ild scene
of confusion; the women shrieked, the watermen shouted, and, thinking
that it was an accident, strove, as the boat sank from under them, to
climb into that which had run them down. They were speedily undeceived.
One was sunk by a heavy blow with an oar, the other was stabbed with
a dagger, while the assailants struck fiercely at the old man and the
women.

At this moment, however, a third boat made its appearance on the scene,
its occupants uttering loud shouts. As they rowed towards the spot their
approach was heralded by a shower of arrows. Two of the ruffians were
struck--one fell over mortally wounded, the other sank down into the
boat.

"Row, men, row," their leader shouted, "or we shall all be taken."

Again seizing their oars, the rowers started at full speed towards the
Lambeth shore. The arrows of their pursuers still fell among them, two
more of their number being wounded before they reached the opposite
shore. The pursuit was not continued, the newcomers ceasing to row at
the spot where the catastrophe had taken place. Walter stood up in the
boat and looked round. A floating oar, a stretcher, and a sheepskin
which had served as a cushion, alone floated.

Suddenly there was a choking cry heard a few yards down stream, and
Walter leapt into the river. A few strokes took him to the side of the
girl, and he found, on throwing his arm round her, that she was still
clasped in her mother's arms. Seizing them both, Walter shouted to his
comrades. They had already turned the boat's head, and in a minute were
alongside.

It was a difficult task to get the mother and child on board, as the
girl refused to loose her hold. It was, however, accomplished, and
the child sat still and quiet by Walter's side, while his comrades
endeavoured to stanch the blood which was flowing from a severe wound in
her mother's head. When they had bound it up they rubbed her hands, and
by the time they had reached the steps at Westminster the lady opened
her eyes. For a moment she looked bewildered, and then, on glancing
round, she gave a low cry of delight at seeing her child sitting by
Walter's side.

On reaching the steps the boys handed her over to the care of the
watermen there, who soon procured a litter and carried her, she being
still too weak to walk, to the dwelling of the Earl of Talbot, where
she said she was expected. The apprentices rowed back to London Bridge,
elated at the success of their enterprise, but r