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ls heard that my Lord Wilmot who had not been able to make his way to London； was hiding in a very secure place； at the house of a gentleman named Whitegrave； above seven miles distant。 This coming to the king's knowledge； he became anxious to see his faithful friend and hold communication with him。 Accordingly one of the Pendrells was despatched to request Lord Wilmot to meet his majesty that night； in a field close by Mr。 Whitegrave's house。 And the time of night being come； the king was impatient of delay； but his feet were sore from the rough shoes he had worn on his journey； so that he was scarce able to walk； therefore he was mounted on Humphrey's mill…horse； and； the four loyal brothers forming a guard； they directed their way towards Moseley。 The king's eagerness to see Wilmot being great； he complained of the horse's slow pace。 〃Can you blame him； my liege；〃 said Humphrey； who loved a jest； 〃that he goes heavily； having the weight of three kingdoms on his back？〃
When they had travelled with him a great part of the journey it was thought safer three of them should withdraw themselves。 They therefore turned away； but scarcely had they gone when the king； who； being lost in thought； had remained unconscious of their departure； suddenly stopped； and caused John； who remained； to speedily summon them back。 When they returned he gave them his hand to kiss； and； with that charm of manner which never failed in winning friends； said to them sadly； 〃My sorrows make me forget myself。 I earnestly thank you all。〃
They kissed his hand heartily； and prayed God to save him。 In the days of his prosperity he remembered their kindness and rewarded their loyalty。
Arriving at the trysting place the king found Mr。 Whitegrave； a Benedictine monk named Father Huddlestone； Sir John Preston； and his brother awaiting him。 It may be mentioned here this monk was destined； many years later； to play an important part in the closing scene of his majesty's life。 Mr。 Whitegrave conducted Charles with great show of respect to his house； where the king spoke with my Lord Wilmot； feasted well； and rested safe that night。 Next morning the worthy host had private notice given that a company of soldiers were on their way to arrest him as one who had served in the king's army。 He； being innocent of this charge； did not avoid them； but received them boldly at his door； spoke confidently in his own defence； and referred them to the testimony of his neighbours； whereon they departed quietly。
It was feared； however； the house was no longer safe； and that another refuge had best be sought for his majesty。 Therefore； Father Huddlestone informed the king of an honest gentleman； the owner of a fair estate some six miles removed； who was generous and exceedingly beloved； and the eldest justice of peace in the county of Stafford。 This gentleman was named Lane； 〃a very zealous Protestant； yet he lived with so much civility and candour towards the Catholics； that they would all trust him as much as they would any of their own profession。〃 The king； however； not being willing to surprise this worthy man； immediately despatched the Benedictine to make certain of his welcome； receiving due assurances of which he and Lord Willmot set out by night for Master Lane's mansion； where they were heartily received； and where Charles rested some days in blessed security。 Knowing； however； in what risk he placed those who sheltered him； and how vigilant the pursuit after him； he became most anxious for his safe delivery out of the kingdom。 To this end it was desirable he should draw near the west coast； and await an opportunity of sailing from thence for France。
The members of Master Lane's family then living with him consisted of a son and a daughter： the former a man of fearless courage and integrity； the latter a gentlewoman of good wit and discretion； as will be seen hereafter。 Consulting； amongst themselves as to the best means of compassing the king's escape； it was resolved Mistress Lane should visit a kinswoman of hers with whom she had been bred； that had married one Norton； and was now residing within five miles of Bristol。 It was likewise decided she should ride on her journey thence behind the king； he being habited in her father's livery； and acting as her servant； and for greater safety her sister and her sister's husband were to accompany them on the road。 Mistress Jane Lane then procured from a colonel of the rebel army a passport for herself and her servant； her sister and her brother…in…law； to travel without molestation to her cousin Mistress Norton； who was ready to lie in。 With this security Jane set out； her brother bearing them company part of the way； with a hawk upon his fist and two or three spaniels at his heels； which warranted him keeping the king and his friends in sight without seeming to be of their company。
The first day's journey was not accomplished without an exciting incident。 The horse ridden by Mistress Lane and the kingnow bearing the name of William Jacksonlost a shoe； and being come to Bromsgrove； he must dismount and lead the animal to the village blacksmith。
〃As I was holding my horse's foot；〃 said his majesty； when narrating the story to Mr。 Pepys； 〃I asked the smith what news。 He told me that there was no news that he knew of； since the good news of the beating the rogues of the Scots。 I asked him whether there was none of the English taken that joined with the Scots； He answered he did not hear if that rogue； Charles Stuart； were taken； but some of the others； he said； were taken。 I told him that if that rogue were taken； he deserved to be hanged more than all the rest； for bringing in the Scots。 Upon which he said I spoke like an honest man； and so we parted。〃
At the end of the first day's journey they were met by Lord Wilmot at the inn； and he continued to join them wherever they rested at night； without appearing to travel with them by day。 Mistress Lane took all possible care to guard the king against recognition； stating at every house of accommodation where they tarried he was 〃a neighbour's son whom her father had lent her to ride before her in hope that he would the sooner recover from a quartan ague with which he had been miserably afflicted； and was not yet free。 〃Which story served as sufficient excuse for his going to bed betimes； and so avoiding the company of servants。 At the end of three days they arrived at their destination。 Jane Lane was warmly received by her cousin； and the whole party made heartily welcome。 Jane； however； did not entrust her secret to Mistress Norton's keeping； but repeated her tale of the good youth being newly recovered from ague； and desired a chamber might be provided for him； and a good fire made that he might retire early to bed。 Her desires being obeyed； the king withdrew； and was served with an excellent good supper by the butler； a worthy fellow named Pope； who had been a trooper in the army of Charles I。； of blessed memory。
〃The next morning〃 said the king continuing his strange story； 〃I arose pretty early； having a very good stomach； and went to the buttery…hatch to get my breakfast； where I found Pope and two or three other men in the