William Ainsworth - Preston Fight - or, The Insurrection of 1715

No uneasiness was felt at the non-appearance of the earl and his betrothed. It was known that an accident had befallen the young lady’s horse – and all were aware that a groom had gone back with his lordship to Dunstanborough – but no importance was attached to this circumstance.

On his arrival at Bamborough the prince was ceremoniously received by Mr. Forster who had ridden on in advance with Dorothy. He was first ushered into the hall of the modern mansion which was thronged with servants, who bowed reverently as he appeared, and everything looked so cheerful and comfortable, and so like the abode of a country squire – all the doors were wide open – there were so many dogs about – and such an air of free and easy hospitality pervaded the place – that he would fain have taken up his quarters there, had it been judged prudent.

Mr. Forster would have readily acceded to his highness’s wishes, and have assigned him the best rooms in the mansion, but Lord Widdrington and Colonel Oxburgh declared that he must be lodged in the old castle. There he might sleep in security – surrounded by lofty walls, and protected by strong gates. In the daytime there was comparatively little danger.

Quite reconciled to the arrangement, the prince was shortly afterwards conducted by his host to the lower ward of the castle, and thence to one of the towers, the chambers within which were comfortably furnished, and with this accommodation he was very well content.

As a guard to his highness, it was next arranged that Colonel Oxburgh should occupy the lower chamber of the same tower, and that the adjoining fortifications should be tenanted by Captain Wogan and the rest of the troop, together with some of Mr. Forster’s retainers on whose courage and fidelity perfect reliance could be placed.

These arrangements made, the prince walked round the walls of the castle, attended by his host, Lord Widdring-ton, and Colonel Oxburgh, and was greatly struck by the strength of its position.

Though the sea was tolerably calm, the waves came dashing against the precipitous rock on which the edifice was reared. The Fame Islands looked close at hand, and Holy Island could be seen looming in the distance on the left.

Turning from the sea, the prince contemplated for awhile the square massive keep, and then descended to the court.

Here they were met by the butler, who brought the welcome intelligence that dinner was served. Though it was judged expedient that the prince should lodge within the castle, it was not thought necessary that he should dine there.

“If I am not able to entertain your majesty as well as I could desire,” said Mr. Forster, “I trust you will excuse me on the ground that I have had little time for preparation. I cannot give you a banquet such as we partook of yesterday at Dilston.”

“Make no apologies,” said the prince. “I am no epicure, and care not how plain the fare may be. Apropos of the feast of yesterday! where is Lord Derwentwater?”

Mr. Forster could not answer the question, but the butler being applied to, said that neither his lordship nor the young lady with him had arrived.

“This is strange!’’ exclaimed the prince.

“Your majesty need not feel uneasy,” laughed Forster. “They will be here presently. Is it your pleasure to wait dinner for them?”

His highness did not deem that necessary, but thought some one ought to go in quest of them.

“That will I,” cried Lord Widdrington.

And hieing at once to the stable, he called for his horse, and attended by a couple of grooms, set off towards Dunstanborough.

He had got more than half way thither, when he thought he descried them in the distance, but as night was now coming on, he did not feel quite sure. In another minute, however, all doubts were removed. The persons he beheld were Lord Derwentwater and his betrothed.

Presently, the parties met, and Lord Widdrington exclaimed:

“I am greatly rejoiced to see both of you safe and sound, for we began to fear that something must have happened.”

“Something very extraordinary has happened,” rejoined Lord Derwentwater.

“Your lordship will scarcely credit me when I tell you that I have been lost in a cavern underneath Dunstan-borough Castle,” said Anna.

“Lost in a cavern!” exclaimed Lord Widdrington in astonishment. “How came that to pass?”

“You shall hear,” she replied. “I was left by myself for a short time near the castle – Lord Derwentwater having ridden off to bring me another horse, my own having got injured by a fall – when I thought I would take a peep at the ruins which were close at hand. Foolishly acting upon the impulse, I flew thither – meaning to get back in a few minutes – and never stopped till I got into the court. After gazing at Queen Margaret’s Tower and Lilburne’s Tower, I looked round the walls, when my eye fell upon a cavity at a little distance from me. Within the hollow was a flight of steps, leading, as I fancied, to some vault or dungeon, and prompted by curiosity, I hastily descended them. The steps brought me to an arched passage, and still under the influence of curiosity I ventured on, and soon found that other passages branched off on the right and left. Into one of these I turned and advanced a few yards, and inadvertently stepping forward – for I could now see nothing – slipped down a rapid descent, that landed me in what I knew to be a spacious cavern. At first, I was not so much alarmed, because I fancied I could extricate myself from the difficulty. But I could not remount the place down which I had fallen, and being now greatly frightened, I endeavoured to find another exit. But the attempt was fruitless. My outstretched hand only encountered a wall of rock, and I soon became so perplexed and confused that I could not even find my way back to the spot I had just quitted.”

“A terrible position to be placed in!” exclaimed Lord Widdrington. “I wonder you have recovered so soon from the effects of the fright.”

“I thought I should have sunk at the time,” she rejoined. “But fortunately my spirits supported me. I addressed a prayer to Saint Anna, and then felt easier. But deliverance did not come so soon as I expected, and there was an interval of dreadful suspense. You seemed long – long in coming,” she added to Lord Derwent-water. “Ah! when I heard your voice, I knew I was saved.”

“And your response gave me new life,” he said; “for hope was almost extinct within my breast. That cavern was the last place I searched, for though I had noticed the stone steps, I never thought you would venture down them.”

“I can guess all the rest,” said Lord Widdrington. “It must have been a joyful meeting.”

“The adventure was not an agreeable one,” said Anna. “But it has tested his lordship’s affection for me. However, I promise to be more careful in future.”

“Yes, you have had a pretty good lesson, and will do well to profit by it,” said Lord Widdrington.

“My unlucky steed is to blame for it all,” she cried. “Had he not stumbled, nothing would have happened.”

“You have left him at Dunstanborough, I suppose?” observed Lord Widdrington.

“Yes, in charge of your groom,” she replied. “Your lordship’s horse carries me capitally.”

“Then pray use him as long as you will! And now let us on, and relieve the anxiety of our friends.”

With this they quickened their pace, and made such good way that dinner was not quite over when they reached Bamborough.

Great rejoicing was manifested on their appearance, and when Anna’s adventure became known, the feeling rose to excitement. Dorothy could not contain herself, but springing from her seat, rushed up to her friend and embraced her.