If I could not plot better than this I would stick to a scrivener's desk all my life." It was late in the afternoon when they rode into Southampton.

They found the city in a state of excitement.

A messenger had, an hour before, ridden in from London with the news of the king's escape, and with orders from Parliament that no vessel should be allowed to leave the port.

Harry then rode to Portsmouth, but there also he was unable to do anything.

He heard that in the afternoon the king had crossed over onto the Isle of Wight, and that he had been received by the governor with marks of respect.