Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
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CHAPTER V.
BY WHAT DEVICE THE KING ESCAPED BEING CAPTURED BY COLONEL ASHENHURST.
If the king and his escort formed a very striking picture whileinvolved in the forest, the little band looked infinitely morepicturesque as they wended their way across the heath. They had begunto dismiss their fears, when, on a sudden, the greatest consternationwas caused by the appearance of a detachment of troopers advancingtowards them.
The detachment, which seemed to consist of about a dozen men, with anofficer at their head, was about half a mile off, and had hitherto beenconcealed from view by the inequality of the ground. It was now in fullsight, and it became clear from the accelerated pace of the enemy thatthey themselves were perceived.
What was to be done? Retreat was out of the question, for they werecertain to be pursued and captured. They must prove their valour in thedefence of the king.
At this anxious moment the ready-witted page called out:
"Fighting is useless against such odds. We must resort to stratagem.Listen to me, loyal foresters. For a short time you must becomerascally Roundheads. Pretend you have taken a couple of prisoners--theprisoners to be represented by his majesty and myself. Furthermore,give it out that we are both badly wounded. Do you understand?"
"Ay, we understand well enough," replied Trusty Dick, "and 'tis to behoped the rogues will believe we are brother rogues, and let us pass.After all, we can but fight it out. But what says your majesty?"
"I like the plan," said the king. "With a little management I doubt notwe shall be able to impose upon the rascals. But we must lose no timein preparation. This morning my nose bled profusely. I looked upon itthen as a bad omen, but now I regard the matter differently."
And as he spoke, he bound his bloodstained kerchief round his brows, soas to give himself the appearance of a wounded man.
Jasper at the same time tied a kerchief round his left arm, and bothput on the appearance of great exhaustion--Charles allowing his head todroop upon his breast.
"Now march on boldly, brothers," said the elder Penderel. "All willdepend upon our firmness."
As they went on, William and Trusty Dick kept close to the supposedprisoners.
Presently the detachment came up.
Drawing up his men so as to bar the way, the officer called out in aloud authoritative voice:
"Halt! and give an account of yourselves. Are you good and true men?"
"Good and true men, and friends of the Commonwealth," replied JohnPenderel, boldly. "Heaven pardon me for the lie," he muttered.
"So far well," said the officer. "But who have you got with you onhorseback?"
"A wounded malignant and his servant, who is likewise wounded," repliedHumphrey. "The Cavalier is disguised in the garb of a forester, as yousee, but he could not 'scape us."
"Where are you conveying the prisoners?" demanded the officer.
"We are taking them to Codsall, and shall deliver them to ColonelAshenhurst."
"I am Colonel Ashenhurst," replied the officer.
Taken aback by the answer, the sturdy miller did not know what to say.But William Penderel came to his relief.
"Shall we deliver the prisoners to you here, colonel?" he said, "orshall we take them on to Codsall? Since we have come thus far, itmatters not if we go a little further. We have been to ChillingtonHouse, but did not find Colonel James there."
"Colonel James hath just changed his quarters, and is gone to Brewood,"replied Ashenhurst. "Is the chief prisoner badly hurt?"
"He is wounded in the head," rejoined William Penderel. "I do not thinkhe can live long."
"Nay, then, take him and his attendant to Codsall," said ColonelAshenhurst. "I have other business on hand, and do not desire to goback. I trust to make an important capture before morn. A couple of mymen shall go with you, if you desire it, but I cannot very well sparethem."
"I thank your honour--but we do not require them," replied WilliamPenderel.
"You will find a physician at Codsall, who will attend to the woundedmalignant," continued Colonel Ashenhurst.
"I don't think any physician will do him much good," said Humphrey,unable to resist the jest. "Your honour is scarcely likely to findhim--alive, I mean--on your return."
Colonel Ashenhurst did not hear the remark. He had no suspicionwhatever of the trick played him, and ordered his men to ride on,gladdening the hearts of the stalwart brothers by his departure.
"I owe my preservation to you, Jasper," said Charles, as he removed thekerchief from his brow.
"Ay, but for this stratagem your majesty might have been captured,"remarked Trusty Dick. "I tremble to think of it."
"You have something more to do, Dick," said Jasper. "You must inventsome probable story to account for your not delivering the prisoners atCodsall."
"True," cried Charles. "I fear you may suffer on my account."
"Think not of us," said Trusty Dick. "We must take our chance. 'Tissufficient that your majesty has escaped."
The road to Codsall lay on the right, but Charles and his companionshad no intention of taking it, even as a feint, for Colonel Ashenhurstand his troop were already out of sight. Though anticipating no furtherdanger, they quickened their pace, and soon reached Long Birch.
The portion of the heath they now entered on was wilder than that whichthey had previously traversed, but there was a tolerably good roadacross it, and this eventually brought them to the banks of the littleriver Penk.
About half a mile lower down, this stream turned a mill, and the partynow proceeded in that direction, it having been previously arrangedthat the king should dismount at Pendeford Mill, as it was called, andperform the rest of the journey on foot, and attended only by half hisescort, so that his arrival at Moseley Old Hall might not be discovered.
As he was here obliged to part with Jasper, Humphrey Penderel undertookto find the page a secure place of refuge at the mill.
"I know Timothy Croft, the miller, and his wife to be good, honestfolks," said Humphrey. "The youth will be perfectly safe with them."
"I will tell Major Careless where he may find thee," said the king toJasper, "and no doubt thou wilt see him ere long. Thou hast done megood service, and I shall not be unmindful of it. Adieu!"
He then gave him his hand, and the page pressed it devotedly to hislips.
The three persons chosen to attend the king were William, Trusty Dick,and John, and having bidden a kindly farewell to the others, hismajesty set off with his guard.
He had not gone far, however, when, turning his head, he saw those hehad left standing together, and looking very sad, whereupon he hurriedback, and said a few more gracious words to them. His majesty felt thathe could not sufficiently thank the brave men who had hazarded theirlives for him without fee or reward.
Moseley Old Hall was about two miles from Pendeford Mill, and the heathhaving been left behind since they had crossed the Penk, the wholeaspect of the country had changed, and the road led through narrowgreen lanes shaded with trees.
Now and then they passed a quiet homestead, surrounded by orchards, ora cottage, and occasionally heard the barking of a dog, but with theseexceptions the whole region seemed buried in slumber.
At length, after a quick walk of rather more than half an hour, theycame in sight of an ancient mansion, somewhat resembling Boscobel, butlarger and loftier, and far more imposing in appearance.