The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 237: what you’re looking at

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

We have seen his adventure with Lord Ray- mond, We have seen him acting the common footpad and asssssin ; and now, after the disappearance of his fellow traitor, he bad once more returned to London. The scion of a noble house, he was yet reck- leas and debased. , It mattered little to him how he obtained bis iving. Alvhe cared for was the gay and libertine life of London, and this being out of his reach non- less he lived basely on others, he adopted this an. Those who were with him now, and were forming the ring round Simon Lawless, were reckless young spendthrifts, who had contrived to avoid the turmoilof the times, and, by keep- ing from any junction with either party, had managed to preserve enough property to enable them to keep on their mad way of pleasure un- checked. ‘SAh! Leicester!” cried Simcn, “ proscribed traitor! I know you all! You have ventured to London but to court your own destruction.” Leicester had been drinking freely. His face was flushed and his brain was on fire. ‘“ Ha, ha!” he cried, “ hear you that, boys ?”’ The rollicking crew laughed also. ‘Yer,’ continued Leicester, “this man says that I am courting my destruction, whereas he stands one to eight. At it, then, my brave enemy, and while we play with these sharp toys, make your peace with heaven |” Simon made no reply to this idle boast. Placing his back firmly against the wall, he took a rapid survey of the drunken roysterers around him, and then made a plunge forward, Leicester soon found himself engaged with no mean adversary. Calm in his belief in destiny, firm in his con- viction that there was a great and terrible task before him, Lawless fought like one having a charmed life, And such a life seemed truly his, Tho swords clashed and gleamed about like living things. Yet he remained unwounded. A gain and again Leicester received a slight touch. But not even a acratch fell to the lot of Simon. Presently, Leicester, whose braid was now becoming more than ever infuriated with wine, began to fight wildly. With wild imprecations, he plunged hither an‘] aithen, striving to take Simon at a disad- Vantage, er than beat him in fair fight. Of thie Lawless soon took advantage. Iire one of the friends of the drunken assassin could interfere to aid him, Simon's sword gleamed in a quick, straight thrust, and passed through the chest of his adversary, just beneath the shoulder. The sight of the young man falling, bathed in blood, somewhat sobered his friends. With a cry of rage, they drew their swords, and began to close round in a more narrow circle, “Stand back!" cried Lawless, waving his aword, now stained with blood, high over his head, “stand back, or it will be the worse for you! Give way, there, and let me pass on to- THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, Sirsa CE, .-) ir wards tho river, unless you want to share the fate of your rash friend there! Give way, I say, and quickly !” The stern and dauntless manner in which he addressed them damped their ardour for a moment, and they drew back into a wider circle, still keeping the points of their swords, how- ever, menacingly before them, A minute’s thought, however, sufficed to tell them what cowards they were to shrink back before one brave man, and they were just about to commence a simultaneous attack, when the gleam of lanteros illumined the corner of the street, and a strong body of the watch made their appearance. The explanation of this was simple, Roused by the clash of steel, several of the neighbours had thrown up their windows, un- observed by those who were heart and soul in the combat. One of these, more venturesome and practical than the rest, had left his house and given notice of the brawl at the nearest watch-house, ‘The watch! the watch!” cried the roy- sterera. ‘“‘ Knock out their lanterns, and then run them through !” Simon's road was now clear. But he would not escape. He had heard the cowardly proposal of Lei- cester's friends, and he resolved to assist those who had arrived so opportunely to his rescue. ‘What means this, gentlemen?” cried the rae? of the watch. ‘“‘A dead man! Whoslew m 98 ‘Yonder fellow attacked him. He is not . dead yet, however, though the breath is nearly out of him, Take the villain into custody,” said one of the drunken crew. Simcn turned to the watch, “ You see,” he said, “I am one against eight, They attacked me when I was pursuing an assassin, and thcir leader has fallen. Take them, rather, to the lock-up, that they may give an account of themsclves, A lond chorus of laughter from Leicester's friends was the answer to this speech, and again the barrier of swords was raised. But the watch were prepared for emergencies, While one of their number rushed off to pro- cure further assistance, they drew from beneath their cloaks short, strong, thick swords, and ranged themselves across the street. ‘“ Now, then, my pretty gentlemen,” cried the leader, “ you either give up your weapons, and come with us, or we will keep you here until those come who will make yeu.”’ “ Bege rly knave! low-born hound !"’ cried one of the ‘oysterers, making a blow at him with his swotu. But he was well met. The leader of the watch parried the blow with his short sword. ‘“ Beggarly hound in your teeth!” he said. “ T'll show you that the sons of the people can hold their own against you cavaliers any day. On boys, and at them! If they will not yield cat them down !” The fight now became general. Nothing was heard but the clashing of swords —the oaths of the combatants—the cries of the wounded. ey AQ 7 a ne GOVE COOKS