GUY FAWKES.

AN HISTORICAL ROMANCE.

BY W. HARRISON AINSWORTH, ESQ.

ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE CRUIKSHANK.

BOOK THE THIRD.

CHAPTER V.

THE CLOSE OF THE REBELLION.

UNABLE longer to endure the agony occasioned by his scorched visage, Catesby called for a bucket of water, and plunged his head into it. Somewhat relieved by the immersion, he turned to inquire after his fellow-sufferers. Rookwood having been carried into the open air had by this time regained his consciousness; Percy was shockingly injured, his hair and eyebrows burnt, his skin blackened and swollen with unseemly blisters, and the sight of one eye entirely destroyed; while John Grant, though a degree less hurt than his companions, presented a grim and ghastly appearance. In fact, the four sufferers looked as if they had just escaped from some unearthly place of torment, and were doomed henceforth to bear the brand of Divine wrath on their countenances. Seeing the effect produced on the others, Catesby rallied all his force, and treating the accident as a matter of no moment, and which ought not to disturb the equanimity of brave men, called for wine, and quaffed a full goblet. Injured as he was, and smarting with pain, Percy followed his example, but both John Grant and Rookwood refused the cup.

'Harkee, gentlemen,' cried Catesby, fiercely, 'you may drink or not, as you see fit. But I will not have you assume a deportment calculated to depress our followers. Stephen Littleton and Robert Winter have basely deserted us. If you have any intention of following them, go at once. We are better without you than with you.'

'I have no thought of deserting you, Catesby,' rejoined Rookwood, mournfully; and when the time arrives for action, you will find I shall not be idle. But I am now assured that we have sold ourselves to perdition.'

'Pshaw!' cried Catesby, with a laugh that communicated an almost fiendish expression to his grim features; 'because a little powder has accidentally exploded and blackened our faces, are we to see in the occurrence the retributive justice of Heaven? Are we to be cast down by such a trifle ? Be a man, and rouse yourself. Recollect that the eyes of all England are upon us; and if we must perish, let us perish in a manner that becomes us. No real mischief has been done.

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My hand is as able to wield a blade, and my sight to direct a shot, as heretofore. If Heaven had meant to destroy us, the bag of powder which has been taken up in the yard, and which was sufficient not only to annihilate us, but to lay this house in ruins, would have been suffered to explode.'

Would it had exploded!' exclaimed John Wright. then have been over.'

'All would

'Well, well,

'Are you, too, faint-hearted, John?' cried Catesby. leave me one and all of you. I will fight it out alone.' 'You wrong me by the suspicion, Catesby,' returned John Wright. But I perceive that our last hour

'I am as true to the cause as yourself. is at hand, and I would it were past.'

'The indulgence of such a wish at such a moment is a weakness,' rejoined Catesby. 'I care not when death comes, provided it comes gloriously; and such should be your feeling. On the manner in which we meet our fate will depend the effect which our insurrection will produce throughout the country. We must set a brave example to our brethren.

scaffold!'

Heaven be praised, we shall not perish on the

'Be not too sure of that,' said Grant, gloomily. It may yet be our fate.'

'It shall never be mine,' cried Catesby. 'Nor mine,' added Percy. 'I am so far from regarding the recent disaster as a punishment, though I am the severest sufferer by it, that I think we ought to return thanks to Heaven for our preservation.'

'In whatever light the accident is viewed,' observed John Wright, 'we cannot too soon address ourselves to Heaven. We know not how long it may be in our power to do so.'

'Again desponding,' cried Catesby. But no matter. You will recover your spirits anon.'

John Wright shook his head, and Catesby, pulling his cap over his brows to hide his features, walked forth into the courtyard. He found, as he expected, that general consternation prevailed amongst the band. The men were gathered together in little knots, and, though they became silent as he approached, he perceived they were discussing the necessity of a surrender. Nothing daunted by these unfavourable appearances, Catesby harangued them in such bold terms that he soon inspired them with some of his own confidence, and completely resteadied their wavering feelings.

Elated with his success, he caused a cup of strong ale to be given to each man, and proposed as a pledge the restoration of the Romish Church. He then returned to the house, and summoning the other conspirators to attend him in a chamber on the ground-floor, they all prayed long and fervently, and concluded by administering the sacrament to each other.