John Deane of Nottingham: Historic Adventures by Land and SeaKingston, William Henry Giles
General
John Deane of Nottingham: Historic Adventures by Land and Sea
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Dean, John, 1679-1761
While this was taking place, John Deane, who had previously surveyed the
rock, got leave from Captain Juniper to lead a body of men up a part of
the cliff which the Spaniards had never thought it possible any human
beings could climb. Deane, however, had often scrambled over the nearly
perpendicular rock on which Nottingham Castle stands, and up its old
rugged towers which yet remain. He had no lack of volunteers, with two
or three midshipmen, ready to accompany him. Stealing away unperceived
by the enemy, they got to the foot of the cliff. With their pistols in
their belts and swords between their teeth they commenced the perilous
ascent. Many who saw them thought they would never succeed, but they
had resolved to persevere. Slowly but surely they proceeded up, hanging
on by each craggy projection, aided by the shrubs which here and there
grew from between the crevices of the rock. At length, when one after
the other they reached the summit, they saw before them a chapel filled
with women, with a vast number of others coming in and going out of it.
These poor creatures had come out of the town, prompted by their
superstitious notions, to implore the protection of the Virgin, to whom
the chapel was dedicated. Jack and his followers, springing forward,
threw themselves between the chapel and the road which led to the town.
By gestures more than by words, he endeavoured to persuade the
frightened matrons and damsels that he and his followers would do them
no harm. With difficulty, however, he could make them understand this,
though he signified by signs that they were all to get inside the chapel
again. Their fears were somewhat overcome when they found that no
insult was offered to any of them. He allowed, however, one of them to
go back into the town to inform the governor that they had fallen into
the hands of the English. The governor, finding that the forts were in
possession of the English and that a large number of women had also
fallen into their hands, consented to agree to the terms proposed by
Admiral Rooke. Hostages were accordingly exchanged, and the
capitulation being concluded, the Prince of Hesse marched into the town
in the evening and took possession of the land and North Mole gates and
the outworks. The Spanish troops were allowed to march out with all the
honours of war, and provisions for a six days' march. Such inhabitants
and soldiers who were willing to take an oath of fidelity to Don Carlos
the Third were allowed to remain. The Spaniards were also to discover
all their magazines of powder and other ammunition or provision and arms
in the city. All subjects of the French King were, however, excluded
from any part of the terms of this capitulation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account