Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

@ \ ad IVAN THE lunatics, so frantic with joy were they at the sudden and un- expected coming of Will Winter among them. Some venerable citizens now appeared, and theif appear- ance at once caused a halt to be made in the procession. They were recognised as old citizens and masters who had always been friends to the Apprentices. ““Who lead you about the streets in this wild uproarious way ?” one said, flushed and angry. “What grievances have ye that your masters will not remedy? Let the masters assemble first, my lads, and what- ever you may demand in reason shall be forthwith attended to.” -*Do not go about the streets in this tumultuous fashion, Don’t shed blood, in the name of mercy !” “ Who leads you, that we may confer with him 2?” So spoke various old men in tones of éntreaty. “Will Winter leads us!” was the shouts of hundreds, “Nay, that cannot be, for he has been hung,” said several masters, in surprise. “Then look for yourself and be satisfied. If ever you knew our President and Grand Master, see him yonder on that mettlesome white horse.” Such, in truth, was the fact. Mounted on his white charger, and sword in hand, Will Winter led the throng, which now was assuming not only a formidable but also a martial appearance. . . Their numbers were increasing each moment. Apprentices from all parts were rushing to join the procession. “Will Winter, [command you to halt, and disband this fearful assembly of excited youths,” said a very old alderman, who now approached, “Blood must flow if you do not. What do you wish ?” “ We wish justice!’ said Will Winter, “and are now on our way to demand and enforce it.” “For whom and what?” ‘‘ For ourselves, the Apprentices of London !” “Well, have you not always had it? I pray you think and ponder well upon what you mean to do ere you attempt it.” ‘There are Apprentices in gaol without a cause. We would release them,” “We will release them!” a hundred shouted in tones of vengeance. “The whole town is overrun by a desperate gang headed by Ivan the Terrible. They live at the Forge.” “ Well, then, my lad, proceed no further ; send a memorial to the king ; it shall be scen to on the instant, I warrant me,” said the old alderman; “but do not rouse the whole youth of the town, I pray you, else lives will be lost ere night, I fear,” “That may be, and we are prepared for it,” said Will, calmly. “The king and council, together with the bloody butcher and others, have long known the Forge, and wink at Ivan’s doings. It is owr turn now.” Shouts and cheers followed these few words. “They go prowling about through the town murdering, robbing, and doing as they like; they afterwards accuse innocent ones of such doings, and bear false but blasting testimony against the blameless, and the blameless have suf- fered for their monstrous cold-blooded crimes ; this you know as well as we. It must not, it shall not be,” Will repeated. “Tt shall not! by our lives, it shall not |!” shouted the ex- “cited Apprentices. “They murdered my old master, Michael, the clothworker, and accused me, who was as innocent of the bloody deed as a babe unborn.” | “They did! they-did !” “They hurriedly tried and convicted me of a wilful, bar- barous murder.” “Tis true, every word |” “Hear him, gentlemen, hear bim !” 4 See, then, if we have not just cause to assemble thus ?” “They hung him !” “ Yea, twice, Aldermen, most cruelly, foully hung him “ He was rescued by two brave hearts.” “ Aye, aye, my lads, they wete the bold Harry Percy and Darby, his valiant serving man.” < So spake several, / ‘he TERRIBLE. 141 Cheers and shouts saluted the mention of these two names. It was impossible for the old citizens to be heard in the general din. They, therefore, retired, shaking their heads mournfully, and predicting all manner of ill fortune to the Apprentices in their present adventure. While Will Winter and his followers were hurrying on their way to the round-house at Ludd Gate, a loud shout was heard in the distance. The noise grew louder and louder. All turned their heads, and were much surprised to see two youthful horsemen galloping up towards Will Winter. “Tis them! ’tis them !” roared a hundred throats. ‘‘ Cheers for the brave bold hearts !” “Long live Harry Percy!” “ Hurrah for the groom !” “ Hurrah for the bold Darby !” The Apprentices were not mistaken, for it was none other than Harry and Darby. The rescue of Jessie had reached their ears, and they instantly mounted their horses, and rode into town to ascer- tain the truth or falsehood of the report. » On their way they heard the noise of distant shouts. ‘What can it mean?” said Harry; ‘surely the Forgers have not crossed the river and attacked any of our good citizens ?” } ‘No, no, young master, they know better than to do that ; it is the Apprentices who are out.” “The Apprentices, say you ?” ‘‘ Yes, and a general rising, 1 fear.” ‘* A general rising?” “Yes, cir, and they are led by no less a one than their Grand Master.” ‘‘ That cannot be, good citizen,” said Harry, ‘‘he was con- fined to his bed but yesterday.” “And to day young Master Will Winter, as much as it surprises you, is seated on a horse, sword in hand, and heads the Apprentices. I know not their intentions, but I fear me that there will be much bloodshed ere night.” Harry and Darby stopped to hear no more. They plunged spurs into their horses, and galloped away until they had overtaken the head of the martial procession. “ What, Will Winter,” said Harry, riding up, and extending his hand ; “‘no one dreamed of seeing you out and astir for ~weeks to come. Whither are you bound, say you, and what's your errand ?”’ They shook hands cordially. ' “ You are one of us, Harry Percy.” “ Yes, in anything. “ Then listen. When they attempted to hang me on the first occasion,*several Apprentices were arrested and confined in gaol, b:sides one or two brave followers of Blue-Jacket’s also,” he said ina whisper; “ these must be rescued at all costs. ‘They shall not suffer for nothing.” re “ But why are they detained in gaol if they are innocent 2” said Harry, indignantly. ‘“ Such is not the Jaw of the land.” “Such ought not to be the law of the land, Harry Percy ; but when we have such unscrupulous judges as Jefferies, and such professional spys, informers, and perjurers as Ivan and his gang at the ‘Forge,’ we cannot expect Justice, therefore our present errand is to demand and enforce it.” “ But this is not the way to Ludd Gatercund-house, You are bearing away towards London Bridge.” “True ; but that is only a trick in order to deceive the authorities, as you will shortly see. We have aroused their vigilance already, so I have just been informed. I gave out publicly that the Apprentices were marchin g to attack Ivan and his desperate ruffians at the ‘Forge.’ ‘The officers heard of this, and have gone over in large numbers to protect the place from any violence.” “ T gee, I see. You are a good general, Will,” “ Tmust be ; none but a pretty good general would be elected Grand Master of the Apprentices without he was one,” “ Well, and what are your next plans ?” ‘When we reach London Bridge I shall leave a strong guard there of blacksmiths’ and butchers’ SORE rough Goin S,(COmnN (C1)