the ten regicides who were put to death. The two fugitives found a warm friend in William Jones; and when Mr. Davenport's house was no longer safe, he received them to his own.
"On Saturday evening, while the king's officers were being unwillingly detained at Guilford, the 'missing Indian,' who had been the subject of so much solicitude on Mr. Scranton's part, arrived at New Haven at about bedtime, and informed Mr. Davenport of the situation. Mr. Jones had recently bought an old mill about two miles northwest of the boundaries of the town, and during the night he conducted his unfortunate friends to its seclusion. Sunday night Meigs came galloping in on horseback with a letter from Governor Leete to Mr.
Gilbert, the magistrate, advising that the town be searched. The governor, perhaps, felt pretty certain that Mr. Gilbert would let his purpose be known, and then search - in some other part of the town. But Mr. Gilbert was 'not at home,' and no warrant could be procured! During the night a consultation was held, and it was decided that the regicides should appear on the streets early the next morning, and that an apparent attempt should be made to capture them before the king's officers arrived. The regicides were made acquainted with the intended programme, and were expected to co-operate. On Monday morning they left the old mill and returned to New Haven, walking unattended through the town, and going out on the country road that led to Guilford. They were armed only with heavy walking sticks, which could be used in defence if occasion required. A little later Sheriff Kimberly received orders to pursue and capture them. He started alone, and overtook them near a large tree, against which the two regicides planted themselves and brandished their cudgels so ominously that the sheriff thought best to return to the town for assistance. As soon as he had left them the two fugitives started on toward Guilford, and soon saw several horsemen coming from that direction at full gallop. These they judged to be the royal officers and the patriotic Scranton. There was a piece of woods quite near, but they would be discovered if they crossed the open lot that intervened. Mill River was close at hand, however, and the bridge they had just crossed would afford a good hiding place. They evidently had not been seen, and in a moment they slid down the bank into the water. At this point Mill River almost touched the under side of the bridge at high tide. The condition of the water was such at this time that the two men stood to their necks while the horses' hoofs clattered over the bridge, their riders totally unaware that the game was so near. When the horsemen had disappeared they crawled out of the mud and slime and gained the woods, from which at night they returned to the house of Mr. Jones. Sheriff Kimberly, as became a good officer, made due return that he had attempted to arrest the regicides, and had failed.
"After the royal pursuers had been in town a couple of hours, Governor Leete rode leisurely in. He had stopped at Totoket, now Branford, for Mr. Jasper Crane, one of the magistrates, which necessarily made some delay. Governor Leete was apparently behind time, but he was in reality several lengths ahead. After their arrival in New Haven they went to a tavern and ate a good dinner.
Judges Cave
-- page 192 --
|