Here the king rested in peace for a day and a night.
Meanwhile Humphrey Pendrell went into Shifnal to pay his taxes;
and it being known he had come from Whiteladies, he was
questioned closely as to whether he knew aught of Charles Stuart.
On stoutly denying all knowledge of him, he was told that any man
who discovered him would gain a thousand pounds, but he that
sheltered him would suffer death without mercy; these being the
terms of a proclamation just issued. This the honest miller on
his return narrated to the king, swearing roundly he would run
all risks for his sake. It chanced at this time one of the
Pendrells heard that my Lord Wilmot who had not been able to make
his way to London, was hiding in a very secure place, at the
house of a gentleman named Whitegrave, above seven miles distant.
This coming to the king's knowledge, he became anxious to see his
faithful friend and hold communication with him. Accordingly one
of the Pendrells was despatched to request Lord Wilmot to meet
his majesty that night, in a field close by Mr. Whitegrave's
house. And the time of night being come, the king was impatient
of delay; but his feet were sore from the rough shoes he had worn
on his journey, so that he was scarce able to walk; therefore he
was mounted on Humphrey's mill-horse, and, the four loyal
brothers forming a guard, they directed their way towards
Moseley. The king's eagerness to see Wilmot being great, he
complained of the horse's slow pace.
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