Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
Page 100
CHAPTER XIX.
BROAD WINDSOR.
The king and his companions then rode on to Broad Windsor, andproceeded to the George, the only inn the place contained. Rice Joneswas the name of the host, and he and his wife were well known toColonel Wyndham, having been servants to his uncle, Sir Hugh Wyndham,of Pillesden. Charles was so well pleased with their manner, and withthe comfortable appearance of the inn, that he resolved to pass thenight there, and bade the colonel secure all the best rooms in thehouse, which was done. All the party, indeed, were so wearied thatthey were enchanted at the prospect of a good night's rest, but theydid not obtain it, for late in the evening a troop of horse, which wasmarching to Lyme Regis, arrived in the town, and demanded quartersat the George. Poor Rice Jones humbly represented to them that allthe rooms were engaged, but this did not satisfy the troopers. Theyinsisted on being accommodated, and when Jones protested it was quiteout of his power to oblige them, they took complete possession of thelower part of the house, and made such a disturbance that the occupantsof the rooms above could not obtain a wink of slumber. The noise wasbad enough, but Charles and the others were not without apprehensionsthat the officer in command of the troop might compel them to appearbefore him. This danger, however, they escaped, owing to the managementof Rice Jones and his wife, who answered for them.
At daybreak, however, the reveill? was sounded, the troopers got upontheir horses, and rode out of the town, and the inn was left quiet.Before his departure, however, the officer made some further inquiriesof Rice Jones as to his guests, and wished to know whither they weregoing, but this the host could not inform him.
As it was quite certain that when the troopers arrived at Lyme Regis,they must learn that Macy had been in pursuit of the fugitive king,it would have been in the highest degree imprudent for his majesty andthose with him to remain longer at Broad Windsor, and preparations weretherefore made for immediate departure.
During breakfast, a consultation took place as to the best course to bepursued in the present state of affairs. Colonel Wyndham was clearlyof opinion that it would be extremely hazardous for his majesty toattempt to embark from any part in Dorsetshire, so many forces beingnow drawn to the coast for the expedition to Jersey, and he besoughthim to return to Trent, and to remain there till some other plan couldbe devised for his escape.
"Pillesden, the residence of my uncle, Sir Hugh Wyndham, is close athand," continued the colonel; "and I would propose to your majestyto retreat there for a time, but I feel certain, after the recentoccurrences, that the house will be strictly searched, and you mightunhappily be discovered."
"No, I will not go to Pillesden," said Charles. "I do not doubt thesecurity of Sir Hugh Wyndham's house, but I would rather be with thee,Frank. I will return to Trent, and Careless shall attend me as before."
"I am glad your majesty has so decided," said the colonel. "If I mayfurther advise I would propose that Harry Peters shall conduct LordWilmot to the house of my friend, John Coventry, in Salisbury. Heresides in the Cathedral Close; and Dr. Hinchman, one of the formerprebends, lives with him. No man in the kingdom is more devoted to theroyal cause than John Coventry, and he will not only be well able toadvise how to procure a vessel for France, but will furnish any moneysthat may be required."
"I like the plan," said Lord Wilmot. "When I have seen Mr. Coventryand consulted with him, I will send back Peters to Trent with allparticulars. If I am obliged to write, my letter shall be rolled uplike a bullet so that the messenger may swallow it, in case of need."
Here the conference ended. Soon afterwards the horses were broughtround, and they set off--Rice Jones promising, if Captain Macy shouldcome to the inn, that he would give him a wrong direction.
The whole party rode together to within a few miles of Yeovil, wherethey separated--Lord Wilmot, attended by Harry Peters, proceeding toSherborne, on the way to Salisbury; while the king and his companionswent on to Trent, and arrived there in perfect safety.