The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

G 26 THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, So in a very short space of time they had passed beyond the walls, and had reached the spot where horses had been placed for them by Lord Clement. From this point bis design was to carry Lady Blanche to Castle Orford, a stronghold now held by a staunch Puritan, but which had once belonged to Lord Orford, a bigoted Royalist. Lord Clement would have secured the services of some of his own troopers as an escort, had it not been that he wished to keep the whole story from the ears of Cromwell; but, as it was, he had to trust the safety ofthe one he loved to his own strong arm and the courage of the Young Apprentice. They had reached a point where the broad highroad merged into a narrow, shaded avenue, when some of the shadows appeared to take life, and four figures sprang forward. Their enemies were Quelf the Dwarf and three troopers. ‘“ Halt!” cried one of them, in a voice to which drink had given a huskytwang. “ Halt! on your lives, halt !” ‘On your lives, let us pass!” shouted Harold, as he rushed upon the man and overturned him, while Lord Clement fired at one of the others who tried to stop his horse. | But, though the trooper who had fallen showed no disposition to rise, and the one at whom Lord Villiers had fired dropped wounded, the third soldier proved far more courageous. He attacked Harold furiously, while Lord Clement found himaelf beset in a manner he little expected. Quelf, who regarded this as a great oppor- tunity of revenpging himeelf on Hareld, was exasperated at the quick disposal of his two companions, and, seeing that the Young A : tice was well taken care of by the Royalist sol- dier, who fought with fierceness and determi- nation, he adopted a curious and vexatious line of attack. He cut and slashed at the legs of the horses, wounding them severely, and causing them to plunge fearfully. Blanche, who was a good rider, kept her seat ; but Hather, the heavy serving-maid, was several times nearly unseated. Presently both animals started off at a brisk pace, leaving Harold and Villiers alone with their foes. Qaelf now, after several feigned attacks, sprang on the crupper of Lord Clement's hosse, end, seizing him from behind, held him by tke arms with a etrength which, considering his size, seemed truly superhuman. His idea in doing this wan that he fancied Harold to be getting the worst of the combat, and he hoped to be able to hold Lord Clement until the royal trooper was disengaged enough to despatch him. He was wrong. After a few desperate passes, Farol spurred his horse round suddenly ; his aword was seen to flash in the air, and, in another instant, it had passed through the chest of his assailant, This was enough for Quelf. With a loud yell, he sprang from his seat. Then, drawing a pistol from the belt of one of the fallen troopers he fired, and, with a shout of defiance, disappeared amid the shadows of the wood, ws a 4 rt The victors now put spurs to their horses, and regained Blanche, who, with her attendant, was some distance in advance, and, in less than two hours, they had reached Orford Castle, On the following morning the news reached them that Cromwell was at the head of his forces, Their immediate parting was inevitable, Lord Clement was compelled to return to his regiment, Blanche did not speak. No words could speak the anguish of her heart. ‘My life, my dearest Blanche,” said Lord Clement, “ do not fear the future. For the sake of those friends whom I bring to the cause of the people, Cromwell will forgive me for the part whioh I have taken in your escape. Victory, that has hitherto clung to my banner, will not, cannot desert me now.” ‘But remember the enemies whom you will have to meet—not only Lord Raymond, but also your own father.”’ Lord Clement's eyes fell. In another instant, however, the fire of con- fident hope flashed from his eyes, “Ah! Blanche,” he exclaimed, “is not our love cast upon the issue—our love, freedom, honour, power? Nay, if there were forty fathers they should not unnerve my arm, nor abate my courage one jot! Farewell, dearest; when we meet again we meet to part no more.” “In heaven, then, Clement.” The words struck on Lord Villiers’ heart like the prophetic words of the dying. Repcliing the thought, however, he replied— “Tt will be heaven to us, Blanche,” and tore himeelf away. Harold was a witness to this scene. ‘You are going with Lord Clement?” said Blanche, in choking accents. “Yes, my lady,” returned the Young Appren- tice, whose eyes were fixed with melancholy admiration on the beautiful face of the speaker. “Yes, my lady, I am going; I am compelled to return almost at once to London.” ‘Then take this in remembrance of me.” So saying, she unclasped from her white — a beautifal brooch, and gave it into his ands, “You have alded Lord Clement, you have paved my life,” she said; “I shall never forget you. May you, when you are loved and love, find oue to aid you equally.” Harold flushed, and kissed the fair hand which presented to him the jewel. ‘“‘T shall regard this as a talisman, fair lady,” he said ; “though one more loveable than your- self I should find it rare to meet.” Then, as if surprised at the boldness of hig own speech, which had brought up a flush also on the face of Lady Blanche, he bowed and hurried away. Both he and Lord C.ement Villiers proceeded at full speed towards the camp of Cromwell, whem they found prepared for another tattle. Ere Lord Clement had fairly completed his interview with the future jord lieutenant of England, the Young Apprentice was summoned into the presence of old Noll. The stern commander of the Puritan army eyed our hero for a moment ere he spoke; eyed him with a fixed, searching, earnest glance, ‘Master Fordyce,” he said, “we have good accounts of you,” GOMES O146S