Page:Tale of the Rebellion of 1745, or, The broken heart (1).pdf/5

                     5 shoot the first man that approached, who was not ready to serve the Prince, and mount the white cockade. The young woman carried a supply of the ribbons in her hand, and ever and anon waved them in triumph, crying—“Charlie yet!” Some dozen recruits already followed at the heels of the sergeant. James Dawson spurred his horse through the multitude. “Give me one of your favours,” said he, addressing the sergeant. “Ay, a dozen, your honour, replied Dickson.” He received the ribbon and tied it to his breast, and placed another at his horse’s head. His con- duct had an effect upon the multitude; numbers flocked around the sergeant, his favours became exhausted; and when the Prince and the army entered the town in the evening, he brought before him an hundred and eighty men, which he had that day enlisted. The little band so raised were formed into what was called the Manchester regiment, of which gallant Townly was made Colonel, and James Dawson one of the Captains. Our business at present is not with the move- ments of Charles Edward, nor need we describe his daring march towards Derby, which struck terror throughout all England, and for a time seemed to shake the throne and its dynasty; nor dwell upon the particulars of his masterly retreat towards Scotland—suffice it to say, that on the 19th of December, the Highland army again entered Carlisle. On the following morning they evacuated it; but the Manchester regiment, which was now com- posed of about three hundred men, was left as a garrison, to defend the town, against the entire army of the proud Cumberland. They were de- voted as a sacrifice, that the Prince and the main