The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

desert me. Arrange this, then, at once; give your lieutenant his instructions, and then dis- miss him, Let us have some wine, and send in to me, if he is there, that gallant Young A tioe.” n at once went out to do his colonel’s bidding, and, in a few momenta, Harold entered the room, His face was pale, and a white handkerchief was bound tightly round his arm, “What, wounded, my brave lad?” exclaimed Lord Villiers. “ A mere scratch, my lord,” said Harold. “TI would have cared less for it, my lord, had you but succeeded.” “Ah! when I think of my failure, my heart bleeds,"’ exclaimed the young nobleman, fiercely. ‘“ And now, when she is thus wrested from my arms, I am compelled to leave London for the camp.” " What, to-night, my lord ?” “T ought to go to-night; but I can contrive to remain until noon to-morrow. However, what I wished to say to you is this: I have no one in this metropolis who would undertake for me the mission I should wish to place in your hands. Among your many goings to and fro in London you may chance to meet some one who can give you information as regards Lady Blanche, Witt you do all you can for me !” “TI can do little for you,” said Harold; “TI am but a boy.” ‘Yes, but, boy as you are, I would rather trust your sagacity and honesty than those of older men. I will well reward you, I pro- se, “I do not seek reward,” returned Harold, proudly. “Ido not mean that I will pay you,” said Villiers, “I would not insult you so far. But, money is good for us all, and sought by all ; and some day, when your heart is another's, you will be glad of the means of placing her in comfort and luxury. When you require money, come to me; when you require aid or advice, come tome, You have already done me more service than any one I have ever known, and I am not the one to forget it. Oome, say, may I depend on you?” ‘¢ Yes, my lord; all I can do in my humble way I will do,” said Harold, “Good ; then, if I fail to-morrow morning, I shall quit London with a far easier mind. Ha! here is Captain Firebrace. Is all arranged rightly ?” | “ Yes, my lord,” said Ben, as he placed two large bottles of wine on the table. “Yes, wy lord, my lieutenant leaves at midnight for the North. He will pay very little attention to the demand for recruits, however. He has scoured London ; and I am like him, I would rather fight at the head of the two thousand men we have got, than four thousand of thé rustics, Here, my lord, is some fine wine ; I have tasted of its quality, and can answer for it.” Lord Villiers poured himself ont a large bumper. He required something to stimulate him. “T will take a sleep in this chair presently, if mine host is willing,” he said. ‘“‘We can take a watch each until dawn. As for you, Master Fordyce, your master perhaps may want you. THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. Take a little wine, and hurry home. Remember, I depend on you.” Harold took a small sip of the wine, and then prepared to go. “If I hear of anything, my lord, I will send you word to the camp,” he said, as he quitted tea good and g and trusty lad,” said Villi as Harold disappeared. :™ " “ “Aye; with as generous and noble a heart as you can well find, When he heard that my mistreas was in the hands of my enemies, he sent word at once to Cromwell's camp, at his own expense, I would trast him with untold gold, and my most cherished secret,'” “So would I, Ben,” said Villiers ; “and now go ask mine host if we can have this room,” Ben obeyed at once, and, in a few minutes returned, together with a man bearing a large tray, laden with all the best things the house could afford. ° “We can rest here either in this room, or in a good bed alone,” said Ben. “YT prefer this, We shall wake better. But what is this repast ?” Ben smiled. ‘We have heavy work before us,” he said, “We must eat, no matter how great our sorrow.” “True,” said Villiers; “but it is sorely against the grain to do s0.” The wine succeeded, however, in restoring a little hopefulneas to their minds, and, after a good repast, the two soldiers placed themselves for the night. Lord Villiers took the first watch, He had need of some reflection ere he could coax slumber, It was different with Ben. In a very few minates after he had disposed his head on the table, he had fallen off into a heavy slumber, | Lord Villiers glanced at him with a kind of envious smile. ‘Happy sleep that comes so strangely to some,’ he murmured. “This man, having suffered the same loes as I have, feeling the same misery of heart, yet falls into a refreshing slumber, while I, whose mind has been taught to harass itself through the refinement of eda- cation, have to weary myself ere I obtain rest.” Panctually at three in the morning Ben Firebrace woke, ‘Your watch is over, my lord,” he said, rousing himself as only a soldier used to active service can do. “ Sleep, and rest in peace. While Ben Firebrace is here no evil shall befal you.” By this time Villiers was sleepy also. During his solitary watcb, he had drank several large glasses of wine, which had produced an artificial drowsiness, and he was soon, there- fore, in a profound sleep. Waking early, he partook of a light breakfast, and they started forth. At the door they were joined by four troopers, “ Who are these men ?” asked Villiers, ‘‘ They are four trusty fellows,” said Captain Firebrace. “In our enterprise I fancied they might be of service,” “True, my friend; you are discreet,” an- swered Lord Clement. “Let us start firat for London Bridge.” Arrived there, Villiers proceeded at once to GOVE OOO