The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 314: what you’re looking at

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

- oof owe my life to my name. Fire, sir—and ye miss me, your life pays the forfeiture.” ‘J own no king,’ said Harold, rising, unopposed from the ground, and lowering his pistol, ‘“‘ and if ye be Charles Stuart, I can but say your nt conduct countenances your banishment from these realms !”’ “Tis well, sir,” replied Charles, bitterly ; “your pistola make you master of my person, nntil your followers arrive, and then, you will, I presume, deliver me to a death similar to that of my royal father ;”' and he pointed to about a dozen men who were (yet at some distance) advancing along the coast from Brighthelmatone, “If ye were to perish on a scaffold, perhaps it would be well for England,” pursued Harold Fordyce, “ but it must not be through me, In to yonder boat, sir; I will advauce to those who approach us. I know them not, but [ will either by words or actions, for a few momenta, delay their coming. Although I dislike your principles, I regret and sympa- thize with your misfortunes,” * Oh,” exclaimed Ettie, confused, ‘ see hexs, see my father !”’ Harold clasped Ettie in his arms, and en- deavoured to soothe her agitation ; and Charles, after a noment’s hesitation, addressed him : “ Oaptain Fordyce, in attempting to separate you and that lady, I wrenged you both ; accept the only reparation in my power ; the passage for two persons is secured in yonder vemel to Normandy : this boatman will take you on board, and heaven speed your passage 1” S‘ Sire, what will become of you!” demanded Richard. ‘ T mustawait in yonder hut the departure of another boat.”’ ‘¢ Charles Stuart,” said Harold, “ deceive not yourself, your disguise and retreat are dis- covered, and long ere yonder sun sinks in the west, the cot will be surrounded by the brave soldiers of the Commonwealth !” ST have spoken,” said the prince, “ if you would escape, pause not to parley: enter the boat and proceed to fulfil your duty.” “Proceed on your journey, Prince Charles,” returned Harold Fordyce. “ I have never injured my country and fear nothing from it, even although I may have delayed somewhat in oon- sequence of your conduct, Proceed, prince—this is fhe second time I have saved your life, and ——”’ “The second time,”’ cried Charles, ‘pressing his hand to his brow. ‘“ True—true; a light breaks upon me for the first time. You are the brave youth who led me to the Dutch oraft in the river. Forgive me, if I have injured yon, even in thought. Lady, I beg you also will forgive me, and let my last remembrance of England be that of a smile from one of its fairest daughters !"” As he spoke he raised her hand respectfully to his lips, and bowing to the rest of the group, he approached the boat, and entering it was soon on his way. The armourer gazed after him, as did also the Young Apprentice, for some time in silence, At length Frank Leslie spoke. “A bad and vicious young man that,” be said, ‘‘and would make a bad king.” ‘' Aye, truly,” said the Young Apprentioe, “ he - THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. would make a bad king, and England would rue the day that she entrusted herself to his tender mercies. But he is gone—let ns hope he will never return.” “I say Amen to that,” returned the armourer. ‘ And now, since we have saved Ettie from our royal lover, let us take her to Mistress Ludlow’'s and proceed on our journey towards Calais,” “When will the barque be ready ?”’ asked the Young Apprentice. ‘This evening if we are ready.” ‘Then let us not delay. I shall be eager and anxious each moment that I am away from Kttie, now that so many dangers surround her,” “True ; we will start at once. Let us hasten, then, to Mistress Ludlow.” Ettie was soon placed under the care of her old friend, and about midnight, the armourer and the Young Apprentice sailed from Bright- helmstone, with a fair wind and a calm and lovely sea. CHAPTER XV. HOME—FADING AWAY—FIRST THOUGHTS—THE LANDING IN FPRANCE~-THE PURSUERS—THE SHADOWS ON THE ROAD—THE OLD CHATEADT,. THE thoughts of Harold Fordyce, as he saw the shores of old England fading away from before his eyes, can better be imagined than described. It was the first time that he had ever been upon the sea, and it seemed atrange indeed, gliding away over the silent water and leavin those he loved and the places he knew behin him on the firm land. So softly did the vessel glide, that it appeared as if the cliffs were imperceptibly, but surely, receding from him—not that he was parting from t . There came a yearning in his heart as he watched—a yearning to return—to leap over the wide watery space, and get back to the side of that lovely gentle creature who was his world—his life ! ‘I feel,” he said, tarning to the armourer, ‘“asif I were leaving Ettie in the midst of numberleas perils and dangers. See how many are her enemies. How often she has been the victim of attacks of unprincipled men. She may not always be successful in her attempts at escape, and we have doth quitted her without leaving any one to protect her.” The armourer laighed. ‘* Selfish,” he oried, “ selfish as lovers always are, You think that no one thinks of and protects any one except you. I am her father, remember, and J shall see that she is not harmed. Although I am here, there are those left behind me who can guard her as well as J can, Mistress Ludlow has several tall and stalwart sons: and I can answer for it that any private attempt against her will be met quite as well as if we were A | P ‘é Still,” said Harold, it is a pleasure to me to know that my sword defends her. Soon, I trust to take her from your protection, You remem- Ber your promise.”’ ‘IT do, Assoon as we return to England, I shall give her to you for wife.” “ That is my earnest hope and wish,” said the ~ GOMES O146S CO