CHAPTER XIV.

HOW ROUGH LEE WAS AGAIN BESIEGED.

Parson Holden, it will be remembered, left
Rough Lee, charged by Potts with a message to Sir
Ralph Asslieton, informing him of his detention, and
that of Roger Nowell, by Mistress Nutter, and im-
ploring him to come to their assistance without delay.
Congratulating himself on his escape, but apprehensive
of pursuit, the worthy rector, who, as a keen huntsman,
was extremely well mounted, made the best of his way,
and had already passed the gloomy gorge through which
Pendle Water swept, had climbed the hill beyond
it, and was crossing the moor, now alone lying between
him and Goldshaw, when he heard a shout behind him,
and, turning at the sound, beheld Blackadder and an-
other mounted serving-man issuing from a thicket, and
spurring furiously after him. Relying upon the speed
of his horse, he disregarded their cries, and accelerated
his pace ; but, in spite of this, his pursuers gained upon
him rapidly.

While debating the question of resistance or sur-

VOL. III. D

34 THE LANCASHIKE WITCHES.

render, the rector descried Bess Whitaker coming to-
wards him from the opposite direction — a circumstance
that greatly rejoiced him ; for, aware of her strength and
courage, he felt sure he could place as much dependence
upon her in this emergency as on any man in the
county. Bess was riding a stout, rough-looking nag,
apparently well able to sustain her weight, and carried
the redoubtable horsewhip with her.

On the other hand, H olden had been recognised by
Bess, who came up just as he was overtaken and seized
by his assailants, one of whom caught hold of his cassock,
and tore it from his back, while the other, seizing hold
of his bridle, endeavoured, in spite of his efforts to the
contrary, to turn his horse round. Many oaths,
threats, and blows were exchanged during the scuffle,
which no doubt would have terminated in the rector's
defeat, and his compulsory return to Rough Lee, had it
not been for the opportune arrival of Bess, who, swearing
as lustily as the serving-men, and, brandishing the
horsewhip, dashed into the scene of action, and with a
few well-applied cuts liberated the divine. Enraged at
her interference, and smarting from the application of
the whip, Blackadder drew a petronel from his girdle,
and levelled it at her head ; but ere he could discharge
it, the weapon was stricken from his grasp, and a second
blow on the head from the butt- end of the whip felled
him from his horse. Seeing the fate of his com-
panion, the other serving-man fled, leaving Bess mis-
tress of the field.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 35

The rector thanked her heartily for the service she
had rendered him, and complimented her on her
prowess.

" Ey'n neaw dun mitch to boast on i' leatherin'
them two seawr-feaced rapscallions," said Bess, with
becoming modesty. " Simon Blackadder an ey ha' had
mony a tussle together efore this, fo he's a feaw tempert
felly, an canna drink abowt fightin', boh he has awlus
found me more nor his match. Boh save us, your reve-
rence, what were the ill-favort gullions ridin' after
ye for ? Firrups tak 'em ! they didna mean to rob ye,
surely."

"Their object was to make me prisoner, and carry
me back to Rough Lee, Bess," replied Holden. " They
wished to prevent my going to Whalley, whither I am
bound, to procure help from Sir Ralph Assheton to
liberate Master Roger Nowell and his attorney, who
are forcibly detained by Mistress Nutter."

a Yo may spare yer horse an yersel the jorney, then,
reverend sir," replied Bess; " foryo'nfoind Sir Tummus
Metcawfe, wi' some twanty or throtty followers, armed
wi' bills, hawberts, petronels, and calivers, at Goldshaw,
an they win go wi' ye at wanst ey'm sartin. Ey heerd
sum o' t' chaps say os ow Sir Tummus is goin' to tak'
possession o' Mistress Robinson's house, Raydale Ha',
i' Wensley Dale, boh nah doubt he'n go furst wi'
yer rev'rence, 'specially as he bears Mistress Nutter a
grudge."

D 2

36 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

" At all events, I will ask him," said Holden. " Are
lie and his followers lodged at your house, Bess ?"

a Yeigh," replied the hostess, u some on 'en are i' tli'
house, some i' th' barn, an some i' th' stables. The
place is awtogether owerrun wi' 'em. Ey wur so moy-
dert an wurrotit wi' their ca'in an bawlin fo' ele an
drink, that ey swore they shouldna ha' another drawp
wi' my consent, an to be os good os my word, ey clapt
key o' t' cellar i' my pocket, an leavin' our Margit to
answer 'em, ey set out os yo see, intendin' to go os far
os t' mill, an comfort poor deeavely Ruchot Baldwyn
in his trouble.*"

" A. most praiseworthy resolution, Bess," said the
rector, " but what is to be done with this fellow ?" he
added,, pointing to Blackadder, who, though badly
hurt, was trying to creep towards the petronel,
which was lying at a little distance from him on the
ground.

Perceiving his intention, Bess quickly dismounted,
and possessing herself of the weapon, stepped aside, and
slipping off one of the bands that confined the hose on
her well-shaped leg, grasped the wounded man by the
shoulders, and with great expedition tied his hands be-
hind his back. She then lifted him up with as much
ease as if had been an infant, and set him upon his
horse, with his face towards the tail. This done, she
gave the bridle to the rector, and handing him the pe-
tronel at the same time, told him to take care of his

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 3 7

prisoner, for she must pursue her journey. And with
this, in spite of his renewed entreaties that she would
go back with him, she sprang on her horse, and
rode off.

On arriving at Goldshaw with his prisoner, the rector
at once proceeded to the hostel, in front of which he
found several of the villagers assembled, attracted by the
numerous company within doors, whose shouts and
laughter could be heard at a considerable distance.
Holden's appearance with Blackadder occasioned con-
siderable surprise, and all eagerly gathered round him
to learn what had occurred; but, without satisfying their
curiosity beyond telling them he had been attacked by
the prisoner, he left him in their custody, and entered
the house, where he found all the benches in the prin-
cipal room occupied by a crew of half-drunken roys-
terers, with flagons of ale before them; for, after Bess's
departure with the key, they had broken into the cellar,
and, broaching a cask, helped themselves to its contents.
Various weapons were scattered about the tables, or
reared against the walls, and the whole scene looked
like a carouse by a band of marauders. Little respect
was shown the rector, and he was saluted by many a
ribald jest as he pushed his way towards the inner
room.

Sir Thomas was drinking with a couple of despe-
radoes, whose long rapiers and tarnished military
equipments seemed to announce that they had, at
some time or other, belonged to the army, though their

38 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

ruffianly looks and braggadocio air and discourse,
strongly seasoned with oaths and slang, made it evident
that they were now little better than Alsatian bullies.
They had, in fact, been hired by Sir Thomas for the
expedition on which he was bent, as he could find no
one in the country upon whom he could so well count
as on them. Eyeing the rector fiercely as he intruded
upon their privacy, they glanced at their leader to ask
whether they should turn him out, but, receiving no
encouragement for such rudeness, they contented them-
selves with scowling at him from beneath their bent brows,
twisting up their shaggy moustachios, and trifling with
the hilts of their rapiers. Holden opened his business
at once ; and as soon as Sir Thomas heard it, he sprang
to his feet, and, swearing a great oath, declared he would
storm Rough Lee, and burn it to the ground, if Mistress
Nutter did not set the two captives free.

" As to the audacious witch herself, I will carry
her off, in spite of the devil her master !" he cried.
" How say you, Captain Gauntlet — and you, too,
Captain Storks, is not this an expedition to your
tastes — ha ?"

The two worthies appealed to responded joyously
that it was so ; and it was then agreed that Blackadder
should be brought in and interrogated, as some import-
ant information might be obtained from him. Upon
this, Captain Gauntlet left the room to fetch him, and
presently afterwards returned dragging in the prisoner,
who looked dogged and angry, by the shoulders.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 39

" Harkye, fellow," said Sir Thomas, sternly, " if
you do not answer tlie questions I shall put to you
truly and satisfactorily, I will have you taken out into
the yard, and shot like a dog. Thus much premised, I
shall proceed with my examination. Master Roger
Nowell and Master Thomas Potts, you are aware, are
unlawfully detained prisoners by Mistress Alice Nutter.
Now, I have been called upon by the reverend gentle-
man here to undertake their liberation, but, before doing
so, I desire to know from you what defensive and offen-
sive preparations your mistress has made, and whether
you judge it likely she will attempt to hold out her
house against us ?"

11 Most assuredly she will," replied Blackadcler, " and
against twice your force. Rough Lee is as strong as
a castle ; and as those within it are well-armed, vigi-
lant, and of good courage, there is little fear of its
capture. If your worship should propose terms to my
mistress for the release of her prisoners, she may, pos-
sibly, assent to them ; but if you approach her in
hostile fashion, and demand their liberation, I am well
assured she will resist you, and well assured, also, she
wTill resist you effectually."

" I shall approach her in no other sort than that of an
enemy," rejoined Sir Thomas, " but thou art over-con-
fident, knave. Unless thy mistress have a legion of
devils at her back, and they hold us in check, we will
force a way into her dwelling. Fire and fury ! dost

40 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

presume to laugh at rne, fellow? Take him hence, and let
him be soundly cudgelled for his insolence, Gauntlet."

le Pardon me, your worship," cried Blackadder, "I
only smiled at the strange notions you entertain of my
.mistress."

" Why, dost mean to deny that she is a witch ?"
demanded Metcalfe.

" Nay, if your worship will have it so, it is not for
me to contradict you," replied Blackadder.

" But I ask thee is she not a servant of Satan ? — dost
thou not know it? — canst thou not prove it?" cried the
knight. " Shall we put him to the torture to make him
confess ?"

" Ay, tie his thumbs together till the blood burst
forth, Sir Thomas," said Gauntlet.

" Or hang him up to yon beam by the heels," sug-
gested Captain Storks.

" On no account," interposed H olden. " I did not
bring him hither to be dealt with in this way, and I
will not permit it. If torture is to be administered
it must be by the hands of justice, into which I re-
quire him to be delivered ; and then if he can testify
aught against his mistress, he will be made to do it."

" Torture shall never wring a word from me, whether
wrongfully or rightfully applied," said Blackadder,
doggedly; "though I could tell much if I chose.
Now give heed to me, Sir Thomas. You will never
take Rough Lee, still less its mistress, without my
help."

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 41

" What are thy terms, knave ?" exclaimed the
knight, pondering' upon the offer. "And take heed
thou triflcst not with me, or I will have thee flogged
within an inch of thy life, in spite of parson or justice.
What are thy terms, I repeat ?"

"They are for your worship's ear alone,55 replied
Blackadder.

" Beware what you do, Sir Thomas," interposed
Holden. "I hold it my duty to tell you you are
compromising justice in listening to the base proposals
of this man, who, while offering to betray his mistress,
will asuredly deceive you. You will equally deceive
him in feigning to agree to terms which you cannot
fulfil."

"Cannot fulfil!" ejaculated the knight, highly of-
fended ; " I would have you to know, sir, that Sir Tho-
mas Metcalfe's word is his bond, and that whatsoever
he promises he will fulfil, in spite of the devil ! Body
o' me ! but for the respect I owe your cloth, I
would give you a very different answer, reverend sir.
But since you have chosen to thrust yourself unasked
into the affair, I take leave to say that I toill hear
this knave's proposals, and judge for myself of the
expediency of acceding to them. I must pray you,
therefore, to withdraw. Nay, if you will not go
hence peaceably, you shall perforce. Take him away,
gentlemen."

Thus enjoined, the Alsatian captains took each an
arm of the rector, and forced him out of the room,

42 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

leaving Sir Thomas alone with the prisoner. Greatly
incensed at the treatment he had experienced, Holden
instantly quitted the house, hastened to the rectory,
which adjoined the church, and having given some
messages to his household, rode off to "Whalley, with
the intention of acquainting Sir Ralph Assheton with
all that had occurred.

Sir Thomas Metcalfe remained closeted with the pri-
soner for a few minutes, and then coming forth issued
orders that all should get ready to start for Rough Lee
without delay; whereupon each man emptied his flagon,
pocketed the dice he had been cogging, pushed aside
the shuffleboard, left the loggats on the clay floor of the
barn, and, grasping his weapon — halbert, or caliver, as
it might be — prepared to attend his leader. Sir Thomas
did not relate, even to the Alsatian captains, what had
passed between him and Blackadder ; but it did not
appear that he placed entire confidence in the latter ;
for though he caused his hands to be unbound, and al-
lowed him, in consideration of his wounded state, to
ride, he secretly directed Gauntlet and Storks to keep
near him, and shoot him through the head if he at-
tempted to escape. Both these personages were pro-
vided with horses as well as their leader, but all the rest
of the party were on foot. Metcalfe made some in-
quiries after the rector, but finding he was gone, he did
not concern himself further about him. Before starting,
the knight, who with all his recklessness, had a certain
sense of honesty, called the girl who had been left in

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 43

charge of the hostel by Bess, and gave her a sum amply
sufficient to cover all the excesses of his men, adding a
handsome gratuity to herself.

The first part of the journey was accomplished with-
out mischance, and the party bade fair to arrive at the
end of it in safety ; but as they entered the gorge, at
the extremity of which Rough Lee was situated, a
terrific storm burst upon them, compelling them to
seek shelter in the mill, from which they were luckily
not far distant at the time. The house was completely
deserted, but they were well able to shift for themselves,
and not over scrupulous in the manner of doing so,
and as the remains of the funeral feast were not re-
moved from the table, some of the company sat down
to them, while others found their way to the cellar.

The storm was of long continuance, much longer
than was agreeable to Sir Thomas, and he paced the
room to and fro impatiently, ever and anon walking to
the window or door, to see whether it had in any
degree abated, and was constantly doomed to disap-
pointment. Instead of diminishing, it increased in
violence, and it was now impossible to quit the house
with safety. The lightning blazed, the thunder rattled
anions the overhanging rocks, and the swollen stream
of Pendle Water roared at their feet. Blackadder was
left under the care of the two Alsatians, but while
they had shielded their eyes from the glare of the
lightning, he threw open the window, and, springing

44 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

through, it, made good his retreat. In such a storm
it was vain to follow him, even if they had dared to
attempt it.

In vain Sir Thomas Metcalfe fumed and fretted — in
vain he heaped curses upon the bullies for their negli-
gence— in vain he hurled menaces after the fugitive :
the former paid little heed to his imprecations, and the
latter was beyond his reach. The notion began to gain
ground amongst the rest of the troop that the storm
was the work of witchcraft, and occasioned general con-
sternation. Even the knight's anger yielded to super-
stitious fear, and as a terrific explosion shook the
rafters overhead, and threatened to bring them down
upon him, he fell on his knees, and essayed, with unac-
customed lips, to murmur a prayer. But he was inter-
rupted ; for amid the deep silence succeeding the
awful crash, a mocking laugh was heard, and the villa-
nous countenance of Blackadder, rendered doubly
hideous by the white lightning, was seen at the case-
ment. The sight restored Sir Thomas at once. Draw-
ing his sword he flew to the window, but before he
could reach it Blackadder was gone. The next flash
showed what had befallen him. In stepping backwards,
he tumbled into the mill-race ; and the current, in-
creased in depth and force by the deluging rain, in-
stantly swept him away.

Half an hour after this, the violence of the storm had
perceptibly diminished, and Sir Thomas and his com-

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 45

panions began to hope that their speedy release was at
hand. Latterly the knight had abandoned all idea of
attaching Hough Lee, but with the prospect of fair
weather his courage returned, and he once more resolved,
to attempt it. He was moving about among his fol-
lowers, striving to dispel their fears, and persuade them
that the tempest was only the result of natural causes,
when the door was suddenly thrown open, giving entrance
to Bess Whitaker, who bore the miller in her arms. She
stared on seeing the party assembled, and knit her
brows, but said nothing till she had deposited Baldwyn
in a seat, when she observed to Sir Thomas that he
seemed to have little scruple in taking possession of a
house in its owner's absence. The knight excused
himself for the intrusion by saying he had been
compelled by the storm to take refuge there with his
followers ; a plea readily admitted by Baldwyn, who
was now able to speak for himself ; and the miller next
explained that he had been to Rough Lee, and after
many perilous adventures, into the particulars of which
he did not enter, had been brought away by Bess, who
had carried him home. That home he now felt would
be a lonely and insecure one unless she would consent
to occupy it with him, and Bess, on being thus appealed
to, affirmed that the only motive that would induce her
to consent to such an arrangement would be her desire
to protect him from his mischievous neighbours. While
they were thus discoursing, Old Mitton, who, it appeared
had followed them, arrived well nigh exhausted, and

46 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

Baldwyn went in search of some refreshment for
him.

By this time the storm had sufficiently cleared off to
allow the others to take their departure, and though the
miller and Bess would fain have dissuaded the knight
from the enterprise, he was not to be turned aside, but,
bidding his men attend him, set forth. The rain had
ceased, but it was still very dark. Under cover of the
gloom, however, they thought they could approach the
house unobserved, and obtain an entrance before Mistress
Nutter could be aware of their arrival. In this expec-
tation they pursued their way in silence, and soon stood
before the gates. These were fastened, but as no one
appeared to be on the watch, Sir Thomas, in a low tone,
ordered some of his men to scale the walls, with the
intention of following himself ; but scarcely had a head
risen above the level of the brickwork than the flash
of an arquebuss was seen, and the man jumped back-
wards, luckily just in time to avoid the bullet that
whistled over him. An alarm was then instantly given,
voices were heard in the garden, mingled with the furious
barking of hounds. A bell was rung from the upper
part of the house, and lights appeared at the windows.

Meanwhile, some of the men, less alarmed than their
comrade, contrived to scramble over the wall, and were
soon engaged hand to hand with those on the opposite
side. But not alone had they to contend with adversaries
like themselves. The stag-hounds, which had done so
much execution during the first attack upon the house by

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 47

Roger Nowell, raged amongst them like so many lions,
rending their limbs, and seizing their throats. To free
themselves from these formidable antagonists was their
first business, and by dint of thrust from pike, cut from
sword, and ball from caliver, they succeeded in slaughter-
ing two of them, and driving the others, badly
wounded, and savagely howling, away. In doing this,
however, they themselves had sustained considerable
injury. Three of their number were lying on the
ground, in no condition, from their broken heads, or
shattered limbs, for renewing the combat.

Thus, so far as the siege had gone, success seemed to
declare itself rather for the defenders than the assail-
ants, when a new impulse was given to the latter, by
the bursting open of the gates, and the sudden influx
of Sir Thomas Metcalfe and the rest of his troop. The
knight was closely followed by the Alsatian captains, who,
with tremendous oaths in their mouths, and slashing blades
in their hands, declared they would make minced
meat of any one opposing their progress. Sir Thomas
was equally truculent in expression and ferocious in
tone, and as the whole party laid about them right and
left, they speedily routed the defenders of the garden,
and drove them towards the house. Flushed by their
success, the besiegers shouted loudly, and Sir Thomas
roared out, that ere many minutes Nowell and Potts
should be set free, and Alice Nutter captured. But
before he could reach the main door, Nicholas Asshe-
ton, well armed, and attended by some dozen men,

48 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

presented himself at it. These were instantly joined by
the retreating party, and the whole offered a formidable
array of opponents, quite sufficient to check the progress
of the besiegers. Two or three of the men near Nicholas
carried torches, and their light revealed the numbers
on both sides.

" What ! is it you, Sir Thomas Metcalfe ?" cried the
squire. uDo you commit such outrages as this — do
you break into habitations like a robber, rifle them, and
murder their inmates ? Explain yourself, sir, or I will
treat you as I would a common plunderer ; shoot you
through the head, or hang you to the first tree if I
take you."

"Zounds and fury!" rejoined Metcalfe. "Do }'Ou
dare to liken me to a common robber and murderer ?
Take care you do not experience the same fate as
that with which you threaten me, with this differ-
ence only, that the hangman — the common hangman
of Lancaster — shall serve your turn. I am come hither
to arrest a notorious witch, and to release two gentlemen
who are unlawfully detained prisoners by her; and if
you do not instantly deliver her up to me, and produce
the two individuals in question, Master Roger Nowell
and Master Potts, I will force my way into the house,
and all injury done to those who oppose me will rest on
your head."

" The two gentlemen you have named are perfectly
safe and contented in their quarters," replied Nicholas;
" and as to the foul and false aspersions you have thrown

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 49

out against Mistress Nutter, I cast them back in your
teeth. Your purpose in coming hither is to redress
some private wrong. How is it you have such a rout
with you ? How is it I behold two notorious bravos
by your side — men who have stood in the pillory,
and undergone other ignominious punishment for
their offences ? You cannot answer, and their oaths and
threats go for nothing. I now tell you, Sir Thomas, if
you do not instantly withdraw your men, and quit
these premises, grievous consequences will ensue to you
and them."

11 1 will hear no more," cried Sir Thomas, infuriated
to the last degree. "Follow me into the house, and
spare none who oppose you."

" You are not in yet," cried Nicholas.

And as he spoke a row of pikes bristled around him,
holding the knight at bay, while a hook was fixed in
the doublet of each of the Alsatian captains, and they
were plucked forward and dragged into the house. This
done, Nicholas and his men quickly retreated, and the
door was closed and barred upon the enraged and dis-
comfited knight.

VOL. III.

50 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.