The Yale expositor., 1903-03-20

~
was clear
Cromwell himself had gone north
ward 20 Perth. and on the second OF
August he took possession OF that
city. but while entered Il was told
that Charles Stuart. with fourteen
thousand men, had suddenly left
Stirling and was marching towards
England. Charles had taken the west.
ern road by Carlisle. and IL was
thought he would make for London.
He went az n flying speed past York.
Nottingham. Coventry. until he reached
the borders OF Shropshire Al Shrews.
bury he found the gates shut against
him and his men were so dlsheartened
that the king turned westward to
Worcester. a city reported to be loyal.
where he was received with every
show OF honor and affection.
Meanwhile Cromwell was following
Charles with n steady swiftness that
had something fateful in Il. This was
10 be the last battle OF the civil war.
and Cromwell knew IT, There was in
his soul. even at Perth. the assurance
of vbstory. and as he passed through
the towns and villages of England.
men would not be restrained. They
threw down the sickle and the spade
In the field. the hammer in the forge.
the plane at the bench. and catching
hold Of the stirrups Of the riders. ran
with them to the hating place. So.
with his ten thousand troops aug.
mented 20 thirty thousand. he reached
Warwick. and making his headquar.
tiers at the pretty village OF Keynton
near by. he gave his mon time 10
draw breath and called a council Of
war
Cromwell sat at the upper end OF
long table. rough map Of the coun.
try around Worcester lay before him.
and Harrison. Lambert. Israel Swan.
ham and Lord Evesham were his com.
panions. There were two tallOw can
dies on the table. and their light
shone on the face OF Cromwell. At
that moment IL was full OF mclan.
choly. but he saw In an instant the
entrance OF Neville, and with an al.
most imperccptible movement com.
mandod his approach.
Neville laid the letters OF which he
was the bearer before Cromwell. and
his large hand Immediately covered
them. is all well?" he asked-and
reading the answer in the youths
face. added. Il thank Cod What then
of the city"
Its panic is beyond describing" an.
swcred Neville. Parliament Is beside
itself But London 90 manlfestly with
the Commonwealth. and every man in
10 Is looking 10 you and 20 the army
Tor protection. Some. indeed, | met
who had lost heart. and who thought
Il better that Charles Stuart should
come back than that England should
become a graveyard fighting him
such men are sucked slaves, said
Lambert Il would hang them with.
out word or warrant for H."
Yea" said Cromwell. fer Freedom
l. dead In them. From here there are
two courses open 20 us, right one
and n wrong one. What say you,
LAMBERT"
Il say IL were well TO turn our noses
to London. and 90 let the rogues know
We are coming"
What Is your thought. Harrison
Worcester Is well defended. ne an
swerod musingly. 1t has Wales be.
hind H. We cannot fight Charles
Stuart TIN We compass the city. and 10
do that we must be on both sides OF
the river"
Flight him said Lord Eyesham,
better now than later"
Fight him, That, tell you. Is my
mind also." said Cromwell striking tbs
table with his cllnchcd hand. Some
may Judge otherwise. but think while
we held Charles Stuart safe. London
/ is safe also. God has chosen this
battlefield FOR rs. as lie chose Dunbar.
But there must be no slackness. The
work Is 20 be thorough. and not TO
| do over again. The nation wishes II
so. | know Il. The plain truth is
we will march straight on Worcester:
we will cW of Charles Stuart from
all hope OF London; we Will fight him
| from both sides OF the river. and
bring this matter OF the Stuarts to an
end"
(To be continued)