Fenwick, "I agree with Sir William Parkyns,
that no time is to be lost in the execution of this business; but I
agree also with Captain Rookwood, that it would be horrible to cut
these men's throats in cold blood. What I propose is this, that we at
once demand that they lay down their arms, and that, pledging our
word of honour no evil shall happen to them, we march them down one
by one to the boat, and ship them off for France. It will be an
affair of three hours to get them embarked; but that will be time
well bestowed. We can then proceed to the execution of our scheme at
once, and in far greater safety. If they make any resistance, the
consequence be upon their own head."
"But," said Sir George Barkley, "depend upon it they will not go.
There is a determination in that young fellow's look which is not to
be mistaken. He will submit to no power but that of the law."
"Well, then," said Sir John Fenwick, "frighten him with the law!
Declare that you will take them all before a magistrate, to give an
account of the blood that has been shed here. There is blood on his
collar, and his face too, for I saw it; and the whole stairs is
spotted with blood. Tell them that both the men must surrender and
go before a magistrate. The ladies, you can say, may go where they
like, and do what they like, but the men must surrender. Let half of
us go down with the men, and lead or force them to the ship, while
the rest bring down the two women a few minutes after."
"That is not a bad plan at all, Fenwick," said Sir George Barkley.
"Let us see what can be done by it. We can but come to blows at
last."
While the latter part of this conversation had been going on between
Fenwick and Barkley, the Jacobite called Charnock and a dull-looking
man not unlike himself, but only shorter and more broadly made, had
been speaking together in a low voice behind. At first their
conversation was carried on in a whisper; but at length the man said
somewhat louder, "Oh, I'll do it! That's the only way to settle
it. You take the one, and I'll take the other. We don't readily
miss our mark either of us."
"Let Sir George begin his story," replied Charnock. "There must be
some talk at first, you know. Then get quietly up behind our timid
friends here, and when I give a nod, we will both fire at once."
"I understand," answered the other. "You had better see that your
pistols are primed, Charnock, and that the balls are not out, for you
rode at a rate down that hill which wou