lopes from Piccadilly to Pall Mall. The road or causeway on
which Wyatt was expected to advance ran nearly {p.107} on the site
of Piccadilly itself. An old cross stood near the head of St. James's
Street, where guns were placed; and that no awkward accident like that
at Rochester might happen on the first collision, the gentlemen, who
formed four squadrons of horse, were pushed forwards towards Hyde Park
Corner.

Wyatt, who ought to have been at the gate of the city two hours
before, had been delayed in the meantime by the breaking down of a gun
in the heavy road at Brentford. Brett, the captain of the city
deserters, Ponet, Harper, and others, urged Wyatt to leave the gun
where it lay and keep his appointment. Wyatt, however, insisted on
waiting till the carriage could be repaired, although in the eyes of
every one but himself the delay was obvious ruin. Harper, seeing him
obstinate, stole away a second time to gain favour for himself by
carrying news to the court. Ponet, unambitious of martyrdom, told him
he would pray God for his success, and, advising Brett to shift for
himself, made away with others towards the sea and Germany.[243] It
was nine o'clock before Wyatt brought the draggled remnant of his
force, wet, hungry, and faint with their night march, up the hill from
Knightsbridge. Near Hyde Park Corner a lane turned off; and here
Pembroke had placed a troop of cavalry. The insurgents straggled on
without order. When half of them had passed, the horse dashed out, and
cut them in two, and all who were behind were dispersed or captured.
Wyatt, caring now only to press forward, kept his immediate followers
together, and went straight on. The queen's guns opened, and killed
three of his men; but, lowering his head, he dashed at them and over
them; then, turning to the right, to avoid the train-bands, he struck
down towards St. James's, where his party again separated. Knyvet and
the young Cobhams, leaving St. James's to their left, crossed the park
to Westminster. Wyatt went right along the present Pall Mall, past the
line of the citizens. They had but to move a few steps to intercept
his passage, close in, and take him; but not a man advanced, not a
hand was lifted; where the way was narrow they drew aside to let him
pass. At Charing Cross Sir John Gage was stationed, with part of the
guard, some horse, and among them, Courtenay, who in the morning had
been heard to say he would not obey orders; he was as good a ma