Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
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CHAPTER V.
HOW CHARLES WAS CONCEALED IN SPRING COPPICE, AND HOW IT RAINED THERE,AND NOWHERE ELSE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.
On quitting the house, Charles and his two stalwart attendants enteredthe ruins of the old priory, where Trusty Dick, by the aid of the ivy,climbed the massive wall, and looked around to satisfy himself thatall was secure. Not perceiving anything to occasion alarm, he soondescended from his post of observation, and the party left the ruinsand entered the wood at the rear of the house.
Pursuing a roadway among the trees, they marched on at a quick pace. Oneither side there was a good deal of fine timber, and several ancientoaks caught the king's eye as he strode along. Presently they came upona broad clearing, where the underwood having been removed, only a fewscattered trees were left, and having crossed it, they penetrated awilderness of brambles and thorns, through which Charles could neverhave made his way unassisted, and this rough barrier passed, theyreached a waste overgrown with short wood, which was cut at certainseasons for fuel. This was Spring Coppice, and just beyond it were theshady groves of Boscobel.
Though there were few large trees in Spring Coppice, there was a gooddeal of tangled underwood, and a thick covert afforded an excellentplace of concealment. It was towards this spot that his guides nowled the king. While the covert was almost impenetrable to thoseunacquainted with it, there was an outlet to the Boscobel woods, whichcould be easily gained in case of need.
In the very heart of the covert, like the centre of a maze, there wasa small open space, free from underwood, and covered with a carpet ofsmooth sward. Here it was proposed that the king should remain, whilehis two guides undertook to act as scouts and sentinels, and warn himof any danger. Having shown his majesty how to hide himself amid theunderwood, and how to gain the outlet into the adjoining thicket, theyleft him, promising that one of them would return ere long.
Almost for the first time in his life, Charles was now completelyalone. Yesterday, at the same hour, he was a king, and had an army athis command. Now he was dependent for his safety upon a few loyalrustics. Not for a moment did he doubt their fidelity, or believe thatthreats of punishment or offers of reward would induce them to betrayhim. Yet accident might bring his enemies to his place of concealment.In that case he was resolved to sell his life dearly, though the onlyweapon he possessed was the woodman's knife in his girdle.
He strove to divert his melancholy thoughts and while away the timeby pacing round and round the little circular spot in which he wasenclosed. But he soon got tired of this enforced exercise, and threwhimself at full length on the sward. How he wished that Careless waswith him, or Lord Wilmot! To add to his discomfort, the morning, whichhad been dark and dull, became still more gloomy; clouds gatheredoverhead, and at length discharged themselves in a steady down-pour. Hesought shelter among the trees, but could not protect himself entirelyfrom the wet.
The rain continued--heavily, heavily.
Several hours passed, which seemed more wearisome, more dismal than anyhours the king had ever previously spent.
During the long and dreary interval no one came near him, nor did anysounds reach his ear, except the ceaseless pattering of the rain uponthe leaves. Now and then he heard the rustle of a rabbit among theunderwood, the cry of a blackbird, or the challenge of a cock pheasant.Nothing else. No whistle from Careless--no signal from the Penderels.
Having now no watch he could not tell how time was passing, but hethought it much later than it really was. At last he heard sounds ofsome one approaching, and a voice, which he easily recognised as thatof Richard Penderel, called out "A friend!"
Trusty Dick was accompanied by his sister, who was married to a woodmannamed Yates, and the good wife carried a basket containing someeatables and a bottle of sack, the sight of which greatly rejoicedthe king, who had become ravenously hungry. Trusty Dick had broughtwith him a blanket, which he laid upon the ground beneath a tree, soas to form a dry seat for his majesty, while Elizabeth Yates spreadthe contents of her basket before him. Charles was so hungry that hethought of nothing at first but satisfying his appetite, but after hehad 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 hadrather a comely countenance, and the good-humoured smile that lightedit up as she watched the king's performances was exceedingly pleasantto behold.
"Saints be praised!" she exclaimed; "it does one good to see yourmajesty enjoy your humble meal."
"I never enjoyed aught so much," replied the king. "I have got aforester's keen appetite. I thank thee for the blanket thou hastbrought me, Dick, but if I remain longer here I shall have rheumatismin all my limbs."
"There is danger abroad," replied Dick. "A body of rebel troopers,under the command of Colonel Bloundel, has been to White Ladies.Colonel Bloundel declared you were concealed somewhere, and not onlysearched the house, but the ruins of the old priory, and was greatlyenraged and disappointed when he failed to discover your majesty. Hethen ordered a dozen of his men to search the forest and join him atBoscobel, and I make no doubt they are there now. My brother Williamhas gone thither to see what they are about, and will bring yourmajesty word. It is well you were concealed here."
"The saints have had your majesty in their guard!" exclaimed Elizabeth,who, like all her brothers, was a devout Romanist. "A marvellous thinghas happened. Elsewhere it has been fine, but here, at Spring Coppice,it has rained."
"It has rained heavily enough, as I can testify from experience," criedCharles.
"But the rain prevented the rebels from searching this wood," observedDick. "I followed them unobserved, and undoubtedly they were cominghither, but when they found it so wet they gave up the quest, andproceeded to Boscobel."
"'Tis strange, indeed!" said Charles, gravely.
"I see Heaven's hand in it quite plainly!" ejaculated Elizabeth,crossing herself devoutly; "and so will good Father Huddlestone."
"Father Huddlestone!" exclaimed Charles. "You will have to confess tohim."
"Ah! you need not fear him, sire," cried Elizabeth. "The good priest isdevoted to your majesty. He has taught us all to fear God and honourthe king."
"Father Huddlestone has made us what we are, sire," said Dick. "But wemust not tarry here longer. I will come again at night-fall."
"Not till then?" cried Charles. "Have you seen aught of Major Careless?"
"No, sire," replied Dick. "He has kept out of the way of the rebels.And I must again caution your majesty not to stir forth till I return,as some of the enemy may be lurking about."
By this time Elizabeth had packed up her basket, and the pair departed.
It was still raining steadily, but cheered by the hearty meal he hadmade, the king did not heed the discomfort so much as he had previouslydone. Wrapped in his blanket he couched beneath the trees, and soonfell fast asleep, nor did he awake till he was roused by a voice, andfound Trusty Dick Penderel standing near him.
"What's the hour, Dick?" he demanded, yawning and stretching himself."It seems growing dusk. I have slept ever since you left me."
"In that case, your majesty must have slept for six or seven hours, forit is now not far from eight o'clock," replied Dick. I trust you feelrefreshed."
"I feel equal to any amount of exertion," cried Charles, springing tohis feet. "But what news do you bring me?"
"Not very good, my liege," replied Dick. "You must not go to Boscobel.Colonel Bloundel is still there."
"But I cannot pass the night here," cried Charles.
"I do not mean you should, my liege, I propose to take you to mycottage, Hobbal Grange, where I will try to lodge you, in my humbleway."
"Hark ye, Dick, a plan has occurred to me while I have been here.I will try to get into Wales, where I have many subjects of provedloyalty. Once at Swansea, I can easily find means of embarking forFrance. Can you guide me to any place where I ma
y safely cross theSevern?"
"At Madeley there is a bridge. It is about seven miles distant."
"Only seven miles!" exclaimed Charles. "Then I will go to Madeleyto-night after refreshing myself at thy cottage."
"As your majesty pleases. But I am sorry you mean to abandon Boscobel."
"I may go there yet," said Charles.
They then quitted the coppice and issued forth into the more open partof the forest.
The rain had now ceased, and the clouds having entirely dispersed,the night promised to be clear and starlight. They marched alongcautiously--halting ever and anon to listen for a sound--but heardnothing to occasion them alarm. Not a trooper was to be seen--indeed,they did not encounter a single individual on the way to Hobbal Grange.