The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 317: what you’re looking at

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

{ Fy a 2 from their mouths and nostrils, and the reins seemed to be doubled in size on their arched necks and well-formed limbs. Still on ; the riders were relentless, It was a matter of life and death with them. The steeds were as naught. Before them they saw the prize they coveted, and nothing could keep them from grasping it. Leaving them to keep up the chase, we will now see how it fared with the pursued. The armourer, never dreaming that in this country, which seemed utterly barbarous to him, there would be any danger of pursnit—at any rate, from any myrmidons of the law—was the one to propose a second rest, The Young Apprentice remonstrated greatly with him for this. “ It will be fatal to us,’’ he cried, “ fatal to us. If they are following, the innkeeper will put them on the right acent, and then it will be all over with us.” “* Nonsense, can’t we trust in our horses?" ‘Yes ; but they may be as well mounted as we are,” “ True—true; but there is one thing to be considered also, Harold. If they are as well mouated as we are, we are as well armed and as - brave as they are. So there is nothing to fear.” ‘Very right,” replied the Young Apprentice, ‘‘ there is nothing to fear ; but I am thinking of the papers we earry.” For some time after this they pressed on rapidly, and in silence. Presently, as they came to a curve in the road, they caught sight of their pursuers. ‘‘By Heavens, there come our pursuers !” cried the Young Apprentice, ‘‘ They are after DS. 9 ‘Yes, it seems truly as if they were pursuing us,” said Frank Leslie. “It all depends upon the horses now. Iftheir’s are the best, we must come in and fight for it.” “Well, well, perhaps we shall get best off in fighting for it. With these rascally Frenchmen we should, at least, stand a good chance,” The steeds of the pursuers and the pursued were now taxed to the utmost, and they seemed to go stride and stride without lessening the large gap between them. In this way four miles were traversed. They now descended a steep hill, at the bottom of which was a junction of roads. They had nearly accomplished the task, when one of their horses, that on which Harold rode, reeled and fell. He tried to pull her up, but she reeled and threw him to the ground, at the same time roll- ing heavily on her side. “‘ It’s all over now,” cried the Young Appren- tice. ‘Take the papers,* Leslie, and fly. See, they are upon us.” “Do you think me capable of such an act ?” cried the armourer, “ What would Ettie say of me if she heard that left you to the mercy of the French ruffians ?” ‘Go, go,” cried Harold, “ it is not a question now of courage or cowardice. We are on a secret mission; we have grave and important matters confided to us, and we mast not both be caught. They desire my person, not my life. Fly, then, and take these letters to Count Beauville.”’ UBED Pl THE YOUNG APPRENTICE. NOTICH.— WITH NUMBER 83 WAS GIVEN AWAY ANOTHER BEHAUTIFUL COLO CTURR. Others will follow in a few weeks. ‘= The armourer made no direct reply to this speech. Ho merely leaped from his horse. * We can fight better side by side,” he said, as he fastened his animal to a tree; “ besides, who knows we may even now be deceived, and these men may not after all be pursuing us at al | “ Well, if you will stop, we will try our luck,” said Harold. “Now then, here they come, & few moments will decide all.” They stood side by side near the horse, which, although still panting and reeking with sweat, was beginning to recover itself somewhat, The officers soon came up. But they offered no attack. Their ideas had changed. Instead of open warfare they had resolved upon deception. ‘‘ What is the matter, gentlemen ?”’ cried one of them as they reined up their steeds, ‘have your horses come to grief?” “One is gone, and the other is little better,” cried Harold, “so we are compelled to rest.” He knew but little French, but the Calais officers, used to English people, at onse under- stood his meaning. ‘A little further on,’ returned one of the police officers, ‘‘you will find an inn—at the sign of the Falcon—you will receive every attention there. We would gladly show you the way, but our time is precious,”’ So saying, they waved their hands and rode "rapigly away. heir ruse was good. Bat it did not quite succeed. “Is tthem,” said the Young Apprentice, when they had gone, ‘80 do I; but what is to be done ?” ‘Leave both horses here; strike across the country on foot; remain at some inn for the night, and procure horses in the morning, Then take another route to Paris.” ** Good,” said the armourer, “ yours is a good plan, but let them not see us doso, See, they are not yet out of sight.” In order to pasa the time, and distract the attention of the officers, the Young Apprentice turned to his horse, and after great difficulty succeeded in getting him once more on his legs, Then, watching along the road until the police officers were out of sight, they left their steeds behind them, and plunged across the open country. The chateau of Beauville was soon reached. They came, however, in its vicinity in the middle of the night, and they therefore put up at an inn near. Within the chateau at this moment a strange soene was enacting. In one of the grand bed-chambers lay dying the young wife of the Count Beauville. At the head of her bed stood a Catholic priest, By the side of the bed stood a lady and gentleman. The former was young; the latter was some forty-five years of age. The gentleman was the Count de Beauville, the lady was young Agnes de Kemornet, the cousin of the dying woman. In the hands of the lady was a paper. Tt was a will—the will of the young countess. ) ° +) 5 f EDOOo ILA) eS o, we J - Py o s oy CO