Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

With some little difficulty, Jack Sheppard managed to elicit.from bim a clear enough account of the affair as to leave but little doubt upon his mind that she whom he sought had been huuted through the streets by this band of dissolute young men. No stranger was he to their doings. Often and often had he heard their deeds of erucity related to him. And poor Bess had been hunted by them. Hunted, perhaps, to death. Of course, all the information he could get from the watchman was that they chased her towards Teinple-bar. In this direction he now went. But the empty, silent street now showed no signs of what had taken place a night or so before. Passing under the grim archway, he came at length to that circular part of the Strand to the north of St. Clement’s Church, which is known as Pickett-street. This was the very spot where the Mohawks had come up with their prey. But this Jack knew not. His heart burned like tire within him. Rage and despair struggled for supremacy. Alas! to him there was every probability that he had looked upon the face of the poor persecuted girl, whom he had so often defended, for the last time. “This looks like no go, Jack,’ said Flood, at length. ‘Don’t be like that. What are we to do next ?”’ An angry rejoinder came to his hips, but he had the prudence to check it ere he gave it utterance. It was no good making more euemies than he had already. Curbing himself, he said— “ TI am afraid it is as you say, but yet I shall not despair —I shall cling tight to hope to the last.” He looked round him as he spoke, but there was no one whatever, except themselves in view. What had poor Jack to guide him in the slightest ? Nothing. On he went. street again. At the top of Wych-street was the “ Black Lion.” Had the kind-hearted landlord, Johnson, heard since he saw him last some news respecting her? Perhaps he mizlt have done, but how was he to ascertain ? The old inn would doubtless be well guarded by Jonathan Wild’s men. Still it would be a satisfaction to learn whether there was any intelligence, and so he determined, let the risk be what it might, that he would go there once more and Inquire. Having come to this resolution, he stepped forward at © quicker pace. To go up Wyeh-street he would have to pass his late master’s house. Tt was twice he had seen it in a short interval. The first time the reader knows with what revengeful and passionate feelings he had stood before it; but tlus outbreak was calmness 10 compartson with the storm that burst forth when he saw it the second time. John Roots, you langh at the boy’s expressions, and take no heed of them. He has passed your house twice— beware of the third time!” Dashing onwards, Jack soon left the shop behind, and came in sight of the public-house. He halted on the opposite side of the way, and shrunk back ito the shadow of the houses as much as he could, so that no casual glance would discover him. The extenor of the “f Black Lion” presented its usual appearance. Loud laughter, boisterous songs, and the clanking of drinking vessels reached the car, telling too plainly of the furious merriment that was going ou within. A bright light from the partially-curtained windows streamed ont into the dark, deserted strect. But, beyond this, there was nothing to be seen about the place that would cause suspicion. Jack hesitated a moment, and then turning round to his two followers, he said— “Wait here for me, I shall not bea moment. At all risks I will cross over and ask Johnson whether he has seen or heard anything of her.” Then, without waiting to hear the reply, he ran across Past the church palings and iuw Wycli- =_—2 en nnene seats EO ITT you can help it. we BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. vi —= the road, and disappeared in the low doorway of the inn. We pushed open the half-glass door. A glance was sufficient to show him that the passage, at least, was clear. Like a ghost, be glided into the kitchen. This was the back apartment, where Johnson and his household usually sat. It was not exactly a private room, yet it was not a public one. Oue or two persons were seated in it, besides the land- lord and his wife. But Jack knew them not. Pulling his hat down as closely as he could over his forehead, in order to conceal his features as much as pos- sible, he sat down upou a vacant seat, and beckoned John- son to him. “Have you heard anything of her?” he asked, anxiously. ‘“* Good heavens! it’s Jack.” ‘Yes, lam here. Have you heard of her?” ‘“Not a word, Jack, but hark! What made you so foohsh as to come here? The place is full of men— some regular police-officers, and some Jonathan’s crew. How you managed to get in without their seeing you is amystery. It strikes me you won’t go out so easily.” The landlord spoke with great rapidity, in a low but energetic tone of voice. ‘I care not,” replied Jack, as he placed his elbows on the table, and let his head fall between his palms, “ I care not now what becomes of me. She is lost to me for ever, ““Come, come, cheer up! Her disappearance looks strange, and yet she may be in perfect safety. What does Blueskin say ?” ‘* T know not whether he is alive or dead.”’ “True, the men here told me how he had jumped off Blackfriars-bridge, and how Jonathan had got mto a boat and chased him down the Thames,” ** Did he eatch him ?” “*T don’t know, but I fancy not. I can’t get them to speak about the latter part of the affair, and that’s what made me ask you.” ‘* T trust he has got off!” “So do [. But come, Jack, it will not do for you to despair! Sit still a moment where you are, and I will fetch you some brandy.” Johnson left his side, but was soon back agai with a large glass of raw brandy, which he placed on the table before him. ‘There,’ he said, *‘ drink that. you will be better afterwards. dogs! Drink, and be a man!” Thus adjured, Jack lifted the strong spint to lus lips and swallowed a good half of it at a single gulp. “That’s right, Jack! Now, again!” ** No, I have had enough!” “Tush! try again! What you have had is not enough to do you good!) Drink the rest!” Jack emptied the glass. You will be all right now. And just hsten to what I liave got to say. Don’t fall into your enemies’ hands it Wait until you see Blueskin before you Will you promise me that?” Take my word for it, Throw despair to the do anvthine. will.” “OF with you, then, and seek some place of safety, for this will no longer be a refuge for you! But where shall you go? Tell me, so that if I should want to find you I shall be able to do so.” ** At the £ Fountain,’ in Gilbert’s-passage.”’ “Good! I know it well. Take care to get there unob- served. The longer you stay where you are the greater will be your danger! Off with you!” Jack arose. The spirits he had drank had not failed to produce their full effect upou him, as they would upon any one not habituated to their use. ‘¢ Johnson,” he said, ‘see that the coast is clear.” All right.” He disappeared, aud was absent about a moment. Then he returned. Wild’s men are in the front room,” he said. ‘* They ve drinking, but as I went to the door I saw them look at me, EO NOOKS (SO) 5}