"That's no answer, Dick," said the king. "Speak plainly, man."
"I've already had some misgivings, sire. While these scoundrelly troopers are about, and especially when they've got an active leader, who will peer into every hole and corner, my honest opinion is that your majesty will be safer in the wood than in the house. There are no hiding-places like those of Boscobel—that I'll uphold—but your majesty's safety is too precious to be trifled with."
"Nothing must be left to chance," said Careless. "I am of Trusty Dick's opinion that till this threatened danger has blown over, your majesty will be safest in the wood. We have found a tree in which you can hide."
"I hope it is an oak," cried Charles. "I would rather owe my safety to the king of the forest than to any inferior tree."
"Truly it is an oak—a grand old oak—and hath not its peer in the forest," said Dick.
"Take me to it," said Charles.
In another minute he stood before the tree.
He was gazing at it with admiration, when William Penderel and his brother John were seen at a distance, evidently in quest of his majesty, and no sooner did they descry him than they hurried forward.
"You are looking for me, William?" said the king.