The Armourer's Apprentice — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

»~ od > . . : * Re >," "* a? ‘ x .— : a _ ~ True. Well, if the va 1, I promise you,” _ {Doubt not its value. I see my folly now it is too late. You and Alice shall be right- *But tell me about this stronghold,” eried Sir Stephen, impatiently. “What chance have I of taking it before Alice is ompelled to become the wife of Lord de Courcy ?” _ A good -_* When the ladies of the harem fled on the night of the murder of the Sheik ‘Mahomed Abu, end concealed themselves ‘inthe secret chambers, at first it was believ- ‘ed that some of them had made their “escape with the pretented magican and his slave; but things happened which made Sir ‘SBidulph think that that was not the case. Noises were heard, and it was found that in the night things were taken from the females’ apartments. ay _ “Fearing that he might soon be over- thrown, Sir Bidulph determined to find the lady at all risks. To do this inner and outw ard walls have been broken, and. at last the women were found all safe and ‘sound concealed beneath the leads of the Mosque, and close by the walls of the city. ‘In discovering them part of the wall was broken down, and part of the mosque bro- ‘ken in. The bridal party will be at the Mosque within half an hour. A sudden attack upon the wall, which (although not Mauch ruined) you and your men will find easier to scale than any other, will place ‘you in a position to enter the town at once, citadel once yours, the whole place ‘aust follow.” — et _ “You are not deceiving me?” _ _ “Why should I deceive you? If I do I mm in your power—kill me!” . “Tt is a bargain, and one that I shall Lise So look well that you deccive me LOU '. ’ BID news be of sufficient chance—almost a certainty. The > le order was given, and once more the gallant band commenced its journey. _ This time there was no attempt at con- cealing themselyes, but they rode bravely forward, and were soon in front of the r 4 “3 , « fa oughold, in the exact position which the armourer had described to our hero as the best partforthe assault, = _ At our hero’s command a knight, accom par aoe a herald, marched boldly up to the city walis, and having sounded a horn ye | Instant the walls were thronged . I ; s x ra th oldiers, Then a party of nobles, dressed in the acen manner, advanced tothe walls, and a “ who watched the English “bd ot? | Dy Bel -- "2 : o> hk 7 ) - ae” , & i * . A 7% Sek c ie te -? SiS ‘© c od « * a : ULPH OVERTHROWN AN aes 8 to ~¥ : 49 their herald demanded to know the cause of this summons, “iam here on the part of Sir Stephen Sternhold to demand the instant surrender of this castle in the name of Richard, King of England. Also that you give up unhurt the lady Alice, now your prisoner. Also that you yield u falsely called knight and baron of Boischene and Courey.” “How? Are youmad that you dare come Igernon, falsely called the Lord de the bodies of Biduiph, - here, and so insult men of nobler names and - lineage than yourself. Men of rank—” “ You are not men of rank, but recreants. The noble Richard Coeur de Lion—from whom all true nobility flows, the head and front of chivalry—hath declared your patents of nobility null and void, and hath had your banners torn from the walls of the oly chapel where they were consecrated, and kicked from the altar steps out of the chapel door, for the rabble, your fit compan- ions, to tear and rend,” “Ha! Hath this been done ?” “Thou hast my word for it. I warrant me that when thou art our prisoner thou . wilt find it trne, for the golden spurs shall be hacked off thy heels, as also shall those — of thy nephew, De Courcy. Thy sword shall be broken, thy spear cast into a ditch, and thy name spoken of with disgust.” “ Hold! say no more, or i swear by the prophet I will cast aside all rules of eae oe and have you shot as you stand. Th you that 1 am some beardless boy to be treated thus? Know that I can and do defy the power of Richard. Tell him that by- this time he is not King of England—that his brother Jchn reigns in his stead !” This was said by Sir Bidulph at a bold venture of guessing; but he knew that it might be true. | “How dare you say that Prince John isa traitor to his royal brother and king ?” “Your king not mine!” thundered Sir Bidulph de Boischene, - a “How! do you confess your treason—do you confess you arearenegade? “I have changed to the true religion. The great Saladin has become my friend. The Old Man of the Mountains—the Prince of Assassins—hath made me his seraskt, and gives me the en title of Sheik Alman- zor, Go hence, tell Richard this, and bid if you like; but, I pray you, | him tremble should he meet me in the field, | Behold the way in which I plant my banner and proclaim defiance of Richard and all lingland,” As he spoke he snatched a banner which one of his attendants had been carrying, and leaping on the outer wall, planted 16 Gomichboo (E(O)