CHAPTER XXX.
HOW THE ENEMY ENTERED THE CITY, AND HOW THE KING QUITTED IT.
Meanwhile, a sharp conflict was taking place outside the Sidbury-gatebetween a party of flying Royalists and a troop of horse under ColonelPride. The unlucky Royalists were unable to enter the city owing tothe obstacle before mentioned, and, after a short struggle, were slainto a man in front of the gate.
The ammunition waggon being removed, a regiment of infantry rushedin through the Sidbury-gate, and encountering no opposition, the menspread themselves through the lower streets of the city, and commencedplundering the houses.
The loyal city was now paying the penalty of its devotion to the king.Terror and confusion reigned everywhere. Doors were burst open, and themost horrible threats were answered by shrieks and cries for pity, butno pity was shown by the ferocious soldiery.
By this time Fort Royal had been stormed, as we have already related,and its guns being turned upon the city, the destruction caused invarious parts by the shot heightened the terror of the inhabitants.Desperate fighting was going on in all quarters, and nothing was heardbut the clash of steel, the sharp ring of musketry, and the roar ofartillery, mingled with shouts and cries.
Fleetwood and Ingoldsby had now forced their way across the bridge,but their entrance into the city was furiously opposed by such forcesas could be rallied by Lord Wilmot, Colonel Blague, Colonel Lane,and others, but the contest was too unequal, and could not be longsustained.
As both horse and foot were now continually pouring into the city onall sides, conflicts were taking place in almost every street. Therewas desperate fighting on the west as well as on the east. Therewas fighting on the quay--in Newport-street and Dolday--near AllSaints' Church--and in Broad-street. There was no fighting near theCross--for the Foregate, as already mentioned, had been walled up--and,indeed, the enemy chiefly entered the city from the Sidbury-gate,from Friars'-gate, and from the bridge. But there was a great dealof fighting in Friars'-street, Lich-street, and multitudes of armedcitizens and artillerymen who had been driven from the walls wererunning about in different directions. Hundreds of these were killed,for quarter was given to none with arms in their hands, and the streetswere full of dead bodies.
The Scottish infantry tamely surrendered, and were shut up in thecathedral. They had better have died valiantly, for they wereafterwards sold as slaves to the plantations. But other Scottishregiments behaved with the greatest resolution, and if all had doneequally well, the result of the day might have been different. CastleHill, as we know, had been strongly fortified, and was held by the Earlof Rothes, Sir William Hamilton, and Colonel Drummond, with a partyof brave and loyal Scots. The fortress was attacked by Lambert andHarrison, but was so obstinately defended that its leaders were able tocapitulate on advantageous terms.
Having thus endeavoured to describe the frightful condition to whichthe city was reduced by the entrance of the enemy, we will now returnto Charles, whom we left proceeding in a most melancholy frame of mind,and wholly unattended, towards the College Green. So cast down was heat the moment that he scarcely took note of anything that was passingaround him, when he was suddenly roused from his fit of despondency byseeing a large troop of horse issue from the college gates. It was aparty of Cavaliers headed by the Earl of Derby, Lord Cleveland, ColonelRoscarrock, Colonel Wogan, and Careless, and on making this discoveryhe immediately rode up, and was welcomed with the greatest delight bythe Earl of Derby, as well as by his faithful attendant Careless. Thegreatest uneasiness had been felt for his safety, and it was feared hemight have fallen into the hands of the enemy. Nor were the Cavalierscomposing the troop less delighted, and their enthusiasm quickly raisedhis drooping spirits. He put himself at their head, and, despite theentreaties of the Earl of Derby that he would seek safety in flight, heled them towards the Sidbury-gate.
But they had scarcely descended Lich-street when Colonel Pride'sregiment of horse was seen advancing, and an instant onset upon it wasmade. As on all previous occasions, the first advantage was with theCavaliers, but Pride and his men were not to be driven back. As soon asit was discovered that Charles was with the party, an attempt was madeby Pride to capture him, and it would have been successful if Carelesshad not flown to his rescue.
The Cavaliers still made a desperate struggle, but it was evident theycould not hold out long. Charles, who had been left for a few minutesin the rear after his rescue, was again about to place himself at theirhead, but Careless earnestly besought him to fly.
"The day is lost, my liege--utterly lost!" exclaimed this faithfulattendant. "Save yourself, while there is yet time. We can hold outlong enough to cover your escape. Fly, I entreat you."
"No. I cannot--will not--abandon my faithful followers," cried Charles.
"Your presence unnerves us, my liege," implored Careless. "See younot that the enemy is resolved to capture you, or slay you. Baulk hisdesign by instant flight. We will prevent all pursuit till you aresafe. Quit the city by St. Martin's-gate. 'Tis the only safe outlet.Ride on to Barbourne Bridge, where those of us who are left alive willjoin you when all is over here."
Charles yielded to these entreaties, though with the greatestreluctance, and Careless rushed to the front. Captain Woolfe and Vosperchanced to be near the king at the time, and he ordered them to followhim. Divining his intentions, they instantly obeyed.
On the way to St. Martin's-gate, he had to pass the ancient mansionwhich he had latterly made his private quarters, and wishing to enterit for a moment to take off the heaviest part of his armour, whichmight incommode him during his flight, and possess himself of somevaluables he had left behind, he dismounted, and giving his steed toVosper, entered the house.
His imprudence in doing so had well-nigh led to his capture. He didnot imagine that his flight had been discovered by the enemy, but hewas mistaken. Quick eyes had been upon him at the time. Colonel James,who had recovered from his wounds, was with the Parliamentarians, andseeing the king quit his adherents, guessed his purpose.
But for some minutes pursuit was impossible, owing to the obstinateresistance of the Cavaliers. At length, Colonel James, accompanied bya dozen dragoons, forced his way into New-street, and was gallopingalong it when he caught sight of Woolfe and Vosper with the king'shorse. They instantly disappeared, but he had seen enough. He knewthat Charles had made that old mansion his private quarters, and feltconvinced he must be within it at the time.
Galloping up, he entered with half a dozen of his troopers, leaving therest on guard outside. Luckily for Charles, his pursuers had neglectedto secure a door that opened into the Corn Market. Before moving off,Woolfe and Vosper gave the alarm. The king had already divested himselfof his armour, and was prepared for flight. At the very moment thatColonel James and his troopers entered, he passed out at the back.
Not many persons were in the Corn Market at the time, and the few heencountered being staunch Royalists, would have protected him withtheir lives, rather than have betrayed him. Woolfe and Vosper were notin sight, but he learnt they had gone out by St. Martin's-gate.
Hurrying thither, he passed through the gate without interference--forthe Parliamentarians had not yet placed a guard there--and in anotherinstant was joined by his attendants, who brought him his horse.
Quickly mounting his steed, he galloped off in the direction ofBarbourne Bridge. He was not pursued--false information being given toColonel James, which led him to believe that the royal fugitive had notquitted the city.
After awhile Charles slackened his pace, but just then he heard thetrampling of horse behind him, and fancying the enemy was on his track,was about to gallop on, when he discovered that his fancied pursuerswere a small party of his own cavalry. He then faced about, and as thetroop drew nearer, found that at its head were the Duke of Buckinghamand the Earl of Lauderdale. A painful meeting took place between theking and the two nobles. They were seeking safety in flight, and wererejoiced to find that his majesty had escaped.
Soon afterwards, sev
eral small parties of Royalists overtook them--noother route being open to the fugitives. Charles, therefore, had nolack of attendants.
On reaching Barbourne Bridge, to his great surprise, he found Lesleyand his regiment of horse.
"Soh! you are here," he cried, furiously. "I sought for you in vain inthe city. Your men must be fresh since they have taken no part in thefight. Come back with me at once and help me to retrieve the fortune ofthe day."
"Sire," replied Lesley, calmly, "the contest from the first has beenhopeless, and your troops are now annihilated. It would be madness toreturn. I have been waiting for you here."
"Waiting for me?" exclaimed Charles.
"Ay, waiting for you, sire. I knew you would come this way, since noneother is open to you. I am ready to conduct you to Scotland."
"But I will not return thither to be the slave I have been," criedCharles. "I will rather die in England."
"Humour him, my liege--humour him. He may be of use now," observedBuckingham, in a low tone.
"Your majesty has now no option," remarked Lesley, coldly. "You mustgo back to Scotland. I will insure you a safe retreat. 'Tis for thatpurpose I have reserved my troops."
"Say you so?" cried Charles. "Then I must needs go with you. But I mustwait here for my friends."
"Your majesty will have to wait long ere some of them join you," saidLesley.
"At least they have not deserted me," rejoined the king.
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 33