bodies. Here were to be seen some that begged relief, and then
again others weltering in their own gore, who desired that at
once an end might be put to their lives and miseries. The dead
bodies lay unburied for the space of three days or more, which
was a loathsome spectacle that increased the horror of the
action."

Concerning his subsequent dangers and narrow escapes, the king,
in his days of peace and prosperity, was wont to discourse at
length, for they had left impressions on his mind which lasted
through life. Edward Hyde, Lord Clarendon, his Lord High
Chancellor, Dr. George Bate, his learned physician, and Samuel
Pepys, Esquire, sometime Surveyor-General to the Victualling
Office, have preserved the records of that time of peril, as told
by his majesty. True, their various stories differ in minor
details, but they agree in principal facts. The king had not
ridden many miles from Worcester when he found himself surrounded
by about four thousand of his army, including the Scots under the
command of Leslie. Though they would not fight for him, they
were ready enough to fly with him. At first he thought of
betaking himself to Scotland; but having had sad proof of the
untrustworthy character of those with whom he travelled, he
feared they would further betray him if pursued by the enemy. He
therefore resolved to reach London before the news of his defeat
arrived thither, and make his escape from thence; but this scheme
presented many difficulties. Amongst the persons of quality who
accompanied him were my Lord Duke of Buckingham, the Earls of
Derby and Lauderdale, and the Lords Wilmot and Talbot. During
their journey it fell from my Lord Derby's lips, that when he had
been defeated at Wigan, one Pendrell, an honest labourer and a