Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

10 IVAN. THE Count Vincento took the offensive. Harry was entirely on the defensive, and watched his adversary’s eye with a bright, unflinching, hawk-like glance. He was quiet, also remarkably cool, and a pleasant smile played around his mouth. Me acted, in truth, just as if he were at sword-play among his companions at school, Count Vineento was not long in discovering that his boyish and unequal opponent was not much ofa novice in the en- counter. The combat still continued, and each moment deepened in deadly interest. . ; Count Vincento was the only one that gave blows, but Harry was his equal, and parried them beautifully. Darby, ab one moment in tears, was now hysterical with joy, for his young master displayed consummate generalship and ability of the first order, The groom, in truth, could not contain himself; he danced and capered about like a Merry Andrew, and, feeling much inclined himself to have a little “job” of some kind, as he facetiously called it, stepped up to Count Vincento’s seconds, and, sparting off at them with his bare, brawny ams, would, in his own language, have “smashed them im no time,’ but that Harry perecived his servant’s intentions and angrily called him away. Darby’s warlike demonstrations caused young Harry’s eye to wander for a second. : “ There!” said Count Vincento, in mock triumph, taking advantage of his youthful adversary’s momentary distraction, ‘‘are you satisfied, young silly dog ?” His sword had grazed young Harry’s arm, and blood flowed therefrom. . For a moment the brave youth spoke not, but, in a short time, “here |” shouted Harry Percy, in return, as his sword struck his adversary’s thigh, and drew a stream of blood. The Count, who considered himself matchless with the sword, groaned aloud with fi€reeness,. vexation and pain. “Tis nothing,” he said, and rushed upon Harry with all the ferocity of an unchained tiger. “Harry smiled with confidence, but cold perspiration ran from the Count’s brow profusely. The witnesses, perceiving that blood had been drawn on either side, would have approached and interfered to stop the duel, ‘No, no! go away |” roared the Count in terrific rage, and rushed at his opponent. Harry, nothing loth to bring the contest to aclose, followed up the Count with ardour, who gradually retreated. “T thought. you never retired,” said Harry, carelessly. Now tortured to the very quick with young Percy’s taunt, becoming weak also from loss of blood, he bounded towards _ Harry with a dreadful lunge. The point of his sword just grazed his left breast ! Harry nimbly stepped aside and parried the blow with all his strength. ; The Count’s bosom was for asingle moment exposed and un- guarded. That single moment decided his fate ! In another second young Percy, quick of foot and sure of eye and aim, stepped one pace forward | His sword pierced Count Vincento, and went up to its hilt ! The Count uttered a frightful oath and extended his arms ! His sword dropped from his hand! He was alone prevented from falling by the weapon that had pierced him ! = Young Percy withdrew his sword. Count Vincento fell to the earth. He was dead! Some few moments after the duel the doctor cut open the count’s clothes to examine the extent and nature of his wound. All were astounded at what they then discovered ! He wore a coat of mail that was bullet proof! The colonel’s bullet, fatiencd against the chain armour, fell out intu the doctor's hand! TERRIBLE. Young Percy’s sword had penetrated one of the loose and broken rings! Hence the cowardly villain’s death ! When the coat of mail was unbuckled all present were still more astonished at what they saw. Upon his breast was branded “Tur SCORPION, coy. Es * CAPTAIN,” Around which ran the motto, : ' © Day or night my aim is true |” “ What can you make of all this?” asked one, in pale surprise. “Simply this,” said young Percy, with a smile of contempt; “ this gentleman was a higlwayman of famed Ivan’s band! He was thought a brave man, but has proved an odious scoundrel and coward!” The seconds looked at each other in astonishment, and sneered at the young conqueror, but this was quickly perceived by the flushed and excited Darby, who rushed in between his master and them, and, “squating off” in a determined man- ner, said, “If any of ye ain’t quite satisfied, why, then, just drop your ‘toasting forks’ (alluding to the swords) and have a round or two wi’ me, for, blow me, I should like to plant a bunch o’ fives on scme 0’ yer ugly snouts!” Finding there was, as he termed if, “no game in the gents,” he triumphantly caught up Harry in his arms, placed him in the coach, and waved his hat and shouted “ H-o-o-ray !” until almost hoarse with his jubilant exertions, = ee CHAPTER VII, 2 THE MARVELLOUS ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN BLUE JACKET. THE news of the arrest of “ Blue Jacket” spread far and wide. Bill Barry was feasted wherever he went, and, at the soli- citation of the police authorities of Darlington, he stopped there, and consigned his prisoner to the old castle, _ raul Blue Jacket took his rough treatment with stoical in- difference, nor did he grumble when an old smith at the castle made his appearance, and with an assistant, began to iron the handsome young prisoper. He was placed in one of the strongest cells in the castle,a jug of water and a loaf of bread were placed on an oak table beside him, and this was all that was allowed him, Contrary to the expectations of all in the Castle, the prisoner betrayed no sorrow or despondency. ; He whistled and sang all day long, He seemed the most light-hearted fellow that ever lived, and took as much care of his toilet as if he were upon the point ofttaking an evening promenade with his sweetheart in the far-famed Mall or gardens of Old Vauxhall, No one was allowed to see him. His trial was to come off at no distant day. ~ ‘Well, Master Blue Jacket,” said the gaoler, one morning as he went his rounds, “thou art as jolly as a sand boy, I see.” ‘Why shouldn’t I be ?” was the indifferent reply. “Well, I don’t know, lad ; but if J were as near the gallows as thee, I think I'd fake my prayer-book awhile now and then, and prepare for it,” said the gaoler, seriously. ‘Prayer book! Ha! ha!’ Blue Jacket laughed. “I’m not a dead man yet.” | “Ab, well! Master Blue Jacket, thou’rt a merry fellow, and it'll take a strong rope to hang thee wi’, I think, if I’m not much mista’en. Since they haye made thee leave off wearing that fancy blue cloth cloak and golden lace thou art not much better-looking than other folk, if thee hast Iong, black, curly hair; and, judging by thy long thin neck, I don’t think Mister Jack Ketch ‘ll have much trouble in breaking it for thee, mister.” - lel While the gaoler spoke the chaplain was announced, and — entered the prisoner’s cell. The gaoler respectfully withdrew. » Well, unhappy Young Merete cvorol ca coun —_—s