The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 275: what you’re looking at

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

The Prince smiled. “Well, well,” he said, “ that is a strange wish at parting. It may mean two things, either that for England’s sake yon do not desire to see me, or that for my sake you do aot wish me to re- turn among my enemies. I will take it in the latter sense. Here, then, is my hand. I thank you for the service you have rendered me at the peril of your life.” The Young Apprentice took the proferred hand. “ Prince,” he said, ‘‘ every one has a right to his opinion, and I, therefore, keep mine for the present to myself. Farewell, however, and may Heaven prosper you |” Then he smiled once more, and approaching the bulwarks, ran down the chain ladder, and entered the wherry, which by his order was rowed rapidly back to the Strand. .No sooner had Harold Fordyce quitted the deck of the Dutch brig ; no sooner, in fact, was the Prince assured that he was beyond hearing distance, than he turned to the captain. ‘‘ Captain,” he said, “do you know who sent me on board 7?” “TI do not.” “How, then, did you expect me ?” “ Two masked men came on board my ship yesterday, and told me what they wanted. They told me that Prince Charles, of England, desired to escape to Holland, and they asked me if for a certain sum, I would take you across. I said es,’ _ “And did they pay you?" asked the Prince, in surprise, “They did,” “ And how much?” ‘‘ Two hundred pounds in gold.” Good,” said the Prince! “and now answer me. Are you particular whether it is France or Holland to which you go?” The Dutchman scratched his head. “ Well,” he said, ‘“I do not much like the French coast, They know me well there, But never mind. If you make it worth my while, I don’t say no.” “I will give another hundred,” said Prince Charles, “In that case,” replied the Dutchman, “ I will go. Iam your very humble servant. When we arrive on the French coast, you will, of eourse, land at once, for I don't much like those French people, They are so inquisitive.” Prince Charles laughed at the fears of the old Datch smuggler. “Be not alarmed,” he said, ‘I shall not compromise you, but land at once, The grating of the ship ageinst French soil will be agrateful sound tome. And now, as I am tired, and it grows late, I will gladly retire to rest.” “This way, your royal highness,” said the Dutchman, “this way. There is very poor ac- commodation—a small and dark cabin—but it is the very best I can give you.” The Datchman little dreamed of the after sut- ferings and privations of Prince Charles, and how gladly, upon some occasions, he would have welcomed the shelter of such a room. Meanwhile, Harold Fordyce hurried with all apeed towards the Strand, aiding, in his eager- neas, the men who pulled vigoronaly at the oara. Alter a rapid journey, which seemed to THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, Harold's impatient mind, a slow and tedious one, the boat reached the old stairs, near the dilapi- dated house where the Young Apprentice had first met Tar MAN WITHOUT A NAME! Here Harold quitted the boat, and having ‘given whispered instructions to his men, he hurried up the narrow lane which led into the Strand. He had not seen the armourer, or Ettie, for more than three weeks. During the stern events whieh had lately happened—the trial and execution of Oharles l. and the turmoils which had varied the mono- tony of London existence—he had been carried hither and thither by the tide of necessity, and had been entirely unable to visit his old friends, and te sec the one, whom, of all things in the world, he loved. It may be imagined, therefore, that it was with the greatest eagerness and impatience that he made his way towards the house, where he had just commenced his duties as an ap- prentice, and where even now he was supposed to be engaged. A strange apprenticeship his truth, Having just had time to learn his handicraft, he had ‘been whirled away by the food of events and separated from his tutor and hie friends, in the most nnforeseen manner. He had been made the object of attack by men in high positions, and had been the friend and companion of nobles. He had been the means of saving Oliver Cromwell, the highest man in the realm, and had obtained the highest commissions from all parties, And now, as the term of his apprenticeship drew towards a close, he was anxious to know alittle of his own history—to learn somewhat of his own lineage—in order that he might be able to know in what position he was, and whether he could dare to offer his hand to the one whom he #0 fondly hoped would be his wife. On approaching the house he observed that all was quiet. Of this, however, he thought nothing, for it was the dead of night, and in all the houses in th2 vicinity people were apparently slumbering peacefully, Hastening to the door, he was about to knock, when he saw that the portal was ajar. Pushing it open, he entered the passage. All was still, A deadly fear crept into his heart. Why, he knew not, but there seemed to him something solemn and supernatural in the quietude of the place, He passed into the armoury. No one was there, Disorder reigned supreme, A helmet lay here ; a suit of mail there ; here was an ancient shield ; here a bright-bladed sword, Rverything spoke of a recent and fearful struggle, ‘Some one has been here,” murmured Harold. ‘Pray Heaven no evil has happened to those J love !”” Without a second thonght, he drew hia sword and advanced up the atnirs. had been, in EDOOo CO