CHAPTER XVIII.
HOW URSO GIVES HAD AN INTERVIEW WITH THE LORD GENERAL IN THE STABLE OFSPETCHLEY MANOR-HOUSE.
Viewed by torchlight, as Cromwell beheld it on his arrival there, thelarge stable-yard of Spetchley manor-house presented a very curioussight--being full of musketeers, cuirassiers, lancers, and dragoons,with their horses. Closely adjoining the stable-yard, and forming notthe least interesting part of the striking scene, were the blackenedwalls of the ancient mansion, now silvered by the rays of the moon.
As Cromwell rode into the yard, attended by Colonel Lindsey andDighton, he remarked an elderly personage, guarded by two musketeers.
"Ah! you have a prisoner yonder I see, Cornet Hardiman?" he observed tothe officer who came up to him. "Where was he taken?--and who is he?"
"He was found in a summer-house in the garden, your excellency, andrefuses to give his name," replied the cornet. "As he may be a spy, Ihave detained him till your return."
"You have done right," said the Lord General. "Bring him to me."
"Advance, prisoner!" cried the officer.
And as the prisoner was brought forward, Cromwell was struck by hisgrave looks and deportment.
"This man cannot be a spy," he thought, after a moment's scrutiny. "Whoart thou? And what dost thou here?" he demanded.
"Truly it would appear that I am an intruder," replied the prisoner,somewhat haughtily. "Yet I once was master of this mansion."
"If so, you are Sir Robert Berkeley," rejoined Cromwell, surprised.
"Your excellency has said it," rejoined the other. "I am thatunfortunate man."
"Had you declared as much from the first, you would have been set atliberty," observed the Lord General.
"I am not so sure of that," replied Sir Robert. "I do not think my wordwould have been taken. But be that as it may, I cared not to answerquestions rudely put to me by your soldiers. Mistake me not--I makeno complaint of ill-treatment. Such explanation as I have to offeryour excellency I give readily. My habitation having been burnt down,my stables occupied, I had no place of refuge except my summer-house,where I sought shelter for the night. There I was found, as hath justbeen stated."
"You have only yourself to thank for the detention, Sir Robert,"rejoined Cromwell. "Though your nephew, Sir Rowland Berkeley ofCotheridge, is an avowed malignant, and you yourself are known as anactive partisan of Charles Stuart, I will not discredit what you tellme. You are free; and, furthermore, are free to speak of all you haveseen or heard. You shall be conducted to the nearest outpost, or, ifyou desire it, shall be taken to White Lady Aston."
"I will rather sleep beneath a tree than under Mr. Symonds's roof,"replied the old judge. "If I might ask a favour of your excellency itwould be to be allowed to pass the night in my summer-house."
"You seem to like the spot," remarked Cromwell, somewhat suspiciously.
"'Tis all that is left me of the old place," replied the judge.
"Well, I will consider of it," said Cromwell. "Have you supped, SirRobert?"
"Neither dined nor supped."
"You have fasted too long for a man of your years. You shall sup withme."
This was said in a more cordial tone than the Lord General had hithertoadopted.
Dismounting, he gave his horse to a soldier, and ordered CornetHardiman to show him the rooms prepared for him in the stables.
"Come with me, Sir Robert," he added to the old judge, who, of course,complied with a request amounting to a command.
The stables being full of horses, it seemed at first that there couldbe but little accommodation for the Lord General, but the cornetmounted up a ladder-like flight of stairs, that brought them to a roomwhich might have been a hay-loft, but which was now furnished with atable and a few old-fashioned chairs saved from the wreck of the ruinedmansion. On the table were placed cold viands and a couple of flasks ofwine. Covers were laid for four, in case the Lord General should inviteany of his officers to sup with him, as was occasionally his wont. Alamp set on the table scarcely illumined the loft, but its glimmershowed the cobwebbed rafters overhead.
"Let Dighton wait below," said Cromwell. "I shall require noattendance."
As the cornet withdrew, he took off his casque and gauntlets, andpronounced, with considerable unction, a very long grace, during whichhe kept Sir Robert standing. Grace ended at last, he bade him sitdown and fall to--setting him the example. Though the old judge hadfasted so long, he ate little in comparison with his host, and drankonly a single glass of wine. Cromwell, however, partook with rightgood appetite of the plain fare set before him, and emptied a largeflagon of sack. While thus employed, he scarcely spoke a word, but heafforded his guest an excellent opportunity of studying his remarkablecountenance.
With Cromwell's coarse features, disfigured by a large, ill-formed rednose, against which the Cavaliers never ceased to direct their scurriljests; with his stout, ungainly figure, utterly devoid of dignity andgrace, the reader must be familiar. Yet with all these drawbacks,which have not been in the slightest degree exaggerated, the LordGeneral's physiognomy was very striking. Chiefly so, on account of itsdetermined and formidable expression. His eye possessed extraordinarypower, and few could brook its glances when he was angered, or whenhis suspicions were aroused. His habitual expression was that ofbluff sternness, and he looked like a surly bull-dog, whom no onewho valued a whole skin would care to offend, and yet he could putoff this morose and repelling look when he pleased, and exchange itfor one of rough good-humour. But even when he unbent, he inspiredfear. His character has been too much darkened by some writers, andvirtues have been ascribed to him by others which he certainly didnot possess. Courageous, crafty, ambitious, hypocritical, almost afatalist, cruel, unjust, and unrestrained by any moral principle, bythe sole force of his indomitable will, he overcame every obstacle,and reached the goal at which he aimed. His ambition being boundless,nothing less than sovereign power would satisfy him, though he affectedto disdain the title of king, being perfectly aware that the Royalistswould never accept a regicide as king. Of marvellous sagacity andpenetration, he was rarely deceived in his judgment of men, and alwaysused them, where he could, as instruments in furthering his designs.A profound dissembler, and fully capable of using religion as a mask,had it been needful to do so, it can scarcely be doubted that he wasreally religious; though few entirely believed in the sincerity ofhis religious professions. Cromwell's character is full of strikingcontrasts. Abhorred by his enemies, he had multitudes of devotedfriends. For a time his memory was execrated. In latter days somewhatmore than justice has been done him. The great crime he committedhas never been pardoned--will never be pardoned. The stain of bloodcannot be washed out. As to his high military genius all are agreed.Among great commanders he stands foremost. And he would rank among thegreatest of men, if his crimes did not overshadow his virtues.
The accoutrements of the Lord General differed very little from thoseof an officer of his own body-guard, except that they were somewhatmore ornamented, being filigrained with gold. They consisted of an opencasque and a very large gorget. But he had neither breast-plate, norcuisses--the stout buff coat with long skirts which he wore affordingsufficient protection to the lower part of his person. A scarf was tiedround his waist. His strong buff boots were drawn far up the thigh, andfrom his broad embroidered shoulder-belt hung a large basket-hiltedsword.
He was not unconscious that he was the object of his guest's covertscrutiny, but the circumstance did not trouble him--perhaps rathergratified him. It may be that he designed to win over the old Royalistjudge, or at least to produce a favourable impression upon him, foras soon as he had finished supper, he almost compelled Sir Robert totake more wine, and then began a very friendly discourse with him,professing great regret that Spetchley manor-house had been destroyedby the Scottish soldiers, and expressing a hope that it might soon berebuilt.
Their conversation, however, was interrupted by the entrance ofDighton, who informed the Lord General that a man was without who
stated that he had matter of the utmost importance to communicate tohis excellency.
"What manner of man is he?" demanded Cromwell.
"I have reason to believe he is a spy from the city," replied Dighton."He delivered himself up to the vedettes on Red Hill, conjuring them tobring him speedily before your excellency. Accordingly, he hath beensent on from the first outpost. He is the bearer of this letter, whichhe affirms is from Colonel James, somewhile commandant of the garrisonof Worcester."
Cromwell took the missive, and after glancing at its contents, said,"The man hath spoken truly. His business is important. I will see him."
"With your excellency's permission I will retire," said the old judge,rising.
"I am sorry to lose your company," said Cromwell; "but this is a matterthat cannot be postponed. A bed must be found for Sir Robert Berkeley,"he added to Dighton.
"I know not where to find one, unless his worship is content to sleepon straw," was the half-grumbling response.
"If I am allowed to occupy my old summer-house, I shall be perfectlysatisfied," replied the judge.
"Be it so, Sir Robert," said Cromwell. "I wish you sounder repose thanI myself am likely to enjoy. To-morrow's news may surprise you."
The old judge did not venture to question him, but, bowing deeply,departed with Dighton, and Cromwell was left for a few moments alone.
"What says Colonel James?" he muttered. "'The bearer of this may betrusted. He hath preserved my life, and, with Heaven's grace, may bethe happy means of preserving a life in comparison with which mineis as naught.' The import of the message is plain. The life to bepreserved is mine own. 'Cursed is the man that trusteth in man,' saiththe prophet. Yet in whom can I trust, if not in those who serve me? Ifthere be a plot against me, it were better for him who hath hatched itthat he had never been born."
Steps were now heard on the staircase, and the next moment a tall, thinman, whose aspect was that of a Puritan, while his habiliments werethose of a Cavalier, was ushered into the presence of the Lord Generalby Dighton. Behind them came a couple of musketeers, but the guardadvanced no further than the head of the steps.
Cromwell fixed a long and searching glance upon the personage thusintroduced, who bore the scrutiny firmly.
Apparently satisfied, the Lord General signed to Dighton to withdraw,bidding him, however, wait outside.
"Now, fellow, thy name?" demanded Cromwell of the man, as soon as theywere alone.
"Urso Gives, of Worcester, by trade a tailor," was the reply.
"An honest trade. I have naught to say against it," rejoined the LordGeneral. "Men must be clothed, though it were better they were clothedin sackcloth than in purple and fine linen. Better still they wereclothed in the garments of salvation. But enough. Hath thy trade aughtto do with what thou hast to declare to me?"
"Nothing. I mentioned it for a reason which I will presently explain toyour excellency. I have come hither at the hazard of my life to bringyou timely intelligence of a daring and well-conceived design, which,if it were successfully executed, would snatch from you the victory andgive it to Charles Stuart. What am I to claim as a reward if I shallprove what I assert?"
"Go to. Bargain not with me. Thy reward shall be proportioned to theimportance of thy disclosure."
"But I may not live to receive it," rejoined Urso. "The risk I run isgreat. When I depart hence I must return to Rabbah, and I may fall intothe hands of the Ammonites, who will show me little mercy. What thenbecomes of the recompense promised me?"
"Hast thou a wife?"
"Yea, verily," replied Urso; "a fair young wife, whom I have justespoused. If I perish in my efforts to save Israel, shall she have thereward?"
"Content thyself--she shall. I promise it to thee," rejoined Cromwell."Thou hast great faith in the constancy of women, I perceive, and it iswell."
"I cannot with truth affirm that I have great faith in the constancyof her whom I have wedded," replied Urso. "But I love her better thanlife."
"And she, I trust, will honour thy memory, as it deserves to behonoured," remarked Cromwell, in a slightly contemptuous tone. "Buthaving made thy conditions beforehand, let me hear what thou hast totell. Be brief."
"'Tis not my wont to waste words," rejoined Urso. "But first let meinquire the hour?"
"The hour! Thou shouldst know it as well as I. 'Tis past eleven."
"Then in less than two hours' time General Middleton will sally forthfrom the Sidbury-gate with fifteen hundred picked men, all well mountedand well armed, wearing their shirts above their breastplates fordistinction. The malignant general has vowed to take your excellency,dead or alive, and thus end the war, and he will make every effort tofulfil his vow. Expecting to find Colonel Lilburn wholly unprepared,he will pass through the camp without attacking it, and cut his waythrough any other opposing force further on, his aim being Spetchley,where he hopes to find your excellency. Should he arrive, no quarter isto be given."
"Thou art sure of this?" remarked Cromwell, with forced calmness.
"I heard the project discussed and settled this very morning at theCommandery between Charles Stuart, the Duke of Hamilton, GeneralMiddleton, and some others. As I have said, Middleton has vowed toaccomplish your excellency's destruction, or to perish in the attempt."
"And those engaged in the camisade are to sally forth an hour aftermidnight, thou sayst?" observed Cromwell, calmly.
"That is the hour appointed. I would have given your excellency earlierwarning, had I been able to quit the city. But I could not obtain anorder, and only succeeded in getting out during the burning of thesuburbs."
"Thou hast arrived in time. The design can be easily frustrated. Thyintelligence merits a good reward, and thou shalt not be disappointedof it. If aught befalls thee, thy wife shall have the reward. Moreover,I promise thee ample vengeance."
Cromwell, who did not seem at all disturbed by the alarmingintelligence he had received, but maintained the most perfectcomposure, put several questions to Gives, and then said:
"Do not suppose that I doubt the truth of thy statement, but I cannotallow thee to return to Worcester till the affair is over."
"The danger to me will be far greater, if I return not beforedaybreak," pleaded Gives.
"Why shouldst thou return? But like a doting fool, thou canst not, Isuppose, leave thy young wife."
He then called out for Dighton, who instantly answered the summons, andsaid to him, "This man will remain here till I return, or until I sendan order for his release. Sit down at the table, friend," he added toGives. "Eat and drink and make glad thine heart. Thou wilt see thy wifeagain ere long."
While thus speaking he had donned his casque and gauntlets, and he thenquitted the chamber, and proceeded to the stable-yard, where he foundColonel Lindsey, the commander of his life guards, and telling him hewas about to proceed to Colonel Lilburn's camp, bade him follow withthree hundred men.
"The whole regiment must remain under arms throughout the night," headded. "An attack may be expected."
Without a word more he mounted his charger, which was ready for him,and attended by Dighton and a small party of musketeers, rode at abrisk pace through the woods to Colonel Lilburn's camp.
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 21