Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651Ainsworth, William Harrison
History
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
Ainsworth, William Harrison
Great Britain -- History -- Commonwealth and Protectorate, 1649-1660 -- Fiction
The Scottish infantry tamely surrendered, and were shut up in the
cathedral. They had better have died valiantly, for they were
afterwards sold as slaves to the plantations. But other Scottish
regiments behaved with the greatest resolution, and if all had done
equally well, the result of the day might have been different. Castle
Hill, as we know, had been strongly fortified, and was held by the Earl
of Rothes, Sir William Hamilton, and Colonel Drummond, with a party
of brave and loyal Scots. The fortress was attacked by Lambert and
Harrison, but was so obstinately defended that its leaders were able to
capitulate on advantageous terms.
Having thus endeavoured to describe the frightful condition to which
the city was reduced by the entrance of the enemy, we will now return
to Charles, whom we left proceeding in a most melancholy frame of mind,
and wholly unattended, towards the College Green. So cast down was he
at the moment that he scarcely took note of anything that was passing
around him, when he was suddenly roused from his fit of despondency by
seeing a large troop of horse issue from the college gates. It was a
party of Cavaliers headed by the Earl of Derby, Lord Cleveland, Colonel
Roscarrock, Colonel Wogan, and Careless, and on making this discovery
he immediately rode up, and was welcomed with the greatest delight by
the Earl of Derby, as well as by his faithful attendant Careless. The
greatest uneasiness had been felt for his safety, and it was feared he
might have fallen into the hands of the enemy. Nor were the Cavaliers
composing the troop less delighted, and their enthusiasm quickly raised
his drooping spirits. He put himself at their head, and, despite the
entreaties of the Earl of Derby that he would seek safety in flight, he
led them towards the Sidbury-gate.
But they had scarcely descended Lich-street when Colonel Pride's
regiment of horse was seen advancing, and an instant onset upon it was
made. As on all previous occasions, the first advantage was with the
Cavaliers, but Pride and his men were not to be driven back. As soon as
it was discovered that Charles was with the party, an attempt was made
by Pride to capture him, and it would have been successful if Careless
had not flown to his rescue.
The Cavaliers still made a desperate struggle, but it was evident they
could not hold out long. Charles, who had been left for a few minutes
in the rear after his rescue, was again about to place himself at their
head, but Careless earnestly besought him to fly.
"The day is lost, my liege--utterly lost!" exclaimed this faithful
attendant. "Save yourself, while there is yet time. We can hold out
long enough to cover your escape. Fly, I entreat you."
"No. I cannot--will not--abandon my faithful followers," cried Charles.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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