"Thou be'st not king now; but Henry with the beads and breviary; and
here come thy tormentors."
A loud whistle rang through the hall, and in burst a band of armed men,
led on by Sir Thomas Talbot of Bashall, and his oldest son of the same
name, together with Sir James Harrington.
Tempest, recovered from his gripe, made a furious dart at the king; but
ere he had accomplished his purpose, Edmund Talbot rushed between, at
the peril of his life, opening a way for the terrified monarch through
the band that had nearly surrounded him.
The king fled through the passage made by his deliverer; and the dwarf,
keeping his enemies at bay, heroically and effectually covered his
retreat.
"Edmund Talbot, art thou traitor to thy kin?" said Sir Thomas, from the
crowd. "Let me pass; 'tis thy father commands thee. 'Tis not thy king,
he is a coward and a usurper."
"I care not," said the retreating and faithful Edmund. "My arm shall not
compass with traitors. Cowards attack unarmed men at their meals."
"Then take thy reward." It was the eldest brother of Edmund who said
this, whilst he aimed a terrific blow; but the dwarf caught his arm ere
it descended, and a swinging stroke from a missile which he had picked
up in the fray would have settled accounts between the heir of Bashall
and posterity had he not stepped aside.
This unequal contest, however, could not long continue, though time, the
principal object, was gained, and the king was fast hastening again
towards the cavern. In the courtyard he met Elizabeth, who implored him
to step aside into another place of concealment; but he was too much
terrified to comprehend her meaning. Fear seemed to have bewildered him,
and the poor persecuted monarch sped on to his own destruction. In the
hurry and uncertainty of his flight, he unfortunately took the wrong
path, which led by a circuitous route to the ford; and, as he stepped
out of the wood, two of his enemies, having broken through the gallant
defence of his adherents, had already gained, and were guarding, the
stepping-stones over the river, called "Brunckerley Hippens." Terrified,
he flew back into the wood, but was immediately followed; and again his
evil destiny seemed to prevail. He took another path, which led him back
to the ford. Here he crossed, and, whilst leaping with difficulty over
the stones, the pursuers came in full view. Having gained the Lancashire
side, he fled into the wood, but his enemies were now too close upon him
for escape, and the royal captive was taken, bound, and conveyed to
Bashall. Many cruel indignities were heaped upon him; and he was
conveyed to London in the most piteous plight, on horseback, with his
legs tied to the stirrups. Ere he departed, it is said that he delivered
a singular prediction--to wit, that nine generations of the Talbot
family, in succession, should consist of a wise and a weak man by turns,
after which the name should be lost.
* * * * *