The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. visible on Lord Raymond's face as Harold ut- tered these words of warning. ‘Let me fool!” he cried, “ Who sent you here with your babbling tongue?” [See co- loured picture of the Rayat Spy. Lord Villiers, however, dropping the arm of his bride, whispered a few words to his friends, who at once closed round her. ‘What do you here, my lord?” he demanded of the Royalist spy. “ Am I to give account to you?” cried Ray- mond. “Is not this the free city of London, where a citizen can go and come where he lists ?” “We will not speak of that,” said Lord Clement Villiers. ‘‘ When I see you here watch- ing my marriage with one whom once you took from me, I have a right to suspect you.” “Sus then, and enjoy your suspicion, my lord,” returned the traitor. “For my part, I intend to walk the streets of London without permission from you.” As he spoke, he hurried forward, and rapidly gained the corner of the street, Lord Clement, on his part, drew his sword, and, turning to his friends, said, * Quick !~to the carriages ! shall be attacked.” There was no time. Before they reached the carriage doors there was a rush of men from the corner of the court, and the bridal party was intercepted. — was no time for any one to call for aid. The fight, whatever might be its ending, would have to be fought out as it was. Harold had at first but his little dagger, but he was soon provided with a weapon. One of the followers of Lord Raymond rush- ing with mad impetuosity forward, was received on the point of a sword, and fell, yelling aloud for help. : In an instant the Young Apprentice possessed himself of the weapon, and stood with the others in front of Lady Blanche. It was really a difficult matter to tell how Raymond had learned the presence of Lord Villiers in London and his intended bridal that night. On the previeus evening, we have seen him at the old house, threatening Ben Firebrace with death if he refused to disclose their whereabouts, I suspect we and now he had laid an ambush which was, evidently a well converted one. In numbers the traitors’ friends were by far the superior. Besides those who thronged upon the wed- ding party from the court, a second body appeared as soon as the clash of arms was heard, so that Lord Villiers’ friends found themselves attacked in front and rear. The carriages were driven off, and in less time than it has taken to read these few lines er wedding guests were surrounded on all sides, There were but eight gentlemen on the side of Lord Villiers ; on the side of Lord Raymond there were double that number—fierce, ruthless whose business was death, and whose swords were always on hire to the best bidder. These latter fought all the more desperately because they were loth to run counter to the watch, the arrival of whom they expected every moment. ; In the increasing darkness it was almost im- posaible to use fire-arms with rafety, and so the ght was confined to a sword combat. Clash, clash, clash! was all thet was heard in that street, usually so quiet, with now and then a loud imprecation and a deep groan from a wounded man. The wedding party endeavoured, when they saw themselves so greatly out-numbered, to draw back so as to have the wall at their backs, But in this manceuvre they were unsuccess- The ruffians who assisted Raymond were upon them at all points, and it was easy to see from the first which way the fight would end. The friends of the bride fought well. in and again some sturdy trooper was stricken to the earth. Again and again a gallant rush was made, and, for an instant, the tide of battle seemed to turn. | But at length the circle narrowed; the wed- ding guests were surrounded so that it was almost impossible for them to use their swords, and Lord Clement saw himself on the point of losing the bride whom he had secured after s0 many dangers, At this moment a voice whispered in the ear of Lady Blanche— ‘We are surrounded. In another moment we shall be assassinated, Let us escape through yonder crowd.” In this perilous moment she did not wait to see whether it was friend or foe that spoke. “ It is impossible!" she said. ‘We shall be discovered !”” “Not so; they will not see us in the darkness and confusion. Quick! this way, Grasp my arm, and say nothing.” Grasping the arm of the cavalier in whose voice she seemed to recognise that of a friend, abe hurried away with him through the crowd. At this moment there was a sound of horses’ feet, and loud cries of— ‘Rescue | reacue!”’ Hardly had the words sounded when a troop of horse came dashing into the narrow space. ‘Trample on the villains! Cut them down like dogs!" cried a voice. It was that of Ben Firebrace, In an instant the tables were turned. Back were driven the hired ruffians of the Royalist spy. Once more a gleam of pleasure lit up the face of Lord Clement Villiers. He looked round upon his friends as in the confusion of the mélée he was borne away from the front of the fight. ‘tTIs Lady Villiers safe, Davenport?” he asked, of one of his friends near him, ‘T have not seen her,’ returned Sir William Davenport, “since you sent your friend to fetch her away.” Lord Clement uttered a cry, which was almost a cry of fear. ‘¢ Since I have sent a friend to fetch her !”’ he repeated. “ Why, I have sent no one,” “ She is gone, then, with some one,” returned the other. <S) (=u GOVE OOO COLT