It was on the night of April 9, the very day on which Monk was congratulating himself on the engagement of obedience signed by so many of his officers.

For some days no one knew where the fugitive had gone, and Monk and the Council of State were in consternation.

Proclamations against him were out, forbidding any to harbour him, and offering a reward for his capture.

Meanwhile emissaries from Lambert were also out in all directions, to rouse his friends and bring them to a place of rendezvous in Northamptonshire.
One of these emissaries, a Major Whitby, found Ludlow in Somersetshire, and delivered Lambert's message to him.

Ludlow was not unwilling to join Lambert, but wanted to know more precisely what he declared for.