Ingerstein Hall and Chadwick Rise. A story of the Thirty Years' War

Chapter I. Gustavus Adolphus Preparing For War

A MEETING IN AN ANTE-CHAMBER THE KING'S FAREWELL TO SWEDEN. APTATN WAYE had not been long in Denmark before he found that the pomp and parade of armies had been transferred from Copenhagen to Stockholm, where Gustavus Adolphus and Oxenstiern were sternly organising formidable war. Por months these preparations had con tinued with unabated vigour, and without any affectation of secrecy. Volunteers of VOL. II. English blood arrived every week in little groups, or sometimes singly — men who had fought under Count Mansfeldt, young men never before engaged in war, all anxious to be enrolled under the already renowned King, in an enterprise which would probably decide tbe question of the undisturbed supremacy of the Pope as opposed to civil and religious freedom. Nor was it in men alone that King Gustavus Adolphus received English help.

Vessels, mostly of small burthen, but' of the very best for the purposes of a military expedition, came in from different English among other ports, in some cases bringing volunteers, in some chartered with cargo, in others merely laden with ballast, the main object being to pro vide for the King of Sweden effective transport. King G-ustavus Adolphus was every- Preparing to Leave Stockholm. 3 where, resting not day nor night. The administration of affairs in his absence would, he knew, be safe in the hands of his loyal and wise Chancellor, but much never theless would be needed that could only be done by the King. The hero-monarch left nothing to chance. He conferred personally with the leading men of his States, reminded them how insolently Ferdinand had treated the Swedish ambassador; how unscrupu lously he had assisted their enemy the King of Poland ; how he had, on the insolent suggestion of Wallenstein, seriously entertained the idea of extending his empire over the Baltic ; and* finally, and chiefly, how he had trampled the Reformed Religion under foot wherever he had the power.

All these and many like facts were forcibly and pointedly stated, and driven home to the minds of the Swedish people 1—2 by the simple logic of their indomitable truth-speaking King. How successful he was in attracting men of principle to his standards the history of the next few years amply attest. How un successful he was in attracting mere adven turers, bent on plunder, is shown by the fact that he left Sweden for Pomerania in the middle of the year with only fifteen thousand men. Considering the strength of the army lately under the King of Denmark, and that thirty thousand men, pure adventurers, were speedily raised subsequently by Wallenstein, the Swedish army is a curious historical fact. Gustavus Adolphus had no attraction of plunder to offer — not by any means the attraction that Mansfeldt had — and the foreigners who sought to enter his service were on the whole men either in fluenced by a religious feeling, or by a love Preparing to Leave Stockholm. 5 of freedom, or by the hope of seeing war under one who, besides being a King, was also a great soldier.

To Stockholm, there fore, Captain Waye went, and the same day he was received by the Swedish King. Two ends it was necessary for Gustavus to secure in diplomacy. First, England, which had of late shown a strong tendency to peace with Spain, might prove a very formidable ally. Secondly, the neutrality of France would be worth an army. In both cases the Swedish King was met by a temporising policy, under which his haughty spirit chafed. From Richard Ingerstein he had all but positive intelligence that the Court of England promised to send him effective aid when once he had taken the field, but also that the same Court, and the same men in that Court, intended both to make peace with Spain, and to assist that power to reduce Holland to its old thraldom to the House of Austria, This was one of the first bitter lessons of the hero in his great work.

"In fact," wrote Sir Richard Ingerstein, " the aid which may be given to your Majesty wiU be the offspring of a mere sentiment arising from the Queen's pre dilections for a policy inimical to Austria, and because the dignity of the King's sister is involved in the recovery of the Palatinate, while the help given to Spain and the Empire will be the natural result of a passion, uppermost in all I see at Whitehall, in favour of despotic power, and in opposi tion to subjects in rebellion against that power. The English envoy with your Majesty, however much he may temporise, only reflects the feeling prevalent here. The policy I have laid down is to gain as Captain Prim with the Swedish King. 7 much as I can — substantial help if possible, countenance as a last resource. The dis missal of Count Werner, the secret envoy -of the Emperor, and a nobleman of singular honour, as well as of marked ability, leads me to believe that the convenient sentiment in your Majesty's favour may continue long enough in the ascendant to check the despotic passion as yet concealed."

On behalf of France, or rather of Richelieu, the King of Sweden and Chan cellor Oxenstiern had privately received Captain Prim in September, 1629, and had learned from him the exact circumstances under which he had been sent to Sweden. " Cardinal Richelieu must have unusual confidence in you, Captain Prim," said the King, searchingly. " That, your Majesty, I do not know, but I intend to give him cause to have con- _3 fidence in me." "By informing him of everything?" •laying an emphasis on the last word. "Of everything, your Majesty, while I retain my present trust. When circumstances arise which render it impossible for me to perform my duty I shall resign that trust. I believe, sire, that Cardinal Riche lieu's object in secretly accrediting me to your Majesty, was to give you confidence in his policy — to convince your Majesty that if he does not do all you wish, he does all he can in the present state of France."

" You believe Cardinal Richelieu an enemy to Spain and Austria?" " Especially to Austria, your Majesty." " And a friend to the Huguenots ?" "No, sire!" "It was as a Protestant you first were Captain Prim on Trial. 9 brought into contact with Richelieu ? You are a Protestant from conviction — not a political Protestant, Captain Prim, a time server, who is this to-day and that to morrow for the purpose of gaining a position, but a man who fears God?" " I hope, sire, that I fear God. For the rest, I never looked for anything in Rochelle but hard blows, and eventual defeat." "A secret embassy, Captain Prim, may be most honourable, but I need not remind you it is also one of the most delicate of .> missions. " Your Majesty need not remind me of that. I am aware that a secret embassy may be either honourable or dishonourable.

Mine shall not be dishonourable." " I have confidence in you, sir. But" — after apause — "youremember how Henry IV_ abjured his faith for, as he said, ' the peace of France?' May I ask you if you can conceive any poHtical circumstances what ever under which you would feel yourself justified in abjuring your Protestantism — say for some presumed great public good ; I do not say for personal advantage ?" " I can conceive no such circumstance, your Majesty. I think the abjuration of Henry IV. was a public crime." " He gave peace to France, you will remember." " Nothing, your Majesty, can be right in public affairs which involves a sacrifice of individual honour." " I agree with you, sir — fully ! I am willing personally to accede to Cardinal Richelieu's proposal, and will observe a strict neutrality towards Bavaria and the Catholic States generally.

My object is Captain Prim on Trial. 11 to draw the sting from a perfidious and overbearing Empire, and to secure for my co-religionists freedom to worship God, and speak their sentiments on subjects of religion in their own way. Bat you must arrange with Chancellor Oxenstiern. I shall see him to-day. You shall have an appointment for to-morrow. Come and see me whenever you have anything to say, or any question to ask." Speaking to Chancellor Oxenstiern the same day, the King said — " I have confidence in Captain Prim, and the more so from the frankness with which his history has been stated to me by Richelieu. In this at least the Cardinal intends us fair. I know not that I ever met a man who impressed me more with his truthfulness than Captain Prim has. It need scarcely be said that Tom Prim was not long in Stockholm before he began to make diligent inquiries for his friends, Richard Ingerstein and Harry Waye.

Of the former and Count Werner he had ample information from Chancellor Oxen stiern himself, and was able to picture Richard's happy days at Ingerstein Hall and Chadwick Rise, and in the cottages and the dear old lanes around Monkerton. Of Harry he could only learn that he had been taken prisoner by Wallenstein's men while defending the life of Count Werner. Tom had no alternative but to wait, and do the direct work before him. In that he was no laggard. His duties often carried him to the official residence of Chancellor Oxenstiern, where he was received with grave courtesy. Sometimes he found the King present ; in which case he invariably withdrew at once, unless requested to the Captain Prim icith the Swedish King. 13 contrary, for Captain Prim had divined by instinct the profound political fact, that however familiar persons in a high position may be in intercourse with those less dis tinguished, the safer and better plan for the latter is to avoid the most distant approach to familiarity in return.

On one occasion the King said — " We are rather closely engaged to-day, Captain Prim, and I shall not ask you to stay for me ; but if you will step into the ante-room and wait a few minutes, I think Chancellor Oxenstiern has something to say to you." The Chancellor looked to the King and smiled gravely ; but the countenance of Gustavus was unruffled. Captain Prim went into the ante-room and sat down, occupied with his own thoughts. There were a number of persons present, waiting for interviews ; but he gave them very little attention, till one, an officer in the uniform of King Christian of Denmark, strode across the room, and stood, rather intrusively, as Tom thought, before him. In the occupied state of his mind, Tom was rather inclined to resent than to reciprocate a cordiality he had not invited.

He had a weighty despatch to send off that very day, and in a crowd he would have been solitary. There was a spell, however, that moved his inmost heart, and drove away from his mind even the weighty despatch, when the officer of King Christian said, slowly, in the low music of a never-to-be-forgotten voice, " Dear old Tom Prim !" In an instant Tom was on his feet ; all — spectators, despatches, Oxenstiern, the King — all were forgotten by Tom Prim and Harry Waye ! They were recalled to the outer world by a A Meeting in an Antechamber. 15 buzz and a whisper, and turning to see the cause, they found that Gustavus Adolphus had been an amused spectator of the scene. " I knew I should gratify you, Captain Prim," he said, with a quiet smile ; " and now, if you want a few words with the Chancellor, you will find him disengaged ; after which, Captain Waye, please to con sider the day your own, but be with me on parade at dawn in the morning, or a little earlier if you like."

Captain Waye bowed, and observed that Gustavus Adolphus, passing through the room, ascertained in a few minutes the business of every one waiting for him or for the Chancellor. To some he spoke con siderately and kindly. To some he said, " You must not annoy the Chancellor with trifles like these ; speak to so-and-so." To others he addressed inquiries as to their families and friends — in all respects, Harry Waye said, deporting himself like a true king. An hour later the two old friends were seated together in Tom Prim's rooms, revelling in the memories of old associa tions, comparing notes of their once un dreamt-of adventures, and wishing that the hateful war was at an end, and that they once again were on the banks of the Thames. " What a stern fellow you have become, Tom," said Harry ; " why, I hardly knew you, even after I had looked several times in your face."

" I know it, Harry, and I am sorry for it ; but my face and my grimness generally are beyond my control. I think a dark shadow fell on me that day when I began the tramp to Falmouth. I never since have been able to cast it off." Harry Waye and Tom Prim. 17 "Well, I do not know how you could, passing though such scenes. But pray do not fancy that I spoke as of a change for the worse. Quite the contrary ; your stern ness becomes you. It would be a long time before my face attracted the attention of a man like Richelieu." " Hush ! I beg you, Harry, not to mention the name of Cardinal Richelieu to me in any way, whether in public or alone. On any other subject talk freely, but you can hardly guess what might depend upon a stray word picked up by a spy. You may deem it strange, but I am satisfied that we are surrounded daily and nightly by spies of Ferdinand and Wallenstein, and" — whispering — " of Richelieu.

In fact, the Cardinal told me that I should not be his only representative here, but I was to act as if I was the only one." 2 VOL. " Ali right, Tom. But now I have a bit of news for you — a bit of Swedish news, Stockholm news, though I have only been here two days. Walking yesterday by the splendid harbour, reading the names of vessels, my attention was, as you may well believe, attracted to the exclusion of eveiy other sight and of every sound by seeing on the stern of a trim little barque — what now would 3'ou think ?" "I do not know, Harry. I never could guess a riddle in my life." " Nay, but try. Let us be boys again for the nonce." Well — a tin of paint." " Pshaw ! on the stern, man — a name !' " ' Gustavus Adolphus,' then ?" " No ! Now prepare for a surprise. f The Mabel Ingerstein, London!

" " Harry '.—you do not tell me that ?" The "Mabel Ingerstein." 19 " I do, though, in solemn truth, and in less time than you and I have been talking about it, I was on board, and in the cabin. And there was old George, sitting, without either coat or waistcoat, poring over a chart of the Swedish and German coasts. He pored no more that day, I can tell you. The Mabel Ingerstein is mainly the pro perty of George himself, but assisted by our friends at the Hall. At Sir John's request George brought a cargo, and then placed his barque at the disposal of the King, for transport, as a free-will offering." " Splendid, Harry ! And does the King know who George is ?" " No ; nor shall he. We will owe nothing to an accident of this kind." " You know all about Richard, Harry ?" " I know nothing in the world about him, save that I have heard he is in London." 2—2 " Then I can tell you a whole history — a history longer than half a dozen Acts of Parliament.

But you must bring George here as soon as possible — after first giving me two hours to finish a despatch which must leave Stockholm to-night. You know all about Count Werner ?" " No, very little Tom, since he left Wismar, beyond the bare facts of his residence in London and his visits to Monkerton." " Ah, you have heard, then, of his fre quent rides with Mistress Agnes Chadwick ? It looks like something, does it not ?" " Yes, and an excellent husband she will have, if he makes her — ' the proposal,' you know, Tom, and she accepts him." " Ah ! Harry, you do not wish that ! You thought you were very dark and astute in those old days with respect to Harry Waye's Word-Fence. 21 Agnes, but I knew you from first to last. I often said, ' If Harry does not marry Agnes, he will marry nobody.' " "You deep dog!

Luckily, _ was not born a diplomatist, Tom. I can see a hole through a ladder, but never through a mill stone." Tom stared, and said — " How knocking about in the world does blunt a man's feelings ! Why, I could no more have fancied you talking in that way of Agnes Chadwick, than I could have imagined Anne of Austria in love with you, Harry." " I confess I did enjoy making pretty little Agnes garden rakes, and spades, and all manner of playthings, Tom ; and I did, I believe, think her the prettiest little thing on the face of the earth." " Is it, then, all over, Harry ?" "Well, it is no use fighting Count Werner, is it, Tom ? But you are a deep dog ! Think of you keeping my secret so well and so long ! How did you find me out at first ?" " You are a cool customer, Harry, upon my word. Find you out ?

Why, I found you out by a hundred sure signs. But now — be off for George." When Harry had gone, Tom strode the floor for several minutes in silence. Then, sitting down on a chair with his face to the back, he said — "And this is modest, shame faced Harry Waye ! I could no more talk of my little Sue in that fashion than I could fly." Harry meanwhile was going along the streets literally shaking his sides with laughter. " Yes," he said, " these diplo matists are great men, certainly. They see Harry Waye's Word-Fence. 23 everything but what is directly before their eyes. I perceive now that this is Eldred Chadwick's grand secret. Thank goodness I am no diplomatist ! If I had guessed what Eldred was driving at, I should have escaped making myself such an ass ; but I never thought of anybody on earth sus pecting me of being in love — at least not in the alarming sense — with sweet little Agnes.

Of course I was in love with her, and so was I with Margaret, and with Mabel ; but not in thai fashion, Tom, you dear old, sly, diplomatic dog!" What a happy evening that was when the despatch had gone and the candles had been lit in Captain Prim's rooms! The hours sped like minutes, till Harry Waye began to think of the coming morning, when he was to be on parade before dawn. The preparations that were being made were for no holiday work. The King was about to put his crown on the cast of a die, against relentless, merciless enemies. Every man in the army, every one in Sweden, every one in Europe, seemed to know this. The ring of the blacksmith's hammer, the casting of shot, the manufacture of gun powder, of land carriage, and of clothing, the carting of forage, the making of lint, the baking of bread — not a sound reached the ear, not a sight the eye, that had not some reference, directly or indirectly, to the great expedition in which fifteen thousand men were about to invade an empire which was able, exclusive of garrisons, to put in the field ten men to every one of the invaders.

Ten men against one ! Not ten men either of an effete race, like those of Darius against Alexander ; but men who had vanquished some of the best soldiers in Europe, who had Tlie Snow King. 25 broken two formidable coalitions, and carried the terror of their devastating arms through out Germany, and to the shores of the Baltic. Count Mansfeldt, one of the ablest soldiers of the age, had been utterly defeated. Yet Gustavus Adolphus would make the attempt to do with one-third the number of Mansfeldt's army what Mansfeldt had failed to accomplish. The enterprise was pronounced absurd by all who were ignorant of war. The wits of Vienna were especially facetious, and gave to Gustavus Adolphus the nickname, which soon became very popular, of " The Snow King," because, said these wise and prescient people, when he comes south he will melt away.

Oh, it was a time for wit, for ridi cule, for merriment in Vienna ! Wallenstein, however, did not laugh, save in derision of the wits. He had said to one of his generals during the war with Denmark — "I beg you, sir, to keep an eye on the Swede ; he is a dangerous fellow." Nor did Tilly laugh. He had said — " This is a player from whom we gain much if we lose nothing." These were not among the people who talked so gaily of the " The Snow King." Steadily, sturdily the work went on, and at last all was ready. Affairs were settled at home as for an expedition from whence the hero King never would return. Every man was in his place ; every waggon, every ship was ready. Then there was a ceremony, the story of which will remain while the world stands. The King having summoned the estates of the realm for a solemn farewell, took in his arms his little daughter, Christina, then only four years of age, and presenting her to the Diet, demanded on her behalf a The Snow King leaves Sweden. 27 renewal of the oath of allegiance.

His words and tone were so serious and af fecting that the whole Diet was in tears, and grave men wept bitterly. He declared, in accents broken by the deep emotion with which his breast heaved, that he had not sought the war upon which he was entering. " The Emperor," he said, " has supported my enemies, persecuted my friends and brethren, trampled my religion in the dust, and stretched his ambitious hand to grasp my crown. The oppressed States of Germany call loudly to us for aid, and by the help of God it shall be afforded them." Then, after special remarks to various orders of the people, he said — "I feel a presentiment that I shall die in defence of my country and religion. I commend you, therefore, to the protection of Heaven. Be just, be conscientious, act uprightly, and we shall meet again in eternity."

There were men present who had served under Richelieu, Wallenstein, Tilly, Spinola; but no man of all who heard Gustavus Adol phus on that solemn day ever had heard the like before, or ever heard the like again. No State actor was here, but a man who believed with an overmastering belief, and who was ready to seal his faith with his blood. This ceremonial ended, the King had the air of a man who had made his will, and said the last adieu to his friends, and who had now the simple duty of action. Like the children of Israel in sight of the Red Sea, the King and his people had cried to the Lord. The time had now arrived when the word had reached Gustavus — " Speak to the people that they go forward." The troops Grim Work of War. 29 were embarked, without parade or display, like men who were conscious that they were on the way to grim and saddening work, and who were determined to do that work as one of paramount necessity.

Chapter II. Letters To Monkerton The Landing At Rugen Great Deeds Of

THE SWEDISH KING. pf^N the midst of the preparations for jjjgjg war Harry Waye found time to write at length to his father and mother, to his sister Susan, and to his watchful friend, Henry Ingerstein. Tom Prim also wrote long letters to his father and Susan; and this time, at all events, Susan would have no reason to complain of the stiffness, coldness, or baldness of her letter. The letter-carrier was to be George Waye, and fear of miscarriage, or the opening of letters being nearly out of the question, Tom poured out his whole heart on paper in words that seemed to live and burn. Letters to Monkerton. 31 He had no idea that he had written one word that would cause Susan to laugh ; but he had. Near to the close of his letter was this curious passage — " My dear Susan, I have a strange thing to tell you.

I roundly charged Harry with his affection, which you and I long ago knew perfectly well, for Agnes ; and you would have been surprised to find how cool he was about the whole affair. ' Yes,', he said, quite gravely, ' Agnes was a dear little lady,' and so on, with many wonderful compliments, and that he — what do you think ? — trusted when the time came she would be blessed with a good husband, and he was positive she would be so if she married Count Werner. I assure you I opened my eyes and stared at him, wondering if he was the same Harry as of old. Yet once, when I came upon him suddenly in my own room, and found him staring at a withered flower of some kind, he blushed, swarthy as he now is, till his cheeks were as red as your own. I am breaking no confidence in saying this, for I told Harry I would do so, and — he only laughed."

Harry's letter to Susan also contained this significant passage, and all the more significant because it was in a postscript, and on a mere slip of paper. "By the way, do you remember Commodore Mor daunt, who lived in Frobisher Cottage ? That was the name I believe. If I remember rightly he had one daughter. Could you tell me about Commodore Mordaunt, where he is, and everything? It is a fancy that has come into my head. In fact, I had a strange dream about him one night. I shall tell you all about it An Astute Letter. 33 some day, if we live. We had something to do with him about a bull ; but perhaps you have forgotten it. I think, dear Sue, you might just as well burn this slip of paper. It would seem so funny to be troubling you just now by inquiring about a gentleman of whom we know so little.

And it also occurs to me, that when you are writing you might as well tell me about his daughter — I think, somehow, there was a daughter. If there was, pray tell me to whom she is married, and all that, you know. My dream was so odd. You will be sure to burn this, Susan ? You know we are just embarking on an expedition of very serious importance, and from which none of us may return ; and one would not like to be made foolish after one's death." Brother George, some time after this letter was written and he had shaken 3 VOL. hands with Harry and Tom, and had seen them safely on the Island of Riigen, in Pomerania, sat on the deck of his barque till late at night, looking at a plain gold ring on his finger, and wondering all manner of things as to why Harry was so eager to talk about Commodore Mordaunt, while professing the utmost indifference to the subject.

Of course George knew some little about the bull, but he knew also that Harry had heretofore appeared to dislike any, even the most distant, reference to the subject. " Now, why on earth," George said, " has he returned to it again and again, at every opening in conversation, no matter on what subjects, and always with such an affectation of accidental thought ?" Even plain, simple George, sitting that night on the deck of his vessel, began to think there was more to tell than appeared on the surface. The Landing at Biigen. 35 " Yet," said he, musingly, " Harry is not the lad" — they still called each other lads — "to keep such a secret ; in fact, I never knew him keep a secret in his life. Tom Prim, now, I could imagine burying such a thought ten fathoms deep in his unfathom able heart, but Harry's heart, though true as steel, is not deep in that fashion.

Even if his thoughts were not on his lips they would be in his eyes. I know what I shall do on arriving home — I shall ask Susan !" With this reflection George Waye went to his berth. It had been a momentous day. It was the 24th day of June ; the Swedish troops had landed on the Isle of Riigen. The first boat that touched the shore was the King's ; the oar of every other boat rested, and every sailor and soldier sat still as death while Gustavus Adolphus, towering in stature above all his army, 3—2 leaped ashore, and bent his knee in deep humiliation and solemn prayer to the great God who was about to once more in the world's history become " the God of battles." Oh ! it was a solemn day, memo rable for ever in the annals of men. Harry Waye had still only command of a company ; and Gustavus observed with gratification, that while others were plead ing for higher rank the young Englishman asked for nothing, but went cheerfully about his duty.