ONE of these was the Reverend Richard Heyrick, warden of the Collegiate Church.

His deportment and features indicated a proud and overbearing character. He had become extremely popular among the Puritanical faction in the town by his determined enmity to the Papists, and his opposition to all the movements of the Royalists.

Warden Heyrick was a man of great eloquence, and unsparing in his denunciations of Papacy, as an extract from one of his intolerant exhortations will suffice to show. "Whence is it, men and brethren," he exclaimed, "that Popery so far prevails at this day-that Popery so much increases among us? I beseech you that are armed with authority go to the utmost of your authority! You that have power to punish, punish! to indict, indict! to present, present! Let not Papists rest in peace, in security by you! If the chiefest and greatest men of a parish be Papists, their children, their servants, their tenants, their poor neighbours, their rich kindred and friends, are all in danger by them. My lord will have his followers as well of his vices as of his person. If he leave his friend at the church door, he turns not back without his attendants. If his honour please to be idolatrous, they will wait on him to mass. You that keep back the sword from doing justice when Heaven calls for it, you may yourselves die by the sword, and the blood of all that perish by your neglect shall lie upon your heads. Crudelitas pro Christo pietas est. Cruelty for Christ is godliness."

Again, in a sermon delivered in the Collegiate Church just before the outbreak of the Civil War, he said: "War is only sweet to them that are ignorant of it. Our kingdom hath enjoyed a longer time of peace than some kingdoms have. Our age hath not been roused with the barking of uncouth wolves; the midnight drum hath not frightened our sleep; the sounding trumpet has not deafened our ears; our beacons have not been fired, our ships arrested, or our walls manned; our towns have not been ransacked, our houses ruined; we have not sowed and the stranger reaped; we have not built, and the enemy possessed; we have not been confounded with strange languages; but peace hath been within our walls, and plenteousness within our dwellings;-Peace, the daughter of the Gospel of Peace-Plenty, the daughter of Peace-Peace, the glory of Heaven, the joy of the whole world."

That Warden Heyrick had become friendly to Puritanism, is made manifest in a passage of one of his sermons which runs thus:-"Of late, I have heard them much branded with the name of Puritan that would not yield up their souls and consciences to the chair of bishops, with their estates, liberties, and lives to the will of their superiors. The name is very large and very reproachful. A bishop affirmed he could as well fetch one from the guilt of felony as from the imputation of Puritanism. My humble notion is, make us all Puritans, or leave no Puritan among us!"

That the warden foresaw the consequences of his infuriated discourses we do not believe, but they did infinite mischief.

Warden Heyrick was a very striking-looking personage-tall, erect, and dignified in deportment, but easily excited, when his gestures were scarcely under his command, and his eyes seemed to flash fire. At one time the Earl of Derby had entertained a very high opinion of him, but he looked upon him latterly as a mischievous bigot.

With the warden was Mr. Bourne, a fellow of the Collegiate Church, but quite as puritanical in his opinions as Heyrick himself. He had become a professed Presbyterian, and has been styled from his efforts to reform the church, the John Knox of Manchester. Mr. Bourne was aged and infirm, and for some weeks had been confined to his bed, but he roused himself to encourage the townspeople to resist the Popish besiegers, as he designated the force under Lord Derby.

A miracle seemed to have been wrought in his favour. Up to that morning, he appeared almost incapable of exertion, but his strength suddenly returned, and he now walked about almost without assistance. However, he was accompanied by the two chaplains, Mr. Hollingworth, and Mr. Walker, who were likewise professed Presbyterians. By the Puritans Mr. Bourne was regarded with the highest respect, and they declared he had long been a blessing to the town. His countenance bore traces of the severe illness he had endured, but his hoary locks and beard gave him a very venerable appearance.

While the warden and Mr. Bourne were conversing with Colonel Holland and Colonel Egerton, voices were heard singing a psalm, and presently a large body of men, belonging to the town guard, entered the churchyard. Some of them were provided with muskets, and others armed with bills and clubs. Their sober apparel, grave looks, and short lank hair proclaimed them Roundheads.

Their captain was a stalwart personage with a very moody countenance. Over a stout buff coat he wore a steel breast-plate, and his closely cropped locks were covered by a steel head-piece. He had pistols in his belt and a long sword by his side. The name of this individual, who had been a butcher, was Joshua Cranage. He was an Anabaptist, and was accompanied by the Reverend Shimrath Stonehouse, a minister of that sect, who was very warlike in his sentiments. They entered the churchyard, singing, Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder, and when the psalm was ended, and a halt made, the Reverend Shimrath addressed a few words to the men, and said: "Fear not, but fight valiantly. The Lord is on our side, and will lend us aid against our enemies. They have compassed us about, but in the Lord's name will we destroy them."

On seeing Colonel Holland, Rosworm, and the warden, Captain Cranage marched up to them, attended by the Anabaptist minister, and was very well received.

As a morning service was about to take place in the church, the warden invited them to attend it, and no objection being made by the Anabaptist minister, the whole party repaired to the sacred fabric followed by the town guard.

Already, as it turned out, a great number of persons were assembled in the church, and to this large congregation Warden Heyrick addressed a fiery discourse.

Rosworm, whose duties called him to the bridge, did not attend the service, but when he had satisfied himself that all his men were at their posts, and that no immediate danger of attack was to be apprehended, he returned.

By this time, the service was over, and Captain Cranage and his men had marched on to the Cross, where they waited for orders. Thither Rosworm followed with the governor and Colonel Egerton, and they had scarcely reached the market-place, when they learnt that a messenger had been sent by the Earl of Derby, but was detained by Captain Bradshaw till Colonel Holland's pleasure was known.

Thereupon the governor mounted his horse, and rode to the barricade at Deansgate, where he found the messenger, who proved to be Captain Standish.

Courteously saluting him, Colonel Holland bade him deliver his message, and he would answer it at once.

"I am sent by the Earl of Derby," replied Standish, "to demand an immediate entrance to the town in order that he may take possession of it, and all the stores within it, in the king's name. What answer shall I deliver to his lordship?"

"Say to the Earl of Derby," replied the other, "that I, Colonel Richard Holland, Governor of Manchester, hold the town for the Parliament, and peremptorily refuse his lordship entrance-neither will I deliver it up to him on his insolent demand."

"Is this answer final?" said Standish, "or has your excellency any further terms to propose? If so, I am willing to submit them to the Earl of Derby, who, I may state, is very desirous to prevent effusion of blood. If the town is quietly surrendered, his lordship will treat the inhabitants kindly, but in the event of an obstinate and useless resistance, fearful destruction will ensue."

"I laugh at these idle threats," rejoined the governor, contemptuously. "When Lord Derby learns that we are fully prepared to withstand an attack, and are certain to receive large reinforcements, he may deem it prudent to withdraw from before the town."

"Think it not," said Standish. "One more question, and I have done. Does your excellency require any delay?"

"None," replied the governor, in a tone calculated to put an end to the interview.

Standish was then conducted to the barriers at the end of Deansgate by Captain Bradshaw; and passing out with the trooper who had attended him, rode back to Alport Lodge, where he found the Earl of Derby with Sir Alexander Radcliffe and Sir Thomas Tyldesley.

"The governor refuses to surrender the town, my lord, and does not require any time for negotiation," he cried, as he sprang from the saddle, and advanced to the earl.

"Tis as I expected," said Lord Derby. "But my conscience is now easy. Let the trumpets at once sound to the assault."

XI.

The Assault

IN obedience to the earl's commands, the trumpets were then blown, and the battery facing Deans-gate immediately opened fire.

The cannonade was continued for some time; but no material damage was done, nor were the defenders driven from their position.

An attempt was next made by Sir Thomas Tyldesley with a party of horse to force the barricade, but it proved unsuccessful. Captain Bradshaw reserved his fire till the assailants were within a short distance of the barrier. He then poured a sharp volley upon them, by which several men were wounded and unhorsed, and the rest turned back.

Another attack was made by Sir Gilbert Hoghton against the barrier at the end of Market-street Lane, and was successfully resisted by Captain Radcliffe. Several fruitless attempts were likewise made to scale the ramparts, but in every instance the assailants were repulsed.

Simultaneously with these attacks on the barriers and walls, a very vigorous and determined effort was made by Lord Molineux and Sir John Girlington to force the defences of the bridge; but Colonel Rosworm with his musketeers kept up such a constant fire upon them from the walls of the churchyard, that they could not advance. The small piece of ordnance planted by Rosworm on Smithy Bank did considerable execution. Moreover, the marksmen posted on the church-tower rendered good service.

Thus far fortune had favoured the besieged, who were in high spirits at their success, and many of the religious enthusiasts firmly believed that Heaven fought on their side. This notion was encouraged by their ministers. The Reverend Shimrath Stonehouse called out with a loud voice: "Go on courageously. Through the name of the Lord, we shall destroy them. They fall down flat, but we do rise and stand up steadfastly through the Lord."

The appearance of the besieged town was very singular and totally different from its ordinary aspect. Very little business was done, most of the shops being closed as on the Sabbath, but all the taverns were open and full of customers, and a good deal of ale and wine was consumed. All classes were full of warlike excitement, and breathed vengeance against the malignants and Papists, whom they coupled together.

Most of the Puritans and Roundheads, who could everywhere be distinguished by their cropped hair, tall hats, and sober habiliments, were armed in one way or other-some with muskets and pistols-some with swords, and others with pikes. But it was evident they were all earnest in the cause-all ready and eager to fight. Crowds assembled in the market-place, where psalms were sung, or gathered round the Cross to listen to the Reverend Shimrath Stonehouse.

A multitude of strangers were now in the town. Several gentlemen, residing in the neighbourhood, staunch adherents of the Parliament, had come to the assistance of the place, and brought with them their armed retainers. These with the militia, which mustered some four or five hundred, amounted in all to nearly two thousand men.

The country people were animated by the same strong religious feeling as the townsfolk, and had the same hatred of the malignants and Papists. It was this religious feeling that made Manchester so strong, because it bound together all classes of the community.

A few of the inhabitants continued loyal and well disposed towards the king, but being in so great a minority, they did not dare to show themselves. Hoping and praying the Earl of Derby might be successful and subdue the town, they meant to rise to his assistance, as soon as they could do so with safety.

To those who really believe themselves under the protection of Heaven nothing can cause alarm; and even when cannon shot was falling in the streets, or demolishing houses, no misgiving was felt by the inhabitants.

As to the soldiers, the preachers were with them everywhere-on the walls-at the gates-exposing themselves to the fire of the enemy-solacing the wounded-cheering on their friends.

Nor was this zeal confined to sectarian ministers, for Warden Heyrick, Mr. Bourne, and their chaplains were equally zealous.

Above all, the greatest reliance was placed on Rosworm, who was looked upon as the chief defender of the town, and since he escaped all injury, it was thought he was under the special protection of Heaven.

Throughout the siege, the inhabitants continued their religious meetings, their public preachings in the market-place, at the Cross, and elsewhere-their constant psalm-singing. Every one lent aid, fearing to be treated as a malignant if he stayed at home. Gentlemen employed themselves in casting bullets, and preparing matches for firelocks. Gentlewomen rendered all the assistance in their power, and brought meat and drink for the soldiers.

When Sir Thomas Tyldesley and his dragoons were driven back from Deansgate by Captain Bradshaw-when Sir Gilbert Hoghton was repulsed by Captain Radcliffe-there was great rejoicing among the saints, and their confidence, shaken for the moment, was fully restored.

When Lord Molineux and Sir John Girlington were determined to pass the bridge, and were driven back by the marksmen on the walls of the churchyard, there was again great rejoicing among the saints, and Rosworm was hailed as their deliverer. Shouts of triumph everywhere resounded throughout the town, and hymns were sung, but Rosworm was not to be deceived. He felt that some successes had been gained, but he knew that far more must be done, ere the town could be effectually delivered from its powerful foe.

Once more he ascended the church-tower to see how matters stood.

On looking towards Alport Lodge, he could easily perceive that preparations for a general assault were being actively made. For the moment the artillerymen at the battery had ceased firing, but it was evident they would recommence very shortly.

In Salford it was the same thing. There the besiegers were preparing for a fresh attack. Having obtained possession of a couple of houses at the foot of the bridge that afforded them shelter, they could cover the advance of the assailing party.

At length the designs of the Earl of Derby became manifest. Determined not to be baffled, he sent off a party of men under the command of Captain Windebank to set fire to two large barns standing at no great distance from the walls.

At the same time another party was despatched to set fire to eight or ten houses at the end of Deansgate. This was done in spite of the efforts of the besieged to prevent it, and the houses soon burst into flames. As the wind was blowing at the time from the south-west, the flames and smoke were driven upon Bradshaw and his men, and almost blinded them. Moreover, it was feared that the conflagration would extend to the town, and such would undoubtedly have been the case, had not the wind suddenly changed-a circumstance not unnaturally regarded as a special providence.

While the fire was raging, a large party of Royalists, under the command of Sir Gilbert Gerard, made another attempt to enter the town, but were baffled by the bravery of Captain Bradshaw and his men, supported by a band of musketeers sent to their assistance by Rosworm. After a sharp encounter the Royalists were driven back with considerable loss.

No further attack was made at the time on the barrier and walls, but the besiegers having possessed themselves of a house at the foot of the bridge, as previously stated, kept up a constant fire throughout the night.

XII.

Captain Cranage

IN the conflict at the barrier in Deansgate, Frank Standish, who accompanied Sir Gilbert Gerard, had his horse shot under him, and while on the ground received a thrust from a pike in the arm, that prevented him from using his sword, and he was therefore obliged to surrender.

Taken to the college, where his wound was dressed, he was still in the surgeon's hands, when Rosworm came into the room with some other prisoners, and recognising him, asked if he was badly hurt.

"Not much," replied the young man.

"You look very faint," said the engineer. "My house is close by; go there and get a cup of wine. My daughter will attend to you. I shall return shortly. I will be answerable for him," he added to the guard.

This was enough. As soon as the surgeon had finished his task, Standish was allowed to depart, and at once repaired to Rosworm's dwelling.

He found Gertrude in the houseplace, examining a musket, which she had been cleaning. She seemed greatly surprised to see him.

He told her he was a prisoner and wounded, and added that her father had sent him to the house to be cared for.

"In that case you are welcome," she said. "Sit down, I pray you."

He gladly complied, and opening a cupboard, she filled a drinking-cup with wine and set it before him.

"You have been unlucky," she remarked, as he emptied the cup. "Your lord has not found it so easy to take the town as he expected."

"No," he replied. "The inhabitants may thank your father for the defence they have been able to make. Had he not been here to aid the rebels, Lord Derby would now be master of the town. But I see you have just laid down a musket. Have you used it?"

"Not yet," she replied. "My father will not allow me to go forth, or I should have done."

"He is quite right," said Standish. "You are better at home."

"I do not think so," she rejoined. "I cannot hear the thunder of the cannon or the rattle of musketry without longing to mix in the fray. Where were you wounded?"

"In an attack on the Deansgate barrier," he replied. "My horse was shot under me, and I received a thrust from a pike ere I could rise. For a moment I thought all was over with me."

"Would I had been there to help you!" she exclaimed.

"I wish you had," he rejoined. "I met with bad usage. Although I had surrendered, the leader of the town-guard, Captain Cranage, would have cut me down, if Captain Bradshaw had not prevented him."

"That was a base act," she cried. "I do not like these Roundheads, but their cause is just."

"Do not mistake," cried Standish. "Their cause is not just. They are rebels, and have thrown the whole kingdom into confusion. It grieves me to think that your father has joined with them. Ah! there the psalm-singing knaves are at work again," he added, as voices were heard outside singing a hymn.

As the hymn ceased, the door opened, and the stalwart figure of Captain Cranage was seen.

"That is the man who would have slain me when I had surrendered," remarked Standish.

"What do I behold?" cried Cranage. "Has a Papist and a malignant taken refuge here. My men shall drag him forth, and put him to death."

"I will resist!" cried Standish, springing to his feet.

Then recollecting that he was disabled, and without a sword, he looked confounded.

"He must not be molested," interposed Gertrude. "My father has sent him."

"This is the second time since I have surrendered that you have threatened to take my life," said Standish. "I am a prisoner on parole."

"Thou hast richly deserved death," said Cranage; "and had I been in command at the Deansgate barrier, thou shouldst have died. Thou wert present when the houses were set on fire."

"What of that?" cried Gertrude. "The men had received their orders from Lord Derby. Did you think this officer would prevent them?"

"I know not," said Cranage. "But since you plead for him, fair damsel, I will spare him."

"I would not owe my life to thee," said Standish, contemptuously.