tely picked it up from where some friendly hand had thrown it,
reserving the curious envelope for Gideon's breakfast, not aware of the
important message it contained. But the prisoner, more wary than his
keeper, when he felt the paper between his teeth, rightly judged that
it was some communication of importance to his enemies, and craftily
conveyed it, as we have seen, into the hands of Captain Moseley.

No mean act of heroism for a starving man to wrench the food from his
own jaws,--a deed we might in vain look for amongst the patriots of our
own day,--persons who would sneer at the fanaticism, and, it may be, the
sincerity of Gideon Greatbatch.

Consternation was visible throughout the assembly. They had all along
flattered themselves with the expectation that Prince Rupert's army was
too urgently required for the relief of York, to have caused them any
disturbance; and, with inward curses on the king for his humanity,
secret preparations were made for raising the siege.

Though ignorant of the cause, the garrison soon espied an unusual bustle
in the camp. They were evidently preparing for some exploit. One of the
spies brought intelligence that two squadrons had departed in the night,
and that Colonels Moore and Ashton were on their return to Manchester.

On Monday morning, the 27th of May, it was agreed that Captains Ogle and
Rawsthorne should make a sally. But they found the enemy had been
beforehand with them, leaving the camp in the utmost terror and
disorder. Intelligence now arrived that Prince Rupert had entered
Lancashire by way of Stockport, where the Parliament army, under
Colonels Duckenfield, Mainwaring, Buckley, and others, had suffered a
total route. The besiegers had commenced their retreat between twelve
and one o'clock the preceding night.

Thus ended the first siege of Lathom, after the place had been closely
beset four months; during which time the garrison lost but six
men,--four in the service, and two by negligence and over-daring.

They were, in general, supplied with provisions, her ladyship seeing the
men's rations duly served. Yet were they not seldom pushed to a sally
for their dinner; their friends outside, by lights and other appointed
signals, directing the foragers in their operations.

The enemy shot 107 cannon-balls, 32 stones, and but four grenadoes. By
their own confession near 100 barrels of gunpowder were spent, part of
which was in supplies to the garrison, who often reple