Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

IEE LNT EE LOS, CE, SETAE CE is sa STE YET TT ea This time the encounter was fierce and more protracted, but it ended by both kissing the earth as before. A rest of a few minutes now became imperative, but when the combatants were again placed face to face, all present felt certain that this, the third round, would de- cide the battle. Both appeared to be much injured. But their blood was up to fighting point, and they went at it like demons. The poachers looked on with the most intense delight, and so absorbed were they that they quite forgot the cause of the duel. Backwards and forwards, round and round went the two men. It soon became evident George was getting the best, and Adams the worst of it. This fact seemed to press itself npon the observation of the latter, for he fought with positive fury. George still maintained his calmuess, and then, having watched his opportunity, he struck his opponent a tre- mendous blow on the mouth, and down he fell senseless. George was the victor. Two or three stooped over their vanquished captain, but the majority surrounded George, and overwhelmed him with congratulations. ““Where is the poor man who asked for help?” he cried, although he was so mueh punished that he could hardly stand. ‘‘ Where is he ?”’ “ Here, George, and as dead as a nut.” ‘No, no, not dead. Pick him up, some of you; I wouldn’t trouble you if I could help it. Pick him up, and carry him carefully to my cottage. ’Tain’t far from here, you know.” “ All right, George; we'll do it, my lad. You've got a rare pluck, and no mistake.” Blueskin accordingly was raised as gently as their rough hands would permit. The movement aroused him. “Save me,” hecried. ‘‘ Gold! heaps of gold to those who save me! <A doctor—send for a doctor, or I shall bleed to death !”’ * All right, guv’ner. Come along of us. George has licked Jack Adams, so we're going to take you to his cot- tage. Come on, its all right.” More dead than alive, as people say, Blueskin was taken by a narrow, winding pathway through the trees, to a miserable hut in which George and his wife and family dwelt. With great care he was laid on the only bed there was in the place. George, before he entered, swilled himself well under a pump, so that his wife should not see what had taken place the inoment he entered. ‘ A doctor—a doctor!’’ moaned Blueskin. ‘ Here’s old Ann,” said one of the men, as a decrepit old woman approached the bedside. ‘“‘ Here’s old Ann! She knows more about hurts nor any doctor in the king- dom. Don’t you, Aun?” “ Get away with you. Get away with you all,” said old Ann, in a shrill tone of voiee. ‘‘ Leave me alone with him, and then, if it is possible for a human being to save his life, I'll save it! Be off with you all! sport found to-night.” In obedience to these words the poachers withdrew, leaving the old woman and George's wife alone with Blueskin. Between them they carefully washed and bound up his wounds, to which the old woman applied a dark-coloured ointment, which she assured him would heal the wouad in a short space of time. There must. be | aon BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. a a a a a a a I SED CHAPTER LXXIX. THE MYSTERIOUS OLD MAN REVEALS HIMSELF, AND MAKES A STRANGE COMMUNICATION TO JONATHAN WILD, ‘‘ Now then, sir, Mr. Wild is waiting to see yon,” said Wilkinson, in more civil tones than he usually made use of; but the fact is the twenty-pound note Jonathan had given him had hada soothing effect upon his system ; ‘‘ now then, sir, if you want to see Mr. Wild.” It was to the dejected old man who sat by the fireplace in the waiting-room that he spoke. - Upon hearing these words the old man subdued the ward manifestations of his grief, and rose to his feet. As he thus stood, the most casual observer could not fail to notice that he bore about him the impress of a gen- tleman. But his hair and attire were in disorder. hands unwashed. On the little finger of the left hand sparkled a ring, and his soiled and torn clothes were of the best workmanship and material. What could so strange a being want with Jonathan Wild ? Not to unbosom his sorrows to him, one would think. Wild was hardly the sort of man to sympathize with anyone’s misfortunes save his own. Patience, reader. The conversation which took place between the strange pair will explain it. Wilkinson led the way to the door of the thief-taker’s office, and having ushered in the mysterious old man he withdrew. Jonathan Wild bent a keen glance upon his visitor, and was struck with his peculiar appearance. On his part, the old man, with a diffidence that seemed native to him, advanced to the railings of the desk, and said tremulously— “Mr. Jonathan Wild ?”’ “'That’s my name, sir; what’s yours? Excuse my way, but I have a great deal of business to do, and no tine to spare.” ‘Just so, sir; my name is Joseph Stansbury. The business I come upon is of a very important and serious character.” “Then if it isin my power you shall be served. Will you be good enough to explain, sir? ** T will in as few words as J can.”’ ** Good.” “But I must first ask your advice. pet that you cither can or will aid me. ee ‘“‘T make no charges,’ said Wild; I am quite ready to hear all you have got to say.” The strange old man, and who we may as well in future call by his name, Joseph Stansbury, looked at Jonathan In some surprise upon hearing this announcement. He did not know his peculiar mode of carrying on business. “Of course, Mr. Wild,” he said, “1 have heard a great deal about you ”’ Jonathan bowed. ‘“‘ And your extraordinary skill in tracing stolen goods.” ** Well, sir, what of that?” ** It occurred to me, Mr. Wild,” replied Mr. Stansbury, with difficulty repressing a sob, “‘ that as you were so sue- cessful in finding property, you might be equally so in finding persons.” “You must explain more, sir. I have particular sources of isformation.” ‘“So I have heard, Mr. Wild. Well, to be brief, [ want you to find my son.” “Your son!” “Yes; my only son—my darling! My ear boy! My His face and I am by no means What is your only child, William !” P ° < { W hen this was over she forced some narcotic down his throat, and in less than ten minutes from the time it was administered, Blueskin was in a deep sound sleep which would go far towards recruiting his exhausted energies. And here again we must leave him for a time, while we direct the rea‘ter’s attention to other scenes of the deepest interest. enna ee “ Ya—ah!” ¢é Sir ! a2 “Nothing! But how old w this son? Wow did he disappear? As yet, you will remember, you have given me no particulars.” ‘T have not ; but Iam so bowed down with grief that I hardly know what J am saying, or what Iam about. He is twenty-three years of age.’ “ A young man, then P’ ‘* Even 50.” “Ha!” said Wild, with a feeling of greater interest. - ~enenaey = 4, ern COlM EO NOOKS C