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260 sturdy yeomen brothers, real hearts of English oak, men which "such another island" would not buy from their religion and their king, both of which were equally obnoxious to the Puritans. In a few minutes they were brought into the parlour by the Earl of Derby, who was one of the party, and introduced by him to their unfortunate sovereign, or rather inversely. The Earl pointed to Charles and said to William, "This is the King; thou must have a care of him, and preserve him as thou didst me." For the Earl of Derby had already tested the hospitality and security of Boscobel as a hiding-place, and it was he who recommended it to the King as they rode from St. Martin's Gate, Worcester, on the eve of that fatal battle. The Earl had raised a force in Lancashire in support of the royal cause, but he had been routed in an engagement with the Roundheads at Wigan. With the remnant of his troop he set out to join the royal army at Worcester, chased and harassed by Cromwell's bands which were scouring the country. When in this vicinity he heard of Boscobel, and here found a hiding and resting covert for a breathing space of time. He had tested William Penderel's fidelity and the security of a little apartment which had been constructed on purpose for concealing hunted persons, such as Popish priests when outlawed. To this refuge he had