William Harrison Ainsworth

“ At dusk, bonfires were lighted by the sectarian villagers to celebrate Cromwell's great victory at Worcester. The flames could be seen from the king's windows, and the shouts reached his ears.
"'Tis Cromwell's turn now—it may be mine to-morrow," remarked Charles to Mr. Langton, who was with him at the time.
"Heaven grant it!" exclaimed the divine. "This poor misguided folk will shout quite as loudly as they do now—ay, and light just as large bonfires when your majesty is happily restored to the throne." ”

“ More careful examination showed the king that the trooper had a comrade with him, the latter being on foot, and armed with a carabine.
Even at that distance, and by that light, Charles recognised the foremost trooper. The man's features were too marked to be mistaken; and, besides, circumstances had fixed them on his memory. It was Madmannah. And Charles did not for a moment doubt that the other was Ezra. Like bloodhounds these two men seemed ever on his track, and the dread that they might hunt him down at last, for a moment shook him. ”

“ Rising in front, above the trees, appeared the lovely Malvern Hills, and their summits, bathed in sunshine, looked so exquisite that Charles wished he could be transported to one of them.
"I never look at a mountain top," he remarked to Careless, "without desiring to ascend to it."
"'Tis a natural wish I think, my liege," replied the aide-de-camp. "At least, I have the same feeling. Those hills are not difficult of ascent, and command a magnificent view. The highest of them, and the nearest to Malvern, is the Worcestershire Beacon; the other is the Herefordshire Beacon. Both noble hills." ”

“ There are several prisoners of note in Worcester—Lord Talbot, Sir John Pakington, and Colonel Mervin Touchet. But the rascal contented himself with the mayor and the sheriff. At what hour will it please your majesty to enter the city?"
"At noon," replied Charles.
"Not till noon! why, we have no rations," cried Careless, in dismay. "Your army has nothing to eat. Will your majesty keep the men fasting till noon? If you could only see how hungry they look, you would feel some pity for them."
"They shall all have a good breakfast in Worcester—that I promise them." ”

“ At the sound of this well-known voice the colonel quickened his pace, exclaiming joyously:
"Welcome, my liege!—welcome! I am rejoiced to see you."
"And I am equally rejoiced to see thee, Frank," cried Charles, heartily.
"'Tis the king!" exclaimed Juliana, in mingled surprise and consternation. "Oh, sire! pardon my excessive stupidity! I ought to have recognised your majesty in any disguise. What appears impertinence in a groom is only condescension in a monarch." ”

“ Trust to my royal word."
"We want no reward, my liege," said William Penderel. "What we have done has been from pure devotion to your majesty, and from no sordid motive."
"That is quite true," cried the others, "and we entreat your majesty to believe what William says."
"I firmly believe it," said the king. "Loyal and disinterested you must be, or you would never serve a fugitive king, who can reward you only with promises. ”

“ And as he spoke Dame Gives entered, bearing a light. It was evident from her attire that she had not been in bed. Careless sheathed his sword on her appearance.
"Why have you come here at this hour? What do you want with Urso?" she cried, rushing up to him.
Careless, however, turned away, and said, in a low voice, to Captain Woolfe:
"Explain our errand to her."
"We have come to arrest your husband," said Woolfe.
"Arrest him! What crime has he committed?"
"The highest crime a man can commit," rejoined Woolfe. "He has betrayed the king to his enemies." ”

“ General Middleton, as Massey had foreseen, at once undertook the daring enterprise, and both his companions were eager to share the danger with him.
When all had been discussed and settled, General Middleton said to the king:
"Your majesty need not fear that the design will be betrayed. Not till the latest moment shall the men know on what enterprise they are to be employed, and even then they shall not be aware of our precise aim. Before dawn your majesty shall hear that the blow has been struck, and if I cannot come myself, some one more fortunate will bring you the glad tidings." ”

“ With your majesty's approval, I will ride over to Lyme to-morrow and see him."
"Do so, by all means," cried Charles, eagerly. "Careless shall go with you. The plan holds out every prospect of success. Captain Ellesdon, I conclude, can be told for whom the vessel is to be hired?"
"You may entirely confide in him, sire," replied the colonel. "He is loyalty itself, and will feel honoured by being thus employed." ”

“ And he then proceeded to explain that Careless had been left to look after the master of the lugger.
"Heaven grant that all may go well!" she exclaimed. "How rejoiced I shall be when your majesty is safe at Swansea!"
"You will be still more pleased when we are all safe in France," said Charles.
"I do not think I shall ever arrive there, sire," she rejoined, sadly. "I am not usually down-hearted, as you know. But I am so low-spirited to-night that I think you will be better without me."
"No, no," cried Charles. "Go you must. Major Careless will be miserable if you are left behind." ”

“ Careless, who was in attendance, filled a large silver goblet with claret, and handed it to him. The king raised the cup to his lips, but set it down untasted.
"I never saw your majesty so downcast before," remarked Careless. "A cup of wine will cheer you. The claret is good, I'll answer for it, for I have emptied a flask."
"Wine will not rouse my spirits," rejoined Charles, gloomily. "I am quite worn out. I will hold no more councils of war. They are utterly unprofitable. There is no deliberation—no unanimity of opinion—each plan, however promising, is violently opposed. ”

“ CHAPTER IV. HOW CARELESS CAPTURED AN OWL IN THE OAK.
Seated upon a large bough, and with his feet upon a lower branch, the king looked down at Careless, and could not help laughing at him.
"This would be an amusing adventure if your majesty's safety were not in question," observed the major.
"I suppose you never spent a day in a tree, Will?"
"Never, sire. I don't know what it's like. I have done a good many strange things in my time, but this is one I never yet did. We must make ourselves as cheerful as we can under the circumstances."
"You have the happy knack of being always cheerful, Will." ”

“ Better your wives should be driven forth than exposed to the insults of Cromwell's soldiery. Quit your homes without hesitation and without murmuring, but with the deep determination to be avenged upon the foe. 'Tis a sacrifice you are called upon to make for your king—but we all make sacrifices for him. Right, justice, truth are on our side: treason of the darkest dye, rebellion and oppression, are on the other. Fight for your lawful king. Place your trust in Heaven, and you will triumph over these bloodthirsty rebels. ”

“ It is Cromwell, the murderer of your martyred sovereign, who comes hither to ravage your city, and slay your rightful king, that he may set himself up in his place, who thus drives you from your homes. Charles, your king, loves you, and would save you from this ruthless general and his fierce and fanatical soldiery, who will put you all to the sword if they obtain the victory. Resist, therefore, to the uttermost. Better that your houses should be burnt down than that they should afford shelter to such an enemy. ”

“ Charles sat down, and emptying a goblet of generous wine, insisted upon all the others following his example, and while they were doing so a gentle tap was heard at the door, which was opened by Father Huddlestone, and Mr. Whitgreave came in.
"What of my faithful attendants—the Penderels?" cried the king. "Have they been well cared for? Pardon the question, Mr. Whitgreave. I am sure they have."
"They are gone, my liege," replied Whitgreave. "And I must say that I never saw men more grieved to part with a master than these loyal-hearted fellows are to quit your majesty." ”

“ This very morning I heard the Proclamation published at Lyme by the mayor, offering a reward of a thousand pounds for the capture of Charles Stuart, and threatening, with the heaviest penalties—even death—those who may aid the escape of his partisans. Now, I know that the men you have engaged to carry over to France are Royalists, and, as a dutiful and loving wife, I am bound to save you from the consequences of your folly. You shall not throw away a life which, if not valuable to yourself, is valuable to me and to my child. You shall NOT sail to France to-night! ”

“ And he made a movement as if about to depart.
"For Heaven's sake stay, my gracious liege, and say something kind to him," whispered Juliana to the king. "You will break the old man's heart if you depart thus. I will answer for it that he is devoted to your majesty."
"Well, perhaps, I have been too easily moved," replied Charles in the same low tone. "I have bethought me, Sir John," he added to him. "I may need this money, and I will therefore borrow it from you. Take the bag, Careless. That you are sincere in your professions of zeal I nothing doubt, but I now want energetic action." ”

“ It was the portrait of a grave-looking personage in a velvet doublet and ruff, with eyes so life-like that they seemed to return the king's glances.
"The old gentleman above the fireplace appears to bid me welcome," observed Charles. "He has a fine face."
"It is the portrait of Squire John Giffard of Chillington, who built this house, my liege," said William Penderel. "It has always been accounted a good likeness. Ah! if the worthy squire could but have foreseen who would come here for shelter! Some good saint must have inspired him, when he contrived the hiding-places." ”

“ In England your chance is lost. It grieves me to say so, but I cannot hide the truth. You cannot get another army together. To Scotland, I see, you like not to return. The sole alternative, therefore, is an escape to France."
"That is what I desire," replied Charles. "But where can I embark?"
"At Bristol, my liege, it may be—but that must be for after consideration. Conceal yourself for a time, and no safer hiding-place can be found than Boscobel, where I myself took refuge."
At this moment Colonel Roscarrock came up.
"How say you, Roscarrock?" asked the king. ”

“ You will have the care of the king. He is surrounded by enemies—cunning as foxes in quest of prey. Beware of their wiles and stratagems. Open foes may be guarded against—secret foes are most to be dreaded."
"I and my brothers will strive to guard his majesty against all foes, open and secret," replied William Penderel; "and with Heaven's help I doubt not we shall accomplish his deliverance."
"Help to conceal me—that is all I ask at present," said the king.
"We have more than one hiding-place at Boscobel," observed Penderel. "I can conceal his lordship as well as your majesty." ”

“ At this critical juncture, when his fate hung in the balance, and when the Scottish horse might have helped him to victory, Charles looked anxiously down to the spot where Lesley was posted. He was still there with his troops. But they remained motionless, although their leader must have been aware of the king's success, and must have felt how important aid would be at that moment.
"Does he move?—is he coming?" cried Charles.
"No, sire," rejoined Legge, straining his eyes in the direction of the Scottish cavalry. "He does not stir. Curses on him for a traitor." ”

“ As they drew near the picturesque old mansion, it was easy to perceive that it was under military occupation—sentinels being placed at the entrance, while small parties of dragoons were gathered on the terrace, as if awaiting orders; and a troop of cavalry was drawn up on the lawn. A soldier was walking a powerful charger to and fro before the porch.
Drums would have been beaten, and trumpets sounded, but the king would not allow any announcement of his arrival to be made. Leaving his escort at the extremity of the lawn, he rode up to the portal with Careless. ”

“ With them was a young and good-looking woman on horseback, seated on a pillion behind a serving-man. She was habited in deep mourning.
"How is this?" cried Oliver, angrily. "Can ye bring me none but women as prisoners to-day?"
"May it please your excellency," replied Hardiman, "this young dame is not a prisoner. She is the widow of that Urso Gives who was hanged by Charles Stuart. Having heard that you made some promise of a reward to her late husband, she entreated me to bring her before you, and believing her story, I consented." ”

“ My best jerkin, leather doublet and green trunk hose, will just fit you, sire, and I haven't worn them more than once or twice."
"The disguise will suit me exactly," cried Charles. "I will become a Brewood forester like thyself. We are about the same height, as I think, though thou hast the advantage of me in respect of bulk."
"Truly, I am somewhat clumsier than your majesty."
"Haste, and fetch the clothes, Dick, for I presume thou hast not got them with thee," said Captain Giffard.
"One thing more is needful to complete the disguise," said Richard Penderel. ”

“ Charles was so hungry that he thought of nothing at first but satisfying his appetite, but after he had consumed half a dozen hard-boiled eggs, a large piece of cold meat, the best part of a loaf, and had well-nigh emptied the flask of sack, he began to converse with Dame Yates.
Though built on the same large scale as her brothers, Elizabeth had rather a comely countenance, and the good-humoured smile that lighted it up as she watched the king's performances was exceedingly pleasant to behold.
"Saints be praised!" she exclaimed; "it does one good to see your majesty enjoy your humble meal." ”

“ You have made the Penderels what they are, and what I have found them—the truest men living."
"Through Heaven's grace I have made them what they ought to be, my liege," said Father Huddlestone. "I have always striven against those who have sought to overthrow the throne. It is possible that Heaven may have further trials in store for your majesty, to which I earnestly exhort you to submit with patience, but I feel assured that in due season you will be amply rewarded. Place your trust in Heaven, sire, and you will be delivered from your enemies. ”