Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 125 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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MERRY ENGLAND, en 27 In this dire extremity, Conrad besought St Catharine, Bt. Lucy, and all blessed saints to aid the distracted damsel. The appeal seemed to be answered, From this moment Catharine’s senses began to return, and after gazing fixedly at him, she breathed his name. * Conrad!” Filled with delight, he strained her to hia breast. * You are = in time, Conrad!’ she murmured faintly. ** Hatl you delayed much longer, you would have found me lifeless |’? Shuddering at the thought, he pressed her still closer to his eart. “Tis not an hour since I discovered you were buried here, Catherine,” be said, “ and I flew to your rescue as fast as my steed would carry me. Had I been too late, would not have survived you. But the goo! snints who watch over you, had pity on us both! Have no mere tear! She who sought your destruction Is gone, and when dying, repented her cruelty.” * Then I forgive her!’ cried Catherine; “ and invy Heaven forgive her likewise! But Jet us net stay longer in this dreal- ful place. Bear me hence, Conrad, I am weak, depressed in spirits, and have not power to walk any distance,” Extinguishing the torch, he took her in his arms, and rapidly retraced the course he had pursued, Bante through the bron gates, which he had left open, he quickly gained the stone steps, and mounting them, issued forth trom the trap-door, Greatly astonishe:| was the man lefton guard when Con- rad reappeared with his lovely burden; but he was not allowed to ask any questiona, for Catherine had swooned, and Conrad instantly sept him in quest of some ot the fomale servants who had been left in the palace, By the time the man returned with twoof the Princessea’s handmaidens, Catherine had regained her sensibility, and did not require the restoratives brought by the damsels, Shortly afterwards she was taken to the Princess’s own apartments; and her new attendants, who seemed greauly interested in her, promised to pay ber every attention. Feellng now quite easy on Catherine’s account, Conrad locked the gates in the subterranean passage, and kept the key in his own possession, Having caused the trap-door to be fastened down, he placed a guard at the door of the chamber, and then went in search of Sir Lionel de Courcy. During all thistime the old knight bad not attem to quit the state apartments, and knew nething of what had o-- curred, except thet he had been jnformed that Conrad wis one to Blackheath to attend upon the rebel chief, Wat yler, : He was, therefore, surprised tosee the young man, and still more surpr to bear what had brought him back. Needless to say that be liatened to the recital of his dauch- ter’s imprisonment by Frideswide with the most paintul in- terest; but since Catherine was now [ree, he could only re- oice and thank ber deliverer, He did soin the warmest rms, and embraced Conrad as a son, This explanation over, they deliberated long and anxiously as to the best course to be pursued in the present emer- gency. Flight would now be easy; and as soon as Catherine had recovered from the sheck she had sustained she could be removed. But where could a place of refuge be found for her? The whole of Kent was in a atate of insurrection. No man- sion, no castle, no household with any pretensions to re- spectability was secure irom the rebels, To Canterbury it was impossible to return. After much anxious consideration, they resolved to take her to the Dartford Priory. Sir Lionel was acquainted with the Lady Isabel, and felt certain she woul! afford her an asylum. Thither, then, hé proposed to send his daugiiter as soon as phe could make the ourney with safety. Sir Lionel y counseled Conrad not to abandon his post under. resent trying circumstances, * You have now,” he said, ** the conmand of a garrison of five hundred men, who are likely to continue faiibfal to you. On no.saccount quit them. Should any reverse happen to Wat Tyler, you can at once declare in favor of the king, By doing 80 at the ht moment you may materially aid the royal cxuse, Be a ed by me. soon &4 I have en my daughter to the Priory of St. Mary I will returo, and remain with you till something ils decided. Ido not fora moment despair of the royal. cause, . Though it may be beset by diffi- culties for a time, its ultimate triumph is certain. Nothing ean be more fortunate than that you are in possersion of Elihum, By prudent management ge may help to crush the rvbeilion, and your reward will proportionate to the Mg re wand arill bo-uiiiolent it.I obtai * reward w Ru nt obtain your J hand,” Sir Lionel, replied Conrad. PEARS, Gangeter'e END OF THE THIRD BOOK, -_ Ss: —C BOOK THE FOURTH. | THE SAVOY. CHAPTER I. JACK STKAW’S CASTLE. Lixg a vulture looking down froma hight ona plain, eovered with herds oad flocks, the rapacious Outlaw gazed on London from the summit of Hampstead Hill. While trying to count the palaces, mansions, halls, monasteries, churches, a ospitals, spread out before him, he ey only of phe plunder they would yield. The fierce Goth, at the h of his barbarian host, did Rome from the neighboring hills with d the insatiate marauder on the had sworn to paeee. cheat merchants shall deliver upto me all their riches, if they would save their lives. no other condition willl s . male I swear!” And while pronounce the vow, he kissed the relic wr the time se ‘the Eesex ee ie red wen nts were gathe on Hampstead Paes ere was @ smalltower on the nigeese point of the hill. ithin this tower, once used as a beacon, the Outlaw had fixed his headquarters. And thon not a vesti of the 0 peaycuure 1s Ser, the a own, and t e muc uented hos oceupy e nogutred the denymnation of Jack Strain Caxias rom the top e e ner t. Georges and near it stood the Outlaw, He had been there nearly three hours, and during the greater part of the time had been gazing at the doomed city—though he sometime cast an anxious look in the direction of Blackheath; the position of which wag in- Pog ae Aad ype te eee iy ge t re wer 8 : dimiculties not on ayes than di great city a Its w that had borne him safely through so man and da fu ui ‘ with the rte Ata eanet w. eed the tower, on the brow of the hill, on the gen- slopes, and in numerous hollows, was gath oA Traménse host ‘acknowledged yaks as sedan es, e then rode down the hill, attend and followed by the whole body of raed and was ready to execute his commands, be they what | they might. The presence of these wild, uncouth men, in their rough garb, and with their strange weapons, waa little og harmony with the soft and tranquil character of the ce, Still the scene was very striking, and would have pleased a painter. Many of the insurgents were lying upon the fragrant sod, basking in the sunshine, for the day washot. Others, seated around the brink of the hol. lows, watched their comrades, who were leaping, or wrestling, or amusing themselves with other times. But by far the greater number were standing on the numerous knolis, and looking towards the city, excited by desires of pillage and destruction, akin to those in- flaming the breast of their chief. The Outlaw was still on the top of the tower—still oc- cupied by the same greedy thoughts—when his attention was caught by a horseman riding quickly up the south side of the hill. At once he recognized Hothbrand. Evidently he was the bearer of a masenge from Wat Tyler, and the Outlaw awaited his arrival with impa- tience, but did not quit his own position. Several inquisitive insurgents crowded around Hoth- brand, as he gallopped on, but he refused to satiafy their “toad and halted not till he reached the foot of the wer. Saluting the chief, he then proceeded to deliver his message. ‘Wat Tyler greeta thee well!” he said. ‘ He isa march- ing on London, and desires thee likewise to advance.” Thou bringst me good news, Hothbrand, and I thank thee for it!" replied the Outlaw, joyfully. “ Yet doth it surprise me, for 1 heard my brother was about to meet the King at Rotherhithe. eonference, I conclude, has come to naught?" “To worse than naught,” replied Hothbrand. ‘It had well-nigh resulted in the death of thy brother chief, A snare was laid for him »y the Council, and he narrowly esca from it with life.” . “Now, by St. Nicholas, their treachery shall be speed- a punished!”’ roared the Outlaw. “ Comrades, ye hear what our valiant lieutenant, Hothbrand, saith!” he cried, in @ voice of thunder, to the throng gathering thick! around. “The Council have dealt treacherously wit my brother, Wat Tyler, and have sought to slay him, Shall we not slay them?” “Ay, marry,” responded the insurgents, brandishing their pikes and bills. ' “Hark ye, comrades,” cried Hothbrand, anxious to in flame them stitl further. “Wat Tyler belleves the in- stigators of the perfidious design were the Archbisho of Canterbury and Sir Robert Hales, the Lord Treasurer. Both were in the barge with the King.” ‘Both shall be put to death!” shouted the infuriated peasants. ; . “You will not have your wish just P dee for they are safe within the tower,” said Hothbrand. Cries of angry disappointment arose from the. throng. “Wherever they may be, they shall not escape us,” said the Outlaw. As to the Lord High Treasurer, we can take ample vengeance on him. We will burn the Temple, which he gov and destroy all the Chancery records. Moreover, we will burn the rich Priory of John of Jerusalem, near Clerkenwell, of which he is Grand Mas- ter; but we will first strip it of-its treasures. The rev. enues of that hospital are immense. Would we could collect them af; but we will get what we can.” This pro on, being in exact aceordance with the wishes of peasants, was received by them with ac- clamations. “Fo Hales hath a manor at Dok. Yondan dt stands etnid the kere, nds a oo a a mile from Rag or td athe «By ‘I see enough,” rejoined w. my troth, tt ie a stately mansion; but it shall soon be levelled with the ground. We willsack and burn it as we march to Clerkenwell." , Placing his bugle to his lips, he then sounded a loud and prolonged biast, that echoed far and wide, and roused the entire host. As soon as he perceived that the men were in motion he took down the banner, and, waving it aloft, pointed meee his sword towards the city, shouting, “ Lon- on!” “To London!” repeated a thousand voices, Descending from the tower, he gave the banner to the man accustomed to bear it, mounting his . ut himself at the head of the host, calling out, “St. for England!" This evoked fresh cri : H by te = gma At that time, the country between and f fons aed eehe marched on waa te Weta Interrapdion to the large surrounding Sir Robert Hales'’s noble maneion at hbury. i Made aware of their approach by the hideous tintamar the inmates of the mansion fled, na ett ae to St. John's Priory, carrying the news with them. vhfier being ’ , the magnidcent mansion was CHAPTER IL HOW THE HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM WAS PIL- LAGED AND BURNT. Ont of the richest and most beautiful rel houses then existing near London was the Hospitator Bt John of oe lem, at we nenteg ppd be s ory was foun about two centuries previ - 7 by Toantae de Brisset, a wealthy Norman hope ‘and Lady lnm aa his wife, and belonged to the ts os so far from the Priory stood a large Benedictine Nun- nery, likewise foun by the before-mentioned pious an opaeeene personages, With the Nunnery, the Outlaw determined not to med- he and ne Save sti praere to ~ 8 that the oly sisterhood ow moles habitation injured. = eauereye No murmurs were raised at the injunction, for the in- surgents were quite content that the Priory of St. John’s should be given up tothem. Permission to pill and destroy ‘his vast and magnificent edifice was sufficient tosatisfy their rapacity, as well as their desire for maraudi ost approached it from it stood the s ot fox, -- unnery, looking equally How t ull looked the gra and revere rer od pile as the n h on ummer een, penton ita under and destruction. .. Both were papa pict ue structures, and th charmingly situa neara de green, took its name from @ well of marvelous virtue ny tak TOOK “Is Yet those inside the Priory were far from tranquil. They knew that the Grand Maater’s mansion at my aged was burnt, and felt sure from the threats uttered by the rebels that their own turn would come next. Preparations for defense were hastily made, butit was clear that the place could not hold out long, Geoffrey de Burgh, Prior of St. John's, had been a valiant warrior in his time,and all the brotherhood were Knights Templars; but they had long ceased to bear arms, and devoted themselves solely to religious ¢xer- cisesn. All, however, were ready to take up the sword aqpin, and die in defence of the Hospital. ut the Prior hoped it would not come to such a pass, and persuaded himself he might be able to prevail on the leader of these lawless men to retire. Alas! he knew not with whom he had to deal. When the Outlaw and Hothbrand, followed by a large band of insurgents, rode up tothe magnificent gateway, they found it shut, and were about to break down the gate, when a noise was heard above, and the Prior and he holy brotherhood appeared on the battlements, Geoffrey de Burgh was well stricken in years, but he bore himself proudly, and had a bold and lofty look, and even though arrayed in his full ecclesiastical Nepie, he looked more like a warrior thana monk. His pba thrown back so as fully to display his striking coun- nance, lt may be proper to mention that the Prior was eo wes | armed, and that the whole of the knightly brotherh wore armor uuder their gowns and had swords by their sides. To all appearance, however, they were in relig- ious attire. “ What would ye?” demanded the Prior. “ Tis almost needless to inquire your purpose; yet I would learn it. from your own lips.” “Our purpose, most holy father,” rejoined the Outlaw,, in a jeering tone, * is to take possession of this Hospital, to drive you and your brethren from it, to selze upon al eae Be plasey Jere and ures, and ¢ to burndown e “Your wickedness and audacity excel all belief,” ox- claimed the Prior.” , “Tothisact of retributive justice,” pursued the Out- law, ““we are moved by the treasonable pt oe yg made by your Grand Master upon the life of our leader. We will have vengeance." “Have ye no dread of the Church's moat terrible an- athemas?"’ demanded the Prior. ‘Withdraw at once, ye secenanens wretches, or I will launch them upon you ” “Pour out the whole vials of your wrath upon our head, an’ it please you, most holy father!" rejoined tho utlaw, in a tone of contemptuous indifference. “We are likely to be turned from our purpose by den tions. But we have ked long enough, Cause the tes, Ipray you, to be forthwith unfastened, or we will urst them open and enter!” “ Thou wilt never enter, sacrilegious villain!" cried one of the brethren, stepping forward with an arbalest, which he had held camunaiadl behinu him. . And he launched a bolt, but, though it struck the Out- law on the breast, it did him no oy ' ‘Well shot!” he cried. “ But thou didst not know that. wear a relic on my breast—to say nothing of my Las Spr S eaiaemeanie ee ahi , t, e n added quickly hose behin m, ‘* Shoo In era! shoot! to the shea lley of wer a volley ar- rows rises ih ir flight to the Ber ematia: but none — hit, lor and the brethren having sought shel- The Outlaw then ordered his men to burst open the gates, and the direction was speedily carried out. : Aorapitina the rebels roshied tuntdlsprasiotes without am re um n, Ww waititig for their ee oe they were astounded to find a small party of yg mere up in the centre of me courtyard, sword in , and fully prepared to re- ceive them. The or and the holy brotherhood had resumed their former accoutrements, ; Had the old warriors been provided with steeda, they could easily have ridden down their assailants, and out their way through the host outside, But flight being im e, wm resolved to ope a lives deany am outin ttle-cry as °° Geoffrey Burg , by the aeregn of his sword, soon cleared the crowd near him,and performed prodigies of valor, lopping off heads, feet, arms, and legs as he went on. * The knights who followed i aan him with such en- ee ee 4 forced the ier weeiteanne would, pro- iy nese ri them out altogether it not Deon for Outlaw, who, seeing how matters , dashed ‘orward on bis charger, and smote the old knight with e-axe. f “ Rang i Mn ek mabe taba the = ‘our other : ¢ yo ae tendon and reinforced, turned, ahd after a but c th hol utlaw, who was entirely u fe, gazed around y, ping me a ; ful priory, now deluged with gore, and ntrewn with the ts and noble hts min he exclatmed, in exultation, Amply yo r av . ‘ Through this scene of slaughter, the insu were seh: Ie the gate as if for ~¥ hy tO paas, but they ed not the ae spectacle. tne Homi they spread Shemaclven in ai rtetigne ves ee the great hall, into the ch , the lL, the r’s apartments, the refeotories, the ttories, everywhere; seizing everything they could hands bm with an assiduit ectly surprising. , hey seized all the . jewels, and ornaments that they could find in the church and the chapel; = gilt candlesticks, the gilt crosses, the gilt pix, - oes, censers, cruets, and crysmatories. Entering the vestry, they purloined alf the vestments they could discover in the ambreys and chests; copes of Leeduierikbwes wel iiede of eeldsienen niet ena nh; copes 3 co ns and silver waloorns; chasubles of blue. red for sep- with crosses; altar Fonts Of Dive anion soa ned ; ev 6 with archangels; great latten candlesticks, and silver Sueh was some of the treasure appropriated by the rebels. ) How much:else the sacrilegious villains carried off be- the fore the magnificent pile was set.on fire c be stat- oe cd. is to reflect upon the destruction they accom- While this plunder was going on, such of the heusehold as were able to escape, i: in the Nunnery, where shelter Was given them by the When every article of value had been carried off, the Hospital was fired iu several places; but at first the flames --——_ eee ee GOmMmicdookstcom