The last act in the miraculous story of His Majesty King Charles the Second's escape out of the reach of his tyrannical enemies

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 Mties- [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, 0 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" TT^nT>>7TA.