Preston Fight by William H. Ainsworth

Until it grew dark, platoon-firing constantly took place from the two large houses captured by the besiegers. When night came on, the firing of course ceased, though even then occasional shots were heard.

At all the barriers the men rested on their arms, the strictest watch being kept to prevent surprise. The churchyard was still filled with troops.

A strange and terrible light was afforded by the still burning houses, and as these fires were not confined to one quarter, but could be seen at different points, it appeared as if the whole town was burning. The red reflection of the fire in the adjacent street on the tower and windows of the church produced a very striking effect.

After awhile, Brigadier Honeywood caused the windows of the two large mansions, just mentioned, to be brilliantly lighted up, and the illumination revealed every person in the street, and exposed them to the musketeers; but he soon found this told against himself, for the marksmen were quickly discovered and driven from their position, while the windows were broken by showers of bullets.

In the evening a council of war was held at the Mitre, but nothing was determined upon, except that a vigilant watch should be kept throughout the night, and a determined defence maintained on the morrow.

General Forster took very little part in the discussion, and complained bitterly that Brigadier Mackintosh had disobeyed his orders.

"I suppose it was through my fault, general, that the two large houses in Church Street were lost? " remarked the brigadier.

"Undoubtedly," replied Forster.

"Well, then, I'll repair my fault," said Mackintosh; "for as I'm a living man, I'll demolish them baith, or burn them to the ground to-morrow."

"In defiance of my orders? " cried Forster.

"In defiance of anybody's orders," rejoined Mackintosh.

"Let us have no disputes, I pray," interposed Lord Widdrington. "We have every reason to be satisfied with the result of the day."

"So confident am I of success," said Mackintosh, "that I am about to write to the Earl of Mar that I expect to gain a victory over General Wills to-morrow. A battle is imminent between his lordship and the Duke of Argyle, and may possibly take place to-morrow. If so, and success should attend our arms both at Stirling and Preston, the Jacobite cause must be triumphant."

"Heaven grant it may! " cried several voices.

After a little further discourse, the council broke up, some proceeding to an adjoining room where supper was laid out, and others returning to their posts.

Only three persons were left in the room. These were Lord Derwentwater, General Forster, and Captain Douglas.

The earl had told the others that he wished to confer with them.

"I trust all will go well to-morrow," he said; "indeed, I do not doubt it. Still I feel the greatest anxiety respecting the countess."

"I do not wonder at it, my lord," remarked Forster. "I am just as anxious about my sister. Would we could get them both safely out of the town -- but I fear it is impossible to do so now, since all the avenues are guarded."

"I will insure their escape from the Fishergate barrier, of which I have the command," said Captain Douglas.