Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
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CHAPTER IX.
HOW CHARLES SLEPT IN THE SECRET CLOSET; AND HOW CARELESS SLEPT IN APRIEST'S HOLE IN THE GARRET.
After the long and anxious day he had passed in the oak, it was witha feeling of indescribable satisfaction that Charles found himselfonce more in Boscobel House--not in the parlour into which he had beenshown in the morning, but in the large comfortable hall--a coupleof nicely roasted chickens before him, and Dame Joan in attendance.Careless, who was seated at the opposite side of the table, was quiteas well pleased as his royal master, and both did justice to the repastprovided for them. Charles, as we have already remarked, possessed ahappy temperament, that enabled him to cast off his cares, and withplenty to eat, and a flask of good wine within reach--to say nothing ofa black-jack full of strong ale, he desired nothing better--and laughedheartily while recounting the many alarming incidents of the day toJoan.
"What trials your majesty must have gone through!" exclaimed the gooddame, lifting up her hands. "The saints be praised that you are here todescribe them."
"I shouldn't mind passing another day in the oak," observed Charles,"if I were certain of having such a supper as this at the end of it. Itrust the noble tree that has given me shelter may 'scape the woodman'saxe!"
Just then the door opened, and William Penderel entered, followed byhis two brothers.
"William," cried his wife, with irrepressible enthusiasm, "his majestyexpects you and your brothers to protect the royal oak!"
"The royal oak!" cried William.
"Thy wife has so named the tree," said the king, "and I approve thedesignation."
"Then the royal oak it shall be called," cried William, sharing Joan'senthusiasm, as did his brothers.
"Pledge me in this cup of wine that you will protect the good old oak,"cried Charles, drinking from the cup which he had just before filled,and handing it to William Penderel, who received it on his knees withthe utmost respect.
"I pledge myself to preserve the royal oak, so far as lies in mypower," he said, placing the cup to his lips.
When he had finished, each of his brothers knelt down, and drank thepledge solemnly.
"Your majesty may depend that the royal oak will be well protected,"cried Joan.
"I doubt it not," said Charles. "Now tell me what you have done withthe prisoner?" he added to Trusty Dick.
"We took him to Rock Coppice in Chillington Park," replied Dick, "andforced him to descend into a deep dry pit, from which he will find somedifficulty in getting out."
"But he may know you again?" said Charles.
"No fear of that," said John. "We didn't remove the bandage from hiseyes, and disguised our voices. Here are his pistols."
"Give them to me," said William. "I may need them. I shall keep watchthroughout the night."
"John and I will remain here likewise to relieve guard," said Dick; "sothat his majesty may rest securely."
"No discovery was made when the house was searched by the enemy to-day?ha!" cried Charles.
"None whatever, sire," replied Joan. "Our lady be praised formisleading them."
"Where am I to be lodged, good dame?" asked Charles.
"There is a very fine old bed in the squire's room as we call it,"replied Joan--"Squire Peter Giffard, and his father, ay, and hisgrandfather, Squire John Giffard, who built this house, have oftenslept in it--but I dare not offer it to your majesty."
"Lodge me where you will, good dame," replied the king, with manifestsymptoms of fatigue. "I wish you all good night."
"Shall I attend your majesty?" said Careless.
Charles declined, and preceded by Joan, who carried a light, mounted anoak staircase, which sprang from the further end of the hall.
On arriving at the landing-place, his conductress opened the door of agood-sized apartment, in the midst of which stood a large old-fashionedbed, with rich, though faded curtains. The room, which had a mostcomfortable look in the eyes of the wearied monarch, was panelledwith black oak, and partly hung with tapestry. On the walls wereportraits of Sir Thomas Giffard, tenth Lord of Chillington, and histwo spouses--Dorothy, daughter of Sir John Montgomery, of Caverswall,and Ursula, daughter of Sir Robert Throckmorton, of Coughton--bothextremely handsome women.
Having drawn aside a piece of the arras opposite the foot of the bed,Joan opened a sliding panel in the wainscot, and a dark closet was thenrevealed.
"Is this the hiding-place?" asked Charles.
"Your majesty shall see," she replied.
And she then opened another sliding panel at the back of the closet.
The aperture thus discovered admitted them to a small square room,which evidently formed part of the projecting chimney-stack, and hadsmall windows at the front and at either side, looking into the garden.It was evident from its position that the room stood over the porch.
"This cannot be a hiding-place," said Charles.
"Your majesty is right," replied Joan. "But it deceives the searchers."
She then drew back, and signing to the king to follow her, returnedto the closet, and taking up a small mat in one corner, raised up atrap-door, so artfully contrived in the floor, that Charles could notdetect it, and disclosed a small ladder, leading to a room beneath.
"There is the hiding-place," she said. "The small room below is builtin the chimney, whence by a narrow staircase and a small posterncovered with ivy, you can gain the garden, and from the garden mayreach the wood, where you are safe."
"I understand," said the king, struck with the ingenuity of thecontrivance.
"A pallet bed is made up in the lower room. The place is small anduncomfortable, but 'tis safe."
"That is the main point," cried Charles. "I must sacrifice comfort tosecurity."
"The Earl of Derby slept here all the time he stayed at Boscobel," saidJoan.
"Then I have no right to complain," cried Charles.
"Should any alarm occur I will run up-stairs instantly and make allsecure," said Joan. "Holy Mary and all holy angels watch over yourmajesty!"
Charles then took the light from her, passed through the trap-door, anddescended to the lower room.
Having carefully restored the panel to its place, Joan wentdown-stairs, and telling Careless she would find him a saferesting-place, led him to the upper floor of the house.
There was nothing whatever in the garret they had reached to indicatethat it could be used for the purpose of concealment. The roof wasso low that Careless could scarcely stand upright beneath it. Beyondit were other small rooms lighted by the gable windows. A straw matwas lying on the floor. This Joan removed and revealed a trap-door,beneath which was a cavity about six or seven feet deep, profoundlydark, and only just large enough to hold a single person. So much didthis "priest's hole," as it was called, resemble a cell that Carelessshuddered as he gazed into it. However, he made no complaint, but lethimself down into the hole, which he found somewhat more roomy than heexpected.
Joan handed him the lamp she had brought with her, and on lookinground, he perceived that a pallet was laid at the bottom of the recess,but nothing more than a blanket and a pillow were provided.
"I must perform this act of penance for my sins," cried Careless. "ButI am so sleepy that I do not think I shall pass the night in prayerlike the holy men who have previously sought refuge here. I do notrequire the light, good dame," he added, giving back the lamp to her."But I pray you not to close the trap-door, for I feel as if I shouldbe suffocated in this hole."
"Colonel Roscarrock slept two or three nights in the priest's hole,"replied Joan; "and he chose to have the trap-door shut, judging itsafer. But your honour's instructions shall be carefully attended to,and the lamp shall be left on the table. I wish you good night."
No sooner was she gone than Careless laid himself down upon the pallet,and notwithstanding the confined space, and the general discomfort ofthe priest's hole, so greatly was he fatigued, that he immediately fellfast asleep.