of the bedchamber to the king when he was a boy. Charles saw it
was useless longer to deny himself, and therefore said he
believed him to be a very honest man, and besought he would not
reveal what he knew to anyone. This the old man readily
promised, and faithfully kept his word. Having spent a couple of
days at Norton's, the king, by advice of Lord Wilmot, went to the
house of a true friend and loyal man, one Colonel Windham, who
lived at Trent. This town was notable as a very hotbed of
republicanism; a proof of which was afforded his majesty on the
very day of his entrance. As he rode into the principal street,
still disguised as a waiting man to Mistress Lane, he heard a
great ringing of bells, and the tumult of many voices, and saw a
vast concourse of people gathered in the churchyard close by. On
asking the cause he was informed one of Cromwell's troopers was
telling the people he had killed Charles Stuart, whose buff coat
he then wore; whereon the rebels rang the church bells, and were
about to make a great bonfire for joy.

Having brought him to Trent, Mistress Lane returned home,
carrying with her the king's friendship and gratitude, of which
he gave her ample proof when he came unto the throne. Charles
stayed at Colonel Windham's over a week, whilst that gallant man
was secretly striving to hire a ship for his majesty's safe
transportation into France. Presently succeeding in this object,
the king, yet wearing his livery, and now riding before Mistress
Judith Coningsby, cousin of Colonel Windham, started with high
hopes for Lyme; but at the last moment the captain of the vessel
failed him, and he was again left in a state of painful
uncertainty and danger. Lord Wilmot was sent to ascertain the
cause of this disappointment, and for greater safety the king