22. His escape was chiefly owing to the fidelity of five brothers, named Penderel, farmers and woodmen, who were tenants of a gentleman that was warmly attached to the Royal family. They lent him a woodman’s dress, called him Will Jones; and rode about with him, to show him what houses he might safely go to for shelter and entertainment. 23. On the third day after the battle, he was obliged to hide in a wood, in Boscobel, on the borders of Staffordshire, where he met with a friend, Major Carlis, who was hiding himself. 24. They heard soldiers about the wood, so they both got up into an old oak tree, with some bread and cheese and beer, that one of the Penderels had brought to Charles, and while they were there, they heard the soldiers talking close under the tree, and saying how glad they should be to find the king, and that they were sure he must be somewhere thereabouts. 25. The tree was afterwards called the Royal Oak; and there is a tree now on the same spot, raised from an acorn of the original one, which is still distinguished by that name. 26. One time he travelled with a lady, as her groom, and when they stopped at an inn, he went into the kitchen, where the cook told him to wind up the jack, which he did so awkwardly, that she scolded him. 27. He made an excuse, saying that where he came from, they did not have roast meat very often, and never used a jack; but I dare say, he laughed heartily afterwards, for he was always merry in the midst of his troubles. 28. At last, after being at hide and seek for nearly two months, he embarked at Shoreham, and reached the continent in safety. 29. Great Britain was now not a kingdom, for there was no king, but it was a Republic, or Commonwealth, which is a government managed by the people, or their representatives in parliament. 30. But Oliver Cromwell was an ambitious man, and wanted to have all the power in his own hands; so he got the soldiers on his side, and then told the members of parliament that it was time for them to go out of office, that there might be a new election; and on their refusal, he went to the House of Commons with a regiment of soldiers, turned out the members, locked the doors, and took away the keys. 31. He soon formed a new Parliament of men who were devoted to his interest, and he was made chief ruler of the state, under the name of Protector of the Commonwealth; but he might as well have been called king, for he was almost as absolute a sovereign as any that had yet reigned. 32. However, he made a good use of his power by promoting trade, and foreign commerce, besides which, he had an excellent army, and a good navy, so that England was considered of more importance, by other nations, than it had ever been before. 33. The English Admiral, Blake, gained some great victories over the Dutch at sea; and some conquests were made both in the East and West Indies, particularly that of Jamaica, which was taken from the Spaniards.