aylaid and searched by a party of strange
horsemen in steel saddles, "under the gallows at the hill top," at
Fair-mile, near Sir Peter Carew's house. His person had been mistaken,
it seemed, but questions were asked, inquiries made, and ugly language
had been used about the queen. On Carew's arrival the ferment
increased. One of his lacqueys, mistaking intention for fact,
whispered in Exeter that "my Lord of Devonshire was at Mohun's
Ottery."[203] Six horses heavily loaded passed in, at midnight,
through the city gates. The panniers were filled with harness and
hand-guns from Sir Peter's castle at Dartmouth.[204] Sir John
Chichester, Sir Arthur Champernowne, Peter and Gawen Carew, and Gybbes
of Silverton, had met in private, rumour said for no good purpose; and
the Exeter Catholics were anxious and agitated. They had been all
disarmed after the insurrection of 1549, the castle was in ruins, the
city walls were falling down. Should Courtenay come, the worst
consequences were anticipated.

[Footnote 203: The house of Sir Peter Carew.]

[Footnote 204: Miscellaneous Depositions on the
State of Devonshire: _MS. Domestic, Mary_, vol. ii.
State Paper Office.]

But Courtenay did not come. After Carew had left London, he became
nervous; when the horses were reported to be ready, he lingered about
the court; he flattered himself that the queen {p.089} had changed
her mind in his favour; and two nights before the completion of the
treaty he sate up, affecting to expect to be sent for to marry her on
the spot.[205] Finding the message did not arrive, he gave an order to
his tailor to prepare a splendid court costume, adding perhaps some
boasting words, which were carried to Gardiner. The chancellor's
regard for him was sincere, and went beyond a desire to make him
politically useful. He sent for him, cross-questioned him, and by the
influence of a strong mind over a weak one, drew out as much as
Courtenay knew of the secrets of the plot.[206]

[Footnote 205: Instructions to la Marque: Noailles,
vol. iii. p. 25, etc.]

[Footnote 206: Noailles to the King of France:
_Ambassades_, vol. iii. p. 31.]

The intention was to delay, if possible, an open declaration of
rebellion a few weeks longer--till the Prince of Spain's arrival
should raise the ferment to boiling point. Gardiner,