Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

a Vet F S>~ - ony aia IVAN THE not only an idiot, but a knave to kill old Michael, the cloth- worker.” ‘“ It’s a lie |” “No lie, Ivan, nor is it one when J tell thee to thy teeth that you perjured yourself before Judge Jefferies, and swore Will Winter’s life away.” “Fool! liar!” said Iyan, rushing towards now for the first time emerged from the dark tall old house. When Ivan saw the bold youth, however, step forth to meet him, sword in hand, he recoiled like a timid hound, “Oh, for a sword !” said Ivan, recoiling before him. “‘ Nay, think not for a moment, Ivan,” said Darby, bravely, “that I would take any unjust advantage, even of such a ruffian as you. I came here to seize you and take you before a just judge for trial, or, failing that, will leave you a lifeless corpse in this dirty lane. Are you armed?” eieam Tiot..” ¢. “Then know, Ivan, as there is but one sword between us, we will settle it without.” Darby was about to put away his sword, and was at that moment actually tucking up his sleeves to decide the combat by the force of his own brawny arm, when Ivan, perceiving that he was off his guard, picked up his own sword blade very stealthily, and wrapping a handkerchief round his arm and hand, approached Darby like a cat. Darby would have been taken by surprise, for he never expected such treachery on Ivan’s part. A voice warned him, and said, ‘‘ Look out, Darby, he has got his sword blade in hand !” With a bitter curse on those who had detected his act of cunning, Ivan rushed suddenly on Darby. Darby, however, though not quite prepared for such a sudden onslaught, ducked his head so low that he passed under Iyan’s right arm. In another instant Darby stood before his enemy, sword in hand. “We have met at last, Ivan,” he said, “and if I fall I shall not regret having shed my blood in defence of Jessie and Lady Laura.” ‘‘ What is Jessie to thee?” fumed Ivan, “All the world to me, ruffian as thou art. I love her, and have loved-her with all my heart for years; and as for Lady Laura ie “Laura?” said Ivan. ‘I have sworn she shall be mine! I will have her and possess her, though opposed to ten thou- sand fiends !” 3 “Then would a demon possess an angel,” said Darby. ‘But come on, your time has come.” “Not yet,” said a voice close behind Darby. Darby turned round, and to his horror he beheld Andy and another of the Forgers. Before he could defend himself he was struck to the Darby, who shadows of a ground by a club in the hands of Andy, With a loud laugh Ivan rushed at the prostrate youth, and would have shed his heart's blood on the spot. Ivan, Andy, and the burly butcher of the Forge, for such they were, thought that all was now over. They were much mistaken, for in a moment assistance ar- rived from an unexpected quarter. With an awful oath Blue-Jacket and Red-Jacket dashed in between Darby and his enemies. For a moment Ivan and his friends were astounded. The elegantly dressed strangers who so boldly opposed them looked as if they had but just stepped out of some gay and fashionable dancing saloon, so neatly and beautifully were they attired. With long bright swords they protected the slowly recover- ing Darby, but as they wore masks Ivan and his friends could not tell who or what they were. ‘“Who are these tinselled gentlemen?” said Ivan, with a scornful laugh, “that dare thus intrude in a fair and honest duel ?” "Pair and honest duel?” said Blue-Jacket, with contempt and scorn. ‘As far as Darby was concerned it would have been one, but, treacherous villains as you are, you would have murdered him in cold blood,” TERRIBLE. 157 “Then who are you? Are you gay galtants of the Court, come to visit the women of the Forge, or come yon to invite the King of the Forge to some fashionable dance in the west quarters of the town?” . This was said with so much bitter sarcasm, that Blue- Jacket almost foamed with rage as he replied, ‘‘ We came here to see you arrested as a blood-dyed scoun- drel, or like a man to defend yourself against the youth you have so much injured and outraged.” “Say you so?” _ ‘Yes, and had you fought as a man, we would not have interfered ; but now, Ivan, you and your friends have no oacuse Bor escape. You must fight, and, moreover, fight ws !” ‘ ou oD] “Yes, us!” “T should know that voice, but where I cannot say.”’ “Then, know you now,” said Blue-J acket, throwing off his mask. ‘Here is Blue-Jacket before you, and defies you! He brands you as a Villain and a coward! IE you are not a craven-hearted cur, advance.” Ivan and his two companions were completely taken aback. Before they could consult together, even before they had time to consider what to do, Blue-Jacket and Red-Jacket dashed at their foes with fearful fury. Darby was almost too weak to take part in the conflict, but he rose up like a man who has been refreshed from sleep, and assailed the burly butcher of the Forge. The clink of swords lasted for some minutes without result. By an unexpected stroke, however, Blue-Jacket slashed Ivan in the thigh. He groaned aloud in agony and swore most dreadful oaths. Blue-Jacket only laughed and repeated the stroke again and again. ‘Surrender, villain !” he said. “ Surrender or die 1” Ivan fell and still fought on on his knee, Red-Jacket and Andy were unequally matched. Andy was much the bigger and more powerful of the two, and, had it not been for Red-Jacket’s cleverness, his head would have been crushed by Andy’s powerful blows, but Red- Jacket parried them cleverly, and shunned rather than sought the futious attacks of his opponent. Darby made short work of the burly butcher, for, in a few moments, he disarmed him, and the scoundrel stood before the gallant groom almost defenceless, Not to appear cowardly Darby put away his sword, and rushed at his enemy with his clenched fists. The fight between these two was furious but not so dan- gerous to life and limb as that which was going on between the Fly-by-Nights and Ivan and Andy, With well-timed and many powerful blows Darby almost smashed the ugly features of his burly antagonist. Coward as he was he dared not stay to finish the fight, for when he saw Ivan upon his knees he lost courage, and fled like a cur. This was what Darby least of all desired, for he feared that the cowardly butcher might raise an alarm in the Forge, and thus frustrate all their designs upon Ivan. ‘Quick! quick!” said Darby, “kill or secure them, or all is lost; the butcher has escaped me, in a moment the alarm will be raised and we are lost.” ‘« Surrender !” said Blue-Jacket to Ivan. “Never !” was the stern reply of that fierce chief. “Ficht on! fight on!” said Andy, “help wilt be here in a moment. The alarm is already raised; the Forgers are up and in arms,” Ere he could finish his sentence Red-Jacket’s sword had pierced his breast, and he fell upon his face with a loud groan. In an instant, perceiving that Andy had fallen, Ivan fell upon his face exhausted from weakness and loss of biood. As quick as thought Blue-Jacket, Red-Jacket and Darby seized the body of Ivan and bore him away towards the river. Had they hesitated a single moment longer all would have been lost, and they themselves would have falien victims to ‘the fury of the Forgers, who were now heard on ail sides rushing to the réscue with swords and clubs, and links and lamps. “This way ! this way!” sara HTT clBvotto eer cto tin)