The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 291: what you’re looking at

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

b- ee . ; ak: (Ce t&}. c zi the women, therefore, had to ascend by their own exertions. Ettie contrived to climb well, and was soon over and clasped to the breast of Lady Blanche, Bat with y Raymond the case was far different. Her limbs were strong, but not so lightly and finely moulded as those of Ettie Leslie, and it was fonnd necessary, therefore, to leave her to the last and draw her up. Her descent was easily accomplished, but the delay was fatal ; the appearance of the two men on the summit of the wall attracted the attention of a man who was watching from a window, and »he at once fired. He missed his aim, but the noise at once aroused the inmates of the house. “ The prisoners are escaping !" Sach was the shout which chilled the hearts of the fugitives. Bat they did not lose their presence of minds, They helped Lady Raymond to descend, and then rapidly sliding down the rope, they joined their friends, ‘‘ Now,”’ said Lord Villiers, “there are three horses, for I have taken the precaution of bring- ing one extra. I can take Lady Blanche before me. You, Harold, can take Ettie, and Lady Raymond can have the third.” “Let us lose no time; where are they?” cried the Young Apprentice, “Follow me,”’ said Lord Villiers, “they are not far distant; but hark, what is that? The large gate is further; we shall be pursued.” At a running pace the fugitives made for the spot where the horses had been left, and in’ an instant they had sprung on their backs. But to the spot from which they were now about to atart there was a short cut from Lord Raymonda’s houee ; and before they had started, a vody of men made their appearance. Safety now could only be obtained by flight. For this there was every facility. Before them stretched a wide moorland, with soarcely a shrub or tree visible; and towards this, they, of course, directed the heads of their horses. Bat a torrent of bullets warned them to stop. Either the men‘were loth to destroy the ladies, or they could not aim, for the bullets whistled harmless past, ‘Now, then, ere they load,” cried Lord Villiers, in a loud voice. Then, like a whirlwind, they dashed away, and made for London. A few shots were fired after them, but they were ineffectual, nd But in the darkness of night the fugitives soon disappeared, and the followers of Lord Raymond had to return discomfited to the mansion. Oh! what a moment of delicious joy it was for Harold when he pressed the beautiful form of Kttie Leslie te hia heart as they dashed away over the dark moorland, feeling the beating of her heart as her soft bosom lay upon his own, knowing her to be his own—all his own ! There were yet, however, serious matters to attend to. The armourer was in danger. Where was he, and how were they to’ effect his eecape ? o., 6 - — -, ¢ ~ THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, On reaching London, they made all haste to the armourer's house. Here all was still in loneliness. The neighbours knew nothing. They had seen and heard nothing since the visit of Harold. The servant had disappeared as well as the master. Rupert Changeling, the apprentice, bad also disappeared, and it was evident that a clean sweep had been made, or that a wholesale mur- der had been committed. It seemed a hopeless affair, Where could they search ? W here could they obtain the slightest clue to his whereabouts P In this discuasion Lady Raymond took no art. P But, at length, she said, “* T will release you from your trouble; JZ will discover this. I will return to my husband's house, and from him I will find out the secret of the armourer’s place of concealment,”’ ‘ Not so,” said Harold, “you would go to certain deatb.” Lady Raymond smiled. ‘« Fear nt for me,” she said, “Iam safe from any assanit on my life.” “Why so? In hia rage he might sacrifice you ?” ‘“ Not so. He has no fortune now save throngh me. Were JZ dead he would be pen- niless, I will return, therefore, and obtain for you the information you want.” At this moment there was a loud knock at the door. Harold hastened down. On the threshold stood one of the neigh- boura. ‘“‘ Here,” he cried, “ here’a news for you— here's a letter from the armourer. My learning is not of the greatest, and I cannot read it, so [ bring it to you.” Harold took and opened it eagerly. It was scrawled hastily, and ran thus :— “‘ NEIGHBOUR ELLIOT,—If you see Harold Fordyce, my apprentice, tell him that I am fin eore tronble. I am in the power of Lord Raymond, Iam inimured in a dungeon in the castle of Lady Grace Cowlry, where we were once before confined. Leg him to come to my assistance. Teli him to secure, if possible, the services of Ben Firebrace and others, and even seek ald from the Jaw, for this place Ita atrongly fortified, ond, except to regular troops, I am cer- tain she would refuse to open.” “Good,” said Harold, “I will go at once. Lord Villiers, read this,”’ Lord Clement read it. “ T willaid you,” he said. “I will go at once; but where is this brave Ben Firebrace ?” ‘‘ He is captain of the Ironsides,” returned Harold, ‘* Come, let us take some refreshment, and I will show you where to find him.” ‘‘ And you are going to rush into peril again,”’ said Lady Villiers. “ Yes, yes, for such amanI mast, You and .Lady Raymond and Ettie will be safe here under the guard we shall leave you; and, as for my danger, a fig for that. A man in these days is nothing if he is not fighting.” GOVE OOO © “4s ? e = e. 4 and S ~ o 4 ~~ . s i