The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 254: what you’re looking at

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

THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. Then, again, Max Bowden was subjected before her eyes to the most hideous tortures. And then she saw herself compelled to yield to the importunities of her enemies, and made the wife of Clement Morpeth. She was roused again by fearful cries. They issued from the adjoining chamber. ‘‘Great heavens!” she cried, clasping her hands over her heaving bosom, “ great heavens, are my dreams about to be realised f”’ Then came loud shouts and-the clashing of swords, and then a voice she well knew, It was the voice of Harold Fordyce ! ‘Oh, thank heaven,” she murmured, “I am saved !” Quelf, meanwhile, when he quitted her cham- ber, sat himself down by the side of Clement Morpeth by the fire-place, and talked of the events which were occurring without, Presently there was a loud crash without. Then came the sound of men’s voices, ‘¢ What can that be P” cried Clement Morpeth, in alarm. ‘T cannot tell. Remain here, and I will see.” So saying, Quelf rose, and, ascending the wooden staircase which led towards the snbter- ranean passage and the wood. Opening the door, he peered out. All was still, He advanced a few paces, Everything was the same as before. “Jt was nothing,” oe said, returning to his seat; ‘the wind is very high, and I fancy it must have been some huge branch of a tree, which has snapped under the influnence of the ale,” ae Perhaps so,” said Clement, dreamily. They sat down by the fire for some time longer. Gradually they dozed off. But they were soon roused. Again the loud, crashing noise was heard, And then, once more, ail was still. ‘¢‘The devil himself seems riding on the storm to-night,’’ said Clement, as he once more went off into a half-sleep. He had scarcely relapsed into a dose, when the door at once opened noiseleasly, Then two forms appeared. They were those of Harold Fordyce and Harrok Dyser. . They had drawn swords in their hands, and were evidently prepared for a sharp resistance. Putting his finger to his lips, Harold led the way down the stairs, But there was no chance of continued con- cealment. As they neared the bottom the old wood creaked, Quelf in an instant started up. He took one look at the intruders, and then, like one who had been shot, sprang backwards almost into the fire, Clement was on his feet almost at the same moment, “ Ha, villains!” cried Harold, as Harrok Dyser hastened to release Max Bowden from his bonds, “ha, villains! you thought you had an easy prey. You are wrong. Tell me where is Nelly t™ | The two conspirators, now thoroughly roused, drew their swords, and Clement Morpeth burst into a laud laugh. “If you want Nelly Dyser you must search for and find her,” he said, “I shall not show you where she is.”’ At this moment Harrok Dyser came from the extreme end of the room. His face was pale and his lips thoroughly bloodless, ‘‘Max cannot speak,” he said; ‘sea how helpless he is, These villains have drugged him, or given him some infernal stuff to take away his senses. What is your purpose, wretches, in thus endeavouring to destroy his life? Answer me quickly, where is my daughter, or your lives shal! answer for it?" A loud laugh broke from the lips of Clement Mor peth. “ Do'you think we are children,” he cried, “ that we shall be frightened by the gabbling of old men? Leave this place—retrace your steps instantly, or it will be the worse for you.” Ac this moment a voice was heard within. ‘“‘ Help, help, help! I am here—here.” “Tt is the voice of Nelly,” cried Harold, joy- ously. Then followed a loud knocking at the door of the, inner room. : arrok Dyser inatantl rang towards it sword in hand. 7” . But he was intercepted. Clement Morpeth saw the movement, and fearful lest this, his last chance of obtaining Nelly, would fail, and leave him xo hope for the future, he determined to battle for her if he lost his life in the attempt. In an instant all four were engaged in a fierce contest, The benches were kicked over, and one of them falling into the fire, a huge flame shot up amid dense smoke, towards the ceiling, The clashing of swords rang out clearly in the vaulted room. Fiercely they fought, Yet to the fair one whose warm bosom was palpitating with hope and fear, each clashing stroke was a presage of freedom. At length Clement and Quelf saw plainly that, fight as they pleased, they were over- matched. The instinct of self-preservation at once rose nigh in their breasts, t was atime for the exercise of the philosophy of timidity. “ He that fights and runs away,” said the old proverb, ‘ will live to fight another day,” Thus thought they, If they remained where they were, cooped up in a corner, and wounded and bleeding ; more- over they stood a very fair chance of losing their lives, and would cast away recklessly all hopes of attaining their object. “Ah! Harrok Dyser,” cried Morpeth, as he retreated towards the stairs, “you will live yet to feel my vengeance !” Dyser laughed scornfully, “ I fear it not,” he said ; “ one who could adopt a coward’s mode of receiving an enemy must be a coward. You, who pretended to be the king’s friend in order to lead me to destruction, will inevitably fall into your own net." eS GOVE OOO CO —E— re