Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
Page 78
CHAPTER VI.
CARELESS BRINGS THE KING GOOD NEWS.
Next morning Charles was alone in the butler's pantry, when Mr. Norton,accompanied by Doctor Gorges, who had been the late king's chaplain,and now filled the same office at Abbots Leigh, came into the room toinquire after him. The appearance of the latter, with whom he was wellacquainted, rather confused Charles, as he feared that the chaplainmust recognise him. However, the divine suspected no deception,and Charles acted his part so well that he completely imposed uponthe worthy man. The interview did not last many minutes, and wasinterrupted by Jane Lane, who came to the king's assistance.
"I hope I have not overacted my part," observed the king to Jane, assoon as Mr. Norton and the chaplain were gone. "But it occurred to methat my recovery was too rapid, and that I ought to have a relapse."
"You acted the part so naturally, my liege, that you would certainlyhave imposed upon me, had I not been a confederate. It will be sure tobe spread about among the household that you have had another attack,and as the servants may have thought your conduct strange in keepingaloof from them, their suspicions will now be removed."
"I shall go forth presently," said the king. "I think it likely thatCareless may venture here in the course of the day."
He then informed Jane of his intention to visit Bristol at night withPope, for the purpose of hiring a vessel to convey him to France.
"If I succeed in my object I shall not return here," he said; "and inthat case I shall not require your further services. You will then beat full liberty to inform Mr. Norton who has been his guest."
"I must be quite sure your majesty is safe before I make any suchcommunication to him," she replied.
"If Pope returns alone, you will know that I am gone," said Charles.
"Heaven grant that your majesty may find means of escape!" said Jane."But I own I am not very sanguine, and I implore you not to run anyheedless risk. I think there is great hazard in visiting Bristol."
She then quitted the room, and Charles, who found his confinementrather irksome, went to the stables, where he remained for some time.He did not return to the house, but passing through a retired part ofthe garden gained the long avenue leading to the mansion.
While wending his way slowly beneath the overarching trees, heperceived a horseman at a distance riding towards the house. As theperson drew nearer, he felt almost certain it must be Careless--but ifso, Careless had abandoned his disguise as a groom, and attired himselfin a costume more befitting his condition. Careless it proved to be,and no sooner did he discern his royal master, than he quickened hispace and rode up.
"Well met, my liege," he exclaimed, springing from his steed andsaluting the king. "I have come in quest of your majesty."
"I hope you bring me good news," replied Charles. "I see you havethrown off your disguise."
"I found it necessary to do so," said Careless. "Habited as a groom Ishould never have been able to make any arrangements for your majesty.Luckily, at the Lamb, where I put up, I met with Tom Hornyold ofWorcester, who not only supplied me with a good sum of money, but witha change of attire. Thus provided, I lost not a moment in endeavouringto carry out your majesty's plans. By Tom Hornyold's advice, I repairedto the Dolphin, a tavern frequented by ship-masters and seafaring menin the neighbourhood of the quay----"
"And kept by David Price," interposed the king.
"Your majesty knows the tavern?" exclaimed Careless, in surprise.
"I have heard of it," replied Charles. "But proceed. Did you see thetavern-keeper?"
"I did, my liege, and found him exactly the man described by TomHornyold. I had a long conference with him in private, and told him Iwanted to hire a vessel to convey me to France, and if that could notbe managed, to Swansea. I said that I meant to take with me a youngdame, to whom I was about to be wedded--but whose parents objected tothe match----"
"Dame Gives, I suppose?" observed the king.
"Exactly, my liege. I had previously obtained her consent to thescheme. But your majesty has not heard me out. I thought it necessaryto acquaint David Price that I should be accompanied by a friend--afugitive Royalist who had fought at Worcester--but I took care not tolead him to suspect that my friend was a person of rank."
"Well, what followed?"
"He listened to all I said, and after some reflection, replied thathe knew the master of a small lugger, who he thought might be inducedby a good round sum to convey me, my intended bride, and my friendto Swansea. 'I think the man is in the house now,' he added. 'Ifyou desire it, I will call him in here, and you can speak to himyourself?' I said this was exactly what I wished, so he went out, andshortly afterwards returned with a sturdy, broad-shouldered man, whomhe introduced as Captain Rooker. The skipper had an honest look thatprepossessed me in his favour. In order to give a friendly characterto the interview, David Price placed a flask of Nantz on the table,and filled a glass for each of us. My object having been explained toCaptain Rooker, he entered upon the matter at once. He said it was ahazardous job, and might get him into trouble, but as he sympathisedstrongly with the Royalist party he would undertake to assist me,provided he was well paid. After some talk he agreed to take me and mycompanions to Swansea for fifty pounds--but he required twenty poundsdown, which by David Price's advice I paid him. I hope your majestywill think I have done well in making the arrangement."
"You have done admirably," cried Charles, joyfully. "But when willCaptain Rooker sail?"
"To-night," replied Careless. "To-morrow, I hope your majesty will beat Swansea. Once there, you cannot fail to secure a passage to France."
"Yes, I shall feel perfectly safe at Swansea. But where am I to embark?"
"I am unable to inform your majesty at this moment. All I know is, thatCaptain Rooker means to send his lugger down the Avon to-day, and thevessel will wait for us at some point where we can safely go on board.Come to Bristol to-night, and then I shall be able to give you exactinformation."
"You have forestalled my plans," said Charles. "I had arranged withPope, the butler at Abbots Leigh, who turns out to be a trusty fellow,to go to Bristol to-night, and we meant to visit the Dolphin."
"Then let that tavern be our place of rendezvous," rejoined Careless."We will meet there at nine o'clock to-night. And now, unless yourmajesty has some further commands for me, I will take my departure."
"I have nothing more to say," said the king. "At nine o'clock expect meat the Dolphin."
Thereupon, Careless mounted his steed, and bowing profoundly to theking, rode down the avenue.
When he had disappeared, Charles turned and walked slowly towards thehouse. On arriving there, he repaired at once to the butler's pantry,where he found Pope, and acquainted him with the arrangements made byCareless. The butler approved of the plan, and thought it could besafely carried out.
Later on in the day the king had an opportunity of conferring withJane Lane, who did not seek to disguise her uneasiness, when she wasinformed of the scheme.
"I pray that your majesty may not be drawn into some snare," shesaid. "I have great fears that the captain of the lugger may provetreacherous."
"Why should you distrust him?" cried Charles. "Careless has perfectfaith in his honesty."
"I can give no reason for my suspicions," she replied, "and I hope theymay prove groundless. Zeal for your majesty makes me anxious. Prayallow me to consult with Mr. Norton."
"No," replied the king, in a decided tone. "'Tis needless to do so."
"Your majesty, I am sure, has not a more devoted follower than MajorCareless. But he may be deceived."
"Tut! these are idle fears!" exclaimed Charles. "I never knew you sotimorous before. Ordinarily, you are full of courage."
"I cannot conquer my apprehensions, sire. I have a presentiment of ill,and I beseech you to listen to me."
"I can scarcely think that it is the high-spirited Jane Lane who speaksto me thus," said the king.
"Think of me as you please, my liege, but follow my counse
l," sherejoined. "Again, I entreat you to let me consult with Mr. Norton."
"No--no--no," cried Charles. "Not till I am gone will I allow you totell him who has been his guest."
Nothing more passed between them.
The prospect of immediate escape, now held out to the king, threw himinto such a state of excitement, that he felt it almost impossible tocontinue to play the sick man, and in order to avoid observation, hewithdrew to his chamber, and remained there till evening, all his timebeing occupied in watching the sails on the broad estuary of the Severn.