The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

—__ uv 96 _ OIG eg” THE YOUNG APPRENTICE. Presently he returned. “The men are satisfied,”” he said; “the boat is ready. Let us go,”’ He did not atate that he had divided the money into two patta, one for himself, one for em, They were soon below, and, entering the large boat, they pushed off upon the darkling waters. It was some time before they reached the other side; but at length the Surrey shore was reached and the nine adventurers started for the scene of their struggle—to the rescue of the troopers love, CHAPTER III. STORMING THE CITADEL THe old house stood there, grim and gloomy as ever, rearing its dark head above the quiet meado ws. Eagerly the adventurers forward, and, in leas than half-an-hour, they had reached the gates, and rang loudly at the bell. On this occasion their tactics were far different to those which they had employed on a former On that they had employed occasion they had emp stratagy ; on this occasion they had resolved to use force and depend upon their own right arms and stout hearts. After a moment the door was opened. The person who appeared was a drunken mix- ture of a trooper and a footman, and he glanced at the new comers with a lowering stare, ‘‘What want you ?” he asked, Harold stepped forward. “ Is my Lord Raymond within ?” he asked. 0.” “Ia there no one who can act as his repre- sentative ?” said Ben, “Yes. J can.” “We have come, then, to fetch away a young girl, named Lizzie Woodhead,” said the trooper. ‘Let her deacend at once.” The Cerberus did not answer. “ Let me say a word,” said Captain Lackland, advancing with a bluster and a asmile, “Let me say a word, Let the gentleman understand we come from Lord Raymond,” The half-drunken man was just about to admit them, when another man emerged from a room in the hall. “What is this?” he said, gruffiy, as he seized in his hand the end of a rope that hung against the wall, “What is this? Lord Raymond is not at home, and is not expected for some time yet. What do you want?’ ‘‘As I have already said,” returned Ben, “ we came to fetch away one Lizzie Woodhead, who is staying here, Lord Raymond has no need of her services any longer, Ah, villain! I know you now, in spite of all your disguises, You are i back. Martin—the traitor—the betrayer. Stand back, and let me pags, or I will pierce you to the heart,” Henry Martin—for it was he—drew back a atep, and swung out his heavy sword from his scabbard, as with the other hand he dragged at e rope. Number. NOTICE,—Another beautiful COLOURED PICTURE will be GIVEN AWAY with an early Others to follow. In an instant aloud peal resounded through Ouse. “On, on, my men!” cried Captain Lackland, g care to keep in the background, “on! Now is your time |!” The who were no cowards, although they were hired bravos, now rushed in in a body, and before Harry Martin had time to use his huge weapon, he was seized on one side by Harold, and on the other by Ben Firebrace, His struggles were terrific. He was surrounded by stout hearts. They all knew that time was everything. Delay might bring a host of enemies to the rescue of their trey had soon as bound Harry Martin, therefore, and his semi-dronken companion, they found themselves faced by a hudling group of -frightened, hatt-sleepy soldiers. They were all armed, but the sudden tolling of the bell had roused them from a light slum- ber, and they oould understand nothing, there- fore, of the scene they were thus unceremonionsly introduced to, except that Harry and the porter bi bound, and in the hands of a superior orce “ What's this?” cried the foremost, “ what is the meaning of this disturbance ?” “We must search this house,” cried Captain Lackland, in aloud voice, which came sonorously from behind the armed Alsatians. “ Let us pass at once,” The voice of the modern Falstaff had no other effect upon the defenders than to make theta array themselves in as good order as they were able at the foot of the immense staircase, Ben Firebrace, however, left them not mach time to place themaelvea in position, As flery and as confident as if he were atthe head of his troop, he dashed into their midst, followed by Harold and the Alsatians, while Captain Lackland, seeing a huge mug on the table in the adjoining room containing beer, he retired into the chamber, and attacked the quor. “ They can do the fighting,” said he, laughing, and shrugging his huge shoulders ; “this is the sort of assault J like.” Meanwhile the gallant asgailants drove back the troopers and domestics, who, mingled to- gether—some cowards, some brave men—were no match against their determined foes. Gradually forced back, they at length, when they reached the landing of the first floor, were compelled to yield to the gallant rash made by their foes. After they had sought in vain on the first floor, they broke into a bed-chamber, where they found Lizzie Woodhead fully dressed, listening in fear and trembling to the shouts of the men and the clash of arms, She had recognised, even above the din of arms, the voice of Ben Firebrace, and an instant after they had entered she was locked in the embrace of her old lover. “We must lose no time,”® he cried, as he led her from the room. ‘No donbt the news has been carried to Lord Raymond, and we may find ourselves surprised.” Rapidly descending the staircase, they had reached the hall when sounds of distress reached their ears. CAILNA) A@ EDOO we CO