CHAPTER II.
HOW TRUSTY DICK BETHOUGHT HIM OF THE OAK.
In the hasty description of Boscobel House, previously given, it wasremarked that the most singular feature of the edifice was a hugeprojecting chimney-stack. A very extraordinary chimney it was, for ithad as many as seven small windows, or apertures, within it, placed atvarious heights, the two lowest of the openings being about eight ornine feet from the ground. Viewed at the side it could be seen that thechimney-stack, which rose considerably above the roof, formed part of aprojecting wing of the house, and that there must be something peculiarin the construction of the funnels. Altogether it had a strange,mysterious look, and suggested the idea that the builder must have beenslightly crazed. Yet, odd as it was, the huge, heavy, fantastic chimneyharmonised with the rest of the structure. The reader will have alreadysurmised that within this chimney-stack a secret hiding-place existed;the entrance to it being from a closet connected with a bedroom on thefirst floor--as will be more particularly described hereafter--whilethere was an outlet into the garden through a little postern,completely screened by ivy.
Since the king's arrival at Boscobel, the chimney-stack had acquired anew interest in Trusty Dick's eyes, and being now left in the gardento keep watch, he scrutinised it with an anxiety such as he had neverheretofore felt, peering up at the narrow slits of windows, andstooping down to ascertain that the postern was completely hidden bythe ivy.
Never before had he doubted the security of the hiding-place, butmisgivings now came over him. What if a careful examination of thechimney, outside and inside, should be made while the king wasconcealed therein? Discovery would then be inevitable. Pondering uponthe matter, Dick quitted the garden, and in another instant was amongthe noble old trees growing near the house.
An idea had taken possession of him, and he walked on till he reacheda giant oak which, standing a little clear of its fellows, was ableto spread abroad its mighty arms. This was the tree he sought. Thoughit must have been centuries old, the oak seemed in full vigour, andhad suffered very little from decay. Its trunk was enormous. It hadnot, however, grown to a great height, but had spread laterally.Dick examined this ancient oak very carefully--walked slowly roundit--looked up at the bushy central branches, and seemed perfectlysatisfied with his scrutiny.
"This is the tree for the king to hide in!" he mentally ejaculated;"this is the tree!--the best in the whole forest. No one could discoverhim among those thick branches."
He was still examining the oak when he was roused by Major Careless,who had been searching for him, and having found him, called out, "Whatho! Dick--have you deserted your post?"
Dick explained the object that had brought him thither, and when heconcluded, Careless said, "You are right, Dick. In that oak our royalmaster will be safe from his enemies. I will bear him company while hehides within the tree. But I must look at it more closely."
Not content with inspecting the tree, Careless determined to test itsefficiency as a place of concealment, and with his companion's aid, hetherefore climbed up into it, and concealed himself among the smallerbranches.
"Canst see me now, Dick?" he called out.
"See you!--not a bit," rejoined the other. "I should never guess yourhonour was up there."
The assurance was quite enough for Careless, and he quickly descended.
"Thou hast made a most lucky discovery, Dick," he cried. "'Tis a famoustree to hide in. His majesty will be as comfortable amid its branchesas if seated in an arm-chair. I will tell him so."
While returning to the house they caught sight of two personsapproaching through the trees, and might have felt some alarm had notDick instantly recognised his brother Humphrey.
With Humphrey Penderel was a well-clad youth, whose slight figurecontrasted strikingly with that of the stalwart miller.
As the pair advanced, Careless's curiosity was much excited by theappearance of this youth, and he questioned Dick concerning him.
"He is named Jasper," was the reply. "He is page to Mistress Jane Lane."
"Mistress Jane Lane's page! Impossible!" cried Careless, whose surpriseincreased as the youth drew nearer, and his delicately-formed featurescould be more clearly discerned.
"Nay, 'tis quite certain," remarked Dick. "He came with her the othernight to Hobbal Grange. He is a forward youth, and talked much with theking, who sat beside him, and seemed to notice him."
"I marvel his majesty did not tell me of the meeting," cried Careless.
"Doubtless, he had forgotten it," said Dick.
They had waited till the others came up, and as the page approached, heseemed somewhat confused, but quickly regained his composure.
Humphrey Penderel, the miller of Boscobel, was just as big, and asstrongly-built as his brothers, but his broad good-humoured countenancedid not wear its customary smile. On the contrary, he appeared anxious.After returning the sturdy miller's salutation, Careless addressed thepage, who for the moment completely engrossed his attention.
"Good morrow, Jasper!" he said.
"I give your honour good day," replied the page, doffing his cap, andletting fall locks that had evidently not been subjected to Puritanscissors. "I believe I am speaking with Major Careless."
"Right, good youth. If thou hast aught to say to me in private, pritheestep aside."
"I have nothing to say to your honour that the others may not hear,"returned Jasper, declining the invitation. "I will only ask you tobring me to his majesty."
"I know not that his majesty will see you," said Careless. "I will takeyour message to him."
"I am quite sure he will see me," rejoined the page. "Mention my nameto him, and 'twill suffice."
"Aha! you think so. His majesty will laugh at me if I tell him that asaucy page desires to be admitted to his presence."
"I pray you make the trial," said Jasper. "You will find that I amright, and you are wrong."
"Do you bring a message from Mistress Jane Lane?"
"Your honour must excuse my answering that question. My business isimportant--very important--and does not admit of delay. If you declineto take me to his majesty, I will proceed to the house, and endeavourto find him. I will not be thwarted in my purpose."
"You have boldness enough for anything."
"'Tis a duty to be bold when the object is to serve the king."
"How knew you that his majesty is at Boscobel? Tell me that."
"I obtained the information from Humphrey Penderel, who brought mehere. But do not question me now--I must and will see the king."
"'Must and will' see him?"
"Ay, and without delay. You will incur his sovereign displeasure if youdetain me."
"I will put that to the test," cried Careless. "You must stay herewhile I go to him."
An end, however, was put to the discussion by the appearance of theroyal personage to whom it related.
Charles, having finished his devotions in the oratory, had come forthinto the garden, and after lingering there for a short time had passedout into the wood, where he chanced upon an opening that gave him aview of the vast sylvan scene with the Clee Hills and the roundedWrekin in the distance.
After gazing at the fair prospect for a few minutes he moved in anotherdirection, and presently came in sight of the party standing beneaththe trees. Great was his surprise, when the page, who could not berestrained by Careless, ran towards him, and would have bent the knee,if the king had not checked him.
"How is this?" cried Charles. "Have you left your mistress to followthe fortunes of a fugitive Cavalier?"
"I hope soon to rejoin Mistress Jane Lane, my liege," replied Jasper."I have not come in quest of Major Careless, for sooth to say, I didnot know he was here. I have come to warn your majesty that yourenemies are on your track, and will search for you here to-day."
"Here!" exclaimed Charles.
"Here--at Boscobel," rejoined Jasper. "They believe they have run youto ground, and make sure of capturing you. Your majesty will wonder howI obtained this
information. You shall hear. Yesterday, Mistress JaneLane and myself remained at Hobbal Grange, as we did not like to quitour retreat, but in the evening we proceeded to the mill belonging toHumphrey Penderel, being assured that that honest man would convey usto Moseley Hall. We had not long arrived at the mill, when a patrolstopped there, and we had only just time to hide ourselves when therogues entered the house. I was concealed in a chest standing inthe room in which they sat down, and consequently overheard theirdiscourse. It related entirely to your majesty. You have been traced toWhite Ladies, and they are certain you are somewhere hereabouts. Theyare equally certain they shall be able to discover your retreat--butI trust you will be able to baffle them. Their orders are to searchBoscobel to-day, and they will be accompanied by Colonel James, who isnow quartered at Chillington. All this, and a good deal more, I heardwhile ensconced in the chest. They spoke of the reward offered foryour majesty's discovery, and told Humphrey Penderel he should have athousand pounds, which would make him rich for life, if he deliveredyou up to them, but that he would be hanged as a traitor if he helpedto conceal you. Humphrey made no answer at the time, but afterwardsdeclared he should like to have broken their heads for so insultinghim."
"Brave fellow!" exclaimed Charles. "He is as trusty as his brothers."
"No fear of him," said Jasper. "But Colonel James is greatly to beapprehended. He is one of your majesty's most dangerous enemies, andwill use his utmost endeavours to find you. I do not think you will besafe at Boscobel."
"Where shall I be safe?" cried Charles. "I have only just arrived here,and now you counsel me to quit my retreat."
"Hide yourself in the forest, sire, and return to the house after ithas been searched."
"The advice is good, and I am inclined to follow it," rejoined theking. "Mistress Jane Lane, I trust, is in safety?"
"She is at Moseley Hall, sire. As soon as the rebels were gone,Humphrey Penderel put a pillion on his pad-nag, and took her there."
"And you?"
"I remained to warn your majesty."
"I am infinitely obliged to you--but confess that you had some slightexpectation of finding Major Careless with me, and I am glad you havenot been disappointed."
"I had no such expectation, sire," replied the page, blushing. "Iunderstood Major Careless was at Madeley. I neither sought, nor desireda meeting with him."
"Odsfish! you have changed your mind since we last met."
"Perhaps so, sire. But I would not have my motive misconstrued. 'Tisdevotion to you that has induced me to take this step. When I learntthat Colonel James was at Chillington--in quest of you--and resolved todiscover your retreat, I felt you were in great danger, and I thereforemade up my mind to warn you. Had I not found you here I should havegone to all the places where you were likely to take refuge. I havedischarged my duty--and unless your majesty has some commands for me, Ishall take my departure for Moseley Hall, where I hope to find MistressJane Lane. If she has gone on to Bentley Hall, I shall follow herthither."
"Shall I send Major Careless with you?"
"On no account. Humphrey Penderel has undertaken to take charge of me.Heaven guard your majesty!"
Making an obeisance to the king, Jasper hastened back to the partywho had been watching the interview with some curiosity, and signingto Humphrey Penderel, the sturdy miller instantly started off throughthe trees, while the page followed him, totally disregarding MajorCareless's entreaties to him to stop.
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 45