Without another word they made their way down to the postern, passed through it, and replaced the piece of wood in its position, in the faint hope that it might escape notice.  Then they rejoined the driver with the cart, paid him handsomely, and told him that his services would not be required that night at least.  They then returned to their lodgings in the town.  The next morning early Jacob started for Cowes to buy some sharp files and aquafortis, but an hour later the news passed through Newport that an attempt had been made in the night to free the king, that a hole had been cut in the postern, and the marks of footsteps discovered under the king’s window.  Perceiving that it would be useless to renew the attempt now that the suspicions of the garrison were aroused, Harry and William Long, fearing that a search would be instituted, at once started for Cowes.  They met Jacob close to that town, crossed in a boat to the mainland, and walked to Southampton.  They hesitated whether they should join Lord Goring, who had risen in Kent, or Lord Capel and Sir Charles Lucas, who had collected a large force at Colchester.  They determined upon the latter course, as the movement appeared to promise a better chance of success.  Taking passage in a coaster, they sailed to the mouth of the Thames, and being landed near Tilbury, made their way to Colchester.  Harry was, on his arrival, welcomed by the Royalist leaders, who were well acquainted with him.  They proposed to march upon London, which would, they felt sure, declare for the king upon their approach.  They had scarcely set their force in motion when they heard that Fairfax, at the head of an army, was marching against them.  A debate was held among the leaders as to the best course to pursue.  Some were for marching north, but the eastern counties had, from the commencement of the troubles, been wholly on the side of the Parliament.  Others were for dispersing the bands, and awaiting a better opportunity for a rising.  Sir Charles Lucas, however, urged that they should defend Colchester to the last.

“Here,” he said, “we are doing good service to the Royal cause, and by detaining Fairfax here, we shall give time to our friends in Wales, Kent, and other parts to rise and organize.  If it is seen that whenever we meet the Roundheads we disperse at once, hope and confidence will be lost.”

The next day the town was invested by Fairfax, and shortly after the siege began in earnest.  The Royalists fought with great bravery, and for two months every attempt of the Roundheads to storm the place was repulsed.  At length, however, supplies ran short, several breaches had been made in the walls by the Roundhead artillery, and a council of war was held, at which it was decided that further resistance was useless, and would only inflict a great slaughter upon their followers, who, in the event of surrender, would for the most part be permitted to return to their homes.  Harry Furness was present at the