"Avast heaving, mates!" John Wilkes said. "It seems to me as you are
running this cargo without proper permits."
Nellie gave a slight scream on hearing the voice, while the man
beside her stepped forward, exclaiming furiously:
"S" death, sir! who are you, and what are you interfering about?"
"I am an honest man I hope, master. My name is John Wilkes, and, as
that young lady will tell you, I am in the employ of her father."
"Then I tell you, John Wilkes, or John the Devil, or whatever your
name maybe, that if you don't at once take yourself off, I will let
daylight into you," and he drew his sword, as did his two companions.
John gave a whistle, and the wooden-legged man was heard hurrying up
from Fenchurch Street.
"Cut the scoundrel down, Penrose," Harvey exclaimed, "while I put the
lady into the chair."
The man addressed sprang at Wilkes, but in a moment his Court sword
was shivered by a blow from the latter's cudgel, which a moment later
fell again on his head, sending him reeling back several paces.
"Stay, sir, or I will run you through," Cyril said, pricking Harvey
sharply in the arm as he was urging Nellie to enter the chair.
"Oh, it's you, is it?" the other exclaimed, in a tone of fury. "My
boy of Cheapside! Well, I can spare a moment to punish you."
"Oh, do not fight with him, my lord!" Nellie exclaimed.
"My lord!" Cyril laughed. "So he has become a lord, eh?"
Then he changed his tone.
"Mistress Nellie, you have been deceived.
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