It was owing to this purpose probably that the
usual summary process of executive justice was not more speedily
administered.
A great marvel and gossip, as may readily be supposed, now arose
throughout the whole country. Rumour, with her hundred tongues, flew
fast, and her wide wings overspread the land. From all quarters,
conformably to the signal, the levies marched with great rapidity to
Doncaster, where they found Lord D'Arcy, who seemed to feel, or to
feign, astonishment at this sudden rising without his orders. One and
all proclaimed that the appointed signal was from the Abbot of Whalley,
at whose war-inciting torch the whole line of beacons had been kindled.
A messenger, however, was soon forwarded to the camp, from Paslew, with
an explanation of the affair, while at the same time he demanded their
aid for the discovery and punishment of the offenders. But D'Arcy and
Aske were too well pleased to see Paslew's crafty and selfish plans
frustrated, whilst he was irretrievably committed to their cause. Tired
of waiting the tardy result of negotiations with their sovereign, these
ambitious spirits were glad to behold their army once more menacing the
royalist position, hoping it would either quicken or terminate these
dilatory proceedings.
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