After awhile Charles slackened his pace, but just then he heard the trampling of horse behind him, and fancying the enemy was on his track, was about to gallop on, when he discovered that his fancied pursuers were a small party of his own cavalry. He then faced about, and as the troop drew nearer, found that at its head were the Duke of Buckingham and the Earl of Lauderdale. A painful meeting took place between the king and the two nobles. They were seeking safety in flight, and were rejoiced to find that his majesty had escaped. Soon afterwards, several small parties of Royalists overtook them--no other route being open to the fugitives. Charles, therefore, had no lack of attendants. On reaching Barbourne Bridge, to his great surprise, he found Lesley and his regiment of horse. "Soh! you are here," he cried, furiously. "I sought for you in vain in the city. Your men must be fresh since they have taken no part in the fight. Come back with me at once and help me to retrieve the fortune of the day." "Sire," replied Lesley, calmly, "the contest from the first has been hopeless, and your troops are now annihilated. It would be madness to return. I have been waiting for you here." "Waiting for me?" exclaimed Charles. "Ay, waiting for you, sire. I knew you would come this way, since none other is open to you. I am ready to conduct you to Scotland." "But I will not return thither to be the slave I have been," cried Charles. "I will rather die in England." "Humour him, my liege--humour him. He may be of use now," observed Buckingham, in a low tone. "Your majesty has now no option," remarked Lesley, coldly. "You must go back to Scotland. I will insure you a safe retreat. 'Tis for that purpose I have reserved my troops." "Say you so?" cried Charles. "Then I must needs go with you. But I must wait here for my friends." "Your majesty will have to wait long ere some of them join you," said Lesley. "At least they have not deserted me," rejoined the king. CHAPTER XXXI. THE LAST STAND MADE BY THE ROYALISTS. Once more we must enter the ill-fated city, which was now completely in the power of the enemy, though many a conflict was still going on within it. So inflamed with fury were the Cavaliers, that they fell upon the foot soldiers who had been plundering the houses, and were so much encumbered with booty that they could not defend themselves, and slew such numbers of them that Friars'-street was quite choked up with dead bodies. On neither side was quarter given. "The hour of vengeance is come," shouted the fierce Cromwellians. "Slay the Amalekites. Destroy them utterly--so that they may never more rise against us." "Down with the rebellious sectaries!" cried the Cavaliers. "Spare them not. Kill them as you would wild beasts." Savage shouts like these were heard on all sides, proclaiming the deadly animosity of the combatants which could be satisfied with nothing but slaughter.