you are well mounted, I believe you have no time to lose,
as we march to-morrow for Warrington, in Cheshire."

"Has anything been heard of the Parliamentary army?"

"Yes; they are on the march towards London by the Yorkshire road,
intending to cut us off if they can. And now, gentlemen, farewell; for
I have no idle time, I assure you."

Edward was soon equipped, and now attended upon the king. When they
arrived at Warrington they found a body of horse drawn up to oppose
their passage onwards. These were charged, and fled with a trifling
loss; and as they were known to be commanded by Lambert, one of
Cromwell's best generals, there was great exultation in the king's army;
but the fact was that Lambert had acted upon Cromwell's orders, which
were, to harass and delay the march of the king as much as possible, but
not to risk with his small force anything like an engagement. After
this skirmish it was considered advisable to send back the Earl of Derby
and many other officers of importance into Lancashire, that they might
collect the king's adherents in that quarter and in Cheshire.
Accordingly the earl, with about two hundred officers and gentlemen,
left the army with that intention. It was then considered that it would
be advisable to march the army direct to London; but the men were so
fatigued with the rapidity of the march up to the present time, and the
weather was so warm, that it was decided in the negative; and as
Worcester was a town well affected to the king, and the country abounded
with provisions, it was resolved that the army should march there, and
wait for English reinforcements. This was done; the city opened the
gates with every mark of satisfaction, and supplied the army with all
that it required. The first bad news which reached them was the
dispersion and defeat of the whole of the Earl of Derby's party by a
regiment of militia, which had surprised them at Wigan during the night,
when they were all asleep, and had no idea that any enemy was near to
them. Although attacked at such a disadvantage, they defended
themselves till a large portion of them were killed, and the remainder
were taken prisoners, and most of them brutally put to death. The Earl
of Derby was made a prisoner, but not put to death with the others.

"This is bad news, Chaloner," said Edward.

"Yes; it is more than bad," replied the latter; "we have lost our best
officers, who never should have left the army; and now, the