CHAPTER VII.
HOW THEY PLAYED AT DICE IN THE OAK.
The occupants of the oak breathed again after the departure of ColonelJames and his troopers, and though they had been greatly alarmed at thetime, they soon recovered their spirits, and laughed at the incident.
"Perhaps the excitement was a little too great," observed Charles; "butit has served to break the monotony of our somewhat dull existence.Time, it must be owned, passes very slowly when one is compelled, likethe fowls of the air, to roost in a tree. I hope we shall soon haveanother visit from our faithful William Penderel."
"Your majesty must not look for him before night."
"I would night were come. How many wearisome hours have we to pass?Never did I feel so strong a desire for active exercise--just because Imust not take it."
"Your majesty had best go to sleep again. Pity we have neither cardsnor dice to divert the tedium."
"I have it," cried Charles. "Cards cannot be provided, but the otherdeficiency may be easily supplied. Acorns will serve for dice, and ourhorn drinking-cups will make admirable dice-boxes."
"Bravo! your majesty has a rare wit," exclaimed Careless.
Charmed with the notion, he set to work at once to carry it out, andgathering a few acorns, marked them with the point of his dagger. Thehorn cups were next produced, and carefully wiped with a napkin, whichwas then folded and laid on a branch of the tree to serve for a board.
"At what game will your majesty be pleased to play?" cried Careless,rattling the extempore dice in the cornet.
"Hazard would be most appropriate," replied Charles. "But we have hadenough of that of late. I prefer 'passage,'" he added, taking three ofthe dice. "Plague on't, I have nothing to stake--not a crown."
"Your majesty has already staked a crown----"
"Ay, and lost it," interrupted the king.
"Only temporarily, sire. You will soon have it back again. I have a fewpistoles left," he added, producing his purse. "Shall we divide them?"
"Be it so," replied Charles.
Putting down a couple of the pistoles he had received from Careless, hethen threw, calling out "Quatre," as he made the cast, and he continuedthrowing until stopped by Careless, who exclaimed:
"Doublets above ten. Your majesty passes and wins."
"I thought I was in luck to-day," cried Charles.
The play went on, without much benefit to Careless. Ere long, everypistole was swept up by the king, who was put into very good humour byhis success.
"Oddsfish! I have won all thy money, Will," he exclaimed. "But takeback half, and let us begin anew. Since we have found out this pleasantpastime, I care not how long I am detained here. Never, sure, was oakso enchanting as this."
"Suppose we try 'in and in,' by way of variety, sire?" said Careless.
Charles assented, and they began to play again, and soon became soexcited by the game, that they neglected the dictates of prudence,and talked louder than they ought to have done. Suddenly a sound frombelow, like the clapping of hands, brought them to their senses. Theybecame instantly silent, and regarded each other anxiously.
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 50
