The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 258: what you’re looking at

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

THE WATOHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. “Well,” she said, impatiently, “what news do you bring me?” ‘© He is dead,” ‘You are certain ?” “Tam.” ‘‘ Where is the ring ?”’ ‘“ Here, madam, I took it from his dnger,”’ said one of the men. So saying, he handed her the mysterious emerald ring. She took it eagerly. ‘‘Ah !” she cried, pressing one hand over the white bosom which now heaved so tumul- tuously, while she held the jewel in the other outstretched hand, “ah! Simon Lawless, death has at length freed me from all fear of you !” The lady who spoke thus was none other than Alicia Leslie ! CHAPTER XVIII. THE KING'S TRIAL~THE ORDER FOR THE EXECUTION — THE NIGHT BEFORE — THE STEALTHY TRAVELLERS—THE MEETING— PREPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT SCENH—THE DAWNING OF THE FATAL DAY. THE trial of King Charles at length came on. On the 20th of January, 1649, he was brought before his judges, What passed at that trial is matter of history. We all know that stern justice presided at that tribunal—that Charles I., accused of mur- der and high treason, the wilful destruction of the lives of his subjects, and the levying of war on his own country, was found guilty and sentenced to death. The 30th of January was fixed for his execu- tion. The night preceding it was solemn and beautiful. Myriads of stars paved the deep vault of Heaven. The crescent moon hung like a silver lamp in the midst of them, A stream of rosy and quivering light issuing from the north traversed the sky like the tail of some stupendous comet, A sharp frost prevailed. The atmosphere was clear and dry, and neither wind nor snow aggravated the whole- some rigour of the season. The water lay in thick congealed masses around the conduits and wells, and the buckets were frozen on their stands. The thoroughfares were sheeted with ice, and dangerous to horsemen and vehicles, bat the footways were firm and pleasant to the tread, Here and there a fire was lighted in the streets round which ragged urchins and mendi- cants were collected roasting fragmenta of sueat stuck upon iron prongs, or quaffing deep draughts of ale out of leathern cups. Crowds were collected in the open places watching the wonders in tke heavens, and drawing auguries from them chiefly sinister. Most of the beholders, in fact, imagined that the signa portended the death of the king, which, even at this hour, some affected to doubt the probability of. Notwithatanding the early habits of the times few persons had retired to rest. Lights glimmered in the windows of most houses, Wherever a door was open a ruddy glare burst across the street. And why? Where the people rejoicing? oO! They regarded the act of the morrow as one of stern justice; and most of the people of London had resolved to be there and see it one, Late on this night two men issued from a small house by the river and proceeded towards the place where Vauxhall Bridge now stands. Avoiding the footpath by the river they moved stealthily along the further side of the road where the open ground offered them an easy means of flight in case such a course should be found expedient. So far as could be distinguished by the vlimpses of the moon the appearance of these men was not much in their favour. Haggard features, stamped deeply with the characters of crime and debauchery, fierce rest- less eyes, beards of several days’ growth, wild unkempt heads of hair, formed their chief personal characteristics, Sorry ragged clothes, shoes without soles, and hats with pieces torn from them as if bitten by some wild animal, were the sum of their apparel. One of them was tall and gaunt, with large hands and feet. Despite his meagerness, however, he evidently possessed great strength. The other was much shorter, but broad- shouldered, bow-legged, long-armed. a every way he was a most formidable ruffian. This latter fellow had high cheek bones, a Jong repulsive nose, and a coarse mouth and chin, in which the animal greatly predominated. He had a stubbly red beard, with sandy hair, white brows and eyelashes, The countenance of the other was dark and repulsive, and covered with blotches, the result of habitual intemperance. His eyes had a leering and malignant look. A handkerchief spotted with blood, and tied across his brow, contrasted strongly with his matted black hair, and increased his natural appearance of ferocity. } e shorter ruffian carried a mallet upon his shoulder, and his companion concealed some- thing beneath the breast of his coat, which afterwards proved to be a dark lantern. Not a- word passed between these two beauties, Keeping a vigilant look-out, they trudged on with quick, shambling steps. A few sounds arose from the banks of the river, and there was now and then a plash in the water, or a distant cry as from some distant boat, But generally all was profoundly still. The two ailent walkers came to a wooden rail across the road. Here they halted a moment, Then, as if by previous concert, they leaped the rail, ran across a field, and plunged into a hollow formed by a dried pit, where they came to a momentary halt, ee GOVE OOO <S) CO