to two regiments, which had presumed to come on the ground without orders.  The first, after some debate, submitted; the second was more obstinate.  The privates had expelled the majority of the officers, and wore round their hats this motto:  “The people’s freedom, and the soldiers’ rights.”  Cromwell darted into the ranks to seize the ringleaders; his intrepidity daunted the mutineers; one man was immediately shot, two more were tried and condemned on the spot, and several others were reserved as pledges for the submission of their comrades.[1] By this act of vigour it was thought that subordination had been restored; but Cromwell soon discovered that the Levellers constituted two-thirds of the military force, and that it was necessary for him to retrace his steps, if he wished to retain his former influence.  With that view he made a public acknowledgment of his error, and a solemn promise to stand or fall with the army.  The conversion of the sinner was hailed with acclamations of joy, a solemn fast was kept to celebrate the event; and Cromwell in the assembly of officers confessed, weeping as he spoke,

[Footnote 1:  Whitelock, 278.  Journals, ix. 527.  Ludlow, i. 192.  It was reported among the soldiers that the king had promised to Cromwell the title of earl with a blue ribbon, to his son the office of gentleman of the bedchamber to the prince, and to Ireton the command of the forces in Ireland.—­Holles, 127.]

that “his eyes, dazzled by the glory of the world, had not clearly discerned the work of the Lord; and therefore he humbled himself before them, and desired the prayers of the saints that God would forgive his self-seeking.”  His fellow-delinquent Ireton followed in the same repentant strain; both poured forth their souls before God in fervent and extemporary prayer; and “never,” so we are assured, “did more harmonious music ascend to the ear of the Almighty."[1]

The king had yet no reason to repent of his confidence in Hammond; but that governor, while he granted every indulgence to his captive, had no intention of separating his own lot from that of the army.  He consulted the officers at the head-quarters, and secretly resolved to adhere to their instructions.  Charles recommenced his former intrigues.  Through the agency of Dr. Gough, one of the queen’s chaplains, he sought to prevail on the Scottish commissioners to recede from their demand that he should confirm the covenant:  he sent Sir John Berkeley to Cromwell and his friends, to remind them of their promises, and to solicit their aid towards a personal treaty; and by a message[a] to the parliament he proposed, in addition to his former offers, to surrender the command of the army during his life, to exchange the profits of the Court of Wards for a yearly income, and to provide funds for the discharge of the moneys due to the military and to the public creditors.  The neglect with which this message was received, and the discouraging answer[b] returned by the officers, awakened his apprehensions; they were confirmed by the Scottish