consequences
of the defeat will be that we shall not have any people coming forward
to join us. The winning side is the right side in this world; and there
is more evil than that: the Duke of Buckingham has claimed the command
of the army, which the king has refused; so that we are beginning to
fight among ourselves. General Lesley is evidently dispirited, and
thinks bad of the cause. Middleton is the only man who does his duty.
Depend upon it we shall have Cromwell upon us before we are aware of it;
and we are in a state of sad confusion--officers quarrelling, men
disobedient, much talking, and little doing. Here we have been five
days, and the works, which have been proposed to be thrown up as
defences, not yet begun."

"I cannot but admire the patience of the king, with so much to harass
and annoy him."

"He must be patient, perforce," replied Chaloner; "he plays for a crown,
and it is a high stake; but he cannot command the minds of men, although
he may the persons. I am no croaker, Beverley; but this I do say, that
if we succeed with this army, as it is at present disorganised, we shall
perform a miracle."

"We must hope for the best," replied Edward; "common danger may cement
those who would otherwise be asunder; and when they have the army of
Cromwell before them, they may be induced to forget their private
quarrels and jealousies and unite in the good cause."

"I wish I could be of your opinion, Beverley," replied Chaloner; "but I
have mixed with the world longer than you have, and I think otherwise."

Several more days passed, during which no defences were thrown up, and
the confusion and quarrelling in the army continued to increase, until
at last news arrived that Cromwell was within half a day's march of
them, and that he had collected all the militia on his route, and was
now in numbers nearly double to those in the king's army. All was
amazement and confusion--nothing had been done--no arrangements had been
made--and Chaloner told Edward that all was lost if immediate steps were
not taken.

On the 3rd of October the army of Cromwell appeared in sight. Edward
had been on horseback, attending the king, for the best part of the
night; the disposition of the troops had been made as well as it could;
and it was concluded, as Cromwell's army remained quiet, that no attempt
would be made on that day. About noon the king returned to his lodging,
to take some refreshment after his fatigue. Edward wa