Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 272: what you’re looking at

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

4 es) ~ Ve DSM (eB w eee Toe eR Se ee me ee 270 though your uncle has lived freely intailed, that he can make away i power. "You will have preat—very great influence. Your intercession would go a long way towards obtaiw~ a pardon for’? —— ¢ “ Jack Sheppard,” interrupted Bess, eagerly. Yes, Jack Sheppard, or any one else in whom ycu might foel an interest.” ‘That docs indeed give me hopes. I will ‘19 guidea by what you say in every particular. Come to me as often as you cau, for your wordy are the only consolation Treceive. ‘T'ry to see Blueskin as early as you can, and hear what he says.’ - “ He will be able to judge best,” said “ieggs, © and when he is prepared, we shall see what can be done towards escaping, but let it be how it will, it is necessary for you to be in good health and strength.” T will try--I will try. I feel better and stronger now than I have done since I have been in this Creary place. When shall you see Blueskin P” ‘That is more than I can tell. Both bimand Jack are pursued by Jonathan Wild, and there is no knowing how far he will chase them, or how the pursuit will terminate. Hark! what is that P” A confused noise came from below ‘*T must leave you now,” said Stezgs, ** it will be unsafe for me to stay any longer. I must see what has hap- pened. Perhaps J onathan has returned.” “Yoa will see me again as soon as you can?’ “J promise you I will, and now good night.” - Good night.” Steggs locked the docr, and peered over the balusters. Something of an nnusual character was taking place below. Cie CHAPTER CUXSXVITI. THE WORSE FALLS DFAD UPON THE ROAD, LEAVING JACK SHEPPARD AED DUIS COMRADES IN AN AWKVARD SITUATION. Wuen Jack fired tho pistoland shot Wild im the head, hs did not stop to see what injury his old foe had received, On the contrary, Jolinson whipped the horse, end made him go ata still greater speed. The poor creature was almost exhausted, but it had a capital spirit, and struggled couward. lueskin and Jack saw Jonathan fall off his hor se ou to the roadway, but in another moment ho was out of sight in tho darkness. The former made his way to the front or the cart. ‘Off with your woman’s toggery, Joe,” he said, “you will find it imeouvenient if the time fer action comes, I will take the reins a bit.” Johnson said not a word inreply, but handed bun the reins. He then, without any difiieulty, slipped off the female apparel with which he had disguised himself, and whieh he had put on over his ordinary clothing. tie rolled it up in a bundle, and threw it out of the cart. “ Now, which way shall we take, JoeP”’ asked Blueskin. 1 did not think the pursuit atter us would ve s0 hot, and I ani quite out of my latitude.”’ “7 lave been wondering which would be tho best way to take,” replied Johnson. “ Wo are out of tho hearing of our pursuers. Suppose we were to take the first turning to the left, and male our way across tho country in a westerly direction P”’ ** Agrecd, that will do RS well aganything. You had better take the reins again.’ Johnson @id so. Tam efraid the nag wou’t cany us much further. seems all but doue for now.” Polke it easy when you get round the corner. Ten to one if we do uot tliow them entirely oif ibe scent.” * TL hope we shall be Incky enongh tode so. That was an aw iu Cowner Jonathan had: I heard the cxsh my self.” “Tt wag, and it will be good tiing if it puts the pursuit altogether.” “ZT am afraid theo will be small chance of that. ‘This exeape, and the danmrg manner in which it was effected, she a stop to | o BLUESKIN: a ROMANC® ‘ seme ci ll mm cit eects een set tA A A I yet all is co strictly | will make a tremendous uproar. othing. Wealthis | Jack?” What do you think, ** T think go. ** A prisoner.’ © Tn Wild’s house ?” €¢ Vea. 3) *§ ¥leaven help her, then!” ** Heaven will belp ber.” “Do not take me far from London. Do youhear? I shall not rest a moment until Li nave set lier free, and placed her somewhere in saiety.” Wo will talk of that directly. chet 18 11 LO immediate danger. Do you remember Stegas P”’ «The aecomphce of Lord Denil?” “Ves, that 1 is the man.” ‘What of him 2” “ Jouathan Wild’s treachery has made Lim our friend, and he is now as anxious to serve Edgworth Bess as ha was before to perscente her,”’ ‘Ts he sincere?” 7 think go.” ce Why ? 43 Blneskin then proceeded to relate what had taken place, and put him in possession of all facta. But Jack 2s far from satisfied. Hie doubted Steggs. And while the poor heiress was in Wild’s house he dreaded the worst. patos she was ill, suffering, and he determined to saa But tell me, where is Edgeworth Besse” ee had heard with joy that she had refused to belicve ee oul of the erime for which he was condemned to eat Ne would know no rest until he had secn her. Ue was, in truth, weary and tired cf life, e and weuld willingly have laid down there and then and died » bad it not been for her. She it was who tormed the tie whieli bound him to existence, and that tie was too sirong to be easily broken. But he felt that be should be gue content to surrender up himself, if he could only see her in safety and in pos- session of those rights and honours of which sha had so long been deprived. “TY shall yet triuraph over the villain Wild!” ho ex. elaimed, with emphasis. ‘‘ He has tried hard to bring me to the seaffold, but all his efforts have been abortive oues. Now I will try what I can do. He shall suffer the death he has been so anxious to inflict upon me, and then f shall feel content.” “Here is ray hand in that matter,” replied Blueskin ; * T will join you in it, and assist you heart and soul. We are not very well cireumstanecd to carry out our inten- tion, but much ean be douse when you are determined. steer Wild shall swing at Tyburn before he is much older “And a geod job too,” chimed in Johnson; “and ’——_« Tie paused abruptly. The horse had continued going at good speed, and was now in a kind of half gallop, when ho suddenly fell to the ground as if struck down by lightning. ‘The shafts of the cart snapped asundcr in a moment, and the threo friends, wholly unprepared for the event, were pitched out violently into the roadway. ‘be horse was dead. He had gone as lovg as his museles would sustain him ; they had been stretched to their utmost tension, and he had given way all at onee. When he fell he never moved in the least. Blueskin and Johnson were in the front of the cart, and wero pitched out in a moment, while Jack was thrown out over ihe side. All alighted en the hard road with considerable foree. Fortunately, however, neither were mucl: burt, and after a minute or two, during which they recovered their senses a little, all three scrambled to their fect. They were much bruised and shaken, of course, but they strugcled against the sensation which the pain eauscd, for they I new not how soon their foes might lo upon them. ‘Vo be suve they had wot heard much of thea for the j last few moments, but they nought be upon thew track for all that. A glance showed them that the hor. auito ineapable of motion. What would be the best thins, to do § > Vad uuud, aise! Pe at ws eae ee ee es ee GORIGOOO@ G CSCO am