Utterly unconscious of his danger, the inebriate knight replied to the gibes, scoffs, and menaces addressed to him, by snapping his fingers in his opponents’ faces, and irritating them in their turn; but if he was insensible of the risk he ran, those around him were not, and his two supporters endeavoured to hurry him forward. Violently resisting their efforts, he tried to shake them off, and more than once stood stock-still, until compelled to go on. Arrived at the stairhead, he next refused to embark, and a scene of violent altercation ensued between him and his attendants. Many boats were moored off the shore, with a couple of barges close at hand; and the watermen and oarsmen standing up in their craft, listened to what was going forward with much apparent amusement.
Hastily descending the steps, Captain Bludder placed himself near the wherry intended for the knight, and called to the others to make short work of it and bring him down. At this juncture the word was given by Dick Taverner, who acted as leader, and in less than two minutes, Sir Francis was transferred from the hands of his myrmidons to those of the ‘prentices. To accomplish this, a vigorous application of cudgels was required, and some broken pates were the consequence of resistance; but the attack was perfectly successful; the myrmidons and Alsatians were routed, and the ‘prentices remained masters of the field, and captors of a prisoner. Stupefied with rage and astonishment, Captain Bludder looked on; at one moment thinking of drawing his sword, and joining the fray; but the next, perceiving that his men were evidently worsted, he decided upon making off; and with this view he was about to jump into the wherry, when his purpose was prevented by Dick Taverner, and a few others of the most active of his companions, who dashed down the steps to where he stood. The captain had already got one foot in the wherry, and the watermen, equally alarmed with himself, were trying to push off, when the invaders came up, and, springing into the boat, took possession of the oars, sending Bludder floundering into the Thames, where he sunk up to the shoulders, and stuck fast in the mud, roaring piteously for help.
Scarcely were the ‘prentices seated, than Sir Francis Mitchell was brought down to them, and the poor knight, beginning to comprehend the jeopardy in which he was placed, roared for help as lustily as the half-drowned Alsatian captain, and quite as ineffectually. The latter was left to shift for himself, but the former was rowed out some twenty or thirty yards from the shore, where, a stout cord being fastened to his girdle, he was plunged head-foremost into the river; and after being thrice drawn up, and as often submerged again, he was dragged on board, and left to shiver and shake in his dripping habiliments in the stern of the boat. The bath had completely sobered him, and he bitterly bemoaned himself, declaring that if he did not catch his death of cold he should be plagued with cramps and rheumatism during the rest of his days. He did not dare to utter any threats against his persecutors, but he internally vowed to be revenged upon them — cost what it might. The ‘prentices laughed at his complaints, and Dick Taverner told him— “that as he liked not cold water, he should have spared them their ale and wine; but, as he had meddled with their liquors, and with those who sold them, they had given him a taste of a different beverage, which they should provide, free of cost, for all those who interfered with their enjoyments, and the rights of the public.” Dick added, “that his last sousing was in requital for the stoppage of the Emperor’s Head, and that, with his own free will, he would have left him under the water, with a stone round his neck.”
This measure of retributive justice accomplished, the ‘prentices and their leader made for the stairs, where they landed, after telling the watermen to row their fare to the point nearest his lodgings; an order which was seconded by Sir Francis himself, who was apprehensive of further outrage. Neither would he tarry to take in Captain Bludder, though earnestly implored to do so by that personage, who, having in his struggles sunk deeper into the oozy bed, could now only just keep his bearded chin and mouth above the level of the tide. Taking compassion upon him, Dick Taverner threw him an oar, and, instantly grasping it, the Alsatian was in this way dragged ashore; presenting a very woful spectacle, his nether limbs being covered with slime, while the moisture poured from his garments, as it would from the coat of a water-spaniel. His hat had floated down the stream, and he had left one boot sticking in the mud, while his buff jerkin, saturated with wet, clung to his skin like a damp glove.
Leaving him to wring his cloak and dry his habiliments in the best way he could, the leader of the ‘prentices collected together his forces, and, disposing them in something like military array, placed himself at their head, and marched towards the tavern, where they set up a great shout. Hitherto they had met with no interruption whatever. On the contrary, the watermen, bargemen, and others, had cheered them on in their work of mischief; and the crowd on shore appeared rather friendly to them than otherwise. Flushed with success, the riotous youths seemed well disposed to carry their work of retribution to extremities, and to inflict some punishment upon Sir Giles proportionate to his enormities. Having ascertained, from their scouts, that no one connected with the usurious knight had come forth, they felt quite secure of their prey, and were organising a plan of attack, when intelligence was brought by a scout that a great disturbance was going on inside, in consequence of a young gentleman having been arrested by Sir Giles and his crew, and that their presence was instantly required by Madame Bonaventure.
On hearing this, Dick Taverner shouted— “To the rescue! to the rescue!” and rushed into the house, followed by the ‘prentices, who loudly echoed his cries.
“Par ici, Messieurs! Par ici! — this way, this way!” vociferated Cyprien, who met them in the passage— “the bowling-alley — there they are!”
But the Gascon’s directions were scarcely needed. The clashing of swords would have served to guide the ‘prentices to the scene of conflict.
CHAPTER XI.
John Wolfe.
When Jocelyn Mounchensey called for his reckoning, Madame Bonaventure took him aside, showing, by her looks, that she had something important to communicate to him, and began by telling him he was heartily welcome to all he had partaken of at her ordinary, adding that she considered herself very greatly his debtor for the gallantry and zeal he had displayed in her behalf.
“Not that I was in any real peril, my fair young Sir,” she continued, “though I feigned to be so, for I have powerful protectors, as you perceive; and indeed this was all a preconcerted scheme between my Lord Roos and his noble friends to turn the tables on the two extortioners. But that does not lessen my gratitude to you; and I shall try to prove it. You are in more danger than, perchance, you wot of; and I feel quite sure Sir Giles means to carry his threat into execution, and to cause your arrest.”
Seeing him smile disdainfully, as if he had no apprehensions, she added, somewhat quickly— “What will your bravery avail against so many, mon beau gentilhomme? Mon Dieu! nothing. No! no! I must get you assistance. Luckily I have some friends at hand, the ‘prentices — grands et forts gaillards, avec des estocs; — Cyprien has told me they are here. Most certainly they will take your part. So, Sir Giles shall not carry you off, after all.”
Jocelyn’s lips again curled with the same disdainful smile as before.
“Ah I vous etes trop temeraire!” Madame Bonaventure cried, tapping his arm. “Sit down here for awhile. I will give you the signal when you may depart with safety. Do not attempt to stir till then. You understand?”
Jocelyn did not understand very clearly; but without making any observation to the contrary, he took the seat pointed out to him. The position was well-chosen, inasmuch as it enabled him to command the movements of the foe, and offered him a retreat through a side-door, close at hand; though he was naturally quite ignorant whither the outlet might conduct him.
While this was passing, Sir Giles was engaged in giving directions respecting his partner, whose inebriate condition greatly scandalized him; and it was in pursuance of his orders that Sir Francis was transported to the wharf where the misadventur
e before related befel him. Never for a moment did Sir Giles’ watchful eye quit Jocelyn, upon whom he was ready to pounce like a tiger, if the young man made any movement to depart; and he only waited till the tavern should be clear of company to effect the seizure.
Meanwhile another person approached the young man. This was the friendly stranger in the furred gown and flat cap, who had sat next him at dinner, and who, it appeared, was not willing to abandon him in his difficulties. Addressing him with much kindness, the worthy personage informed him that he was a bookseller, named John Wolfe, and carried on business at the sign of the Bible and Crown in Paul’s Churchyard, where he should be glad to see the young man, whenever he was free to call upon him.
“But I cannot disguise from you, Master Jocelyn Mounchensey — for your dispute with Sir Francis Mitchell has acquainted me with your name,” John Wolfe said— “that your rashness has placed you in imminent peril; so that there is but little chance for the present of my showing you the hospitality and kindness I desire. Sir Giles seems to hover over you as a rapacious vulture might do before making his swoop. Heaven shield you from his talons! And now, my good young Sir, accept one piece of caution from me, which my years and kindly feelings towards you entitle me to make. An you ‘scape this danger, as I trust you may, let it be a lesson to you to put a guard upon your tongue, and not suffer it to out-run your judgment. You are much too rash and impetuous, and by your folly (nay, do not quarrel with me, my young friend — I can give no milder appellation to your conduct) have placed yourself in the power of your enemies. Not only have you provoked Sir Francis Mitchell, whose malice is more easily aroused than appeased, but you have defied Sir Giles Mompesson, who is equally implacable in his enmities; and as if two such enemies were not enough, you must needs make a third, yet more dangerous than either.”
“How so, good Master Wolfe?” Jocelyn cried. “To whom do you refer?”
“To whom should I refer, Master Jocelyn,” Wolfe rejoined, “but to my lord of Buckingham, whom you wantonly insulted? For the latter indiscretion there can be no excuse, whatever there may be for the former; and it was simple madness to affront a nobleman of his exalted rank, second only in authority to the King himself.”
“But how have I offended the Marquis?” demanded Jocelyn, surprised.
“Is it possible you can have spoken at random, and without knowledge of the force of your own words?” John Wolfe rejoined, looking hard at him. “It may be so, for you are plainly ignorant of the world. Well, then,” he added, lowering his tone, “when you said that these two abominable extortioners were the creatures of some great man, who glozed over their villainous practices to the King, and gave a better account of them than they deserve, you were nearer the truth than you imagined; but it could hardly be agreeable to the Marquis to be told this to his face, since it is notorious to all (except to yourself) that he is the man.”
“Heavens!” exclaimed Jocelyn, “I now see the error I have committed.”
“A grave error indeed,” rejoined Wolfe, shaking his head, “and most difficult to be repaired — for the plea of ignorance, though it may suffice with me, will scarcely avail you with the Marquis. Indeed, it can never be urged, since he disowns any connection with these men; and it is suspected that his half-brother, Sir Edward Villiers, goes between them in all their secret transactions. Of this, however, I know nothing personally, and only tell you what I have heard. But if it were not almost treasonable to say it, I might add, that his Majesty is far too careless of the means whereby his exchequer is enriched, and his favourites gratified; and, at all events, suffers himself to be too easily imposed upon. Hence all these patents and monopolies under which we groan. The favourites must have money; and as the King has little to give them, they raise as much as they please on the credit of his name. Thus everything is sold; places, posts, titles, all have their price — bribery and corruption reign everywhere. The lord-keeper pays a pension to the Marquis — so doth the attorney-general — and simony is openly practised; for the Bishop of Salisbury paid him £3,500 for his bishopric. But this is not the worst of it. Is it not terrible to think of a proud nobleman, clothed almost with supreme authority, being secretly leagued with sordid wretches, whose practices he openly discountenances and contemns, and receiving share of their spoil? Is it not yet more terrible to reflect that the royal coffers are in some degree supplied by similar means?”
“’Tis enough to drive an honest man distracted,” Jocelyn said, “and you cannot wonder at my indignation, though you may blame my want of caution. I have said nothing half so strong as you have just uttered, Master Wolfe.”
“Ah! but, my good young Sir, I do not publicly proclaim my opinions as you do. My lord of Buckingham’s name must no more be called in question than his Majesty’s. To associate the Marquis’s name with those of his known instruments were to give him mortal offence. Even to hint at such a connection is sufficient to provoke his displeasure! But enough of this. My purpose is not to lecture you, but to befriend you. Tell me frankly, my good young Sir — and be not offended with the offer — will my purse be useful to you? If so, ’tis freely at your service; and it may help you in your present emergency — for though there is not enough in it to bribe the master to forego his purpose against you, there is amply sufficient to procure your liberation, privily, from the men.”
“I thank you heartily, good Master Wolfe, and believe me, I am not withheld by false pride from accepting your offer,” Jocelyn replied; “but I must trust to my own arm to maintain my liberty, and to my own address to regain it, if I be taken. Again, I thank you, Sir.”
“I grieve that I cannot lend you other aid,” John Wolfe replied, looking compassionately at him; “but my peaceful avocations do not permit me to take any part in personal conflicts, and I am loath to be mixed up in such disturbances. Nevertheless, I do not like to stand by, and see outrage done.”
“Concern yourself no more about me, worthy Sir,” interrupted Jocelyn. “Perhaps I shall not be molested, and if I should be, I am well able to take care of myself. Let those who assail me bear the consequences.”
But John Wolfe still lingered. “If some of my apprentices were only here,” he said, “and especially that riotous rogue, Dick Taverner, something might be done to help you effectually. — Ha! what is that uproar?” as a tumultuous noise, mixed with the cries of “Clubs! — Clubs!” was heard without, coming from the direction of the wharf. “As I live! the ‘prentices are out, and engaged in some mischievous work, and it will be strange if Dick Taverner be not among them. I will see what they are about.” And as he spoke he hurried to the oriel window which looked out upon the wharf, exclaiming— “Ay, ay,— ‘t is as I thought. Dick is among them, and at their head. ‘Fore heaven! they are attacking those ruffianly braggarts from Whitefriars, and are laying about them lustily with their cudgels. Ha! what is this I see? The Alsatians and the myrmidons are routed, and the brave lads have captured Sir Francis Mitchell. What are they about to do with him? I must go forth and see.”
His purpose, however, was prevented by a sudden movement on the part of Sir Giles and his attendants. They came in the direction of Jocelyn Mounchensey, with the evident intention of seizing the young man. Jocelyn instantly sprang to his feet, drew his sword, and put himself in a posture of defence. The myrmidons prepared to beat down the young man’s blade with their halberds, and secure him, when Jocelyn’s cloak was plucked from behind, and he heard Madame Bonaventure’s voice exclaim— “Come this way! — follow me instantly!”
Thus enjoined, he dashed through the door, which was instantly fastened, as soon as he had made good his retreat.
CHAPTER XII.
The Arrest and the Rescue.
Lupo Vulp had endeavoured to dissuade Sir Giles from putting his design of arresting Jocelyn into immediate execution; alleging the great risk he would incur, as well from the resolute character of the young man himself, who was certain to offer determined resistance, as from the temper of the company,
which, being decidedly adverse to any such step, might occasion a disturbance that would probably result in the prisoner’s rescue.
“In any case, Sir Giles,” said the wily scrivener, “let me counsel you to tarry till the greater part of the guests be gone, and the assemblage outside dispersed; for I noted many turbulent ‘prentices among the mob, who are sure to be troublesome.”
“Since the young man shows no present disposition to quit the house,” Sir Giles replied, looking askance at Jocelyn, who just then had moved to another part of the room with Madame Bonaventure, “there is no urgency; and it may be prudent to pause a few moments, as you suggest, good Lupo. But I will not suffer him to depart. I perceive, from her gestures and glances, that our tricksy hostess is plotting some scheme with him. Plot away, fair mistress; you must have more cunning than I give you credit for, if you outwit me a second time in the same day. I can guess what she proposes. You note that side door near them, Lupo? She is advising the youth’s flight that way; and he, like a hair-brained fool, will not listen to the suggestion. But it will be well to watch the outlet. Hark ye, Lanyere,” he added to the promoter, “take three men with you, and go round quickly to the passage with which yon door communicates. Station yourselves near the outlet; and if Mounchensey comes forth, arrest him instantly. You see the door I mean? About it, quick!”
And Lanyere instantly departed with three of the myrmidons.
“I would this arrest could be lawfully effected, Sir Giles,” said Lupo Vulp, “by a serjeant-at-arms or pursuivant. There would then be no risk. Again I venture to counsel you to proceed regularly. No great delay would be occasioned, if your worship went to Westminster, and made a complaint against the young man before the Council. In that case a messenger of the Court would be despatched to attach his person; and even if he should quit the house in the meanwhile, Lanyere will keep on his track. That were the surest course. As to the manner of proceeding, I conclude it will be by Ore tenus. It is not likely that this youth’s headstrong temper, coupled with his fantastic notions of honour, will permit him to deny your worship’s accusation, and therefore his confession being written down, and subscribed by himself, will be exhibited against him when he is brought to the bar of the Star-Chamber, and he will be judged ex ore suo. Your worship will make quick work of it.”
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 519