Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

THE tainly, “Ha! ha! a lantern would have been seen by those in the Forge, and the boatmen would soon spread abroad his suspicions about this job, and then all be over in no time.’’ ‘‘ Have you found the cork yet?” ce O sig ‘‘ Nor the string ?” 6c No.”’ “Then I think you must have made a mistake as to the spot.” Pe I couldn’t, I tell you. I know I {sank it within two oars’ length of the bows of this old barge,” . ‘‘Oh ! here’s the string,” said one, “Have you found the cork ?” NCA “Then let us have it, Pull away, we shall soon get the end of the thick rope,” The men in the boat (for there were four or five) were highly excited at the idea of having at last found the sunken treasure. : Their expectations, however, were dashed to the ground, The cork was found, itis true ; but the string was entangled with the anchor chains of the barge, and when it was all pulled on board there was no rope at the end of it. Curses, not loud but deep, followed this discovery, “The tide has washed the rope off,” said one, ** Aye, that’s it.” ““ Well, what had best be done?” “Well, the rope must be somewhere hereabouts, and the best thing to be done is to fish for it with the boat-hook.” ‘No, there’s no time for all that, Here, wait a minute,” said he; “ I’ll dive for it.” “* Ah, that’s the best way.” 222 IVAN In a few seconds one of the boatmen pulled off his clothes, and dived into the water. He was along time before he reached the surface again, and when he did so, he reported, ‘No rope or sack hereabouts.”’ | He dived again and again, but without success, and at last rose to the surface, and clambered into the boat, swearing that he’d dive no more for any one living. While they were cogitating among themselves as to what should be done, the head of a man appeared through one of the windows of the barge. He wore a red night-cap, and his rough, bushy head was by no means peaceful in its proportions, Hulloa! what the devil’s up here,eh? What does that boat’s crew want here ?” ‘‘ Mind your own business !” at last said one of the Forgers, after a long pause, for at first each one of them imagined that the stranger was no less than a ghost, . ‘‘Mind my own business, eh? Well, that’s cool, I must say, Well, what are you arter? Are you trying to blow up the old barge, eh? Scamper off, I tell ye, or you'll repent it.”’ * Take that,” said one of the Forgers, firing a pistol, but missing his aim, i ‘Oh, it’s like that, is it?’ said the solitary man of the old arge, “Yes, and like that, and that, and that,” said several, laughing, and discharging their pistols in turn. *‘Tt’s only some half-crazy boatman that has taken up his lodgings there for the night,” said one and another laughing, They were much mistaken, They commenced fishing for the hidden treasure once more, and were deeply engaged with their boat-hooks for that pur- pose when a long, black boat they did not perceive, and rowed by eight stalwart men, shot up towards the Forgers like an arrow, and almost cut their boat in twain. The shock was so sudden and unexpected that the Forger’s boat was almost capsized, and let water in at a fearful rate. It was Nat Fathom’s crew ! The Iorgers were thunderstruck at the unexpected shock ; but they defended themselves right manfully, and cut right and left with their swords in fine style. But they were no match for Fathom’s men, who fairly cap- sized the Forger’s boat, and left the unfortunate crew splash- ing and plunging about in all directions, TERRIBLE. “That, settled ’em, I think,” said one, “Yes, they won't come and trouble the old barge again, I think.” *‘ No, not they.” ; a “Tt was well they were perceived in time ; they might have found out too much about the old barge, more than Nat Fathom would care about them knowing,” While they pulled up and down to see that all was clear and safe again, some one espied the boat of the Apprentices lying close under the shadow of the barge. ‘‘ Hillo ! here’s some more of the Forgers,” said one of Nat’s men ; ‘see their boat yonder under the lea?” “Yes; let’s at ’em,” said the whole boat’s crew. | With a cheer they pulled quickly towards Will Winter’s boat, when the latter shouted out, loudly, * Hold ! back water ! we are friends !” The voice of Will Winter seemed to be known by Nat’s men, who, on the instant, ceased rowing, They could not be persuaded to believe that it was Will Winter’s voice, however, until they had rowed alongside the Apprentices’ boat, “What, is that you Winter?” asked the chief of Nat Fathom’s crew, in astonishment, i Vies:? ‘‘ What brings you here?” ‘¢ An adventure.” *s What is it?” ‘‘We are going visit the Forge to-night, and, if possible, . arrest that villain Ivan and as many of his gang as we can, Will you join us?” ‘Well, you see, Master Will, Nat Fathom always was a friend of the Apprentices, but as he is not on the river to-night, I can’t say what I shall do. I should like to go with you, but I’m in doubts whether Nat would like it, particularly as he don’t like the idea of leaving the barge unwatched at night,” “ This old haunted barge? why, surely Nat Fathom doesn’t — own it?” é “But he does though, Master Winter, and he wouldn’t take any. money for it.” | “Why, it’s haunted.” **So they say, but so much the better for Nat, since no one, on that account, troubles himself about going near it,” 7 T never heard this before.” ‘‘T dare say not; but this much I can tell you, Master Winter, the old barge here would tell queer tales if it could.” ** No doubt.” ‘* And between you and me, Master Winter, I don’t like to see the Forgers prowling about so near it. I fear some of them have formed unpleasant suspicions about this haunted wreck, or they would not have come here to-night.” Will Winter, however, explained to them what it was that had occasioned the unexpected visit. This greatly surprised Nat Fathom’s men, who could scarce believe it. ~ When Will Winter, however, pointed to the heavy sack on the deck of the barge they were forced to believe the story, “And as to Nat Fathom not liking you to accompany us is all nonsense,” said Will, “‘so suppose you make up your minds, and we will all go together, that will make fifteen of i: in all, besides several of the Apprentices, who are already there.” ** Well, you London Apprentices are a bold lot of lads,” said Harry Harmer, the chief of the crew, ‘‘and now I come to think of it, Nat will not want us to-night, so what say you, men ; shall we go?” An unanimous ‘‘ Aye, sir, aye !’’ was the answer. ‘But then, you know, Master Winter,’’ Harry Harmer began, ‘“‘T thinks I knows a little more about the ‘ Forge’ than you young gentlemen do, therefore be guided by me,” “In what way?” _ “Why, this ; let you and me, Master Winter, first see what’s in this ere mysterious sack, and place it below in the barge’s cabin, and when that is done we’ll make straightway for the Forge ; the Apprentices under you, and t’others under my orders.” Cet COMICVOOKS. 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