Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 144: what you’re looking at

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

IVAN THE 140 CHAPTER LXXI, WILL WINTER DISCOVERS HIMSELF TO THE LONDON APPRENTICES, ~ THE sudden act of Will Winter disclosing himself before the astonished Apprentices seemed to startle them not a little. In truth, for a moment or two, it seemed as if no one would believe him. He was so pale, careworn, and ghost-like in looks, that he appeared more like some creature of the grave than any ordinary living mortal. ‘¢ Will Winter ?” they all gasped, starting back in wonder, ‘‘ Yes; none other than Will Winter, your Grand Master and President,” he said, proudly. “Why, what a lying young knave thou art,’ said the dis- comfited officer. ‘Don’t believe him, my brave lads; he is an impostor ; he cannot be anything else, for Will Winter was guilty of murdering his kind old master, Michael the cloth- worker, and—” “ Liar |” said Will, the blood mounting crimson on his pale and handsome face, ‘‘ Willi Winter never committed that murder ; a London Apprentice—the humblest of them, indeed, would scorn to do a dishonorable action, least of all stain his lvands with the blood of akind, good and indulgent master.” The assembled Apprentices, with bated breath, looked on, and for a moment could not decide in their own minds whether it was their Grand Master or not. His appearance was so changed through his recent sufferings that the most intimate of his acquaintance could scarcely recognise him. ‘‘ Tt looks like him,” said one, in a whisper to another. “ Yes, in truth, very like; but his voice is not the same.” “Do not credit. the impudent varlet’s words,” said the officer, ‘he wants to impose upon us. Will Winter was hanged.” “Yes truly, lads, I was; here is still the mark of the hang- man’s rope,” he said, uncovering his neck and exhibiting a red mark round his throat ; but friends aided me, they cut me down, and by kind treatment I revived, and am among you once more, This maiden that I have now rescued, will bear me witness,’ he proudly said, placing his arm round Jessie’s waist. “ Tis he! ’tis he !’”? said Jessie, with looks of joy and glad- ness beaming in her face. ‘She saw me at Lord Percy’s house.” “T did. You were brought there by my young master, Harry Percy and his friends. “ Thrice was I hung, friends, and thrice was I rescued ; and but for Harry Percy and Darby his groom, I should long ere this have been dead and swung upon the felon’s tree. “This vagabond here,” he continued, pointing to Bob the Bully, “‘ was one of those who attacked Percy House, and set fire to it out of revenge for my miraculous escape.” *“ Don’t believe him, lads. London Apprentices are not silly enough to believe such idle tales as that, J know. Come, young sir, you must deliver up the maid on the instant.” “ Never, while I breathe,” said Will Winter, throwing off his cloak to the ground, and drawing a small sword. “ Stir not a foot, officer, Approach me, if you dare, and this good sword shall pierce your vile body !” In a moment Will Winter gave a sign which the Appren- tices instantly understood. | “Tis he ! ’tis he!’ shouted the Apprentices, in great glee, “Will Winter for ever |’ they shouted with all their might, “ Down with ‘ Forgers !’” “Crush the hell-rakes to the earth.” “ What shall we do?” asked several. “Secure this ruffian first, my boys. Bind and gag him ; he shall suffer for what he has now done.” Before he could’ give directions, however, a general fight had commenced. The Apprentices, in truth, were no sooner convinced of Will's identity, than they set upon the officer and his party with loud shouts of ° 2 “ Apprentices and clubs } Apprentices and clubs !” TERRIBLE. The officer was not prepared for this ; but drew his sword and fought manfully. — Several of the Apprentices, armed as they were only with sticks and staves, were unable to contend with the officer and his party, and were more or less wounded, Will Winter was not prepared for the shedding of blood ; but when he perceived his friends “ pinked” right and left, he gaye Jessie in charge of several friends, and dashed in among his opponents with great determination. y ee, When the officer perceived Will rushing up to him, he at- tempted to run away. ‘ : But Will Winter’s sword pricked him sharply in a certain unmentionable place, and the burly, red-faced fellow turned upon him like a mad bull. “ Help, ho! help !” he shouted. are out.” In truth, for once, the London Apprentices were out. The shouts of “ Apprentices and clubs” rung out and re- echoed far and near. Some with swords, and staves, sticks, meat choppers, butchers’ knives, blacksmiths’ hammers, and every conceivable weapon appeared swarming on the scene. i Wounded and maimed, the officer and his friends ran away from the scene, leaving their horses behind them. The excited Apprentices, on seeing Will Winter again, raiscd shouts that resounded far and near. They had all been imposed upon by Judge Jefferies’ secret trial, and most of them had heard nothing of Will’s cruel imprisonment and attempted execution until it was too late. é But now, when they saw their handsome young chief among them again, like one indeed risen from the grave, their joy, and shouts, and cries knew no bounds, “Will Winter lives 1” ‘“‘ He is alive!” “ JT have seen him ?” ‘“‘T have seen him !” ‘Hurrah for our President !” “Down with Jefferies !” “Crush the ‘ Forgers !’” Such were the tumultuous and deafening cries that rang out far and near. Some wept, some shouted, others hooted Will’s foes by name. All was confusion, noise, and bustle, The news spread like wildfire. Tn every street, and lane, and alley, every Apprentice poured out, armed as best they could. ‘ The faces of all were radiant with pleasure, but an air of determination and deep revenge was with all. In their wild joy, the strongest of the youths carried Will Winter on their shoulders in triumph. Horns sounded far and near. Cleavers and knives jingled together. Shouts and songs were sung by hundreds of voices, All seemed determined to make it a holiday. Old citizens, and the more timid, knowing of old what the London Apprentices were, and what they could do when fully aroused, closed their shops and houses in great haste, ‘‘To the gaol! To the gaol !” “To Ludgate round-house !” ‘‘ Some of the Apprentices are lodged in irons !" “ Rescue them |” “ Death to Jefferies |” “ Down with informers, spies, and traitors |” » “Wewill hang up Ivan, and the ‘Forgers’ as high as Haman !” Such were the various shouts and cries, ' oe this time the gathering of the Apprentices was formid- able. Wherever they went, on their way to the round-house of Ludgate, their number increased. With aprons tied on sticks and poles for banners they hurried rapidly along towards the round-house. ; In every street young girls appeared at the windows with waving handkerchiefs, while the Apprentices, singing songs — in a stentorian, deafening chorus, cheered and shouted likg ‘ Murder ! the ’Prentices com Ghooksscom 4