Page:Cassell's Illustrated History of England vol 2.djvu/377

A.D. 1554.] brought up his artillery, swept the enemy from the opposite bank, and by the help of some sailors, who brought up boats and barges, he had the bridge made passable, and his troops crossed over. By this time it was eleven o'clock at night; his troops were extremely fatigued by their march and their labours here, but he now deemed it absolutely necessary to push on, and allow the Government no more time than he could help to collect forces into his path, and strengthen their position. He marched on, therefore, through a miserable winter night, and staying most imprudently to remount a heavy gun which had broken down, it was broad day when he arrived at Hyde Park, and the Earl of Pembroke was posted with the Royal forces to receive him.



The alarm in the palace that night had been inconceivable. The women were weeping and bewailing their danger, the councillors and ministers of the queen were crowding round her, and imploring her to take refuge in the Tower. Gardiner on his knees besought her to comply and to enter a boat which awaited her at Whitehall Stairs. But Mary, with the spirit of the Tudor was, amid all the terror and heart-failing around, calm and resolute, and replied that "she would set no example of cowardice. If Pembroke and Clinton were true to their posts she would not desert hers."