her the
reason, that it was only to secure my gold, we to breakfast, and then
about ten o'clock took coach, my wife and I, and Willet, and W. Hewer,
and Murford and Bowles (whom my Lady lent me), and my brother John on
horseback; and with these four I thought myself pretty safe. But, before
we went out, the Huntingdon musick come to me and played, and it was
better than that of Cambridge. Here I took leave of my father, and did
give my sister 20s. She cried at my going; but whether it was at her
unwillingness for my going, or any unkindness of my wife's, or no,
I know not; but, God forgive me! I take her to be so cunning and
ill-natured, that I have no great love for her; but only [she] is my
sister, and must be provided for. My gold I put into a basket, and set
under one of the seats; and so my work every quarter of an hour was to
look to see whether all was well; and I did ride in great fear all
the day, but it was a pleasant day, and good company, and I mightily
contented. Mr. Shepley saw me beyond St. Neots, and there parted, and we
straight to Stevenage, through Bald Lanes, which are already very bad;
and at Stevenage we come well before night, and all sat, and there with
great care I got the gold up to the chamber, my wife carrying one bag,
and the girl another, and W. Hewer the rest in the basket, and set it
all under a bed in our chamber; and then sat down to talk, and were very
pleasant, satisfying myself, among other things, from John Bowles, in
some terms of hunting, and about deere, bucks, and does. And so anon to
supper, and very merry we were, and a good supper, and after supper to
bed. Brecocke alive still, and the best host I know almost.

12th. Up, and eat our breakfast, and set out about nine o'clock, and so
to Barnett, where we staid and baited, the weather very good all day and
yesterday, and by five o'clock got home, where I find all well; and did
bring my gold, to my heart's content, very safe home, having not this
day carried it in a basket, but in our hands: the girl took care of one,
and my wife another bag, and I the rest, I being afraid of the bottom
of the coach, lest it should break, and therefore was at more ease in my
mind than I was yesterday. At home we find that Sir W. Batten's burial
was to-day carried from hence, with a hundred or two of coaches, to
Walthamstow, and there buried. Here I hear by Mr. Pierce the surgeon;
and then by Mr. Lewes, and also by Mr. Hater, that the Parliament ha