In the course of the first day’s journey they met several parties of Roundhead horse, who plied them with questions as to whether they had seen any parties of fugitives.  Making a detour, they rode toward Gloucester, not intending to enter that town, where there was a Parliamentary garrison, but to cross the river higher up.  They stopped for the night at a wayside inn, where they heard much talk concerning the battle, and learned that all the fords were guarded to prevent fugitives crossing into Wales, and that none might pass who could not give a good account of themselves.  They heard, too, that on the evening before a proclamation had been made at Gloucester and other towns offering a reward of a thousand pounds for the capture of Charles, and threatening all with the penalties of treason who should venture to aid or shelter him; a systematic watch was being set on all the roads.

They determined to ride again next morning toward Worcester, and to remain in that neighborhood for some days, judging that less inquiry would be made there than elsewhere.  This they did, but journeyed very slowly, and slept a mile or two from Worcester.

Before reaching their halting-place they took off a shoe from Mike’s horse, and with a nail wounded the frog of the foot, so that the animal walked lame.  Under this pretense they stopped three days, feigning great annoyance at the delay.  They found now that orders had been issued that none should journey on the roads save those who had passes, and these had to be shown before entering any of the large towns.  They therefore resolved to leave their horses, and to proceed on foot, as they could then travel by byways and across the country.  There was some debate as to the best guise in which to travel, but it was presently determined to go as Egyptians, as the gypsies were then called.  Harry walked into Worcester, and there, at the shop of a dealer in old clothes, procured such garments as were needed, and at an apothecary’s purchased some dyes for staining the skin.

The next day, telling the landlord that they should leave the lame horse with him until their return, they started as before, Mike walking instead of riding.  They presently left the main road, and finding a convenient place in a wood, changed their attire.  Harry and Mike were dressed in ragged clothes, with bright handkerchiefs round their necks, and others round their heads.  Jacob still retained his attire as a woman, with a tattered shawl round his shoulders, and a red handkerchief over his head.  All darkened their faces and hands.  They took the saddle from the horse, and placed the bundles, containing the clothes they had taken off, on his back.  Mike took the bridle, Harry and Jacob walked beside, and so they continued for some miles along the lonely roads, until they came to a farmhouse.  Here they stopped.  The farmer came out, and roughly demanded what they wanted.  Harry replied that he wanted to sell their horse, and would take a small sum for it.