Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

a BLUESKIN : Serr ae CHAPTER CXLVII. BLUESKIN PLAYS THE PART OF THE GOOD SAMAZITAN, AND IS REWARDED FOR 80 DOING, Ir was Steggs! That miserable being, who had first of al) brought upon poor Edgworth Bess so much woe and persecutiun. One glance made Blueskin quite sure of his identity. But since he saw him last a great change in his appc.a- ance had taken place. Does the reader recollect that last occasion ? It is not actually so far back in time, but during that interval a multitude of incidents had taken place. For this reason it may have been forgotten. The last time, then, that Blueskin saw him was when, after his recovery at the abbey ruins from the wound Jonathan had given him, he had disguised himself, and in the most daring manner possible forced a way into Jonathan Wild’s house. He did this because he was impressed with the idea that in the cells, the situation of which, beneath the thief- taker’s abode, he knew so well, he should find Jack Shep- pard and Edgworth Bess. As we have shown, he arrived there just a hitle too late. Both those whom he sought had been there, but, by a strange concatenation of events, had been set free. But on opening the cell doors in his fruntless search, he came to the one in which Jonathan had incarcerated Steggs. That individual came forth. He was then ina frightful state of emaciation, for the thief-taker never troubled himself much about supplying his prisoners with the necessaries of life. ell disguised as Blueskin was upon that occasion, Steggs did not, of course, recognise him. But Blneskin knew him, and an angry feeling welled up in his mind, but he stifled his resentment, for he toe that that was anything buta fitting time for its dis- play. How Blueskin and Steggs and the other prisoner, whom the former had released from the cells, succeeded in effect- ing their escape from Wild’s house, has already been re- lated to the reader. On reaching the street, Blueskin had forcibly requested them to separate, and all three had taken cifferent roads. But from that moment, we have not heard a word re- specting Steggs’s proceedings. Blueskin felt a deep-seated ammosity against this mau. Was he not an enemy to his master’s child? And so, from the sudden impulse of the moment, when hé heard his voice and knew him, he had seized him round the throat with a vice-like grasp. He relaxed his hold, however, for he did not wish to crush out what life there was in him, and that, to judge by his looks, was very little. He was in hopes he should be able to extract some in- formaation from him respecting those he sought. Changed, as he was, Stepes did not know Blueskin, and the sudden attack had taken him completely by surprise. He gasped for breath. That he was really starving with hanger, the exhausted state of his body fully proved. ** Speak!” said Blueskin, sternly, drawing him aside into the shadow of the houses as he spoke. ‘“‘ Speak, and beware how you trifle with me, or give me a false reply. Speak, I say.” Steggs made a violent effort. It was plain he wished to answer his interrogator, but it was beyond him. He tried and failed. Blueskin noted this. He saw and felt certain that he was upon the very brink of the yraye, and that unless some assistance was promptly rendered him, he would assuredly perish. Mach as he detested the man, and little as he felt inclined to do him a service, still Blueskin was certain that if he wished to obtain any information from him, ke must succour him. “Come,” he said, “cheer up! Cross over the road with mo to yonder public-house, and you shall have some- thiug to eat and drink,” Could Steggs, by any possibility, have commanded his voice to thank them for this offer, he would have done go. <a = “ ByqQuere- =e ET i a AE EY Ee ge ee, 213 a Ke lips moved convulsively, but gave utterance to no sound. He made, however, a step forward in advance, Blueskin took him by the arm, and ied him into a ee oar nearly opposite the spot upon which they ad been standing. The ‘sproom was almost deserted, and ouly partialiy lighted ap, but there was a fire burning in the grate, which ditfused both light and warmth. What will you have?” asked Blueskin. ‘“ Speak freely. You shall have what you desire if you will answer what questions I choose to ask you.” Steggs nodded. Then, after a violent struggle, he said, in a faint and almost inaudible whisper— ** Brandy.” This, under the circumstances, was not the wisest thing he could have, but Blueskin was not over-solicitous about him, so long as he could give him the information for which he panted. Accordingly he ordered two glasses of brandy. No sooner was the fiery beverage set down before Steggs than, with a trembling hand, he grasped the glass and carried it to his lips. He did not remove it from them until the glass was empty. Then he fell back upon the seat like one dead. He recovered himself, however, and, leaning forward so as to rest himself upon the table, he looked Blueskin in the face. By the look of his countenance, it could be perecived that he possessed some faint recollection of him. Blueskin watched him in silence for some few moments, and then, as the poor wretch seemed to have regained the use of his faculties, he said— ‘* Now speak.” “What do you wish to know?” asked Steggs, feebly. ** Who are you?” “Do not question me,’ once to what I say.”’ TY will.” ‘** Beware low you speak falsely.” *¢T will, kind sir.” ; - give you warning, that if you do, you will pay dearly or it.” ‘*But who are you?” asked Steggs again, who, as the brandy began to exert itself upon him, assumed his natural caution. “That does not matter. I am one whom you have done enough to make a bitter enemy of, but if you will serve me truly, I will forget the past, and make you my friend.” “The past,” moaned Steggs. ‘The past! the past! Would [ could recall it. Would I had had the power of looking into the future, how differently I should have acted!” ‘Are you sure of that?” asked Blueskin, eagerly. Why should you doubt me? Two paths lay open to me. I chose onc. Look to what it has brought me.” **T do not understand you, but you seem much: betetr than you did.” “Tam hungry; oh! so hungry!” ** Have something to eat, then,’’ said Blueskin, moved by the manner in which he spoke. Iie knocked for the waiter, and in a few moments had a plate of bread and meat brought in, which Steggs devoured with the avidity of a faumished tiger. ‘* Now answer me,’ said Blueskin; “surely I ought ts. expect something from your hauds. Where is Kdy- worth Bess ?” * Edgworth Bess!” i** Yes—do not repeat my words, but answer me at ouce.” **T know not; I know not. I have not seen her for a long long time. But tell me, are you a friend of hers?” ‘As much her friend as you have been her eneiy.” ** Have been,’ cried Steggs, “‘ have been! I bitterly regret the past. Would that I did know where she was, aud then I should have an opportunity of making some atonement for that which I have done.’ ‘** You repent, then P”’ ‘* Most heartily.” “ And you know not where she is?” “TI donot. In search of her I have tramped all over London, but not the faintest trace can I find.” A ROMANCE, said Blueskin, ** but reply at oe ee SR AE TSN A Po re DIF nt ° Gases. emer et! Ene S COMICLOO© SS (SO) 5}