"I am amazed by what you just stated about your want of recruits," said Sir Richard. "I understood that some thousands had been enrolled in Manchester."
Significant looks passed between the others, and Colonel Townley shrugged his shoulders.
"I am sorry to be obliged to undeceive you, Sir Richard," he said. "The enrolment has proceeded very badly."
"But you have the leading merchants with you. They are all pledged to the House of Stuart."
"They are indifferent to their pledges."
"Zounds!" exclaimed Sir Richard. "I was wholly unprepared for this. At all the Jacobite meetings I have attended, the boldest talkers were your Manchester merchants. How many campaigns have they fought over the bottle! But are there no young men in the town who will rally round the prince's standard?"
"Plenty, I am sure, Sir Richard," replied Dr. Deacon. "When the drum is beaten, numbers will answer to the call."
"Better they should enrol themselves beforehand, so that we might know on whom we can count. You have so much influence, Dr. Deacon, that you ought to be able to raise a regiment yourself. Your sons might lend you aid. They must have many friends."
"Theodore Deacon has already found me a fine young fellow, whom I should like to make an officer," observed Colonel Townley.
"Ah! who may that be?"