Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

fn A sudden accession of pain in the region of Tonks’s baek made him utter these sudden cries and twist himself mto sundry curious shapes. “This way,” said Blueskin. ‘f You'd better mind what you're at, or vou'll find yourself in the same state as he | ° 3) ‘What's the matter P’ “Oh! he offended Mi. Wild this morning.” “Well!” “So Jonathan gave him two smacks with his bludgeon —~pet he calls it.” Jack whistled. “Oh! that’s Mr. Wild, is it? Now, offend him ?”’ ** Laughed !” “Ehe What? Oh! gammon. he had that for laughing ?” “‘[dothough; but silence! This is Mr. Wild’s room. Don’t say another word.” Blueskim tapped with his knuckles upon the panel of the door. Jack was not quite at ease. Ile drew.an unfavourable conclusion with regard to Sonathan’s character, from the fact that he had mal- treated one of his men for such an offence. Iain would ae, if he had the power, have drawn back. But 2 harsh, inarticulate growl, whieh might be trans- ee into ‘‘ Come in!” arose from the other side of the oor. Blueskin opened it at once and beckoned Jack. Jonathan Wild was iu pretty much the same position as he was when we saw him last—that is to say, seated at the table smoking his pipe, and oceasionally solacing him- self with a draught somewhat stronger thap water, which stood on the table before him. He had taken off his hat and wig. His hideous physioguomy, with its numeron.. sears and patches, was therefore displayed to the greatest perfec- trou. He glanced at the new eomer with some surprise. Blueskin walked up to the table. what did he do to You don’t mean to say Jack Sheppard crossed the room, and, taking off his | hat, made Jonathan a bow, in which respeet, dread, and insolence were curiously mingled. Wild’s dog rose from the hearth, and looked up into | Jack’s face with a dubious glanee. Jonathan acknowledged Jack’s bow by removing his | ' Suchis generally the case with young men ot 3 boyirh aspect, as Jack was. ‘oug clay pipe from his mouth. Blueskin, with au amount of familiarity which no one else dare assume, filled a glass from Jonathan’s | bottle. He held it half-way to his lps. - “Mr. Wild,” he said, “I have to-day a great and unex- pected pleasure, one that I’’>— ‘“Ya—ah!” Wild was getting impatient. “ T have the pleasure, Mr. Wild, of introducing to your’ favourable notice the only son of my esteemed comrade, Tom Sheppard.” Jack made another bow. Blueskin took a sip from the glass. “Tom Sheppard, the creaksmau?” ejaculated Wild, | looking at Jack with growiug interest. ‘Tom Sheppard, | 9) the craeksman ? “The very same, Mr. Wild,” said Blueskin, “ he’s beeu BLUESKIN : . : _ — 5 ant pees init hacia: mss nt a ee ee 2 i | 38 A ROMANCE. ‘had bronght him before you, and found whether you were inclined to take him into your serviee.” | “Right,” said Jonathan, approvingly. “Then I'll | tell him myself, eh ?”’ “Tf you don’t mind the trouble, Mr. Wild, il would, perhaps, be quite as well.” | Artful Blue. | Those were the speeches Wild delighted to hear. Aad he knew it. | Sit down, then,” said Jonathan, graciously. ‘ Fill up your glasses, and then we'll talk business.” “Yes, Mr. Wild.” | Jack drew up a chair to the table, and sat down in it with a careless air, as though he felt quite at home. | ihe Blasses were filled to the brim, and Wild relighted his pipe. ' He turned towards Jack. FAW! well,” he said, “ you’ve heard what my Heutenant has said about you! What’s yeur name ?” © Jack, Mr. Wild.” | npn cl Jack, and you're quite willing to assist me, e P] wT am,’ said Jack, ‘and I hope you'll prove a better | master than my last was.” “That will depend entirely upon youself. Who was ' your master ?” * John Roots.” | ©The carpenter of Wych-street ?” | That’s lim.” “t know him,” said Wild, “and so you were his apprentice ?” ‘*T was, but I was forced to run away, o.d then I met my father’s old friend, who told me he would bring me to ‘you, Mr. Wild.” | “Oh! <A-hem! | Jacek ?” * There are many who hare seen more.” -~ “Of course. But has your experience showed you that the world is divided into two portions P” ** Rather!” said Jack. ‘* Rich and poor.” ‘* Ya—ah!” “Is that wrong, Mr. Wild ?” Jonathan looked at him contemptuously. © You're a babby!” he said, “fa green sucking babby !”’ This was touching Jack upon a vulnerable spot. Ife jumped up off his chair. It was his ambition—his yanity—to be thought a mar. Have you seen much of the world, ‘**Ya—ah!” said Jonathan, whose choler began to rise. What do you mean?” “Sit down, Jack,” said Blueskin. ‘It’s all right. Don’t bea fool. You made a hittle mistake, that’s all. You didn’t understand Mr. Wild. Sit down again, and he will explain.” Thus persuaded, Jack resumed his seat. ““T thought you hadn’t cut your wisdom teeth yet!” continued onathan, “ but you are a lad of spirit, I can “You make no mistake there, Mr. Wild.” “Hold your row, Blue, and let me talk to Jack here. Well, as I said, the world is divided into two unequal portions—those who rob, and those who are robbed.” 6¢ ] see,” “Tt is quite evident you must be one or the other, but driven from his master, and wants you to take hin into | it appears to me you have not had the privilege of making your service.” Jack made a third bow to confirm the truth of what Blueskin bad advanced, but he did not speak. Wild was conciliated. He filled a glass and pushed it towards Jack. “Very glaa to see you,” he said, in as amiable tones as he could assume. “Act square, aud then all’s right, ! don’t.” ‘ ain't it, Blue?” “Tt is, Mr. Wild. can answer for him. Wild, I am sure of it.” " Ya-—ah! What's he going to do? Father’s business, 2p? “ Exactly, Mr. Wild. I'll put him up to it.” **Ah, do! Does he know the conditions.” ** Not yet, Mr. Wild.” ¢¢ Ob {73 And as for my friend Jack here, 1 Ite’H turn out a yreat mau, Mr. | your choice.” “That's just it, Mr. Wild,” said Jack, with the least tinge of sadness iu his words. ‘They won’t believe I am honest.” “OF course not; so the best thing you can do is to make them right. You will never be forgiven if you Jack was silent. “Now,” pursued Wild, who was certainly either in s. most temperate mood that afternoon, or else, with that keen eye of his, had seeu the value such an adherent as Jack would he to him, “you have only this to do—act square.” “In what, Mr. Wild?” —— “‘ Business, of course If you get anything bring it ty attempt to set upin business on your own account, b; me, and I will buy it of you at a fair price, but if you “T thought it best not to say anything abou’ it till | We = rece a ~~ taking your goods elsewhere, look out for your neck, eS A wt eo eee Cee. | ce © ake eS OS Qa cee ote A et oe au ese oF we -—~ % oe Ccomiiclboooks (SO)