Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 247: what you’re looking at

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

—! FP; ST 2 ———— i Sa ee ae BLUESKIN: A ROMANCYE. eee me. 7S always be able to earn a decent livelihood, and make him a decent member of society. ** We have seen his reward. ** And this is the more to be regretted because there are many placed in a similar situation through the misdeeds of their parents, and all these will now have to enfier fcr his misdeeds. ** Lat me earnestly entreat ycu, young man, to eccupy the brief space of time which 1s allotted to you before you quit this world for ever in religious exercises, and IJ sin- cerely trust that you will be successful in making your peace with your jnstly-offended Maker.” The judge paused, and then addressed himself to Flood and Blewitt. *"As for you,’ he said, “no words can sufficiently reprobate your conduct. Your duty was to watch over the neace of this city, and prevent the commission of crime; out, so far from doing so, you have collogued with another, and set the example of committing it. No pity can be felt for either of you, and I have never been more recon- ciled to the disagreeable duty 1 am now performing than I am upon this occasion. **The sentence of this court upon you is, that you be removed from the bar at which you now stand, and taken to the place from which you came, and thence’to the place of common execution, where you are to be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and may the lord have mercy on your souls!” A deep and awful silence followed the pronunciation of this sentence, but before the prisoners could be removed a great hubbnb arose at the entrance to the court. Then a man in a state of the greatest possible excite- ment, rushed in. Jack knew him at a glance. {t was Mr. Cunningham. ** My lord, my lord!” he cried, “my lord, I appeal to te I was engaged to defend the prisoner at the bar, ut some of his enemies, fearing the result of my inter- - position, decoyed me away, and I have only just been able toreturn. I find I am too late. My lord, I believe in the innocence of my client.” The judge moved his lips, and the desire to know what ae had to say was strong enough to make Mr. Cunningham ent. The jailers, too, whose duty it was to remove Jack from the dock to the condemned hold, paused to see how this new phase in the proceedings would eveutuate. ‘* Mr. Cunningham,” said the judge, “‘ you are in a state of great excitement, and only partly conscions, donbtless, of what you are about. For that reason I will look over the breach of etiquette you have committed in bursting into the court in so unceremonious a manner. Your chent—if such he is—has been fairly and impartially tried for the crimes of which he stood accused. He has been found guilty, and the last sentence of the law been passed upon him, and you must know that in criminal cases there is no appeal.” ‘But, my lord” **As to your having been decoyed away by some one inimical to the prisoner, that has nothing todo here. Yon must bring that charge at another time and place. Usher, clear the court!” The judge rose abraptly from his seat, and pushing aside a crimson curtain, vanished from view. Behind that curtain was a room, upon a table in the eertre of which were some very delicate and tempting refresh- ments, provided at the expense of the good city of London for his refection. He sat down to a calm discussion of these, as though nothing at all was the matter. In the meantime Mr. Cunningham was hustled cz of court. , Jack was tapped on the shoulder by one of the tarn- eys. It was vain to resist. Besides, he was crushed in spirit. ae @ accompanied them without a word, ana 2n 1ess than five minutes was an inmate of the condemned hold in Newgate. Jonathan Wild triumphed at last. -~ 245 EE CHAPTER CLXX. A VERY STRANGE AND MYSTERIOUS EVENT HAPPENS aT JONATHAN S HOUSE WHILE HE IS ABSENT AT THE BRIAL. On the morning upon which the trial took place, a great deal of gossip was going on in Wild’s house. Upon one point all, however, quite agreed, and that was, that all three would be found guilty and condemned. Knowing that Jonathan would not return for some time, they thought the opportunity of making merry should not be lost, so one of the number was seut over to the “* Magpie.” On his return, he brought with him a plentiful supply of drink, so all the men who were in the house sat down to enjoy it. There were several present whose names are familiar to to the readers of this history. For instance, there was Tonks, and Wilkinson, and Levee, and Arnold. “Who is this new hand Johnny has taken on? ” asked the latter. *€T don’t know.” ‘* He seems rather a queer fish, don’t he? ” “ Very.” ** Well, where is he?” ‘I don’t know. Who has seen him this morning ?” No one had. o, Perhaps Jobnny has sent him cut on some business oF other. e., But I say, mates—” * Keep a sharp look out on what you do. He aint one of us, that’s certain, and he’s sure to turn spy.” ** Well, he had better not be caught at it, that’s all.” * Be careful—that’s the best plan. He’s too civil and too humble by half.” ** Curse him, he’s an interloper. Can’t we invent geome way of getting shut of him?” ** { don’t knew.” ** T should think we could, if we tried.” “‘T can’t help thinking it very strange he is not here this morning. I don’t believe he has been sent out.” ** Well, we shall see. It aint often, mates, that we hava an opportunity of caronsing together, like we have this morning, and so don’t let a lubber like that spoil our fun.” ‘No, no! Bravo! all right! we wont! Hurrah! Here’s success to Jonathan Wild, and long life to him, the iain!” ; At this moment there came a shght tap at the outer oor. Commonplace as was the sourd, yet it made all start. and look terrified. It was Wilkinson who rose and opened the door. One of the band entered. He had been at the court. ‘Ts the case on?” ** Yes, mates.” ‘* Well, how are they bringing it in?” “Why, you see, Johnny’s giving his blessed evidence. Lor’! how I wish yon could see him. It’s a sight to look upons I can tell you; he’s the very image of a lamb.” ‘Ha! ha!” * Why do you laugh ?” ** At the idea of Jonathan being a lamb.” * Well, he is; and ain’t he a gammoning the judge! The day will go against Jack Sheppard as safe as eggs.” “Oh! we all knew that—we”—— The speaker paused. He was interrupted in what he was going to say by a shriek so loud, so shrill, so awful, that all those bold and hardened men were riveted to their seats, so appalling was the sornd. Ere, however, it could fairly die away, the shriek was followed by another, in a very different note. This last shriek, too, differed from the former mate- rially. The first was a prolonged sound. The latter a succession of short screams. The men now recovered a little from their surprise, and sprang to their feet. 7 “ Good God!” said one, “ what's that?” | A loud crash followed his ejaculatory question. —— 2) EO DOO C SS (SO) 5}