180 Sr. Thomas Fairfax, it was not out ·of cowardize, for the men were very stout, and chcarful in the service, but only had the general! fault of all the parliament partie, that they were not very obedient to commands, except they knew and appi·oov'd their employment: they had no sooner refus'd Sr. Thomas, but my lord Grey sending for two troopes, they went to him to Melton, which he had begun to fortifi e. The governor, notwithstanding these obstacles from secret enemies and refractory friends, carried on his business with good successe, and had many events according to his endeavours. Among the rest his men encountering a party where Coli. Frecheville and Sr. Henry Humlack were in person, fought them, kill'd many of theit· men, and tooke Frecheville prisoner; but his captainelieftenant Jammot came to his rescue and freed him, though himselfe was taken in his stead and brought to Nottingham. Here, after he had bene some time kept, he corrupted a souldier, who disguiz'd and led him ciut, and went away with him. The man being a Frenchman and a proper black man, some would needes report him to be Prince Rupert, and thereupon rays'd a greate clamor at the governor. · But before his -escape, upon the fifteenth of January intelligence was brought that all the forces in Newark were marcht on a designe upon Sleeford in Lincolneshire. The governor not trusting that pretence, commanded all the souldiers and townsmen to sitt up that night and expect them; and the next morning, being Tuesday, two of his intelligencers came and brought him word very early that the designe was against Nottingham. After them the horse scouts came in with the news of their approach, the enemie's scouts and they having fir'd upon each other. Hereupon· a strong alarum was given throughout the garrison, and. a foote company se·nt down from the castle to the workes, and the horse were there sett with them, to dispute the enemie's entrance into the towne; but the horse IJerceiving the enemie's body to be a greate one, retreated to the castle,
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