CHAPTER XIII.
HOW CHARLES SET OUT FOR CHARMOUTH.
The day had arrived when it was hoped that his majesty's deliverancewould be accomplished.
After taking leave of Lady Wyndham and her daughter-in-law, Charlesmounted his horse, and Juliana, half-crazed with delight, seatedherself on the pillion behind him. Colonel Wyndham and Careless werealready in the saddle, and attended by the prayers of Mr. Langton, andby the good wishes of all who witnessed their departure, the partyset out on their journey. Harry Peters had been sent off beforehandprivately, in the hope that the king might be mistaken for him by Mr.Meldrum, should the minister be on the look-out; but the faithful groomjoined the party about a mile from the village, and subsequently actedas guide, as they intended to take some cross roads.
Brilliant sunshine cheered them on their way, and brought out thebest features of the richly-wooded district through which theyjourneyed--giving new splendour to the glorious autumnal tints ofthe foliage, and revealing scenes of rare sylvan beauty. Nothingcould have been pleasanter than the ride. Sometimes involved in athick wood--sometimes pursuing their course on the banks of a clearand beautiful stream--sometimes passing a village remarkable for anoble old church--anon tracking a long valley, hemmed in by loftyhills--now called upon to admire a fine old mansion, situated in themidst of an extensive park--now skirting a lovely lake--anon compelledto quit the valley, and climb a hill which seemed to bar furtherprogress, but which, when its summit was gained, offered a magnificentprospect--through such varied scenes they proceeded pleasantly on theirway.
At first, they pursued the same road they had taken on the occasionof the king's visit to Melbury Park, passing by the foot of BabylonHill, and tracking the valley of the Yeo; but they then struck off onthe right, and proceeded towards Berwick and Sutton Bingham. Avoidingthe latter village, they entered a thick wood, through which theywere guided by Harry Peters, and on emerging from it skirted AbbotsHill, and crossing two other eminences, came upon a very picturesquedistrict, having a beautiful woody knoll on the right, and a successionof wild holts on the left.
Leaving these woodlands, they passed through a gap in the hills,and shortly afterwards descended into a richly-cultivated andwell-watered vale--their road leading them past numerous farm-houses,each possessing a large orchard. Before them the two bold eminences,Lewesdon Hill and Pillesdon Pen, reared their lofty heads, and seemedto bar their further progress. Distinguishable far out at sea, andforming excellent landmarks, these twin heights, from their resemblanceto each other, are called by sailors "the Cow and the Calf." Furtheron the right was a third remarkable eminence, equally striking incharacter, and known as Blackdown Hill.
The road taken by the party led them over Pillesdon Pen, and the viewfrom its summit of the towering hill was superb, comprehending the richvale they had just traversed, with its meadows, orchards, and farms,and the beautiful combes and downs on either side. They then descendedinto the valley, in which stood Pillesdon, the residence of Sir HughWyndham, the colonel's uncle, but they did not go near the mansion.
Shortly afterwards they mounted another lofty eminence, on the summitof which was a large and very perfect British encampment, known asLambert's Castle. Hence a magnificent view of the sea was commanded.
Aware of what he might expect, Charles rode on in advance of hiscompanions, and when he had reached Lambert's Castle, and the grandview burst upon him, he looked neither to the right nor to the left,but at the sea.
Yes, there it was at last! There was the sea! Deliverance was at hand!A few hours more, and he should be wafted across that broad expanse tothe friendly shore.
So enchanted was he by the sight that he gave vent to his rapture in ajoyous shout. Juliana was almost equally excited.
"By this time to-morrow your majesty will be safe in France," she cried.
"I must not be too confident. The wind is fair now--but it may change.I have had so many disappointments, that I cannot feel quite secure."
"Nothing is certain, sire--at least, wise people say so. But itseems to me that the chances are a thousand to one in favour of yourmajesty's safe embarkation to-night, and therefore you may calculateon arriving at St. Malo to-morrow. The sea itself seems to smile uponyou, and promise you a fair passage."
"Smiles are sometimes treacherous, and promises are often broken," saidCharles. "But I will gladly trust myself to those bright waves."
At this moment Colonel Wyndham and the others rode up.
"There is a sight to gladden your heart, sire," exclaimed the colonel.
"Ay, 'tis the pleasantest prospect I have beheld for many a day, Frank.Yet my satisfaction at the hope of immediate escape is not unalloyed. Igo into exile. I leave my friends behind me."
"Your exile will not be long, sire," rejoined the colonel. "Yourfriends will soon have you back again."
"Heaven alone can tell when I shall return--and how I shall return,"rejoined the king. "But return I will."
"You will return to ascend the throne," said Juliana.
"I accept the prediction," said Charles. "Coming from such fair lips itcannot be falsified."
Riding down the south side of the hill, they shaped their coursetowards the solitary farm-house, appointed as a place of rendezvous byCaptain Ellesdon.
Being now on the open downs, they could no doubt be seen from adistance, for a horseman was descried galloping towards them. At first,the king thought it must be Captain Ellesdon, but as the horseman drewnearer, his majesty easily recognised Lord Wilmot, who had appointed tomeet him at this place, and had been waiting for him for some time.
A very affectionate greeting took place between the king and hisfriend, and the latter, after briefly recounting his adventures sincethey separated, gave his majesty many particulars respecting hisdevoted partisans. The intelligence that most deeply interested Charlesrelated to the Earl of Derby, who, it appeared, was now a prisoner inChester Castle, and had been condemned to lose his head. Lord Wilmothimself had been in great danger, but had contrived to escape capture.
This conference lasted for some time, and the king had been so deeplyengrossed by Lord Wilmot's narration, that he quite forgot the presenceof Juliana, who had listened to the recital in terror.
When Lord Wilmot had finished his sad tidings, Charles remained forsome minutes lost in painful reflection, and during this time no oneventured to disturb him. At length, a slight movement on the part ofJuliana recalled him to himself. Starting as if aroused from a painfuldream, he rode on towards the farm-house, which was only a mile distant.
Captain Ellesdon had been for some hours at the place of rendezvous,and, made aware of the approach of the royal party, stationed himselfat the gate to receive the king.
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 94