The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

_ THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. I doubt not you will admit me when you know all the truth.” ‘‘ Admit the stranger,” said Rupert. “We have little to fear from one man.” The door was then thrown open, and Simon Lawless was admitted into the huge vaulted chamber. “You have a comfortable place here,” said Simon, as he sat down by the fire. “I wish Harold was in so comfortable a one.” ‘¢ Where is he then?” asked Rupert, ‘He is in the power of Lord Raymond,” re- turned Simon Lawless. “Listen, and I will give you all the details.” He hadno sooner explained the misadventure than every one of the boys were on the alert. In their eagerness, they were anxious to go on the instant to attack the house. But Simon allayed their enthusiasm, and arranged a place of meeting for the following evening. Then he left the tower, after being regaled with a large glass of wine, and proceeding to the haunt of the London Apprentices, he left word for them to the same effect. __ The result has proved bow they both answered his call. The river boys came in their boats, as also did the Apprentices, while the troopers ap- proached the front, and they were sodn engaged, as I have said, in deadly conflict. In the darkness it was very difficult to see the number of their assailants, or the places which they chose for attack, and the men defending the old house by the bridge, found it difficult to prevent their scrambling tipon the terrace. When, however, Harold had sprang across the fiery barrier, the river boys and the apprentices had forced their way over the parapet of the terrace, and were driving the troopers into the wide passage of the building. The fight was now hand-to-hand, foot-to-foot, When they reached the spot where the long yellow and red flames were forcing thembelves up through the wooden floor of the passage, and the thick coils of smoke were curling up towards the coflingy the troopers made one tore resolute stand. Before them was death; behind them was death. Which were they to choose f Before them there was a body of determined assailants, But behind them that sheet of flame might usher them into a yawning gulf. So they resolved to face the foe. But this was useless. The soldiers and the apprentices combined, were too much for them, and, at length, when two of their number had fallen through the now open ehasmi, and been engulphed in the smoke and flame, they surrendered. A loud cheer rent the air. ‘‘ Hurrah -for the apprentices !” “ Clubs and staves for ever !" These were the cries that resounded through- out the place when the stalwart troopers yielded up their swords, “This way,” said Rupert Changeling, who was in command of the river boys, as Max Bowden was in command of the apprentices. “This way. We must seo that these men are no longer able to assail us,”’ “We must see that they have no chance of assailing us, as you say,’ cried Max; ‘“ but in the name of humanity we cannot shut them up in a room ; the place ia on fire.”’ ‘Trne, true,” said Rupert. ‘Let them retire td the end of the terrace under guard. If the fire reaches them there, they can clamber down to the boats,” This was soon done, and oné of the number went with the apprentices as a guide to show them the front gates. They went on without interruption, though the heat was intense, and every now and then they had to hurry past some place where the flames were beginning to lap through the dry wooden walls. In a very few moments they had reached the front gate and began the operation of with. . drawing the bolts. In another moment the portal was open and the deliverers rushed in. But where were those whom they desired to deliver ? Where was Ettie? Where was Harold f Since the Young Apprentice and his ancient companion had leaped into the fiery chasm nothing had been seen or heard of them. ‘Where is Harold? Where is Ettie?” cried Lawless, to Rupert Changeling. He spoke for one who could not. The giant armourer, the strong man of sinew and muscle, was speechless with emotion. “TI know not,” said Rupert; “we have as yet seen nothing of them. But there is one here,” he added, pointing towards the trooper beside him, “who can guide us through the building.” . “We have no time even now to look for them,’”’ said Max. ‘‘ Our enemies are hastening down the stairs to attack us,” His words were true, He had scarcely uttered them when several shots were fired upon the compact body in the great hall, killing one and severely wounding another of the troopers with Simon Lawless, . * Let me pass,” cried the armourer, gliding by with his huge sword in his hand; ‘let me meet hand to hand those fellows who fight in an evil cause.” So threatening was his aspect, so gigantic did he appear as he strode towards them, that the soldiers drew back a pace or two as he ap- proached. “ Now, Lawless,” he cried, “aid me with the strongest of your men. Let not those brave lads suffer. Now strike for liberty and justice !” As he spoke, a sharp volley of musketry poured over the heads of the armourer and Simon Lawless, upon the enemies in front of them. There was a momentary huddling together of the men. . This was the time for action. Swinging his huge sword round his head, the armourer brought it down with such force that three of the men fell to the ground. Simon, at the same time, discharged a pistol in the face of a soldier wha was just about to run the armourer through, and then, slashing another with his sword, rushed at a third, iS OB, eS CO GOVE OO ©