In the Days of Queen Mary

he western horizon, tinging the waters of the Thames as they swirled

k of the river idly watching

o on the velvety lawn of my Lord of Surrey's

rt costume. It lit up the diamond cross of S. Iago of Toledo which he wore upon his breast,

oyal consort, King Philip, who had that day arrived in London from Spain, to th

d. His well-formed features, swarthy complexion, dark lu

"If he delay much longer, I shall leave him t

ars were becoming bright and lustrous, and

lley or a wherry would dart by, and he noticed

nd his thoughts wandered to those whom he expected to meet there: the treasurer of Gray's Inn and his fair niece, Mis

knowledge of English law at the Temple, by command of his renowne

Gray's Inn, and a strong friendship

ched the passing boats

ark wherry in which three men were

shadow of the bank fifty feet higher up, nor did he see them land stealthily

his mouth, a cord bound his arms to his side. Then he found himself lifted aloft by sturdy arms, and, d

n of London Bridge; his companions proceeded to further secur

one of the ruffians; "he is a fin

oard the hulk, there are too many boats

s of sweet music arose. They reached the ears of the poor prisoner as he lay at the me

again-would his eyes ever look ag

ego's soul; he knew that he had fallen in

w arches. The unfortunate captive had struggled desperately to loose the cords which bound his han

ad against the side of the boat, to disenga

forth piercing cries for "help" until his capto

not unheard, thou

one down-stream to Greenwich Park, and had strolled awhile be

boat, and, being dexterous oarsmen, they made rapid pr

ad accepted invitations to the Queen's Revel at Whi

ts widest arch, the central one, an

tly rested upon their oars, and listened eagerly for a repetition of the

ine cry for aid; it came from some poor cre

ed Ralph; "it came, surely, from that dark wherry

d the voice of him who called for help; it rang into my very

ly, and in an instant they had turned their boat d

ull view. They could see that there were three men on b

aid Ralph; "do you take the lead

erry whithersoever it goes. If those men have a captive on board, they

each of them, but sufficiently fa

movements. Loosen your poignard in its sheath-I will do the same-for this m

yet with a distinct sound of

g, found place in th

God's ministers in carrying out a work of mercy and justice! A minute later both boats shot beneath Lond

t strikes me that they are going aboard one of those

on shore, where they would at once encounter the watchmen. If these men are Thames pirat

, and proceed to make ready to disembark the captive. This is our moment to attack! We run in swiftly between the wherry and the hulk-so detaching them. Then

t a good way on the boat, for, if I mistak

ich one of the oarsmen sprung lightly with a rope in his hand. Then, with a loud crash, the light bo

the twins leapt into it-giving it

ft upon it had lit a torch by whose lurid flame he

n darkness, save for the gl

their suspicions had been correct, for a bound man

yet they had time to draw their long knives, wi

victory! Fierce blows were exchanged and parried; then the combatants closed, and the wherry swayed to

scene of fiercest strife-upon men in deadly grip, equally expe

owing blood rendered the planks o

ters. His comrade perceived this, and with a howl of rage he also flung himself into the stream-for he

rly to each other, and the qu

, are yo

I think," s

nds," said Ralp

hands and kissed eac

n and thank God!"

by side like two

attention to the captive in the boat, who had

aid William; "I w

pain and suffering he had undergone. Then the well-known voices of his

said, "will you

William, "it is Die

oung Spaniard rose with great diff

ves to save mine, and Heaven has blessed your noble efforts; henceforth we

my life! How shall I thank you enough? Oh, may Heaven reward you! Bu

illiam sank suddenly into the bottom of th

lph lay beside hi

"you will die before I can find succour for you;

and strive to reach Greenwich-the ligh

ard by the rapid tide. While he thus hesitated, a sudden light appeared on the surfac

Diego uttered a loud shout for help. His appeal found instant and jo

essed his capture, and had

harf could be sent in pursuit of the pirates, that its aid would ha

he wherry, and in a few minutes the wo

ed into the little cabin, and a ship's surgeo

ed, yet no desperate injury had been inflicted-they had lost much blood, and were

ters having been procured for the brothers, they wer

to the care of Miss Susan Jefferay, who had lately come to town from