THE LAST ACT IX TiiK MIRACULOUS STORY OF HIS MAJESTY KING CHARLES THE SECOND'S ESCAPE OUT OF THE REACH OF HIS TYRANNICAL ENEMIES. J? BY JOLONEL COUNTER, OF RACTON, WHO HAD THE HAPPINESS TO BE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE BUSINESS. SECOND EDITION. I I? LONDON J. RUSSELL SMITH, 36, SOHO SQUARE. 1873. THE LAST ACT IN THK MIRACULOUS STORY OF HIS MAJESTY KING CHARLES THE SECOND'S ESCAPE OUT OF THE REACH OF HIS TYRANNICAL ENEMIES. BY COLONEL GOUNTER, OF RACTON, WHO HAD THE HAPPINESS TO BE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE BUSINESS. SECOND EDITION LONDON : J. RUSSELL SMITH, 3 6, SOHO SQUARE. 1873. It may be mentioned by way of note, that the Chancellor Claren- don, in his History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, gives a general narrative (Book XIII. vol. iii., p. 413) of all that happened to King Charles after the defeat of the royal army at Worcester, until he was conducted to a place called Heale, three miles from Salisbury, then belonging to Serjeant Hyde, who was afterwards Chief Justice of the King's Bench, and in the occupation of the widow of his elder brother. He also states that the King lay here concealed for many days, until at length a vessel was provided on the coast of Sussex, through the exertions of Colonel Gounter, and the King having em- barked at Brighthemsted, a small fishing town, by God's blessing arrived safely in Normandy. The following account of the King's journey from Heale to Brighthelmstone, supplies the chasm in Cla- rendon, and as such may be considered an interesting and important historical fragment. The MS. was found in a bureau, formerly the property of Colonel Gounter, who was buried at Racton, in Sussex. It has since [1832] been purchased by the Trustees of the British Museum, and now among the Add. MSS., No. 9008. Colonel Gounter's Narrative escaped the researches of Mr. John Hughes, who published an annotated edition of the "Boscobel Tracts," 8vo., London, 1830, and a second edition, much enlarged, in 1857. This, therefore, may be considered a useful supplement to his work. It was first printed in the columns of the " Surplice," a newspaper chiefly devoted to Church affairs, afterwards as a pamphlet, by James Bohn, London, 1846. IT '^COLONEL COUNTER'S ACCOUNT OF THE Iftiraatlons (Escape of Jling ffirarle* II. 6th October, 1G51. f< The last Act in the Miraculous storie of his M ties - [King Charles the Second's] escape, beeing a true and perfect relation of his conveyance through many obstacles and after many daungers, to a safe harbour out of the reach of his tyrannical enemies, by Colonel Gounter, of Racton, in Sussex, who had the happiness to be instrumental in the business, as it ivas taken from his mouth by a person of worth a little before his death. " The King was now at Heale, within three miles of Salis- bury, where we begin our story. My Lord Wilmot, his faithful and watchful attendant, resolved at first to try at Lawrence Hyde's, Esq. (living at Hinton Daubney, in Hampshire, near the sea), what could be done for a passage, then, if that did not succeed, to repair to Col. George Gounter, at Rackton, four miles from Chichester, in Sussex, being very confident of his fidelity, and that he would contribute to the utmost of his power, to bring this great and weighty business to a good end. In the relation of miracles every petty cir- cumstance is material, and may afford to the judicious reader matter of good speculation of such a miracle, especially where the restoration of no less than three kingdoms and his own particular liberty and safety (if a good and faithful subject) wa,s at the stake. I may not therefore omit to let him know how things stood with the Colonel at that time. Not above fourteen days before, the said Colonel Gounter was confined upon pain of imprisonment not to stirre five miles from home ; in the very nick of time (when he was first thought upon for so great a work) comes a messenger with a warrant from the Commissioners of Haberdasher's Hall;, London, to summon him to appear before them within ten days, to pay £200 for his five-and-twentieth part which they had set him, upon pain of sequestration on default. He first refused, and told the messenger he was confined, and could not go five miles from home, but he left with him the order, and told him it should be at his peril if he did not obey it. The Colonel next day repaired to Chichester, four miles from him, to the Commissioners, there to show them his order ; they peremptorily replied he must go, and his order would bear him out ; he went accordingly and compounded with them, but his credit being shaken, the current running then so hard against the king, the royal party, and all good men, that he could not borrow the money in all London, hee was forced with all speede to repair into the country, and went pri- vately to his usurer, who had the security of his whole estate. He showed him his danger, and requested to borrow the money upon his bond and his former security, who readily conde- scended and told him out the money. The next day he was to- call for it and seal the bond ; he had no sooner ended this business (beeing staid by some friends longer than he in- tended) but that very night he came home (being 7th Oct. 1651) he found some at his house who were come about this design. I think it will easily be granted by any that reads and considers that this was not without a Providence, since that it is apparent that if his friends had come before he had been licensed to go abroad he must needes have been excused, and if they had come much after it was possible a new restraint might have come between, or his liberty in going so freely up and coming down after his business ended more suspected. But now to the storie and entertainment of his guests. Betwixt eight and nine o'clock at night the Colonel came home. Entering his door the Colonel's lady met him and told him there was a Devonshire gentleman in the parlour, sent by Mr. Hyde aforesaid, about a refer- ence which none but himself could decide. When the Colonel came in he found the Devonshire gentleman with Capt. Thomas Gounter ; the gentleman rose and saluted him ; the Colonel soon knew him to be the Lord Wilmot, which the noble lord perceiving, took the Colonel aside to the window. ' I see you know me,' said he, ' do not own me.' Capt. Thomas Counter, the Colonel's kinsman, did not know him, though he had been in the army a long time and under his command, which was strange, the noble lord being but meanly disguised. After a bottle of sack, my lord's man, Swan, coming in to wait, whispered in his mas- ter's ear and told him Lord Wentworth's boy, Paine, was without, and wished him to be careful lest the boy should know him, the boy being now in Capt. Wentworth's service. After supper there was whispering between the Colonel's lady and his kinsman, and the lady said she was confident of the stranger's disguise, and that it was the Master by his hand. He however beat her off it as much as he could, suspecting no such thing himself. Within half an hour after supper the Colonel offered my Lord Wilmot, then by name Mr. Barlow, to wait upon him to his chamber and bed, which my Lord readily accepted. The Colonel accord- ingly waited upon him, his lady and kinsman attending ; when he came into the chamber, it being late the Colonel desired his lady to go to bed and leave him for he was bound to wait on this gentleman awhile ; they took leave, and wished him good night. My Lord now broke the business unto the Colonel, with these words (sighing) : — " ' The King of England, my master, your master, and the master of all good Englishmen, is near you and in great distress, can you help us to a boat ?' The Colonel looking very sadly after some pause said, ' Is he well ? is he safe V He said, ' Yes ;' the Colonel replied, ' God be blessed/ and gave him a reason for his question ; if he should not be secure he doubted not but he could secure him till a boat could be procured. The noble Lord not knowing what had been done, or what course Mr. Hyde had taken for securing His Majesty at Heale since he came away, answered the Colonel he hoped he was out of danger at present, and that His Majesty intended to be at his house with him on the Wednesday, but unexpected accommodation elsewhere had altered his design ; however, upon hearing this, the Colonel's thoughts were much raised in expectation of such a guest, until he was better informed, which he was soon after to his satisfaction, knowing the house and the conveniences thereof well, and the worth and fidelity of the persons. 6 " Now to the main business of procuring a boat the Colonel told the Lord seriously, and nothing but the truth, that for all he lived so near the sea there was no man living so little acquainted with that sort of men ; however as he felt him- self bound by all obligations, sacred and civil, to do his ut- most to preserve the King, so he did faithfully promise with all possible care and alacrity, yea, expedition (which he considered the life of such a business), to acquit himself of his duty. The noble Lord was well satisfied with this answer ; for that time the Colonel left him and bade him good night, desiring him to rest secure, for he would watch while he slept, and doubted not that in good time all would be well. On coming into his own chamber he found his wife had staid up for him, and was very earnest to know who the stranger was, and what was his business ; the Colonel desired her to excuse him, assuring her it was nothing concerning her, or would anyways damnifye her. She was confident there was more in it than that, and enough to ruin him and all his family, ' and in that,' said she, ' I am concerned,' breaking out into a very great passion of weeping, which the Colonel observing took a candle pretending to go into the next room, but privately to my Lord Wilmot, to acquaint him of it, asking his ad- vice whether as the case stood it would be right to inform her of it, that he durst pass his word for the loyalty and integrity of his wife, but without his consent she should know nothing. My Lord replied, ' by all means acquaint her with it.' He humbly thanked him, and again wished him good night. The Colonel, on coming into his room unfolded the business to his wife, and wiped the tears from her eyes, who smiling said, ' Go on and prosper. Yet I fsar you will not accomplish it.' 'But' said the Colonel. ' I must endeavour, and will do my best, leaving the success to God Almighty.' His lady deported herself with so much discretion, courage, and fidelity during the whole course of the busines, that she seemed to outgo her sex, considering her danger. Neither will the reader think this an unim- portant circumstance, since the success of the business did not a little depend on her. The Colonel slept but little that night, and rose very early the next morning, being Wednesday the 8th October, and rode to Emsworth, as he had promised Lord Wilmot, a place two miles from him by the sea-side, passing through Bourn. " The Colonel took an old servant of his with him, John Day, a trusty man who was related to seamen of very good account, who were sometimes lying there with their barks, but they being out of the way could do nothing, although four years after the Colonel did hire a bark at this place for the Lord Wilmot who came over at his Majesty's com- mand. The Colonel hastened home to give account to my Lord, who had promised not to stir till he came ; but being impatient of any delay had left the Colonel's house, so that he met him within half a mile of it, and told him that nothing could serve where he had been. The noble Lord and the Colonel then rode to Langstone, a place by the sea where boats are used. As they were riding along my Lord put his hand into his pocket and missed his money, for coming away in haste from the Colonel's house he had left it behind him in his bed; he immediately sent his man Swan for it. The Colonel's lady hearing my Lord was gone, which she much wondered at, had been in his chamber and found the bed open, and in the middle a black purse full of gold which she had secured, and gave it the man when he came for it. When they came to Langstone they attempted all they could but in vain. The noble Lord and the Colonel eat oysters there and then parted, — the Lord to Mr. Hyde's house aforesaid, there to expect the account of the Colonel's further proceedings. The Colonel came home and imme- diately employed his kinsman Captain Thomas Gounter, (who by this was made acquainted) to enquire at several other places, and to meet the Colonel next day at Chichester, to give him an account of all which the Colonel imparted that night to my Lord Wilmot at Mr. Hyde's house at Hinton Daubnay. After supper the Colonel took his leave of the Lord, it being a very dismal night with wind and rain. My Lord very much pressed the Colonel to stay, but he re- fused, saying delays were dangerous, and let the weather be what it would he had a sure guide. The Colonel reached home that night between one and two o'clock, and after two hours' rest, rose and went immediately to Chichester, to 8 meet Captain Thomas Gounter (9th Oct.) according to ap- pointment ; from whom he learnt that both he and his kins- man Mr. William Rishton, a loyal gentleman, and one en- gaged all along in the war under the Colonel's command, had done all they could but without success. The Colonel then conceived the next and best expedient would be to treat with a French merchant, one Mr. Francis Mancell, a stranger then to the Colonel, pretending to pay him a visit, and be better acquainted with him. He received him cour- teously and entertained him with a bottle or two of his French wine and Spanish tobacco. After a while the Colonel said, ' I do not only come to visit you, but have to request one favour of you.' He replied, anything in his power. Then the Colonel asked him if he could let a bark, for, said he, ' I have two friends of mine that have been engaged in a duel, and there is mischief done, and I am obliged to get them off if I can.' The merchant doubted not but he could at Brighthelmstone, in Sussex. The Colonel then pressed him to go with him immediately, and if he could effect the purpose, he would give him fifty pound for his pains, but it being a fair day at Chichester, and his partner out of the way, he could not possibly go until the next day, and then he promised faithfully he would go with him and do his best, so accordingly they agreed. Then the Colonel who had promised the Lord Wilmot an account at Mr. Hyde's house once in twelve or twenty-four hours at far- thest, repaired thither and told him all that was done. The noble Lord approved of the proceedings well. It being very late, and dark and boisterous weather, the Colonel took his leave ; his horse being almost spent, he borrowed a horse of his kinsman Mr. Hyde, which served to carry him home, and the next morning to Chichester. The Colonel went to Chichester the next day, being Friday, the 10th of October, according to former appointment. The merchant being des- titute of a horse, the Colonel horsed him upon the horse borrowed of Mr. Hyde, and borrowed one for himself of his kinsman Captain Thomas Gounter, and went away accord- ingly, desiring his kinsman to repair to myLord Wilmot, with an account of his departure from Chichester, in further pro- secution of the business, and to remain with him in order to his commands during his absense. They arrived at Brighthelmstone, thirty miles from Chichester by two o'clock that day. The merchant went immediately to en- quire ; but the seaman, he chiefly depended upon, was gone for Chichester, having bargained for a freight there ; but as Providence would have it, he touched at Shoreham, fower miles from Brighthelmstone. The Colonel persuaded the merchant to send to him directly to come to him at Bright- helmstone on very earnest business, and he doubted not but that he would come, which took effect accordingly. The Colonel had agreed with the merchant to treat with the boatman being his trade, and the Colonel to stand by as neuter, promising to make good and pay whatever he should agree for, but withal desired him to get it as low as he could. They stayed there that night, and by two o'clock on Satur- day morning, the 11th of October, made a perfect agree- ment, which was, that the boatman was to have sixty pounds paid him in hand before he took them on board, for he would know what he was to carry before he treated ; so the merchant was obliged to tell him, he knowing no more than what the Colonel had said to him of the two friends, &c- The seaman was to be ready at an hour's notice, and to stay there under pretence of freighting the bark, and the merchant to get all things ready against the arrival of the Colonel and his friends. The Colonel not knowing when he should come, privately promised the merchant to defray all ex- penses he might incur, and to give him fifty pounds, which was accordingly done. But this fifty pounds paid to the merchant, and the sixty pounds to the boatman, the King himself before he went away took order for, and his order was executed. All things being agreed on, the Colonel took leave of the merchant about three o'clock, to give my Lord Wilmot an account, and arrived at Mr. Hyde's house afore- said, between eight and nine o'clock that night ; but my Lord and Captain Gounter were removed to a tenant of Mr. Hyde's, one Mr. Brown. The Colonel coming into his cousin Hyde's house, found there his cousin Hyde, and Colonel Bobert Phillips going to bed, who were very inquisitive about knowing how things stood. He told them that all things were well and in readiness ; upon which Colonel Phillips re- 10 plied, 'Thou shalt be a saint in my almanack for ever.' Mr. Hyde was very desirous for the Colonel to stay all night, and go and give my Lord an account next morning, but he begged to be excused ; for he knew he was expected, and could not in honour but give an account without delay ; whereupon Colonel Phillips with him took leave of Mr. Hyde for that night, and went to my Lord Wilmot who expected him. After he had saluted him, and given him an account of all the proceedings, the noble Lord was infinitely pleased and satisfied, and presently consulted who should go for the King; and it was agreed that Colonel Phillips should, as Colonel Gounter was much fatigued, and would need rest for further employment. So on Sunday, the 12th of October, Colonel Phillips went to give the King an account, and to conduct him to the Lord Wilmot ; and Colonel Gounter, in the interim, whilst they were expected on Monday the 13th of Oct., the Lord Wilmot, Colonel Gounter, and Captain Thomas Gounter, being all together agreed to ride out upon the Downs. The Colonel for blind went to Hambledon, to pay his sister a visit, and there borrowed a brace of greyhounds, saying his cousin Gounter and other gentle- men were on the Downs, and wished to have a course ; and it was possible, if they did not beat too far, and stay out late, they might all come and be merry with her that night ; however, she should be sure of her dogs. If you do you shall be heartily welcome,' was her answer. The Colonel brought the greyhounds and beat with my Lord and his cousin until his time served, and then left them, resolving to ride on till he met the King; just as he came to Warnford Town's end from Old Winchester, he met Colonel Phillips conducting the King. Being near the houses, the Colonel rode by them, taking no notice, went to an inn in the town, called for some beer and took a pipe, and stayed till they were at the top of Old Winchester be- fore he overtook them. When he had overtook them and done his duty to his Majesty, he directed them the safest way, and he rode forward to find my Lord Wilmot, which being done they all came together. The King and my Lord had some private discourse together. When they came to Broadhalfpenny, a little above Hambledon, the King 11 said to the Colonel — ' Canst thou get me a lockdnj* here- abouts ?' The Colonel told him that his cousin Hyde's house was engaged for him, and was very convenient, being near and in the way — but whether his Majesty thought it too public a place, or for what other reason I do not know, but said he, ' Know you no other X ' Yes, may it please your Majesty, there is one who married my sister, whose house stands privately and out of the way.' ' Let us go thither,' said the King. Whilst we were consulting on this affair Captain Thomas Gounter and Swan, my Lord Wil- mot's man, rode scouting about Broaclhalfpenny. The Colo- nel conducted the King, my Lord Wilmot, and Colonel Ro- bert Phillips to his sister's house a private way at the back- side of Hambledon, it being but half a mile from the place aforesaid. Alighting at the door, the Colonel leads them in, Lord Wilmot following ; the King putting Colonel Phillips before him, saying, ' Thou look'st most like a gentleman, now.' Coming in, the Colonel's sister met them, they all saluted her. She showed them into a little parlour where was a good fire — this was about candle lighting — wine, ale, and biscuits, were presently set before them with a very cheerful countenance, as though the King's presence had some secret influence upon her who suspected not that a King was present. In the space of an hour they went to supper, being all seated promiscuously at a round table, and having half- supped in comes the Colonel's sister's husband, Mr. Thomas Symonds, who as it appeared had been in company that day. ' This is brave,' said he, ' a man can no sooner be out of the way, but his house must be taken up with he knows not whom,' — and looking in the Colonel's face, said, ' Is it you, you are welcome, and as your friends so are they all.' Pass- ing round the table and viewing all the company, he said — ' These are all Hydes now/ but peeping in the King's face said of him, ' Here's a Roundhead ;' and addressing the Colonel said, ' I never knew you keep Roundheads' com- pany before ;' to which the Colonel replied, ' 'Tis no matter, he is my friend, and I assure you no dangerous man,' at which words he clapped himself down in a chair next the King, saying, ' Brother Roundhead, for his sake thou art welcome,' all the while believing the King to be so, indeed, 12 and making himself, whether for fear or in courtesy, to be one too, as he could act it — the King all the while comply- ing with him, to all their admirations. Now and then he would swear before he was aware of it, for which the King re- proved him, saying, " Oh dear, brother, that is a 'scape, swear not, I beseech you ;" nevertheless in the humour he was in he plied them hard with strong waters and beer, the King not knowing how to avoid it, but by some one or other, when Symonds looked aside, taking it out of his hand. Supper being now ended, and ten o'clock, the Colonel thought as the King had rode nearly forty miles that day, and was to un- dergo a very hard journey the next, he must contrive to get the King out of this company, and to his bed, so he whispered in his kinsman's ear, saying, ' I wonder how you could judge so right, he is a Roundhead, indeed, and if we could get him to bed the house were our own, and we could be merry.' He readily submitted, and the Colonel presently leaving Lord Wilmot behind, conducted the King, and Colo- nel Robert Phillips (who lay in the King's chamber), to bed. The King slept well all night, and by break of day on Tues- day [the 14th of October], the Colonel putting up two neats' tongues in his pockets, which he thought might be needful by the way, they set out on their journey. When they arrived at Arundel Hill, they were riding close by the castle, but the Governor, Captain Morley, met them full butt, hunting; the Colonel the better to avoid them, it being a steep hill they were to go down, presently alighted, and the company, as was agreed before, did the same, and so happily they escaped them. When the King was told who it was, he replied merrily, ' I did not much like his starched moustaches.' . So they came to Houghton, where on horseback they made a stop at an alehouse for some bread and beer, and then their neats' tongues stood them in very good steed, and were heartily eaten. From thence they came to Bramber, where they found the streets full of soldiers on both sides of the houses, who unluckily and unknown to the Colonel came thither the night before to guard Bramber Bridge, and at this time were come into the town for refreshments. My Lord Wilmot was ready to turn back, when the Colonel stepped in and said, ' If we do we are undone, let us go on 3 boldly, and we shall not be suspected.' ' He saith well/ said the King. The Colonel went before, the King followed, and so they passed through without any hindrance ; it was then between three and four o'clock in the afternoon ; they went on, but had not proceeded far, when a new terror pur- sued them, the same soldiers coming behind as fast as they could, whereupon the King gave the Colonel a hem, he slacked his pace till the others came up to him, and by that time the soldiers were come, who rudely passed by them (being in a narrow lane), so that they could hardly keep their saddles for them, but without doing any hurt, being thirty or forty in number. When they arrived at Beeding, a little village where the Colonel had provided a treat mess for the King at Mr. Bagshall's house, he was desirous his Majesty should stay there awhile till he had viewed the coast, but my Lord would by no means, for fear of those soldiers, but car- ried the King out of the road, so they parted, which was thought safest. It was agreed that the Colonel should go to Brighton, and when he thought he had got all clear, to send to them. When he arrived at Brighton, he found all cleere, and the inn, the George, free from all strangers. Having taken the best room in the house, and bespoke his supper, and was regaling himself with a glass of wine ; the King- not finding accommodation elsewhere to his mind ; was come to the inn. Up comes the host, one Smith by name : ( More guests,' saith he. He brought them into another room, the Colonel taking no notice. It was not long before he heard the King's voice, saying aloud to my Lord WiL mot : — 'Here, Mr. Barlow, I drink to you.' ' I know that voice,' said he to his host, then with him ; ' I pray inquire whether he was not a major in the King's army/ which being done, he found him the man he expected, and presently he united, as was likely, to the fellowship of a glass of wine ; from that he proceeded, and made a motion to join company, and because his chamber was largest, they made use of it, and so they became one party again. At supper the King- was cheerful, not showing the least sign of fear or appre- hension of danger, neither did he at any time during t!\e whole course of this business, which is no small wonder, considering that the thought of his enemies so great, so 14 many, so diligent, and so much interested in his ruin as long as he was within their reach, and as it were in the very middle of them, was enough to have daunted the stoutest courage in the world, but it appeared as if God had opened his eyes as he did Elisha's servant at his master's request, and he had seen an heavenly host round about to guard him, which to them was invisible, who therefore, though much encouraged by his undauntedness and the assurance of so good and so glorious a cause, yet were not without secret terrors within themselves, and thought every minute a day till they saw his sacred person out of their reach. After supper the King stood with his back against the fire, leaning over a chair, when up came the host, and one who called himself Gaius, and running to the King, caught hold of his hand and kiss- ing, said — ' It shall not be said but I have kissed the best man's hand in England.' He had waited at table at supper- time, where the boatman also sat with them, and was then present, and whether he had seen or heard anything that could give occasion of suspicion, I know not. The King had a hard task so to conduct himself in all things that he might in nothing be like himself, majesty being so natural to him that even when he said nothing and did nothing, his very looks (if a man observed) were enough to betray him. It was admirable to see how the King, as though he had not been concerned in those words which might have sounded in the ears of another man as the sentence of death, turned about in silence, without any alteration of countenance, or taking notice of what had been said. About a quarter of an hour after, the King went to his chamber, when the Colonel followed him, and craved his pardon with earnest protestation, saying, that he was innocent, and altogether ignorant of the cause how this had happened. ' Peace, peace, Colonel,' said the King, ' the fellow knows me, and I him ; he was one that belonged to the back-stairs to my father, I hope he is an honest fellow.' Whether so or not, I don't know, but so the King thought at that time. After this, the Colonel began to treat with the boatman, Tettersfield by name, asking him in what readiness he was ; he answered, ' He could not be off that night, because, for safety, he had brought his vessel into a 15 Creake, and the tide had forsaken it, so that it was aground.' It is observable, that all the while this business had been in agitation, to this very time, the wind had been contrary. The King then opening the window, took notice that the wind was turned, and told the master of the ship ; whereupon, because of that, and the clearness of the night, the Colonel offered ten pounds more to the man to get off at once; but that could not be. However, they agreed he should take in his company that night ; but it was a great business they had in hand ; and God would have them to know so, both by the difficulties that offered themselves, and by the help he afforded to remove them. When they thought all agreed on, the boatman started back, and said he must have his bark insured, or he would not go ; they pointed out to him how unreasonable it was, being so well paid, but to no pur- pose ; so they yielded at last, and 2001. was his valuation, which they agreed upon. But then, as though he had been resolved to frustrate all by unreasonable demands, he re- quired the Colonel's hand- writing; at which, moved with much indignation, the Colonel began to be as resolute as he ; saying among other things, there were more boats to be had besides his ; and if he would not act, another should, and made as though he would go to another then. In the con- test, the King happily interposed, saying a gentleman's word before witnesses, was as good as his bond ; and at last the man's stomach came down, and he would carry them, be the consequence what it would ; and before he would be taken he would run his boat under the water ; so it was agreed that about two in the morning they should be aboard. The boatman in the mean time went to provide necessaries, and they persuaded the King to take some rest ; he did in his clothes, and my Lord Wilmot with him, till towards two o'clock ; then the Colonel called them up, and showed them how the time went by his watch ; horses being led the back way to the beach, they came to the boat and found all ready. The Colonel then took leave, craving His Majesty's pardon ; if anything had happened through error, it was not want of good will or loyalty ; how willingly he would have waited further, but for his family being many, which would want him, which he hoped his Majesty would not, not doubting 16 but in a very little time he would be where he wished. His only request to his Majesty was, that he would conceal his instruments, wherein their preservation was so much con- cerned. His Majesty promised that nobody should know. The Colonel waited there with the horses in readiness, in case anything unexpected happened. At eight o'clock he saw them under sail, and it was the afternoon before they were out of sight. The wind (oh Providence !) held very good till the next morning at ten o'clock, when they arrived at a place in Normandy, called Fackham, some three miles from Havre de Grace, 15th Oct., Wednesday. They were no sooner landed, but the wind turned, and a violent storm arose, insomuch that the boatman was forced to cut his cable, and lost his anchor to save his boat, for which he re- quired eight pounds of the Colonel, and had it. The boat was back again at Chichester by Fryday to take her freight. " The Colonel was not gone out of the town of Bright- helmstone two hours, before soldiers came thither to search for a tall black man six feet two inches high. " ' Unto Thee, God, do we give thanks ; unto Thee do we give thanks ; for that Thy name is near, Thy wondrous works declare. Great deliverance giveth He to His King, and sheweth mercy to His anointed.' > » THE END, BILLING, PRINTER, GUILDFORD, SURKEY. LIB UNF" T T^nT>>7TA.