The Crimson Sign

is the

the Cathedral struck the hour as

ver come. Here have I been since the last night, getting what warmth I could from the shelter of the rampart, and keeping these fellows from sleeping on guard, while my o

the brae and wal

ou carry me, I′m on

have a merry

thin beer, and a chance of getting knocked on the 160head every hour in the day. Is not that enough for one man, my dear Ajax, or will nothing satisfy you? Here we have been for a fortnight at this

amp yonder of a general onset on our position here at the Windmill, and when I left, Ba

ready to stand by you when the knocks were going. But following the voice of wisdom for once, I′ll even go home t

he city, it entirely commanded the town; and only a fortnight before the enemy had made a bold effort to drive in the guard, and entrench themselves upon 161it. In this they had failed after a stubborn resistance, and since then the position had been strengthened by throwing up a rampart that ran across the summit of the hill almost to the river. The guards had been greatly strengthened, for

o the thunder of the guns in the batteries on Creggan and the Waterside. Successful resistance had awakened in him as in others, an intense enthusiasm he was far from feeling the first day he had stood on the walls and watched the white tents stretching out on every side. At that time resistance had seemed almost hopeless

d aside for the nonce, mounting the pulpit with his martial air, and drilling his flock in the duty of resistance. When the sermon was over, and they came crowding through the door--men, women, and children--there was a look in their eyes and a catching of their breath, that spoke volumes for the powers of the homely orator and the earnestness of his appeal. There was indeed nothing wanting to inflame their zeal and strengthen their pride. The Celt was in their eyes an inferior and a servile race, and his religion the superstition of the scarlet woman. On them hung the fate of

; only a light glanced here and there for a moment and then vanished into the darkness. The men lay in the trenches, screening themselves from the sharp wind, for thoug

as always anxious to see the young soldier fresh from duty with his news of how the siege was going; and though Gervase often 164longed for a tender tête-à-tête he seldom managed to secure it. How he had come to evoke the ill-will of Jasper Carew he did not know, but the latter took little pains to conceal his enmity and on more than one occasion, only the presence of his sister prevented Gervase from coming to an open breach with him. He took no part in the defence, and openly laughed at his sister′s zeal. And yet Gervase knew that he was no coward, for he had come through several aff

ts in the valley below him. 165The clear note of a solitary bugle was sounding fitfully. The camp was already astir, and away to the left several companies of horse were moving rapidly toward the strand. In a moment his dreams were dissipated and he was keenly on the alert. It seemed to him that a great body of men were being massed in the hollow. Already, as it grew clearer, he could see them gathering round the stand

City with what haste you can. Tell Baker we must stand a general attack, and that the horse are gone toward the river. I think the grenadiers are upon the left moving toward the bog. You, Bowden, will pass

ere made for the coming struggle. There was now no longer any reason to doubt that the enemy were preparing to make a general advance. In the grey dawn they c

broad and clear, and lying screened by the shelter of the fence, he could see the different regiments rapidly taking up their position with as much order as the irregularities of the ground would permit. What their strength was he could not rightly estimate, but the regiment before him was Butler′s foot, and on the left were Nugent′s grenadiers. He c

e up in a quarter of an hour. We must give them a warm welcome here. Bring out the powder

nt of them. But the city was all astir. The Cathedral bell was pealing out its warning summons, and already a stream of men was pouring from the Bishop′s-gate without order or formati

s clutching their muskets and watching far belo

tall, raw-boned man of Down, glancing along the barrel of the fowling piece he carried, and turning to Ger

you will. God be praised! here come the reinforcements. I′m 168glad to see you, Colo

ad they caught us napping, but there is not a man in the camp yonder who is worth a pinch of powder, and they come o

rst rank that they should wait till the enemy came within forty paces of the rampart, and when he gave the word they should fire their volley steadily and all together; that having fired the second rank

nt their help to-day. Yonder fellows are but three to one; you could spare them greater odds than

e defenders could see all along the line their enemies hastening to the attack. With a loud cheer the latter advanced at the double, and were close upon the ramparts when they were met by a sudden spurt of fire that ran simultaneously along the line, and by a shower of bullets that brought them to a stand. But the check was only momentary. Be

, they are nearly sati

the shouts of their officers and still full of fight, made for the ramparts, and leaping into the trench climbed up the curtain with muskets clubbed. But they had little chance of success. All along the line they were met by an enemy flushed with the first success and having the advantage of a superior position. In some places, indeed, they

e have taken the heart out of them and they will not form again. I pray God we have done as well elsewhere, but I fear the horse have pressed us harder by

he could down the line of the ramparts towards the strand. All along the earthworks the

ine or perish in the attempt. Gervase came up as they were about to make the charge and delivered his message to the stout soldier who com

nly wheeled to the right, and made for the open space between the rampart and the river, intending to take the enemy on the flank. As they came on they were met by a storm of bullets that seemed without effect,

d gained the open ground within. Hastily clambering out of the trench, the defe

ts to lift himself out of the trench under the 172weight of his heavy firelock. The face of the little linen-draper was ghastly pale, the perspir

attempt to flee, which I verily think you do, I′ll even

you like a man; but this is a fearful trade

swered Gervase, picking up a pike; “

fear

et still strove to make good the vow they had taken, and fought with a stubborn spirit. On every side they were surrounded by that cruel wall of pikes and scythes, and a spir

s throat baked like a kiln. He heard some of the men crying round him for water and saw them go staggering, faint and exhausted, to the rear. And though Gervase did not see it there was help for them there. The women of the city, who had been watching with anxious hearts from the walls, could bear the suspense no longer, and regardless of the bullets and cannon shot from across the river, had come down to their aid with food and drink. It was even said, and the chroniclers record it with a touch of pride, that the

no hope of escape for 174them. A dense phalanx of pikemen and musketeers had drawn between them and the entrance to the li

ong the slaughtered horses and dead and wounded men, when he saw half a dozen pikemen surrounding a dismounted horseman, who was making gallant play with his sword. Anxious to save his life Gervase wa

ng his way into their midst, he warded off a blow that was aimed at the Vicomte, and loudly commanded his assailants to fo

ing himself before him and guarding him with the p

s sword, held out his hand. “There is no need for this now,” he said, “and I could not surrender it even

t,” Gervase answered with a smile.

these men of yours fight like devil

erfect But they have made a complete rout of your horse, and left but few of them to carry

weary of the camp and would prefer to visit your

ht to lighten your captivity be assured I will do my best to that end. But in t

ce for me,” said the Vicomte ch

s, and 176telling them that he was under obligations to the gentleman, whom, he hoped,

n the open field against the very flower of the enemy′s cavalry and with no great superiority of numbers, was a thing of which they might be fairly proud. The women were looking after those who had fallen, man

round him, and was about to make his way back to the city, wh

e? I′m told he was here among you in the very front of the figh

elihood of his being very forward in the melée, he was concerned to hear that he had not made his appearance to receive hi

have not seen him since. Never fear for Simon; you will find him s

n alive he would have been yonder where the Colonel is

l he could to comfort his inconsolable spouse. “Come with me,” he said, “and I′ll show you where I

lifted him up with his musket on his shoulder, and as they stood there looking up and down, Gervase caught sight of a figure lying half hidden under the shelter of the rampart. Leaping into the trench he ran down and bent over the prostrate body. The fac

hurt me,” he cried, “I surrender peacefully. Why, God bless me! Mr. Orme, is it you? Is it all over,

se said, with a gravity he found it hard to maint

e sole of the foot. This hath been a terrible time for me.

unded. It never for a moment occurred to the mind of his wife that he had crept under the parapet to be out of the way of evil, and it was with grief and consternation that she began to investigate his injuries. With the

ck was broken, but the feeling hath come back into my extremities, and I may

uld have grieved sorely, but it would have been my

nd trust been mercifully spared to you and the children. I think, though, I have got t

ng her alarm, “that you are more frightened than hurt. I would just like to know

up heart and sending his imagination on an ai

e to evil, but I could not help you, strive as I might. I had work enough of my own to save my head, and I and some others--who they were I know not--were borne 180back here. We made a stout defence, but I was struck o

ing us hard in the ramparts down by the Bogside, and I heard a whisper that our men had been drive

me, I say with all courage, I think I′ll even turn my steps homeward, if my wife will lend me her a

rdice in others, still imagined that Simon had sustained some internal injury, and

or a moment been any doubt as to the result. There, indeed, the defenders had 181been taken by surprise, and the grenadiers had gained possession of the trenche

ls that night and shook one another by the hand in joyful congratulation, they were unable to

“Elizabeth thinks I am safe in bed,” he said apologetically, “but I could not go to sleep till I had seen you. I would not ask you to stra

an I do th

s are loosened under me and my heart dies in my breast. And all the while I would, if I might, be up and playing the hero, but I cannot. ′Tis a fearful position for an honest man to be placed in; my wife who is as bold as a lion 182itself thinks there is n

the matter, Simon, and

o am an elder in my church and an honest burgher that may sometime be an alderman, confess that I am but a liar and

nd Gervase smiled significantly, “you have been w

Simon asked

ss than that, but eve

oyfully. “Twill be hard work but there is no help for it. And you wi

as Murray himself, and that you have not got a wound as deep as the well of 183St. Colomb. I can go no further t

Simon, halting for a moment at the door; “and I think

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