CHAPTER I
THE ISSUE WITH THE KING
On a summer afternoon in the year 1647, an officer, with a small escort of arquebusiers, rode from Putney to Hampton village, and turning briskly towards the palace, passed unchallenged, and saluted by the sentries, through the great iron gates, over the moat, and stopped at the principal entrance.
The captain of the guard-house came out.
"'Tis Lieutenant-General Cromwell!" he exclaimed.
"Ah, Colonel Parsons," returned the other pleasantly. "I do recall that thou went here——"
"Things have changed since we besieged Oxford, sir," said Parsons.
"Ay, and gotten themselves into a fine confusion," replied Cromwell; "but I will see the King. Tell His Majesty who waits."
"Nay, sir, step in," said Parsons; "the days are gone by when men had to wait for an audience of His Majesty."