CHAPTER V

AFTER WORCESTER FIELD


The morn of the third of September - that date so propitious to
Cromwell, so disastrous to Charles - found Crispin the centre
of a company of gentlemen in battle-harness, assembled at The
Mitre Inn. For a toast he gave them "The damnation of all
crop-ears."

"Sirs," quoth he, "a fair beginning to a fair day. God send
the evening find us as merry."

It was not to be his good fortune, however, to be in the
earlier work of the day. Until afternoon he was kept within
the walls of Worcester, chafing to be where hard knocks were
being dealt - with Montgomery at Powick Bridge, or with
Pittscottie on Bunn's Hill. But he was forced to hold his mood
in curb, and wait until Charles and his advisers should elect
to make the general attack.

It came at last, and with it came the disastrous news that
Montgomery was routed, and Pittscottie in full retreat, whilst
Dalzell had surrendered, and Keith was taken. Then was it that
the main body of the Royal army formed up at the Sidbury Gate,
and Crispin found himself in the centre, which was commanded by
the King in person. In the brilliant charge that followed
there was no more conspicuous figure, no voice rang louder in