Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 164: what you’re looking at

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

Ao ee * oe es! SS a Meee 0 ie bes Di air hentnanay Oe) Ae Ey: aK a ~ = a nb, Ebr. dr RL QO PDE IM LD A DIET SI IOI cet a a a (62 ‘“‘ Impossible,” said Wild; “he is dead!” ‘** No, I knew the tones.” ** Tow was ne dressed ?”’ “TY only just caught sight of him. He was a real tall gentleman, with gold lace on his hat, and a marone- coloured coat, with ruffles.” A hideous roar, such as might have come un from the a of some enraged wild animal, burst from Jonathan’s ips. A hght burst upon him. Ife knew now who his mysterious assailant was. recognised the description instantly. Blueskin was not, as he thought, dead. His men, who had erowded round him when the old man had addressed him, now listened with great eager- ness for what should follow next. CHAPTER RELATES HOW JACK SHEPPARD WAS TAKEN PRISONER BY JONATITAN WILD, AND HOW BLUESKIN ESCAPED CAPTURE BY JUMPING OFF BLACKFRIARS-BRIDGE INTO THE THAMES. a Anp the other!”’ said Wild, furiously. ‘ What was he me boy.” ae ‘* ve seen him before, Mr. Wild, though he was dressed better than usual then.’’ “’ Where lave you seen him?” “With Blueskin and Johnson, Mr. Wild.” “That’s Jack then, by all that’s damnable! Bat you do not tell me what you heard them say! Speak! Did you catch any words?” ‘* Only one or two, Mr. Wild.’ ‘* Tell me enough to put me on the track, and you shall name your own reward ! ” “[ heard them mention some one’s name,” said the besotted being, before whose clouded brain swept dim visions of unlimited drink. “ I heard them mention some one’s name.” “Well?” “A girl's name, I take it.” “What wasit? Quick! do not palter with me! Quick! what name was it, 1 say?” * Bess!” “Tam right, then! Oh! but they shall pay dearly for this! Doubtless they think themselves very cunning and clever, and a mateh for Jonathan Wild, but I'll show them the reverse, for when they have cireumvented me they will have but one more to out-manceuvre ! ” “I know more, Mr. Wild,” said the sot. ‘I ean tell you more! I heard more!” ‘Speak, then, in the fiend’s name! What was it?” ‘I heard Blueskin, for Blueskin I am sure it was, sav, ‘My first place will be the livery stables in Long-aere!”” ‘* Did you hear that ?” *Yes, Mr. Wild.” ** Then why did yon keep it back until now ? Forward, my men, we have tound the track at last! I know the place he speaks of, and it will go hard with me if I do not find ont where thev are! Forward!” But my reward, Mr. Wild?” said the old man, “ you said I should name my own reward.” “J will save you the trouble, and give it you in full,” said Jonathan, brutally. As he spoke, he struck the poor wretch a violent blow on the head with his bludgeon. lle fell to the ground like a corpse. This outbreak of gratuitous ferocity seemed to have a mollifying effeet upon Wild’s temper. ile laughed. Then strode off with his men at his heels in the direction of Loug-aere. lie knew the stables well. He had many a time nired horses from the keeper of them, and so, without any hesitation or delay, he went direct to Charles-streeet. Under the low archway, into the spacious paved yard he passed. : Even as Biueskin himself would have done, he gave a pecuhar whistle. It was immediately responded to by the appearance of the ostler, who always sat up during tke night In order to reecive the cattle when they returned. He a alee BLUESKIN : a enc ac TY oo cd ae a ee A ROMANCE. e The man earried in his hand a large stable lantern. He held it up high above his head, as he cried— ** Who's there ?” Jonathan did not speak, but glided forward, so that the full foree of the lantern’s raysshould fall upon his hideous physiognomy. a gave it, too, the most horrible expression he possibly could. The man drew back with a faint ery of dread. Jonathan’s name and face were well known to every person in London. Indeed, the latter once seen could never be forgotten. It made too deep an impression on the mind for that. **Ya-ah,” he snarled. ‘ You know me?” Yes, Mr. Wild. If you please, sir.” 'Ya-ah.” ** Do you want anything, Mr. Wild?” “Yes; and mind you speak the truth.” Ob! I will, sir.” “Or you shall swing at T;burn next sessions, and you must know, when I promise any one that, they are as good as seragged already.” Yes, Mr. Wild.” “Answer me, then! Two persons came here to-night and hired two horses. Don’t attempt to deny that! [I know it, and, moreover than that, know who those two men are.” “You—you are right, Mr. Wild,” said the ostler, who had but a vague and undefined idea of the extent of Wild’s powers of mischief. “Ya-ah. Now then; tell me the truth, as you value your life. Which way did they take ?”’ “I don’t know, Mr. Wild.” *Seizo him, then,” cried Jonathan to his men. Newgate with him ; he shall suffer for his ignorance.” ‘“No—no, Mr. Wild! Spare me!” Tell me which way they went then.” “They only trotted out into Long-aecre, Mr. Wild. I saw no more of them.” “Did you hear nothing that would enable you to uess P” ne No, Mr. Wild, except that they said something about the Kent-road.”’ “The Kent-road ?” Yes, Mr. Wild.” ** Ass—dolt. Why did you not mention this before ? ” ** Merey—mercy.” Ee you sure you heard them mention the Kent- road f “Quite sure, Mr. Wild. But I didn’t pay no sort of attention, beeause you see it was no business of mine.” “Six horses!’ yelled Jonathan. ‘‘ Make haste, villain. Six horses! Saddle them at once! They are for the king’s service! My men will help! Quick! We shall eateh them yet !”’ Jonathan’s myrmidons at onee released their prisoner, and followed him into the stable. There was no lack of horses, so six were quickly capa- risoned and led out. Jonathan was full of impatience. The delay, trifling as it was, chafed him. Ile vaulted into the saddle. Then, striking his spurs into his horse’s flanks, he eried— “Follow me! To the Kent-road! Forward! For- ward!” His men knew better than to dally, and they dashed after him almost before they had got their seats. Straight towards Blaeckfriar’s-bridge he went. By the time they reached it, his men had got into proper order, and as they went they formed quite a military-looking eavaleade. How they met Blueskin and Jack Sheppard upon the bridge, as they were returning from their night exeursion, we have already related. In the dim, misty heht, recognise them. But he rode forward in order to assure himself, and addressed them. The near approach enabled him to see that ene of the horsemen waa ‘“e mysterious visitant to his own house. The other h~ > not tor a@ moment doubt was Jack Sheppard. “Seize them!” he yelled. escape! Seize them!” €¢ To Vild did not immediately 4 “Do not allow them ‘o Co DOO = COMNMUC S