With a military salute to the unfortunate officers, Lord Forrester then quitted the churchyard, followed by his men, bearing two large bundles of swords, and proceeded to the Mitre, there to go through a like ceremony with General Forster and the lords. XIII.--HOW BRIGADIER MACKINTOSH PARTED WITH HIS CLAYMORE. |By this time, Lord Derwentwater and Colonel Mackintosh had returned, but were merely spectators of the scene--their swords having been delivered up at the time of their surrender. The Scottish nobles behaved with great dignity, and were treated with the utmost respect by Lord Forrester, who made no remark calculated to give them pain. For the first time in his life, Brigadier Mackintosh's courage forsook him. Kissing the hilt of his claymore, as he gave up the weapon, he said in broken accents: “Farewell, old friend! I never thought to part with you, save with life!” The ceremony was soon over, for Lord Forrester did not needlessly prolong it. Before departing, he said, addressing the assemblage: “An hour hence, General Carpenter will enter the town to receive his prisoners. By that time the entire rebel force must be drawn up in the market-place to surrender arms. None must be absent, on any pretence whatever, and on pain of severe punishment. For the execution of this order, I look to you, General Forster, to you, my Lord Derwentwater, to you, my Lord Widdrington, to you my lords,” turning to the Scottish nobles, “to you, brigadier, and to you, Colonel Mackintosh.” “My lord,” remonstrated the brigadier, “an hour is but a short time to bring together a number of unruly Highlanders---” “It must suffice,” interrupted Lord Forrester. “You could get them ready for action in that time.” “True, my lord,” replied the brigadier. “But a surrender is different. They will have to be driven to the place.” “Colonel Mackintosh, I trust you see no difficulty?” said Lord Forrester, turning to the chief. “None, my lord,” was the reply. “My clansmen will die with me, if I bid them.” “In an hour, then,” said Forrester as he quitted the room. Mounting his horse, and attended by the guard, bearing the arms, he galloped off to General Carpenter's quarters. “What has been done?” asked Carpenter. “The business is settled,” replied Lord Forrester. “An hour hence the entire rebel force will surrender in the market-place.” XIV.--THE TWO GENERALS ENTER THE TOWN. |Amid the sound of trumpets and drums, General Carpenter entered the conquered town at the head of two regiments of dragoons. He was accompanied by the Earl of Carlisle and Lord Lumley, and had with him Colonels Churchill and Molesworth, and a brilliant staff of officers.