Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 07
General
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 07
Scottish Borders (Scotland) -- Fiction
He concealed himself for a short time, when, his horse being brought, he
took the road towards Manchester, in order to join the ranks of the
adventurer. It was about mid-day on the 29th when he reached the town,
which is now the emporium of the manufacturing world. On proceeding down
Market Street, he perceived a confused crowd, some uttering threats, and
others with consternation expressed on their countenance; and, in the
midst of the multitude, was Serjeant Dickson, a young woman, and a
drummer-boy, beating up for recruits. The white cockade streamed from
the hat of the serjeant; the populace vented their indignation against
him, but no man dared to seize him, for he continued to turn round and
round, with a blunderbuss in his hand, facing the crowd on all sides,
and threatening to shoot the first man that approached, who was not
ready to serve the Prince, and to mount the white cockade. The young
woman carried a supply of the ribands in her hand, and ever and anon
waved them in triumph, exclaiming, "Charlie yet!" Some dozen recruits
already followed at the heels of the serjeant. James Dawson spurred his
horse through the crowd.
"Give me one of your favours," said he, addressing the serjeant.
"Ay, a dozen, your honour," replied Dickson.
He received the riband, and tied it to his breast, and placed another at
his horse's head. His conduct had an effect upon the multitude; numbers
flocked around the serjeant; his favours became exhausted; and when the
Prince and the army entered the town in the evening, he brought before
him a hundred and eighty men, which he had that day enlisted.
The little band so raised were formed into what was called the
Manchester Regiment, of which the gallant Townly was made colonel, and
James Dawson one of the captains.
Our business at present is not with the movements of Charles Edward; nor
need we describe his daring march towards Derby, which struck terror
throughout all England, and for a time seemed to shake the throne and
the dynasty; nor dwell upon the particulars of his masterly retreat
towards Scotland--suffice it to say, that on the 19th of December the
Highland army again entered Carlisle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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