Colonel Counter

She had many years survived her husband, the royalist colonel, and had, we hope, forgotten the ingratitude of the King he had risked his life to save. We find her name in the State Papers as a petitioner for a favour "as often promised."

The story of Colonel Counter forms the climax to the adventures of Charles the Second after Worcester, when he wandered from port to port seeking a ship in which to escape to France.

The story began when the colonel arrived home from Chichester one evening to be told that in the parlour was a Devonshire man sent by his father-in-law, Frederick Hyde of Salisbury. He recognised his visitor as Lord Wilmot, the future Earl of Rochester.

Taking him aside Wilmot whispered: " I see you know me, but do not own me," and as soon as they were alone Counter asked the reason for the visit. " The king is near," was the reply, " and in great distress; can you help us to a boat?" When he had seen his guest to his room the colonel was confronted with his wife, who had stayed up to learn what it was all about and refused to be silent until she shared the secret.

Early next morning, before Wilmot was awake, Colonel Counter rode off to Emsworth but found no ship there, and he spent two days in long tiring rides making arrangements for the King's journey from his hiding-place.

To have an excuse to lodge Charles on his way to the ship he called on his sister, Mrs Thomas Symons, at Hambledon and borrowed greyhounds "for a coursing party on the Downs," and he brought the King, Lord Wilmot, and Colonel Robin Philipps, who was escorting the King, back to her house.

Charles looked a sorry figure in the serving man's grey cloth suit - so much so that when the master of the house came in he asked Counter in a whisper whether be was not some Roundhead rogue's son.

At daybreak the party set off over the Downs to meet the master of the ship, Captain Tettershall, at Brighton, Colonel Counter putting in his pocket food for the journey.

Next morning the colonel stood watching the little vessel, laden with coal, as it carried the King and Lord Wilmot down the Channel. He was not a moment too soon, for the news was out and two hours later Cromwell's soldiers were in hot pursuit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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