We left the king at Barbourne Bridge. By this time he had been joined by the Earl of Derby, the Earl of Lauderdale, the Lords Talbot and Wilmot, Colonel Roscarrock, Colonel Blague, Charles Giffard, and many other Cavaliers, and a consultation was held as to what course should be pursued. All were of opinion that the day was irretrievably lost, and this opinion was confirmed by the arrival of Careless and the others, who told how they had been worsted in the last desperate struggle at the Guildhall. "More than half of this brave battalion are gone," exclaimed Careless. "The rest are dispersed, and will never be got together again. Such frightful havoc has been made among the citizens, who have been slain by hundreds by these ferocious Roundheads, that no more fighting men can be got together. All is lost! Your majesty's standard has been torn down everywhere, and replaced by the flag of the Commonwealth. From this spot you may see their hateful standard floating on the cathedral tower." Overpowered by this ill news, Charles could make no reply. "All we can now do for your majesty is to save you from these ravening wolves and regicides," cried the Earl of Derby, "and that, with Heaven's grace, we will do!" "We will defend your majesty to the last," cried the Lords Talbot and Wilmot, and several others. "Alas! how many are gone!" exclaimed Charles. "Brave Sir John Douglas dead--the Duke of Hamilton mortally wounded. Where is Lord Sinclair?--where are others of my Scottish peers?--where is Sir James Hamilton?--where is Sir Alexander Forbes?" "Sir James Hamilton is killed, my liege," replied Careless. "Sir Alexander Forbes is badly hurt--perhaps dead. Several of the Scottish nobles have been taken prisoners in the city. But think not of them--think of your own safety. What will you do?" "Make all haste to London," replied the king. "By riding hard I shall arrive there before tidings of the battle can be received." "A good plan," cried Lord Wilmot. "Your majesty has many staunch adherents in London." "I like not the plan," cried the Duke of Buckingham. "If adopted, it will end in your majesty's destruction. The moment your defeat is known, your adherents will fall from you, and you will be at the mercy of your enemies." Almost all the others concurred with the duke in opinion, and were strenuously opposed to the king's plan. "Nay, then," he exclaimed, "there is nothing for it but Scotland. I will go thither." "Your majesty has decided right," observed Lesley. "His approval is enough to make me change my mind," observed Charles, withdrawing to a short distance with the Earl of Derby.