Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 125 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

“There is danger in front, my lord. Horsemen are approaching. I heard them distinctly.’ **Are you quite sure ?"’ demanded Sir John. “ Onite sure; and as far as I can judge, there are five or sixin the c ompany.’ Though they conferred in a low tone, Editha over- heard what passed, and hoping there might be a chance of rescue, renewed her outcries. They were immediately answered by the advancing arty. . “Confusion ! !” exclaimed Sir John Holland. must fly!’ And turning his horse’s head, he galloped back in the direction he had come, followed by the others. “We CHAPTER XXI. THE RESCUE. Wirnovr resorting to violence, it would have been impossible to silence the affrighted damsel; and, guided by her cries, the pursuers advanced with in- creased rapidity, and seemed to gain on the flying arty. 7 Sir John and his attendants had dashed past the her- mitage, and entered another path that led deeper into the wood ; but finding themselves close pressed, though they had not yet seen their pursuers, they agreed to separate, and Sir John, abruptly quitting his attend- ants, plunged into the thicket. Not without difficulty did he force his way through the underwood ; but he deemed himself secure, for his fair captive had ‘become insensible. He had not, however, penetrated far into the wood, when the crashing of branches announced that one of g his pursuers was at hand, and a fierce voice exclaimed, “Turn thee, vile robber and desolater, and deliver up the maid thou hast stolen. Stop, I say. Thou canst not escape me.’ Sir John wheeled round instantly at the summons, and drew his sword. He had gained a small open patch, on which the moonlight fell, so that he was fully revealed to his pur- suer, W mt rd burst forth next moment trom the surround- ing trees. So wild and fantastic was the appearance of the horse- man, that Sir John gazed at him and his sable steed with wonder, not unmingled with superstitious terror. Recovering himself instantly, he aimed a blow at the outlaw, which, had it taken effect, would have termin- ated that daring individual's career; but the other nimbly avoided the stroke, and wresting the young noble's sword from his grasp, seized him by the throat, crying out; “Yield the damsel to me, or I will slay thee and take her |”’ “Never!” exclaimed Sir John. And by a vigorous effort, he succeeded in m with og ye om the outlaw’s grasp, and assailed him wit wi conflict that ensued, either by his master’s vo or by that of the outlaw, Sir John’s charger re- ceived a mortal wound in the nec k, and as the noble animal sank to the ground, the still inanimate damsel was snatched from her captor by the outlaw. Before Sir John could disengage himself from his fallen steed, his successful antagonist was gone. But he heard the sound of a horn, winded by the out- law to recall his band. CHAPTER XXII. EDITHA DISTRUSTS HER DELIVERER, MEANTIME, the outlaw, Laas Mal well tis So Ses with the intricacies of the wood, had easily regained the narrow leading to the village, and pursued itleisurely, in he ree on of being rejoine oF his band. As he awed at the beautiful head now reclining upon his shoulder, evil thoughts crossed him, and he could scarcely make up his mind to relinquish the rich prize he had gained. “The maid has fallen into my hands,” he thought. “Why should I not retain her, and make her my bride ? But no; that would cause a difference "twixt me and her father, and I must not quarrel with him now,” His gaze was fixed upon the fair face with a passionate admiration, when Editha opened her eyes, and encoun- tered his ardent glance. She was almost as much affrighted as she had previously been while in the power of the young noble. ote soon asshe understood what had happened, she thanked him for delivering her, but besoug t him to set her down. f “Nay, I must carry you to your father, fair damsel, e said; “or I shall lose all credit with him for the ight service I have raga you. Besides, you have Patioe nee’ to walk ” “she rep ft resigning herself unwill- me to her sition. “But you will ten my gratitude if et will take me home Ke Was inquired anxiously concerning her mother, but he could give her no information, His band, how- ever, coming up at BS moment, he despatched one of them to the hermi rat a gallop, and soon reached Wat han iste set o er’s dwellin "ihe smith was standing at his door, in astate of the Sreatent pecbaig' and ashe received his daughter her he clasped her to his heart. nh spe Heaven, % are safe !"’ he cried. where your mother ?’’ ‘Yon will see her presently,’ replied the outlaw. - inno ou need have no uneasiness respecting her. She is er.” “and of that false friar ?” cried the smith, stamp- on the ground with rage. * Be not angered with the’ good hermit, father,”’ said “But: MERRY ENGLAND. Editha. “You suspect him unjustly.’ He has been duped by this wicked young noble. I will tell you all anon. “ Go in, then, child,”’ said Wat, much pacified by this assurance. “I must confer with you ere you depart,” he added to the outlaw. “Will it be safe to enter your dwelling ?’’ demanded the other. %; Perfectly,” replied Wat. retired to rest.’ Thereupon the outlaw sprang to the ground, and, giv- ing his steed to one of the band, entered the cottage with the smith. “All the village has now CHAPTER XXIII. A SUDDEN QUARREL, THE room was dimly lighted by a lamp, which re- vealed its low, raftered roof, large fireplace, with the re- mains of a wood fire stil) burning on the hearth, and simple furniture, such as might be expected in a teno- ment of the kind. But there were several pieces of armor hung up against the walls—a hauberk, brassarts, vanbraces, gorget, ureaves, a basinet and a buckler; and these, with some offensive arms—as a gisarine, a pole-axe, a marlelde Jer, a couple of swords, 4 cross-bow and a long bow, gave a pec uliar character to the room. It was not, however, surprising to find the weapons in Wat Tyler's dwelling, for it must be recollected that he was an armorer as well as a smith. Nothing conld be said properly to belong to Editha, She had her own little room, and it looked towards the arden, Thither she had now retired, and kneeling before a little image of the Blessed Virgin, poured forth thanks for her fortunate deliverance. Wat Tyler's first business was to resort toa cupboard, whence he produced a flask of wine and a couple of drinking-horns, and placing these on the table, he sat down with his confederate. Atter they had solemnly pledged each other, the smith said, in a grave tone, and with a look that announced that his resolution was taken: ‘Brother, after this outrage, thou wilt not wonder that I am determined no longer to delay the rising. The signal shall be given to-znorrow,” “Tam glad tohearit!"” cried the outlaw. “Twenty thousand men are ready to rally round our standard as soon as it is raised. But in what manner will the signal be given ?”’ “TI. have not decided as yet,”’ replied Wat. “ But bring all the men you can muster to Dartford Brent by noon to-morrow. By that time [ shall have arranged my plans, and be ready for action. My design is to pro- ceed first to Canterbury, in order to release John Ball. By the time we arrive there we shall have collected all our forces. Should we meet with resistance, we will sack the city; but Ll believe the inhabitants will receive us well. At any rate, we will despoil the Archbishop of his treasures; and when we have got all we can, we will commence our march to London. A memorable march hana be. Nota mansion, not a castle, shall be unvis- “Your thirst for vengeance is awakened, I perceive, brother,” said the outlaw. * And will not easily be allayed,”’ replied Wat. ‘‘ These tyrannous nobles, who have so long oppressed us, who grind us to the dust, and steal our wives and daughters, shall feel our power. We will exterminate them. Drink another cup to their destruction |" “ Willingly,’’ replied the outlaw, emptying the horn which had been filled for him. “Thehour of retribu- tion is not far distant.” — ema BR te him. ‘What is the, canse of this sudden quar “Thon art the cause of it, damsel,’ replied the out- aw. “1?” she exclaimed, “Thou hast caused the uarrel, and thou canst end it with a word,”’ he pit et yy “ Wilt thon share my for- tunes ?—wilt thou be my wile? Say * ‘yes,’ and not twenty fathers shall keep thee from me,’ “Ifshe consents, thou shalt. have my consent also,” remarked Wat. “Thou dost hear, damsel?’ cried the outlaw. ‘In refusing thy demand, for such it would seem to be,” replied kditha, scarcely attempting to conceal the aversion with which he inspired her, ‘‘ my father has done well. Lam much beholden to thee for the great service thou hast rendered me; but thou wilt’ cancel the obligation if thou dost press thy anit.” “Enough! I have been moonstruck,” cried the out- law , sheatiiia his sword, “ Thy pardon, damsel. I would not have thee hate me, though thou canst not love me. Thow wilt not think worse of me for this, brother,” he aided to Wat “The fit is past, and will not return.’ And he extended his hand to the smith, who grasped it heartily, and their reconciliation was « ‘complete. Just then, there wasa knock at the door, and next moment it was partly opened, and one of the outlaw’s followers thrust in his head. CHAPTER XXIV. MESSER BENEDETTO 18 CAPTURED BY THE KOBBERS. “We have just stopped & mounted traveler, captain,’ said the robber, addre ssing : his leader. “ Whence comes he ?’’ demanded the outlaw. “Only from the inn,” replied the robber. “From the inn—art sure?” “Quite sure,"’ returned the robber. start. Shall we detain him ?” “It may be Messer Benedetto, the rich Lombard mer- chant,’ said Wat, to the outlaw. “ If so, he would bea great prize to us at this moment.” “Let him be brought in,’’ said the ontlaw to his fo)- ower, Retire, daughter,” said Wat to Editha, “ and come not forth again, unless I summon thee.” As she disappeared, a portly personage was pushed in through the outer door, which was immediately closed behind hii. “ "Tis he—'tis the Lombard merchant,’’ observed Wat, in a low tone, to his confederate, * Why am I thus hindered on my journey ?” inquired Messer Benedetto, much alarmed by the. ap pearance of the outlaw, * You mean me Do harin, | trust ? “You must give an account.of yourself, Menast Bene- detto, before I can permit, you to proceed on your jour- ney,’ said the outlaw. ain an Officer of justice. “I should have thought otherwise,” observed Bene- detto. ‘Thou look'st as if thou would’st.ayoid all offi- cers of justice. But how have [ inenrred suspicion ?”’ * What is your motive for setting out at this late hour pce the inn,” demanded the outlaw, in ap authoritative voice. ‘Simply the desire to arrive betimes in Loudon to- morrow,’ replied Benedetto, “But you intended to sleep at the inn,’ observed Wat. ‘You must have changed your mind suddenly. is “There is nothing wrong in that, methinks,” rejoined Benedetto. “It occurred to me that I had some mpor- pave business to trausact to~norrow, which I had for- otten.’ “Humph !” exclaimed Wat, shru, ging his sh ulders incredulously.‘ You have not omi mit to leave t “We saw him “It has been too long delayed,” said Wat. “Had this | instructions with your tax-collector, Bhartan, V'll. be attempt succeeded, I should have forever blamed myself | sworn |"’ for my sloth.’ “'Twill serve as a pretext for the rising,” observed the outlaw. “Hark ye, brother,” he continued, leaning his elbow on the table, and looking into Wat's face as he spoke; “Thavea proposition to make to thee, and I doubt not thou wilt readily assent to it. I have conceived a love for thy daughter. Thou shalt give her to me asa wife.” Wat stared at him in astonishment, as if doubting whether he heard aright. , “How say’st thou?’ demanded the outlaw, after a pause “We will talk of this hereafter,"’ rejoined the smith. “Thou hast other matters to think of now.” “ Nay, I will not be put off thus,”’ said the outlaw, peremptorily. “I must have thy promise,” “TI grieve to refuse thee,” said the smith; “but I must answer, ‘No!’ ” “Give me thy reason for refusal,” cried the outlaw, controlling himself with difficulty. “I have no reason that I care to give,” replied the smith, bluntly. a“, Having imperiled my life for the damsel, I have 8 claim to her,” cried the outlaw, with a fierce look. “Thou hast a claim to her gratitude, but nothing more,” rejomed Wat Tyler, “ By St. Nicholas! she shall be mine,” cried the out- law, ging to his feet and drawing hissword. “And since I am treated with this indignity, I will take her. I have but to wind my horn, and my men will come to my assistance.” , Not all of you shall take her from me,’”’ cried Wat. “ Thou art worse than the young noble,’ And stepping quickly back, he seized a sword 4hat was hanging nst the wall. They were glaring fiercely at each other, neither likin to commence the attack, when Editha, who had h the disturbance, came forth from the inner room. “Away with thee, girl!” exclaimed Wat. ‘Thou art not wanted here. Go back into thine own room, and make fast the door. ~ “No; I will not quit you, father,” she cried, rushing ig, eee not troubled myself about hima, h replied etto “It is not prudent to weve without an escort,” said the outlaw. “ You may fall into the hands of alg There are many depredators about, For a trifling fh t and py i a will see zon garctrs on your road,” mn as “ But what sure ve ou are no with robbers ?” said Benedetto. " ong “T leagued with robbérs!” exclaimed the outlaw, in- dignantly. “ Have T not already told you I am an officer of justice ? I will escort you freely for a mile; but if I go further, I and my men must be paid.” | gladly accept your offer,’ said Benedetto, ‘Am I at liberty to de ?”” “ Assuredly,” replied the outlaw, “I. haye no desire to detain you, now that I am satisfied you have we il design. Thou wilt see me to-morrow, at the sp hour,” he added, with a significant look at the amith. “Good night!” He ee went forth with Messer Benedetto, and called for the merchant's horse. As it was brought, he. gave some orders to his men in alow voice. Almost immediatel afterwards, the self-styled. officer of justice and his wtb vt companion were riding Sogatber:aidniby aie pest she BHORE and on the road to ndon, Any fears that Wat ‘Tyler might have entertained as to the safety of his wife were set at rest by her pines". ance as soon as the outlaw and those with him ’ THE HOUR APPROACHES, NorwrrnstaNpine the agitation and excitement of the sca night, Editha attended matins, as usual, at the ory After the service, she had an interview with the Lady Su r, and told ‘her what pat 0 @ good Prioress, could y repress hee emo- VOOL<S (FO) (E(©)