When London Burned

kes returned after an abs

smoked a single pipe! Did you

t in the sky, and that it seemed to him it was either a big fire in the Temple, or in one of the mansions beyond

just after I came over from France, and a brave sight it was

was about to be off, when Ca

hroats, who flock round in hopes of stealing something in the confusion. Besides, as I have told yo

s room, buckled on his w

joined him at the door. "After your two adventur

orgotten about me long ag

and for making him the laughing-stock of his comrades. I tell you that there is scarce an evening that I have gone out but some fellow passes me before I have gone twenty yards, and, as he brushes my sleeve, turns his head to look at me. But yesternight I said to one who so behaved, 'Look here, mate, this is not the first time you have run against me. I warn you that if it happens again I will crack your head with my cudgel.' The fellow went off, muttering

, and I should not mind if they did. It is a stab in t

ter, professional bullies, who are ready to use their swords to those who care to purchase them, and who would cut a throat for a few crowns, without caring a jot whose throat it was. Some of these fellows are disbanded soldiers. Some are

the Fire Companies, with buckets, ladders, and axes, passed them at a run. Even in Cheapside the glow in the sky ahead could be plainly seen, but it was not

of Fleet Street," Cyril sai

ays looks closer than it is. I have seen a ship in flames that looked scarce a mile

ane and alley men poured into the street and swelled the hurrying current. They passed through the Bar, expecting to find that the fire was close at hand. They had,

s managed to push their way into the ranks, joining in

avoy. A party of the King's Guard, who had just marched up, kept back the crowd, and, when once in the open space, Cyril and his

anies were working their hand-pumps, throwing water on to the doors and woodwork of these houses. Long lines of men were extended down to the edge of the river and passed the buckets backwards and forwards. City officials, gentlemen

companion, he took his place in a quiet corner

flames westwards, and nothing can save that house over there. Do y

empty. There is n

people asleep at the back. Let us wo

hind the house. There was a garden and some high trees, but i

op of the wall and pull yourself up. Come along here to where that branch projects over. That'

naged to

top, but I can't get

I will warrant it is strong

Just as he did so, a window in a wing projecting into the garden was thrown open, and a female voice uttered a lou

get down th

of smoke. There are s

oice rose in a l

to the roadway by the

. They can't get out. We must go round to the oth

e roof of the house was now in flames. Many of the shutters and window-frames had also caug

f that house," he said. "I have just been round there to s

ladders ar

ether," Wilkes said. "I am an old s

. One of the gentlemen went down to them. At his orders eight or ten men seized ladders. Cyril snatched some ropes from a heap that had been thrown down by the firemen, and the party, with one of

so far out that he thought they would fall, that help was at hand, and that they would be speedily rescued. John Wilkes rapidly tied three of the short ladders together. These were speedily raised, but it was fou

he woman said there were children in the house, and possibly I may find the

tightly, screaming at the top of her voice, until the fireman with great difficulty got up by h

which the women at the next window were standing. Near the window, however, an elderly woman was lying on the fl

," he shouted.

and as he got her out of the window

John," he said, as he

rs. They are all inse

he girls. John was not yet at the bottom; he placed her with her head outside the window, and was back with the eldest girl by the

d, patting him on the shoulder

p, John. I will follow, for I doubt

s a red glow now in the smoke. Flames were burstin

re is no seeing one'

n, not six feet awa

n between them, and, dragging her to the wind

She is too heavy fo

, while Cyril thrust his head as f

d of her shoulder, and I will h

a heavy woman, and the old sailor had great difficulty in carrying her down. Cyril hung far out of the window till he

into this," and a handful of water was dashed into his face. It revived him, and, turning round, he plunged his head into a bucket that a man held up for him. Then he took a long breath or two, pressed the water from hi

oor is fastened, break it in. Go out on to the roofs with buckets, put out the sparks as fast as they fall. I will send

another with him that the lives of three girls and a woman were rescued. I think all the men that can be spared had better go round to the houses in that direction. You se

gave the necessary o

I ask your name?" the

espectfully; for he saw that the two

name well. Are you an

nst

my fathe

r said warmly. "He rode behind me scores of times i

Prince in terms of boundless admiration, and had over and over again lam

of my old friend?

x months ag

Court. I asked for him, but could get no tidings of his whereabouts. But we ca

have not t

d friend. You will like the lad no worse, my Lord, because his

ntleman as his father was before him, and, thank God! it is not against Englishme

and the Duke hurried away again to see that the op