to England, to join those who stood resolute to defend their master.

But though the King's friends were too few, they were true and brave, and would have thought it a shame and sorrow to desert their Sovereign in his time of need. The royal standard was accordingly planted at Nottingham, and all loyal men summoned to gather round it.

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CHAPTER V.

THE ROYAL STANDARD.

RUPERT was quick to answer his uncle's message, and, accompanied by his brother Maurice, at once embarked for England. They met contrary winds, and Rupert's mind, as we said before, went "faster than his vessel." But at last they reached Tynemouth, on the Northumberland coast, in safety, and Rupert, with his brother, right gladly stepped on shore. Here having heard of the King's proclamation, requiring "all good subjects to meet him at Nottingham, where he was about to set up his standard on the 22nd of the month, the Princes without further delay obtained horses, and set out for that place with some few friends.

But Rupert's impetuous spirit now met an unexpected check--a trial even worse for him than the contrary winds that had so long hindered his approach to the shore. His horse fell, and he himself was thrown with violence to the ground. The fall dislocated his shoulder, and thus he was obliged to halt just when the long-expected end of his journey seemed at hand. It was very provoking, but there was no help for it. A bone

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setter was speedily found in the neighbouring country, and brought to the assistance of the Prince. Fortunately, it would seem this man was a humble friend of the King, for he would not take more than half the money offered to him for his services. One account says that Rupert resumed his journey after three hours, but it is more probable that it was three days before he was fit for hard riding. However, it is pretty certain that the Prince was in his saddle again as soon as he possibly could sit in it, and so the little party pressed forward to the meeting-place beneath their master's standard.

But Charles was not at Nottingham when his nephews at length reached that town. Restless and anxious, he had left it, after two days' residence, to try and raise some troops in Warwickshire; for it was a sad fact that the "good subjects" who so far had answered his summons were not

numerous.

The town of Coventry being just at this time threatened by the rebels, the King, at the entreaty of Lord Northampton, moved forward to take possession of it. Coventry, however, was not more faithful than Hull had been. She closed her gates, and fired on the Cavaliers sent forward by the King to demand admittance. This repulse was as unexpected as it was mortifying, and the King was obliged to send back to Nottingham for assistance.

Rupert had but just arrived there, when he was informed of this disappointing news from Coventry. He saw there must be no delay in sending help to the King, and, forgetting both his injured

shoulder and his fatiguing journey, he immediately took horse again, and set out for the scene of action.

Unhappily, he was too late. An encounter with the enemy had already taken place, and the King, defeated as much by the jealousies of his own officers as by the fighting of the rebels, had retired to Leicester. Here it was that Charles and his nephew met at last. It must have been rather a melancholy meeting, though Rupert himself was of such an impetuous and hopeful disposition that it was difficult for anyone to continue downcast in his presence. The following day had been appointed for setting up the standard, and accordingly the Royalists at once left Leicester, and proceeded to retrace their steps towards Nottingham.

It was not a very cheerful business altogether, and even Rupert failed to sustain his uncle's spirit as they drew near the town. Blood had already been shed-the blood of Englishmen ; and it appeared but too probable that much more would be shed, and many a brave young life sacrificed, before this struggle should be ended. Charles thought over these things seriously and sorrowfully. All his subjects, both the rebellious and the faithful, had been given into his charge by God, and he felt that to God he was answerable for the manner in which he ruled them. Yet he knew that he was right to stand firmly against the unfair demands that were made upon him, and to resist all attempts to deprive him of the supreme authority in his kingdom. He was a gentle and kind-hearted man, most unwilling to take up arms

against his people, but there was nothing else left for him to do.

With such thoughts as these in his mind, the King entered Nottingham on August 22, and it was remarked by the people how sad and worn he looked. After his arrival, there was some slight debate as to whether the standard should be at once set up or not. Some there were who thought it too soon to take such a decided step, before they had received the arms and ammunition which were now on the way to them from York, and while also their numbers were so small. Others, of bolder spirit, were eager to set up the standard at once; and their advice prevailed. An eminence in the park was forthwith chosen, and the standard, embroidered with the words "Give Cæsar his due," was formally carried there, in order that the King's proclamation might be publicly read beneath it. It was late in the evening, and an angry storm seemed to be getting up. The wind was already sighing and sobbing round the half-ruined castle of Nottingham, and through the waving trees. In this dreary scene the King stood beneath his standard, while a herald read aloud his proclamation; and a few faithful friends answered from their hearts, "God save the King!"

When this ceremony was over, the highest tower of the castle was selected, and the standard firmly fixed there, as was hoped. The King and the people soon retired to rest, while the standard waved high over their heads, spread out upon the wild night-wind, which seemed to grow more boisterous every hour.