royalty restored-第8节
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d face with dust； and a third brought him a suit of clothes。 〃The habit of the king；〃 says Pepys； 〃was a very greasy old grey steeple… crowned hat； with the brims turned up； without lining or hatband； the sweat appearing two inches deep through it round the band place； a green cloth jump…coat； threadbare； even to the threads being worn white； and breeches of the same； with long knees down to the garter； with an old sweaty leathern doublet； a pair of white flannel stockings next to his legs； and upon them a pair of old green yarn stockings； all worn and darned at the knees； with their feet cut off： his shoes were old； all slashed for the ease of his feet； with little rolls of paper between his toes to keep them from galling； and an old coarse shirt； patched both at the neck and hands； of that very coarse sort which go by the name of nogging shirts。〃
When Charles was attired in this fashion； Richard Pendrell opened a back door and led him out into the wood； not a moment too soon； for within half an hour Colonel Ashenhurst； with a company of Cromwell's soldiers； rode up to Whiteladies； rushed into the house； searched every chamber and secret place； pulled down the wainscoting； and otherwise devastated the mansion in the search for the king。 A damp cold September morning now lengthened to a day of gloom and depression。 Rain fell in heavy torrents； dripped from the leafless branches of trees； and saturated the thick undergrowth and shrubs where his majesty lay hidden。 Owing to the condition of the weather； the soldiers neglected to search Boscobel Wood； and； after uttering many threats and imprecations； withdrew from Whiteladies。 When he considered himself quite alone； Richard Pendrell ventured forth； taking with him a billhook； that if observed he might seem engaged in trimming hedges； and drawing near the spot where his majesty lay； assured him of his safety。 Later on he besought an old woman； his neighbour； to take victuals into the wood to a labourer she would find there。 Without hesitation the good woman carried some eggs； bread； butter； and milk towards the spot indicated to her。 On seeing her the king was much alarmed fearing recognition and dreading her garrulity； wherefore he said to her： 〃Can you be true to anyone who hath served the king？〃 Upon which she readily made answer： 〃Yes； sir； I'd die sooner than betray you。〃 Being reassured at this； he ate heartily。
When night fell； Richard brought him into the house again； and the king； now abandoning his intention of proceeding to London； expressed his anxiety to reach Wales where he had many friends； and which afforded him ready opportunities of escaping from the kingdom。 Pendrell expressed himself willing to conduct him thither。 Accordingly； about nine of the clock； they set out with the determination of crossing the Severn； intending to pass over a ferry between Bridgenorth and Shrewsbury。 When they had walked some hours they drew near a water…mill。 〃We could see the miller；〃 said the king in relating the story； 〃as I believe； sitting at the mill…door； he being in white clothes； it being a very dark night。 He called out sturdily； 'Who goes there？' Upon which Richard Pendrell answered； 'Neighbours going home；' or suchlike words。 Whereupon the miller cried out： 'If you be neighbours； stand； or I will knock you down。' Upon which； we believing there was company in the house； Richard bade me follow him close； and he ran to a gate that went up a dirty lane up a hill。 The miller cried out： 'Roguesrogues！' And thereupon some men came out of the mill after us； which I believe were soldiers； so we fell a…running； both of us up the lane as long as we could run； it being very deep and very dirty； till at last I bade him leap over a hedge； and lie still to hear if anybody followed uswhich we did； and continued lying down upon the ground about half an hour； when； hearing nobody come； we continued our way。〃
This led to the house of an honest gentleman named Woolfe； living at Madeley； who was a Catholic； and loyal to his king； and as such was known to the Pendrells。 When they drew near to his house； Richard； leaving his majesty in a field； went forward and asked this worthy man if he would shelter one who had taken part in the battle of Worcester； whereon he made answer he would not venture his neck for any man unless it were the king himself； upon which Pendrell made known to him it was his majesty who sought refuge from him。 Mr。 Woolfe came out immediately and carried the king by a back way into a barn； where he hid him for the day； it being considered unsafe for him to stay a longer period there； as two companies of militia were at that time stationed in the town； and were very likely to search the house at any minute。 Moreover he advised his majesty by no means to adventure crossing the Severn； as the strictest guard was then kept at the ferries to prevent any Royalist fugitives from escaping into Wales。 The king was therefore obliged to retrace his steps； and now sought Boscobel House； not far distant from his first resting…place of Whiteladies。 Arriving there； he remained secreted in the wood； whilst Richard went to see if soldiers were in occupation of the dwelling。 There was no one there； however； but Colonel Careless； the same good man and true who had helped to keep Sudbury Gate whilst Charles made his escape。
The Colonel had been hiding in the forest； and； being sore pressed by hunger； had come to beg a little bread。 Being informed where the king was； he came forth with great joy； and； the house not being considered a safe refuge； they both climbed into the branches of a leafy oak； situated in an open part of the wood； from whence they could see all round them。 They carried with them some bread and cheese and small beer； and stayed there that day。 〃While we were in the tree；〃 says the king； 〃we saw soldiers going up and down in the thicket of the wood； searching for persons escaped； we seeing them now and then peeping out of the wood。〃 When this danger had passed away； the king； worn out by his sore fatigues； laid his head on his friend's breast and slept in his arms。 At night they descended； and going to Boscobel House； were shown a secret hiding…place； such as were then to be found in the mansions of all Catholic families； called the priests' hole a little confined closet built between two walls； in the principal stack of chimneys； and having a couple of exits for the better escape of those compelled to seek its shelter。 Here the king rested in peace for a day and a night。
Meanwhile Humphrey Pendrell went into Shifnal to pay his taxes； and it being known he had come from Whiteladies； he was questioned closely as to whether he knew aught of Charles Stuart。 On stoutly denying all knowledge of him； he was told that any man who discovered him would gain a thousand pounds； but he that sheltered him would suffer death without mercy； these being the terms of a proclamation just issued。 This the honest miller on his return narrated to the king； swearing roundly he would run all risks for his sake。 It chanced at this time one of the Pendrells heard that my Lord Wilmot who had not been able to make his way to London； was hiding in a very secure place； at the house of a gentleman named Whitegrave； above seven miles distant。 This coming to the king's knowledge； he became anxious to see his faithful friend and hold communication with him。 Accordingly one of the Pendrells was despatched to request Lord Wilmot to meet his majesty that night； in a field close by Mr。 Whitegrave's house。 And the time of night being come； the king was impatient of delay； but his feet were sore from the rough shoes he had worn on his journey； so that he was scarce able to walk； therefore he was mounted on Humphrey's mill…horse； and； the four loyal brothers forming a guard； they directed their way towards Moseley。 The king's eagerness to see Wilmot being great； he complained of the horse's slow pace。 〃Can you blame him； my liege；〃 said Humphrey； who loved a jest； 〃that he goes heavily； having the weight of three kingdoms on his back？〃
When they had travelled with him a great part of the journey it was thought safer three of them should withdraw themselves。 They therefore turned away； but scarcely had they gone when the king； who； being lost in thought； had remained unconscious of their departure； suddenly stopped； and caused John； who remained； to speedily summon them back。 When they returned he gave them his hand to kiss； and； with that charm of manner which never failed in winning friends； said to them sadly； 〃My sorrows make me forget myself。 I earnestly thank you all。〃
They kissed his hand heartily； and prayed God to save him。 In the days of his prosperity he remembered their kindness and rewarded their loyalty。
Arriving at the trysting place the king found Mr。 Whitegrave； a Benedictine monk named Father Huddlestone； Sir John Preston； and his brother awaiting him。 It may be mentioned here this monk was destined； many years later； to play an important part in the closing scene of his majesty's life。 Mr。 Whitegrave conducted Charles with great show of respect to his house； where the king spoke with my Lord Wilmot； feasted well； and rested safe that night
