The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

20 s he spoke the giant armourer re-appeared. Here ye the letter,” he said, giving it to the young apprentice ; * take it, and Quelf will guide you to the place where the other apprentices can meet you. ‘You can take your own time, about it ; but, above,all things, do nob mention Lord Raynfond's name to anyone, more especially in connection with the king.” - Quelf and his companion at onde ‘left the -._ workshop and passed out.jnto the yard... 3 ‘Which way are we going!” said Harold,: gaing to-meet your ¢om- i aid the dwarf, “the same u ttied'to kill me.” their steps, way that we went w The place to which they or rather towards which they dark bosom of.old Father Thames, on the banks of the river, and overhung a where the river shelved and formed a creek, It was one of those old taverns which have now nearly all disappeared, and which in those strange days were the resorts of the troopers of both armies, and which at all hours had cheerful lights shiniag-in the windows,,. |. . “That is our place of. meeting,’ said Quelf : ‘ there are some prime spirits there, but you must take no notice of what is said. It would be death to offend them.” Pulling the boat into the dark creek, Qavlf stopped underneath the shadow of the house and jumping out, tapped three times at the window. In 2 moment it was opened to him. “Who is there?’ said a fuir-haired: youth, putting his head out. © wo “An Apprentice of London !" said Quelf, at once. « All right—enter.” : oN In another few moments they had entered a large room brilliantly lighted, where a number of young men were sitting round tables. They were all under twenty dreseed in plain but good clothes, There was evidently epecial business going dn, for there was a buzz of conversation as they’ entered which ceased at’ once when Quelf made his appearance. — = : He seemed to be well known, and was greeted with many hearty welconies ; while Harold, beiig almost unknown, was left to look arvurd’ him’ and examine the room —where, in after times, he was to see so many strange and terrible things, In a few minutes all was arranged, and three stout fellows joined company with them. Passing out they entered the’ bokt together after a few words of introduetion, and rowed. over to the opposite. swe. .> “) Ss we y Here, at a tavern, they securcd horses, and an hour saw them on the ndrthernroad. ',- —: “ Now,’ said Quelf, to himself, as they’ passed from the populous part of the town into. the dark highroad, “now is the time for my revenge |” fee Then, leaning over to the apprentice who rode beside him, he said ina whisper— _—s_ “ Now, Richard, when we reach the bridge we will settle him,” THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, years of age, “ All right,” said Richard Langham, drawing his knife; “Iamready.”... . Before, however, following {he fortunes of the young .apprentiogs. of London -I ‘must,turn to Lord Raymond, the assassin, or- rather the tempted assassin of. the ‘‘ Man without, a name.” ! ea . ‘ “9 * Like afl the villains of history, he had some one toloveahim.,-° " gtr tt The Lady Blanche, Marchevilley’the orphan daughter,.of ‘a gentleman.of high degree, had lived for years with bis -mgfper, and pow, though he was: cloge upon fgfty years Of age, ghe had conceived.an admirgtion for hin, which had taken the place of,a génderer passion, for one whom she had beenAaught to beliéye ‘had deceived her. o> , Within the last fey months of the civil war, however, she had befaken herself to the Abbey of Margaret’s, neay St. David's, out of the way of the loud-tonsued and dangerous mobs. He himself, one of the most eager partisans of the king. was now with the royal army ; and at ths moment, when the City Appren- tices wee on their road towards the place, a decisive..battle was imminent in which the best and bravest of Cromwell's men, headed by old Noll in. person, would be opposed to Prince Rupert's and Lord Hastings’ picked troops on the Downs of Cambermere. - Heavily as Blanche’s forebodings weighed on her heart, she could no morc envy the calm,safo sistera of-the monastery; than the living, feeling, ‘arobbing form can envy the mute, cold statue. - Zhe storm might sweep gway ber Jast hope, but Wo that: dwells in the land of blossoms, fruits,: ad ‘hurricanes, will exchange with natives of tee safe and frigid north? « , » So thought Blanche, while eyery day was bringing tome agitating rumour from the scene of conflict, . ; By the latest accounta, the hostile forces were not far‘from the valley Iande overlooked by the _ Oliver Cromwell was at the head of his army, and, &t tht apprdach' of:'the prem .conqueror, the king's forces were sensibly dimirtshing. Still he kept the field, -wifhout™ any apparent abatement of hope or activity, - oo + Affaira werd in-this position when, at an ‘early ‘hour of the morning, the repose of the abthey . was disturbed by a rumour of the near approath Of the-hostile-armies.. , ©. , Blanche, with her faithful - a tower -of the’ abbey, where -sht was debtined to endure what ‘a martyr !mipht suffer at’ the’ stake who had a three-fold pertion of life and sonse in'évery;herve.- - . Scarcety had they taken their station in the tower, when the silence was rudely. broken by the -braying- of a-whr-trumpet that pealed over the-vallies, waking a thousand echoes amtng the hills, nn oe nT a cn a . Fhe tramping of horses followed,: and. Lord Raymond, at the head of his: followers, was seen descending rapidly -to the valley. - . ‘Their- loud hyzzas were answered by the clamour of the hostile army, that appeared to lanche like birds of cvil omen, darkening the opposite plain, F? 4 ay EDOO vou on? attendant, stole to: -: