Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 122: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

118 IVAN THE Yet the subtle smoke made for itSelf a passage, And rose up wreathing and curling itself into beautiful and fantastic forms. Laura shuddered at this near approach to 4 dismal doom, She no longer heeded the turmoil going on without; she more strenuously addressed herself to tlie task of arousing Lizzie Ashton, or, failing in doing so, of committing herself into the hands of Fate, and to perish with her. The smoke assisted her efforts; indeed, proved that which she so much needed—a restorative. Nature, repugnant at such an inhalation, roused her to throw it off. In the struggle consciousness returned to Lizzie. ~ .Jt was some time ere she could comprehend either where she was or with whom; but when she began to understand all she roused her dormant energies and surpassed; if possible, even Lady Laura in her efforts to find.some mode of release from their frightful situation. The most intense scrutiny on their part did not reveal.to them the position of the secret spring which commanded the lock of the door. E fog» Their position now was most perilous. The smoke grew denser and denser, and more difficult to - breathe. There was not one object which could lead them to believe that the door contained the desired secret. Slowly but surely and deadly the room was filling with - smoke. Sg : Each moment the conviction forced itself upon them that suffocation would surely and shortly come! - Snddenly Laura, who had left the vicinity of the door and felt all round the wainscoted wall, exclaimed, with a ery of JOY, “The spring has yielded! See! Here is an open way! There are steps to descend! Heaven has heard our prayers ! Come, Lizzie ; come, come!” She seized Lizzie Ashton’s hand, and, both half blinded and suffocated by the volumes of smoke which, now serpent-like, wreathed and twisted in all parts of the room, dared the descent which was either to effect their deliverance or con- summate their doom. . ; They found the stairs spiral, winding in 4 #mall compass, and without landing or interruption. It was evident that they were in a shaft which had been _built purposely to maintain communication with the turrets and upper parts of the house in a manner least likely to be discovered. : ¥ Whence it descended or where it led they had yet to learn. With trembling steps. they descended in the dark, but whither they weré going neither of them could conjecture ; it might be, indeed, to fall into the hands of Iyan’s.ruffians— the very persons they most wished to avoid. We shall quickly See. CHAPTER LXI. TERRIBLE CONFLICT—LADY LAURA AND LIZZIE ASHTON LOS?P—THE OLD EARL ALMOST MAD—THE FIGHT FOR WILL WINTER—HIS MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE FROM THE SICK CHAMBER, Burt, while these outrageous doings were going on in Karl Percy’s mansion under the leadership of Andy, let us glance at what Ivan had already accomplished. Tn his hurry to abduct Lady Laura he scarcely glanced at his victim's face, Jessie, bold, resolute and courageous, did not struggle to free heise f from his grasp in case it might disclos: to Ivan the mistake he had made, Overjoyed, therefore, at capturing his supposed prize, Ivan Be ieaaa Wat Wat numerous followers to sack the mansion, seize Will Winter, and bear hi ‘Ty’ tection, whether dead or aiea: SE AN eteircs Tee Re “When you have done this,” said he to Andy, “ sack the ‘away to the Forge ; TERRIBLE. Whole mansion Of Ail that is valuable, and have it conveyed set fire to the premises, and, when the fldined are at their highest, cast Blue-Jacket in and roast him alive ; we will then be rid of our greatest enemy.” While these instructions were being given Earl Percy and his whole household had become thoroughly alarmed and sallied forth, well arméd, to beat back the He, ruffians surrounding the place. Among the chiek of those who rushed like bloodhounds upon-the foe were Harry Percy, Darby, Briny Bob and Luck- lezs Joe. Buriing with deadly hatred against Ivan and his murdering gang, they rushed forth from the mansion, followed by all the domestics, with pokers, brooms, sticks, cudgels, and what- ever else they could lay hands upon most readily. - The conflict was fearful and deadly. Ba: Harry was such a good swordsman, as we have seen, in his ducl with Count Vincéito, that few could approach him, and those who dared to do so had great cause to repent their temerity, for one after another of them rolled bleeding on the grass, niaking night hideous with their curses, cries, and moans, . Darby, with a terrific kitchen-poker in his hand, swung it around him like a quarter staff, and literaliy mowed down all who came within reach, and many a one went limping away in agony, who, but a few moments before, had been bragging and boasting, Briny Bob and Joe, each with monster clubs in their hands, led on numerous servants into the thickest of the fight, asit - raged round the maasion in increasing fury, for each moment saw other followers of Ivan arrive upon the scene thirsting for blood and plunder, Neither the eatl nor Harry ever expected such a terrible assault upon the mansion, and least-of all expected that the ruffians would dare enter the house and set fire to it. When, therefore, they heard screams and cries of their female servants, they were horror-stricken for the fate of Lady Laura and Lizzie Ashton. With terrible desperation, Harry, Darby, Briny Bob, and the old earl fought their way back into the house filled with fear and almost distracted for the fate of Lady Laura and ~ Lizzie. ; They searched everywhere, but nowhere could they be ound, M4 The old earl shouted out in tones of despair, but no voice responded to his8 own, r With tears rolling from his eyes, and, with aching heart, he gave up all as lost. . . He ascended to the top of the house as far as he could; but the flames were now breaking forth from the roof, end every ropa was filled almost to suffocation with deuse, black smoke, The old earl gave up his daughter for lost, and would have cast himself into the flames but that the bold Darby bore him away senseless and sobbing. * rr Harry, with eyes darting almost out of his head, rushed hither and thither through the flames and smokz in search of Lizzie and Laura; he shouted until he could shout no more, but there was no response to his cries save the moans of © wounded and dying persons in and around the house, " Giving up all for lost, he gathered arourd him a dozen brave fellows, and now fought his way on tke ground floor to — the chamber in which he had left Will Wiater and his little brother Frank, . * There were several of Ivan's men already there ! With a cheer and full of revenge, Hstry dashed into the apartment, sword in hand, followed by Dirby, Briny Bob, and ~ others, pod The conflict was short and bloody. sb With a yell they fell upon their crivel foes ; swords clashed and curses were loud and horrible. a Quickly the apartment was cleared uni Some of the ruffians lay wounded upon the grotind, while others, terror-stricken, jumped out «£ window on to the lawn, Harry and Darby, with a shoutof triumph, rushed to the bedstead and pulled back the curtiins ! Will Winter had disappeared, sed and all ! (¢ Coy pny kel exevo) com >...-— ‘S ‘