The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

aw? 0 @ ' Charmed,” he said. “ The lamp he had extinguished. He knew well that his only chance of safety depended upon the surety of his aim. So he watched the dim outline of the giant as he approached, and just as he neared him he fired. There was a loud cry mingled with the report. That was from Ettie. But when the smoke was clearing ‘away, the giant was seen lying wounded and fainting upon the edge of his daughter's bed. ‘¢ Ah |” shouted Quelf, vindictively, “ah! I have you now. I will rid the world now of a villain.” So saying, he approached the wounded man, and drew his knife. Ettie was now roused, She had feared him before. Now her father was in danger she felt as brave as a lion. Taking the armourer’s sword from his hands, she raised it with both her hands above her head, kneeling the while on the bed. “ Back, villain !'’ ashe cried, “back, Isay. In another moment all those in the house will be upon you. Back, or I will cleave your skull in twain.” There was no doubting her meaning. The sword was raised menacingly; fierce anger had endowed her with unnatural strength, and the mere fall of the weapon would, he well knew, be enough to crush him. So, with a loud curse, he flew away just in time to avoid meeting the servants. He found Captain Lackland perched on the window. He was just ready to fly, for he had heard the report of the pistol, and knew that something wrong had happened. “Fy | I have failed !" cried Quelf, They were soon down the stairs and at the river-side, But they sought in vain for the boat. The wherry and its occupant was gonc. Harold, bound and helpless, was afloat on the dark water |! x * * * x * To explain the position in which Harold now found himself, it is neceasary to go back to the moment when Lord Raymond was lost in the throng which was attacking the “ Mitre Inn,” He soon saw that his cause was lost, The Alsatians were on fire. They had drank deeply. They had succeeded in plundering to their hearts content, and they were, therefore, joyous and in full swing. The hired soldiers had no chance against em. Back they were driven, and, seeing that there was no further chance, Lord Raymond, as usu flew from the soene of warfare. ™ . At the inn where he had first met the Alsatian -bravo Lord Raymond again encountered him. oung fellow seems. “The ‘life of this ou must take him alive,” “ And how P” THE YOUNG APPRENTICE. The Alsatian theught a moment, “Good!” said he; “good. This young ras- cal will return, of course, to the house of the armourer, and then I can seize him out of his bed. Quelf can aid me.” So, as we have seen, it had been done: and now, fioating, rocking in the boat where he had been left by his enemies, the Young Apprentice at length found himself plunging forward and then backwards, and then sent whirling away towards the river. Nothing stared him in the face but death. The dark river, full of piles and dangerous places, was just the kind of highway where he might t to meet with destruction without the interference of footpads or highwaymen. _ On, on he went. The boat whirled round as it rapidly ad. vanced, and presently crash it went against the stonework of the bridge. But Providence watched over our hero. Bound and helpless though he was, he had some one above gcareof him. . On passing through the bridge, the boat, shooting along the eddying water, turned to the right, and came suddenly to a dead standstill among the piles, wedging itaelf in amongst the (With "desperate effort, Harold tinued t ith a ort, Harold continued to raise himself on his feet. The cords binding him had slightly loosened, and he continued to stagger slowly, and with frequent falls, to the bank. Now up to his knees in slimy water, now falling backward into the mud, he at length reached the shore, and staggered and stumbled up a ricketty old woogen staircase leading up to the gates of the bridge, He was almost fainting with exertion ; and glancing around him, he sought some spot where he could rest, A wide step offered itself near him, and he at once took advantage of it, Lying down here, he awaited the arrival of some stray passenger who would release him from his bondage. Presently a creaking noise was heard, the door opened behind him, and a voice ex- claimed— “Why, what have we here? By heavens, it is Harold Fordyce !” The voice was that of Lord Raymond. Bending over the prostrate body, he gazed again as if to assure himself that it wae indeed his youn g but vigorous enemy. The second glance convinced him. “Ah,” he cried, “I have’at length secnred you. This night’s journey shall be your laat. Too long have you set yourself against me, too long have you thwarted me, too long have you confided in your charmed life, This night you shall die—die in my presence, whose honour u have stained, and whose vengeance you ve rendered vain. Bertram, within there.” In a moment, & man em from the house. “Take this youth,” he said, “and place him in safe custody. Adieu, my young friend, make your peace with heaven, for this night you die.’’ In another instant the Young Apprentice was carried away in strong arms, and thrust into a “ That I must leave to you.” dark chamber to await his doom. ~ ‘ a - . e. ae . ~ _) ~~ mL} Oy a ROTICR,—Ano‘her bewatifal COLOURED PICTURE will be GIVEN AWAY with i \G) Id, | ~ —, Mambes. Others te follow. _ € wx COMVEDOOKSEEON — .— @