"
"I wish I could be of your opinion, Beverley," replied Chaloner; "but
I have mixed with the world longer than you have, and I think
otherwise."
Several more days passed, during which no defenses were thrown up, and
the confusion and quarreling in the army continued to increase, until
at last news arrived that Cromwell was within half a day's march of
them, and that he had collected all the militia on his route, and was
now in numbers nearly double to those in the king's army. All was
amazement and confusion--nothing had been done--no arrangements had
been made--Chaloner told Edward that all was lost if immediate steps
were not taken.
On the 3d of October, the army of Cromwell appeared in sight. Edward
had been on horseback, attending the king, for the best part of the
night; the disposition of the troops had been made as well as it
could; and it was concluded, as Cromwell's army remained quiet, that
no attempt would be made on that day. About noon the king returned to
his lodging, to take some refreshment after his fatigue. Edward was
with him; but before an hour had passed, the alarm came that the
armies were engaged. The king mounted his horse, which was ready
saddled at the door; but before he could ride out of the city, he was
met and nearly beaten back by the whole body almost of his own
cavalry, who came running on with such force that he could not stop
them.
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