A large concourse was collected in the churchyard, and among the spectators were a great number of the fair sex, who flocked thither to manifest their sympathy with their lovers. They expressed their grief in the liveliest manner. Dryope was there, and Captain Shaftoe had some difficulty in inducing her to stand back. But she remained at a short distance gazing at him through her tears. The appearance of these fair damsels, who formed the foremost rank of the spectators, gave a curious character to the scene.
Precisely at the appointed hour, Lord Forrester, preceded by a trumpet and a drum, and attended by a guard, entered the town, and rode to the churchyard.
Alighting at the gate, and followed by a couple of men, he marched up to the rebel officers.
Lord Forrester was a tall, fine-looking man, well suited to the office, which he performed with courtesy.
“Gentlemen,” he said, addressing them, “I have a very painful duty to discharge. I have to receive the arms of brave and honourable men, which ought to have been used for their king.”
To this Colonel Oxburgh, who stood next him, replied as he delivered up his sword:
“Our arms have been used, my lord, for our rightful sovereign and against a usurper.”
Lord Forrester made no remark but consigned the sword to the custody of one of his men, and passed on.
He had received more than twenty swords, when he came to Captain Shaftoe, and as there seemed to be some hesitation on Shaftoe's part, he said:
“Your sword, sir?”