After some experience had of the horse, his Majesty complain'd, It was the heaviest dull jade he ever rode on, to which (Humphry the owner of him) answer'd (beyond the usual notion of a miller,) My Leige! Can you blame the horse to goe heavily, when he has the weight of three kingdoms on his back?
When his Majesty came to Penford Mill, within two miles of Mr. Whitgreaves house, his guides desired him to alight and goe on foot the rest of the way, for more security, the foot way being the more privat and the nearer, and at last they arriv'd at the place appointed by Mr. Huddleston, (which was a little grove of trees in a close of Mr. Whitgreaves cal'd the Pit-leasow,) in order to his Majesties being privatly convey'd into Mr. Whitgreaves house; William, Humphry, and George, returned with the horse, the other three attended his Majesty to the house; but his Majesty, being gon a little way, had forgot (it seems) to bid farewel to William and the rest, who were going back, so he cal'd to them and said, My troubles make me forget myself, I thank you all, and gave them his hand to kiss.
The Lord Wilmot, in pursuance of his own appointment; came to the meeting place at his hour, where Mr. Whitgreave receiv'd him and conveyd him to his old chamber, but hearing nothing of the King at his prefixed time, gave occasion to suspect some misfortune might have befaln him, though the night was very dark and rainy, which might possibly be the occasion of so long stay; Mr. Whitgreave therefore leaves my Lord in his chamber, and goes to Pit-leasow, where Mr. Huddleston attended his Majesties coming, and about two hours after the time appointed his Majesty came, whom Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston, convey'd, with much satisfaction into the house to my Lord, who expected him with great solicitude, and presently kneel'd down and embraced his Majesties knees, who kiss'd my Lord on the cheek, and ask'd him earnestly, what is become of Buckingham, Cleveland, and others? To which my Lord could give little satisfaction, but hop'd they were safe.
My Lord (addressing himself to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston,) said, though I have conceal'd my friends name all this while, now I must tell you, this is my master, your master, and the master of us all; not knowing that they understood it was the King; Whereupon his Majesty was pleased to give his hand to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston to kiss, and told them he had receiv'd such an account from my Lord Wilmot of their fidelity, that he should never forget it; and presently ask'd Mr. Whitgreave, where is your secret place? which being shew'd his Majesty, he was pleas'd therewith, and returning into my Lords chamber, sate down on the bed-side, where his nose fell a bleeding; and then puld out of his pocket a handkercher, suitable to the rest of his apparel, both course and dirty.
His Majesties attire, as was before observ'd in part, was then a leather-doublet, a pair of green breeches, and a jump-coat (as the country calls it) of the same green, a pair of his own stockens with the tops cut off, because embroider'd, and a pair of stirrop stockens, which were lent him at Madely, a pair of old shoos, cut and slash'd to give ease to his feet, an old grey, greasy hat without a lyning, a noggen shirt, of the coursest linnen, his face and hands made of a reechy complexion, by the help of the walnut tree leaves.
Mr. Huddleston observing the coursness of his Majesties shirt to disease him much and hinder his rest, ask'd my Lord, if the King would be pleased to change his shirt, which his Majesty condescended unto, and presently put off his course shirt and put on a flexen one of Mr. Huddleston's who pul'd off his Majesties shoos and stockens, and put him on fresh stockens, and dry'd his feet, where he found some body had innocently but indiscreetly put white paper, which, with going on foot from the place where his Majesty alighted to the house, was roll'd between his stockens and his skin, and serv'd to encrease rather than asswage the soarness of his feet.
Mr. Whitgreave had by this time brought up some biscuit and a bottle of sack, his Majesty ate of the one, and drank a good glass of the other; and, being thus refresh'd, was pleas'd to say cheerfully, I am now ready for another march; and if it shall please God once more to place me in the head of but eight or ten thousand good men, of one mind, and resolv'd to fight, I shall not doubt to drive these rogues out of my kingdoms.
It was now break of the day on Munday morning the eighth of September, and his Majesty was desirous to take some rest: In order whereto a palet was carried into one of the secret places, where his Majesty lay down, but rested not so well as his host desired, for the place was close and inconvenient, and they durst not adventure to put him into any bed in an open chamber.
After some rest taken in the hole, his Majesty got up, and was pleased to take notice of, and salute Mr. Whitgreaves mother, and (having his place of retreat still ready) sate between whiles in a closet over the porch, where he might see those that pass'd the road by the house.
Before the Lord Wilmot betook himself to his dormitory, he conferr'd with Mr. Whitgreave, and advised, that himself or Mr. Huddleston would be alwayes vigilant about the house, and give notice if any souldiers came, and (sayes this noble Lord) If it should so fall out that the rebels have intelligence of your harbouring any of the Kings party, and should therefore put you to any torture for confession, be sure you discover me first, which may happily in such case satisfie them, and preserve the King. This was the expression and care of a loyal subject, worthy eternal memory.