Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

. IVAN THE athletic games, as they even do now, there was one that they continually practised when gathered together in the fields, namely, military exercises. It was not every one or any one, tlierefore, who could fill the office of Grand Master of the London Apprentices, but one who had a quick, cool, and practical ivtellect. Such an one Will Winter possessed in a pre-eminent degree, When, therefore, Ivan, after fighting more than an hour, as he fondly imagined, for possession of the gaol, discovered that itehad been opened to the Apprentices under Darby, and that Bob the Bully, with several other of his friends, had been conveyed away, his fury knew no bounds, But whither had they been borne ? This he knew not, But Darby knew. The governor had received orders to have the notorious prisoners beheaded that very day if he imagined there was -any. chance of their escaping or being rescued. That he did imagine something of this kind no one could foramomont doubt. - | Perceiving, thereforé, that the objects for which he had been fighting were now all lost, Ivan shouted to his men to retire to the gaol, and wreak their vengeance upon it. - ~ “They have only removed the Bully to another gaol,” he shouted. “ He shall be released yet !” _ This announcement was received with loud‘ shouts by his gang.’ 7 | w They were answered by derisive cheers by the gay and gallant Apprentices. | Wil Winter, however, had received information that they were then on their way to the headsman’s block! | . As fast as Ivan had gained ground upon the Apprentices, as fast and faster did he give it up again. ae The nearer he approached the gaol, the more difficulties he had to encounter. Darby and his valiant band met him and beat him back again. ' Thus, hemmed in on both sides, and perceiving no chance of fulfilling his promise to burn down the gaol, he reluctantly retreated across the fields, chased and hooted at by the vic- torious Apprentices. ; Wherever they went through the streets they were pelted with stones, and everything that wes at band by people at the windows, ; | _ They could not, they dared not, make a stand. _ Phey found enemies increasing in number in every quarter. Knowing not what to do, and fearful of prolonging the de- sperate combat, Ivan and his gang rushed along from street to street, fighting their way through many towards the boats which they knew the watermen’s apprentices had tied up on ‘gthenorth bank of the river. So great was their. hurry and speed that the Apprentices could not keep up with them. . Nor did they know, or even imagine that it was their in- tention to seize these boats and make their escape to the Forge until it was too late, Hurriedly they ran along, therefore, to the water-side. Ere the watermen’s apprentices could prevent it, Ivan and most of his desperate gang had jumped into numerous boats, and pulled out manfully towards the Forge. ‘Pursuit at that moment was impossible. With shonts of triumph the Apprentices made the streets ring again, but no one was somuch annoyed at Ivan’s escape with life ‘as Harry, Darby, and Will Winter, all of whom had hoped to see him taken eaptiye, whether dead or alive. — Turning from the river-side, Will Winter marshalled his followers again, and spoke to ‘them in high terms of praise for their gallant conduct. _ '“ But before we separate for the day,” he said, “I have news to tell you. Bob the Bully has been led forth to exe- ention !” ‘Hurrah ! hurrah !" responded far and near. ‘Tle has*been taken to Tyburn, there to suffer, not upon the scaffold, as I did, for crimes which I never committed !” Lif No.bno !” ‘Three cheers for our gallant Grand Master,” | | TERRIBLE 147 “‘ But his head will be severed from his vile body for untold enormities which he has committed against not only us, but society at large.” Cheers and tumultuous shouts were heard. _ “Tt remains for us, then, fellow apprentices, to witness his just execution ; for, although it is a hurried one, our protec- tion may be necessary, for Ivan has swore that he shall not suffer, and we know of old that that bold arch villain some- times keeps his word. Then follow me to Tyburn; let us see the villain’s head hoisted on a pole, and then we can depart to our homes in peace,” These few words were received with loud manifestations of pleasure. With one accord the Apprentices resumed their ranks, and in martial order proceeded to the Field of Death at Tyburn, chanting songs as they went in deafening chorus. ‘Will Winter, Harry Percy, Darby, Ned Adams, and Briny Bob being on horseback. Although they quickened their pace, and marched as fast as their legs would let them, they were too late. ’ As they neared the famous spot, and beheld at a distance a vast concourse assembled round the scaffold, a wild shout was raised. What it meant the Apprentices knew not. With breathless haste they ran forward to ascertain the cause, when they perceived the masked executioner hold up a head to the people, saying at the same time in tones that could be heard far and near, ‘ Behold the head of a villain and atraitor !” .‘* His confession! his confession !’’ shouted hundreds together as with one voice. Bob the Bully Aad made a confession, and the multitude knew it. What that confession was, in part, we shall quickly see, and a harrowing story of crime it was! ——— CHAPTER LXXIV, THE “KING OF THE FORGE *™’—IVAN IN HIS GLORY AT THE “RAVEN ’’—HIS PLOTS AND PLANS AGAINST THE APPREN- TICES—DARBY CONSULTS WITH WILL WINTER, AND DETERMINES TO LAY A PLAN TO PNTRAP IVAN—BOB AND JOE, THE WATERMEN’S APPRENTICES, GIVE THEIR AID—THE SPIES IN THE TAP-ROOM—THE BURLY BUTCHER OF THE ‘FORGE’—THE WRESTLING MATCH—IVAN’S SURPRISE, DEFEAT, AND DESIRES FOR REVENGE—THE — RESOLYE. News of the terrible commotion between Ivan’s band and the London Apprentices was not long in reaching the ears of the king. Fearful of riots, such as had been witnessed years before, he ordered out the royal household troops, The soldiers, indeed, were loth to interfere with the Ap- prentices, for they admired the bold, brave youths, and, if need be, would willingly have assisted them in their bloody battles against the rnffians of the ‘‘ Forge.” When the soldiers, however, had arrived at the place of execution, they found that Beb the Bully was already beheaded, and that all was quiet ; remarkably so, indeed, for the Forgers had searcely any notion that one of their number would be so hastily taken from prison, and made to suffer the extreme penalty of the law. ; In this, however, Ivan and the Forgers were much mistaken, for not only was the culprit hurried away, but, to add still more to Ivan’s rage, the fact became known that the unhappy man had also made a full confession of all that he knew re- garding the doings and secrets of the ruffians at the “ Forge.” This confession, however, aS much as it was desired by the assembled Apprentices to be read out aloud by the chaplain, ' was not read at all, for it was of the utmost importance that its secrets should be made use of for the effectual suppression of all the Forgers at a proper time. Although not read aloud to the assembled multitude, suf- ficient of his'confession became known to Harry, Darby and Will Winter, which induced thera tent vea bifsKe) Kee Ceging “1 —_——