In this way we shall miss the Parliament men lying round London, and those facing the Royalists between Reading and Oxford." This order was carried out.

The lads met with but few questioners, and replying always that they were London apprentices upon their way home to visit their friends for a short time, passed unsuspected.

At first the want of funds had troubled them, for Harry had forgotten the money sewn up in his shoe.

But presently, remembering this, and taking two gold pieces out of their hiding-place, they went merrily along the road and in five days from starting arrived at Oxford..