Part 18 (1/2)
”Why, Jack, is't thee, my man?” said the farmer. ”Bless me if I knew thee. Thou art just like a ghost.”
”And I had nearly been turned into one, farmer,” answered the man.
”For I got a blow on my head in the fight just a week gone by to-day, which stretched me senseless; and other hurts about my body, have knocked out of me all the fighting for some months to come. 'Twas an evil day for Longdendale, and I trow that thy own home will be turned into a house of mourning by it. For this was how we fared. Even as the victory seemed a.s.sured, the Royalist rascals made a great rush, and by ill-luck our leader was shot dead, and other officers falling, we were beaten off. As for the Captain--well, I think he loved that la.s.s of thine--King's man though thou art,--for in his breast, when we came to carry his body off, were certain keepsakes which I have seen thy daughter wear. There was also a letter addressed to her, and I have it with me here. Thou wilt tell her that he died as a brave man should die, and that he was worthy of her love to the last. I must ride on now, for it grows late, and I have ill-news to carry to other Longdendale women besides thy wench. This is the worst side of war.”
[Ill.u.s.tration: ARMS OF THE DUKINFIELD FAMILY.]
”One moment,” said the farmer, placing his hand on the bridle of the other's horse, ”When did this happen?”
”A week ago to-day,” replied the Roundhead. ”Just as the sun set; and it was too late to renew the attack that day.”
With that the man rode on, and the farmer was left alone.
”The good wife is right after all,” he said to himself. ”'Twas second sight, and the la.s.s has the gift. We must keep the matter to ourselves, or the folk will think she is a witch.”
Then he set his face homewards, and walked off wondering.
AUTHOR'S NOTE.
The following particulars from old historical doc.u.ments will give the reader some idea of the part Longdendale played in the Civil War; they will also afford evidence of the unrest which was the predominant feature throughout the country, in the days of the great Rebellion.
Earwaker, the learned historian of East Ches.h.i.+re, quotes a series of accounts from the Harleian MSS. These relate to Hollingworth in the time of the Civil War, and are the accounts ”made and sworn unto by several inhabitants of the Towns.h.i.+p of Hollingworth” in 1645. The following extract will serve as a sample of the contents of this interesting doc.u.ment.
The accompts of Alexander Hollinworth, of Nearer Hollinworth, in the above said Towns.h.i.+ppe.
Imprimis: I paid to Collonell Duckenfield, the 15th day of Deecmber (1643), for pposicon money 5 0 0
Itm: The same tyme ye said Collonell had of me a bay gueldinge ffor to be one in his Troope, well worth 5 6 8 Wch continued in his Troope until Candlemas after, and then was soe spoyled that he was not able to do any more service.
Itm: After the said horse was soe lamed I sent another horse in his roome, and a man to ride him, which horse hath beene in ye said troope ev since Candlemas after to this present tyme: the horse when I put him in was worth 8 10 0
Itm: I was att charges for the man that did ride ye said horse sev'all waies above 40tye s.h.i.+llings 2 0 0
Itm: When Sr William Breerton marched towards Yorke wth Ches.h.i.+re fforces ffor ye a.s.sistance of that County, there was 250 horse and rydrs quartered at my house; the damage I had by them in eatinge my meadowe, killinge my sheepe, and plunderinge some of my goods privily, and consuminge my victualls they found in my house, to ye value att ye least of 20tie marks 13 6 8
Itm: The damage I sustayned in quarteringe some of Captaine Rich horse and foote ye most pte of halfe a yeare Anno 1642 att the least 10 0 0
Itm: The damage I sustayned in quarteringe div'se of Captaine Eyres Troope sev'all tymes in Ann 1642 and 1643 was att the least 5 0 0
Itm: In quarteringe some of Collonell Deukenfield souldrs, Major Bradshawes, and diverse others, the tyme when Prince Rupert came to Stockport, was att the least damages to me 3 6 8
Itm: In quarteringe of 18 Troopers of Sr William Breerton Companye when they marched towards Nottingham (as they said) about 5 or 6 weeks agoe 1 10 0
Itm: I have mainteyned one musquetyer from the beginninge of theise unhappy warres, and never had the value of one penny towards the charge thereof from the Publique 25 0 0
Item: I have been sometymes att charge of one and sometymes 3 souldrs more when any publique danger was, as div'se tymes into Darbis.h.i.+re, to Adlington, to ye raysinge of the siege of Namptwicke, wch I verily thinke cost me above 5 markes att the least 3 6 8 _____ Sum 82 6 8
John Hollinworth, of Hollingworth, had a similar bill of 70 16s., and the Booths and the Bretlands also sought recompense for the expense they had been put to in buying arms and quartering men.
One other old doc.u.ment may be quoted.