Preston Fight: or, The Insurrection of 1715. Ainsworth William Harrison

hieing at once to the stable, he called for his horse, and attended by a couple of grooms, set off towards Dunstanborough.

      VI. – ANNA’S ADVENTURE IN THE CAVERN

      He had got more than half way thither, when he thought he descried them in the distance, but as night was now coming on, he did not feel quite sure. In another minute, however, all doubts were removed. The persons he beheld were Lord Derwentwater and his betrothed.

      Presently, the parties met, and Lord Widdrington exclaimed:

      “I am greatly rejoiced to see both of you safe and sound, for we began to fear that something must have happened.”

      “Something very extraordinary has happened,” rejoined Lord Derwentwater.

      “Your lordship will scarcely credit me when I tell you that I have been lost in a cavern underneath Dunstan-borough Castle,” said Anna.

      “Lost in a cavern!” exclaimed Lord Widdrington in astonishment. “How came that to pass?”

      “You shall hear,” she replied. “I was left by myself for a short time near the castle – Lord Derwentwater having ridden off to bring me another horse, my own having got injured by a fall – when I thought I would take a peep at the ruins which were close at hand. Foolishly acting upon the impulse, I flew thither – meaning to get back in a few minutes – and never stopped till I got into the court. After gazing at Queen Margaret’s Tower and Lilburne’s Tower, I looked round the walls, when my eye fell upon a cavity at a little distance from me. Within the hollow was a flight of steps, leading, as I fancied, to some vault or dungeon, and prompted by curiosity, I hastily descended them. The steps brought me to an arched passage, and still under the influence of curiosity I ventured on, and soon found that other passages branched off on the right and left. Into one of these I turned and advanced a few yards, and inadvertently stepping forward – for I could now see nothing – slipped down a rapid descent, that landed me in what I knew to be a spacious cavern. At first, I was not so much alarmed, because I fancied I could extricate myself from the difficulty. But I could not remount the place down which I had fallen, and being now greatly frightened, I endeavoured to find another exit. But the attempt was fruitless. My outstretched hand only encountered a wall of rock, and I soon became so perplexed and confused that I could not even find my way back to the spot I had just quitted.”

      “A terrible position to be placed in!” exclaimed Lord Widdrington. “I wonder you have recovered so soon from the effects of the fright.”

      “I thought I should have sunk at the time,” she rejoined. “But fortunately my spirits supported me. I addressed a prayer to Saint Anna, and then felt easier. But deliverance did not come so soon as I expected, and there was an interval of dreadful suspense. You seemed long – long in coming,” she added to Lord Derwent-water. “Ah! when I heard your voice, I knew I was saved.”

      “And your response gave me new life,” he said; “for hope was almost extinct within my breast. That cavern was the last place I searched, for though I had noticed the stone steps, I never thought you would venture down them.”

      “I can guess all the rest,” said Lord Widdrington. “It must have been a joyful meeting.”

      “The adventure was not an agreeable one,” said Anna. “But it has tested his lordship’s affection for me. However, I promise to be more careful in future.”

      “Yes, you have had a pretty good lesson, and will do well to profit by it,” said Lord Widdrington.

      “My unlucky steed is to blame for it all,” she cried. “Had he not stumbled, nothing would have happened.”

      “You have left him at Dunstanborough, I suppose?” observed Lord Widdrington.

      “Yes, in charge of your groom,” she replied. “Your lordship’s horse carries me capitally.”

      “Then pray use him as long as you will! And now let us on, and relieve the anxiety of our friends.”

      With this they quickened their pace, and made such good way that dinner was not quite over when they reached Bamborough.

      Great rejoicing was manifested on their appearance, and when Anna’s adventure became known, the feeling rose to excitement. Dorothy could not contain herself, but springing from her seat, rushed up to her friend and embraced her.

      We need scarcely say that under such unusual circumstances another health was drunk, in addition to the grand toast, which was never omitted.

      A great deal of claret was generally drunk at Mr. Forster’s dinners, as we have already remarked, and the custom would probably not have been neglected on the present occasion if the prince had not risen early from table, and proceeded to the drawing-room, where there was music and singing.

      The prince retired early, and proceeded to his lodgings in the old fortress, attended by his host, Lord Derwent-water, Lord Widdrington, and several others. It chanced to be a fine moonlight night, and the appearance of the massive keep, partly lighted up by the beams, partly in shadow, was so striking, that his highness remained for some time contemplating the massive pile.

      He then mounted the walls to gaze at the sea, which was brilliantly illumined – a broad track of light leading across its unruffled surface to the Fame Islands, and producing a truly magical effect.