Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 233: what you’re looking at

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

BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. He wanted to know most who had nodded to him. Planting himself, then, rewly scrutinized everyone as they went out. Jaok’a examination concluded the day’s business, so all made a move to leave the court. Steggea was not long before he perceived his enemy’s manceuvre. He felt himself in a very awkward position. To hold back, however, would only be to teure av- tection. Perhaps, if he went with the stream, he would be un- noticed. He fairly trembled, however, when he saw Wild’s bloodshot eyes glaring around, and there were many others who were as uneasy as himself. But for once chance favoured him. He had taken care to place himself in the densest part a the crowd, and a considerable crush took place at the oor. In this crush Steggs dropped his hat. It was done quite unintentionally, but he immediately availed himself of the incident. He stooped down to pick it up, and, while doing so, managed to pass through the door. He was unnoticed. Once outside, he ran as fast as he could to the coftee- honse, where he had agreed to meet Blueskin. Then, having made him acquainted with all particulars, the two sat down and deliberated upon the scheme which Steggs had proposed, and the result of which was to be the total destruction of Jonathan Wild. CHAPTER CLX. THE GOVERNOR OF NEWGATE IMPARTS A PLEASANT PIECE OF INFORMATION TO JONATHAN WILD. Time, the uvfolder of all mysteries, will spoedily reveal not only the nature of the plot against the thiet-taker, but also the amount of success with which it is crowned. Leaving, therefore, Blueskin and Steggs to arrange its minor details, we will go back a little. After the destruction of * The Larches,” Jonathan Wild had Edgeworth Bess conveyed 1n a coach to Dover. He stopped at a small but respectable inn, where the still insensible girl was placed in bed, and medical assist- ance immediately sent for. An examination showed that although she had been scorched in many places, the burns were nearly all of a superficial, and none of a dangerous character. Jonathan received the intelligence with much satisfac- tion. He was in dread that after all his trouble he should lose her, and all his carefully-constructed plans would then be destroyed. By his orders, the landlady of the house procured for Edgworth’ Bess a complete change of raiment, for those she had on were little better than tinder. Jonuthan bimse.f, from the numberless wounds and burns he had received, stood greutly in need of medical treatment, bnt he disdained the idea altogether. Besides he could not spare the time. No sooner was he aware of Bess’s safety, than leaving the inn, he hastened hack to the burning ruius. But the fire had reached its culminatiug point, when the rocf fellin, and that ina grcat measure extinguishe'l it. All that now remained was a Luge smouldering beap-- in some places glowing red, in others emitting a dense black and suffocating smoke. There was nothing to be gained by standing there and watching, Wild thought, so he called to his men to follow him away. Little did he think how large an amount of booty he gout have gained had he tuken the trouble to siit the ashes, The greater portion of his band was with him, bu. there were others in the cavern below, to which Wild directed those men wlio had landed to lead Lin it was reached in a very short time aiterwards. The destruction of the pirate band lad been complete. Wpon issning tke order that all the desd should be} leit upon the ground, ana the wounded led out cs pri- soners, ouly five wretched-looking objects could be tound. ‘ ae were all whc remained of the much-dreuded purute aud. 234 —J— These Jonathan had securely bound, placed in the against the doorway, ha nar- | boats, and rowed ashore, His own men were all terribly fatigued, and many of them had received hurts of such a character as precluded their immediate removal from where they were. Jonathan himself, however, determined not to stay, and accordingly as soon as he had made those arrangements which he could not avoid staying to do, he ordered a carriage, and set out for London, taking Edgworth Bess with him. The poor girl was hardly in a fit state to be removed, but Jonathan did not feel safe with her unless she was within his own house in Newgate-street. The doctor, however, had told him that no particular harm would result from the journey, but advised him not to take it unless circumstances made it imperative. This was enough for Wild to set off without delay. How he reached Newgate-street we have already seen. “Tonks!” he cried, as soon as that individual had closed the door behind him. * Yes, Mr. Wild!” ‘* Send some one for Mr. Snoxall at once.”’ * Yes, sir!” * And when he comes, let him wait for me.” Still holding Bess in his arms, who had been in a strange death-like trance during the whole of the journey, and which may be attributed to fright and exhaustion, Jonathan crossed the hall, and though the effort wa8 almost beyond his strength, carried her up two flights of stairs. Then, pushing open a door which was only partially closed, he entered a room which the dim and ghostlike light of early murning, as it struggled through the window, showed to be furnished as a bed-chamber. As carefully as possible, Jonathan laid the poor heiress upon the bed. He felt his heart sicken with dread as he gazed upon her pallid countenance, which seemed like that of a corpse. Should she die, farewell to the daring, ambitious dream with which he had iudulged his fancy. His policy now was to take as much pains as ho could to keep her alive. When he had attained his ends, when the broad acres which owned the Doumulls as their owners wore fairly his, sh» could die as soon as she pleased. He should never trouble himself about her then. Feeling that be could do nothing, and anxious for the arrival of the apothecary, who has already more than once made his appearance betore the reader, Jonathan left tlc room, caretully locking the door after him. He descended the stairs, and entered his office. Upon the desk were a number of communications, but none of them of particular importance, or connected with this history. Tn about a quarter of an hour, Mr. Snoxall arrived. Without any circumlocution, Jonathan led him ap tite the bedroom. . “I leave this young girl in your care,” he said ; ‘ recover er. Mr. Snoxall felt her pulse. Tlen shook bis bead. Tle action increased Jonathan’s alarm. She is v. ry bad,” remarked the chemist. Restore her to health,” said the thief-taker, “and you shall have a Lundred guineas for your pains; nay, two hundred if you wi!!' do it quickly.” ©] will try my best,’ replied Mr. Suoxall. ‘‘ She is in a very precarious state, and rest and medicine are abso- lutely necessary. Above all,” he added, “there must be mental quietude, or what ! do will be of slight avail.” ‘leave her with you,” said Jonathun. ‘f Remember your reward.” With these words on his lips, he turned on his heel, and depurted. Scarcely, however, had he reached the ground floor of hiy abode, than he heard a loud summons tor admittance. Wondering who it could be, at that early bour, he stood where he was, and waited. rab “Wheres Mr. Wild?” asked a voice, which Jonatha immediately recognised. ; lt was that of Mr. Noukes, the governor ot Newgate. | “Come in, sir,” said Tonks, “ he will be down directly. “J am here,” suid Wild, as he stepped forward. “Ah!” exclaimed the governor, “1 bee important news for you.” _, FAR A ea EOL LODE OO TE AC Le CA IO A ELEN CTT: Bits Nt aaa ras, \ —F> ee ¢ *, D Oe eee. ee eemmmmennnanaeemmmmants 2 : ECO JOO G <S 5} (SO)