with earnest protestation that I was innocent, soe altogether ignorant of the cause how this had hapened. ‘Peace, peace, Colonel,’ said the King, ‘the fellow knowes mee, and I him. He was one (whether or not, I know not; soe the King thought att the tyme) that belonged to the back stairs of my father; I hope he is an honest fellow.’ After this I began to treat with the boatman (Tettersfield by name) asking him in what readiness he was. He answered, he could not of that night, because for more security he had brought his vessel into a breake and the tyde had forsaken it: so that it was on ground. It is observable that all the whyle this business had been in agitation to this very time, the wind had been contrarie. The king then opening the wenddowe, tooke notice that the wind was turned, and told the master of the shipp. Whereupon, because of the wind, and a cleere night, I offered £10 more to the man to gett off that night. But that could not be. However, we agreed that he should take in his company that night. But it was a great business that we had in hand; and God would have us to knowe soe, both by the difficulties that offered themselves, and by his helpe he afforded to remove them. When we thought we had agreed, the boatman starts back and saith, ‘noe, except I would ensure the barke.’ Argue it we did with him, how unresoanable it was, beeing soe well paid, &c., but to no purpose, soe that I yielded att last, and £200 was his valuation, which was agreed upon. But then, as though he had been resolved to frustrate all by unreasonable demands, he required my bond. At which, moved with much indignation, I began to be as resolut as he; saying, among other things, ‘there were more boates to bee had, besydes his; if he would not another should,’ and made as though I would go to another. In this contest the king happily interposed. ‘He saith right,’ saith his Matie., ‘a gentleman’s word, especially before witnesses, is as good as his bond.’ At last the man’s stomach came downe, and carrie them he would, whatever became of it; and before he would be taken he would run his boate under the water. Soe it was agreed that about tooe in the morning they should be aboard. The boateman in the meanetyme went to provide for necessaries, and I persuaded the king to take some rest. He did, in his cloaths, and my Lord Wilmot with him, till towards tooe in the morning. Then I called them up, showing them how the tyme went by my watch. Horses being ledd by the back way towards the beache, we came to the boat, and found all readie. Soe I took my leave, craving his Maties. pardon if anthing had happened through error, not want of will or loyalty. How willingly I would have waited further, but for my family (being many) which would want mee, and I hoped his Matie. would not, not doubting but in a very little tyme he should be where he would. My only request to his Mtie. was that he would conceal his instruments, wherein