The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. such a catestrophe were to happen,” he said ; “at any rate, I have made up my mind.” “So beit, then,” said the soldier, as he moved towarda the door; “your danger or safety is nothing to me. Only you are a brave lad, and 3 onid not like to see you in trouble. Good- y.” ‘‘Good-day,” returned Harold, “though in very truth it is dificult to know whether it be day or night in this dismal hole,” “Do as J advise, then,’ said the trooper, “and secure wealth and freedom.” So saying, he closed the door after him, and Harold was once more alone. For about an hour after breakfast the Young Apprentice was left undisturbed in the solemn silence of his cell. A short time after this, however, a low, rumbling, oft-repeated sound was heard in the distance, which to some would have appeared like the rolling of thunder, but which he knew WW ® It was the booming of far-off cannon, Nearer and nearer it came. The distant sound swelled to the dimensions of a giant roar; he could hear the shouting of excited men, and ever and anon the sharp ring of musketry, Then, after a little longer delay, a rattle and a shock showed that the cannon were beginning to take effect on the old house. eae words of the soldier came at once to his ‘‘ What if I am bnaried beneath the ruins of Vamey House without the chance of striking a blow in my defence !” Such was his thought, and a bitter one it Was, But he had no chance of ald. He had chosen his lot, and he was forced to abide by it. ‘ Orash—crash—crash ! One after another the shots dashed into the building, and the bricks and stones begaa to There was no escape. To endeavour to do so would have been sheer madness. So, folding his arms, he,watched and waited, Orash—crash—orash |! Again came the cannon-balls dashing into the building. Louder and louder—nearer and nearer came the voices, The splintering of glass—the rushing down of heavy masonry—the falling of men in loudly- expressed agony, resounded through the cell. The Young Apprentice listened eagerly. What was happening was a matter of life or death to him. The next cannon-ball might shatter the walls of his prison, and Jeave him the means of exit; but it might also pile upon his mangled body a mass of heavy masonry from which it would be impossible to extricate himself, It was not long before the question was de- cided. After a fierce explosion, the wall seemed to heave and give way, and a rush of bricks nearly blinded him. It cleared away after a few moments, and he saw that an immense breach had been made, sufficient for six or seven persons to walk abreast. When the smoke and the dust had cleared away, he saw that a space had been blown away as by a mine sprung in the earth, and while he was wondering how this had been done, ‘and at whose orders, a light form appeared suddenly in the opening. She seemed to spring as it were from the earth. What could this mean 7 This spot, whence she had appeared ao sud- denly, was the exact one towards which the hand of his skeleton visitant had pointed. The new comer, however, was far from seeming like anything appertaining to the spirit world. She was a stout, plump girl of some nineteen summers, with & shortish petticoat, showing a pretty ankle, and altogether a foreign appearance about her. ‘What want you ?” he said, thinking naturally that she was some emissary of Lady Grace. ‘‘T come to save you,” she answered. “ Fol- low me quickly.” “ Whither 7?’ “ Out of this house.” ‘‘ Am I free, then, to go whither I list ?” ‘SYea; though I know well which course you will take.” ** You know?" ‘¢ Yes. Httie Lestie is in danger. A carriage waits without to take you to those who can explain all; therefore, if you love her, lose no time, Do not delay by joining those friends of yours who ‘may) be attacking this house, but hurry to her “ And where will the carriage convey me?” ‘‘ To London—to the house of the armourer.” “ And from whom came you?” * Brom one you know well—brave Ben Fire- brace, the captain of the [ronsides.” “ Lead on then,” said Harold, “I will follew wherever you lead.” The girl, with asmile of pleasure on her lips, stepped lightly back over the stones, and soon reached the summit of some stone steps, which led to an open yard, at the end of which was a dark archway. Here she paused to listen. Save the crashing sound of a battle without, nothing could be heard, No human being seemed near. ‘Give me your hand,” said the girl, ‘and I will lead yoa to the place where the carriage awaits you.”: Harold gave the girl his hand, and she led him quickly into the dark passage, at the end of which there was presently seen a speck of light, “This speck of Hght gradually increased until he could see that they were proceediug into the open grounds at the back of Varney House. As soon as they emerged into the air, Harold could see that a coach with a pair of horses awaited him. It seemed suspicious. “ \WVhose carriage is this P’’ he asked. «Jt is one hired by the armonrer,” returned the girl. ‘‘He will meet you yonder at Point Bridge.” The Young Apprentice atill felt a kind of hesitation. .* =m % a | ‘N\ _ “~*~ “at GOVE OOO “Si CO