The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 274: what you’re looking at

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

id ‘ns (=. fo a rt ‘ THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. CHAPTER II. THE BOW DOWN THE THAMES—THE PARTING —-THE FOREIGN SHIP—A ROYAL SUBPRISE— THE FAREWELL TO ENGLAND—THE TRIUM- PHANT RETURN HOME=<THE DESOLATED HEARTH~—TWO SHADOWS. WE must return now to Prince Oharles, who, with Harold Fordyce, now embarked in a boat upon the dark river Thames, and were rowed in haste towards the Tower. Both the Prince and Leicester were now of one opinion. They did not understand the justice or the magnanimity of England. ving punished Charles I. for what they deemed crimes against the laws of England; they appeared in the eyes of Charles’s son as bloodthirsty ruffians, eager at any moment to wreak their vengeance upon the family and the friends of the king. They imagined, therefore, that they were both proceeding to instant, or, at any rate, to certain ea e They said little, however, to each other in regard to their thoughts, and ao the time sped by until they reached London Bridge. Here, at a sign from Harold, the boat stopped. “My Lord Leicester,” he said, as the boat grated againat the stairs, “this is your destina- on.” Leicester looked anxiously at his Royal master. “ And the Prince, what of him ?” “That is our business,” said the Young Ap- prentice ; “ it suffices that you land here.” Leicester put his hand to the hilt of the sword which had not as yet been taken from him. “There is murder intended here—sonie cold and deliberate murder, Prince Charles, you have fought—lost before—let us fight our way now from among these villains, or perish in the effort,” Harold at once stepped forward. “Back, madman,’’ he cried, “the Prince has ro need of your help, Soldiers, see that my Lord Leicester is safely landed.” The soldiers at once clored round Lord Lei- cester, and forced him on shore before he had even timeto draw his sword, and attempt his reckless effort at escape; and while he was marched away in the midst of the soldiers, Prince Charles was hurried further down the river in the boat. . It was a mystery, indeed, to “bonnie Prince Charles ’ what they intended doing with him. But he asked no questions. The pride which had made his father sit with his hat on before the men whom the fortune of war had made his judges was strong within m. Nevertheless, in spite of his apparent indiffer- ence, he looked out eagerly. Presently, amid the gloom of the silent river, they deacried a ght. It was a red light hanging out evidently over the bows of a vessel. As they came in sight, Harold Fordyce spoke. Lay on your oars !’’ he cried. The men obeyed. The boat, which before had sped onwards with a rapid movement, now glided gently for- ward, and in a few momenta the wherry grated against the bows of a high-hulled, thickly-built ship, which had all the appearance of a Dutch craft about it. ‘Prince Charles,” said Harold, “we have arrived at our destination.” The Prince glanced at him in some surprise and alarm. ‘Do you intend, then, to murder me in cold blood ?” he cried. “You have no right even to insinuate such & thing,” returned the Young Apprentice, haughtily. “Then why halt thus in the middle of this dark river 7" demanded Charles “If you listen to me, I will explain,” said Harold. ‘‘ The veasel against which our boat is now lying is a Duch brig. On board that you will be placed, and the captain will immediately make all sail for Holland. You will thus be saved from your father's fate, if you do not re- tarn to England.” “ And from whom comes this favor ?”’ said the Prince, in a gentler tone of voice. *“ Ask not,” answered Harold. ‘Let it suffice to tell you that those who have thus saved your life are the last from whom you would expect such a favor. Come, let us at once ascend, for we may be watched and defeated by those to whom your eacape would not be so agreeable as it is to me,” | As the Young Apprentice spoke, he hailed a man who was leaning over the bulwarks and looking with anxiety at the boat. ‘‘Throw down a rope, for these chains are not easy modes of ascent for those who do not understand them,” he said. ‘“ Whence come you, master /” asked the sailor, in English. - “From the Man Without a Name,” returned the Young Apprentice. *©Good,” said the sailor. ‘‘ Here is a rope. Ascend quietly.” The rope came down as he spoke, and Harold turned to Charles. ‘ Now, Prince Charles, ascend,” he said. “ This is no choice palace staircase, I am aware ; but it is the ascent to freedom and life.” Prince Charles needed no second reminding. Lightly he ascended the chains, and Harold following him, they were soon on the deck. Here they were met by several dark figures, whose faces and forms were quite andistinguish- able in the night. Harold and the Prince looked round in some confusion. ‘Where is the captain ?” asked the former. _ A short, stoht man stepped forward at this demand, ‘“‘ Here is the captain,” he said. ‘Here, then, is Prince Charles of England,” said the Young Apprentice ; “into your hands I deliver him, Take my advice—make all sail at once, and let not sunrise fall upon you in the vicinity of London.” The captain bowed low to the Prince. - ‘Wear not,” he said, “fear not; we shall lose no time. As soon as you return to your boat we will start.” “ Warewell, Prince,” said Harold, ‘farewell, and let us hope that on this soil you may never again set foot,” Con EDOO