John Enderby | Page 4

of hedge of trees and shrubs. It was here that the enemies of
the King, that is, some stilt-walkers, with two dishonourable gentlemen
who had suffered from the King's oppressions, placed themselves to
way lay his Majesty. Lord Rippingdale had published it abroad that the
King's route was towards Horncastle, but at Stickney by the fens the
royal party separated, most of the company passing on to Horncastle,
while Charles, Lord Rippingdale and two other cavaliers proceeded on
a secret visit to a gentleman at Louth.
It was dark when the King and his company came to the combe. Lord
Rippingdale suggested to his Majesty that one of the gentlemen should
ride ahead to guard against surprise or ambush, but the King laughed,
and said that his shire of Lincoln bred no brigands, and he rode on. He
was in the coach with a gentleman beside him, and Lord Rippingdale
rode upon the right. Almost as the hoofs of the leaders plunged into the
stream there came the whinny of a horse from among the boulders.
Alarmed, the coachman whipped up his team and Lord Rippingdale

clapped his hand upon his sword.
Even as he did it two men sprang out from among the rocks, seized the
horses' heads, and a dozen others swarmed round, all masked and
armed, and calling upon the King's party to surrender, and to deliver up
their valuables. One ruffian made to seize the bridle of Lord
Rippingdale's horse, but my lord's sword severed the fellow's hand at
the wrist.
"Villain," he shouted, "do you know whom you attack?"
For answer, shots rang out; and as the King's gentlemen gathered close
to the coach to defend him, the King himself opened the door and
stepped out. As he did so a stilt struck him on the head. Its owner had
aimed it at Lord Rippingdale; but as my lord's horse plunged, it missed
him, and struck the King fair upon the crown of the head. He swayed,
groaned and fell back into the open door of the coach. Lord
Rippingdale was at once beside him, sword drawn, and fighting
gallantly.
"Scoundrels," he cried, "will you kill your King?"
"We will have the money which the King carries," cried one of his
assailants. "The price of three knighthoods and the taxes of two shires
we will have."
One of the King's gentlemen had fallen, and another was wounded.
Lord Rippingdale was hard pressed, but in what seemed the last
extremity of the King and his party there came a shout from the other
side of the stream:
"God save the King! For the King! For the King!"
A dozen horsemen splashed their way across the stream, and with
swords and pistols drove through the King's assailants and surrounded
his coach. The ruffians made an attempt to rally and resist the onset,
but presently broke and ran, pursued by a half-dozen of his Majesty's
defenders. Five of the assailants were killed and several were wounded.
As Lord Rippingdale turned to Charles to raise him, the coach-door
was opened upon the other side, a light was thrust in, and over the
unconscious body of the King my lord recognised John Enderby.
"His Majesty"--began John Enderby.
"His Majesty is better," replied Lord Rippingdale, as the King's eyes
half opened. "You lead these gentlemen? This should bring you a
barony,--Sir John," my lord added, half graciously, half satirically; for

the honest truth of this man's nature vexed him. "The King will thank
you."
"John Enderby wants no reward for being a loyal subject, my lord,"
answered Enderby.
Then with another glance at the King, in which he knew that his
Majesty was recovered, he took off his hat, bowed, and, mounting his
horse, rode away without a word.
At Sutterby the gentlemen received gracious thanks of the King who
had been here delivered from the first act of violence made against him
in his reign.
Of the part which Enderby had played Lord Rippingdale said no more
to the King than this:
"Sir John Enderby was of these gentlemen who saved your Majesty's
life. Might it not seem to your Majesty that--"
"Was he of them?" interrupted the King kindly; then, all at once, out of
his hurt vanity and narrow self-will, he added petulantly: "When he
hath paid for the accolade of his knighthood, then will we welcome him
to us, and make him Baron of Enderby."
Next day when Enderby entered the great iron gates of the grounds of
Enderby House the bell was ringing for noon. The house was long and
low, with a fine tower in the centre, and two wings ran back, forming
the court-yard, which would have been entirely inclosed had the stables
moved up to complete the square.
When Enderby came out into the broad