In the market-place, however, the Earl of Derby found a great number of pikemen, together with a troop of horse.

With savage satisfaction, he perceived that the latter were commanded by Captain Bootle, and burning for vengeance, he instantly charged them.

The fierce onset could not be resisted, and such of the Parliamentarians as were not cut down took to flight, their retreat being aided by the pikemen.

But their leader was captured and disarmed, and at once brought before Lord Derby.

Bootle could not mistake the look fixed upon him by the earl. Nevertheless, he sued for quarter.

"Spare me, my lord," he cried, "and I will deliver Rigby into your hands."

"Thou art false to the last, perfidious villain!" cried the earl. "Already thou hast betrayed me, and now thou wouldst betray him thou art bound to serve. I will not spare thee."

Stabbed to the heart, the traitor fell from his horse.

By this time, Prince Rupert had entered the devoted town with the whole of his army, and the work of destruction was then carried on with greater fury than before.

No such massacre took place during the civil wars in Lancashire as occurred at Bolton on that day.

The soldiers were killed on the walls, and their bodies thrown into the ditch, but that was no more than would have been done at any siege. All the pikemen were killed; but they could not expect a lighter fate. The houses were plundered, but houses had been plundered in every town taken before-both by Roundheads and Cavaliers-at Lancaster, at Preston, at Wigan and Warrington.

It was the indiscriminate slaughter of the in-habitants, after the garrison had surrendered, and when the town was at the entire mercy of the victors, that stamped the assault with the character of a massacre. The ruthless soldiers spared none-old men, women, children.

Four divines were killed-one a venerable man with grey locks, who had stationed himself at the foot of the cross in the market-place, and lifted up his voice to denounce them, had his skull cloven by a dragoon. The streets resounded with the shrieks and groans of the wounded and dying, and the kennels ran with blood.

Neither Rupert nor the earl interposed to check the slaughter. In the market-place, as we have said, the carnage was frightful; and it was here that all the divines we have mentioned were killed.

One of these addressed the earl in words that proved prophetic.

"Thou hast destroyed Bolton," he said, with his dying breath; "but thou shalt not escape. When brought here to die-as thou shalt be-thou wilt remember this day."

Standish took as little part as he could help in these dreadful scenes. His soul revolted from them, and he would have shut his eyes if he could to the terrible sights forced upon him.

On Rupert's entrance into the town he obtained a horse, and feeling sure Rigby would seek safety in flight, his great desire was to prevent him. And he had well nigh succeeded.

Discovering that Rigby had contrived to get out of the town with a small party of horse, and was making all haste he could towards Bury, Standish put himself at the head of a score of dragoons, and galloped after him.

He continued the pursuit for a couple of miles, and might have overtaken the fugitive, if a body of Parliamentarians had not been seen advancing in the opposite direction. These men were no doubt hastening to the relief of Bolton, but were too late. They came, however, in time to rescue Rigby, and escorted him to Bury, while Standish was compelled to return without his expected prize to Bolton.

VI.

How Standish met Rosworm for the last Time

WHEN Standish approached the town, he found Prince Rupert and the Earl of Derby with a squadron of lancers near the Bradshaw Gate. They had just been riding round the walls, and Rupert had given orders that all the colours taken in the assault should be brought to him.

They proved to be twenty-two in number, and all had been displayed at the Leaguer of Lathom.

"What of Rigby?" cried the earl, as Standish came up.

"He has fled to Bury," replied Standish.

"And left his army to perish! Ignoble dastard!" exclaimed the prince.

"He has baulked my vengeance by flight," cried the earl, with a look of deep disappointment. "'Tis well for him he has got away. But we may meet again."

"Think of him no more!" cried Rupert. "Think of the countess-and how overjoyed she will be at our victory. You must send her word of it without delay."

"May I bear the message to her ladyship?" cried Standish, eagerly.

"I would fain send you," observed the earl. "But you must be fatigued."

"I have strength enough left to reach Lathom," rejoined Standish. "I pray your lordship not to refuse my request."

"Let him have his wish," said the prince. "He is not wanted here. Hark ye, Captain Standish! you shall do more than convey a message to the Countess of Derby from her valiant lord. Commend me heartily to her ladyship, and present these colours to her. Tell her they have just been taken at Bolton."

"I will gladly obey your highness's behest," replied Standish, bowing.

"I have more to say," pursued the prince. "When I set out from Lathom to besiege this place, I told her ladyship, when my work was done, I would return and feast with her. I shall not forget my promise. She may expect me to-morrow."

"The countess will be enchanted," said the earl. "But suitable preparation can scarce be made for your highness by to-morrow."

"No preparation need be made for me," said the prince, "My cousin's welcome will suffice."

Well knowing the prince's humour, Lord Derby said no more on the subject, but bade Standish prepare for instant departure; and Prince Rupert enjoined him to take a strong guard lest he should be robbed of the colours.

"Take the party of dragoons you have just brought back with you from the pursuit of Rigby," said the prince.

Proud of his errand, yet fearful of losing the flags, which he committed to the care of the stoutest men in the troop, Standish departed.

After the dreadful scenes he had recently wit-nessed, and knew were still being enacted in the town, he was not sorry to leave Bolton behind.

Speeding across the moor he soon reached Lostock, and found the place abandoned.

From Lostock Standish took his way across the country to Haigh, and thence to Wrightington, and he was close upon Newburgh, when he saw a horseman coming towards him, whom even at a distance he recognised as Rosworm.

On seeing the party of dragoons, Rosworm would have galloped off, but a shout from Standish checked him, and he waited tranquilly till the young man came up. A brief colloquy then took place between them-being so conducted that it could not be overheard by the troopers, who had likewise halted.

"I can give you a good account of your friends," said Rosworm. "I have just left them at Lathom House. The journey there was not difficult, since I was fortunately able to procure horses for them at Great Lever."

"Why did you not remain at Lathom as I advised?" asked Standish.

"I had reasons for not doing so," replied Ros-worm. "I am now going to Wigan. But what has happened to Bolton?"

"Bolton has fallen," replied Standish. "Hundreds have been slain, but Rigby has escaped to Bury."

"Lathom has proved unlucky to him in every way," observed Rosworm. "He gained nothing during the siege, and now he has lost all at Bolton."

"I should have been satisfied if we had slain him," said Standish. "But he lives to do us more mischief."

"Not much, I think," said Rosworm. "But I must be gone. Night is at hand. Farewell for ever! It is not likely we shall meet again."

"Wherefore not?" demanded Standish.

"I shall leave this country," replied Rosworm. "I am sick of the war."

"If you had seen Bolton to-day you would have had enough of it," observed Standish, in a sombre voice.

"I am glad I had left before the second assault began," said Rosworm. "But I have another reason for leaving this country. My daughter has warned me to return to my native land. I have seen her twice."

"You fancy so."

"I am sure of it. I shall obey. Again, farewell!"

No more passed between them.

Rosworm rode off, and Standish proceeded to Lathom House, which was not much more than a mile distant.

VII.

How the Colours taken at Bolton were presented to the Countess

NEWS had reached the countess and the officers of the garrison that Prince Rupert and the earl had been repulsed, and though they did not credit the rumour, it caused them great uneasiness.

Their delight may therefore be imagined when Standish arrived and announced that Bolton had been taken on the second assault.

But when the dragoons rode into the court carrying the colours of the enemy-colours they instantly recognised-their enthusiasm knew no bounds.

The good news was instantly conveyed to the countess by Major Farrington, who told her that Bolton had been taken, and that both Prince Rupert and Lord Derby were unhurt.

For once the heroic lady's firmness forsook her. She who had so often faced danger unmoved, and had borne so many trials with unshaken constancy, now felt ready to sink. But by a great effort she regained her self-possession, and observed to Major Farrington: "You say Captain Standish has brought this good news. Why does he not come to me himself?"

"He brings your ladyship a present from Prince Rupert, and desires to deliver it to you before the garrison."

On hearing this the countess immediately went forth, accompanied by her daughters, by her chaplains, and by Don Fortunio and Engracia.

At the entrance of the mansion stood all her officers ready to attend her. The court-yard was thronged with the soldiers of the garrison, who had hastily assembled to witness a scene of the deepest interest to them. In front of the musketeers were the dragoons who had just arrived. The latter were still on horseback, and each man in the foremost line carried a flag.

Standish had dismounted, and was stationed a few yards in advance of the troop.

Greatly touched by this spectacle, the countess marched on till she came within a short distance of the dragoons, and then stood still, while Standish with his drawn sword in his hand, advanced to meet her and made a profound obeisance.

Speaking in a loud voice that all might hear, he said: "It will rejoice you to learn, madam, and it will rejoice your brave soldiers to hear, that Bolton has been taken after a sharp conflict, and all the garrison put to the sword. A great victory has thus been gained over the rebels, and a blow dealt them from which they will not speedily recover."

Here he was interrupted for a few moments by the shouts of the soldiers, after which he went on.

"My lord, though first to enter the gate, and exposed to the sharpest fire, is happily unhurt, and charges me to inform your ladyship that he will return to Lathom to-morrow, and bring his highness Prince Rupert with him."

"They will be right welcome to us all," said the countess.

Loud shouts again resounded. But Standish had not yet finished.

"I am commanded by Prince Rupert," he said, "to present to your ladyship these colours, which have just been taken from the enemy."

Meanwhile all the flags having been collected by a couple of dragoons, who had dismounted for the purpose, were laid at the countess's feet.

Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes blazed as she regarded them.

"At last these colours are ours," she cried, taking one from the heap, and waving it triumphantly to the shouting soldiers.

There was great rejoicing that night in Lathom House, and the countess promised the soldiers that their cups should again be filled with ale on the morrow.

Standish had little private converse with Engracia, but he thought she looked sad. He fancied the captivity at Bolton had made a painful impression on her, and told her so; but she said he was mistaken.

"These occurrences have troubled my father more than me," she said. "He is resolved to return to Spain immediately."

"And take you with him?"

"Of course. He cannot leave me behind. I fear we shall be obliged to part, unless you will come with us to Spain."

"I have already told you I cannot forsake my own country at this juncture," he rejoined. "I must go where my lord leads me. He has more towns to assault-more battles to fight."

"Then you will certainly be killed. Now in Spain you might live tranquilly."

"I will go there when this campaign is ended."