Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 224: what you’re looking at

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

220 IVAN THE His place of concealment was not exposed to view, but he could see any one that approached the water’s edge or boat- landing. He was intently watching the flickering of the many distant lights far away among the lanes, alley-ways, and rookeries that abounded in the “ Forge,” and was imagining in which of them he might happily fall against Ivan himself. While he thought thus, and was about to light his pipe with flint and steel, his quick ear caught the sounds ,of voices ap- proaching the boat-landing, He listened. ’*Twas well that he had not attracted the attention of those approaching by striking a single spark with flint and steel ! He placed the pipe in his pocket again, and fastened his pistol belt tightly around him, and then felt for his sword to see that it was safe and easy in its scabbard ! He had done this, and shading his face, he peeped from behind the timber stacks, and perceived two men approaching the boat landing. Will could not detect their features on account of their broad-brimmed slouching hats, They were whispering together, and occasionally swore at e weight of what they were carrying towards the river. It was a sack ! The contents were tied up like a mummy ! “What can it be?” Will thought, and watched the two fflanly-looking fellows intently. CHAPTER CV. HOW THE FORGERS HID THEIR BOOTY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE THAMES. “T DON’T see any chance of crossing the river just yet,” said one. ‘Oh, he’s sure to come; he’s been well paid, Z know, and I don’t think he dare disappoint.” ‘But what if we are disturbed in our work.” “No fear of that; and if we are we must fight, that’s all,’ | the other replied. ‘‘ What’s in the sack, I wonder ?” “Nay, I can’t tell ; but, whatever it is, it’s d——d heavy,” was the reply. “Where must we bury it?” ‘Oh, I know the place ; he told me all about it.” ” ‘Who is he?” thought Master Will, as he stood close up in his place of concealment ; “there seems to be some mystery, I wonder if they are ‘body-snatchers,’ or what? I think it would repay to watch these fellows,” As he spoke thus to himself one of the black-looking vil- lains gave a loud and shrill whistle, In a few moments this was repeated. But no answer was returned. *T don’t think he'll come,” said one. ; “ He daren’t disobey,” was the reply; ‘Ivan would cut his head off should he disobey the strict orders we have received.” ‘Oh, here he comes,” said the other, “he heard us that time, Don’t you see his boat-lamp yonder dancing on the water ?”” “Yes, and a long time he’s been about it. he, with a prolonged shout. The distant boatman, whoever he was, heard this signal, and turned the head of his craft towards the timber where Will Winter had hidden himself. ‘‘ Hillo-o-o !” shouted the boatman, ‘‘ Boat, ahoy !’’ was the response. Quickly the craft drew near, when the boatman shouted, “Ts that you?” “ Ye-e-s !” ‘T didn’t think you’d come so early.” ‘Did you think we’d come in broad day-light, then, thick- head? Come, pull up to the landing, and be quick about it,” ‘You're in a devil of a hurry.” “Yes, and so we ought to be, Suppose we were collared, eh, what then? 1 suppose you have been boozing in some wine-shop, and never thought of what you had to do ?” Hillo-o-o !” said TERRIBLE, “Yes, I did, but I didn’t think you’d be so quick about it.” “ Ah, I suppose not; but then you know we ain’t so sleepy ag you.” : Seaicine thus the boat drew up close to the landing, and the two ruffians lifted their heavy burden into the boat and sat down. ‘‘ Where have I to row you?” ‘Qh, never you mind ; you pull away until you're told ta stop, that’s all.” “Shall I puff my lamp out?” $3 : “ Puff your lamp out? No, how are we going to light our pipes, eh, thick-head ?” “JT didn’t think o’ that.” “No, I suppose not, but did, Didn’t you, mate?” seOYeH= “T thought we might as well puff out the light,” said the boatman, “in case it might attract attention.” ‘Oh, never fear ; there’s no occasion for that. Nobody will watch us, and if they did they wouldn’t be any the wiser.” “ Pull away !” “ Down stream ?” ‘Aye, down the stream, and near the Forger’s rendez- vous,” The boatman did as he was bidden, and in a few moments the little craft, with its mysterious burden, was in the middle of the dark river. ° The lamp in the bows seemed to dance upon the neaving bosom of the inky Thames, and the voices of the three men — were lost in the sighing of the night winds. ‘“‘T wonder what this means?” mused Will, as he walked to and fro, impatient at the long delay of the Apprentices’ boat, Ere long it came. Every one on board was fully armed; and each of the brave youths had supplied himself with a small bottle of brandy. ‘You have been a long time,” Will said. “Yes, captain,” was the reply ; “ we shouldn’t have been so long only we’ve heard strange news and stopped to hear it,” “Strange news? What was it?” “Why, captain, we’ve heard to-night that Nat Fathom and his men have had a terrible fight with some of Ivan’s band who were rioting in the East Cheape.” ‘‘ Ah, and which proved the victors ?”’ » “They do say that Nat Fathom’s men beat the others very handsomely.” “ How did it happen?” ‘One of the Apprentices says that Ivan’s ruffians had been robbing a bank and secured much plunder.” “ Ah! and did they make away with it?” So it is said.” ‘“But what had Nat Fathom to do with it?” ‘‘ Why, Ivan’s friends called at a public-house and began to boast of their doings, and bragged of how much money they secured at the bank, together with nearly all the gold and silver plate out of a gentleman’s house near to the bank, when Nat Fathom’s men called them all cut-throats, rogues, and vaga- bonds, and so the quarrel commenced,” “ Did blood flow ?” ‘Yes, freely, on both sides, so we hear.” ‘But some of the stolen property was taken from them ?” ‘No, I believe not.” ‘Then, perhaps, I can enlighten you as to what has become of it,” said Will, with a smile, * You, captain ?” COVER: dee . “Why, the fight took place some hours ago and far from ere,” ‘‘T dare say it did,” was Will’s reply, as hé seated himself in the boat. ‘Then how do you know all about it, captain ?” ‘Do you see that light yonder bobbing up and down on the water ?” oy Mesa ‘‘ Well, do you also see that barge which is anchored near Comicbooks.com