The next morning, soon after daybreak, Harry and his followers left Furness Hall, and arrived the same night at Hampton.  Here they put up at a hostelry, and Harry sent a messenger to Lord Ashburnham, who had summoned him, and was in attendance upon the king, to say that he had arrived.

An hour later Lord Ashburnham joined him.  “I am glad you have come, Master Furness,” he said.  “The king needs faithful servants; and it’s well that you have come to-day, as I have been ordered by those in power to remove from the king’s person.  His majesty has lost all hope of coming to an agreement with either party here.  At one time it seemed that Cromwell and Ireton were like to have joined him, but a letter of the king’s, in which he spoke of them somewhat discourteously, fell into their hands, and they have now given themselves wholly over to the party most furious against the king.  Therefore he has resolved to fly.  Do you move from hence and take up your quarters at Kingston, where no curious questions are likely to be asked you.  I shall take lodgings at Ditton, and shall there await orders from the king.  It may be that he will change his mind, but of this Major Legg, who attends him in his bedchamber, will notify us.  Our design is to ride to the coast near Southampton and there take ship, and embark for France.  It is not likely that we shall be attacked by the way, but as the king may be recognized in any town through which we may pass, it is as well to have half a dozen good swords on which we can rely.”

“I have with me,” Harry said, “my friend Jacob, who was lieutenant in my troop, and who can wield a sword well, and one of my old troopers, a stout and active lad.  You can rely upon them as on me.”

Lord Ashburnham stayed but a few minutes with Harry, and then mounted and rode to Ditton, while Harry the same afternoon journeyed on into Kingston, and there took up his lodgings.  On the 11th of November, three days after their arrival, Harry received a message from Lord Ashburnham, asking him to ride over to Ditton.  At his lodgings there he found Sir John Berkeley.  Major Legg shortly after arrived, and told them that the king had determined, when he went into his private room for evening prayer, to slip away, and make for the river side, where they were to be in readiness for him with horses.  Harry had brought his followers with him, and had left them at an inn while he visited Lord Ashburnham.  William Long at once rode back to Kingston, and there purchased two good horses, with saddles, for the king and Major Legg.  At seven in the evening the party mounted, William Long and Jacob each leading a spare horse.  Lord Ashburnham and Sir John Berkeley joined them outside the village, and they rode together until, crossing the bridge at Hampton, they stopped on the river bank, at the point arranged, near the palace.  Half an hour passed, and then footsteps were heard, and two figures approached.  Not a word was spoken until they were near enough to discern their faces.