The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 171: what you’re looking at

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

It was about three in the afternoon, when she heard without loud cries, as of men ia fierce combat, and rousing herself from the lethargy of starvation into which she was falling, she crawled to the window. She could distinctly hear now the voice of Harold Fordyce, gud Maximilian Bowdea, mingled with the discordant yells of the dwarf, and the shouts of others in desperate fight. “‘Thank Heaven! I shall be saved now!” she murmured, “or if not saved, I shall at least see some one to whom I can explain my situa- tion.” It may seem strange that Harold Fordyce and his friend should have arrived so opportunely at the rained mill. When, however, Quelf and his companions had carried Nelly Dyser away from her father’s house, Rupert Changeling, the river boy, had seen them and watched their movements, He lost no time, as soon as he had discovered their destination, in proceeding to the house of the armourer, to inform him of the calamity which had befallen the one whom he knew to be so dear to Harolce’s best friend. Unfortunately, however, neither the armourer nor his apprentice were at home, Accordingly, not receiving any information until that morning, Harold had only rushed off to the house where Max Bowden was ap- prenticed, in time to bring him, Gregory Anvil, and three or four others, to the rained mill, just as Quelf and a number of his villanous followers came upon the scene. ° The dwarf and Lord Raymond had had sore trouble to escape from Hurst Castle. Bat they had succeeded. Lhe Evil Genius which was reserving for them a far more terrible Fate, still watched over and protected them! The soldiers who guarded them were sitting quietly by the fire, when a sudden thought occurred to Quelf, The handkerchief, with the scent of which he had deprived Nelly Dyser of her senses, was still in his pocket. Within if was a soporific, powerful enough to throw into a deep sleep all present. The question was could he successfully apply it to the nostrils of fowr guards witbout dis. covery ? This discovery he at once answered in tho negative. Two were near him; these might well be disposed of, but the others were wide awake, and on opposite sides of the cell. ‘‘My lord,” he whispered to Lord Raymond, ' who sat by his side atill masked, éé Yes,” “Listen, I must speak low, or we shall be discovered. These soldiers near me are asleep.” “Well?” ‘T have in my pocket that by which I can cast them into a deeper sleep than ever—one from which thay will not awaken for hours, Can we dispose of the other two?”’ ‘‘' Yes; I have my sword.” ‘Good, then; I will act at once,’’ said the dwarf, Taking the handkerchief from his pocket, he quickly applied it to the nostrils of the two THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, ards, who woke just sufficiently to take a good nhalation of the poisonous scent. The other two guards advanced at once. “ What have we here?” cried one. ‘What are you doing with my comrades?” Lord Raymond rose and drew his sword. “What is the matter?’’ he cried. “Your companions sleep. Do you not allow your prisoners to do the same :” ‘“Ha! there issome treason here !” exclaimed one of the troopers. ‘‘ What ho! there——” He had no time to finish his sentence, for the practised sword of the royal spy was thrust with a whizzing sound through his body. Of the other Quelf made short work. Springing forward, he dashed the handkerchief full in the man's face, and he fell as one dead upon the floor. ‘Ha, ha!” cried Quelf; “ my Lord Cromwell's friends are not omnipotent after all.’’ Searching in the pockets of the soldiers, they found the keys of the cell, and in a very few moments the door was open to them, Placing over them the cloaks of the vanquished men, they passed stealthily up the corridor. No one molested them. All in the castle seemed asleep. On they went until they reached a large door which opened into the gardens. This they found easily opened by one of the keys, and it was not long before they reached the stables, and saddled two horses, releasing also several of the Alsatians who were there confined. Dashing away along the road, they reached the ruined mill, just before Harold and his com. panions came upon the scene. Here he parted with Lord Raymond, and was proceeding exultingly towards the house where e had left Nelly Dyser, when Harold Fordyce, Max Bowden, and their friends, burst upon ‘them. As soon as they had advanced to the attack, Harold, separating himself from his companions, for Quelf had engaged Max, and rushing up the fragile staircase, ran to the room at whose win- dow he had seen Nelly’s fair face gazing in wonder and eager terror at the combat below. A few blows of his strong arm, a few pushes with his broad shoulders, were sufficient to burst in the door, and in a few minutes he was in the presence of the half-fainting girl. Instantly he drew a flask from his pocket, and poured some spirit between her lips, Gradually, after this, he had the gratification of secing her lovely eyes open, and gaze with a pleased expression upon him. ‘Oh, Max !’’ she murmured. “It is not he, but his friend, Harold,’ cried the Young Apprentice; “but fear not. I will bear you to a place of safety.” On reaching terra firma, he glanced round to see haw matters stood, The combatants were atill hard at it, The dwarf alone perceived him, and as Harold bore away the still half-senseless girl among the shadows of some trees, he followed him with a yell of exultation. Harold at once turned just as Quelf, drawing a pistol from his belt, discharged it fall in the face of the one he so much hated, _— » _— rg ae LO “Oe Ebook