farmer. To this man Charles
intrusted himself. The man had dignity of sentiments much above his
condition, and though death was denounced against all who concealed the
king, and a great reward promised to any one who should betray him, he
professed and maintained unshaken fidelity. He took the assistance of
his four brothers, equally honorable with himself: and having clothed
the king in a garb like their own, they led him into the neighboring
wood, put a bill in his hand, and pretended to employ themselves in
cutting fagots. Some nights he lay upon straw in the house, and fed on
such homely fare as it afforded. For a better concealment, he mounted
upon an oak, where he sheltered himself among the leaves and branches
for twenty-four hours. He saw several soldiers pass by. All of them were
intent in search of the king; and some expressed in his hearing their
earnest wishes of seizing him. This tree was afterwards denominated
the royal oak, and for many years was regarded by the neighborhood with
great veneration.

Charles was in the middle of the kingdom, and could neither stay in
his retreat, nor stir a step from it, without the most imminent danger.
Fears, hopes, and party zeal interested multitudes to discover him; and
even the smallest indiscretion of his friends might prove fatal. Having
joined Lord Wilmot, who was skulking in the neighborhood, they agreed to
put themselves into the hands of Colonel Lane, a zealous royalist, who
lived at Bentley, not many miles distant. The king's feet were so hurt
by walking about in heavy boots or countrymen's shoes which did not fit
him, that he was obliged to mount on horseback; and he travelled in
this situation to Bentley, attended by the Penderells, who had been so
faithful to him. Lane formed a scheme for his journey to Bristol, where,
it was hoped, he would find a ship in which he might transport himself.
He had a near kinswoman, Mrs. Norton, who lived within three miles of
that city, and was with child, very near the time of her delivery. He
obtained a pass (for during those times of confusion this precaution was
requisite) for his sister, Jane Lane, and a servant, to travel towards
Bristol, under pretence of visiting and attending her relation. The king
rode before the lady, and personated the servant.

When they arrived at Norton's, Mrs. Lane pretended that she had brought
along, as her servant, a poor lad, a neighboring farmer's son, who was
ill of an ague; and she be