"None, my liege, without going too far about," rejoined William Penderel. "Yon clump of trees is our mark," he added, pointing to a distant eminence. "Those trees are not far from Moseley Old Hall. Heaven grant we may get there in safety!" They then set off across the heath, and the stalwart brothers marched on as blithely as if they had felt no apprehension. Charles, too, appeared unconcerned, though it may be doubted whether he was not more uneasy than his guards; but the page gazed timorously around, expecting every instant to behold a party of the enemy start up from the furze bushes. CHAPTER V. BY WHAT DEVICE THE KING ESCAPED BEING CAPTURED BY COLONEL ASHENHURST. If the king and his escort formed a very striking picture while involved in the forest, the little band looked infinitely more picturesque as they wended their way across the heath. They had begun to dismiss their fears, when, on a sudden, the greatest consternation was caused by the appearance of a detachment of troopers advancing towards them. The detachment, which seemed to consist of about a dozen men, with an officer at their head, was about half a mile off, and had hitherto been concealed from view by the inequality of the ground. It was now in full sight, and it became clear from the accelerated pace of the enemy that they themselves were perceived. What was to be done? Retreat was out of the question, for they were certain to be pursued and captured. They must prove their valour in the defence of the king. At this anxious moment the ready-witted page called out: "Fighting is useless against such odds. We must resort to stratagem. Listen to me, loyal foresters. For a short time you must become rascally Roundheads. Pretend you have taken a couple of prisoners--the prisoners to be represented by his majesty and myself. Furthermore, give it out that we are both badly wounded. Do you understand?" "Ay, we understand well enough," replied Trusty Dick, "and 'tis to be hoped the rogues will believe we are brother rogues, and let us pass. After all, we can but fight it out. But what says your majesty?" "I like the plan," said the king. "With a little management I doubt not we shall be able to impose upon the rascals. But we must lose no time in preparation. This morning my nose bled profusely. I looked upon it then as a bad omen, but now I regard the matter differently." And as he spoke, he bound his bloodstained kerchief round his brows, so as to give himself the appearance of a wounded man. Jasper at the same time tied a kerchief round his left arm, and both put on the appearance of great exhaustion--Charles allowing his head to droop upon his breast. "Now march on boldly, brothers," said the elder Penderel. "All will depend upon our firmness." As they went on, William and Trusty Dick kept close to the supposed prisoners. Presently the detachment came up. Drawing up his men so as to bar the way, the officer called out in a loud authoritative voice: