Chapter 77
"There they are," said the captain, "halting for a rest to the horses before trotting down. Forward!"
They advanced again; but had not gone far before figures were dimly seen in the road, and directly after a stern voice bade them halt.
The captain replied with a few brief words, and they rode forward, to find themselves facing a vedette of dragoons, a couple of whom escorted them to where, upon an open s.p.a.ce, in the middle of which was a pond, a strong body of cavalry was halted, the greater part of the men dismounted; but about twenty men were mounted, and sat with drawn swords, surrounding a couple of carriages, each with four horses-- artillery teams--and the drivers in their places ready to start at a moment's notice.
CHAPTER FORTY ONE.
THE ATTEMPT AT RESCUE.
Frank's eyes took all this in, and then turned dim with the emotion he felt, and for a few moments everything seemed to swim round him. His horse, however, needed no guiding; it kept pace with its companion, and the lad's emotional feeling pa.s.sed off as he found himself in presence of the officer in command of the escort and his subordinates, a warm greeting taking place between Captain Murray and the princ.i.p.al officer, an old friend.
"Don't seem regular, Murray; but with this note from the Prince, I suppose I shall be held clear if you have come to help the prisoners escape," said the officer lightly.
"Escape!" said Captain Murray sharply.
"No, no; nonsense, old fellow," said the dragoon officer merrily. "Of course I was bantering you."
"Yes, I know," said Captain Murray quickly; "but we were stopped by a couple of mounted men a quarter of a mile back."
"Highway men?"
"I thought so at first; but they challenged us for a pa.s.sword."
"Well! These fellows work hand and glove."
"No," said Captain Murray, "I feel sure they were scouts, ridden forward to get touch with you, and then go back and give warning."
"What for? Whom to? You don't think it means an attempt to rescue?"
"I do," said Murray firmly.
"Thanks for the warning, old fellow," said the officer through his teeth. "Well, mine are picked men, and my instructions are that a strong detachment will be sent out to meet us, and vedettes planted all along the road, to fall in behind us as we pa.s.s. Pity too. What madness!"
Frank's heart sank as he heard every word, while his attention was divided between the two dark carriages with their windows drawn up, and he sat wondering which held his father.
"Yes, madness," said the captain sadly. "I shall be very glad when my job's at an end," said the dragoon officer. "It's miserable work."
"Horrible!" replied Murray; and then he turned to Frank. "Hold my rein for a few moments," he
"If I only dared ride up to the carriages," thought the boy; and he felt that he did dare, only that it would be useless, for without permission the dragoons would not let him pa.s.s.
But a light broke through the mental darkness of despair directly, for Murray came back with the officer in command, a stern, severe-looking man, but whose harsh, commanding voice softened a little as he laid one hand on the horse's neck, and held out his other to the rider.
"I did not know who you were, Mr Gowan. My old friend, Captain Murray, has just told me. Shake hands, my lad. I am glad to know the brave son of a gallant soldier. Don't think hardly of me for doing my duty sternly as a military man should. I ought perhaps to send you both back," he continued in a low tone; "but if you and Captain Murray like to ride by the door of the first carriage, you can, and I will instruct the officer and men not to hinder any reasonable amount of conversation that may be held."
"G.o.d bless you!" whispered Frank, in a choking voice.
"Oh, don't say anything, my boy. Only give me your word, not as a soldier, but as a soldier's son, that you will do nothing to help either of the prisoners to escape."
"Yes, I give you my word," said Frank quickly. He would have given anything to be near his father and speak to him for a few minutes.
"That will do.--Murray, we shall go on at a sharp trot; but you are both well mounted, I see." Then he said in an undertone: "I don't believe they will venture anything when they see how strong we are. If the rascals do, I shall make a dash, standing at nothing; but at the first threatenings get the boy away. My instructions are that the prisoners are not to escape--_alive_!"
"I understand," said Captain Murray; and he mounted his horse.
The next minute an order was given in a low tone; it was pa.s.sed on, and the men sprang to their saddles. Then another order, "Draw swords!"
There was a single note from a trumpet; and as Frank and Captain Murray sat ready, the officer in command led them himself, and placed one at each door of the first carriage, a dragoon easing off to right and left to make place for them.
Frank's hand was on the gla.s.s directly, and the window was let down.
"Father!" he cried in a low, deep voice, which was nearly drowned by the trampling, cras.h.i.+ng of wheels, and jingle of accoutrements, but heard within; and it was answered by a faint cry of astonishment, and the rattle of fetters, as two hands linked together appeared at the window.
"Frank, my dear boy! you here?"
The boy could not answer, but leaned over toward the carriage with his hand grasped between his father's.
"Hah! this is a welcome home!" cried Sir Robert cheerily. "Gentlemen, my son."
"There's Captain Murray at the other window," gasped out Frank at last.
"Ah! more good news," said Sir Robert. "Murray, my dear old fellow, this is good of you."
The prisoner's voice sounded husky, as he turned his head to the right in the darkness.
"I can't shake hands even if you wished to, for we are doubly fettered now."
"Gowan, I'm glad to meet you again," said the captain hoa.r.s.ely.
"G.o.d bless you, old friend! I know you are. I see now; you brought Frank here to meet me. Like you, old fellow. There, I cannot talk to you. But you know what I feel."
"Yes. Talk to your boy," cried Murray. "Quick, while you can. The order to trot will come directly."
"Yes. Thanks," said Sir Robert; and he turned back to his son, who clung to his hands. "Quick, Frank boy. Your mother--well?"
"Very, very ill. Heart-broken."
"Hah!" groaned Sir Robert.
"But, father, these handcuffs? Surely you are not--"
"Yes, yes. I'm a dangerous fellow now, my boy. We are all chained hand and foot like the worst of criminals, my friends and I."
"Oh!" groaned Frank.
"Bah! Only iron," said Sir Robert bitterly. "Never mind them now.
Tell me of your mother. Are you still at the Palace?"