Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 301: what you’re looking at

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

—..-. ee Reet ==, ——ouerass o oe eid > <i = = i ee SS pi a etme BLUESKIN: A BOMANCE. ——— *¢ Fe could be if he was faithfnl.” ““Do not offend him by showing anything like distrust. If all goes as I fancy it will, we shall be able to make sure of a safe refuge and a ready market for whatever booty we may take.” T see all that, butit would be vexatious to be vetracsh.” * So it would, and he should pay for his treachery with hia life. It should never advantage him any.” ‘That it should not.” ‘‘'There is no harm, however, in our being upon our guard—indeed, itis no more than we ought to be; but do not let him see that yon are suspicious.” * All right.” ‘He will be back directly, I daresay. Hark! 3% can hear some one now.” ’ There was a faint tinkling of a bell somewhere, and then a moment after the Jew returned. Jack looked narrowly into his countenance, but he could see tacre no traces of double-dealing. He felt move satisfied. ‘TI have suceeeded beyond my expectation. As I dare say you know,I have withiu this house everything tuat you require, with the exception of the horses.” “J guessed as much.” ‘“* And you guessed rightly. Precisely at half-past nine two horses will be in waiting for you at the corner of Tottenham Court-road.” ** Good.” “They are first-rate animals, sound of wind and limb, and of extraordinary fleetness; so that, if you are pursued, you will be able to show your foes a clean pair of heels.” ‘* Are the holsters provided with pistols ?”’ ‘Yes; I have not forgotten that.” “Very good; then where are pistols for our peckets, and ammunition to reload them?” **'You shall have them at once.” As he spoke, the Jew went to a kind of cabinet, which stood in a recess in one corner of the room, and opened the two folding-doors. A number of small drawers were disclosed, each one having a label, upon which a single word was written in Hebrew. One of these drawers he took out, and put down upon the table. It contained several small beautifully-made pistols. He gave four each to our friends. Then restoring the drawer to its place, he pulled forth another, which contained shot and powder flasks. *¢ Will you have masks?” he inquired, when they were supplied with these. ‘* You can give us two crape ones; we will put them im our pockets; they may, perhaps, be useful.” ‘Very good. Js there anything more?” ‘7 think not. What is the time?” ‘* Nearly a quarter-past nine.” *¢ It is time we started, then?” *‘Ttis. You will find a boy holding the horses, and you have to pronounce to lim clearly and distinctly the word ‘ Samech,’ and he will deliver them up to yeu.” “All right. We will not forget.” CHAPTER CCYVIUIL. BLUESAIN AND JACK SHEPPARD SET OUT FOR HAMPSTEAD HEATH, AND HAVE SOME SERIOUS TALK RESPECT.NG THEIR AFFAIRS UPON THE WAY. THE night was profoundly dark, and Jack and Blueskin, as they stood upon the threshold of the Jew’s house in Little Earl-street, looked up at the sky with feelings of the utmost satisfaction. The night was one most admirably suited tu the enter- prize they had in hand. The stars twinkled in the sky overhead, but there was no moon. After exchanging a few parting words with the Jew. our two friends made their way, with a quick step, in' the direction mentioned. the hearts of both were bold and light, and Blueskin said— ‘* Have you found any grounds for suspicion yet P” * None.” “ And I do not think you will. So long, in fact, as you keep faith with him he will keep faith with you, but no longer.” ee ati Ehoiad OEE ONT G2 EE oe ED ee al — = ai tt oa ~ Om eee oe ome * He will keep faith for ever, then. But Iam not to tell the truth, altogether satisfied though I soon shall be.” What do you mean?” “If I find the horses as he has told us, and if we ride away in safety I shall be satisfied. We may even now be walking to our capture.” ‘You are full of strange thoughts to-night, Jack.” ‘** Do you think so?” ** T do, indeed.” **T do not like Jews.” “That is a very common thing but I have faith in this one.” ‘*So much the better. My doubts will soon be either put at rest or else gonfirmed.”’ © ‘* That is very true, for here we are.” They emerged into High-street, St. Giles’s, close to the - corner of Tottenham Court-road. Tbis now busy part was quite dark and deserted. I was at that time not the centre of a lusy city, but « country cross-road. The Oxford-read had gardens on either side, and the same may be said of the Tottenham Court-road, except that a few houses were here and there built upon it. On reaching the corner, our two friends strained their eyes In @ vain endeavour to pierce the obscurity around 1em, No signs whatever of the two horses could be seen, and Blueskin felt the doubts to which lis companion had given uttterance mse up in bis mind. Ile said nothing, however, but crossed over to the particular corner which the Jew had indicated. Just as they reached it, they heard the clock in the belfry of St. Giles’s Church chime the half-honr, and ere the reverberations of the last stroke had died away, there seemed to grow out of the darkness surrounding them, the dusky figures of two horses. In a moment Blueskin pronounced the word the old Jew had enjoined, and it was immediately responded to by the approach of a boy, who held two horses by the bridle, walking between them. ‘¢ All right,” said the boy. “It is just the half- our. “‘Ttis,” replied Blueskin. is half-a-crown for you.” “Thank you, sir.” Blueskin and Sheppard mounted. What time shall you come back ?” asked the boy. “Why? am going to meet you.” ‘s Where ? - , 6é Here.” ** But I have no idea when we shall return.” * Will it be before daybreak, sir?” * Yes, certainly; but not much before.” * All right, sir. Iwill be here. If you don’t see me, whistle three times. I shall be close at hand.” * Kuough. Are you right, Jack?” Quite right.” Off we go, then.” Ata gentle trot, and yet one that got over the round quickly, our two friends made their way up the 'lolten- ham Court-road, in the direction of Hampstead-heath. Nothing was said for some moments. Jack Sheppard appeared to be plunged in a profound reverie. At length Blueskin broke the silence, which to him was irksome, by saying— ‘What are you thinking about, Jack 7” He had to repeat bis question before his comrade head or understood it. “ T was thinking about our expedition, Blue.” What about it 2” *“T can bardly tell you.” “ Yet you seemed very deep in thought.” “1 was, for I was trying to review my positiouw.” What, then ?” © 7 was thinking about Edgworth Bees.” “ T could have sworn that.” © Could you P” 1 co not, for instance, ied (Fe ee romana et alee ee inet SR MPN Rema ct rn a7. ae ** You are punctual. Ilera my Ne oe ‘¢ Jack, listen to me.” ‘With all my leart.” . ‘‘T have many a time boda going to say this to you, | = mo Ee 0 rr eI, eee COMmicloooOkSs, ce >