Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
Page 89
CHAPTER VIII.
HOW THE KING HEARD THE PARTICULARS OF HIS OWN DEATH AND BURIAL.
The party rode back as cheerfully as they came. Though disappointed bythe result of the interview with Sir John Strangways, Colonel Wyndhamdid not seem discouraged, but said he had another plan to propose tohis majesty. However, an unlooked for occurrence had taken place duringtheir absence.
When about a mile from Trent, they were greatly surprised by hearingthe church bells ring out a loud and joyous peal. Mingled with thesesounds was the occasional discharge of a musket. What could havehappened to call forth such manifestations? Not even Colonel Wyndhamcould conjecture. But as they drew near the village, they learnt that asmall troop of Cromwell's horse that had fought at Worcester had justarrived, and had proclaimed the utter rout of the royal army--addingthe important, and as they declared authentic intelligence, that theMalignant Prince himself had been slain, and buried among a heap of hismisguided followers.
News then reached a retired village like Trent so slowly, that onlyvague rumours of the decisive battle had been hitherto received. Buthere were men who, having fought at the great fight, could not bediscredited.
The inhabitants of Trent, most of whom were fanatics, were greatlyelated by the news, and desired to have the bells rung, and to thistheir minister willingly assented. They were also preparing to feastthe victorious troopers, and at night there were to be bonfires andother rejoicings.
Charles laughed when he learnt these particulars of his own death andburial, and not unreasonably thought that further search for him wasnot likely to be made in this quarter.
As they went on, they found that the churchyard was filled by thevillagers, while a score or more red-coats had tied up their horses inthe yard of the mansion, and were now regaling themselves on the coldviands and ale with which they had compelled Mrs. Wyndham to supplythem.
His house being thus in the hands of the enemy, it behoved ColonelWyndham to be careful how he approached it, but Peters met him beforehe reached the gate, and hastily explaining what had happened, told himthe red-coats had behaved quietly enough as yet, and would no doubtdepart peaceably if they were not thwarted.
Acting on this advice, the colonel, on entering the yard, addressed afew words to the soldiers, telling them he was glad to see them, andadding that they should have as much ale as they liked. The prudence ofthis course was soon shown. The men thanked him, and allowed him andCareless to pass on unquestioned, but Charles was not quite so lucky. Astalwart trooper laid hold of his bridle, and declared he must give anaccount of himself.
"I will answer for him," cried Juliana. "He is my groom, and as true aman as ever breathed."
"True to whom?" demanded the trooper, gruffly.
"To the Parliament, to be sure," said Charles. "I am ready to drink OldNoll's health."
"Coupled with the wish that he may soon be king?" said the trooper.
"I forbid him to drink that toast," cried Juliana.
"Why so, fair mistress?" demanded the trooper, knitting his brows.
"Because it would be treason to the state," she rejoined.
"Nay, friend, I have no such scruples," remarked Charles, in anundertone to the trooper. "I will bring you a stoop of good liquoranon, and then we will drink any toast you please."
"Verily, thou art a true man," rejoined the trooper. "Thou shalt learnto whom thou speakest. I am Fetch-him-out-of-the-Pulpit Strongitharm,by whose hand the young man Charles Stuart was slain."
"Was Charles Stuart slain by thee?" exclaimed the king.
"Yea, verily by me," rejoined Strongitharm, exultingly. "The buff coatwhich I now wear forms part of the spoils taken from the body of theMalignant Prince. Pass on."
As may well be imagined, old Lady Wyndham and her daughter-in-law werein great consternation at this visit, but owing to the prudent andconciliatory measures adopted by Harry Peters, the annoyance was veryslight. Some of the troopers certainly entered the house, but they didnot get beyond the kitchen, where they were very well entertained.
Charles, however, was obliged to remain in the stables, and to minglewith the red-coats, but he comported himself so well that no suspicionwhatever attached to him. How could it, indeed, when after listeningto a further account from Strongitharm of his own death and burial, heemphatically declared that England had had a great deliverance!
Later on in the day, the troopers marched off for Yeovil, where theymeant to pass the night. The inmates of Trent House were thus relievedfrom anxiety, and Charles was able to return to his room.
At dusk, bonfires were lighted by the sectarian villagers to celebrateCromwell's great victory at Worcester. The flames could be seen fromthe king's windows, and the shouts reached his ears.
"'Tis Cromwell's turn now--it may be mine to-morrow," remarked Charlesto Mr. Langton, who was with him at the time.
"Heaven grant it!" exclaimed the divine. "This poor misguided folkwill shout quite as loudly as they do now--ay, and light just as largebonfires when your majesty is happily restored to the throne."
The next day passed very tranquilly at Trent House. After an agreeablewalk in the garden with the fair Juliana, whose lively talk helped tochase away the gloom which, despite all his efforts, began to stealupon him, Charles had returned to his room, and was conferring withCareless as to what ought to be done, when Colonel Wyndham came in,with a letter in his hand, and having a very joyful expression ofcountenance.
"I have just received a piece of information that promises to makeamends for our disappointment of yesterday," he said. "My friend, andyour majesty's most loyal subject, Colonel Bullen Reymes, of Wadden, inDorsetshire, writes me word that he has succeeded in obtaining for SirJohn Berkeley a passage to France through Captain William Ellesdon, ofLyme Regis. I am not personally acquainted with Captain Ellesdon, but Iknow him to be a man of strict honour and a staunch Royalist--as indeedthis action proves him. What he has done for Sir John Berkeley he cando for your majesty."
"Oddsfish! this Captain Ellesdon seems to be the very man we require,"cried Charles. "But how comes it you never thought of him before?"
"He did occur to me, my liege," replied the colonel. "But though I feltsure of his desire to serve your majesty, I doubted his ability. NowI entertain a very different opinion. With your majesty's approval, Iwill ride over to Lyme to-morrow and see him."
"Do so, by all means," cried Charles, eagerly. "Careless shall go withyou. The plan holds out every prospect of success. Captain Ellesdon, Iconclude, can be told for whom the vessel is to be hired?"
"You may entirely confide in him, sire," replied the colonel. "He isloyalty itself, and will feel honoured by being thus employed."
"Then see him without delay," cried Charles, rising from his seat, andpacing the room with manifest signs of impatience. "I am eager to beoff. Can you not set out this evening? Nay, I am taxing your loyaltytoo strongly."
"Not a whit, my liege," replied the colonel. "I will obey you ineverything. Major Careless and myself will start this evening. We willsleep at Axminster, and ride thence betimes to-morrow to Lyme."
"You are a zealous friend, indeed, Frank," cried Charles, looking wellpleased.
"With this important matter on my mind, sire, I shall not be able torest till I have seen Captain Ellesdon," said the colonel. "Are youprepared to start so soon?" he added to Careless.
"I need only five minutes to saddle my horse," replied the other.
"Should a satisfactory arrangement be made, your majesty shall beimmediately apprised of it," said Colonel Wyndham. "I shall take HarryPeters with me."
Thereupon the conference ended, and Colonel Wyndham quitted the king togive such instructions to his wife as he deemed necessary before hisdeparture.