Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
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CHAPTER XXIII.
IN WHAT MANNER JANE LANE WAS CAPTURED, AND BROUGHT BEFORE CROMWELL.
Though often urged to do so by the king, Jane Lane did not leaveWorcester till the last moment, but when it became certain that abattle was imminent, Charles insisted upon her departure. Very early onthe morning of the 2nd of September she quitted the city, accompaniedby Colonel Lane and Sir Clement Fisher. By riding hard, she hoped toreach her home in Staffordshire before night. Her companions were notgoing with her further than Bewdley, where they hoped to procure a safeescort for her.
Having selected the road they deemed most secure, the party weregalloping along a lane near Hindlip, when they heard a shout, and thenext moment a party of musketeers, evidently Parliamentarians, with anofficer, came upon them from a cross road. There was nothing for itbut instant flight. As they turned back, the musketeers galloped afterthem, and fired a few shots--luckily without effect.
Thinking to escape more quickly, Jane Lane jumped a hedge on the left,and gained a broad meadow. But neither her brother nor Sir Clementfollowed her, while the sounds she heard convinced her they were beinghotly pursued. She rode partly across the meadow, and then stopped,uncertain what to do, still hoping her companions would join her. Butthey came not, and fresh firing at a distance added to her fright. Whatwas she to do? She could not proceed on her journey alone, and yet areturn to the city was fraught with the utmost peril. Yet this was thecourse she resolved on after a few minutes' consideration, and she rodedown to the bottom of the field, anxiously listening for any warningsounds. The enemy, however, was nearer at hand than she imagined, andshe had no sooner got out of the field by clearing another hedge thanshe was made prisoner by a couple of musketeers. No rough usage wasoffered her, but seizing her bridle, the men took her to their leader,who was posted beneath a wide-spreading beech-tree, with a dozentroopers beside him.
"Soh! you have captured the Moabitish maiden," observed the leader.
The words and the stern tone in which they were uttered caused Janeto look at the speaker, and she then, to her astonishment, perceivedshe was in the presence of the Lord General himself. Instead of beingalarmed by the discovery, she felt her courage return.
"Thou knowest me, damsel, I perceive," observed Cromwell, perceivingthe effect he had produced upon her. "Answer truthfully the questions Ishall put, and you have no cause for fear."
"I have no fear," replied Jane, stoutly.
"Who were the malignants with you? Was Charles Stuart one of them?Speak! I will have an answer."
His manner was so authoritative, that she felt almost compelled toobey. Still she remained silent.
"I ask again, was Charles Stuart one of them?" said Cromwell, stillmore sternly. "I have received intelligence from one not likely todeceive me, that he meditates flight from the city on this very morn.And I am here on the watch for him."
"You have received false intelligence," rejoined Jane. "The king willnever leave the city."
"Ah! you have plenty of spirit, I find," cried Cromwell. "But you drawsuspicion on yourself by your reluctance to answer. For the third time,who were those with you?'
"My brother, Colonel Lane, and my brother's friend, Sir ClementFisher," she replied.
"And your own suitor, perchance," remarked Cromwell.
"You are right," rejoined Jane.
At this juncture several of the troopers returned, and Cromwell calledout:
"Have you captured the men of Moab? Have you smitten them with thesword?'
"No, your excellency," replied Dighton, who commanded the party. "Theyhave escaped into the city."
"Heaven be thanked for that!" exclaimed Jane. "Then I care not whatbecomes of me."
Cromwell regarded her fixedly, not without a certain admiration.
"You are a stout-hearted maiden," he said. "'Tis a pity you cannotunderstand the truth."
"I understand some things," replied Jane, boldly. "I understand treasonand rebellion, and I will have nought to do with traitors and rebels.Your excellency is fond of texts. Forget not that it has been said,'Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and shall be so punished.'Remember also what Rabshakeh said to Hezekiah, 'On whom dost thou trustthat thou rebellest?' Lastly, I ask with Nehemiah, 'What do ye? Willyou rebel against the king?'"
"There is no king left," replied Cromwell. "The Lord has smitten thehouse of Ahab, and the seed royal shall be destroyed."
"Not so, thou worse than Athaliah," said Jane. "The blood of the royalMartyr cries for vengeance upon his murderers, and it will not cryin vain. Thou mayest capture yonder city--mayest destroy its braveand devoted citizens, but the king will escape--ay, escape, I tellthee--and mount the throne when thou art dust."
"While I live he shall never mount the throne," rejoined Cromwell.
His brow had grown very dark as he listened to Jane's imprudent speech,but he repressed his wrath, and a seasonable interruption was offeredby the arrival of another party of musketeers under the command ofCornet Hardiman.
With them was a young and good-looking woman on horseback, seated on apillion behind a serving-man. She was habited in deep mourning.
"How is this?" cried Oliver, angrily. "Can ye bring me none but womenas prisoners to-day?"
"May it please your excellency," replied Hardiman, "this young dame isnot a prisoner. She is the widow of that Urso Gives who was hanged byCharles Stuart. Having heard that you made some promise of a rewardto her late husband, she entreated me to bring her before you, andbelieving her story, I consented."
"Is this the Widow Gives?" demanded Cromwell, regarding her withattention.
"Ay, marry, your excellency," replied the young dame. "I am the widowof that unfortunate man, who lost his life in your service. I have beeninformed by the Reverend Laban Foxe--a most godly minister--that yourexcellency promised Urso a reward, and that if he perished I shouldreceive it."
"It is true, and I will not fail one word of my promise," repliedCromwell. "You shall have the reward, but you must be content to waitfor it till the city is in my hands."
"Then I trust she will have to wait for it long," observed Jane.
Cromwell took no notice of the remark, but said to the young widow:
"You are passing fair, and I marvel not at your husband's strongattachment to you."
"Of a truth, poor Urso was greatly attached to me," replied the youngwidow, putting her handkerchief to her eyes.
"Be constant to his memory, if you can--though I fear 'twill be a hardmatter with you to be so," observed Cromwell. "But I have no furthertime for idle discourse. Since there is no chance of capturing CharlesStuart, I shall not tarry longer here. Take charge of this damsel," headded. "Her friends have left her. But mark me! she must not return tothe city. Neither return thither thyself, if thou wouldst live to enjoythy pension."
"Your excellency's injunctions shall be obeyed," replied Dame Gives,trembling.
"I thought I was a prisoner," remarked Jane, surprised.
"I do not make prisoners of women," replied Cromwell, coldly.
With this, he gave the word to Dighton, and immediately rode off in thedirection of Perry Wood, followed by his troops.
No sooner was he gone, than Jane said to Dame Gives:
"Notwithstanding the Lord General's prohibition, I must, and will,return to Worcester. I must relieve my brother's anxiety on my account."
"Beseech you do not, dear lady," replied the young widow, earnestly."Come with me to Droitwich, whither I am going, and I will undertake toprovide you a faithful messenger, who shall convey a letter or a tokenfrom you to Colonel Lane or Sir Clement Fisher."
"You know me then!" cried Jane in astonishment.
"There are very few in Worcester who do not know Mistress Jane Lane,"replied Dame Gives.
"But your sympathies are with the enemy--not with us," cried Jane.
The very significant look given her by the young widow satisfied hershe was mistaken.
"Major Careless would tell you differently," whispe
red Dame Gives,leaning forward.
"My doubts are removed," said Jane. "I will go with you to Droitwich."
"You will not find your confidence misplaced," replied Dame Gives. "Andit will delight me to be of service to you."
They then rode off at a brisk pace, and were soon on the high road toDroitwich.