CHAPTER VI.

  HAGLEY.

  Robert Winter, it may be remembered, immediately after the explosion,quitted Holbeach, and did not return to it. He proceeded to theneighbouring thicket, and while wandering about in a state bordering ondistraction encountered Stephen Littleton, who had likewise deserted hiscompanions on the same day. Acquainting him with the disastrousoccurrence that had taken place, and stating his impression that bothGod and man were against them, and that it would be vain as well asimpious to struggle longer, he proposed to him to surrender. But StephenLittleton so strongly combated this opinion, that he at last consentedto make an effort to escape. This, however, was no easy matter, norcould they devise a plan that appeared feasible. Both were well providedwith money; but under present circumstances it would be of little use tothem. A large price being set on their heads, and the whole countryalarmed, they scarcely knew where to seek shelter. After a long debate,they quitted the covert, and keeping clear of all habitations, took thedirection of Stourbridge.

  On approaching the Stour, at a point opposite Churchill, where they knewthe river was fordable, they perceived Sir Richard Walsh's forceapproaching, and threw themselves into a ditch to avoid observation. Itwas quite dark when they again ventured forth, and at the peril of theirlives they forded the Stour, which was swollen more than it had been inthe morning by the long-continued rain. Their design was to proceed toHagley, the residence of Stephen Littleton's sister, Mrs. Littleton, andto claim her protection. This magnificent mansion lay about two miles onthe other side of the river, in the heart of an extensive park, but theywere obliged to take a circuitous route of nearly double the distance toreach it, and when at length they arrived there, and were about tosteal into the court-yard; they found it occupied by a portion of SirRichard Walsh's troop.

  Overcome by anxiety and fatigue, and scarcely knowing whither toproceed, they recrossed the park, and sought out the cottage of a poorwoman, whose two sons had joined their ill-fated expedition, and were atthat moment under arms at Holbeach. She was a good Catholic, and theythought they might confide in her. Arriving at her cottage, they glancedin at the window, and perceiving her, as they concluded, alone, andcooking a small piece of meat at the fire, they raised the latch, andentered the house. The woman turned at their approach, and uttering acry of surprise and alarm, pointed towards a back room. They then sawthat they had betrayed themselves; but the caution came too late, and astalwart trooper, alarmed by the cry, issued from the back room. Fromthe wretched appearance of the new-comers, he at once guessed that theywere rebels, and felt satisfied, from the richness of their apparel,dirtied and stained as it was, that they were persons of consequence.Accordingly, he drew a brace of petronels, and holding them at theirheads, commanded them to surrender.

  They were too much taken by surprise, and too enfeebled to offerresistance, and the trooper calling to the old woman to bring a cord tobind them, at the same time unloosed his own girdle, with which hefastened Robert Winter's arms behind his back. In doing this, he wascompelled to lay down his petronels, and he had scarcely done so, whenthe woman snatched them up, and gave them to Stephen Littleton, whopresented them at his head.

  It was now the turn of the conspirators to triumph. In another instant,Robert Winter was released by the old woman, and the pair throwingthemselves upon the trooper, forced him to the ground. They then draggedhim to the back room, and stripped him of his habiliments, which StephenLittleton put on instead of his own attire, and binding him hand andfoot, returned to the old woman. At the request of Robert Winter, shefurnished him with a suit of clothes belonging to one of her sons, andthen set before them the best eatables she possessed. They wereravenously hungry, and soon disposed of the viands. Meanwhile, theirhostess told them that the whole country was in arms against them; thatMrs. Littleton being suspected, though she had always been adverse tothe design, her house had undergone a rigorous search; but that Mr.Humphrey Littleton, not having taken any part in the insurrection, hadnot as yet been arrested, though it was feared he would be proved to beconnected with the plot. She concluded by strongly counselling them touse the utmost caution, and to expose themselves as little as possible.They assured her she need have no apprehension on that score, andexpressed great anxiety as to what would befal her when they were pone.

  "I do not desire to shed blood, if it can be helped," said StephenLittleton; "but in a case of necessity, like the present, where lifemust be weighed against life, I hold it lawful to shed it. Shall we putthe trooper to death?"

  "Not unless your own safety requires it, good sirs," she said. "I shallquit this cottage soon after you have left it, and obtain a safe asylumwith one of my neighbours. It matters not what becomes of me. Havinglost my two sons,--for I consider them as already dead,--I have nothingleft to bind me to life."

  Unable to make any reply, the conspirators remained for some timesilent, when, by the poor woman's advice, they withdrew to an upperchamber, and stretching themselves on a bed, sought a few hours' repose.The old woman kept watch below, and they gave her one of the petronels,with strict injunctions to blow out the trooper's brains if he attemptedto move. Nothing, however, occurred to alarm her, and at three o'clockshe awakened them.

  Offering the woman a handsome reward, which, however, she declined, theythen set out; and shortly afterwards their hostess quitted herhabitation, and withdrew to the cottage of a neighbour, where sheremained concealed for some weeks, and then died of grief on learningthat her sons had been slain during the assault of Holbeach by theroyalists.

  Recruited by the rest they had enjoyed, the conspirators pursued theircourse over the fields. The weather was the same as that whichdisheartened their confederates at Holbeach, and the rain fell soheavily that they had soon not a dry thread upon them. But being nowdisguised, they were not under so much apprehension of detection.Shaping their course towards Rowley Regis, in Staffordshire, which layabout five miles from Hagley, where a farmer named Pelborrow, a tenantof Humphrey Littleton, resided, and whom they thought would befriendthem, they proceeded swiftly on their way; but, though well acquaintedwith the country, they were so bewildered and deceived by the fog, thatthey strayed materially out of their course, and when it grew lightfound themselves near Weoley Castle, and about four miles fromBirmingham.

  Confiding in their disguises, and in their power of sustaining thecharacters they assumed, they got into the high road, and approaching afarm-house, Stephen Littleton, who had tied his companion's arms behindhim with his belt, represented himself as a trooper conveying a prisonerfrom Stourbridge to Birmingham, and in consequence of this obtained abreakfast from the farmer. After their meal was over, the host, who hadeyed them suspiciously, observed to the supposed trooper,--

  "You will overtake some of your comrades before you reach Egbaston, andhad better lose no time in joining them. You are known to me, mymasters," he added, in a tone that could not be heard by the household;"but I will not betray you. Get you gone."

  The conspirators did not fail to act upon the suggestion, and as soon asthey got out of sight, struck across the county in the direction ofRowley Regis, and arrived at the farm-house which was their destinationin about an hour.

  Pelborrow chanced to be in a barn adjoining his house, and alone, and onseeing them readily offered to hide them. No one had noticed theirapproach, and carefully concealing them amid the hay in the loft, heproceeded about his business as if nothing had happened. He could notjust then procure them provisions without exciting suspicion; but whennight arrived brought them a sufficient supply for the next day.

  In this way they passed nearly a week, never venturing to stir forth,for they had been traced to the neighbourhood, and constant search wasgoing on after them. Pelborrow had great difficulty in keeping his menout of the barn, and the disappearance of the provisions excited thesuspicions of his female domestics, who began to think all was notright. He therefore intimated to the conspirators that they must changetheir quarters, and in the dead of the night, they removed
to the houseof another farmer named Perkes, residing on the borders of Hagley Park,to whom Pelborrow had confided the secret of their being in theneighbourhood, and who, on promise of a large reward, readily undertookto secrete them.

  Perkes met them at a little distance from his house, and conducted themto a barley-mow, where he had contrived a hiding-place amid the strawfor them. A woman-servant and a man were both let into the secret byPerkes, and a sum of money, given him for that purpose by theconspirators, bribed them to silence. Here they remained closeprisoners, unable to stir forth, or even to change their habiliments fornearly six weeks, during which time they received constant intelligencefrom their protector of what was going forward, and learnt that thesearch for them had not relaxed. They were not without hope, however,that the worst was over, when an incident occurred that gave themserious uneasiness.

  One night, Perkes, who was a stout, hale yeoman, and had formerly beenwarrener to Mrs. Littleton, went to catch conies, with a companion namedPoynter, and returned laden with spoil. After drinking a cup or two ofale together, the pair separated, and Poynter feeling fatigued with hisexertions, as well as drowsy with the liquor he had swallowed,determined to pass the night in his friend's barn, and entering it,clambered up to the loft, and laid himself in the straw. In doing this,he slipped into the hole made for the conspirators, who, aroused by hisfall, instantly seized him. Terrified to death, and fancying he hadfallen into the hands of gipsies or other plunderers, Poynter roaredfor mercy, which they were not at first disposed to show him; but thepoor wretch, finding into whose hands he had fallen, besought them insuch piteous terms to spare his life, affirming with the strongest oathsthat he would never betray them, that they consented to spare him, oncondition of his remaining with them as long as they should occupy theirplace of concealment.

  When Perkes appeared in the morning, he was not a little surprised atfinding his comrade caught in such a trap, but entirely approved of thecourse taken by the conspirators. Poynter, as may be supposed, was nowilling captive; and being constantly pondering on the means of escape,and of obtaining the reward for the apprehension of the conspirators, atlast hit upon the following expedient. While engaged in the poachingexpedition with Perkes, he had received a slight wound in the leg, andthe close confinement to which he was now subjected inflamed it to sucha degree as to render it highly dangerous. This he represented to theconspirators, who, however, would not suffer him to depart; but desiredPerkes to bring him some ointment to dress his wound. The request wascomplied with, and feigning that it was necessary to approach the lightto apply the salve, Poynter scrambled up the straw, apparently for thatsole purpose. He did not attempt to fly for several days; but at last,when they were grown less suspicious, he slided down the other side ofthe loft, and made good his retreat.

  The conspirators saw the error they had committed when too late. Notdaring to pursue him, they remained in fearful anticipation of an arrestthroughout the day. But they were not disturbed until night, when Perkesmade his appearance. They told him what had happened; but he did notappear to be much alarmed.

  "I do not think you need be afraid of him," he said. "Let me have somemoney, and I will go in quest of him at once, and bribe him to silence."

  "Here are fifty marks," replied Stephen Littleton. "If that is notenough, take more."

  "It will amply suffice," replied Perkes. "I will answer for hissilence."

  This assurance greatly relieved the conspirators, and they were madecompletely easy by the return of Perkes in less than an hour afterwards,who told them he had seen Poynter, and had given him the money, bindinghim by the most solemn oaths not to betray them.

  "I have still better news for you, my masters," he added. "Mrs.Littleton has set out for London to-day; and I have received orders fromMr. Humphrey Littleton to bring you to the hall at midnight."

  This last intelligence completed their satisfaction, and they awaitedPerkes's return with impatience. Shortly before midnight, he came tosummon them, and they set forth together. Perkes's house lay about amile from the hall, and they soon entered the park. The night was clearand frosty,--it was now the middle of December,--and as the conspiratorstrod the crisp sod, and gazed at the noble but leafless trees aroundthem, they silently returned thanks to Heaven for their restoration tofreedom. Humphrey Littleton was waiting for them at the end of an avenuenear the mansion, and tenderly embraced them.

  Tears of joy were shed on both sides, and it seemed to HumphreyLittleton as if his brother had been restored from the grave. DismissingPerkes with warm thanks, and promises of a further recompence, they thenentered the house by a window, which had been left purposely open.Humphrey Littleton conducted them to his own chamber, where freshapparel was provided for them; and to poor wretches who had not beenable to put off their attire for so long a period, the luxury of thechange was indescribably great.

  The arrival of the fugitives was kept secret from all the householdexcept the man-cook, John Ocklie, upon whose fidelity Humphrey Littletonthought he could rely. A good supper was prepared by this man, andbrought up into his master's chamber, where the conspirators were nowseated before a hearth heaped with blazing logs. The conspirators neededno solicitation to fall to, and they did ample justice to the goodthings before them. His spirits being raised by the good cheer, RobertWinter observed to the cook, who was in attendance upon them,

  "Ah! Jack, thy mistress little thinks what guests are now in her house,who have neither seen fire nor tasted a hot morsel for well-nigh twomonths."

  "Ay, it is a sad matter," returned the cook, shaking his head, "and Iwish I could offer your worships a flask of wine, or a cup of stout aleat the least. But the butler is in bed, and if I were to rouse him atthis hour it might excite his suspicion. If you are willing, sir," headded, to Humphrey Littleton, "I will hie to my mother's cottage in thepark, and bring a jug of ale from her."

  This was agreed to, and the cook left the house. His sole object,however, was to instruct his mother to give the alarm, so that theconspirators might be arrested before morning.

  On reaching her cottage, he was surprised to see a light within it, andtwo men there, one of whom was Poynter, and the other Mrs. Littleton'ssteward, Robert Hazlewood. Poynter had acquainted Hazlewood with all heknew respecting the conspirators, supposing them still in thebarley-mow, and they were discussing the best means of arresting them,when the cook entered the house.

  "The birds are flown," he said, "as you will find, if you search thenest. But come to the hall with a sufficient force betimes to-morrowmorning, and I will show you where to find them. I shall claim, however,my share of the reward, though I must not appear in the matter."

  Having fully arranged their plan, he procured the ale from his mother,and returned to the hall. The conspirators soon disposed of the jug,threw themselves on a couch in the room, and instantly dropping asleep,enjoyed such repose as only falls to the lot of those who have similarlysuffered. And it was well they did sleep soundly, for it was the lasttranquil night they ever enjoyed!

  Humphrey Littleton, who, as has been stated, reposed implicit confidencein the cook, had committed the key of the chamber to him, strictlyenjoining him to call them in the morning; and the fellow, feelingsecure of his prey, retired to rest.

  About seven o'clock, he burst suddenly into the room, and with acountenance of well-feigned alarm, which struck tenor into the breastsof the conspirators, cried--

  "Master Hazlewood and the officers are below, and say they must searchthe house. Poynter is with them."

  "The villain has betrayed us!" cried Stephen Littleton. "Fools that wewere to spare his life!"

  "There is no use in lamenting your indiscretion now, sir," replied thecook; "leave it to me, and I will yet effect your escape."

  "We place ourselves entirely in your hands," said Stephen Littleton.

  "Go down stairs, sir," said the cook to Humphrey Littleton, "and holdMaster Hazlewood in conversation for a few minutes, and I will engage toget the gentlemen safely out of the
house."

  Humphrey Littleton obeyed, and descending to the steward, told him hewas willing to conduct him to every room in the house.

  "I am certain they are here, and shall not quit it till I find them,"rejoined Hazlewood. "Ah!" he exclaimed, as if struck by a suddenthought, "you say they are not in the house. Perhaps, they are in thegarden--in the summer-house? We will go and see."

  So saying, he took half-a-dozen of his men with him, leaving Poynter andthe rest with Humphrey Littleton, who was perplexed and alarmed at hisconduct.

  Meanwhile, the cook led the two conspirators along the gallery, and fromthence down a back staircase, which brought them to a small doorcommunicating with the garden. A few seconds were lost in opening it,and when they issued forth they encountered Hazlewood and his men, whoinstantly arrested them. The unfortunate conspirators were conveyedunder a strong guard to London, where they were committed to the Tower,to take their trial with their confederates.