The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 235: what you’re looking at

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

ever, I accept your offer, It is always as well to be sure.” . ‘Very well], my lord,” said the colonel, bow- ing, and returning to his men. It ia needless to say that the duke found Dalzell’s words correct, and was compelled to ride off discomfited, at the head of his large orce. CHAPTER X. SIMON LAWLESS AND THE ALSATIAN—-HIS8 IN- TERVIEW WITH CROMWELL—THE FLIGHT OF TIME—THE SHARPENING OF THE SWORD OF VENGEANCE ! WE come now to that time which tells us of a nation’s wrath, wreaked upon a king whom it deemed unworthy. But before we proceed to describe the details of that scene which told so bitter and severe a lesson to kings throughout the world, we must return to Simon Lawless, whom we left, it will be remembered, in the hands of the cowardly, but bloodthirsty, Alsatian. Gliding behind Simon, it will be remembered, with the noiselessness and cowardice of the snake, the ruffian watched for an opportunity, when the thick darkness enveloped everything, and then rushed suddenly upon his unsuspect- ing assailant. In his hand gleamed the blade of a long, keen knife—a knife of many murders, A strange Providence semed to watch over the one who bad proclaimed himself to be the avenger of England’s wrongs. Just as the knife was about to bury itaelf into his flesh, he stumbled forward and fell, The knife descended truly. . Bat there was nothing to receive its bright blade, : With a lond curse, the Alsatian rolled forward and came in contact with the wall, just as Simon Lawless rose to his feet. . Lawless took but one glance. In the darkness he could not recognise his adversary. Springing forward, however, he seized his un- known foe by the throat, and dragged him to- wards a spot where a lamp shed its light over the road. Then he saw his face. ‘‘ Ab !”’ he cried, ‘It is you, villain! Defen yourself, or it will be the worse for you! Assas- sin, fight for your life!" The Alsatian buily trembled with intense arm. In vain he looked from side to side of the No help was near. No chance of escape was open to him. “ Mercy !” he ejaculated, Simon laughed aloud as he drew forth his bright blade. “Mercy you ask for when I have but just detected you in an attempt on my life, I will grant to you the same mercy you would have extended to me.” ‘¢T have been gent by others,” ‘* Name them !” ef NOTICE.—ANOTHER BRAUTIFUL PI WAS GIVEN AWAY WITH No. 28. THE YOUNG APPRENTICE. ‘“‘T dare not.” o “ Then die, rnffian !"’ Swinging bis sword around his head, Simon Lawleas pre to deal a death-blow. But Captain Laekland was not thus to be taken by surprise, He was a coward, as we have before seen. But he had now his life to defend. Drawing his sword, therefore, he prepared to do battle for his life. It was a desperate fight. The dwellers in the houses heard the noise, and glanced out of their windows. But no one interfered. Fights in the street were’too frequent to call, for any special notice. So they fought on unmolested. The captain, who really understood how to fight, took courage as time passed, and he re- mained unwounded: and Simon Lawless, in spite of the Alsatian’s cowardice, soon found he had no mean foe to contend with. He had uo need, however, to fear any danger to himself. With all his desperate thrusts and parries the captain was not seeking to injure his adversary, but to save himself. So between the blows he kept his eye around him, seeking an opportunity of flight. Gradually he gave ground. His object was plain. . Not far from the scene of conflict was a narrow lane, which led towards the river, and down this he resolved to fly. It was not long before the unevenness of his footing told him that he had quitted the pave- ment, and turning, then, burriedly, before Simon Lawless knew what was his intention, he fled away down the dark lane. “ Stop, coward !” cried Lawleas. It was in vain. Flying for life, as he was, Lackland seemed the wings of the wind. he only chance of catching him was when he reached the river's bank, as there might there be a difficulty in procuring a boat at a moment's notice. On, therefore, he sped after his cowardly foe, and had nearly reached the river’s brink, when a number of rollicking spirits came shouting and singing. They had evidently been indulging pretty freely in drink, and were prepared for any amount of fun or fight, They saw Simon Lawless in a moment run- ning along with his naked sword gleaming in the dull light of the lamps. “Here is a madman or an assagsin !'’ shouted one of their number. “Let ua close round im.” Rushing across the narrow roadway, they accordingly hemmed Simon in. ‘Where go you?” demanded one, “In pursuit of a murderer.” ‘‘ Where is he ?” “Ah, ah! it is some love chase. Here, come, my angry friend, join us and be merry,” cried one of them. “No, no, by Heavens!” shouted another, be- coming, as it were, suddenly sober, “It is Simon Lawless! We muat kill him! Boys, stand aside while I try the edge of his sword.” to = » PRINTED IN SEVEN OOLOORS, Othere will follow in a few weeks. GONTEIO OKSEGOnn