CHAPTER IX.
CAPTAIN ELLESDON, OF LYME REGIS.
Evening was coming on when Colonel Wyndham and Careless, attended byPeters--all three being well mounted and well armed--quitted Trent onthe important mission.
At Yeovil they learnt that the troopers who had troubled them onthe previous day had marched on to Crewkerne, and fearing someinterruption, they made a slight d?tour, in order to avoid the latterplace.
Their road led through a very charming country, but its beauties werelost to them owing to the darkness, and they were not sorry to arrive,after a two hours' ride, at the picturesque old town of Axminster,where they put up at a very comfortable hostel.
Next morning, after an early breakfast, they quitted the inn, and tookthe road to Lyme Regis.
On this side of Axminster the environs of the old town were extremelybeautiful. Grey-thatched, white-walled cottages skirted the road,and attached to most of these pretty little habitations wereapple-orchards, while green slopes in their vicinity, shaded by trees,lent a peculiar charm to the scene.
Very soon the cottages and orchards were left behind, and the horsemenbegan to mount a lofty hill, from the brow of which a magnificentprospect was obtained--comprehending extensive views into the twofair counties of Dorset and Devon, long ranges of hills, varied inform--some crowned with woods, others wild and bare, or covered onlywith becoming heather and gorse--and wide deep valleys, through each ofwhich a small river took its way towards the sea.
After halting for a few minutes to breathe their steeds and enjoy thissplendid panorama, the horsemen descended the further side of the hill,and on reaching the valley, found a charming little village, nestledamong trees, consisting of a few habitations and an ancient church.
Nothing can be finer than the ride between Axminster and Lyme Regis.Two lofty hills have to be crossed, each commanding splendid views,though totally differing in character. Cultivated almost to the summit,and divided into small patches by innumerable hedgerows, the hills havea most pleasing effect. But the prospect is ever varying, and as thepoint of view is continually shifted, new beauties are displayed.
Our horsemen had now mounted the second hill, and were approachingUplyme, when a glorious view burst upon them. A vast expanse of ocean,smooth as a mirror, and glittering in sunshine, lay before them; whileon the left stretched out a bay, girded by bold and precipitous cliffs.The hills to which these cliffs belonged rose to a great height, theloftiest among them being known as the Golden Cap, on the summit ofwhich a signal was placed, distinguishable far out on the main. Thelong sweeping line of coast was terminated by the Isle of Portland,which, as the morning was remarkably clear, could be distinctlydescried.
Again the horsemen halted for a few minutes to gaze at this splendidview. Careless gave utterance to his admiration, and Colonel Wyndhamshowed him where Charmouth and Bridport were situated, and pointed outthe Golden Cap, of which mention has just been made.
Hitherto Lyme itself had almost been hidden by intervening woods, butafter they had passed through Uplyme, they could look down upon thecollection of straggling and picturesque houses, built on the steepside of the hill on which the spectators were stationed.
Desirous that his companion should have a more complete view of theplace than could be obtained from the road, Colonel Wyndham turned intoa field on the right, and conducted him to the edge of a lofty cliffthat overlooked the port and the buildings adjoining it.
"That is Lyme Cobb, as it is termed," said the colonel. "There are afew vessels in the port, as you perceive. Heaven grant we may be ableto secure one of them for the king!"
When Careless had sufficiently examined the Cobb from the lofty pointof observation they had chosen, they returned to the road, and soongained the narrow and straggling street that climbed the hill-side.
Captain Ellesdon's residence was easily discovered, and the coloneland Careless proceeded thither on foot, while Peters took their horsesto the George Inn. A narrow lane on the right led them to a commodioushabitation, very pleasantly situated on a natural terrace facing thesea.
On inquiring at the house they learnt to their great satisfaction thatCaptain Ellesdon was at home, and were shown into a comfortable andwell-furnished parlour, where the captain shortly afterwards joinedthem.
Captain Ellesdon was a man of middle age, with nothing very striking inhis appearance, but his features were good, and his manner frank andprepossessing. The captain stood upon no ceremony with his visitors.Though not personally acquainted with Colonel Wyndham, he knew him, andshook hands with him very cordially. By the colonel he was introducedto Careless, and shook hands with him as well.
"Pray sit down, gentlemen," he said, "and tell me how I can serve you."
"You can serve us most materially, Captain Ellesdon," returned thecolonel; "and I will explain how. I have just heard from my friendColonel Bullen Reymes, of Wadden, that you have enabled Sir JohnBerkeley to escape from his pursuers by procuring him a passagefrom this port to France. Can you do as much for a far more exaltedpersonage than Sir John, and who is in yet greater peril from hisenemies?"
"Do I misunderstand you, Colonel Wyndham?" demanded Ellesdon, almostbreathless with astonishment. "Do you allude to the king?"
"I ought to bind you to secrecy, sir, before answering the question,"said the colonel. "But I know I am dealing with a loyal gentleman."
"You may trust me implicitly, colonel," rejoined the captain. "But ifan oath be requisite, I swear solemnly not to reveal whatever you maydisclose to me."
"After this, I will not hesitate to ask you plainly if you can procurea vessel to transport his majesty to France?"
"Do not let the hire of the vessel be a consideration, captain," saidCareless. "I am charged by his majesty to offer any terms that may berequired."
"Too large a sum must not be offered, or it would excite suspicion,"rejoined Captain Ellesdon. "The skipper we engage must be ledto believe that his passengers are only fugitive Cavaliers fromWorcester--nothing higher. I know a shipmaster who is an honest fellow,and a perfect Royalist, but for all that, I would not trust him withthis great secret."
"Is the shipmaster you refer to in Lyme now, captain?" inquiredCareless, eagerly.
"His vessel is in the Cobb, but he himself is at Charmouth. He is atenant of mine, by name Stephen Limbry. Yesterday I chanced to enterthe Custom House, and I found that Limbry had just entered his bark,intending a speedy voyage to St. Malo."
"To St. Malo!" exclaimed Careless, joyfully. "The very port to whichhis majesty desires to sail. Nothing could be more fortunate."
"A most fortunate circumstance indeed," said Colonel Wyndham. "It wouldseem as if Providence designed that the king should be thus deliveredfrom his foes. You must see Stephen Limbry without delay, captain."
"We will all ride over to Charmouth together," said Ellesdon. "'Tis buta mile hence. Your horses, I suppose, are at the inn? I will follow youthere as soon as I can get my own horse saddled."
Colonel Wyndham and Careless then proceeded to the George, which was inthe lower part of the town, and they had only just got out their horseswhen Captain Ellesdon made his appearance, mounted on a stout hackney.
"We will ride by the coast, if you please, gentlemen," he said. "Thetide is low, and the sands are firm and good."
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 90