[289] _Narrative of the Gunpowder Plot_, Gerard, p. 84. We must return to Sir Everard, as he rode from Alcester to Huddington. One of his servants, named Hardy, came up to him, during this part of his journey, and asked him[290] what was to become "of him and the rest of his poore servants," who, as he pitifully protested, had not been "privy to this bloudy faction." Such a question, although it did not savour of mutiny, showed an inclination to defection, and must have added considerably to his master's discouragement. The answer which he gave to it was as follows:--"I believe you were not;" _i.e._, privy to the plot; "but now there is no remedy." The servant then let out that it was not solely on his own account that he had asked the question; for he went on to implore his master to yield himself to the king's mercy; whereupon Sir Everard said sharply that he would permit no servant to utter such words in his presence. [290] S. P. Gunpowder Plot Book, Part II. No. 121. Catesby and his band of warriors, brigands, horse-stealers, professors of physical force, or whatever else the reader may please to call them, reached Huddington about two o'clock on the Wednesday afternoon.[291] The first thing they did was to place sentinels round the house,[292] which was rendered suitable for defence by its moat.[293] Then they proceeded to take their first long rest, that is to say, until early on the following morning, a sorely needed period of refreshment and repose, especially for those who had ridden the whole way from London. Where so large a party can have been entertained and lodged at Huddington, it is difficult to understand, as the house, which is now used as a farm, rich as it is in carved oak, is not, and probably never was, a large one. [291] The G. P., Jardine, p. 111. [292] S. P. Gunpowder Plot Book, Part II. n. 121. [293] "The mansion-house, which is moated round, but now in a very ruinous condition, having been much neglected ever since the gunpowder treason in 1606, in which plot the Winters were deeply concerned." _Nash's Worcestershire_, Vol. i. p. 592. During the first few hours of their stay, however, the leading conspirators were awaiting the return of the envoy from Grafton with too much anxiety to be able to sleep or take their ease. Almost everything hung upon the reply of Talbot. The assistance of the large number of men and horses which it was in his power to supply was of the utmost importance at that very critical moment, and on his influence and example might depend the attitude of all the Catholic gentry in Worcestershire, as well as in several of the counties adjoining it.