The Arkansas advocate., 1830-05-12
VARIETY. 1.
N AFFECTING INCIDENT

tending against the scattered forces oi the King. William Mortimer, young
 and Jealous loyalist, used everyexeFtion to forward the success ofhis lawful mon- arch. He left his family, then living in retirement near Chepstow7 to join the standard of Charles, who was marching with an army from Scotland into the southern part of the country, expecting
 to be reinforced by his friends, and all those who were discontented with the wild enthusiasm of Cromwell and his followers. These expectations were in
 a great measure, disappointed. The
 royalists, in general, were not aware of their Kings approach, and the Scotch
 on whose assistance he had confidently relied, were deterred from uniting with
 them unless they previously subscribed
 to the covenant. In this posture of af-
 fairs Charles encamped at Worcester, and was compelled to hazard that fatal
 battle, the result of which is 50 well
 known. Mortimer was one of the few, who escaping from the field, accompa-
 nied the kingin his flight; and although
 history is silent upon the subject, it has
 been handed down by tradition, that
 Charles dismissing all his faithful atten-
 dants, for fear of hazarding discovery, and accompanied only by William, who
 was well acquainted with the localities of the country, resolved, if possible to escape into Wales. The attempt how
 ever, was frustrated by means of the Va gious passes of the Severn being so we'll guarded by soldiers, who were every where eager for his apprehension, not so much in obedience to the commands of their generals, as on account of the
 immense reward that was offered for his
 person. Not dismayed at this unexpec-
 ted failure, they travelled by night {hid-
 ing themselves in marshes and among
 the river reeds in the day time) and
 with much peril and exertion, eontrived
 to reach Monmouth. Here they soon
 perceived thatit was impossible for them
 to remain long without being discover ed; and Mortimer, having arranged his plans accordingly, seized little boat ton
 the banks of the Wye, and covering the
 King with the bark of trees, suffered
 the vessel, during the night, to be car ried by the current till it reached a range of romantic rocks, on the banks of the above mentioned river. Here they landed, and letting the boat drift with the stream, to elude pursuit seere- ted themselves in the natural recess of the cliffs. Mortimer had sufficient con hdence in the faith of a young lady, to whom he was betrothed, to confde to her the secret of the King; and as he was afraid to make his appearance near q place where he was so well known. this loyal and afectionate girl, at the hazard ofher own lifeandhonor brought them, at the dead of night their proVis- ion. One fatal night she was traced to the spot by militia man, who was eagerfor the destruction of his sovereign, and on her return was seized and con fined by this ruthless traitor. In the meanwhile, Mortimer, fearful that dis covery might take place from these mid night interviews, in a neighborhood
 wherehe was so well known. and anx- lous for the farther safety of his royal master, whose danger was increased by delay, yentured to descend from their secret cave, to the residence of a peas ant who was under the greatest obliga- tions to him, and informed him that a friend of his, cavalier, who had escap- ed from the battle of Worcester. was anxious to get out of the country. The old man was sworn to secresy, and the King was immediately confded to his care. Mortimer then retired to his hi- ding place, with the intention of passing the remainder of the night, but his pur. suers, with their hot blood-hounds. were then hunting about the spot, he saw the light of their torches glaring among the caxerns, and heard the cliffs re-echo the bowling of the wolf dogs, as they ford- ed the river, and climbed the precipices. in the eager pursuit of their prey. He attempted to retreat, but in vain; the monsters of death were already fast ap- preaching, and after short, but desper- ate struggle, hesank down, bleeding and exhausted under their greedy fangs.
 The pnrsuers called off their dogs in Or der to save his life, that they might ex- tort from him confession of the Kings retreat; they succeeded in muzzling the ferocious animals; but when they lifted their victimfromthe blood-stainedsward where he had faRen, they found him stiff and cold in fha ar,sac If I Al..-