Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. a? LU. rn se er ee eee ee Confident of the excellence of his disguise, he walked with an air of the greatest unconcern. Like Jack Sheppard, the more he thought over what the young girl would be likely to do, circumstanced as she was, the more certain he felt that her first step would be to make her way to the “ Black Lion” in Drury-lane. Doubtless she had done this, and supposing so, then she must have met with some interruption on her journey. But beyond that supposition he could not go. What sort of peril she would be likely to meet with he knew not. It might come in a thousand different shapes. All clue, too, was lost. There was not the faintest indication to guide him as to the direction she had taken when she left the archway of the market. Little did he think as he went down the Strand and Fleet-street, that he was walking upon the very ground over which she had been hunted by the Mohawks. The brief autumnal day passed away, and fonnd him no nearer the achievement of bis purpose than he was when he set out. Vexed, dispirited, and his heart heavy with dread, he, according to the arrangement he had made, retraced _ his steps to the old inn in Drury-lane, where he knew Jack would be waiting with such nervous impatience to know the result of his search. To hope to find any one by your own individual exertions when they have been lost in London, is 2 task so hopeless as to make it not worth while to use an effort, as it could only result in bitter disappointment. So soon as Jack heard his comrade ascending the stairs, he could tell by his heavy and listless tread that he had been unsuccessful. The discovery, although he had schooled himself to bear it, almost drove him frantic. Yon have not found her P”’ he said. **T have not,” replied his friend, ‘‘ but do not despair of doing so. Come, are you ready ?” as Guite,” said Jack. ‘Anything to get clear of this place, which grows more hateful to me every moment.” “You have put on your disguise ?” ‘Yes, and as soon as we leave this dark chamber you will see how great a diffcrence it has made to me.” ‘So much the better. Let me go down first, and if in @ minute or two I do not return, follow me; you will understand by that the coast is clear.” So saying, Blueskin left Jack, and descended to the ground floor. There was no one in the kitchen, but in the front room a goodly number were assembled; that is, if the noise they made could be taken as a guide. When Jack descended, and Blueskin saw him by the bright light there was in the room, prepared as he was for an alteration, he could scarcely credit his eyes. For some time lately, what with one thing and another, Jack had had no time to pay any particular attention to his toilette, and the apparel he wore was in a veryneglected condition. In fact, he had began to look very much hke a scarecrow. ee however, he had taken the utmost pains with hir- self. His face and hands were scrupulously clean, and riz short crop of hair brushed closely to his head. Slimly and genteely built as Jack was, when properly dressed he had every appearance of a gentleman, unless the lineaments of his countenance were closely scanned. Then an expression of low cunning was perceivable, which marred the effect of all. Very hittle time, however, was spent by Blueskin in making remarks upon his looks. The first surprise over, he at once made his way to the front door. Jobnson was standing on the doorstep. He had tahen up that position in order to asceg ain whether there were any ofticers lurking about the ne gh- bourbood. But all appeared to present much the same aspect as usual, and this he communicated to the two friends. “We will be off at once, then,’ said Blueskin. “ My first place will be the livery stables in Long-acre, where I shall hire a couple of nags, and you may expect us back | when you see us, for there is no knowing how events may turn out.” “All right. I trust you will succeed in finding Beas, bless her heart. If she should come here, I shall take good care of her, you may depend.” ‘gee res ed ee Do so—do so. I need not tell you that you may rely upon our gratitude.” © T know that well enough. Take care, andI hope you will soon succeed.” With these words in their ears Blueskin and Jack took their way in rather a circuitous fashion through the courts to the livery stable at the corner of Charles-street, Long- acre, already well known to the reader. Here they were provided with a couple of steeds of ex- celleut quality. They were equipped with an especial view to the service they were to go upon. Holsters were affixed to each of the saddles, and in them were two brace of carefully-loaded double-barrelled pistols. Ammunition, too, was handed to each of them by the man in attendance, as well as a brace of smaller pistols, ; suitable to the pocket. Thus provided, they were m a position to ery, “ Stand and deliver’? successfully to any travellers they might encounter upon the highway. Blueskin led the way, and trotted at a gentle pace through the city in the direction of Blackfriars-bridge. Their appearance was unexceptionable to a degree, and such as would have at once commanded respect from the beholder. Most certainly no suspicion that they were “ knights of the road,” and setting out upon a night excursion, would be engendered. We will make our way over Blackfriars-bridge, Jack,” said Blueskin, “‘and straight on to the Kent-road. It 1s one that is much travelled by people who are worth crying stand to. What do you say?” * T leave the expedition in your hands,” replied Jack. ** Be you the leader, I will follow you.” ‘ Tdon’t so much care about that,” replied Blueskin. ‘YT would rather have some one with me in an affair of this sort, that I could consult with than a mere machine to obey orders.”’ * You are old enough to assume the command.” That may be, Jack, but I don’t wish todoit. You may not know it, but the day is not far distant when you will grow famous, and make for yourself such a name and reputation as no one ever yet had and ever will have again, and it is you that will be the captain.” Jack smiled. One of his greatest weaknesses was his vanity and lovo of flattery, and, such being the case, it is easy to imagine the effect Blueskin’s words had upon him, though that he was perfectly sincere when he uttered them there can be no doubt. © And now, Jack,” he added, “ nothing but a pressing need of money would have brought me out to-night, and diverted me from the pursuit of Edgworth Bess. There- fore, we will be content to return as soon as we make any- thing like a booty.” «hat, of course, meets with my approval,” said Jack, “for it is the subject of all others which is uppermost 1u tay mind.” ‘“Do not despair. We have every room to hope, and perhaps chance may suddenly and unexpectedly place the clue in our hands.” “T trust so,” said Juck, as they pulled up at the toll- gate while the man opeuvd it. ‘The sooner the better!” =e ey) OHAPTER CIV. JACK SHEPPARD AND BLUESKIN MEET WITH A VERY SINGULAR ADVENTURE ON THE KENT-ROAD. A SHA? canter of zbout ten minutes duration sufliced to carry them quite out into the open country. The place they reached, however, is now as much like a town as any other part of London is, but the buildings are comparatively recent, and there must be many now alive who can distinctly recollect their erection. A beautful silence was about the spot. The rustling of the tree-tops, and the cries of those birds whose habits are nocturnal, sounded hke pleasing musi¢ in Jack’s ears. 'The trees on cither side of the roadway grew up so high, and were planted so thickly together, that they cast a shadow so black as to make it look like some wild cavernous recess. S | It was here that Blueskin drew up. ae Gey SS we 5} (SO) DOO SS (SO) 5}