CHAPTER VIII.
HOW THE KING WAS RECEIVED BY MR. FRANCIS WOOLFE AT MADELEY COURT.
It was past midnight when Charles approached Madeley, an ancient moatedmansion, built of stone, and very pleasantly situated on the bordersof the Severn. It belonged to Mr. Francis Woolfe, an old Cavalier,and father of the gallant Captain Woolfe, who figured at an earlierperiod of this history. As the hour was late, Mr. Woolfe and hisfamily, with the whole of his household, had long since retired torest, but they were disturbed by a loud knocking at the door, whichcontinued with very little intermission until the old gentleman got up,and, accompanied by his butler, went to see what was the matter. Onopening the door he found Richard Penderel, who was well known to him,and without giving the forester time to explain his errand, eagerlyinquired whether he brought any tidings of Captain Woolfe.
"I know my son was present at the battle of Worcester," cried the oldCavalier; "and I fear he may be wounded, as I have not heard of himsince."
"I am sorry I cannot relieve your honour's anxiety respecting yourson," replied Dick. "But well knowing how staunch a Royalist you are,I am come to beg you to hide a fugitive Cavalier, who fought, likeCaptain Woolfe, at Worcester."
"Don't ask me to do it, Dick!--don't ask me!--I dare not harbour aRoyalist!" cried Mr. Woolfe. "Willingly--right willingly would I doso, but there is too much hazard in it. I am already suspected by therebels--there is a company of militia at Madeley, guarding the bridgeand the river--and were they to search my house and find a fugitiveRoyalist concealed within it I should be most heavily fined--perhapsimprisoned--perhaps put to death! No, Dick, I will not run this riskfor any one, except the king himself."
"Then what will your honour say when I tell you that he whom I ask youto shelter from his enemies is the king? The loyal Mr. Francis Woolfe,I am well assured, will never refuse his sovereign an asylum."
"You are right, my good fellow--you are right," cried the old Cavalier,trembling. "I never supposed it was the king. Why did you not tell meso at first?"
"Because his majesty forbade me," rejoined Dick. "I have disobeyed hisorders."
"But he might have trusted me," cried Mr. Woolfe. "I would lay down mylife for him. Where is his majesty?"
"On the other side of the moat standing beneath yon great elm-tree,"said Dick.
The old Cavalier required no more, but hastily crossing the bridge,proceeded to the spot indicated, followed by his butler and RichardPenderel.
Seeing him advance Charles came forward, and as they met old Mr. Woolfethrew himself on his knee, while Charles, finding himself discovered,gave him his hand to kiss.
"Sire," cried the old Cavalier, "I never thought to see you at Madeleyunder such sad circumstances. My house and all within it are yours.Enter, I pray you."
And with as much ceremony as if Charles had been a conqueror insteadof a fugitive, he conducted him across the bridge and ushered him intothe mansion. For a few minutes he detained his majesty in the hallwhile the dining-room was lighted up, and when all was ready he led himthither.
To his infinite surprise Charles found an excellent repast awaitinghim, and he was served at it by his host and the butler. Seated in thislarge comfortable room, treated with so much ceremony, and suppliedwith some of the finest claret he had ever tasted, for a brief space healmost forgot his misfortunes.
However, he would not yield to false security, and after emptying hisgoblet he questioned Mr. Woolfe as to the possibility of crossing theSevern.
The old Cavalier shook his head dolefully. It was utterly impossible,the bridge being guarded by the militia, and all the boats seized. Hismajesty must be content to stay at Madeley. Mr. Woolfe did not like tomake such a suggestion, but as he had no safe hiding-places, and as asearch might be made by the rebels at any moment, he would venture topropose that his majesty should sleep----
"I do not require a state-bed," interrupted Charles. "I am sothoroughly tired that I can sleep soundly anywhere."
"Then I have the less hesitation in proposing that your majesty shouldsleep in the barn," said the ceremonious old Cavalier. "You will be farsafer there than in the house."
"And just as comfortable I make no doubt," said the king.
"I can answer for your majesty's safety there, which I cannot do here,"said Mr. Woolfe. "It is just possible that some of the officers of themilitia rebels might quarter in the house, as they have done before. Inthe barn your majesty would not be liable to a surprise. I will keepall my people away from it."
"I see--I see," cried the king, rising from the table, and heaving asigh as he gazed round the old oak room, with its dark wainscots andportraits. "Take me to the barn."
Nothing but the sense that he was performing a great duty could havecompelled the formal old Cavalier to act as he did, but he wellknew how much was at stake. Doing great violence, therefore, to hisfeelings, he took the king to a barn adjoining the mansion, where hismajesty found a very comfortable couch in a hay-mow.
Richard Penderel slept in the barn. Very fortunate was it that theking did not stay in the house, as it was visited by a patrol of horsebefore daybreak. The soldiers instituted a rigorous search, but findingnothing to excite their suspicion departed.
Charles slept soundly in the hay-mow, and the day was far advancedbefore Trusty Dick thought proper to disturb him. As there was nochance of crossing the Severn, and considerable risk even in stirringforth, the king did not leave the barn. Breakfast was broughtby Dick, and while the king was discussing it in an out-of-the-waycorner, he heard the barn-door open, and felt sure from the sounds thatfollowed that more than one person had come in. His alarm, however, wasinstantly dispelled on hearing Mr. Woolfe's voice, and he immediatelyleft his retreat to meet the old Cavalier. With Mr. Woolfe was a muchyounger individual, on beholding whom his majesty uttered a joyousexclamation.
"Do my eyes deceive me?" he cried. "Can it be Captain Woolfe?"
"Yes; 'tis my dear son, sire," replied the old Cavalier. "He has onlyjust arrived, but on learning you were here, nothing would content himbut I must bring him at once to your majesty."
"I am delighted to see him," said Charles. "I owe my preservationto him. Without Captain Woolfe's aid, I might not have escaped fromWorcester."
And as he spoke he extended his hand to the young man, who pressed itfervently to his lips.
"It grieves me to find your majesty here," said Captain Woolfe. "I didnot dare to return to Madeley last night, but tarried at Evelith Millwith honest Roger Bushell. Even there we were alarmed about midnightby a couple of Roundhead spies, but the sturdy miller frightened themaway."
"Soh! you were at Evelith Mill last night?" cried Charles, laughing.
"I was not the only Royalist there, my liege," replied Captain Woolfe."With me were Major Careless and Lieutenant Vosper."
"Then learn that the two Roundhead spies whom the miller drove awaywere myself and Trusty Dick Penderel," said the king, still laughing."'Tis odd I should be put to flight by my friends. But where is MajorCareless? Is he hereabouts?"
"No, my liege, he has gone towards Boscobel, where he fancies yourmajesty is hiding."
"And where I shall be forced to hide after all, since it appearsimpossible to escape into Wales," said the king.
"I must again implore your majesty not to make the attempt," cried theold Cavalier. "It would be attended with too much hazard. Your securitymust be the first consideration, and though I esteem it the highesthonour to have the care of your majesty, I feel you will be safer atBoscobel."
"I will go thither to-night," said Charles.
"'Twill be the best course to pursue, my liege," observed CaptainWoolfe. "Some plan for your escape can be devised. We shall all beready to lend you aid."
Soon after this the old Cavalier returned to the house, but his sonremained in the barn to bear the king company. Though Captain Woolfewas an agreeable companion, and did his best to amuse the king, Charleswas very glad when night came on, so that he could shift his quarterswith safety. He
supped with the old Cavalier and his son, and passed sopleasant an hour with them that he was quite loth to take his departure.
It was not far from midnight when Charles took leave of Mr. Woolfeand his son. At that moment the old Cavalier almost repented that heallowed the king to depart, and made an effort to detain him till themorrow, but Captain Woolfe thought it best that his majesty shouldadhere to his plan. Father and son conducted him across the moat, andattended him to the outer gate, and Charles having taken leave of themthere, set out on his journey with his faithful guide. Fortunately,their nocturnal walk was unattended by any danger, and the onlyannoyance they experienced was caused by having to wade across thebrook that turned Evelith Mill, but this was a trifling matter, whichgave the king no concern whatever.
In less than two hours, as well as they could reckon, for neither ofthem had a watch, they reached Boscobel Wood; but before entering itDick deemed it prudent to call at the cottage of his brother John,which was close at hand, and ascertain from him that all was safe.
BOSCOBEL HOUSE.]
Accordingly they proceeded thither, and Dick knocked against the doorwith his staff. An upper window was quickly opened by John Penderel,and seeing who they were, he descended and let them in. His firstbusiness was to strike a light, and as he did so the king discovered aCavalier--for such his attire proclaimed him--fast asleep in a chair.
"A stranger here!" exclaimed Dick, surprised. "Why didn't you tell usso, John?"
"The gentleman is no stranger to his majesty," replied the other.
Just then, the Cavalier, aroused by the light and the voices, sprang tohis feet, and the king perceived it was Major Careless. The unexpectedmeeting was extremely agreeable to both.
"I heard your majesty was gone to Madeley," said Careless, after acordial greeting had taken place between him and the king; "but I feltsure you would never be able to cross the Severn, and I thereforethought it likely you would come to Boscobel. I myself got as far asEvelith Mill, but returned yester morning."
"Is all safe here?" asked the king.
"No, my liege, very much the reverse I am sorry to say," repliedCareless. "Patrols of the enemy are constantly searching the woodsand visiting all the habitations around. I had several narrow escapesyesterday, and but for honest John Penderel here should infallibly havebeen captured."
"I am just as much indebted to Trusty Dick," said Charles. "Withouthim, I should not be here now."
"There are five of us on whom your majesty can rely," said John, whowas just as stalwart and as honest-looking as his brothers. "If we hadnot been loyal, Father Huddlestone would have made us so. Last night,the good priest went to talk to our brother Humphrey, the miller ofBoscobel."
"I will now put your loyalty to the test, John," said the king.
"Your majesty cannot please me better," was the reply.
"Go then to Boscobel House, and satisfy yourself that I may safelyproceed thither."
"It shall be done, my liege," rejoined John Penderel, evidentlywell-pleased by the order. "As soon as I have put on my doublet, I willset forth."
"The office is mine, by rights," observed Trusty Dick. "Nevertheless, Iwillingly resign it to John."
"Judging by myself, thou hast need of rest, my faithful fellow," saidCharles, kindly. "I would fain spare thee further trouble."
John Penderel vanished, but in a minute or two reappeared, fullyequipped, and grasping a stout staff, sallied forth.
It was now about three o'clock in the morning, and feeling muchfatigued with his walk, and uncertain as to the rest he might obtain,Charles threw himself into the arm-chair lately occupied by MajorCareless, and almost instantly fell asleep.
Careless found another seat and followed his majesty's example, whileTrusty Dick having carefully barred the door, sat down on a settle, andfell into a sort of doze, during which he dreamed he was fighting halfa dozen Roundheads.
More than an hour elapsed before John Penderel returned. All thesleepers were roused by his knock at the door. He had seen a patrol ofrebels in the wood, but they were coming from Boscobel--not proceedingthither--and he easily avoided them and went on to the house. There hesaw Brother William, who told him they had got rid of all the rebels,so his majesty might come there without fear.
On receiving this satisfactory intelligence, Charles, being mostanxious to obtain a secure asylum, set forth at once. He wasaccompanied by Careless, and guided and guarded by the two stalwartbrothers, who would have sold their lives rather than allow him to becaptured. They made their way through the depths of the wood by pathsonly known to the two foresters, and encountered nothing more dangerousthan a squirrel or a thrush.
After half an hour's walk through the wood, they came upon a lawnstudded by trees, among which were several ancient oaks. Day was justbreaking, and now that they had got out of the dense wood, the sunburst upon them. At the further end of the lawn, Charles perceived anold mansion, with walls chequered black and white, gables, bay windowswith lattice-panes, and an immense chimney-stack projecting from theside. He did not require to be told that it was Boscobel House.
How quiet, how sequestered, how beautiful looked the old structure atthat early hour! Charles stood still to gaze at it. No place had everhad the like effect upon him.
While he was still gazing at the picturesque old mansion, and notingthe huge chimney-stack we have mentioned, a gigantic figure issued fromthe garden gate.
It was William Penderel, who having descried the party from an upperwindow, had come forth to bid his majesty welcome and usher him intoBoscobel House.
End of Book the Second.
ROOM AT BOSCOBEL HOUSE.]
Book the Third.
THE ROYAL OAK.
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 43