Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

78 IVAN THE ‘ And your noble conduct in avenging Colonel Ashton’s death by slaying the notorious sham Count Vincento gaye such satisfaction that all the Apprentices of London unani- mously elected you a member, and have already enrolled your name on the scroll of honour, The whole affair was told by the brave fellow that now lies in a dismal cell in yonder frowning gloomy Tower.” Without another word the apprentices lifted Harry and Pay into their own boat, and rapidly rowed towards the ower. ) They kept well in towards the shore, and amid the dark shadows of the frowning bank had crept quite close, to the Tower ere they were perceived by the, watchful sentinel. They dashed out manfully from the screening shadows, however, and flitted across a bright, moonlit sheet of water. “ Halt ! halt !’’ were the sharp, quick, hoarse challenges of the night-watch. +; “Halt! halt!’ repeated the soldiers, with levelled muskets just as Master Winter’s boat’s crew laid upon their oars, and the sharp prow slid upon the sandy shore. “ What boat is that?” demanded an astonished sergeant, approaching the boat with his lantern, his looks expressive of great mortification and surprise. , None of the guards ever dreamed that a boat could approach so close to the Tower without being seen or heard a consider- able distance. Master Winter’s boat, however; was manned not by common hands, but by expert watermen’s apprentices, who well knew the river. ' They had, therefore, kept well within the shadows of the bank, and Their oars were muffled ! | “What want ye at,tiis dread hour of the night ?” demanded the sergeant, in gruff tones. ‘“ Bring ye any state prisoner of note?” ‘‘ Not so, friend sergeant; but we came to visit one, and have his Majesty’s order to be admitted and treated cour- teously,”” Will Winter replied, boldly, gaily jumping ashore out of his boat, followed by Harry Percy. Presenting the forged ‘ pass;” the sergeant read it atten tively again and again, for until then he had heyér seen the handwriting of his Majesty, and, therefore, looked on Master Winter's furgery with an aspect of reverential awe. “ And who might ye be, young gentlemen?” the sergeant } asked, pretending to keenly eye his two late visitors, ‘Mind your own business; my fine fellow,” was the prompt reply. * But the governor is out to-night supping with fine lords and ladies at the palace, and won’t be home till late.” “Well, then, present the royal pass to the deputy-governor,” “ He’s got the gout,” . “The devil !’’ exclaimed Master Winter; with the assumed air of an important and impatient nobleman. ‘ Then present it to the captain of the guard.” ** Yes, but he’s gone to bed long ago, and threatens to shoot the first man that disturbs him,” the sergeant replied, with a comical and puzzled look, I fear me you must call again.” “Call. again? What, would you insult us; sitrah?” said Master Winter, strutting towatds the fatéway of the Tower. “Come, open the great door without delay on your peril, or, should you dare to refuse admittance to myself and friend with this royal order, I will have you flayed alive.” The sergeant was thrown off his guard by such bombast and important manners, but thought to himself, “Well, the order is right énough; if is signed by the king himself, and, even if it were aforgery, there can’t be much harm done in letting them see this Captain Blue Jacket, for he is heavily ironed this two days, and surely can’t éscape.”’ Reasoning thus, he opened the great door of the grim, black-looking Tower. Will and Harry stepped lightly into the stone corridor, and the door closed behind them with a heavy slamming noise that echoed far and near, and sent a thrill through the hearts of both, What if they should be discovered ? Suppose keeper Rawley were to return ? Such were the thoughts that flitted through the minds of TERRIBLE. Will Winter and Harry Petcy as they paced the cold stone corridors and stairs: mpg ptiaeaet =: ssa beatae Pee They were conducted up several flights of steps by an old gaoler, who, much out of breath with the exertion, said, coughing, pyc t¥e Mee? ee ae “There be no need o’ me going up further wi’ ye; the notorious villain Blue Jacket, you'll find in the cell on the next landing, He has a gaoler outside his door night and day. Show your pass to him.” . 4 he Will Winter was sorry to hear that keeper Rawley had taken such very great precautions with Blue Jacket, for it — only doubled the chances against hisescape. With a sigh, therefore, of regret, he bade Harry follow him and keep his cloak well wrapped about him, so as to disguise his true figure and form from the prying, quizzing eyes of any one they might meet. _ lla ut Hatt aN as They had not ascended many steps ere they heard voices loud. in conversation. ~ 3 op ie . They stopped and breathed softly to listen to all that assed. ., | ntl scte pase bel E It was Blue Jacket’s especial night gaoler who was talking to his charge. His last words were, a 5 pant acy oc Sel a ‘“Tnever had a pleasanter job in my whole life than to watch you, Captain Blue Jacket. I would not exchange it forakingdom. There is no fear of Red Jacket, Handsome Ned, or any of your famous. Fly-by- Nights attempting a rescue ~ here while Z’ve got a pistol or dagger, for, know ye, if you were to attempt to escape, I should kill you like acat.. Hal “You, may laugh,” was Blue Jacket’s answer., “I know — very well who and what you are. How much did Ivan give © you to perform this duty? I know you are one of his crew.” “Yes, and rejoice in it; my fine fellow. He and If haye ‘done’ for Sam Scarlet, one of your favourites, and, trust me, ~ we will have much pleasure in disposing of the great captain himself, Ha! ha! Twomore days, and you will swing on a lonely gibbet, my fine dandy Captain Blue Jacket.” — “T’m not half dead yet, you ugly mongrel,” said Biue J acket, grinding his teeth with rage and shaking his heavy chains in” yiolent anger, “and may live to see the hour when you and — Ivan and all the brutes under his command, are flung as fitting food for carrion crows.” | —) “ What |!” said Ike, the one-eyed, red-haired gaoler in a terrific rage, ‘speak another word, against Ivan, an I will beat out your brains on the spotifIdieforit.” 9, 4 . Speaking thus, he rushed at his helpless prisoner, and flourished his heavy bunch of keys over Blue Jacket aaa threatening manner, and with every appearance of fulfilling his threat on the instant. hae At that moment Master Winter and Harry Percy, disguised in their cloaks, noiselessly ascended the stairs, and entered the — cell unperceived. b YOU Rio sama dat Ola OO ee “ Mannerless cur !” said Will Winter, suddenly knocking the ‘ keys out of the astonished gaoler’s hand, “mannerless, cur! would you kill the man you ought to guard and protect? Shame on ye |” ha Ss die: 6) etd oe, Saks aif See . The sudden entry of the two strangers bewildered Blue , Jacket almost as much as the red-headed, one-eyed gaoler, With a look of supreme contempt, and in high-toned words — and manner, he exhibited the “pass” under the nose of the ~ crouching; fawning oflicial; and said; “ Yousee that ? Leave us, then, knave, onthe instant! I am bearer here of the king’s commands,” . : pi With staring eyes, the gaoler glanced first at one and then another of his unexpected visitors, and read the “pass”? with — almost reverential awe. 4 He left the cell, but as hé did so there was a wicked Iook — sparkling in his eye. He shook his hand in dumb show; as if he longed to knock the two visitors down the long, stone flights — of stairs for interrupting him in his meditated vengeance upon his prisoner. vi He did not leave the cell door, however, but listeénéd atten. — tively at the keyhole to all that passed. | He heard Will Winter, it is true, speaking to Blue Jacket in subdued tones, and with the(orej aay ce 00: ae (aro any