The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 108: what you’re looking at

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

THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. 105 was plenty in the immediate vicinity. Some parts were tiled, while others were thatched, and then some parts were larger than others, more spread out, and some much higher; so, at a distance, it seemed like so many houses built together for security sake. The house was surrounded by a large quantity of out-houses, pig-styes, stables, and sheds, and then a large yard, pound, and fenvings. The house was admirably well adapted to its use, and that was but very little known or under- stood, save among the initiated. ‘* Hilloa~hilloa—hilloa!”’ cried Dashing Ned of Newington. ‘‘How’s the moon?” cried a deep, gruff voice, as the door opened, and a big burly-looking man came out. ‘*She’s not in a well,” was the reply. ‘*Some of the brothers——” ‘‘ That’s the time of night. How are the lads of the moon?” ‘*‘ Out-an’-outer’s—quite men in the moon.” ‘‘That’s vour sort: there never was a time when I feit 'more pleased to see your door open. [s there always a white fog kept on hand in this part of the country ?” , “T's pretty stiff to-night; but, never mind, Ned, you can make it all right by the fire, and your whiskers will curl again.” “DPp——d if I think they will. However, bear a hand, and see after the nags; we have somebody to take care of, and shall want your assistance to keep all right and tight till we can move on again; and nobody must see nobody; do you understand, man in the moon ?” : ‘‘ Yes, I[comprehend. Come in, or the patrol will be by soon, and he will be asking questions,” ‘‘ Very good—as quick as you like.” They all] dismounted and stood in the yard. The landlord took the horses by their bridles and led them to a small and private stable, which they were turned into, a wisp of straw was rubbed over them, and then securing them for the night, he gave them some good hard food and left the stable to return to the house. ‘‘ Now,” said the mendicant, as he took Mabel and forcibly led her toward the house, ‘“‘from this place it is very unlikely you can escape; however, I will sit and talk a little with you, and I have much to say, but not at this moment. In the mean- time, of course there’s no harm intended you.” ‘* Alas! I know not what to think,” said Mabel. ‘‘ Why do you wish to take me away from my friends? I would be with them, and nowhere else—this is truly distressing.” abe ceased 10 speak; and Ned, turning to the mendicant, said,— ‘You are not going to stay outside, are you? besides, I hear the sounds of horses’ feet ata distance. We are better inside, a great deal. Come, come in.” The mendicant compelled Mabel to follow Dashing Ned in, while he himself followed Mabel, not leaving her for a moment. Tbe house into which they now entered could not have been understood by any one under something like a twelvemenths’ comicbooks. com