I might
make use of in case of need." Before taking up his quarters in
the house, however, the idea of escaping into Wales occured to
Charles, so, when night set in, he quitted Boscobel Wood, where
he had been hidden all the day, and started on foot with his
rustic guide in a westerly direction with the object of getting
over the river Severn, but various hardships and obstacles induced
Penderel to suggest a halt at a house at Madeley, near the river,
where they might rest during the day and continue the journey
under cover of darkness on the following night; the house further
had the attraction of "priests' holes." "We continued our way on
to the village upon the Severn," resumes the King, "where the
fellow told me there was an honest gentleman, one Mr. Woolfe,
that lived in that town, where I might be with great safety, for
he had hiding-holes for priests.... So I came into the house a
back way, where I found Mr. Woolfe, an old gentleman, who told me
he was very sorry to see me there, because there was two companies
of the militia foot at that time in arms in the town, and kept a
guard at the ferry, to examine everybody that came that way in
expectation of catching some that might be making their escape
that way; and that he durst not put me into any of the hiding-holes
of his house, because they had been discovered, and consequently,
if any search should be made, they would certainly repair to
these holes, and that therefore I had no other way of security
but to go into his barn and there lie behind his corn and hay."

[Illustration: MADELEY COURT, SHROPSHIRE]

[Illustration: THE COURTYARD, MADELEY COURT]

[Illustration: MADELEY COURT]

[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO "PRIEST'S HOLE," THE UPPER HOUSE, MADELEY]

The Madeley "priest's hole" which was considered unsafe is still
extant. It is in one of the attics of "the Upper House," but
the entrance is now very palpable. Those who are curious enough
to climb up into this black hole will discover a rude wooden
bench within it--a luxury compared with some hiding-places!

The river Severn being strictly guarded everywhere, Charles and
his companions retraced their steps the next night towards Boscobel.

After a day spent up in the branches of the famous _Royal Oak_,
the fugitive monarch made his resting-place the secret chamber
behind the wainscoting of what is called "the Squire's Bedroom."
There is another hiding-place, however, hard by in a garret which
may have b