Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 272: what you’re looking at

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

268 IVAN THE that he will not object to Jessie marrying the man she loves best.” ‘¢ And who is he ?” the earl asked, ** Darby the groom,” “There cannot be any objection to that,” said his majesty ; “now that the traitors are arrested and punished, it behoves us like a king to make all those happy who have been instru- mental in checking this foul rebellion.” The Pilgrim bowed. ‘You seem to have come to ask favours for others, old man,” said the king. ‘Is there anything else you want ?” “Yes, a free pardon for all Blue-Jacket’s band.” “Well, it is granted, and now for yourself. What favour can I bestow on you?” ‘“‘ Nothing, sire.” * Nothing ?” “No, nothing.” “You are a strange being ; you seem to have,devoted all your life to the unravelling of state plots and secrets, and yet ask nothing in reward,” TERRIBLE. “T do not, save the happiness of all those who haye proved loyal and faithful to you.” “Who are you ?” said the king, in a half whisper. At that moment the Pilgrim’s clothes fell from the old man’s shoulders, and to the astonishment of all disclosed a beautiful young woman. It was Lady Laura Percy ! With a shout of joy Will Winter clasped her to his arms, and all present were filled with mingled feelings of astonish- ment and joy. * * * * * * * The next morning, when shouts of all London rent the air with joy at the death of Ivan and most of hisinfamous Band of Forgers, men’s faces were radiant with pleasure to learn that Lady Laura Percy had bestowed her hand on Will Winter, the Chief of the London Apprentices, and merry bells struck up a peal to celebrate the event, which sent a thrill of joy to the heart of every loyal citizen in London, ‘THE END. THE SMUGGLER’S BRIDE. - (Concluded from page 264.) —~—. We launched the three boats from the ship, and each well manned with six men, including young Markham (the old man stayed on board), we set out for the demesne of Andrews. As we caught sight of the house through the trees, it seemed as a conflagration, from the blaze of light which streamed far and wide from window and doorway ; servants hurried to and fro, and all gave dreadful note of preparation for the party. Markham and I approached the house, having posted.the men in the shrubbery, with orders to rush in when they heard a whistle. Emily had delayed her appearance as long as possible to give time, and now, in compliance with the iterated commands of her father, had just entered the apartment. ‘¢ This is your future husband and protector,” said Mr. Andrews, as he placed in hers the hand of Dobbs. ‘£* Call the clergyman.” The door opened, and in walked, not the man of religion, but our young captain. “« He is come!” cried Emily, as she sank on a chair. Old Andrews started up. “‘ Who are you, sir, that dare intrude yourself uninvited into this company ?” ““T come not uninvited, sir,’ replied the other. request your daughter in marriage at her desire.” ‘‘ Marriage !””? repeated the father, in astonishment. you? You have a name, I suppose ?” “My name is Markham.” ‘© Markham !”’ shouted several. ‘‘ He is Markham the smuggler ; secure the villain !” With loud cries, they set upon the young man, who apparently retreated before them ; this manceuvre left the coast clear, all being anxious to make a capture of their prize. I seized the trembling young lady, and bore her to the boat; we soon reached the ship, where young Markham, who decoyed the gentlemen to where his men were in ambush, and got them a good beating, joined. The young lady was at first inconsolable ; but she soon consented to allow the clergyman to perform the ceremony on board, and, after putting that worthy on shore, we prepared to return to Fowey. Meanwhile nothing could equal the consternation of the father lover, and guests, when, on their return to the parlour, they found the bird was flown; they burst into a long invective against the audacity of Markham, and their own stupidity at allowing them- selves to be so deceived. The captain of a sloop of war then in the harbour was one of the guests. ‘Have you,” he asked, ‘‘any certain knowledge that the young man was Markham the smuggler ?” ‘‘There’s a convincing proof,’’ cried some one, as the graceful form of the ‘* Penguin” floated by triumphantly. *‘ Saddle a fleet horse instantly, and we will have revenge,” cried ‘* T am here to ‘¢ Who are the navy officer, as he wrote a note to his first lieutenant, stating ‘< that the smuggler they were so long on the watch for was lurking about—had committed an outrage on a respectable family, and bidding him get all hands on board, and sail up instantly.” That evening the first lieutenant, an old weather-beaten seaman, was quietly sipping his can of grog, and musing on the neglect which left him, after many years’ service unrewarded ; at any rate, he thought this coasting service was an easy one, ‘‘ for I do believe there is not half as much smuggling as people think; I suppose I may go to my berth.” < He stood for a moment on deck, as the crowds of loiterers on the quay gave passage to a man spurring a horse white with foam towards the wharf; he threw himself from the exhausted animal, as he stumbled and ran on to where a number of boats stood ready manned ; having jumped into one, he desired the men, in a voice almost inarticulate from fatigue, to pull to the vessel. “¢ Some love-letter for the captain,” growled the old lieutenant, as he sulkily turned to the cabin. ‘‘ What a shame it is for the Admiralty to give vessels to such young officers! Eh, who are you, my lad?” said he, as he beheld the servant of Andrews standing motionless like a statue, holding out to him the letter. ‘‘1’m not the captain.” , ** But the letter bees for you,” persisted the man, as he recovered breath to speak. ‘¢ Thunder and turf, fire and fury !’”’ roared the lieutenant, when he glanced over the contents. “‘ Hullo, quarter-master, turn up all hands to muster instantly.” ‘* Aye, sir, aye,” sung out the quarter-master, ‘‘ there was but — few men ashore.” ‘* Never minds; get the ship under weigh. We give chase to the smuggler.” , ** Aye, sir, aye,” repeated the quarter-master, as he prepared to execute his orders. ** Up and down,” was cried from the forecastle. ‘Stopper your cable, and pull the capstan,” was heard from the quarter-deck. ** All hands make sail,’’? succeeded, and quick as lightning the men, like swarms of bees, filled the shrouds on both sides; no voice spoke but the one that gave the command, loud and sonorous, but the orders were reiterated in the shrill whistle of the boatswain and his mates, and when every man’s foot was set in the rigging, and every hand held the ratlines, ‘‘ Away aloft,’? away they rushed like racing steeds, as if life depended on getting first; again all was silent, till ‘* trice up, lay out,” was uttered, and the long extended yards of the ship were everywhere upmingling with the blue sky, and down over the blue waves, covered with human beings, creeping to their extremities, and nothing between them and certain death but a slack swinging rope on which they placed their feet, all that prevenired their plunging into the unknown depths of the sea, or eing dashed to atoms on deck; then sheet after sheet dropped, the Eomicbooks,;com ‘