The king was now closely confined in Carisbrook Castle.  For the first three months of his residence in the Isle of Wight he could have escaped with ease, had he chosen, and it is probable that Cromwell and the other leaders of the army would have been glad that he should go, and thus relieve the country from the inconvenience of his presence.  They had become convinced that so long as he lived quiet could not be hoped for.  While still pretending to negotiate with them, he had signed a treaty with the Scots, promising to establish Presbyterianism in England, and their army was already marching south.  To the Irish Papists he had promised free exercise of their religion, and these were taking up arms and massacring all opposed to them, as was the custom in that barbarous country.  In Wales a formidable insurrection had broken out.  Essex and Kent were up in arms, and, indeed, all through the country the Royalists were stirring.  The leaders had therefore determined upon bringing the king to trial.

At Southampton Harry found Sir John Berkeley concealed in a house where he had previously instructed Harry he might be looked for.  He told him that the king was now a close prisoner, and would assuredly escape if means could be provided.  Leaving Sir John, Harry joined his followers, and after telling them the circumstances, they walked down to the port.  Here they entered into conversation with an old sailor.  Seeing that he was an honest fellow, and in no way disposed toward the fanatics, Harry told him that he and those with him were Cavaliers, who sought to cross over into France.

“There is a boat, there,” the sailor said, pointing to a lugger which was lying at anchor among some fishing boats, “that will carry you.  The captain, Dick Wilson, is a friend of mine, and often makes a run across to France on dark nights, and brings back smuggled goods.  I know where he can be found, and will lead you to him, if it so pleases you.”  Upon their gladly accepting the offer he led them to a small inn by the water side, and introduced them to the captain of the Moonlight, for so the lugger was called.  Upon receiving a hint from the sailor that his companions wished to speak to him in private, Wilson led the way upstairs to the chamber he occupied.  Here Harry at once unfolded to him the nature of the service he required.  He was to lay with his boat off the bank of the island, making to sea before daylight, and returning after dusk, and was to take his station off a gap in the cliffs, known as Black Gang Chine, where a footpath from above descended to the beach.  Upon a light being shown three times at the water’s edge he was to send a boat immediately ashore, and embarking those whom he might find there, sail for France.  If at the end of the week none should come, he would know that his services would not be required, and might sail away whither he listed.  He was to receive fifty guineas at once for the service, and if he transported those who might come down to the shore, to France, he would, on arriving there, be paid two hundred and fifty more.