Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

20 IVAN THE very finest wood and workmanship, and told the maker to put it in a long, light cart, with two horses, to cover up the coffin with blankets, so that it should not be seen by any one, and then to meet him at the “Cock and Whistle,” at the top of the Oxford Road, near the park. Darby, in order to “do the thing respectable,” as he said, purchased a long crape streamer, and tied it round his hat and went into the parlour of the ‘“‘Cock and Whistle,” which was just opened, and called for a jug of ale. To his surprise he found there some half dozen splendidly dressed horsemen, who sat over their wine and laughed loudly and merrily at something that one of them was saying. To Darby’s surprise he found from their conversation that they were all highwaymen. They were speaking of some “crib” as they called it, which “ Handsome Ned ” and his companions had “ cracked”’ the night before, although they knew that the “Bow Street Ferret” was dogging their heels. Noticing Darby’s melancholy looks one of them who was dressed in a red tunic and coat of the same colour, called Red Jacket, came over to Darby, and slapping him on the back, said, “Come, my honest lad, drink with us, for we are true men, every one.” Darby did drink with him several times, and soon let out the whole story of young Harry Percy’s duel with Count Vincento, and of his present pressing errand, “What, Count Vincento killed? asked Red Jacket and Handsome Ned both at once, and then looking very much pleased and astonished, they cried, “ Bravo, young Percy ! ‘Bravo, Darby! Vincento was one of the greatest scoundrels that ever lived, of course always excepting that monster his master, Ivan the Terrible !” So pleased were these half dozen gentlemen that each and all volunteered upon the instant to go and assist in burying the unfortunate Colonel Ashton, Handsome Ned: swearing roundly that when he rescued young Percy from drowning the previous evening he felt much interested in that bold, brave boy, and particularly as his captain, Blue Jacket, had tender leanings towards Lady Laura, In a short time Darby and the undertaker with his friends decently buried Colonel Ashton in a quiet spot, and Darby re- turned to the ‘‘ Cock and Whistle” to have another jug of ale with his friends, when, just at the height of their merriment, who should rush into the parlour upon him but a dozen constables, who there and then accused him of murder! Though surprised, Darby had not the slightest notion of being thrown into gaol, and in an instant threw his ale into the eyes of one, knocked down another with the empty pewter pot, and then let fly at them right and left with his fists until he had severely punished five or six of them. He was not deserted, however, by his newly-made friends, for they laid about them with the stocks of their riding whips to such perfection that several were favoured with cracked skulls and the rest ignominiously driven from the house. One of the officers, however, that dared lag behind, a big powerful fellow, called Mat Muggins, was assailed by Darby with great fury, and a regular pitched battle ensued between them, but Darby could use his hands so cleverly that he almost battered the officer’s face into a jelly and then pitched him out into the muddy streets, Having thus cleverly disposed of the officers, Darby and his friends, the Fly-by-Nights, mounted their horses and soon left the ‘*Cock and Whistle” far behind. : “But mind you, my brave lad,” said Red Jacket and Hand- some Ned, ere they parted with Darby, ‘don’t think that this ugly affair will end so quietly as all this. Count Vin- cento was one of Ivan the Terrible’s favourite men, and a great leader, Not only will the officers try to discover you, but, you may be sure, that all Ivan’s gang, whether in London or the country, will swear eternal vengeance against gallant young Percy. But tell him to fear nothing, He may always rely upon any of Blue Jacket’s band to aid him, and say from us that the very best thing he could do until this affair blows over is to take shipping and sail for Cornwall,” “Tis good advice, Darby, whether these friends be high- TERRIBLE. waymen or not,” said young Perey. “Come, let us go to the dock, and inquire for a vessel that sails for Glenloch,” So saying, Harry Percy gave orders to the landlord and the landlady of the hotel that every attention should be paid to Lizzie Ashton, while he and his faithful servant went towards the docks. | They had scarcely left the hotel ere their footsteps mere dogged! { They were walking down a quiet narrow street, never dreaming of harm, when Sam Giles, the ‘‘ Bow Street Ferret,” with a party of burly officers, rushed out of an alley way upon them. “Seize them! Hand-cuff them ! Jacket’s band !’” In an instant young Harry Percy and Darby were safely secured and overpowered, and borne away to prison on a charge of robbery, conspiracy, and murder! They are some of Blue CHAPTER XI. THE AWFUL WARNING— THE MYSTIC VOICE—IVAN AND BASIL ARE CURSED FROM HEAVEN—SUDDEN CHANGE, ‘‘T’LL see no more !” shouted Ivan, with a terrible oath, after he had seen the awful vision narrated in another place, Rising up from his prostrate attitude, he would have rushed away ! His efforts were vain. Basil waved his wand, and with acry of pain Ivan sank to the ground, grinding his teeth with rage!» “ Would’st thou see the maid for whom thy black heart longeth, sister to the boy that lies helpless at thy feet, and whose blood must shortly flow ?” “ Aye, anything, anything; but not the dead !” groaned Ivan, as if held down and chained to the spot. ‘‘ No more of that, it harrows up my very blood.” “Then let thy wondering eyes behold !” said the Sorcerer, waving his wand. 7 On the instant a light white vapoury cloud, as of savory incense, filled all the altar space ! Gradually numerous lights appeared, distant and harmonious chords, as of a sweet-toned organ, fell upon the ear, and Ivan saw before him, as in some delightful vision, the face and form of the lovely Laura decked in bridal garments, and sparkling with diamonds of every colour. Beside her stood a ‘ gallant fellow with sword and spur, who held her hand in his ! Ivan gazed on the vision like oneentranced! He could not speak, but gasped for breath ; for at that moment. the spectre bridegroom turned his face ! It was masked ! “Tis mine enemy !” he gasped, ‘‘ Unhandme! loose me! Let me slay him on the spot,” roared Ivan, like some wounded tiger. ‘‘ He is thine enemy and mine!” said Basil, in a hissing tone, ‘‘ would’st thou then destroy him ?”’ “Yea, I would pledge my life’s blood to strike him te the heart |” , “Wilt thou bind thyself? Wilt thou doubly damn thyself ?” asked Basil. “ Till, Tmill!’ roared Ivan. ‘ Let me but have sweet re- venge ; let her be mine, and then, Basil, do with me as thow wilt }? ‘Be itso ! thy wish is granted. The Man of Mystery shall perish !” As if relieved from a heavy weight of chains, Ivan sprang to his feet, and drawing his ponderous sword, rushed towards the altar. , The vision vanished ! He trembled in every limb with unearthly fear ! Basil fell prostrate upon the ground. A dazzling light suddenly burst forth upon them, brighter than the noonday sun ! A voice, like a sudden thunder-clap, proclaimed aloud “Tn thy impious daring, Ivan, thou hast bartered away thy wretched soul! Thou wert suffered for a season to gratify thy pride! This did not OL CIO Kor com