Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

IVAN THE ishing their knives, pistols and swords around Ivan with many strange oaths, imprecations and fiendish gestures, “T find you ripe for vengeance,” said Ivan, with a smile of triumph, “We are! we are!” And will follow me?” : - “For ever! for ever! To death!” was the awful response. “‘ Then each take his goblet, fill it to the brim with the best in our stronghold ; drink a toast with me !” said Ivan, in fiery excitement, filling up his tankard with strong brandy. ‘‘ Come, raise your goblets high! drink confusion and death to Blue Jacket and all our enemies, and red vengeance for the death of Count Vincento.” “We drink ! we drink !”’ was the quick response. “Three cheers for Ivan, our bold and invincible leader !” roared Andy, This was instantly responded to with deafening shouts by all assembled. All was a scene of wildness and fierce disorder when sud- denly it hushed as if by magic ! There were heard three loud and distinct raps at the door! “‘ Who is there ?” Ivan asked, in surly, solemn tones, There nas no response ! Who and what it was will quickly appear. CHAPTER XLI. THE WATERMEN’S APPRENTICES—THE SECRET MISSION— HARRY PERCY RECOGNISED AND WARMLY GREETED BY THEM—THE LONELY TOWER—THE FORGED ORDER—THE ONE-EYED GAOLER—THE RECOGNITION, AND PLANS FOR ESCAPE—THE ALARM IS RAISED IN THE TOWER—RAWLEY ARMED AND PREPARED—THE MYSTERIOUS EXIT, THE long, well-armed boat that so rudely and so suddenly _ stopped Harry and Darby in the dark on their course up the river was Will Winter and his crew of Watermen’s Ap- prentices. But this neither Harry or Darby knew. At first Master Darby was half inclined to believe that they were neither more nor less than so many buccaneers who had thus come to overhaul and punish them for delivering their late craft into the hands of the king’s navy. “Boat ahoy !’’ was the challenge. ‘‘Back water, Harry, for mercy’s sake!” gasped Darby, in a terrible stew; “back water, master, and let’s land any- where out of the way of these river sharks and pirates, or we shall be run down and drowned.” “Boat ahoy !” shouted the apprentices, that ?” “Pull, master; pull! the devils are after us! Oh, the in- fernal scoundrels, how fast they do row!” growled Darby, who was trying to persuade Harry to follow his advice and to escape to the shore. Harry, however, who really knew more of the world and of nautical matters than his servant, declined to move, and rightly judged that the boat’s crew, whoever they might be, could have none other than friendly intentions towards them, or they might have run them down, instead of backing water and repeatedly challenging. Before either himself or Darby had time for a moment’s reflection the apprentices’ boat rushed down upon them like a swift arrow; a boat-hook securely seized Harry Percy’s frail little craft, and, so sudden was the thing done, that it unseated Master Darby, who turned head over heels into the bottom of the boat among the bilge water ! ‘‘Who are you?” demanded Will Winter of Harry, when both boats where alongside each other. ‘‘ A friend |” said young Percy, extending his hand, ‘“ The apprentices’ friend |” So saying he shook hands with Master Will, and, to his astonishment, gave the “grip” and “sign.” “ How came you possessed of this ?” Winter asked, alluding to the grip. Harry whispered for a moment in secresy. When Winter said, “What craft is TERRIBLE. 77 “ What! Captain Blue Jacket ?” Me eSe “He is in prison.” “A prisoner ?” “Yes; in Lambeth Tower. We are now on the way to arrange plans for his rescue or escape. Surely, you will be one ot us, considering all you owe to Ivan and his fiendtsh an 7 “With all my heart.” “But can you rely on your servant ?” ““T would entrust him with my life.” “But could you entrust him with a sword, crowbar, or sledge hammer?” : “ Yes, that would I, for he is a perfect Hercules in strength, and could as easily knock down a young bull as I could a quarterstaff.”’ ‘Then he is the man for us, Harry Percy. Follow us in your boat. If we get a little ahead of yours it matters not. You will find us laying on our oars near ‘The Forge.’ We wish to see whether Ivan is at home or not ere we proceed to Lambeth Tower.” Darby, on perceiving the pleasant turn affairs had taken, soon recovered his seat, and hearing his young master speak of him in such flattering terms, seemed renewed with fresh spirit, and a longing desire for some hazardous adventure that might put his own courage to the full proof. These, then, were two of the three boats which Ivan’s “look-out ” at “The Forge” had described as having been seen hovering about that infamous and dangerous spot, and afterwards ascend the river towards Lambeth. But although Will Winter was bent upon setting «Blue Jacket free, how was he to carry out his hazardous design ? The “Tower” was a strong place, and Rawley, its keeper, was a stern, iron-fisted man, cunning as a fox, and of known ferocity. Besides, the place was well guarded both night and day by - a strong detachment of troops. When, therefore, Master Winter’s boat had arrived within sight of the Tower, he consulted with Harry Percy and the apprentices as to the best manner of proceeding. Some said if would be dangerous to attempt more that night than carefully reconnoitre all the approaches to the place, Will Winter listened to all that was said in this whispered conference on the dark river, and boldly determined to row up to the Tower, and gain admittance by sheer impudence. **For,” said he, “‘I am pretty clever at counterfeiting names, and have already forged the king’s name to this piece of paper,’’ he said, pulling out a written pass from his pocket, and exhibiting it to the amazed apprentices. ‘I wrote it in a tavern on my way to Westminster Stairs.” “ But that is a hanging matter,” one suggested. ‘And so is Blue Jacket’s a hanging matter, I think,” Master Will drily retorted. ‘‘But suppose you fail?” ‘There is no such word as ‘fail’ for a Grand Master of the London Apprentices,” was the calm, dignified, and resolute reply. “What, then, shall we do 2?” asked the young watermen. ‘We are willing to do your bidding in everything.” ‘Then row me to the bank, just at the Tower; and you, Harry Percy, come with me,” SY Epos te “Yes; Blue Jacket rescued you from prison, and——”’ ‘“‘ How know you that ?” Harry quickly answered. “ That remains to be discovered !” said Will Winter, with a smile. “But know this, young Percy, there is nought that happens of moment in this great London town that is not known in its full and most minute particulars to the ’Prentices’ Lodges and Guilds.” Harry and Darby were astonished for a moment that all the particulars of their late doings in London should haye been known to the apprentices, The young watermen expressed their merriment at Darby’s open mouth and distended eyes ; but Harry Percy, it must be confessed, was really astounded when Master Winter whis- pered in his ear, Gomme boo KS A(CO AN)