As they did so, the larger boat was put in motion, with the evident design of giving chase, while a loud authoritative voice called out to the occupants of the small bark to stop.
As may be imagined, the order was entirely disregarded while Lord Widdrington urged the oarsmen to pull their hardest for the ship, and they made such exertion that they appeared to gain on their pursuers.
Of the purpose of the latter no doubt could now be entertained. It was certain they were endeavouring to intercept the prince's flight, and effect his capture. How they had obtained information could only be surmised, but they had laid their plans well. The prince's companions were greatly alarmed, but he himself maintained perfect composure.
“'Tis the boat I beheld this morning from the castle walls,” he said. “I felt sure it meant mischief, though Mr. Forster thought otherwise. The men within it are armed.”
“Luckily, we have arms,” said Lord Derwentwater, giving Lord Widdrington one of the muskets and keeping the other himself. “Shall we use them?”
“Certainly,” replied the prince. “I will never surrender to those men.”
A conflict, indeed, appeared inevitable, if they were overtaken, for a voice called out from the larger boat:
“Stop! or we will fire.”
As no notice was taken of the threat, except that the rowers redoubled their efforts, a shot was fired, and a bullet whistled past the prince's head, but without doing any injury.
Exasperated by the audacious act the two nobles discharged their muskets, and with good effect, as was shown by the outcries that followed.