Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
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CHAPTER XXI.
HOW THE KING LEFT TRENT.
A week elapsed, and Colonel Philips had not returned, nor had anytidings been received from him. The king's life differed very littlefrom that of a prisoner who enjoyed certain privileges, and whosefriends were permitted to visit him. However, he no longer feltimpatient, because he knew that every effort was being made for hisdeliverance. He did not read much, though Colonel Wyndham possesseda good library, which might have proved a great resource to him, hadhe been of a studious turn, but he occupied himself in various ways,and not unfrequently cooked his own dinner. In this self-imposedtask he was assisted by Careless, and they flattered themselves theyachieved great success in their little dinners. It is quite certain,however, that these repasts would not have been half so good as theywere, if the chief part of the work had not been done in the kitchen.Mr. Langton used generally to dine with them, and thought the repastsinimitable; but then, perhaps, he was no judge. No more troopersappeared, for ever since Juliana's conversion, Mr. Meldrum had thrown aprotecting wing over the house. The inmates were no more disturbed byfanatical and inquisitive villagers.
Such was pretty nearly the daily routine at Trent during Charles'senforced sojourn there. That it was enforced will account for his notbeing entirely happy.
At length the welcome summons came. Altogether, Charles had been afortnight at Trent, when late in the evening of the 5th of October,Colonel Philips, accompanied by Harry Peters, returned from hismission. He had been at Rackton, and had consulted with ColonelGunter, who expressed the most earnest desire to serve his majesty, andhad used his best endeavours to hire a vessel at Little Hampton, buthad failed, after spending some days in fruitless negotiation. He andColonel Philips had since proceeded to Shoreham, and had seen a certainCaptain Nicholas Tattersall--a very honest fellow, and an undoubtedRoyalist, though passing for a Roundhead--with whom there seemed everyprospect of coming to terms.
"I left Colonel Gunter at Brightelmstone, in Sussex, my liege," pursuedPhilips, "which is only a few miles from Shoreham, and he will remainthere till he has concluded an arrangement with Tattersall. When theaffair is settled as satisfactorily as I believe it will be, he willcome to Heale House, near Salisbury, and I have ventured to promisethat he will find your majesty and Lord Wilmot there. Heale House,which is a very retired place, is the residence of Mrs. Hyde, a widowgentlewoman, and as faithful to the royal cause as loyalty can makeher. The house is large, and the widow keeps up a good establishment,so that she can accommodate any number of guests. I have knownMrs. Hyde intimately for many years, and do not know a better orkinder-hearted woman--or one more hospitable. She will consider it aduty, as it will be her pride and pleasure, to place her house at yourmajesty's disposal--so you need have no hesitation in going thither."
"I shall put Mrs. Hyde's hospitality pretty severely to the test, forwe shall form a large party," observed Charles.
"She will be delighted to receive your majesty and all your retinue,"said Colonel Philips.
Arrangements were then made that Charles should set out for Heale onthe following morning, accompanied by all those who had attended himon his expedition to Charmouth. Before his departure he took a kindlyleave of Mrs. Wyndham and Lady Wyndham, thanking them warmly for theirattention to him, and showing the utmost respect to the old lady. FromMr. Langton he received a blessing. Nor did he neglect to thank theservants who had contributed so materially to his comfort.
Having bidden a grateful farewell to all, he mounted his horse, andJuliana, who was delighted with the idea of another expedition, tookher accustomed seat on the pillion behind him. Besides the king and hisfair companion, the party included Colonel Wyndham and Careless, andtheir new ally, Colonel Philips, and they were followed by the faithfulHarry Peters. While passing through the gate Charles looked back,and saw old Lady Wyndham, with her daughter-in-law and Mr. Langton,standing at the door gazing after him, and waved his hand to them. Healso noticed a group of women-servants collected near the entrance tothe kitchen.
By starting at an early hour, Colonel Wyndham hoped to escapeobservation, but he was disappointed. Mr. Meldrum was watching themfrom the churchyard, and seemed astonished at the number of the party.Thinking to remove his suspicions, Careless stopped to say a few wordsto him, and told him they were going to Weymouth. But the minister hadsome doubts, and being struck by Charles's appearance, he got some ofthe villagers to follow the party.
Meantime, the king and his retinue proceeded slowly through thevillage, as if they had no desire for concealment. In another minutethe house was hidden from view by the tall elm-trees, and Charles sawno more of it.
Their road led over the heights of Rowbarrow to Sandford Orcas. Theythen climbed a steep hill, and were crossing Horethorne Down, when theyheard shouts behind them, and saw that they were followed by a band ofpeasants mounted on ragged steeds.
Among this troop Colonel Wyndham at once recognised certain fanaticalvillagers from Trent, who had made themselves prominent on recentoccasions, and his first impulse was to wait for their coming up, andchastise them, but on second thoughts he deemed it prudent to sendHarry Peters to confer with them, while he and the others rode on.
This was done, and the party had not reached the little village ofCharleton Horethorne, when Harry Peters galloped back, and told them,with a laugh, that he had managed to get rid of the enemy. By whatdevice he accomplished this he did not explain, nor did the colonelinquire.
It was a fine bright October day, and the autumnal tints of the foliagewere glorious. Skirting Charleton Hill, they passed North Cheriton,and proceeded through a wide and fertile valley on the picturesquebanks of the little river Cale, to Wincanton, but they did not halt atthis picturesque old town, their purpose being to dine at the George,at Mere, in Wiltshire--Dick Cheverel, the landlord of that excellenthostel, being well known to Colonel Philips as a perfectly honestfellow and a Royalist. There they knew they would be well entertainedand run no risk.