udll — but  neglect,  gloom,  and  despair  claim  it  as 
their  own.  The  habitation  and  its  mistress  are  well  matched." 

Guessing  from  the  melancholy  expression  of  her  countenance 
what  was  passing  within,  and  thinking  it  advisable  to  turn  the 
current  of  her  thoughts,  Garnet  assisted  her  to  alight,  and  com 
mitting  the  care  of  their  steeds  to  Owen  and  the  others,  pro 
ceeded  with  her  to  the  principal  entrance.  Everything  appeared 
in  nearly  the  same  state  as  when  they  had  last  seen  it,  and  the 
only  change  that  had  taken  place  was  for  the  worse.  The 
ceilings  were  mapped  and  mildewed  with  damps ;  the  once- 
gorgeously  stained  glass  was  shivered  in  the  windows ;  the  costly 
arras  hung  in  tattered  fragments  from  the  walls  ;  while  the  floors, 
which  were  still  strewn  with  plaster  and  broken  furniture,  were 
flooded  with  the  moisture  that  had  found  its  way  through  the 
holes  in  the  roof. 

"  Bear  up,  dear  daughter,"  said  Garnet,  observing  that  Viviana 
was  greatly  distressed  by  the  sight,  "  and  let  the  contemplation 
of  this  scene  of  havoc,  instead  of  casting  you  down,  inspire  you 
with  just  indignation  against  enemies  from  whom  it  is  vain  to 
expect  justice  or  mercy.  How  many  Catholic  mansions  have 
been  thus  laid  waste !  How  many  high-born  and  honourable 
men,  whose  sole  fault  was  their  adherence  to  the  religion  of  their 
fathers,  and  their  refusal  to  subscribe  to  doctrines  against  which 
their  consciences  revolted,  have  been  put  to  death  like  your 
father ;  nay,  have  endured  a  worse  fate,  for  they  have  languished 
out  their  lives  in  prison,  while  their  families  and  retainers  have 
undergone  every  species  of  outrage  !  How  many  a  descendant 
of  a  proud  line,  distinguished  for  worth,  for  loyalty,  and  for 
devotion,  has  stood,  as  you  now  stand,  upon  his  desolate  hearth 
— has  seen  misery  and  ruin  usurp  the  place  of  comfort  and  hap 
piness — and  has  heard  the  very  stones  beneath  his  feet  cry  out 
for  vengeance.  Accursed  be  our  oppressors  !"  he  added,  lifting 
up  his  hands,  and  elevating  his  voice.  "  May  their  churches  be 
thrown  down — their  faith  crushed — their  rights  invaded — their 
children  delivered  to  bondage — their  hearths  laid  waste,  as  ours 
have  been.  May  this,  and  worse  come  to  pass,  till  the  whole 
stock  of  heresy  is  uprooted  I" 

"  Hold,  father  1"  exclaimed  Viviana,  "  even  here,  beholding 
this  miserable  sight,  and  with  feelings  keenly  excited,  I  cannot 
join  in  your  terrible  denunciation.  What  I  hope  for — what  I 
pray  for,  is  toleration,  not  vengeance.  The  sufferings  of  our 
brethren  will  not  have  been  in  vain,  if  they  enable  our  successors 
to  worship  God  in  their  own  way,  and  according  to  the  dictates 
of  their  consciences.  The  ruthless  conduct  of  our  persecutors 
must  he  held  in  as  much  abhorrence  by  all  good  Protestants  as 
our  persecution  of  that  sect,  when  we  were  in  the  ascendant,  is 
regarded  by  all  worthy  members  of  our  own  Church.  I  cannot 
believe  that  by  persecution  we  can  work  out  the  charitable 


THE  LAST  NIGHT  AT  ORDSALL.  313 

precepts  inculcated  by  our  Saviour,  and  I  am  sure  such  a  course 
is  as  adverse  to  the  spirit  of  religion  as  it  is  to  that  of  humanity. 
Let  us  bear  our  sorrows  with  patience, — let  us  utter  no  repinings, 
but  turn  the  other  cheek  to  the  smiter,  and  we  shall  find,  in  due 
time,  that  the  hearts  of  our  oppressors  will  relent,  and  that  all 
the  believers  in  the  True  God  will  be  enabled  to  worship  him  in 
peace,  though  at  different  altars." 

"  Such  a  season  will  never  arrive,  daughter,"  replied  Garnet, 
severely,  "  till  heresy  is  extirpated,  and  the  false  doctrines  now 
prevailing  utterly  abolished.  Then,  indeed,  when  the  Church 
of  Rome  is  re-established,  and  the  old  and  true  religion  restored, 
universal  peace  will  prevail.  And  let  me  correct  the  grievous 
and  sinful  error  into  which  you  have  fallen.  Our  church  is 
always  at  war  with  heresy ;  and  if  it  cannot  uproot  it  by  gentle 
means,  authorizes,  nay  enjoins  the  employment  of  force." 

"  I  will  not  attempt  to  dispute  with  you  upon  points  of  faith, 
father,"  returned  Viviana;  "  I  am  content  to  think  and  act  accord 
ing  to  my  own  feelings  and  convictions.  But  I  will  not  give  up 
the  hope  that  in  some  milder  and  wiser  age,  persecution  on 
either  side  will  cease,  and  the  sufferings  of  its  victims  be  remem 
bered  only  to  soften  the  hearts  of  fanatics,  of  whatever  creed, 
towards  each  other.  Were  a  lesson  wanting  to  ourselves,  surely 
it  might  be  found  in  the  result  that  has  attended  your  dark  and 
criminal  enterprise,  and  in  which  the  disapproval  of  Heaven  has 
been  signally  manifested." 

"  Not  so,  daughter,"  replied  Garnet.  "  An  action  is  not  to  be 
judged  or  justified  by  the  event  attending  it,  but  by  its  own 
intrinsic  merits.  To  aver  the  contrary  were  to  throw  a  doubt 
upon  the  Holy  Scriptures  themselves,  where  we  read  in  the  Book 
of  Judges  that  the  eleven  tribes  of  Israel  were  commanded  to 
make  war  upon  the  tribe  of  Benjamin,  and  yet  were  twice 
defeated.  We  have  failed.  But  this  proves  nothing  against  our 
project,  which  I  maintain  to  be  righteous  and  praiseworthy, 
undertaken  to  overthrow  an  heretical  and  excommunicated 
monarch,  and  to  re-establish  the  true  faith  of  the  Most  High 
throughout  this  land." 

"  I  lament  to  find  that  you  still  persist  in  error,  father," 
replied  Viviana ;  "  but  you  cannot  by  any  sophistry  induce  me 
to  coincide  with  yon  in  opinion.  I  hold  the  attempt  an  offence 
alike  against  God  and  man,  and  while  I  rejoice  at  the  issue  that 
has  attended  it,  I  deplore  the  irreparable  harm  it  will  do  to  the 
whole  body  of  Catholics,  all  of  whom  will  be  connected,  by  the 
bigoted  and  unthinking  of  the  hostile  party,  with  the  atrocious 
design.  Not  only  have  you  done  our  cause  an  injury,  but  you 
have  in  a  measure  justified  our  opponents'  severity,  and  given 
them  a  plea  for  further  persecution." 

"  No  more  of  this,  daughter,"  rejoined  Garnet,  impatiently, 
'*  «r  I  shall  deem  it  necessary  to  reprove  you.  Let  us  search 


314  GUY  FAWKES. 

the  house,  and  try  to  find  some  habitable  chamber  in  which  you 
can  pass  the  night." 

After  a  long  search,  they  discovered  a  room  in  comparatively 
good  order,  and  leaving  Viviana  within  it,  Garnet  descended  to 
the  lower  part  of  the  house,  where  he  found  Nicholas  Owen,  and 
the  two  other  attendants. 

"  We  have  chanced  upon  a  scanty  supply  of  provender  for  our 
steeds,"  remarked  Owen,  with  a  doleful  look ;  "  but  we  are  not 
likely  to  obtain  a  meal  ourselves,  unless  we  can  feed  upon  rats 
and  mice,  which  appear  to  be  the  sole  tenants  of  this  miserable 
dwelling." 

"  You  must  go  to  Manchester  instantly,  and  procure  pro 
visions,"  returned  Garnet.  "  But  take  heed  you  observe  the 
utmost  caution." 

"  Fear  nothing,"  replied  Owen,  "  If  I  am  taken,  your  reve 
rence  will  lose  your  supper — that  is  all." 

He  then  set  out  upon  his  errand,  and  Garnet  proceeded  to  the 
kitchen,  where,  to  his  great  surprise,  he  found  the  hearthstone 
still  warm,  and  a  few  lighted  embers  upon  it,  while  crumbs  of 
bread,  and  little  fragments  of  meat  scattered  about,  proved  that 
some  one  had  taken  a  meal  there.  Startled  by  this  discovery,  he 
continued  his  search,  but  as  fruitlessly  as  before ;  and  though  he 
called  to  any  one  who  might  be  hidden  to  come  forth,  the  sum 
mons  was  unanswered.  One  of  the  attendants  had  placed  a  few 
sticks  upon  the  smouldering  ashes,  and  on  returning  to  the 
kitchen,  it  was  found  that  they  had  kindled.  A  fire  being  thus 
obtained,  some  of  the  broken  furniture  was  used  to  replenish  it, 
and  by  Garnet's  commands  another  fire  was  speedily  lighted  in 
Viviana's  chamber.  Night  had  now  come  on,  and  Owen  not 
returning,  Garnet  became  extremely  uneasy,  and  had  almost 
given  him  up,  when  the  absentee  made  his  appearance,  with  a 
large  basket  of  provisions  under  his  arm. 

"  I  have  had  some  difficulty  in  obtaining  them,"  he  said ; 
"  and  fancying  I  observed  two  persons  following  me,  was  obliged 
to  take  a  circuitous  route  to  get  back.  The  whole  town  is  in 
commotion  about  the  plot,  and  it  is  said  that  the  most  rigorous 
measures  are  to  be  adopted  towards  all  the  Catholic  families  in 
the  neighbourhood." 

Sighing  at  the  latter  piece  of  intelligence,  Garnet  selected 
such  provisions  as  he  thought  would  be  acceptable  to  Viviana, 
and  took  them  upstairs  to  her.  She  ate  a  little  bread,  and  drank 
a  cup  of  water,  but  refused  to  taste  anything  else,  and  finding  it 
in  vain  to  press  her,  Garnet  returned  to  the  kitchen,  where, 
being  much  exhausted,  he  recruited  himself  with  a  hearty  meal 
and  a  cup  of  wine. 

Left  alone,  Viviana  knelt  down,  and  clasping  a  small  crucifix 
to  her  breast,  prayed  long  and  fervently.  While  she  was  thus 
engaged,  she  heard  the  door  open  gently  behind  her,  and  turn- 


THE  LAST   NIGHT  AT  ORDSALL.  8]  5 

ing  her  head,  beheld  an  old  man  clothed  in  a  tattered  garb,  with 
long  white  hair  flowing  over  his  shoulders,  and  a  beard  of  the 
same  snowy  hue  descending  upon  his  breast.  As  he  advanced 
slowly  towards  her,  she  started  to  her  feet,  and  a  brighter  flame 
arising  at  the  moment  from  the  fire,  it  illumined  the  intruder's 
wobegone  features. 

"  Is  it  possible  !"  she  exclaimed, — "  can  it  be  my  father's  old 
steward,  Jerome  Heydocke  ?" 

"  It  is,  indeed,  my  dear  young  mistress,"  replied  the  old  man, 
falling  on  his  knee  before  her.  "  Heaven  be  praised  !"  he  con 
tinued,  seizing  her  hand,  and  bedewing  it  with  tears ;  "  1  have 
seen  you  once  again,  and  shall  die  content." 

"  I  never  expected  to  behold  you  more,  good  Heydocke," 
returned  Viviana,  raising  him.  "  I  heard  you  had  died  in 
prison." 

"  It  was  so  given  out  by  the  jailers,  to  account  for  my  escape," 
replied  the  old  steward;  "and  I  took  care  never  to  contradict 
the  report  by  making  my  appearance.  I  will  not  distress  you 
by  the  recital  of  all  I  have  endured,  but  will  simply  state  that  I 
was  confined  in  the  prison  upon  Hunt's  Bank,  whence  I  escaped 
in  the  night  by  dropping  upon  the  rocks,  and  from  them  into  the 
river,  where  it  was  supposed  I  was  drowned.  Making  my  way 
into  the  country,  I  concealed  myself  for  a  time  in  barns  and  out 
buildings,  until,  at  length,  I  ventured  back  to  the  old  house,  and 
have  dwelt  in  it  unmolested  ever  since.  I  should  have  perished 
of  want  long  ago,  but  for  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Humphrey  Chetham. 
He  used  to  send  my  son  regularly  to  me  with  provisions ;  and, 
now  that  Martin  is  gone  to  London,  on  business,  as  I  under 
stood,  relating  to  you,  he  brings  them  to  me  himself.  He  will 
be  here  to-morrow." 

"  Indeed !"  exclaimed  Viviana.     "  I  must  see  him." 

"  As  you  please,"  returned  the  old  man.  "  I  suppose  those 
are  your  companions  below.  I  was  in  my  hiding  place,  and 
hearing  voices  and  footsteps,  did  not  dare  to  venture  forth  till  all 
was  still.  On  approaching  this  room,  which  I  have  been  in  the 
habit  of  occupying  lately,  and  peeping  through  the  door,  which 
was  standing  ajar,  I  perceived  a  female  figure,  and  thinking  it 
must  be  you,  though  I  scarcely  dared  to  trust  the  evidence  of 
my  senses,  I  ventured  in.  Oh !  my  dear,  dear  young  mis 
tress,  what  a  joy  it  is  to  see  you  again !  I  fear  you  must  have 
suffered  much,  for  you  are  greatly  altered." 

At  this  moment,  Garnet  entered  the  room.  He  started  on 
seeing  the  old  steward.  But  an  explanation  was  instantly  given 
him. 

"  You,  then,  are  the  person  by  whom  the  fire  was  recently 
aghted  in  the  kitchen?"  he  asked. 

Heydocke  replied  in  the  affirmative. 

"  I  came  to  bid  you  farewell  lor  the  night,  dear  daughter," 


316  GUY  FAWKES. 

said  Garnet,  "  and  to  assure  you  that  you  may  rest  without  fear, 
for  we  have  contrived  to  make  fast  the  doors.  Come  with  me, 
my  son,"  he  added  to  the  steward,  "  and  you  shall  have  a  com 
fortable  meal  below." 

Making  a  profound  reverence  to  Viviana,  the  old  man  followed 
him  down  stairs. 

Viviana  continued  to  pace  to  and  fro  within  her  chamber  for 
some  time,  and  then,  overcome  with  fatigue,  flung  herself  upon 
the  bedstead,  on  which  a  cloak  had  been  thrown.  Sleep  soon 
Closed  her  eyes,  but  it  was  disturbed  by  frightful  and  distressing 
dreams,  from  which  she  was  suddenly  aroused  by  a  touch  upon 
the  arm.  Starting  up,  she  perceived  the  old  steward  by  the  side 
of  her  couch,  with  a  light  in  his  hand. 

"What  brings  you  here,  Heydocke?"  she  demanded,  with 
surprise  and  alarm. 

"  You  have  slept  soundly,  my  dear  young  mistress,  or  you 
would  not  require  to  be  informed,"  replied  the  steward.  "  There  ! 
do  you  not  hear  it  ?"  he  added,  as  a  loud  knocking  resounded 
from  below. 

Viviana  listened  for  a  moment,  and  then  as  if  struck  by  a 
sudden  idea,  hurried  down  stairs.  She  found  Garnet  and  the 
others  assembled  in  the  hall,  but  wholly  unnerved  by  fright. 
"  Hide  yourselves,"  she  said,  "  and  no  ill  shall  befal  you.  Quick  ! 
—not  a  moment  is  to  be  lost !" 

Having  allowed  them  sufficient  time  for  concealment,  she 
demanded  in  a  loud  voice  who  was  without  ? 

"  Friends,"  was  the  reply. 

"  It  is  the  voice  of  Doctor  Dee,"  replied  Heydocke. 

"  Indeed  1"  exclaimed  Viviana.     "  Admit  him  instantly." 

Heydocke  obeyed,  and  throwing  open  the  door,  gave  entrance 
to  the  Doctor,  who  was  wrapped  in  his  long  furred  gown,  and 
-carried  a  lantern.  He  was  accompanied  by  Kelley  and  Humphrey 
dhetham. 

"  Your  visit  is  singularly  timed,  Mr.  Chetham,"  said  Viviana, 
after  she  had  saluted  the  party;  "  but  you  are  not  the  less  wel 
come  on  that  account.  I  much  desired  to  see  you,  and  indeed 
should  have  sent  for  you  to-morrow.  But  how  did  you  know  I 
was  here  ?" 

"  The  only  explanation  I  can  offer  you  is  this,"  replied 
Chetham.  "  I  was  hastily  summoned  from  my  residence  at 
Crumpsall  by  Kelley,  who  told  me  you  were  at  Ordsall  Hall, 
and  that  Doctor  Dee  was  about  to  visit  you,  and  desired  my 
company.  Thus  summoned,  I  came  at  once." 

"  A  strange  explanation  indeed  !"  replied  Viviana. 

"  Close  and  fasten  the  door,"  said  Dee,  in  an  authoritative  tone 
to  Kelley,  and  as  soon  as  his  commands  were  obeyed,  he  took 
Viviana's  hand,  and  led  her  to  the  farther  end  of  the  hall 


THE  LAST  NIGHT  AT  ORDSALL.  31? 

"  My  art  informed  me  of  your  arrival,  Viviana,"  he  said.  "  I 
am  come  to  save  yon.  You  are  in  imminent  danger." 

"  I  well  know  it,"  she  replied ;  "  but  I  have  no  wish  to  fly 
from  justice.  I  am  weary  of  my  life,  and  would  gladly  resign  it." 

"  I  would  call  to  your  recollection,  Viviana,"  pursued  Dee, 
"  that  I  foretold  the  disastrous  result  of  this  plot,  in  which  you 
have  become  unhappily  involved,  to  Guy  Fawkes,  and  warned 
him  not  to  proceed  in  it.  But  he  would  not  be  advised,  and  is 
now  a  prisoner  in  the  Tower." 

"  All  I  wish  is  to  go  thither,  and  die  with  him,"  rejoined 
Viviana. 

"  If  you  go  thither,  you  will  die  before  him,"  said  Dee. 

"  I  would  do  so,"  she  replied. 

"  Viviana  Radcliffe,"  returned  Dee,  in  a  compassionate  tone. 
*'I  truly  grieve  for  you.  Your  attachment  to  this  heinous  traitor 
completely  blinds  you.  The  friendship  I  entertained  for  your 
mother  makes  me  anxious  to  serve  you — to  see  you  happy.  It 
is  now  in  your  power  to  be  so.  But  if  you  take  another  false 
step,  your  fate  is  decided,  and  you  will  die  an  early  death.  I 
will  answer  for  your  safety — nay,  what  is  more,  I  will  undertake 
that  ere  long  you  shall  again  be  mistress  of  this  mansion,  and 
have  your  estates  restored  to  you." 

"  You  promise  fairly,  sir,"  she  replied,  with  a  mournful  smile.. 

"  I  have  not  yet  done,"  pursued  Dee.  "  All  I  require  for  the 
service  is,  that  when  freed  by  the  death  of  Guy  Fawkes  from  the 
chain  that  now  binds  you, — for  I  am  aware  of  your  ill-starred 
union  with  him, — you  shall  bestow  your  hand  upon  Humphrey 
Chetham." 

"  It  may  not  be,"  replied  Viviana,  firmly.  "  And  if  you  could 
in  truth  read  the  secrets  of  the  heart,  you  would  know  that  mine 
would  instantly  reject  the  proposal." 

"  Think  not  it  originates  with  me,  Viviana,"  said  Humphrey 
Chetham,  who  had  approached  them  unobserved.  "  My  pre 
vious  experience  of  your  character  would  alone  have  prevented 
me  from  becoming  a  party  to  any  such  proposal,  had  I  known  it 
would  be  made.  Do  not,  I  beseech  you,  sir,"  he  added  to  Dee, 
"  clog  your  offer  with  conditions  which  will  effectually  prevenl 
its  accomplishment." 

"  You  are  true  to  yourself,  Mr.  Chetham,"  rejoined  Viviana^ 
"  and  will  not,  therefore,  wonder  that  I  continue  so.     Were  I  to 
assent  to  Doctor  Dee's  proposal,  I  should  be  further  from  happi 
ness  than  I  am  now,  even  if  he  could  make  good  his  words, 
and  restore  me  to  the  station  I  have  forfeited.     I  have  received 
a  shock  from  which  I  shall  never  recover,  and  the  only  haven  of 
repose  to  which  I  look  forward  is  the  grave." 
"  Alas  !"  exclaimed  Chetham,  in  a  pitying  tone. 
"  You  will  think  I  trespass  too  much  upon  your  kindness,"  she 


SIS  GUY  FAWKES. 

pursued ;  "  but  you  can  render  me  a  great  service,  and  it  will  be 
the  last  I  shall  ever  require  from  you  " 

"  Name  it  I"  cried  Chetham,  eagerly. 

"I  would  beg  you  to  escort  me  to  London,"  she  rejoined: 
"  and  to  deliver  me  to  the  lords  of  the  council.  I  would  willingly 
escape  the  indignities  to  which  T  shall  be  exposed  if  I  am  con 
veyed  thither  as  a  prisoner.  Will  you  do  this  ?" 

"  I  will,"  replied  Chetham. 

"  Lest  you  should  think  I  have  offered  more  than  I  can  perform, 
Viviana,"  said  Dee,  who  had  listened  attentively  to  the  foregoing 
conversation,  "  I  will  now  tell  you  on  what  grounds  I  build  my 
expectation  of  procuring  your  pardon.  The  conspiracy  was  first 
revealed  by  me  to  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  though  for  his  own  pur 
poses  he  kept  it  secret  to  the  last.  He  owes  me  a  heavy  debt, 
and  shall  pay  it  in  the  way  I  propose,  if  you  desire  it." 

"  I  will  abide  by  what  I  have  done,"  replied  Viviana. 

"  You  know,  then,  what  fate  awaits  you  ?"  said  Dee. 

"  I  shall  not  shrink  from  it,"  she  rejoined. 

"  It  is  well,"  he  replied.  "  Before  I  leave,  I  will  give  you 
another  caution.  Father  Garnet  is  here.  Nay,  attempt  not  to 
deny  it.  You  cannot  deceive  me.  Besides,  I  desire  to  serve, 
not  harm  him.  If  he  remains  here  till  to-morrow,  he  will  be 
captured.  A  proclamation  has  been  issued  for  his  arrest,  as  well 
as  for  that  of  Father  Oldcorne.  Deliver  him  this  warning.  And 
now,  farewell  I" 

With  this,  he  took  up  his  lantern,  and  followed  by  Kelley, 
quitted  the  hall. 

Humphrey  Chetham  only  tarried  a  few  moments  to  inform 
Viviana  that  he  would  return  soon  after  daybreak  with  a  couple 
of  steeds  for  the  journey.  As  soon  as  he  was  gone,  Viviana 
communicated  Dee's  warning  to  Garnet,  who  was  so  alarmed  by 
it,  that  he  resolved  not  to  delay  his  own  departure  a  moment. 
Taking  an  affectionate  leave  of  Viviana,  and  confiding  her 
to  the  care  of  the  old  steward,  he  set  out  with  his  three 
attendants. 

Faithtul  to  his  promise,  Humphrey  Chetham  appeared  at  the 
appointed  time.  Viviana  bade  an  eternal  farewell  to  the  old 
steward,  who  was  overwhelmed  with  griet,  and  looked  as  if  his 
sorrows  would  soon  be  ended,  and  mounting  one  of  the  steeds 
brought  by  the  young  merchant,  they  took  the  direction  of 
London. 


HENDLIP.  319 

CHAPTER   VIIL 

HENDLIP. 

GARNET  proceeded  at  a  rapid  pace  for  some  miles  before  he 
acq'vvnted  his  companions  whither  he  was  going.  He  then 
informed  Nicholas  Owen,  who  rode  by  his  side,  that  he  should 
make  the  best  of  his  way  to  Hendlip  House,  the  seat  of  Mr. 
Thomas  Abingdon,  near  Droitwich,  in  Worcestershire,  where  he 
knew  that  Father  Oldcorne  and  Anne  Vaux  had  retired,  and 
where  he  was  certain  to  meet  with  a  friendly  reception  and  pro 
tection.  Owen,  who  was  completely  in  his  master's  confidence, 
agreed  that  no  safer  asylum  could  be  found,  and  they  pursued 
their  journey  with  so  much  ardour,  that  early  on  the  following 
night  they  arrived  within  a  short  distance  of  the  mansion.  Owen 
•was  sent  forward  to  reconnoitre,  and  returned  in  about  half  an 
hour  with  Mr.  Abingdon,  who  embraced  Garnet,  and  told  him 
he  was  truly  happy  in  being  able  to  offer  him  a  retreat. 

"  And  I  think  it  will  prove  a  secure  one,"  he  added.  "  There 
are  so  many  hiding-places  in  the  old  house,  that  if  it  is  beset  for 
a  year  you  will  scarcely  be  discovered.  Have  you  heard  of  the 
fate  of  your  confederates  ?" 

"  Alas !  no,  my  son,"  replied  Garnet ;  "  and  I  tremble  to 
ask  it." 

"  It  had  better  be  told  at  once,"  rejoined  Abingdon.  "  Catesby, 
Percy,  and  the  two  Wrights,  have  been  slain  in  the  defence  of 
Holbeach ;  while  Rookwood,  Grant,  and  Thomas  Winter,  all  of 
whom  were  severely  wounded  in  the  siege,  have  been  made 
prisoners,  and  are  now  on  their  way  to  the  Tower." 

"  A  fearful  catalogue  of  ills  !"  exclaimed  Garnet. 

"  It  is  not  yet  complete,"  pursued  Abingdon.  "  Sir  Everard 
Digby  has  been  defeated,  and  made  prisoner  in  an  attempt  to 
bring  additional  force  to  his  friends,  and  Keyes  has  been 
arrested  in  Warwickshire." 

"  These  are  woful  tidings  truly,  my  son,"  returned  Garnet. 
"  But  Heaven's  will  be  done !" 

He  then  dismissed  his  two  attendants,  to  whom  he  gave  a  sum 
of  money,  together  with  the  steeds,  and  attended  by  Nicholas 
Owen,  repaired  to  the  house  with  Mr.  Abingdon,  who  admitted 
them  through  a  secret  door. 

Hendlip  House,  which,  unfortunately  for  the  lovers  of  pic 
turesque  and  storied  habitations,  was  pulled  down  a  few  years 
ago,  having  been  latterly  used  as  a  ladies'  boarding-school,  was  a 
large  and  irregular  structure,  with  walls  of  immense  thickness, 
tali  stacks  of  chimneys,  turrets,  oriel  windows,  and  numberless 
projections,  contrived  to  mask  the  labyrinths  and  secret  chambers 


320  GUY  FAWKES. 

within.  Erected  by  John  Abingdon,  father  of  the  proprietor  at 
the  period  of  this  history,  and  cofferer  to  Queen  Elizabeth  in  the 
early  part  of  the  reign  of  that  princess,  it  was  filled  with  secret 
staircases,  masked  entrances,  trap-doors,  vaults,  subterranean 
passages,  secret  recesses,  and  every  other  description  of  hiding- 
place.  An  immense  gallery  surrounded  three  sides  of  the 
entrance-hall,  containing  on  each  side  a  large  chimney-piece, 
surmounted  by  a  shield  displaying  the  arms  of  the  family — 
argent,  a  bend,  gules,  three  eaglets  displayed,  or.  Behind  each  oi 
these  chimney-pieces  was  a  small  cell,  or  "  priest's-hole,"  as  it 
was  termed,  contrived  in  the  thickness  of  the  wall.  Throughout 
the  mansion,  the  chambers  were  so  sombre,  and  the  passages  so 
numerous  and  intricate,  that,  in  the  words  of  one  who  described 
it  from  personal  observation,  the  whole  place  presented  "  a  picture 
of  gloom,  insecurity,  and  suspicion."  Standing  on  an  elevated 
situation,  it  commanded  the  country  on  all  sides,  and  could  not 
be  approached  during  the  day-time  without  alarm  being  given 
to  its  inmates. 

Thomas  Abingdon,  the  owner  of  the  mansion  at  the  period  in 
question,  and  the  eldest  son  of  its  founder,  was  born  at  Thorpe, 
near  Chertsey,  in  Surrey,  in  1560.  He  was  educated  at  Oxford, 
and  finished  his  studies  at  the  Universities  of  Paris  and  Rheims. 
A  man  of  considerable  taste  and  learning,  but  of  a  plotting  dis 
position,  he  became  a  willing  tool  of  the  Jesuits,  and  imme 
diately  on  his  return  to  England,  connected  himself  with  the 
different  conspiracies  set  on  foot  for  the  liberation  of  the 
imprisoned  Queen  of  Scots.  For  these  offences  he  was  im 
prisoned  in  the  Tower  for  the  term  of  six  years,  and  only 
escaped  death  from  the  fact  of  his  being  the  Queen's  godson, 
coupled  with  the  estimation  in  which  she  had  held  his  father.  On 
his  liberation,  he  remained  perfectly  tranquil  till  the  accession  of 
James,  when  he  became  a  secret  plotter  against  that  monarch. 
His  concealment  of  the  two  priests,  about  to  be  related,  occa 
sioned  his  being  again  sent  to  the  Tower,  and  if  it  had  not  been 
for  the  intercession  of  Lord  Mounteagle,  whose  sister  he  had 
espoused,  he  would  have  been  executed.  He  was  pardoned  on 
condition  of  never  stirring  beyond  the  precincts  of  Worcester 
shire,  and  he  employed  his  retirement  in  compiling  an  account 
of  the  antiquities  of  that  county,  which  he  left  behind  him  in 
manuscript,  and  of  which  Doctor  Nash,  its  more  recent  historian, 
has  largely  availed  himself. 

With  a  habitation  so  contrived,  Mr.  Abingdon  might  fairly 
promise  his  guests  a  safe  asylum.  Conducting  them  along  a 
secret  passage  to  a  chamber  of  which  he  alone  possessed  the  key, 
he  left  Garnet  within  it,  and  taking  Owen  with  him  to  another 
place  of  concealment,  returned  shortly  afterwards  with  Anne 
Vaux  and  Father  Oldcorne.  The  two  priests  tenderly  embraced 
each  other,  and  Oldcorne  poured  forth  his  tears  on  his  superior's 


HENDLIP.  32i 

shoulder.  Garnet  next  turned  to  Anne  Vaux,  between  whom 
and  himself,  as  has  been  before  mentioned,  an  affectionate 
intimacy  subsisted,  and  found  her  quite  overcome  by  her  feel 
ings.  Supper  was  now  served  to  Garnet  by  a  confidential 
servant,  and  after  a  few  hours  spent  in  conversation  with  his 
friends,  during  which  they  discussed  the  disastrous  issue  of  the 
affair,  and  the  probable  fate  of  the  conspirators,  they  quitted  him, 
and  he  retired  to  rest — but  not  before  he  had  returned  thanks 
to  Heaven  for  enabling  him  once  more  to  lay  down  his  head  in 
safety. 

On  the  following  morning,  he  was  visited  by  Mrs.  Abingdon, 
a  lady  of  considerable  personal  attractions,  and  Anne  Vaux ; 
and  when  he  had  recovered  from  the  fatigue  of  his  journey,  and 
the  anxieties  he  had  recently  undergone,  he  experienced  great 
delight  in  their  society.  The  chamber  he  occupied  was  lighted 
by  a  small  loop-hole,  which  enabled  him  to  breathe  the  fresh  air, 
and  gaze  upon  the  surrounding  country. 

In  this  way,  nearly  two  months  passed  on,  during  which, 
though  rigorous  inquiries  were  made  throughout  the  country,  no 
clue  was  found  by  the  searchers  to  lead  them  to  Hendlip ;  and 
the  concealed  parties  began  to  indulge  hopes  that  they  should 
escape  detection  altogether.  Being  in  constant  correspondence 
with  her  brother,  Lord  Mounteagle,  though  she  did  not  trust 
him  with  the  important  secret  of  the  concealment  of  the  priests, 
Mrs.  Abingdon  ascertained  all  that  was  done  in  reference  to  the 
conspirators,  whose  trials  were  now  approaching,  and  communi 
cated  the  intelligence  to  Garnet. 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  January,  and  when  long 
quietude  had  bred  complete  fancied  security  in  Garnet,  Ann 
Vaux  and  Mrs.  Abingdon  suddenly  entered  his  chamber,  and 
with  countenances  of  the  utmost  alarm,  informed  him  that  Mr. 
Abingdon's  confidential  servant  had  just  returned  from  Worcester, 
where  his  master  then  was,  and  had  brought  word  that  Topcliffe, 
armed  with  a  search-warrant  from  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  had 
just  passed  through  that  city  on  his  way  to  Holt  Castle,  the 
residence  of  Sir  Henry  Bromley 

"  It  appears," said  Mrs.  Abingdon,  "that  Humphrey  Littleton, 
who  has  been  apprehended  and  condemned  to  death  at  Worcester 
for  harbouring  his  brother  and  Robert  Winter,  has  sought  to 
procure  a  remission  of  his  sentence  by  betraying  your  retreat. 
In  consequence  of  this,  TopclifFe  has  been  sent  down  from 
London,  with  a  warrant  addressed  to  Sir  Henry  Bromley,  to  aid 
him  in  searching  Hendlip.  My  husband  has  given  particular 
orders  that  you  are  to  be  removed  to  the  most  secure  hiding- 
place  without  delay  ;  and  he  deeply  regrets  that  he  himself  can 
not  return  till  evening,  for  fear  of  exciting  suspicion." 

"  Take  me  where  you  please,  daughter,"  replied  Garnet,  who 
was  thrown  into  great  perturbation  by  the  intelligence.  "  I 


3?*  GUY  FAWKEP 

thought  myself  prepared  for  any  emergency.  But  I  was  wofullv 
deceived  " 

"  Be  not  alarmed,  father,"  said  Anne  Vaux,  in  an  encouraging 
tone.  "  Let  them  search  as  long  as  they  will,  they  will  never 
discover  your  retreat." 

"I  have  a  strong  presentiment  to  the  contrary,"  replied 
Garnet. 

At  this  moment,  Oldcorne  made  his  appearance,  and  on 
learning  the  alarming  news,  was  as  much  dismayed  as  his 
superior. 

After  a  short  consultation,  and  while  the  priests  were  putting 
aside  every  article  necessary  to  be  removed,  Mrs.  Abingdon  pro 
ceeded  to  the  gallery,  and  contrived  on  some  plausible  pretext 
to  send  away  the  whole  of  the  domestics  from  this  part  of  the 
house.  This  done,  she  hastily  returned,  and  conducted  the  two 
priests  to  one  of  the  large  fire-places.  - 

A  raised  stone  about  two  feet  high  occupied  the  inside  of  the 
chimney,  and  upon  it  stood  an  immense  pair  of  iron  dogs. 
Obeying  Mrs.  Abingdon's  directions,  Garnet  got  upon  the  stone, 
and  setting  his  foot  on  the  large  iron  knob  on  the  left,  found  a 
few  projections  in  the  masonry  on  the  side,  up  which  he 
mounted,  and  opening  a  small  door,  made  of  planks  of  wood, 
covered  with  bricks,  and  coloured  black,  so  as  not  to  be  dis 
tinguishable  from  the  walls  of  the  chimney,  crept  into  a  recess 
contrived  in  the  thickness  of  the  wall.  This  cell  was  about  two 
feet  wide,  and  four  high,  and  was  connected  with  another 
chimney  at  the  back,  by  means  of  three  or  four  small  holes. 
Around  its  sides  ran  a  narrow  stone  shelf,  just  wide  enough  to 
afford  an  uncomfortable  seat.  Garnet  was  followed  by  Oldcorue, 
who  brought  with  him  a  quantity  of  books,  vestments,  and  sacred 
vessels  used  in  the  performance  of  the  rites  of  the  Church  of 
Rome.  These  articles,  which  afterwards  occasioned  them  much 
inconvenience,  they  did  not  dare  to  leave  behind. 

Having  seen  them  safely  bestowed,  Mrs.  Abingdon  and  her 
companion  went  in  search  of  provisions,  and  brought  them  a 
piece  of  cold  meat  and  a  pasty,  together  with  some  bread,  dried 
Iruit,  conserves,  and  a  flask  of  wine.  They  did  not  dare  to 
bring  more,  for  fear  of  exciting  the  suspicion  of  the  household. 
Their  next  care  was  to  conduct  Owen,  and  Oldcorne's  servant, 
Chambers,  to  a  similar  retreat  in  one  of  the  other  chimneys,  and 
to  provide  them  with  a  scanty  supply  of  provisions  and  a  flask 
of  wine.  All  this  was  accomplished  without  being  noticed  by 
any  of  the  domestics. 

As  may  be  imagined,  a  most  anxious  day  was  passed  by  all 
parties.  Towards  evening,  Sir  Henry  Bromley,  the  sheriff  of 
th,»  county,  accompanied  by  Topcliffe,  and  attended  by  a  troop 
of  soldiers,  appeared  at  the  gates  of  the  mansion,  and  demanded 
admittance.  Just  at  this  moment,  Mr.  Abingdon  rode  up,  and 


HENDLIP.  323 

affecting  to  know  nothing  of  the  matter,  saluted  Sir  Henry 
Bromley,  with  whom  he  was  on  terms  of  intimacy,  and  inquired 
his  business. 

( '  You  are  charged  with  harbouring  two  Jesuit  priests,  Fathers 
Garnet  and  Oldcorne,  supposed  to  be  connected  with  the  late 
atrocious  conspiracy  against  the  King,  Mr.  Abingdon,"  inter 
posed  Topcliffe ;  "  and  I  brought  a  warrant  from  the  Earl  of 
Salisbury,  which  I  have  delivered  to  Sir  Henry  Bromley,  com 
manding  him  to  search  your  house  for  them." 

"  I  was  loth  to  accept  the  office,  Mr.  Abingdon,"  said  Sir 
Henry  Bromley,  who  was  a  handsome,  middle-aged  man  ;  "  but 
my  duty  to  my  sovereign  allows  me  no  alternative.  I  trust,  though 
a  Catholic,  that  you  share  my  own  detestation  of  this  diabolical 
plot,  and  would  not  shelter  any  of  its  contrivers,  or  abettors." 

"  You  judge  me  rightly,  Sir  Henry,"  replied  Abingdon,  who, 
meanwhile,  had  received  a  private  signal  from  his  confidential 
servant  that  all  was  safe,  "  I  would  not.  I  am  just  returned  from 
Worcester,  where  I  have  been  for  the  last  two  days.  Enter  rny 
house,  I  pray  you,  and  search  every  corner  of  it;  and  if  you  find 
a  Jesuit  priest  concealed  within  it,  you  shall  hang  me  at  my  own 
gate." 

"  You  must  be  misinformed,  sir,"  observed  Sir  Henry,  who 
was  completely  imposed  upon  by  Abingdon's  unconcerned 
demeanour;  "they  cannot  be  here." 

"  Trust  me,  they  are,"  returned  the  other,  "  and  I  should  like 
to  take  him  at  his  word." 

Giving  directions  to  the  band  to  environ  the  house,  and  guard 
all  its  approaches,  so  as  to  prevent  any  one  from  escaping  from 
it,  Topcliffe  took  half-a-dozen  men  with  him,  and  instructed 
them  how  to  act.  They  first  repaired  to  the  great  dining- 
chamber,  where,  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  received 
from  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  Topcliffe  proceeded  to  the  further 
end  of  the  room,  and  directed  his  men  to  break  down  tho 
wainscot.  With  some  difficulty,  the  order  was  obeyed,  and  the 
entrance  to  a  vault  discovered,  into  which  Topcliffe  descended 
but  he  found  nothing  to  repay  his  trouble. 

Returning  to  the  clining-chamber,  he  questioned  Mr.  Abing 
don,  who  secretly  enjoyed  his  disappointment,  as  to  the  use  ot 
the  vault,  but  the  latter  professed  entire  ignorance  of  its  existence. 
The  searchers  next  proceeded  to  the  cellar,  and  bored  the  floors 
with  a  broach  to  a  considerable  depth,  to  try  whether  there  were 
any  vaults  beneath  them,  but  they  made  no  discovery.  Mean 
while  Topcliffe  hurried  upstairs,  and  examined  the  size  of  the 
rooms,  to  see  whether  they  corresponded  with  those  below ;  and 
wherever  any  difference  was  observable,  he  caused  the  panels  to 
be  pulled  down,  and  holes  broken  in  the  walls.  In  this  way, 
several  secret  passages  were  discovered,  one  of  which  led  to  the 
chamber  lately  occupied  by  Garnet. 

Y2 


324  GUY  FAWKES. 

Encouraged  by  this  discovery,  the  searchers  continued  theij 
operations  to  a  late  hour,  when  they  desisted  for  the  night.  On 
the  following  day  they  resumed  their  task,  and  Sir  Kenry 
Bromley  took  a  general  survey  of  the  house,  both  externally  and 
internally,  noting  the  appearances  outside,  and  seeing  that  they 
corresponded  with  the  rooms  within.  The  three  extraordinary 
chimney-pieces  in  the  gallery  attracted  Topcliffe's  attention ;  but 
the  contrivances  within  were  so  well  managed,  that  they  escaped 
his  notice.  He  even  got  into  the  chimneys,  and  examined  the 
walls  on  either  side,  but  could  detect  nothing.  And,  lastly,  he 
ordered  large  fires  to  be  lighted  within  them,  but  the  experiment 
proving  fruitless,  he  turned  his  attention  elsewhere. 

Mr.  Abingdon  had  attended  him  during  this  part  of  the  search, 
and,  though  he  preserved  an  unmoved  exterior,  he  was  full  of 
apprehension,  and  was  greatly  relieved  when  it  was  abandoned. 
In  the  course  of  the  same  day,  two  other  hiding-places  were 
found  in  the  thickness  of  the  walls,  but  nothing  was  discovered 
within  them.  In  order  to  prevent  any  communication  with  the 
concealed  persons,  Topcliffe  stationed  a  sentinel  at  the  door  of 
Mr.  Abingdon's  chamber,  and  another  at  that  of  Anne  Vaux. 

On  the  third  day  the  search  was  continued  more  rigorously 
than  ever.  Wainscots  were  taken  down ;  walls  broken  open ; 
the  boards  of  the  floor  removed ;  and  other  secret  passages, 
vaults,  and  hiding-places  discovered.  Some  priests'  vestments 
and  articles  used  in  the  Romish  service  were  found  in  one  of 
these  places,  and  shown  to  Mr.  Abingdon.  He  at  first  denied 
all  knowledge  of  them;  but  when  Topcliffe  brought  forward  the 
title-deeds  of  his  property,  which  had  been  found  in  the  same 
place,  he  was  obliged  to  confess  he  had  put  them  there  himselfl 
Still,  though  these  discoveries  had  been  made,  the  searchers 
were  as  far  from  their  aim  as  ever ;  and  Sir  Henry  Bromley, 
who  began  to  despair  of  success,  would  have  departed  on  the 
fifth  day,  if  Topcliffe  had  not  prevented  him. 

"  I  am  certain  they  are  here,"  said  the  latter,  "  and  have  hit 
upon  a  plan  which  cannot  fail  to  bring  them  forth." 

The  prisoners  meanwhile  suffered  grievously  from  their  con 
finement,  and  hearing  the  searchers  knocking  against  the  walls, 
and  even  within  the  chimney,  felt  certain  they  should  be  dis 
covered.  Not  being  able  to  stand  upright,  or  to  stretch  them 
selves  within  the  cell,  the  sitting  posture  they  were  compelled  to 
adopt  became,  after  a  time,  intolerably  irksome.  Broths,  milk, 
wine,  and  other  nutritious  fluids,  were  conveyed  to  them  by 
means  of  a  reed  from  the  adjoining  chimney ;  but  after  the  fifth 
day  this  supply  was  stopped,  as  Mrs.  Abingdon  and  Anne  Vaux 
were  compelled  by  Topcliffe  to  remove  to  a  different  part  of  the 
house. 

They  now  began  to  experience  all  the  horrors  of  starvation, 
and  debated  whether  they  should  die  where  they  were,  or  yield 
themselves  up  to  their  enemies.  Wretched  as  their  condition 


HENDLIP.  325 

was,  however,  it  was  not  so  bad  as  that  of  their  domestics,  Owen 
and  Chambers,  whose  wants  had  not  been  so  carefully  attended 
to,  and  who  were  now  reduced  to  the  most  deplorable  state. 
Nor  were  their  friends  less  uneasy.  Aware  that  the  captives, 
whom  there  was  no  means  of  relieving,  for  the  searchers  were 
constantly  on  the  watch,  could  not  hold  out  much  longer,  Mrs. 
Abingdon  consulted  with  her  husband  whether  it  would  not  be 
better  to  reveal  their  hiding-places ;  but  this  he  would  not 
permit. 

By  this  time,  every  secret  chamber,  vault,  and  passage  in  the 
place,  except  the  actual  retreats  of  the  conspirators,  had  been 
discovered  by  Topcliffe,  and  though  nothing  material  was  found, 
he  felt  assured,  from  the  uneasiness  displayed  by  Mr.  Abingdon 
and  his  wife,  and  above  all  by  Anne  Vaux,  that  it  could  not  be 
long  before  his  perseverance  was  rewarded.  Though  he  nar 
rowly  watched  the  two  ladies,  from  the  first,  he  could  never 
detect  them  in  the  act  of  conveying  food  to  the  captives ;  but 
feeling  convinced  that  they  did  so,  he  determined  to  remove 
them  to  a  different  part  of  the  house,  and  their  unwillingness  to 
obey  the  order  confirmed  his  suspicions. 

"  We  are  sure  of  our  prey  now,"  he  observed  to  Sir  Henry 
Bromley.  "  They  must  be  half-starved  by  this  time,  and  will 
speedily  surrender  themselves." 

"Pray  Heaven  they  do  so!"  returned  the  other.  "I  am 
wearied  to  death  with  my  long  stay  here." 

"  Have  a  few  hours'  patience,"  rejoined  TopcliflFe,  "  and  you 
will  find  that  your  time  has  not  been  thrown  away." 

And  he  was  right.  Soon  after  midnight,  a  trooper,  who  was 
watching  in  the  gallery,  beheld  two  spectral-looking  figures 
approach  him,  and  appalled  by  their  ghastly  appearance,  uttered 
a  loud  cry.  This  brought  Topcliffe,  who  was  in  the  hall  below, 
to  his  aid,  and  instantly  perceiving  what  was  the  matter,  he  ran 
towards  the  supposed  phantoms,  and  seized  them.  The  poor 
wretches,  who  were  no  other  than  Owen  and  Chambers,  and  were 
well-nigh  famished,  offered  no  resistance,  but  would  neither 
confess  where  they  had  been  hidden,  nor  who  they  were.  As 
the  trooper  had  not  seen  them  come  forth,  though  he  affirmed 
with  a  tremendous  oath  that  they  had  issued  from  the  floor,  th  « 
walls  were  again  sounded,  but  with  no  result. 

Food  being  placed  before  the  captives,  they  devoured  it 
voraciously ;  but  Topcliffe  forbore  to  question  them  further  that 
night,  feeling  confident  that  he  could  extract  the  truth  from 
them  on  the  morrow,  either  by  promises  or  threats.  He  was, 
however,  mistaken.  They  continued  as  obstinate  as  before,  and 
when  confronted  with  Mr.  Abingdon,  denied  all  knowledge  of 
him;  neither  would  they  explain  how  they  got  into  the  house. 

Sir  Henry  Bromley,  however,  now  considered  himself  justified 
in  placing  JVIr.  Abingdon  and  his  lady  under  arrest,  and  Topcliffe 
redoubled  his  exertions  to  discover  the  hiding-place  of  the  two 


326  GUY  FAWKES. 

priests.  He  examined  every  part  of  the  gallery  most  carefully, 
— took  down  one  of  the  chimney-pieces,  (singularly  enough,  it 
was  the  wrong  one,)  but  was  still  unable  to  discover  their 
retreat. 

Meanwhile,  the  poor  wretches  inside  found  it  impossible  to 
endure  their  condition  longer.  Anything  seemed  preferable  to 
the  lingering  and  agonizing  death  they  were  now  enduring,  and 
they  resolved  to  delay  their  surrender  no  longer.  Had  they 
been  able  to  hold  out  a  few  hours  more,  they  would  have 
escaped ;  for  Sir  Henry  Bromley  was  so  fatigued  with  the  search, 
and  so  satisfied  that  nothing  further  would  come  of  it,  that  he 
resolved,  notwithstanding  Topcliffe's  efforts  to  dissuade  him,  to 
depart  on  the  morrow.  Of  this  they  were  ignorant,  and  having 
come  to  the  determination  to  surrender,  Garnet  opened  the 
entrance  to  the  chimney,  and  hearing  voices  below,  and  being 
too  feeble  to  get  out  unassisted,  he  called  to  the  speakers  for 
aid.  His  voice  was  so  hollow,  and  had  such  a  sepulchral  sound, 
that  those  who  heard  it  stared  at  each  other  in  astonishment 
and  affright. 

"  Who  calls  ?"  cried  one  of  the  troopers,  after  a  pause. 

"  One  of  those  you  seek,"  replied  Garnet.  "  Come  and  help 
us  forth." 

Upon  hearing  this,  and  ascertaining  whence  the  voice  came 
from,  one  of  the  men  ran  to  fetch  Sir  Henry  Bromley  and  Top- 
cliffe,  both  of  whom  joyfully  obeyed  the  summons. 

"  Is  it  possible  they  can  be  in  the  chimney  ?"  cried  Topcliffe. 
"  Why,  I  myself  have  examined  it  twice." 

*'  We  are  here,  nevertheless,"  replied  Garnet,  who  heard  the 
remark ;  "  and  if  you  would  take  us  alive,  lose  no  time." 

The  hint  was  not  lost  upon  Topcliffe.  Casting  a  triumphant 
look  at  Bromley,  he  seized  a  torch  from  one  of  his  attendants, 
and  getting  into  the  chimney,  soon  perceived  the  entrance  to 
the  recess. 

On  beholding  his  prey,  he  uttered  an  exclamation  of  joy,  and 
the  two  miserable  captives,  seeing  the  savage  and  exulting  grin 
that  lighted  up  his  features,  half  repented  the  step  they  had 
taken.  It  was  now,  however,  too  late,  and  Garnet  begged  him 
to  help  them  out. 

"  That  I  will  readily  do,  father,"  replied  Topcliffe.  "  You 
have  given  us  a  world  of  trouble.  But  you  have  made  ample 
amends  for  it  now." 

"  Had  we  been  so  minded,  you  would  never  have  found  us," 
rejoined  Garnet.  "  This  cell  would  have  been  our  sepulchre." 

"  No  doubt,"  retorted  Topcliffe,  with  a  bitter  laugh.  "  But  a 
death  on  the  scaffold  is  preferable  to  the  horrors  of  starvation." 

Finding  it  impossible  to  remove  Garnet,  whose  limbs  were  so 
cramped  that  they  refused  their  office,  he  called  to  the  troop&rs 
below  to  bring  a  ladder,  which  was  placed  in  the  chimney, 


326  GUY  FAWKES. 

priests.  He  examined  every  part  of  the  gallery  most  carefully, 
— took  down  one  of  the  chimney-pieces,  (singularly  enough,  it 
was  the  wrong  one,)  but  was  still  unable  to  discover  theii 
retreat. 

Meanwhile,  the  poor  wretches  inside  found  it  impossible  to 
endure  their  condition  longer.  Anything  seemed  preferable  to 
the  lingering  and  agonizing  death  they  were  now  enduring,  and 
they  resolved  to  delay  their  surrender  no  longer.  Had  they 
been  able  to  hold  out  a  few  hours  more,  they  would  have 
escu  i  lenry  Bromley  was  so  fatigued  with  the  search, 

and  so  saris!  nothing  further  would  come  of  it,  that  he 

resolve*"'  -landing  To;.  •  ffbrts  to  dissuade  him,  to 

depart  i-  • .     Of  this  they  were  ignorant,  and  having 

•:orae  to  the  determination   to  surrender,  Garnet   opened  the 
>.  ?  -  •  ,  and  hearing  voices  below,  and  being 

•  "•          aft  out  unassisted,  he  r;«' if -(i  to  the.  speakers  for 

mod  bad  such  a  sepulchral  sound, 
.'.  .  astonishment 

tHright, 

liter  a  pause. 
fsc  you  ><  .    "  Come  and  lielp 

...C  this,  and  ascertaining  whence  the  voice  came 
•    rnen  ran  Sir  Henry  Bromley  and  Top- 

..m  joyfully  obeyed  the  summons. 

i.-y  can  be  in  the  chimney  ?"  cried  Topcliffe. 
»ve  examined  it  twice." 

ss,"  replied  Garnet,  who  heard  the 

.  YOU  would  take  us  alive,  lose  no  time.5* 

•  was  not  lost  upon  Topcliffe.  .   Casting  a  triumphant 

torch  from  one  of  his  attendants, 

ruo  the  chimney,  soon  perceived  the  entrance  to 

y,  he  uttered  an  ,  and 

-.  seeing  the  sav  grin 

»!•,*!  had 

\'.  .red  him 

"Thai    I    w»U  '•'•   1-iiciifte.     "You 

have  given  u»  *  tnade  ample 

amends  for  it  now/' 

"Had  we  been  «•«--•*   .    -vr#r   have  found  us," 

rejoined  Garnet.     "'1:  >ur  sepulchre." 

*'  No  doubt,"  retorted  T'»pdiJfr,  »il  »  *.  b»u*T  laugh.  "  But  * 
death  on  the  scaffold  is  prtkr^.K  '.-.rvatiorv" 

Finding  it  impossible  to  remove  (iarin.*.,  \»Jr^r  limb?  \vcr*> 
cramped  that  they  refused   their  office,  ho  f-j 
below  to   bring  a   ladder,   which  was  pi,vt.j 


WHITEHALL.  327 

and  then,  with  some  exertion,  he  succeeded  in  getting  him 
down.  This  done,  he  supported  him  towards  Sir  Henry 
Bromley,  who  was  standing  near  a  small  table  in  the  gallery. 

"  I  told  you  your  time  would  not  be  thrown  away,  Sir  Henry," 
he  observed ;  "  here  is  Father  Garnet.  It  is  well  you  yielded 
yourself  to-night,  father,"  he  added,  to  Garnet,  with  his  cus 
tomary  cynical  chuckle ;  for  Sir  Henry  had  resolved  to  depart 
to-morrow." 

"  Indeed  1"  groaned  Garnet.  "  Help  me  to  a  chair.** 
"While  this  was  passing,  Oldcorne  was  brought  down  by  two 
of  the  troopers,  and  the  unfortunate  priests  were  conveyed  to  an 
adjoining  chamber,  where  they  were  placed  in  a  bed,  their 
stiffened  limbs  chafed,  and  cordials  administered  to  them.  They 
were  reduced,  however,  to  such  extremity  of  weakness,  that  it 
was  not  judged  prudent  to  remove  them  till  the  third  day,  when 
they,  together  with  their  two  servants,  Owen  and  Chambers, 
who  were  as  much  enfeebled  as  themselves,  were  conveyed  to 
Worcester. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

WHITEHALL. 

SUCH  was  the  expedition  used  by  Humphrey  Chetham  and 
Viviana,  that  they  accomplished  the  journey  to  London  in  an 
extraordinarily  short  space  of  time.  Proceeding  direct  to 
Whitehall,  Viviana  placed  a  letter  in  the  hands  of  a  halberdier, 
and  desired  that  it  might  be  given  without  delay  to  the  Earl  of 
Salisbury.  After  some  demur,  the  man  handed  it  to  an  usher, 
who  promised  to  lay  it  before  the  Earl.  Some  time  elapsed 
before  the  result  of  its  reception  was  known,  when  an  officer, 
accompanied  by  two  sergeants  of  the  guard,  made  his  appear 
ance,  and  commanded  Viviana  and  her  companion  to  follow  him. 

Crossing  a  wide  hall,  which  was  filled  with  the  various 
retainers  of  the  palace,  who  regarded  them  with  a  sort  of  listless 
curiosity,  and  ascending  a  flight  of  marble  steps,  they  traversed 
a  long  corridor,  and  were  at  length  ushered  into  the  presence  of 
the  Earl  of  Salisbury.  He  was  seated  at  a  table,  covered  with  a 
multitude  of  papers,  and  was  busily  employed  in  writing  a 
despatch,  but  immediately  stopped  on  their  entrance.  He  was 
not  alone.  His  companion  was  a  middle-aged  man,  attired  in  a 
suit  of  black  velvet,  with  a  cloak  of  the  same  material ;  but  as  he 
sat  with  his  back  towards  the  door,  it  was  impossible  to  discern 
his  features. 

"  You  may  leave  us,"  said  Salisbury  to  the  officer,  "  but 
remain  without." 


328  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  And  be  ready  to  enter  at  a  moment's  notice,"  added  hia 
companion,  without  altering  his  position. 

The  officer  bowed,  and  retired  with  his  followers. 

"  Your  surrender  of  yourself  at  this  time,  Viviana  Radcliffe," 
said  the  Earl,  "weighs  much  in  your  favour;  and  if  you  are  dis 
posed  freely  to  declare  all  you  know  of  the  conspiracy,  it  is  not 
impossible  that  the  King  may  extend  his  mercy  towards  you." 

"  I  do  not  desire  it,  my  lord,"  she  replied.  "  In  surrendering 
myself,  I  have  no  other  aim  than  to  satisfy  the  laws  I  have  out 
raged.  I  do  not  st-  k  to  defend  myself,  but  I  desire  to  offer  an 
explanation  to  your  lordship.  Circumstances,  which  it  is  needless 
to  detail,  drew  me  into  connexion  with  the  conspirators,  and  I 
became  unwillingly  the  depositary  of  their  dark  design." 

"  You  were  guilty  of  misprision  of  treason  in  not  revealing  it," 
remarked  the  Earl. 

"  1  am  aware  of  it,"  she  rejoined;  "  but  this,  I  take  heaven  to 
witness,  is  the  extent  of  my  criminality.  I  held  the  project  in 
the  utmost  abhorrence,  and  used  every  argument  I  was  mistress 
of  to  induce  its  contrivers  to  abandon  it." 

"  If  such  were  the  case,"  demanded  the  Earl,  "  what  withheld 
you  from  disclosing  it  ?" 

"  I  will  now  confess  what  torture  could  not  wring  from  me 
before,"  she  replied.  "  I  was  restrained  from  the  disclosure  by 
a  fatal  passion." 

"  I  suspected  as  much,"  observed  the  Earl,  with  a  sneer. 
"For  whom?" 

"  For  Guy  Fawkes,"  returned  Viviana. 

"  God's  mercy !  Guy  Fawkes  !"  ejaculated  the  Earl's  com 
panion,  starting  to  his  feet.  And  turning  as  he  spoke,  and  facing 
her,  he  disclosed  heavy  but  not  unintellectual  features,  now 
charged  with  an  expression  of  the  utmost  astonishment.  "  Did 
you  say  Guy  Fawkes,  mistress  ?" 

"  It  is  the  King,"  whispered  Humphrey  Chetham. 

"  Since  I  know  in  whose  presence  I  stand,  sire,"  replied 
Viviana,  "  I  will  answer  the  interrogation.  Guy  Fawkes  was 
the  cause  of  my  concealing  my  acquaintance  with  the  plot. 
And  more,  I  will  confess  to  your  Majesty,  that  much  as  I  abhor 
the  design,  if  he  had  not  been  a  conspirator,  I  should  never  have 
loved  him.  His  sombre  and  enthusiastic  character  first  gave 
him  an  interest  in  my  eyes,  which,  heightened  by  several 
important  services  which  he  rendered  me,  soon  ripened  into 
love.  Linked  to  his  fortunes,  shrouded  by  the  same  gloomy 
cloud  that  enveloped  him,  and  bound  by  a  chain  from  which  I 
could  not  extricate  myself,  I  gave  him  my  hand.  But  the 
moment  of  our  union  was  the  moment  of  our  separation.  We  have 
not  met  since,  and  shall  meet  no  more,  unless  to  part  for  ever." 

"  A  strange  history  !"  exclaimed  James,  in  a  tone  that  showed 
he  was  not  unmoved  by  the  relation. 


WHITEHALL.  329 

"  I  beseech  your  Majesty  to  grant  me  one  boon,"  cried  Viviana,, 
falling  at  his  feet.  "  It  is  to  be  allowed  a  single  interview  with 
my  husband — not  for  the  sad  gratification  of  beholding  him 
again — not  for  the  indulgence  of  my  private  sorrows — but  that  I 
may  endeavour  to  awaken  a  feeling  of  repentance  in  his  breast, 
and  be  the  means  of  saving  his  soul  alive." 

"  My  inclinations  prompt  me  to  grant  the  request,  Salisbury," 
said  the  King,  irresolutely.  "  There  can  be  no  risk  in  doing  it 
—eh?" 

"  Not  under  certain  restrictions,  my  liege,"  replied  the  Earl. 

"  You  shall  have  your  wish,  then,  mistress,"  said  James,  "  and 
I  trust  your  efforts  may  be  crowned  with  success.  Your  husband 
is  a  hardy  traitor — a  second  Jacques  Clement — and  we  never 
think  of  him  without  the  floor  shaking  beneath  our  feet,  and  a 
horrible  smell  of  gunpowder  assailing  our  nostrils.  Blessed  be 
God  for  our  preservation  !  But  whom  have  we  here  ?"  he  added, 
turning  to  Humphrey  Chetham.  "Another  conspirator  come  to 
surrender  himself?" 

"  No,  tny  liege,"  replied  Chetham  ;  '•"  I  am  a  loyal  subject  of 
your  Majesty,  and  a  stanch  Protestant." 

"  If  we  may  take  your  word  for  it,  doubtless,"  replied  the 
King,  with  an  incredulous  look.  "  But  how  come  you  in  this 
lady's  company  ?" 

"  I  will  hide  nothing  from  your  Majesty,"  replied  Chetham. 
"  Long  before  Viviana's  unhappy  acquaintance  with  Fawkes — 
for  such  I  must  ever  consider  it — my  affections  had  been  fixed 
upon  her,  and  I  fondly  trusted  she  would  not  prove  indifferent 
to  my  suit.  Even  now,  sire,  when  all  hope  is  dead  within  me,  I 
have  not  been  able  to  overcome  my  passion,  but  love  her  as 
devotedly  as  ever.  When,  therefore,  she  desired  my  escort  to 
London  to  surrender  herself,  I  could  not  refuse  the  request" 

"  It  is  the  truth,  my  liege,"  added  Viviana.  "  I  owe  Hum 
phrey  Chetham  (for  so  this  gentleman  is  named)  an  endless  debt 
of  gratitude ;  and  not  the  least  of  my  present  distresses  is  the 
thought  of  the  affliction  I  have  occasioned  him." 

"  Dismiss  it  from  your  mind,  then,  Viviana,"  rejoined  Chetham. 
"  It  will  not  mitigate  my  sorrows  to  feel  that  I  have  added  to 
yours." 

"  Your  manner  and  looks  seem  to  give  a  warranty  for  loyalty, 
young  sir,"  said  the  King.  "  But  I  must  have  some  assurance  of 
the  truth  of  your  statement  before  you  are  set  at  large." 

"  I  am  your  willing  prisoner,  my  liege,"  returned  Chetham. 
"  But  I  have  a  letter  for  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  which  may  vouch 
perhaps  for  me." 

And  as  he  spoke,  he  placed  a  letter  in  the  Earl's  hands,  who 
broke  open  the  seal,  and  hastily  glanced  at  its  contents. 

"  It  is  from  Doctor  Dee,"  he  said,  "  from  whom,  as  your 
Majesty  is  aware,  we  have  received  much  important  information 


GUY  FAWKES. 

relative  to  this  atrocious  design.  He  answers  for  this  young 
man's  loyalty." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  it,"  rejoined  the  King.  "  It  would  have 
been  mortifying  to  be  deceived  by  so  honest  a  physiognomy." 

"  Your  Majesty  will  be  pleased  to  attach  your  signature  to 
this  warrant  for  Viviana  Radcliffe's  committal  to  the  Tower," 
said  Salisbury,  placing  a  paper  before  him. 

James  complied,  and  the  Earl  summoned  the  guard. 

"  Have  I  your  Majesty's  permission  to  attend  this  unfortunate 
lady  to  the  fortress  ?"  cried  Chetham,  prostrating  himself  before 
the  King. 

James  hesitated,  but  glancing  at  the  Earl,  and  reading  no 
objection  in  his  looks,  he  assented. 

Whispering  some  private  instructions  to  the  officer  respecting 
Chetham,  Salisbury  delivered  the  warrant  to  him.  Viviana  and 
her  companion  were  then  removed  to  a  small  chamber  adjoining 
the  guard-room,  where  they  remained  for  nearly  an  hour,  at  the 
expiration  of  which  time  the  officer  again  appeared,  and  con 
ducted  them  to  the  palace-stairs,  where  a  large  wherry  awaited 
them,  in  which  they  embarked. 

James  did  not  remain  long  with  his  councillor,  and  as  soon  as 
he  had  retired,  Salisbury  summoned  a  confidential  attendant, 
and  told  him  to  acquaint  Lord  Mounteagle,  who  was  in  an 
adjoining  apartment,  that  he  was  now  able  to  receive  him.  The 
attendant  departed,  and  presently  returned  with  the  nobleman 
in  question.  As  soon  as  they  were  alone,  and  Salisbury  had  satis 
fied  himself  they  could  not  be  overheard,  he  observed  to  the  other, 

"  Since  Tresham's  committal  to  the  Tower  yesterday,  I  have 
received  a  letter  from  the  lieutenant,  stating  that  he  breathes 
nothing  but  revenge  against  yourself  and  me,  and  threatens  to 
betray  us,  if  he  is  not  released.  It  will  not  do  to  let  him  be 
examined  by  the  Council ;  for  though  we  can  throw  utter 
discredit  on  his  statement,  it  may  be  prejudicial  to  my  future 
designs." 

"  True,  my  lord,"  replied  Mounteagle.  "  But  how  do  you 
propose  to  silence  him  ?" 

"  By  poison,"  returned  Salisbury.  "  There  is  a  trusty  fellow 
in  the  Tower,  a  jailer  named  Ipgreve,  who  will  administer  it  to 
him.  Here  is  the  powder,"  he  added,  unlocking  a  coffer,  and 
taking  out  a  small  packet;  "it  was  given  me  by  its  compounder, 
Doctor  Dee.  It  is  the  same,  I  am  assured,  as  the  celebrated 
Italian  poison  prepared  by  Pope  Alexander  the  Sixth ;  is  with 
out  scent  or  taste ;  and  destroys  its  victim  without  leaving  a  trace 
of  its  effects." 

"  I  must  take  heed  how  I  offend  your  lordship,"  observed 
Mounteagle. 

"  Nay/'  rejoined  Salisbury,  with  a  ghastly  smile,  "  it  is  for 
traitors  like  Tresham,  not  true  men  like  you,  to  fear  me." 


THE   PARTING.  831 

"  I  understand  the  distinction,  my  lord,"  replied  the  other. 

"  I  must  intrust  the  entire  management  of  this  affair  to  you," 
pursued  Salisbury. 

"  To  me !"  exclaimed  Mounteagle.  "  Tresham  is  my  brother- 
in-law.  I  can  take  no  part  in  his  murder." 

"  If  he  lives,  you  are  ruined,"  rejoined  Salisbury,  coldly. 
"  You  must  sacrifice  him  or  yourself.  But  I  see  you  are  reason 
able.  Take  this  powder,  and  proceed  to  the  Tower.  See 
Ipgreve  alone,  and  instruct  him  to  drug  Tresham's  wine  with  it. 
A  hundred  marks  shall  be  his  reward  when  the  deed  is  done." 

"  My  soul  revolts  from  the  deed,"  said  Mounteagle,  as  he  took 
the  packet.  "  Is  there  no  other  way  of  silencing  him  ?" 

"  None  whatever,"  replied  Salisbury,  sternly.  "  His  blood 
be  upon  his  own  head." 

With  this,  Mounteagle  took  his  departure. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  PARTING  OF  VIVIANA  AND  HUMPHREY  CHETHAM. 

HUMPHREY  CHETHAM  was  so  oppressed  by  the  idea  of  parting 
with  Viviana,  that  he  did  not  utter  a  single  word  during  their 
transit  to  the  Tower.  Passing  beneath  the  gloomy  archway  of 
Traitors'  Gate,  they  mounted  the  fatal  steps,  and  were  conducted 
to  the  guard-room  near  the  By-ward  Tower.  The  officer  then 
despatched  one  of  the  warders  to  inform  the  lieutenant  of 
Viviana's  arrival,  and  telling  Humphrey  Chetham  he  would  allow 
him  a  few  minutes  to  take  leave  of  her,  considerately  withdrew, 
and  left  them  alone  together. 

"  Oh  !  Viviana  P  exclaimed  Chetham,  unable  to  repress  his 
grief,  "  my  heart  bleeds  to  see  you  here.  If  you  repent  the  step 
you  have  taken,  and  desire  freedom,  say  so,  and  I  will  use  every 
effort  to  liberate  you.  I  have  been  successful  once,  and  may  be 
so  again." 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  devotion,"  she  replied,  in  a  tone  of 
profound  gratitude ;  "  but  you  have  rendered  me  the  last  service 
I  shall  ever  require  of  you.  I  deeply  deplore  the  misery  I  have 
occasioned  you,  and  regret  my  inability  to  requite  your  attach 
ment  as  it  deserves  to  be  requited.  My  last  prayers  shall  be  for 
your  happiness;  and  I  trust  you  will  meet  with  some  being 
worthy  of  you,  and  who  will  make  amends  for  my  insensibility." 

"  Be  not  deceived,  Viviana,"  replied  Chetham,  in  a  broken 
voice ;  "  I  shall  never  love  again.  Your  image  is  too  deeply 
imprinted  upon  my  heart  ever  to  be  effaced." 

4f  Time  may  work  a  change,"  she  rejoined ;  "  though  I  ought 
not  to  say  so,  for  I  feel  it  would  work  none  in  me.  Suffer  me 


S32  GUY   FAWKES. 

to  give  you  one  piece  of  counsel.  Devote  yourself  resolutely  to  the 
business  of  life,  and  you  will  speedily  regain  your  peace  of  mind." 

"  I  will  follow  your  instructions  implicitly,"  replied  Chetham ; 
"  but  have  little  hope  of  the  result  you  promise  me." 

"  Let  the  effort  be  made,"  she  rejoined; — "  and  now  promise 
ine  to  quit  London  to-morrow.  Return  to  your  native  town , 
employ  yourself  in  your  former  occupations ;  and  strive  not  to 
think  of  the  past,  except  as  a  troubled  dream  from  which  you 
have  fortunately  awakened.  Do  not  let  us  prolong  our  parting, 
or  your  resolution  may  waver.  Farewell  I" 

So  saying,  she  extended  her  hand  towards  him,  and  he  pressed 
it  passionately  to  his  lips. 

"  Farewell,  Viviana !"  he  cried,  with  a  look  of  unutterable 
anguish.  •'  May  Heaven  support  you  in  your  trials  i" 

"  One  of  them  I  am  now  enduring,"  she  replied,  in  a  broken 
voice.  "  Farewell  for  ever,  and  may  all. good  angels  bless  you  !" 

At  this  moment,  the  officer  appeared,  and  announcing  the  ap 
proach  of  the  lieutenant,  told  Chetham  that  his  time  had  expired. 
Without  hazarding  another  look  at  Viviana,  the  young  merchant 
tore  himself  away,  and  followed  the  officer  out  of  the  Tower. 

Obedient  to  Viviana's  last  request,  he  quitted  London  on  the 
following  day,  and  acting  upon  her  advice,  devoted  himself  on 
his  return  to  Manchester  sedulously  to  his  mercantile  pursuits. 
His  perseverance  and  integrity  were  crowned  with  entire  success, 
and  he  became  in  due  season  the  wealthiest  merchant  of  the 
town.  But  the  blighting  of  his  early  affections  tinged  his  whole 
life,  and  gave  a  melancholy  to  his  thoughts  and  an  austerity  to 
his  manner  originally  foreign  to  them.  True  to  his  promise,  he 
died  unmarried.  His  long  and  worthy  career  was  marked  by 
actions  of  the  greatest  benevolence.  In  proportion  as  his  means 
increased,  his  charities  were  extended,  and  he  truly  became  "a 
father  to  the  fatherless  and  the  destitute."  To  him  the  town  of 
Manchester  is  indebted  for  the  noble  library  and  hospital  bearing 
his  name ;  and  for  these  admirable  institutions  by  which  they 
so  largely  benefit,  his  memory  must  ever  be  held  in  veneration, 
by  its  inhabitants. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  SUBTERRANEAN  DUNGEON. 

REGARDING  Viviana  with  a  smile  of  savage  satisfaction,  Sir 
William  Waad  commanded  Jasper  Ipgreve,  who  accompanied 
him,  to  convey  her  to  one  of  the  subterranean  dungeons  below 
the  Devereux  Tower. 

"  She  cannot  escape  thence  without  your  connivance,"  he  said; 
"and  you  shall  answer  to  me  for  her  safe  custody  with  your  life." 


THE   SUBTERRANEAN  DUNGEON.  333 

"  If  she  escapes  again,  your  worship  shall  hang  me  in  her 
stead,"  rejoined  Ipgreve. 

"  My  instructions  from  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  state  that  it  is 
the  King's  pleasure  that  she  be  allowed  a  short  interview  with 
Guy  Fawkes,"  said  the  lieutenant,  in  a  low  tone.  "  Let  her  be 
taken  to  his  cell  to-morrow." 

The  jailer  bowed,  and  motioning  the  guard  to  follow  him  with 
Viviana,  he  led  the  way  along  the  inner  ward  till  he  arrived  at 
a  small  strong  door  in  the  wall  a  little  to  the  north  of  the 
Beauchamp  Tower,  which  he  unlocked,  and  descended  into  a 
low  cavernous-looking  vault.  Striking  a  light,  and  setting  fire 
to  a  torch,  he  then  led  the  way  along  a  narrow  gloom}7  passage, 
which  brought  them  to  a  circular  chamber,  from  which  other 
passages  diverged,  and  selecting  one  of  them,  threaded  it  till  he 
came  to  the  door  of  a  cell. 

"  Here  is  your  dungeon,"  he  said  to  Viviana,  as  he  drew  back 
the  heavy  bolts,  and  disclosed  a  small  chamber,  about  four  feet 
wide  and  six  long,  in  which  there  was  a  pallet.  "  My  dame  will 
attend  you  soon." 

With  this,  he  lighted  a  lamp,  and  departing  with  the  guard, 
barred  the  door  outside.  Viviana  shuddered  as  she  surveyed  the 
narrow  dungeon  in  which  she  was  placed.  Roof,  walls,  and  floor 
were  of  stone ;  and  the  aspect  of  the  place  was  so  dismal  and 
tomb-like,  that  she  felt  as  if  she  were  buried  alive.  Some  hours 
elapsed  before  Dame  Ipgreve  made  her  appearance.  She  was 
accompanied  by  Ruth,  who  burst  into  tears  on  beholding  Viviana. 
The  jailer's  wife  had  brought  a  few  blankets  and  other  neces 
saries  with  her,  together  with  a  loaf  of  bread  and  a  jug  of  water. 
While  disposing  the  blankets  on  the  couch,  she  never  ceased 
upbraiding  Viviana  for  her  former  flight.  Poor  Ruth,  who  was 
compelled  to  assist  her  mother,  endeavoured  by  her  gestures  and 
looks  to  convey  to  the  unfortunate  captive  that  she  was  as  much 
devoted  to  her  as  ever.  Their  task  completed,  the  old  woman 
withdrew,  and  her  daughter,  casting  a  deeply-commiserating 
look  at  Viviana,  followed  her,  and  the  door  was  barred  without. 

Determined  not  to  yield  to  despondency,  Viviana  knelt  down, 
and  addressed  herself  to  Heaven  ;  and,  comforted  by  her  prayers* 
threw  herself  on  the  bed,  and  sank  into  a  peaceful  slumber. 
She  was  awakened  by  hearing  the  bolts  of  her  cell  withdrawn, 
and  the  next  moment  Ruth  stood  before  her. 

"I  fear  you  have  exposed  yourself  to  great  risk  in  thus 
visiting  me,"  said  Viviana,  tenderly  embracing  her. 

"  I  would  expose  myself  to  any  risk  for  you,  sweet  lady,** 
replied  Ruth.  "  But,  oh  I  why  do  I  see  you  here  again  ?  The 
chief  support  of  Guy  Fawkes  during  his  sufferings  has  been 
the  thought  that  you  were  at  liberty." 

"  I  surrendered  myself  in  the  hope  of  beholding  him  again,* 
rejoined  Viviana. 


334  GUY  FAWKES. 

"You  have  given  a  fond,  but  fatal  proof  of  your  affection," 
returned  Ruth.  "  The  knowledge  that  you  are  a  captive  will 
afflict  him  more  than  all  the  torments  he  has  endured." 

"  What  torments  has  he  endured,  Ruth  ?"  inquired  Viviana 
•with  a  look  of  anguish. 

"  Do  not  ask  me  to  repeat  them,"  replied  the  jailer's  daughter. 
"They  are  too  dreadful  to  relate.  When  you  behold  his 
shattered  frame  and  altered  looks,  you  will  comprehend  what  he 
has  undergone." 

"Alas!"  exclaimed  Viviana,  bursting  into  tears,  "I  almost 
fear  to  behold  him." 

"  You  must  prepare  for  a  fearful  shock,"  returned  Ruth.  "  And 
now,  madam,  I  must  take  my  leave.  I  will  endeavour  to  see  you 
again  to-morrow,  but  dare  not  promise  to  do  so.  I  should  not 
have  been  able  to  visit  you  now,  but  that  my  father  is  engaged 
with  Lord  Mounteagle." 

"  With  Lord  Mounteagle !"  cried  Viviana.  "  Upon  what 
business  ? 

"  Upon  a  foul  business,"  rejoined  Ruth.  "  No  less  than  the 
destruction  of  Mr.  Tresham,  who  is  now  a  prisoner  in  the  Tower. 
Lord  Mounteagle  came  to  the  Well  Tower  this  evening,  and  I 
accidentally  overheard  him  propose  to  my  father  to  administer 
poison  to  the  person  I  have  named." 

"  I  do  not  pity  their  victim,"  returned  Viviana.  "  He  is  a 
double-dyed  traitor,  and  will  meet  with  the  fate  he  deserves." 

"  Farewell,  madam,"  said  Ruth.  "  If  I  do  not  see  you  again, 
you  will  know  that  you  have  one  friend  in  this  fortress  who 
deeply  sympathizes  with  your  afflictions." 

So  saying,  she  withdrew,  and  Viviana  heard  the  bolts  slipped 
gently  into  their  sockets. 

Vainly,  after  Ruth's  visit,  did  she  try  to  compose  herself. 
Sleep  fled  her  eyes,  and  she  was  haunted  all  night  by  the  image 
of  Fawkes,  haggard  and  shattered  by  torture,  as  he  had  been 
described  by  the  jailer's  daughter.  Day  and  night  were  the  same 
to  her,  and  she  could  only  compute  progress  of  the  time  by  her 
own  feelings,  judging  by  which,  she  supposed  it  to  be  late  in  the 
day  when  she  was  again  visited.  The  bolts  of  her  cell  being 
withdrawn,  two  men  clad  in  long  black  gowns,  and  having  hoods 
drawn  over  their  faces,  entered  it.  They  were'  followed  by 
Ipgreve  ;  and  Viviana,  concluding  she  was  about  to  be  led  to  the 
torture,  endeavoured  to  string  herself  to  its  endurance.  Though 
he  guessed  what  was  passing  in  her  breast,  Jasper  Ipgreve  did 
not  care  to  undeceive  her,  but  motioning  the  hooded  officials  to 
follow  him  with  her,  quitted  the  cell.  Seizing  each  a  hand,  the 
attendants  led  her  after  him  along  a  number  of  intricate  passages, 
until  he  stopped  before  the  door  of  a  cell,  which  he  opened. 

"  Be  brief  in  what  you  have  to  say,"  he  cried,  thrusting  her 
forward.  "  I  shall  not  allow  you  much  time." 

Viviana  no  sooner  set  foot  in  the  cell  than  she   felt  in  whose 


THE  SUBTERRANEAN   DUNGEON.  335 

presence  she  stood.  On  a  stool  at  the  further  end  of  the  narrow 
chamber,  with  his  head  upon  his  breast,  and  a  cloak  wrapped 
around  his  limbs,  sat  Fawkes.  A  small  iron  lamp,  suspended  by 
a  rusty  chain  from  the  ceiling,  served  to  illumine  his  ghastly 
features.  He  lifted  his  eyes  from  the  ground  on  her  entrance, 
and  recognising  her,  uttered  a  cry  of  anguish.  Raising  himself 
brv  a  great  effort,  he  opened  his  arms,  and  she  rushed  into  them. 
For  some  moments,  both  continued  silent.  Grief  took  away 
their  utterance ;  but  at  length,  Guy  Fawkes  spoke. 

"  My  cup  of  bitterness  was  not  sufficiently  full,"  he  said. 
"  This  alone  was  wanting  to  make  it  overflow." 

"  I  fear  you  will  blame  me,"  she  replied,  "  when  you  learn  that 
I  have  voluntarily  surrendered  inysel£" 

Guy  Fawkes  uttered  a  deep  groan. 

"  I  am  the  cause  of  your  doing  so,"  he  said. 

"  You  are  so,"  she  replied.  "  But  you  will  forgive  me  when 
you  know  my  motive.  I  came  here  to  urge  you  to  repentance. 
Oh  !  if  you  hope  that  we  shall  meet  again  hereafter — if  you  hope 
that  we  shall  inherit  joys  which  will  requite  us  for  all  our 
troubles,  you  will  employ  the  brief  time  left  you  on  earth  in 
imploring  forgiveness  for  your  evil  intentions." 

"  Having  had  no  evil  intentions,"  replied  Fawkes,  coldly,  "  I 
have  no  pardon  to  ask." 

"  The  Tempter  who  led  you  into  the  commission  of  sin  under 
the  semblance  of  righteousness,  puts  these  thoughts  into  your 
heart,"  replied  Viviana.  "You  have  escaped  the  commission  of 
an  offence  which  must  have  deprived  you  of  the  joys  of  heaven, 
and  I  am  thankful  for  it.  But  if  you  remain  impenitent,  I  shall 
tremble  for  your  salvation." 

"  My  account  will  soon  be  settled  with  my  Maker,"  rejoined 
Fawkes ;  "  and  he  will  punish  or  reward  me  according  to  my 
deserts.  I  have  acted  according  to  my  conscience,  and  can  never 
repent  that  which  I  believe  to  be  a  righteous  design." 

"  But  do  you  not  now  see  that  you  were  mistaken,"  returned 
Viviana, — "  do  you  not  perceive  that  the  sword  which  you 
raised  against  others  has  been  turned  against  yourself, — and  that 
the  Great  Power  whom  you  serve  and  worship  has  declared  him 
self  against  you  ?" 

"  You  seek  in  vain  to  move  me,"  replied  Fawkes.  "I  am  as 
insensible  to  your  arguments  as  to  the  tortures  of  my  enemies." 

"  Then  Heaven  have  mercy  upon  your  soul !"  she  rejoined. 

"  Look  at  me,  Viviana,"  cried  Fawkes, "  and  behold  the  wreck 
I  am.  What  has  supported  me  amid  my  tortures — in  this 
dungeon — in  the  presence  of  my  relentless  foes  ? — what,  but  the 
consciousness  of  having  acted  rightly  ?  And  what  will  support 
me  on  the  scaffold  except  the  same  conviction?  If  you  love  me, 
do  not  seek  to  shake  my  faith  I  But  it  is  idle  to  talk  thus.  You 
cannot  do  so.  Rest  satisfied  we  shall  meet  again.  Everything 
assures  me  of  it.  Wretched  as  I  appear  in  this  solitary  cell,  I 


336  GUY  FAWKES. 

am  not  wholly  miserable,  because  I  am  buoyed  up  by  the  certainty 
that  my  actions  are  approved  by  Heaven." 

"  I  will  not  attempt  to  destroy  the  delusion,  since  it  is  pro 
ductive  of  happiness  to  you,"  replied  Viviana.  "  But  if  my 
earnest,  heartfelt  prayers  can  conduce  to  your  salvation,  they 
shall  not  be  wanting." 

As  she  spoke,  the  door  of  the  cell  was  opened  by  Jasper 
Ipgreve,  who  stepped  towards  her,  and  seized  her  roughly  by 
the  hand. 

"  Your  time  has  expired,  mistress,"  he  said ;  "  you  must  come 
with  me." 

"  A  minute  longer,"  implored  Fawkes. 

"  Not  a  second,"  replied  Ipgreve. 

"  Shall  we  not  meet  again  ?"  cried  Viviana,  distractedly. 

"  Ay,  the  day  before  your  execution,"  rejoined  Ipgreve.  "  I 
have  good  news  for  you,"  he  added,  pausing  for  a  moment,  and 
addressing  Fawkes.  "  Mr.  Tresham,  who  I  told  you  has  been 
brought  to  the  Tower,  has  been  taken  suddenly  and  dangerously 
ill." 

"  If  the  traitor  perishes  before  me,  I  shall  die  content,"  ob 
served  Fawkes. 

"  Then  rest  assured  of  it,"  said  Viviana.  "  The  task  oi 
vengeance  is  already  fulfilled." 

She  was  then  forced  away  by  Ipgreve,  and  delivered  by  him  to 
the  hooded  officials  outside,  who  hurried  her  back  to  her  dungeon. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

THE  TBAITOB  BETRAYED. 

LORD  MOUNTEAGLE  arrived  at  the  Tower  shortly  after  Viviana, 
and  repairing  at  once  to  the  lieutenant's  lodgings,  had  a  brief 
conference  with  him,  and  informed  him  that  he  had  a  secret 
order  to  deliver  to  Jasper  Ipgreve,  from  the  Earl  of  Salisbury, 
touching  the  conspirators.  Sir  William  Waad  would  have 
summoned  the  jailer ;  but  Mounteagle  preferred  visiting  him  at 
the  Well  Tower,  and  accordingly  proceeded  thither. 

He  found  Ipgreve  with  his  wife  and  daughter,  and  telling  him 
he  desired  a  moment's  private  speech  with  him,  the  jailer  dis 
missed  them.  Suspecting  that  the  new-comer's  errand  related  in 
some  way  to  Viviana,  Ruth  contrived  to  place  herself  in  such 
a  situation  that  she  could  overhear  what  passed.  A  moment's 
scrutiny  of  Jasper's  villanous  countenance  satisfied  Mounteagle 
that  the  Earl  oi  Salisbury  was  not  mistaken  in  his  man  ;  and,  as 
soon  as  he  supposed  they  were  alone,  he  unhesitatingly  opened 
his  plan  to  him.  As  he  expected,  Jasper  exhibited  no  reluctance 


THE  TRAITOR  BETRAYED. 

to  undertake  it ;  and,  after  some  further  discussion,  it  was  agreed 
to  put  it  in  execution  without  delay. 

"  The  sooner  Mr.  Tresham  is  silenced  the  better,"  said 
Jasper;  "for  he  threatens  to  make  disclosures  to  the  Council 
that  will  bring  some  noble  persons,"  with  a  significant  look  at 
Mounteagle,  "  into  trouble." 

"  Where  is  he  confined  ?"  demanded  the  other. 

"  In  the  Beauchamp  Tower,"  replied  Ipgreve. 

"I  will  visit  him  at  once,"  said  Mounteagle;  "and  when 
I  have  conferred  with  him,  will  call  for  wine.  Bring  two 
goblets,  and  in  that  which  you  give  to  Tresham  place  thai 
powder." 

Ipgreve  nodded  assent,  and  with  a  grim  smile  took  the  packet. 
Shortly  after  this,  they  quitted  the  Well  Tower  together,  and 
passing  under  the  archway  of  the  Bloody  Tower,  crossed  the  green, 
and  entered  the  fortification  in  which  the  traitor  was  confined. 
Tresham  was  treated  with  far  greater  consideration  than  the 
other  conspirators,  being  allowed  the  use  of  the  large  room  on 
the  upper  floor  of  the  Beauchamp  Tower,  which  was  seldom 
allotted  to  any  persons  except  those  of  the  highest  distinction. 
When  they  entered,  he  was  pacing  to  and  fro  within  his  chamber 
in  great  agitation  ;  but  he  immediately  stopped  on  seeing  Mount- 
eagle,  and  rushed  towards  him. 

"  You  bring  me  my  liberation  ?"  he  said. 

"  It  is  impossible  to  effect  it  at  present,"  returned  the  other. 
"  But  make  yourself  perfectly  easy.  Your  confinement  will  not 
be  of  long  duration." 

"  I  will  not  be  trifled  with,"  cried  Tresham,  furiously.  "  If  I 
am  examined  by  the  Council,  look  to  yourselves.  As  I  hope 
for  salvation,  the  truth  shall  out." 

"  Leave  us,"  said  Mounteagle,  with  a  significant  look  at  tho 
jailer,  who  quitted  the  chamber. 

"  Hark  'e,  Mounteagle,"  said  Tresham,  as  soon  as  they  were, 
alone,  "  I  have  been  your  tool  thus  far.  But  if  you  propose  to 
lead  me  blindfold  to  the  scaffold,  you  are  greatly  mistaken.  Yov, 
think  that  you  have  me  safe  within  these  walls; ;  that  iny  voic* 
cannot  be  heard;  and  that  I  cannot  betray  you.  But  you  arc 
deceived — fearfully  deceived,  as  you  will  find.  I  have  your 
letters — the  Earl  of  Salisbury's  letters,  proving  that  you  wer. 
both  aware  of  the  plot — and  that  you  employed  me  to  watch  ij> 
progress,  and  report  it  to  you.  I  have  also  letters  from  Doctor 
Dee,  the  warden  of  Manchester,  detailing  his  acquaintance  with 
the  conspiracy,  and  containing  descriptions  of  the  persons  of 
Fawkes  and  Catesby,  which  I  showed  to  the  Earl  of  Salisbury. 
— These  letters  are  now  in  my  possession,  and  I  will  deliver 
them  to  the  Council,  if  I  am  not  released." 

"  Deliver  them  to  me,  and  I  swear  to  you,  you  shall  b-?  50t 
free,"  said  Mounteagle. 

Z 


33S  OUT  FAWKES. 

"I  will  not  trust,  you,"  rejoined  Tresham.  "Liberate  me, 
and  they  are  yours.  But  I  will  not  rob  myself  of  vengeance.  I 
;  win  confound  you  and  the  false  Earl  of  Salisbury." 

"  You  wrong  us  both  by  your  unjust  suspicions,"  said  Mount- 
eagle. 

"  Wrong  you  !"  echoed  Tresham,  contemptuously.  "  Where 
is  my  promised  reward  ?  Why  am  I  in  this  dungeon  ?  Why 
am  I  treated  like  a  traitor  ?  If  you  meant  me  fairly,  I  shouid 
not  be  here,  but  like  yourself  at  liberty,  and  in  the  enjoyment  oi 
the  King's  favour.  But  you  have  duped  me,  villain,  and  shall 
rue  it.  If  I  am  led  to  the  scaffold,  it  shall  be  in  your  company." 

"  Compose  yourself,"  rejoined  Mounteagle,  calmly.  "  Appear 
ances,  I  own,  are  against  us.  But  circumstances  render  it  impe- 
jaiively  necessary  that  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  should  appear  to  act 
against  you.  You  have  been  charged  by  Guy  Fawkes,  when 
under  the  torture,  of  being  a  confederate  in  the  design,  and  your 
arrest  could  not  be  avoided.  I  am  come  hither  to  give  you  a 
solemn  assurance  that  no  harm  shall  befal  you,  but  that  you 
shall  be  delivered  from  your  thraldom  in  a  few  days — perhaps  in 
a  few  hours." 

"  You  have  no  further  design  against  me,"  said  Tresham, 
suspiciously. 

"  What  motive  could  I  have  in  coming  hither,  except  to  set 
your  mind  at  rest  ?"  rejoined  Mounteagle. 

"  And  I  shall  receive  my  reward  ?"  demanded  Tresham. 

"  You  will  receive  your  reward,"  returned  Mounteagle,  with 
significant  emphasis.  "  I  swear  it.  So  make  yourself  easy." 

"  If  I  thought  I  might  trust  you,  I  should  not  heed  my 
imprisonment,  irksome  though  it  be,"  rejoined  Tresham. 

"It  cannot  be  avoided,  for  the  reasons  I  have  just  stated," 
replied  Mounteagle.  "  But  come,  no  more  despondency.  All 
will  be  well  with  you  speedily.  Let  us  drown  care  in  a  bumper. 
What  ho  1  jailer,"  he  added,  opening  the  door,  "  a  cup  of  wine  !" 

In  a  few  minutes,  Ipgreve  made  his  appearance,  bearing  two 
goblets  rilled  with  wine  on  a  salver,  one  of  which  he  presented 
to  Mounteagle,  and  the  other  to  Tresham. 

"  Here  is  to  your  speedy  deliverance  from  captivity !"  said 
Mounteagle,  draining  the  goblet.  "  You  will  not  refuse  that 
pledge,  Tresham  ?" 

"  Of  a  surety  not,"  replied  the  other.  "  To  my  speedy  deli 
verance  !" 

And  he  emptied  the  cup,  while  Mounteagle  and  the  jailer 
exchanged  significant  glances. 

"  And  now,  having  fully  discharged  my  errand,  I  must  bid 
you  farewell,"  said  Mounteagle. 

"  You  will  not  forget  your  promise  ?"  observed  Tresham. 

"Assuredly  not,"  replied  the  other.  "A  week  hence,  and 
you  will  make  no  complaint  against  me. — Are  you  sure  you  did 


THE  TRAITOR  BF.TRAYED. 

™>t  p;ive  me  the  wrens;  goblet?"  he  added  to  Ipgreve,  as  they 
descended  the  spiral  staircase. 

"  Quite  sure,  my  lord,"  returned  the  jailer,  \vith  a  gnu- 
smile. 

Mounteagle  immediately  quitted  the  Tower,  and  hastemr-g  to 
Whitehall,  sought  out  the  Earl  of  Salisbur}7,  to  whom  he  rented 
what  he  had  done.  The  Earl  complimented  him  on  his  skilful 
management  of  the  matter ;  and  congratulating  each  other  upon 
having  got  rid  of  a  dangerous  and  now  useless  instrument,  they 
separated. 

On  the  following  day,  Tresham  was  seized  with  a  sudden 
illness,  and  making  known  his  symptoms  to  Ipgreve,  the  chirur- 
geon  who  attended  the  prison  was  sent  for,  and  on  seeing  him, 
pronounced  him  dangerously  ill,  though  he  was  at  a  loss  to 
explain  the  nature  of  his  disorder.  Every  hour  the  sick  map 
grew  worse,  and  he  was  torn  with  racking  pains.  Connecting 
his  sudden  seizure  with  the  visit  of  Lord  Mounteagle,  an  idea  of 
the  truth  flashed  upon  him,  and  he  mentioned  his  suspicions  to 
the  chirurgeon,  charging  Jasper  Ipgreve  with  being  accessory  to 
the  deed.  The  jailer  stoutly  denied  the  accusation,  and  charged 
the  prisoner  in  his  turn  with  making  a  malicious  statement  to 
bring  him  into  discredit. 

"I  will  soon  test  the  truth  of  his  assertion,"  observed  the 
chirurgeon,  taking  a  small  flat  piece  of  the  purest  gold  from  his 
doublet  "  Place  this  in  your  mouth." 

Tresham  obeyed,  and  Ipgreve  watched  the  experiment  with 
gloomy  curiosity. 

"  You  are  a  dead  man,"  said  the  chirurgeon  to  Tresham,  as 
he  drew  forth  the  piece  of  gold,  and  perceived  that  it  was 
slightly  tarnished.  "  Poison  has  been  administered  to  you." 

"  Is  there  no  remedy — no  counter-poison  ?"  demanded  Tres 
ham,  eagerly. 

The  chirurgeon  shook  his  head. 

"  Then  let  the  lieutenant  be  summoned,"  said  Tresham  ;  "  I 
have  an  important  confession  to  make  to  him.  T  charge  this 
man,"  pointing  to  the  jailer,  "  with  giving  poisoned  wine  to  me. 
Do  you  hear  what  I  say  to  you  ?" 

"  I  do,"  replied  the  chirurgeon. 

"  But  he  will  never  reveal  it,"  said  Ipgreve,  with  great  uncon 
cern.  "I  have  a  warrant  from  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  for  what  I 
have  done." 

"  What !"  cried  Tresham,  '•'  can  murder  be  committed  here 
with  impunity?" 

"  You  have  to  thank  your  own  indiscretion  for  what  has  hap 
pened,"  rejoined  Ipgreve.  "  Had  you  kept  a  close  tongue  in 
your  head,  you  would  have  been  safe." 

"  Can  nothing  be  done  to  save  me  ?"  cried  the  miserable  man, 
with  an  imploring  look  at  the  chirurgeon. 

Z2 


£40  GUY;  FAWKES. 

"Nothing  whatever,"  replied  the  person  appealed  to.  *'T 
vould  advise  you  to  recommend  your  soul  to  God." 

'*'  Will  you  not  inform  the  lieutenant  that  I  desire  to  speak 
with  him  ?"  demanded  Tresham. 

Tne  chirurgeon  glanced  at  Ipgreve,  and  receiving  a  sign  from 
him,  gave  a  promise  to  that  effect. 

They  then  quitted  the  cell  together,  leaving  Tresham  in  a 

tate  of  indescribable  agony  both  of  mind  and  body.     Half  an 

hour  afterwards,  the  chirurgeon  returned,  and  informed  him  that 

the  lieutenant  refused  to  visit  him,  or  to  hear  his  confession,  and 

wholly  discredited  the  fact  of  his  being  poisoned. 

"  I  will  take  charge  of  your  papers,  if  you  choose  to  commit 
them  to  me,"  he  said,  "  and  will  lay  them  before  the  Council." 

"  No,"  replied  Tresham ;  "  while  life  remains  to  me  I  will 
never  part  with  them." 

"  I  have  brought  you  a  mixture  which,  though  it  cannot  heal 
you,  will,  at  least,  allay  your  sufferings,"  said  the  chirurgeon. 

"  I  will  not  take  it,"  groaned  Tresham.  "  I  distrust  you  as 
much  as  the  others." 

"  1  will  leave  it  with  you,  at  all  events,"  rejoined  the  chirur 
geon,  setting  down  the  phial. 

The  noise  of  the  bolts  shot  into  their  sockets  sounded  to 
Tresham  as  if  his  tomb  were  closed  upon  him,  and  he  uttered  a 
cry  of  anguish.  He  would  have  laid  violent  hands  upon  him 
self,  and  accelerated  his  own  end,  but  he  wanted  courage  to  do 
so,  and  continued  to  pace  backwards  and  forwards  across  his 
chamber  as  long  as  his  strength  lasted.  He  was  about  to  throw 
himself  on  the  couch,  from  which  he  never  expected  to  rise 
again,  when  his  eyes  fell  upon  the  phial.  "  What  if  it  should  be 
poison  !"  he  said,  "  it  will  end  my  sufferings  the  sooner." 

And  placing  it  to  his  lips,  he  swallowed  its  contents.  As  the 
ehirurgeon  had  foretold,  it  alleviated  his  sufferings,  and  throwing 
himself  on  the  bed  he  sank  into  a  troubled  slumber,  during 
which  he  dreamed  that  Catesby  appeared  to  him  with  a  venge- 
iul  countenance,  and  tried  to  drag  him  into  a  fathomless  abyss 
that  yawned  beneath  their  feet.  Shrieking  with  agony,  he 
awoke,  and  found  two  persons  standing  by  his  couch.  One  off 
them  was  the  jailer,  and  the  other  appeared,  from  his  garb,  to  be 
a  priest ;  but  a  hood  was  drawn  over  his  head  so  as  to  conceal 
his  features. 

"  Are  you  come  to  witness  my  dying  pangs,  or  to  finish  me  ?w 
demanded  Tresham  of  the  jailer. 

"  I  am  come  for  neither  purpose,"  replied  Ipgreve  ;  "  I  pity 
your  condition,  and  have  brought  you  a  priest  of  your  own  faith, 
who,  like  yourself,  is  a  prisoner  in  the  Tower.  I  will  leave  him 
with  you,  but  he  cannot  remain  long,  so  make  the  most  of  your 
time."  And  with  these  words,  he  retired. 

When  he  was  gone,  the  supposed  priest,  who  spoke  in  feeble 


THE   TEIAL.  341 

and  faltering  accents,  desired  to  hear  Tresham's  confession,  and 
having  listened  to  it,  gave  him  absolution.  The  wretched  man 
then  drew  from  his  bosom  a  small  packet,  and  offered  it  to  the 
confessor,  who  eagerly  received  it. 

"  This  contains  the  letters  of  the  Earl  ot  Salisbury  and  Lord 
Mounteagle,  which  I  have  just  mentioned,"  he  said  "  I  pray 
you  lay  them  before  the  Privy  Council." 

"  I  will  not  fail  to  do  so,"  replied  the  confessor. 

And  reciting  the  prayer  for  one  in  extremis  over  the  dying 
man,  he  departed. 

"  I  have  obtained  the  letters  from  him,"  said  Mounteagle, 
throwing  back  his  hood  as  he  quitted  the  chamber,  and  addressing 
the  jailer.  "  And  now  you  need  give  yourself  no  further  concern 
about  him,  he  will  be  dead  before  morning." 

Jasper  Ipgreve  locked  the  door  upon  the  prisoner,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  the  Well  Tower.  When  he  returned,  he  found  Mount- 
eagle's  words  had  come  to  pass.  Tresham  was  lying  on  the  floor 
quite  dead — his  collapsed  frame  and  distorted  countenance 
showing  the  agonies  in  which  he  must  have  expired. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  TRIAL. 

THE  trial  of  the  conspirators,  which  had  been  delayed  in  order 
that  full  evidence  might  be  procured  against  them,  was,  at  length, 
appointed  to  take  place  in  Westminster  Hall,  on  Monday,  the 
27th  of  January,  1606.  Early  on  the  morning  of  this  day,  the 
eight  surviving  confederates  (Garnet  and  Oldcorne  being  at  this 
time  secreted  at  Hendlip)  were  conveyed  in  two  large  covered 
wherries  from  the  fortress  to  the  place  of  trial.  In  spite  of  the 
severity  of  the  weather, — it  was  snowing  heavily,  and  the  river 
was  covered  with  sheets  of  ice, — they  were  attended  by  a  vast 
number  of  boats  filled  with  persons  anxious  to  obtain  a  sight  of 
them.  Such  was  the  abhorrence  in  which  the  actors  in  the  con 
spiracy  were  held  by  the  populace,  that,  not  content  with 
menaces  and  execrations,  many  of  these  persons  hurled  missiles 
against  the  wherries,  and  would  have  proceeded  to  further  vio 
lence  if  they  had  not  been  restrained  by  the  pikemen.  When 
the  prisoners  landed,  a  tremendous  and  fearful  shout  was  raised 
by  the  mob  stationed  at  the  head  of  the  stairs,  and  it  required 
the  utmost  efforts  of  the  guard  to  protect  them  from  injury.  Two 
lines  of  soldiers,  with  calivers  on  their  shoulders,  were  drawn 
out  from  the  banks  of  the  river  to  the  entrance  of  the  Hall,  and 
between  them  the  conspirators  marched. 

The  melancholy  procession  was  headed  by  Sir  William  Waad, 


342  GUY   FAWKES. 

who  was  followed  by  an  officer  of  the  guard  and  six  halberdiers. 
Then  came  the  executioner,  carrying  the  gleaming  implement  of 
death  with  its  edge  turned  from  the  prisoners.  He  was  followed 
by  Sir  Everard  Digby,  whose  noble  figure  and  handsome  coun 
tenance  excited  much  sympathy  among  the  beholders,  and 
Ambrose  Rookwood.  Next  came  the  two  Winters,  both  of  whom 
appeared  greatly  dejected.  Next,  John  Grant  and  Robert 
Bates, — Catesby's  servant,  who  had  been  captured  at  Holbeach. 
And  lastly,  Keyes  and  Fawkes. 

Bitterly  and  justly  incensed  as  were  the  multitude  against  the 
conspirators,  their  feelings  underwent  some  change  as  they 
beheld  the  haggard  countenance  and  shattered  frame  of  Guy 
Fawkes.  It  was  soon  understood  that  he  was  the  individual 
who  had  been  found  in  the  vault  near  the  Parliament  House, 
with  the  touchwood  and  matches  in  his  belt  ready  to  fire  the 
train ;  and  the  greatest  curiosity  was  exhibited  to  see  him. 

Just  as  the  foremost  of  the  conspirators  reached  the  entrance 
of  the  Hall,  a  terrific  yell,  resembling  nothing  human,  except 
the  roar  of  a  thousand  tigers  thirsting  for  blood,  was  uttered  by 
the  mob,  and  a  tremendous  but  ineffectual  attempt  was  made  to 
break  through  the  lines  of  the  guard.  Never  before  had  so 
large  an  assemblage  been  collected  on  the  spot.  The  whole  of 
the  space  extending  on  one  hand  from  Westminster  Hall  to  the 
gates  of  Whitehall,  and  on  the  other  to  the  Abbey,  was  filled 
with  spectators ;  and  every  roof,  window,  and  buttress  was  occu 
pied.  Nor  was  the  interior  of  the  Hall  less  crowded.  Not  an 
inch  of  room  was  unoccupied  ;  and  it  was  afterwards  complained 
in  Parliament,  that  the  members  of  the  house  had  been  so 
pressed  and  incommoded,  that  they  could  not  hear  what  was  said 
at  the  arraignment. 

The  conspirators  were  first  conveyed  to  the  court  of  the  Star- 
Chamber,  where  they  remained  till  the  Lords  Commissioners 
had  arrived,  and  taken  their  seats.  The  commissioners  were  the 
Earl  of  Nottingham,  Lord  High  Admiral  of  England ;  the  Eari 
of  Suffolk,  Steward  of  the  Household ;  the  Earl  of  Worcester, 
Master  of  the  Horse ;  the  Earl  of  Devonshire,  Master  of  the 
Ordnance ;  the  Earl  of  Northampton,  Warden  of  the  Cinque- 
Ports  ;  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  Principal  Secretary  of  State  ;  Sir 
John  Popham,  Lord  Chief  Justice;  Sir  Thomas  Fleming,  Lord 
Chief  Baron  of  the  Exchequer ;  and  Sir  Thomas  Walmisley  and 
Sir  Peter  Warburton,  Knights,  and  both  Justices  of  the  Common 
Pleas. 

Summoned  by  an  usher,  the  conspirators  were  conducted  to  a 
platform  covered  with  black  cloth,  which  had  been  erected  at  the 
lower  end  of  the  Hall.  A  murmur  of  indignation,  vainly  sought 
to  be  repressed  by  the  grave  looks  of  the  Commissioners,  burst 
from  the  immense  assemblage,  as  they  one  by  one  ascended  the 
steps  of  the  platform.  Guy  Fawkes  was  the  last  to  mount,  and 


THE  TRIAL.  343 

his  appearance  was  followed  by  a  deep  groan.  Supporting  him 
self  against  the  rail  of  the  scaffold,  he  surveyed  the  assemblage 
with  a  stern  and  undaunted  look.  As  he  gazed  around,  he  could 
not  help  marvelling  at  the  vast  multitude  before  him.  The  whole 
of  the  peers  and  all  the  members  of  the  House  of  Commons 
were  present,  while  in  a  box  on  the  left,  though  screened  by  a 
lattice,  sat  the  Queen  and  Prince  Henry ;  and  in  another  on  the 
right,  and  protected  in  the  same  way,  the  King  and  his  courtiers. 

Silence  being  peremptorily  commanded,  the  indictment  was 
read,  wherein  the  prisoners  were  charged  with  conspiring  to 
blow  up  the  King  and  the  peers  with  gunpowder,  and  with 
attempting  to  incite  the  Papists,  and  other  persons,  to  open 
rebellion ;  to  which  all  the  conspirators,  to  the  no  small  surprise 
of  those  who  heard  them,  and  were  aware  that  they  had  sub 
scribed  their  confessions,  pleaded  not  guilty. 

"  How,  sir  !"  cried  the  Lord  Chief  Justice,  in  a  stern  tone  to 
Fawkes.  "With  what  face  can  you  pretend  to  deny  the  indict 
ment,  when  you  were  actually  taken  in  the  cellar  with  the 
powder,  and  have  already  confessed  your  treasonable  intentions?" 

"  I  do  not  mean  to  deny  what  I  have  confessed,  my  lord," 
replied  Fawkes.  "  But  this  indictment  contains  many  matters 
which  I  neither  can  nor  will  countenance  by  assent  or  silence. 
And  I  therefore  deny  it." 

"  It  is  well,"  replied  the  Lord  Chief  Justice.  "  Let  the  trial 
proceed." 

The  indictment  being  opened  by  Sir  Edward  Philips,  sergeant- 
at-law,  he  was  followed  by  Sir  Edward  Coke,  the  attorney- 
general,  who  in  an  eloquent  and  elaborate  speech,  which  pro 
duced  an  extraordinary  effect  upon  the  assemblage,  expatiated 
upon  the  monstrous  nature  of  the  plot,  which  he  characterised  as 
"  the  greatest  treason  that  ever  was  plotted  in  England,  and 
against  the  greatest  king  that  ever  reigned  in  England;"  and 
after  narrating  the  origin  and  progress  of  the  conspiracy,  con 
cluded  by  desiring  that  the  confessions  of  the  prisoners  should 
be  openly  read.  This  done,  the  jury  were  ordered  by  the  Lord 
Chief  Justice  to  retire,  and  the  injunction  being  obeyed,  they 
almost  instantly  returned  with  a  verdict  of  guilty. 

A  deep,  dread  silence  then  prevailed  throughout  the  Hall, 
and  every  eye  was  bent  upon  the  conspirators,  all  of  whom  main 
tained  a  composed  demeanour.  They  were  then  questioned  by 
the  Lord  Chief  Justice  whether  they  had  anything  to  say  why 
judgment  of  death  should  not  be  pronounced  against  them. 

"All  I  have  to  crave  of  your  lordships,"  said  Thomas  Winter, 
"  is,  that  being  the  chief  offender  of  the  two,  I  may  die  for  my 
brother  and  myself." 

"  And  I  ask  only  that  my  brother's  request  may  not  be 
granted,"  said  Robert  Winter.  "  If  he  is  condemned,  I  do  not 
desire  to  live." 


344  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  I  have  nothing  to  solicit — not  even  pardon,"  said  Keyes, 
carelessly.  "  My  fortunes  were  always  desperate,  and  are  better 
now  than  they  have  ever  been." 

"  I  desire  mercy,"  said  Rookwood,  "  not  from  any  fear  of 
death,  but  because  so  shameful  an  ending  will  leave  a  perpetual 
stain  upon  my  name  and  blood.  I  humbly  submit  myself  to  the 
King,  and  pray  him  to  imitate  our  Supreme  Judge,  who  some 
times  punishes  corporally,  but  not  mortally." 

"  I  have  been  guilty  of  a  conspiracy,  intended  but  never 
effected,"  said  John  Grant,  "  and  solicit  forgiveness  on  that 
plea." 

"  My  crime  has  been  fidelity  to  my  master,"  said  Bates.  "  If 
the  King  will  let  me  live,  I  will  serve  him  as  faithfully  as  I  did 
Mr.  Catesby." 

"  I  would  not  titter  a  word,"  said  Fawkes,  looking  sternly 
round ;  "  if  I  did  not  fear  my  silence  might  be  misinterpreted. 
I  would  not  accept  a  pardon  if  it  were  offered  me.  I  regard  the 
project  as  a  glorious  one,  and  only  lament  its  failure." 

"  Silence  the  vile  traitor,"  said  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  rising. 

And  as  he  spoke  two  halberdiers  sprang  up  the  steps  of  the 
scaffold,  and  placing  themselves  on  either  side  of  Fawkes,  pre 
pared  to  gag  him. 

"  I  have  done,"  he  said,  contemptuously  regarding  them. 

"  I  have  nothing  to  say  save  this,"  said  Sir  Everard  Digby, 
bowing  to  the  judges.  "  If  any  of  your  lordships  will  tell  me 
you  forgive  me,  I  shall  go  more  cheerfully  to  the  scaffold." 

"  Heaven  forgive  you,  Sir  Everard,"  said  the  Earl  of  Notting 
ham,  returning  his  reverence,  "  as  we  do." 

"  I  humbly  thank  your  lordship,"  replied  Digby. 

Sentence  was  then  passed  upon  the  prisoners  by  Lord  Chief 
Justice  Popham,  and  they  were  removed  from  the  platform. 

As  they  issued  from  the  Hall,  and  it  became  known  to  the 
assemblage  without  that  they  were  condemned,  a  shout  of  fierce 
exultation  rent  the  air,  and  they  were  so  violently  assailed  on  all 
sides,  that  they  had  great  difficulty  in  reaching  the  wherries. 
The  guard,  however,  succeeded,  at  length,  in  accomplishing 
their  embarkation,  and  they  were  conveyed  back  in  safety  to  the 
Tower. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE  LAST  MEETING  OF  FAWKES  AND  VFVTANA. 

UP  to  this  time,  Viviana  had  not  been  allowed  another  interview 
with  Guy  Fawkes.  She  was  twice  interrogated  by  the  Privy- 
Council,  but  having  confessed  all  she  knew  of  the  conspiracy, 
excepting  what  might  implicate  Garnet  and  Oldcorne,  neither 


THE  LAST  MEETING  345 

of  whom  she  was  aware  had  been  apprehended,  she  was  not 
again  subjected  to  the  torture.  Her  health,  however,  rapidly 
sank  under  her  confinement,  and  she  was  soon  reduced  to  such 
an  extreme  state  of  debility  that  she  could  not  leave  her  bed. 
The  chirurgeon  having  been  called  in  by  Dame  Ipgreve  to 
attend  her,  reported  her  condition  to  Sir  William  Waad,  who 
directed  that  every  means  should  be  adopted  for  her  restoration, 
and  that  Ruth  Ipgreve  should  remain  in  constant  attendance 
upon  her. 

Ascertaining  all  particulars  relative  to  Guy  Fawkes  from  the 
jailer's  daughter,  it  was  a  sad  satisfaction  to  Viviana  to  learn 
that  he  spent  his  whole  time  in  devotion,  and  appeared  com 
pletely  resigned  to  his  fate.  It  had  been  the  Earl  of  Salisbury's 
purpose  to  bring  Viviana  to  trial  at  the  same  time  as  the  rest  of 
the  conspirators,  but  the  chirurgeon  reporting  that  her  removal 
at  this  juncture  would  be  attended  with  fatal  consequences,  he 
was  compelled  to  defer  it 

When  the  result  of  the  trial  was  made  known  to  Viviana  by 
Ruth,  though  she  had  anticipated  the  condemnation  of  Guy 
Fawkes,  she  swooned  away,  and  on  her  recovery,  observed  to 
Ruth,  who  was  greatly  alarmed  at  her  looks,  "  I  feel  I  am  going 
fast.  I  should  wish  to  see  my  husband  once  more  before  I  die." 

"  I  fear  it  is  impossible,  madam,"  replied  Ruth ;  "  but  I  will 
try  to  accomplish  it." 

"  Do  so,"  rejoined  Viviana;  "  and  my  blessing  shall  rest  ever 
on  your  head." 

"  Have  you  any  valuable  ?"  inquired  Ruth.  <e  My  heart 
bleeds  to  make  the  demand  at  such  a  moment.  But  it  is  the 
only  way  to  produce  an  effect  on  the  avaricious  nature  of  my 
father." 

"  I  have  nothing  but  this  golden  crucifix,"  said  Viviana- 
"  and  I  meant  to  give  it  to  you." 

"  It  will  be  better  employed  in  this  way,"  rejoined  Ruth, 
taking  it  from  her. 

Quitting  the  cell,  she  hurried  to  the  Well  Tower,  and  found 
her  father,  who  had  just  returned  from  locking  up  the  conspira 
tors  in  their  different  dungeons,  sitting  down  to  his  evening 
meal. 

"  What  is  the  matter  with  the  wench  ?"  he  cried,  staring  at 
her.  "  You  look  quite  distracted.  Is  Viviana  Radcliffe  dead  ?" 

"  No ;  but  she  is  dying,"  replied  Ruth. 

"  If  that  is  the  case  I  must  go  to  her  directly,"  observed  Dame 
Ipgreve.  "  She  may  have  some  valuable  about  her  which  I  must 
secure." 

"  You  will  be  disappointed,  mother,"  rejoined  Ruth,  with  a 
look  of  irrepressible  disgust.  "  She  has  nothing  valuable  left 
but  this  golden  crucifix,  which  she  has  sent  to  my  father,  on  con 
dition  of  his  allowing  Guy  Fawkes  to  see  her  before  she  dies." 


346  GUY  FAWKES. 

"  Give  it  me,  wench,"  cried  Jasper  Ipgreve ;  "  and  let  her  die 
in  peace." 

"  She  will  not  die  in  peace  unless  she  sees  him,"  replied  Hull 
"  Nor  shall  you  have  it,  if  you  do  not  comply  with  her  request 

"  How  1"  exclaimed  her  father,  "  do  you  dare " 

"  Think  not  to  terrify  me,  father,"  interrupted  Ruth ;  "  I  am 
resolute  in  this.  Hear  me,"  she  cried,  seizing  his  arm,  and 
fixing  a  look  upon  him  that  seemed  to  pierce  his  soul, — "  hear 
me,"  she  said,  in  a  tone  so  low  as  to  be  inaudible  to  her  mother ; 
"  she  shall  see  him,  or  I  will  denounce  you  as  the  murderer  of 
Tresham.  Now  will  you  comply  ?" 

"  Give  me  the  cross,"  said  Ipgreve. 

"  Not  till  you  have  earned  it,"  replied  his  daughter. 

"  Well,  well,"  he  rejoined ;  "  if  it  must  be,  it  must.  But  I 
may  get  into  trouble  in  the  matter.  I  must  consult  Master 
Forsett,  the  gentleman  jailer,  who  has  the.  charge  of  Guy  Fawkes, 
before  I  dare  take  him  to  her  cell." 

"  Consult  whom  you  please,"  rejoined  Ruth,  impatiently; 
"  but  lose  no  time,  or  you  will  be  too  late." 

Muttering  imprecations  on  his  daughter,  Ipgreve  left  the  Well 
Tower,  and  Ruth  hurried  back  to  Viviana,  whom  she  found 
anxiously  expecting  her,  and  related  to  her  what  she  had  done. 

"  Oh,  that  I  may  hold  out  till  he  comes  1"  cried  Viviana ; 
"  but  my  strength  is  failing  fast." 

Ruth  endeavoured  to  comfort  her;  but  she  was  unequal  to  the 
effort,  and  bursting  into  tears,  knelt  down,  and  wept  upon  the 
pillow  beside  her.  Half  an  hour  had  now  elapsed.  It  seemed 
an  age  to  the  poor  sufferers,  and  still  the  jailer  came  not,  and 
even  Ruth  had  given  up  all  hope,  when  a  heavy  tread  was  heard 
in  the  passage ;  the  door  was  opened ;  and  Guy  Fawkes  appeared, 
attended  by  Ipgreve  and  Forsett. 

"  We  will  not  interrupt  your  parting,"  said  Forsett,  who 
seemed  to  have  a  touch  of  humanity  in  his  composition.  And 
beckoning  to  Ruth  to  follow  him,  he  quitted  the  cell  with  Ipgreve. 

Guy  iavvkes,  meanwhile,  had  approached  the  couch,  and 
gazed  with  an  expression  of  intense  anguish  at  Viviana.  She 
returned  his  glance  with  a  look  of  the  utmost  affection,  and 
clasped  his  hand  between  her  thin  fingers. 

"  I  am  now  standing  on  the  brink  of  eternity,"  she  said  in 
a  solemn  tone,  "  and  I  entreat  you  earnestly,  as  you  hope  to 
insure  our  meeting  hereafter,  to  employ  the  few  days  left  you 
in  sincere  and  hearty  repentance.  You  have  sinned — sinned 
deeply,  but  not  beyond  the  power  of  redemption.  Let  me  feel 
that  I  have  saved  you,  and  my  last  moments  will  be  happy. 
Oh  !  by  the  love  I  have  borne  you — by  the  pangs  I  have  endured 
for  you — by  the  death  I  am  now  dying  for  you — let  me  implore 
you  not  to  lose  one  moment,  but  to  supplicate  a  merciful  Pro 
vidence  to  pardon  your  offence." 


SAINT   PAUL'S  CHURCHY  A  KI». 


"I  will— I  will,"  rrjoifKHJ  fawke*.  in 
have  opened  my  (.•••. 

"  Saved  I  saved  !"  cr 
Opening  her  arms,  si, 
few  moments  they  mi'.. 

"And  now,"  'she  said,  arak 
pray  for   forgivenc 
prayer." 

Guy  Fawkes  knelt  by  the   if 
earne.-'   - 

bean     \"  gentle  accent?  < 

fainter  at  -All    at    i- 

v. :  l 

-'•;!••   illtiiwin* 
fat  ooc  moaeni — it  then  Ljrew  din  at- 

Guy  Fawkes  uttered  a  cry  of  the 
the  ground.     Alarmed  by  the  sound,  Ft 
were   standing   outside,    rushed    into   the  ce 
raised  him.     But  he  wat  now  in  *  state  of  d 
the   moment  Memcd  eml 


•    whole  of  the  n  'ri    tht  foUowiag   da 

2  the  unfortunate  Yiviaua  wen 

of  Saint  Peter  on  the   Gre«n,  and  the  aoie  mourner  was  the 
jailer's  daughter. 

"  Peace  be  with  her!"  cried  Ruth,  as  she  turned  away  from 
the  grare,     **  Her  sorrows  at  last  are  over." 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SAIKT  PAUL'S  CHUKCHYABD. 

GUT  FAWEES  was  for  *>ome  time  wholly  inconsolable.  His 
Btotc.i!  nature  seemed  completely  subdued,  and  he  wept  like  an 
inf. .ut.  By  degrees,  however,  the  violence  of  his  grief  ai>a(cd, 


SAINT  PAUL'S  CHURCHYARD.  347 

"  I  will — I  will,"  rejoined  Fawkes,  in  broken  accents.  "  You 
have  opened  my  eyes  to  my  error,  and  I  sincerely  repent  it." 

"  Saved !  saved  I"  cried   Viviana,  raising   herself  in  the  bed 
Opening  her  arms,  she   strained  him  to  her  bosom ;  and  for  a 
few  moments  they  mingled  their  tears  together. 

"  And  now,"  she  said,  sinking  backwards,  "  kneel  by  me — 
pray  for  forgiveness — pray  audibly,  and  I  will  join  in  your 
prayer." 

Guy  Fawkes  knelt  by  the  bedside,  and  addressed  cne  most 
earnest  supplications  to  Heaven  for  forgiveness.  For  a  while  he 
heard  Viviana's  gentle  accents  accompany  him.  They  grew 
fainter  and  fainter,  until  at  last  they  totally  ceased.  Filled 
with  a  dreadful  apprehension,  he  sprang  to  his  feet.  An  angelic 
smile  illumined  her  countenance ;  her  gaze  was  fixed  on  him 
for  one  moment — it  then  grew  dim  and  dimmer,  until  it  was 
extinguished. 

Guy  Fawkes  uttered  a  cry  of  the  wildest  despair,  and  fell  to 
the  ground.  Alarmed  by  the  sound,  Forsett  and  Ipgreve,  who 
were  standing  outside,  rushed  into  the  cell,  and  instantly 
raised  him.  But  he  was  now  in  a  state  of  distraction,  and  for 
the  moment  seemed  endowed  with  all  his  former  strength. 
Striving  to  break  from  them,  he  cried,  in  a  tone  of  the  most 
piercing  anguish,  "  You  shall  not  tear  me  from  her  !  I  will  die 
with  her !  Let  me  go,  I  say,  or  I  will  dash  out  my  brains 
against  these  flinty  walls,  and  balk  you  of  your  prey." 

But  his  struggles  were  in  vain.  They  held  him  fast,  and 
calling  for  further  assistance,  conveyed  him  to  his  cell,  where, 
fearing  he  might  do  some  violence  to  himself,  they  placed  him 
in  irons. 

Ruth  entered  the  cell  as  soon  as  Fawkes  and  the  others  had 
quitted  it,  and  performed  the  last  sad  offices  for  the  departed. 
Alternately  praying  and  weeping,  she  watched  by  the  body 
during  the  whole  of  the  night.  On  the  following  day,  the 
remains  of  the  unfortunate  Viviana  were  interred  in  the  chapel 
of  Saint  Peter  on  the  Green,  and  the  sole  mourner  was  the 
jailer's  daughter. 

"  Peace  be  with  her !"  cried  Ruth,  as  she  turned  away  from 
the  grave.  "  Her  sorrows  at  last  are  over." 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SAINT  PAUL'S  CHURCHYARD. 

GUY  FAWKES  was  for  some  time  wholly  inconsolable.  His 
etoical  nature  seemed  completely  subdued,  and  he  wept  like  an 
infant.  By  degrees,  however,  the  violence  of  his  grief  abated, 


348  GUY  FAWKES. 

and  calling  to  mind  the  last  injunctions  of  her  whose  loss  he 
mourned,  he  addressed  himself  to  prayer,  and  acknowledging 
his  guilt,  besought  her  intercession  with  Heaven  for  his 
forgiveness. 

It  will  not  seem  strange,  when  his  superstitious  character  is 
taken  into  consideration,  that  he  should  fancy  he  received  an 
immediate  proof  that  his  prayers  were  heard.  To  his  excited 
imagination  it  appeared  that  a  soft  unearthly  strain  of  music 
floated  in  the  air  over  his  head;  that  an  odour  like  that  of 
Paradise  filled  his  cell;  while  an  invisible  finger  touched  his 
brow.  While  in  this  entranced  state,  he  was  utterly  insensible 
to  his  present  miserable  situation,  and  he  seemed  to  have  a 
foretaste  of  celestial  happiness.  He  did  not,  however,  desist 
from  prayer,  but  continued  his  supplications  throughout  the  day. 

On  that  night,  he  was  visited  by  the  lieutenant,  who  announced 
to  him  that  the  execution  of  four  of  the  -conspirators  was  fixed  for 
Thursday  (it  was  then  Tuesday),  while  his  own  and  that  of  the 
three  others  would  not  take  place  till  the  following  day. 

"  As  you  are  the  greatest  traitor  of  all,  your  execution  will  be 
reserved  to  the  last,"  pursued  VVaad.  "  No  part  of  the  sentence 
will  be  omitted.  You  will  be  dragged  to  Old  Palace  Yard,  over 
against  the  scene  of  your  intended  bloody  and  damnable  action, 
at  a  horse's  tail,  and  will  be  there  turned  off  the  gallows,  and 
hanged,  but  not.  till  you  are  dead.  You  will  then  be  embowelled  ; 
your  vile  heart,  which  conceived  this  atrocious  design,  will  be 
torn  beating  from  your  breast ;  and  your  quarters  will  be  placed 
on  the  palace  gates  as  an  abhorrent  spectacle  in  the  eyes  of  men, 
and  a  terrible  proof  of  the  King's  just  vengeance." 

Guy  Fawkes  heard  the  recapitulation  of  his  dreadful  sentence 
unmoved. 

"  The  sole  mercy  I  would  have  craved  of  his  Majesty  would 
have  been  permission  to  die  first  1 "  he  said.  "  But  Heaven's 
will  be  done  !  I  deserve  my  doom." 

"What!  is  your  stubborn  nature  at  length  subdued?"  cried 
the  lieutenant  in  surprise.  "  Do  you  repent  of  your  offence  ?" 

"  Deeply  and  heartily,"  returned  Fawkes. 

"  Make  the  sole  amends  in  your  power  for  it,  then,  and  dis 
close  the  names  of  all  who  have  been  connected  with  the 
atrocious  design,"  rejoined  Waad. 

"  I  confess  myself  guilty,"  replied  Fawkes,  humbly.  "But! 
accuse  no  others." 

"  Then  you  die  impenitent,"  rejoined  the  lieutenant,  "and 
cannot  hope  for  mercy  hereafter." 

Guy  Fawkes  made  no  answer,  but  bowed  his  head  upon  his 
breast,  and  the  lieutenant,  darting  a  malignant  look  at  him, 
quitted  the  cell. 

On  the  following  day,  the  whole  of  the  conspirators  were 
taken  to  St.  John's  chapel,  in  the  White  Tower,  where  a  dis- 


SAINT  PAUL'S  CHURCHYARD.  349 

course  was  pronounced  to  them  by  Doctor  Overall,  Dean  of  St. 
Paul's,  who  enlarged  upon  the  enormity  of  their  offence,  and 
exhorted  them  to  repentance.  The  discourse  over,  they  were 
about  to  be  removed,  when  two  ladies,  clad  in  mourning  habits, 
entered  the  chapel.  These  were  Lady  Digby  and  Mrs. 
Rookwood,  and  they  immediately  flew  to  their  husbands.  The 
rest  of  the  conspirators  walked  away,  and  averted  their  gaze  from 
the  painful  scene.  After  an  ineffectual  attempt  to  speak,  Lady 
Digby  swooned  away,  and  was  committed  by  her  husband,  while 
in  a  state  of  insensibility,  to  the  care  of  an  attendant.  Mrs 
Rookwood,  however,  who  was  a  woman  of  high  spirit,  and  great 
personal  attractions,  though  the  latter  were  now  wasted  by 
affliction,  maintained  her  composure,  and  encouraging  her 
husband  to  bear  up  manfully  against  his  situation,  tenderly  em 
braced  him,  and  withdrew.  The  conspirators  were  then  taken 
back  to  their  cells. 

At  an  early  hour  on  the  following  morning  the  four  miserable 
persons  intended  for  death,  namely,  Sir  Everard  Digby,  the 
elder  Winter,  John  Grant,  and  Bates,  were  conducted  to  the 
Beauchamp  Tower.  Bates  would  have  stood  aloof  from  his 
superiors ;  but  Sir  Everard  Digby  took  him  kindly  by  the  hand,, 
and  drew  him  towards  them. 

"No  distinctions  must  be  observed  now,"  he  said.  "We 
ought  to  beg  pardon  of  thee,  my  poor  fellow,  for  bringing  thee 
into  this  strait." 

"  Think  not  of  me,  worshipful  sir,"  replied  Bates.  "  I  loved 
Mr.  Catesby  so  well,  that  I  would  have  laid  down  my  life  for 
him  at  any  time ;  and  I  now  die  cheerfully  in  his  cause." 

"  Mr.  Lieutenant,"  said  Robert  Winter  to  Sir  William  Waadr 
who  stood  near  them  with  Forsett  and  Ipgreve,  "  I  pray  you 
commend  me  to  my  brother.  Tell  him  I  die  in  entire  love  of 
him,  and  if  it  is  possible  for  the  departed  to  watch  over  the 
living,  I  will  be  with  him  at  his  last  hour." 

At  this  moment,  a  trampling  of  horses  was  heard  on  the 
green,  and  the  lieutenant  proceeding  to  the  grated  window,, 
saw  four  mounted  troopers,  each  having  a  sledge  and  hurdle 
attached  by  ropes  to  his  steed,  drawn  up  before  the  door.  While 
he  was  gazing  at  them,  an  officer  entered  the  room,  and  in 
formed  him  that  all  was  in  readiness.  Sir  William  Waad  then 
motioned  the  prisoners  to  follow  him,  and  they  descended  the 
spiral  staircase. 

The  green  was  thronged  with  horse  and  foot  soldiers,  and  as 
the  conspirators  issued  from  the  arched  door  of  the  fortification,, 
the  bell  of  Saint  Peter's  chapel  began  to  toll.  Sir  Everard 
Digby  was  first  bound  to  a  hurdle,  with  his  face  towards  the 
horse,  and  the  others  were  quickly  secured  in  the  same  manner. 
The  melancholy  cavalcade  was  then  put  in  motion.  A  troop  of 
horse-soldiers  in  their  full  accoutrements,  and  with  calivers  upon 


350  GUY  FAWKES. 

their  shoulders,  rode  first;  then  came  a  band  of  halberdiers  on 
foot;  then  the  masked  executioner  mounted  on  a  led  horse, 
then  the  four  prisoners  on  the  hurdles,  one  after  the  other ;  then 
the  lieutenant  on  horseback;  while  another  band  of  horse-soldiers, 
equipped  like  the  first,  brought  up  the  rear.  They  were  met  by 
the  Recorder  of  London,  Sir  Henry  Montague,  and  the  sheriffs, 
at  the  gate  of  the  Middle  Tower,  to  the  latter  of  whom  the  lieu 
tenant,  according  to  custom,  delivered  up  the  bodies  of  the  pri 
soners.  After  a  short  delay,  the  train  again  set  forward,  and 
emerging  from  the  Bulwark  Gate,  proceeded  through  an  enor 
mous  concourse  of  spectators  towards  Tower-street. 

Aware  that  a  vast  crowd  would  be  assembled  in  the  city,  and 
apprehensive  of  some  popular  tumult,  the  Lord  Mayor  had 
issued  precepts  to  the  aldermen  of  every  ward,  commanding 
them  "  to  cause  one  able  and  sufficient  person,  with  a  halbert  in 
his  hand,  to  stand  at  the  door  of  every  dwelling-house  in  the 
open  street  in  the  way  that  the  traitors  were  to  be  drawn  towards 
the  place  of  execution,  there  to  remain  from  seven  in  the  morn 
ing  until  the  return  of  the  sheriffs."  But  these  were  not  the 
whole  of  the  arrangements  made  to  preserve  order.  The  caval 
cade,  it  was  fixed,  was  to  proceed  along  Tower-street,  Grace- 
church  street,  Lombard-street,  Cheapside,  and  so  on  to  the  west 
end  of  Saint  Paul's  cathedral,  where  the  scaffold  was  erected. 
Along  the  whole  road,  on  either  side,  a  line  of  halberdiers  was 
drawn  up,  while  barriers  were  erected  against  the  cross  streets. 
Nor  were  these  precautions  needless.  Such  a  vast  concourse 
was  collected,  that  nothing  but  the  presence  of  a  strong  armed 
force  could  have  prevented  confusion  and  disorder.  The  roofs 
of  all  the  houses,  the  towers  of  the  churches,  the  steps  of  the 
crosses  were  covered  with  spectators,  who  groaned  and  hooted  as 
the  conspirators  passed  by. 

The  scaffold,  as  has  just  been  stated,  was  erected  in  front  of 
the  great  western  entrance  of  the  cathedral.  The  mighty 
valves  of  the  sacred  structure  were  thrown  cpen,  and  disclosed 
its  columned  aisles  crowded  with  spectators,  as  was  its  roof  and 
central  tower.  The  great  bell,  which  had  begun  to  toll  when 
the  melancholy  procession  came  in  sight,  continued  to  pour  forth 
its  lugubrious  sounds  during  the  whole  of  the  ceremonial.  The 
rolling  of  muffled  drums  was  likewise  heard  above  the  tumultuous 
murmurs  of  the  impatient  multitude.  The  whole  area  from  the 
cathedral  to  Ludgate-hill  was  filled  with  spectators,  but  an  open 
space  was  kept  clear  in  front  of  the  scaffold,  in  which  the 
prisoners  were  one  by  one  unbound  from  the  hurdles. 

During  this  awful  pause,  they  had  sufficient  time  to  note  the 
whole  of  tkc  dreadful  preparations.  At  a  little  distance  from 
them  was  a  large  fire,  on  which  boiled  a  caldron  of  pitch, 
destined  to  receive  their  dismembered  limbs.  A  tall  gallows, 
approached  by  a  double  ladder,  sprung  from  the  scaffold,  on 


SAINT  PAUL'S  CHURCHYARD.  351 

which  the  hangman  was  already  mounted  with  the  rope  in  his 
hand.  At  the  foot  of  the  ladder  was  the  quarte ring-block,  near 
which  stood  the  masked  executioner  with  a  chopper  in  his  hand, 
and  two  large  sharp  knives  in  his  girdle.  His  arms  were  bared 
to  the  shoulder ;  and  a  leathern  apron,  soiled  by  gory  stains,  and 
tied  round  his  waist,  completed  his  butcherly  appearance.  Straw 
was  scattered  upon  the  scaffold  near  the  block. 

Sir  Everard  Digby  was  the  first  to  receive  the  fatal  summons. 
He  mounted  with  a  firm  footstep,  and  his  youth,  his  noble  aspect, 
and  undaunted  demeanour,  awakened,  as  before,  the  sympathy 
of  the  beholders.  Looking  round,  he  thus  addressed  the 
assemblage : — 

*'  Good  people,  I  am  here  about  to  die,  ye  well  know  for  what 
cause.  Throughout  the  matter,  I  have  acted  according  to  the 
dictates  of  my  conscience.  They  have  led  me  to  undertake  this 
enterprise,  which,  in  respect  of  my  religion,  I  hold  to  be  no 
offence,  but  in  respect  of  the  law  a  heinous  offence,  and  I 
therefore  ask  forgiveness  of  God,  of  the  King,  and  of  the  whole 
realm." 

Crossing  himself  devoutly,  he  then  knelt  down,  and  recited 
his  prayers  in  Latin,  after  which  he  arose,  and  again  looking 
round,  said  in  an  earnest  voice, 

"I  desire  the  prayers  of  all  good  Catholics,  and  of  none 
other." 

"  Then  none  will  pray  for  you,"  replied  several  voices  from  the 
crowd. 

Heedless  of  the  retort,  Sir  Everard  surrendered  himself  to  the 
executioner's  assistant,  who  divested  him  of  his  cloak  and 
doublet,  and  unfastened  his  collar.  In  this  state,  he  mounted 
the  ladder,  and  the  hangman  fulfilled  his  office. 

Robert  Winter  was  next  summoned,  and  ascended  the  scaffold 
with  great  firmness.  Everything  proclaimed  the  terrible  tragedy 
that  had  just  been  enacted.  The  straw  was  sprinkled  with 
blood,  so  was  the  block,  so  were  the  long  knives  of  the  execu 
tioner,  whose  hands  and  arms  were  dyed  with  the  same  crimson 
stain  ;  while  in  one  corner  of  the  scaffold  stood  a  basket,  con 
taining  the  dismembered  limbs  of  the  late  unfortunate  sufferer. 
But  these  dreadful  sights  produced  no  effect  on  Robert  Winter. 
Declining  to  address  the  assemblage,  he  at  once  surrendered 
himself  to  the  assistant,  and  shared  the  fate  of  his  friend. 

Grant  was  the  next  to  follow.  Undismayed  as  his  predecessor, 
he  looked  round  with  a  cheerful  countenance,  and  said, — 

"  I  am  about  to  suffer  the  death  of  a  traitor,  and  am  content 
to  die  so.  But  I  am  satisfied  that  our  project  was  so  far  from 
being  sinful,  that  I  rely  entirely  on  my  merits  in  bearing  a  part 
in  it,  as  an  abundant  satisfaction  and  expiation  for  all  the  sins 
I  have  at  other  times  of  my  life  committed." 

This  speech  was  received  by  a  terrific  yell  from  the  multitude. 


352  GUT  FAWKES. 

Wholly  uniBDved,  however,  Grant  uttered  a  few  prayers,  and 
then  crossing  himself,  mounted  the  ladder  and  was  quickly 
despatched.  The  bloody  business  was  completed  by  the  slaughter 
of  Bates,  who  died  as  resolutety  as  the  others. 

These  executions,  being  conducted  with  the  utmost  delibera 
tion,  occupied  nearly  an  hour.  The  crowd  then  separated  to 
talk  over  the  sight  they  had  witnessed,  and  to  keep  holiday 
during  the  remainder  of  the  day;  rejoicing  that  an  equally- 
exciting  spectacle  was  in  store  for  them  on  the  morrow. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

OLD    PALACE     YARD. 

GUY  FAWKES'S  tranquillity  of  mind  did  not  desert  him  to  the 
last.  On  the  contrary,  as  his  term  of  life  drew  near  its  close,  he 
became  more  cheerful  and  resigned ;  his  sole  anxiety  being  that 
all  should  be  speedily  terminated.  When  Ipgreve  took  leave  of 
him  for  the  night,  he  threw  himself  on  his  couch  and  soon  fell 
into  a  gentle  slumber.  His  dreams  were  soothing,  and  he  fancied 
that  Viviana  appeared  to  him  clad  in  robes  of  snowy  whiteness, 
and  regarding  him  with  a  smiling  countenance,  promised  that 
the  gates  of  eternal  happiness  would  be  opened  to  him  on  the 
morrow. 

Awaking  about  four  o'clock,  he  passed  the  interval  between 
that  time  and  his  summons  by  the  jailer  in  earnest  prayer.  At 
six  o'clock,  Ipgreve  made  his  appearance.  He  was  accompanied 
by  his  daughter,  who  had  prevailed  on  him  to  allow  her  to  take 
leave  of  the  prisoner.  She  acquainted  Fawkes  with  all  par 
ticulars  of  the  interment  of  Viviana,  to  which  he  listened  with 
tearful  interest. 

"  Would  my  remains  might  be  laid  beside  her  !"  he  said. 
"But  fate  forbids  it  1" 

"  Truly,  does  it,"  observed  Ipgreve,  gruffly ;  "  unless  you 
would  have  her  body  removed  to  the  spikes  of  Whitehall 
gates.** 

Disregarding  this  brutal  speech,  which  called  a  blush  of  shame 
to  the  cheeks  of  Ruth,  Fawkes  affectionately  pressed  her  hand, 
and  said, 

"  Do  not  forget  me  in  your  prayers,  and  sometimes  visit  the 
grave  of  Viviana." 

"Doubt  it  not,"  she  replied,  in  accents  half  suffocated  by 
grief. 

Fawkes  then  bade  her  farewell,  and  followed  the  jailer  through 
various  intricate  passages,  which  brought  them  to  a  door  opening 
upon  one  of  the  lower  chambers  of  the  Beauchamp  Tower. 


OLD  PALACE  YARD.  353 

Unlocking  it,  Ipgreve  led  the  way  up  the  circular  staircase,  and 
ushered  his  companion  into  the  large  chamber  where  Rookwood, 
Keyes,  and  Thomas  Winter  were  already  assembled. 

The  morning  was  clear,  but  frosty,  and  bitterly  cold ;  and 
when  the  lieutenant  appeared,  Rookwood  besought  him  to  allow 
them  a  fire  as  their  last  earthly  indulgence.  The  request  was 
peremptorily  refused.  A  cup  of  hot  spiced  wine  was,  however, 
offered  them,  and  accepted  by  all  except  Fawkes. 

At  the  same  hour  as  on  the  previous  day,  the  hurdles  werj 
brought  to  the  entrance  of  the  fortification,  and  the  prisoners 
bound  to  them.  The  recorder  and  sheriffs  met  them  at  the 
Middle  Tower,  as  they  had  done  the  other  conspirators,  and  the 
cavalcade  set  forth.  The  crowd  was  even  greater  than  on  the 
former  occasion ;  and  it  required  the  utmost  exertion  on  the 
part  of  the  guard  to  maintain  order.  Some  little  delay  occurred 
at  Ludgate ;  and  during  this  brief  halt,  Rookwood  heard  a  cry, 
and  looking  up,  perceived  his  wife  at  the  upper  window  of  one 
of  the  habitations,  waving  her  handkerchief  to  him,  and  cheering 
him  by  her  gestures.  He  endeavoured  to  answer  her  by  signs ; 
but  his  hands  were  fast  bound,  and  the  next  moment,  the  caval 
cade  moved  on. 

At  Temple  Bar  another  halt  occurred ;  and  as  the  train  moved 
slowly  forward,  an  immense  crowd,  like  a  swollen  stream,  swept 
after  it.  The  two  gates  at  Whitehall,  then  barring  the  road  to 
Westminster,  were  opened  as  the  train  approached,  and  a  certain 
portion  of  the  concourse  allowed  to  pass  through.  The  scaffold, 
which  had  been  removed  from  Saint  Paul's,  was  erected  in  the 
middle  of  Old  Palace  Yard,  in  front  of  the  House  of  Lords. 
Around  it  were  circled  a  band  of  halberdiers,  outside  whom 
stood  a  dense  throng.  The  buttresses  and  pinnacles  of  the 
Abbey  were  covered  with  spectators ;  so  was  the  roof  of  tlie 
Parliament  House,  and  the  gallery  over  the  entrance. 

The  bell  of  the  Abbey  began  to  toll  as  the  train  passed 
through  the  gates  of  Whitehall,  and  its  deep  booming  filled  the 
air.  Just  as  the  conspirators  were  released  from  the  hurdles, 
Topcliffe,  who  had  evidently  from  his  disordered  attire  arrived 
from  a  long  journey,  rode  up,  and  dismounted. 

"I  am  just  in  time,"  he  cried,  with  an  exulting  glance  at  the 
conspirators;  "  this  is  not  the  last  execution  I  shall  witness. 
Fathers  Garnet  and  Oldcorne  are  prisoners,  and  on  their  way  to 
London.  I  was  a  long  time  in  unearthing  the  priestly  foxes, 
but  I  succeeded  at  last." 

At  this  moment  an  officer  approached,  and  summoned  Thomas 
Winter  to  mount  the  scaffold.  He  obeyed,  and  exhibited  no 
symptom  of  quailing,  except  that  his  complexion  suddenly 
turned  to  a  livid  colour.  Being  told  of  this  by  the  lieutenant, 
he  tried  to  account  for  it  by  saying  that  he  thought  he  saw  his 
brother  precede  him  up  the  steps.  He  made  a  brief  address, 

A  A 


334  GUY  FAWKES. 

protesting  he  died  a  true  Catholic,  and  in  that  faith,  notwith 
standing  his  offences,  hoped  to  be  saved. 

llookwood  followed  him,  and  indulged  in  a  somewhat  longer 
oration.  "  I  confess  my  offence  to  God,"  he  said,  "  in  seeking 
to  shed  blood,  and  implore  his  mercy.  I  likewise  confess  my 
offence  to  the  King,  of  whose  majesty  I  humbly  ask  forgiveness  ; 
and  I  further  confess  my  offence  to  the  whole  state,  of  whom  in 
general  I  entreat  pardon.  May  the  Almighty  bless  the  King, 
the  Queen,  and  all  their  royal  progeny,  and  grant  them  a  long 
and  happy  reign  !  May  He  turn  their  hearts  to  the  Catholic  faith, 
so  that  heresy  maybe  wholly  extirpated  from  the  kingdom  !" 

The  first  part  of  this  speech  was  well  received  by  the  assem 
blage,  but  the  latter  was  drowned  in  groans  and  hootings,  amid 
which  Rookwood  was  launched  into  eternity. 

Keyes  came  next,  and  eyejing  the  assemblage  disdainfully, 
went  up  the  ladder,  and  threw  himself  off  with  such  force  that 
he  broke  the  rope,  and  was  instantly  despatched  by  the  exe- 
tioner  and  his  assistants. 

Guy  Fawkes  now  alone  remained,  and  he  slowly  mounted  the 
scaffold.  His  foot  slipped  on  the  blood-stained  boards,  and  he 
would  have  fallen,  if  Topcliffe,  who  stood  near  him,  had  not 
caught  his  hand.  A  deep  silence  prevailed  as  he  looked  around, 
and  uttered  the  following  words  in  a  clear  and  distinct  voice  : — 

"  I  ask  forgiveness  of  the  King  and  the  state  ibr  my  criminal 
intention,  and  trust  that  my  death  will  wash  out  my  offence." 

He  then  crossed  himself  and  knelt  down  to  pray,  after  which 
his  cloak  and  doublet  were  removed  by  the  executioner's  assistant 
and  placed  with  those  of  the  other  conspirators.  He  made  an 
effort  to  mount  the  ladder,  but  his  stiffened  limbs  refused  their 
office. 

"  Your  courage  fails  you,"  sneered  Topcliffe,  laying  his  hand 
upon  his  shoulder. 

"My  strength  does,"  replied  Fawkes,  sternly  regarding  him. 
"  Help  me  up  the  ladder,  and  you  shall  see  whether  I  am  afraid 
to  die." 

Seeing  how  matters  stood,  the  executioner  who  stood  by, 
leaning  upon  his  chopper,  tendered  him  his  blood-stained  hand. 
But  Fawkes  rejected  it  with  disgust,  and  exerting  all  his  strength, 
forced  himself  up  the  ladder. 

As  the  hangman  adjusted  the  rope,  he  observed  a  singulai 
smile  illumine  the  features  of  his  victim. 

"  You  seem  happy,"  he  said. 

"  I  am  so,"  replied  Fawkes,  earnestly, — "  I  see  the  form  ot  her 
I  loved  beckoning  me  to  unfading  happiness." 

With  this,  he  stretched  out  his  arms  and  sprang  from  the 
ladder.  Before  his  frame  was  exposed  to  the  executioner's  knife, 
life  was  totally  extinct. 


THE  LAST   EXECUTION.  355 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE    LAST    EXECUTION. 

LITTLE  more  remains  to  be  told,  and  that  little  is  of  an  equally 
painful  nature  with  the  tragical  events  just  related. 

Fathers  Garnet  and  Oldcorne,  together  with  Mr.  Abingdon 
and  their  servants,  arrived  in  London  on  the  12th  of  February, 
about  a  fortnight  after  the  execution  of  the  other  conspirators. 
They  were  first  taken  to  the  Gate-house  at  Westminster,  and 
were  examined  on  the  following  day  by  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  and 
the  Privy-Council  at  the  Star- Chamber.  Nothing  could  be 
elicited  from  them,  and  Garnet  answered  the  Earl's  interro 
gatories  with  infinite  subtlety  and  address.  The  examination 
over,  they  were  ordered  to  be  removed  to  the  Tower. 

Topcliffe  accompanied  them  to  the  stairs.  As  they  proceeded 
thither,  he  called  Garnet's  attention  to  a  ghastly  object  stuck  on 
a  spike  over  the  palace  gates. 

"Do  you  recognise  those  features?"  he  asked. 

"  No,"  replied  Garnet,  shudderingly  averting  his  gaze. 

"  I  am  surprised  to  hear  it,"  rejoined  Topcliffe,  "for  they  were 
once  well  known  to  you.  It  is  the  head  of  Guy  Fawkes.  Of  all  the 
conspirators,"  he  added,  with  a  bitter  laugh,  "he  was  the  only 
one  who  died  truly  penitent.  It  is  reported  that  this  happy 
change  was  wrought  in  him  by  Viviana  Radcliffe." 

"  Heaven  have  mercy  upon  his  soul  I "  muttered  Garnet. 

'•'  I  will  tell  you  a  strange  tale  about  Catesby,"  pursued 
Topcliffe.  "  He  was  buried  in  the  garden  at  Hoibeach  with 
Percy,  but  an  order  was  sent  down  by  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  to 
have  their  bodies  disinterred  and  quartered.  When  Catesby's 
head  was  severed  from  the  trunk,  to  be  set  on  the  gates  of 
Warwick,  fresh  blood  spouted  forth,  as  if  life  were  in  the  veins." 

"  You  do  not  expect  me  to  believe  this  idle  story  ? "  said 
Garnet,  incredulously. 

"  Believe  it  or  not,  as  you  please,"  returned  Topcliffe,  a'ngrily. 

On  arriving  at  the  fortress,  Garnet  was  lodged  in  the  large 
chamber  of  the  Beauchamp  Tower,  and  allowed  the  attendance 
of  his  servant,  Nicholas  Owen,  while  Oldcorno  was  equally 
well  accommodated  in  the  Constable  Tower.  This  leniency  was 
the  result  of  the  policy  of  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  who  hoped  to 
obtain  disclosures  from  the  two  Jesuit  priests  which  would  enable 
him  to  strike  the  decisive  blow  he  meditated  against  the  Papists. 
But  he  was  unsuccessful.  They  refused  to  make  any  confessions 
tfhich  would  criminate  themselves,  or  implicate  others ;  and  as 
none  of  the  conspirators,  not  even  Tresham,  had  admitted  thoir 
connexion  with  the  plot,  it  was  difficult  to  find  proof  against 
them.  Garnet  underwent  daily  examinations  from  the  Earl 


356  GUY   FAWKES. 

of  Salisbury  and   the  commissioners,  but  he  baffled  all  their 
inquiries. 

"  If  we  cannot  wring  the  truth  from  you  by  fair  means.  Mr. 
Garnet,"  said  Salisbury,  "  we  must  have  recourse  to  torture." 

"  Minare  ista  pueris"  replied  Garnet,  contemptuously. 

"  Leave  these  two  priests  to  me,  my  lord,"  observed  Sir 
William  Waad,  who  was  present  at  the  examination,  which  took 
place  at  the  council-chamber  in  his  lodgings, — "leave  them  to 
me,"  he  said  in  a  low  voice  to  the  Earl,  "  and  I  will  engage  to 
procure  a  full  confession  from  their  own  lips,  without  resorting 
to  torture." 

"  You  will  render  the  state  an  important  service  by  doing  so," 
replied  Salisbury,  in  the  same  tone.  "  I  place  the  matter  entirely 
in  your  hands." 

.  The  lieutenant  set  to  work  without  loss  of  time.  By  his  di 
rections,  Garnet  and  Oldcorne  were  removed  from  their  present 
places  of  confinement  to  two  subterranean  cells  immediately 
adjoining  each  other,  but  between  which  a  secret  recess,  con 
trived  in  the  thickness  of  the  wall,  and  built  for  the  purpose  it 
was  subsequently  put  to,  existed.  Two  days  after  they  had  been 
so  immured,  Ipgreve,  who  had  received  his  instructions,  loitered 
for  a  moment  in  Oldcorne's  cell,  and  with  affected  hesitation 
informed  him  that  for  a  trifling  reward  he  would  enable  him  to 
hold  unreserved  communication  with  his  fellow-prisoner. 

Oldcorne  eagerly  caught  at  the  bait,  but  required  to  be 
satisfied  that  the  jailer  could  make  good  his  words.  Ipgreve 
immediately  proceeded  to  the  side  of  the  cell,  and  holding  a 
lamp  to  the  wall,  showed  him  a  small  iron  knob. 

"  Touch  this  spring,"  he  said,  "  and  a  stone  will  fall  from  its 
place,  and  enable  you  to  converse  with  Father  Garnet,  who  is  in 
the  next  cell.  But  you  must  take  care  to  replace  the  stone  when 
any  one  approaches.*' 

Promising  to  observe  the  utmost  caution,  and  totally  un 
suspicious  of  the  deceit  practised  upon  him,  Oldcorne  gave 
Ipgreve  the  reward,  and  as  soon  as  he  was  gone,  touched  the 
spring,  and  found  it  act  precisely  as  the  jailer  had  stated. 

Garnet  was  greatly  surprised  to  hear  the  other's  voice,  and  on 
learning  how  the  communication  was  managed  was  at  first 
suspicious  of  some  stratagem,  but  by  degrees  his  fears  wore  off, 
and  he  became  unreserved  in  his  discourse  with  his  companion, 
discussing  the  fate  of  the  conspirators,  their  own  share  in  the 
plot,  the  probability  of  their  acquittal,  and  the  best  means  of 
baffling  their  examiners.  All  these  interlocutions  were  over 
heard  and  taken  down  by  the  lieutenant  and  two  other  witnesses, 
Forsett  and  Lockerson,  private  secretary  to  the  Earl  of  Salisbury, 
who  were  concealed  in  the  recess.  Having  obtained  all  the 
information  he  desired,  Sir  William  Waad  laid  his  notes  before 
the  Council,  and  their  own  confessions  being  read  to  the  priests, 


THE  LAST  EXECUTION.  357 

they  were  both  greatly  confused,  though  neither  would  admit 
their  authenticity. 

Meanwhile,  their  two  servants,  Owen  and  Chambers,  had 
been  repeatedly  examined,  and  refusing  to  confess,  were  at  last 
suspended  from  a  beam  by  the  thumbs.  But  this  producing  no 
result,  they  were  told  that  on  the  following  day  they  would  be 
placed  on  the  rack.  Chambers  then  offered  to  make  a  full  con 
fession,  but  Owen,  continuing  obstinate,  was  conveyed  back  to 
his  cell.  Ipgreve  brought  him  his  food  as  usual  in  the  evening, 
and  on  this  occasion,  it  consisted  of  broth,  and  a  small  allowance 
of  meat.  It  was  the  custom  of  the  jailer  to  bring  with  him  a 
small  blunt-pointed  knife,  with  which  he  allowed  the  prisoner  to 
cut  his  victuals.  Having  got  possession  of  the  knife,  Owen 
tasted  the  broth,  and  complaining  that  it  was  quite  cold,  he 
implored  the  jailer  to  get  it  warmed  for  him,  as  he  felt  extremely 
unwell.  Somewhat  moved  by  his  entreaties,  and  more  by  his 
appearance,  Ipgreve  complied.  On  his  return,  he  found  the 
unfortunate  man  lying  in  one  corner  of  the  cell,  partially  covered 
by  a  heap  of  straw  which  ordinarily  formed  his  bed. 

"  Here  is  your  broth,"  he  said.  "  Take  it  while  it  is  hot.  I 
shall  give  myself  no  further  trouble  about  \(  *  * 

"  It  will  not  be  needed,"  gasped  Owen. 

Alarmed  by  the  sound  of  his  voice,  Ipgreve  held  the  light 
towards  him,  and  perceived  that  his  face  was  pale  as  death.  At 
the  same  time,  he  remarked  that  the  floor  was  covered  with 
blood.  Instantly  divining  the  truth,  the  jailer  rushed  towards 
the  wretched  man,  and  dragging  away  the  blood-stained  straw, 
found  he  had  inflicted  a  frightful  wound  upon  himself  with  the 
knife  which  he  still  held  in  his  grasp. 

"  Fool  that  I  was,  to  trust  you  with  the  weapon  I"  cried 
Ipgreve.  "  But  who  would  have  thought  it  could  inflict  a  mortal 
wound  ?" 

"  Any  weapon  will  serve  him  who  is  resolved  to  die,"  rejoined 
Owen.  "  You  cannot  put  me  on  the  rack  now."  And  with  a 
ghastly  expression  of  triumph,  he  expired. 

Soon  after  this,  Oldcorne  and  Abingdon  were  sent  down  to 
Worcester,  where  the  former  was  tried  and  executed.  Stephen 
Littleton  suffered  death  at  the  same  time. 

On  Friday,  the  23rd  of  March,  full  proofs  being  obtained 
against  him,  Garnet  was  arraigned  of  high  treason  at  Guild 
hall.  The  trial,  which  excited  extraordinary  interest,  was 
attended  by  the  King,  by  the  most  distinguished  personages, 
male  and  female,  of  his  court,  and  by  all  the  foreign  am 
bassadors.  Garnet  conducted  himself  throughout  his  arraign 
ment,  which  lasted  for  thirteen  hours,  with  the  same  courage  and 
address  which  he  had  displayed  on  .his  examinations  before  the 
commissioners.  But  his  subtlety  availed  him  little.  He  was 
found  guilty  and  condemned. 


358  GUY  FAWKES. 

The  execution  of  the  sentence  was  for  some  time  deferred,  it 
being  hoped  that  a  complete  admission  of  his  guilt  would  be 
obtained  from  him,  together  with  disclosures  relative  to  the 
designs  of  the  Jesuit  party.  With  this  view,  the  examinations 
were  still  continued,  but  the  rigour  with  which  he  had  been 
latterly  treated  was  relaxed.  A  few  days  before  his  execution, 
he  was  visited  by  several  eminent  Protestant  Divines, — Doctor 
Montague,  Dean  of  the  Chapel  Royal ;  Doctor  Neile,  Dean  of 
Westminster ;  and  Doctor  Overall,  Dean  of  Saint  Paul's ;  with 
whom  he  had  a  long  disputation  on  points  of  faith  and  other 
spiritual  matters. 

At  the  close  of  this  discussion,  Doctor  Overall  remarked,  "  I 
suppose  you  expect,  Mr.  Garnet,  that  after  your  death,  the 
Church  of  Rome  will  declare  you  a  martyr  ?" 

"  I  a  martyr!"  exclaimed  Garnet,  sorrowfully.  "  O  what  a 
martyr  I  should  be  !  If,  indeed,  I  were  really  about  to  suffer 
death  for  the  Catholic  religion,  and  had  never  known  of  this 
project,  except  by  means  of  sacramental  confession,  I  might 
perhaps  be  accounted  worthy  the  honour  of  martyrdom,  and 
might  deservedly  be  glorified  in  the  opinion  of  our  church.  As 
it  is,  I  acknowledge  myself  to  have  sinned  in  this  respect,  and 
deny  not  the  justice  of  the  sentence  passed  upon  me." 

Satisfied,  at  length,  that  no  further  disclosures  could  be 
obtained  from  him,  the  King  signed  the  warrant  for  his  execution 
on  the  2nd  of  May. 

The  scaffold  was  erected  at  the  west  end  of  Saint  Paul's 
Cathedral,  on  the  spot  where  Digby  and  the  other  conspirators 
had  suffered.  A  vast  assemblage  was  collected  as  on  the  former 
occasion,  and  similar  precautions  were  taken  to  prevent  tumult 
and  disturbance.  The  unfortunate  man's  torture  was  cruelly  and 
unnecessarily  prolonged  by  a  series  of  questions  proposed  to 
him  on  the  scaffold  by  Doctor  Overall  and  the  Dean  of  West 
minster,  all  of  which  he  answered  very  collectedly  and  clearly. 
He  maintained  his  fortitude  to  the  last.  When  fully  prepared, 
he  mounted  the  ladder,  and  thus  addressed  the  assemblage : — 

"  I  commend  myself  to  all  good  Catholics.  I  grieve  that  1 
have  offended  the  King  by  not  revealing  the  design  entertained 
against  him,  and  that  I  did  not  use  more  diligence  in  preventing 
the  execution  of  the  plot  I  commend  myself  most  numbly  to 
the  lords  of  his  Majesty's  council,  and  entreat  them  not  to  judge 
too  hardly  by  me.  I  beseech  all  men  that  Catholics  may  not 
fare  the  worse  for  my  sake,  and  1  exhort  all  Catholics  to  take 
care  not  to  mix  themselves  with  seditious  or  traitorous  designs 
against  the  King's  Majesty,  whom  God  preserve !" 

Making  the  sign  of  the  cross  upon  his  forehead  and  breast,  he 
continued : 

"  In  nomine  Patris,  Filii,  et  Spiritus  Sancti !  Jesus  Maria  / 
Maria,  mater  gratiae !  mater  misericordice !  Tu  me  ab  hoste 


THE   LAST   EXECUTION.  359 

protege,  et  hard  mortis  suscipe  !  In  manus  tuas,  Dominc,  commendo 
piritum  meum,  quia  tu  redimisti  me,  Domine,  Deus  veritatis" 
Again  crossing  himself,  he  added, — "Per  crucis  hoc  signum 
fugiat  procul  omne  malignum  !  Jnjige  crucem  luam,  Domine,  in 
corde  meo  /" 

And  with  this  last  pathetic  ejaculation  he  threw  himself  from 
the  ladder. 

Garnet  obtained,  after  death,  the  distinction  he  had  disclaimed 
while  living.  He  was  enrolled,  together  with  Oldcorne,  among 
the  list  ot  Catholic  martyrs.  Several  miracles  are  affirmed  by 
the  Jesuits  to  have  been  performed  in  his  oehalf.  Father  More 
relates  that  on  the  lawn  at  Hendlip,  where  he  and  Oldcorne  last 
set  foot,  "a  new  and  hitherto  unknown  species  ot  grass  sprang 
up  into  the  exact  shape  of  an  imperial  crown,  and  remained  for 
a  long  time  without  being  trodden  down  by  the  feet  of  passengers, 
or  eaten  up  by  the  cattle."  It  was  further  asserted  that  a  spring 
of  oil  burst  forth  at  the  west  end  of  Saint  Paul's  Cathedral  on 
the  precise  spot  where  he  suffered.  But  the  most  singular 
prodigy  is  that  recounted  by  Endaemon  Joannes,  who  affirms 
that  in  a  straw  which  had  been  sprinkled  with  Garnet's  blood,  a 
human  countenance,  strangely  resembling  that  of  the  martyr, 
was  discovered.  This  legend  of  the  Miraculous  Straw,  having 
received  many  embellishments  and  improvements  as  it  travelled 
abroad,  obtained  universal  credence,  and  was  conceived  to  fully 
establish  Garnet's  innocence. 

Anne  Vaux,  the  Jesuit's  devoted  friend,  retired  with  her 
sister,  Mrs.  Brooksby,  to  a  nunnery  in  Flanders,  where  she  ended 
her  days. 

So  terminated  the  memorable  and  never-to-be-forgotten  Gun 
powder  Treason,  for  deliverance  from  which  our  church  still 
offers  thanksgivings,  and  in  remembrance  of  which,  on  the  anni 
versary  of  its  discovery,  fagots  are  collected  and  bonfires  lighted 
to  consume  the  effigy  of  the  arch-conspirator,  GUY  FAWKES. 


THE  EN1X 


BINDING  SECT.       MAY  2  1 


PLEASE  DO  NOT  REMOVE 
CARDS  OR  SLIPS  FROM  THIS  POCKET 

UNIVERSITY  OF  TORONTO  LIBRARY 


PR  Ainsworth,  William  Harrison 

^002  Guy  Fawkes 

G8 

1899