Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-05-16
AN AFFECTING INCIDENT.

English nation was convulsed with
civil discord, and Cromwell with his
partisans were contending against
the scattered forces of the king,
William Mortimer, a young and
Jealous loyalist, used every exertion
to forward the success of his lawful
monarch. He left his family, then
living in retirement near Chepstow,
to join the standard of Charles, who
was marching with an army from
Scotland into the southern part of
the country, expecting to be rein
forced by his friends, and all those
who were disconnected with the
wild enthusiasm Of Cromwell and
his followers. These expectations
were, in great measure, disappoint-
ed. The royalists in general were
not aware of their kings approach,
and the Scotch, on whose help he
confdingly relied, were deferred
from uniting with them unless they
previously subscribed to the COW
enant.
In this posture of affairs Charles
encamped at Worcester, and was
compelled to hazard that fatal bat
tie, the result of which is so well
known. Mortimer was one of the
few who, escaping from the field,
accompanied the king'in his flight;
and although history is silent upon
the subject, it has been handed down
by tradition, that Charles, dismis-
sing all his faithful attendants 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, however, was frustrat-
ed by means of the various passes
being so well guarded by soldiers
who were everywhere eager for his
apprehension, not so much in obed.
fence to the commands of their gen.
erals, as on account of the immense
reward that was offered for his per.
son. Not dismayed at this unex-
pected failure, they travelled by
night hiding themselves in marshes
and among the river reeds in the
daytime,) and, with much peril and
exertion, contrived to reach Mon.
mouth. Here they soon perceived
that it was impossible for them to
remain long without being discov.
cred; and Mortimer, having arrang.
ed his plans accordingly, seized 6
little boat on the banks of the
Whe, and covering the king with
the bark Of trees, suffered the vessel
during the night, to be carried down
by the current till it reached range
of romantic rocks on the banks OF
the above mentioned river. Here
they landed, and, letting the boat
adrift with the stream, to elude pur.
suit, secreted themselves in the ma
tural recesses Of the cliffs.
Mortimer had sufficient confidence
in the faith of young lady, to
whom he was betrothed, to confide
to her the secret of the king; and
as he was afraid to make his ap-
pearance near a place where he was
so well known, this loyal and affec-
tionate girl, at the hazard Of her
own life and honor, brought them
at the dead of the night their pro-
vision.
One fatal night she was traced
to the spot by a militia-man, who
was eager for the destruction of his
sovereign, and on her return was
seized and confined by this ruthless
traitor.
In the meatime, Mortimer, fearing
that discovery might take place
from these midnight interviews in
a neighborhood where he was SO
well known, and anxious for the
further safety Of his royal master,