"We must separate," he continued. "I shall seek safety in flight. Those who have faith in Leslie, can join him. I will not attempt to influence your decision. Retire, I pray you, and consult together." All then left the room, with the exception of Careless, who remained with the king. CHAPTER IV. HOW CHARLES WAS DISGUISED AS A WOODMAN. "Must I, too, quit your majesty?" asked Careless. "There is no help for it, Will," replied Charles. "My best chance of escape--the sole chance, in fact--lies in being left to myself. I shall be well served by these faithful Penderels." "Of that you may rest assured, sire," said Careless. "Yet I still think I may be of some service to your majesty. At any rate, I shall not quit the neighbourhood of Brewood Forest, so that I may be readily found, if wanted. I know the country as well as the Penderels themselves. So unimportant a circumstance may easily have slipped from your majesty's memory, and I must therefore remind you that I was born at Bromhall, in Staffordshire, within three miles of White Ladies." "Ah, I recollect!" cried Charles. "No wonder you are well acquainted with the district." "I have not seen Bromhall for years," pursued Careless, "and few recollect me. Nevertheless, I can make myself at home there." "Take my advice, and go not near the place," said Charles. "Of a certainty you will be discovered by the rebel troopers from Codsall. Since you are familiar with the forest, hide yourself within it, and join me at Boscobel. But now for my disguise. No one but yourself shall clip off my locks. Have you procured a pair of scissors from Dame Penderel?" "Here they are, sire," replied Careless, producing them. "'Sdeath! they are like shears," exclaimed the king. "However, they will do the work more quickly. Have you aught to throw over my shoulders?" "A towel borrowed from the good dame." "That will do," replied Charles. "Now begin, and lose no time." It required a desperate effort on Careless's part to commence, but in a few minutes he had cut off the long black locks on which the young monarch had justly prided himself. "Have you done?" asked Charles. "Be pleased to look at yourself in the glass, sire, and you will find your hair cropped as close as that of a Puritan." Charles groaned on remarking the frightful change wrought in his personal appearance. "Zounds! you have disfigured me most horribly," he cried. "I have reluctantly obeyed your majesty's orders," replied Careless. "Here are love-locks enow for twenty fair dames," he added. "Unluckily, there is not a single fair dame on whom to bestow them. Bid Dame Penderel burn them." "Rather let me bid her keep them safely as a memorial for her children," rejoined Careless. "As you will," said the king. "Now help me to take off my ornaments." "Little did I think I should ever have this sad duty to perform, sire," observed Careless, as he knelt down to remove the garter from the king's knee.