Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 330: what you’re looking at

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

i EE aa IE ae FT A II SS ST TE CS APA. 528 a —— far to his senses that he struggled about, and finally stood up. The water then reached to his breast. More our two friends did not wait to see, but made the best of their way to the attic where they knew Edgworth Bess would be anxiously and impatiently awaiting their return. From Jonathan Wild they would have nothing to fear, for a little while at least. But, then, there were his men. How it was they had not long before this made their appearance upon the scene was more than they could tell. They did not know, however, the extent of Wild’s pre- cautions in this matter, nor how he had disposed his forces so as to male their capture certain. Indeed, they thought their danger was very nearly over. Certainly all they would have to do would be to join | first their horses as quickly as possible and make the best of their way off. The attic window wag reached in perfect safety, and without any further molestation. Edgworth Bess could not suppress a ery of joy when she saw them enter. She had been ina state of terrible, anxiety, and suspense ever since she had been left, and the sounds of strife, which had of course reached her ears, filled her with the utmost dread, and mere than once she had been upon the point of going to them, only she re- membered tho promise which she had given to Blueskin aot to stir. Now she was rewarded for having obeyed it by seeing them return safe and unhurt. They soon passed through the window into the attic and closed it. The candle, which had been stuck against the corner of the mantelpiece, was still burning, though a preter- naturally long wick dimmed its light. 7 But Blueskin snuffed it, and then the three fugitives could see each other’s faces. Jack Sheppard carried the marks of the harsh usage he had received both upon his face and his apparel. But although he was scratched, and had bled a little, still he was not much hurt. “ What shall we do now ?”’ asked Bess. ‘That is just what I think requires a little considera- tion,” said Blueskin ; ‘‘ good gracious, what’s that ?” A succession of the most awful howls which any one could possibly imagine arose as Blueskin uttered these |. last words. ——— “‘Tt’s Johnny,” said Jack ; “he does’nt seem to hike his cold bath.” “Yes; that is Jonathan’s voice, beyond the slightest doubt.” ‘What an awful noise he makes.” “Tle does; and if we have not already alarmed the whole neighbourhood with our uproar, his howls are sure to doit. Hark at that!” ‘Yes, Blueskin, my friend, you must take that into gonsideration.” What?” “Our having alarmed the neighbourhood.” ‘*T know that.” “We must be careful now how wo proceed 3 I can see ear troubles are not half over yet.” ‘No, confound it, I was in hopes they were.” “So was I, but they certainly are not.” “ If the neighbourhood is alarmed.” ‘* Say, if it is on the alert.” * Well, on the alert. What had we better do?” **T think it would be hardly safe to do as we at first proposed.” “ What, walk downstairs, and out of the front door into New ate-street P”? “Certainly not. I shouldnt’t wonder if there’s not quite a mob of people there.” “Nor I.” “Or else, what 1s more likely, some of Jonathan’s men are stationed to keep watch upon the houses.”’ “© You may depend upon it that has been done.” “ Steggs told him, doubtless, that we intended to effect our escape.” ‘Ah! you said something about Steggs having betrayed ua to Wild?” Ea FES DI EN Ah aaa ht tT OE ASA STE lf TN BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. 2 A OD REED Cl Yes, I know I did.” * Did he 2?” ** Betray us?” €¢ Yes.” * Certainly he did.” * How do you know P?” While I ‘was iu the room with Edgworth Bess, he slipped off downstairs, and brought Wild up with him.” “Did he?” ‘Yes, he did.” ** Aud have you slain him ?” “T don’t know. I met him on the stairs,’and gave him a few inches of steel in his chest.” “ What then ? ” ‘He fell backwards downstairs.” * How awkward.” **T knew he would play us false. +P I said so from the “T think Jack has been led into error through his dislike,” said Edgworth Bess, joining in the conversation. ‘Why sor”? “T believe Steggs to have been faithful towards us. He might have goue downstairs to see whether Wild had come home, so as to give us warning, which he ssemed to be doing.” “Til lay my life that’s it, Jack.” “1 don’t think it.” **T do, and you will find you have made another enemy, for now Steggs will be nothing but a foe to us, and from the fact of his knowing all our plans, we shall be almost certain to be overmatched by Wild.” ‘You can keep to your opinion of the matter and I'll keep to mine,” said Jack, rather angrily. ‘I think we eught to be talking about something else just now. How are we to get out of this house? If we stay here much longer, Jonathan will walk in and take us prisoners.” ‘“* Ask yourself,” said Blueskin, who was chafed to think Jack had acted so hastily as be had with Steggs. ‘‘ Ask yourself. Why do you apply to me?” Au angry response was on Jack’s lips, but Bess spoke, and turned it aside. ; . “Do not quarrel now,” she said. ‘I will ask you not to quarrel for my sake, because I believe both of you wish to ses me in safety.” “We do, we do,” they replied, with one voice. “Prove it, then, by thinking upon the best means of taking me from here.” We will.” *T ask your pardon, Jack,” said Blueskin; “‘let the affair for the present be forgotten. We shall doubtless learn soon enough which of us is in the right.” ‘With all my heart.” ** Tet us devise our escape.” * We abandon our first idea P”’ “Utterly. You see, by this time Newgate-street will be full, and, as you said just now, Wild’s men are doubt- less set to watch the houses.” “JT can’t understand the affair altogether.” ‘Tn what way?” ‘Why did Wild come out on the roof alone ?” “That was strange.” ‘Very. I heard him calling to his men as he came up the stairs.” “Well.” “‘ Not one replied or made his appearance, nor did there, as you kuow, during our conflict with hint, nor has there now. ‘Tt certainly does seem strange. Now do you know what I always think when I see anything strange in Wild’s conduct P” “No.” “7T mean anything that we ecan’t exactly under- stand.” “ Just so; what do you think P”’ ‘‘T think he is playing some very deep game, indeed, and that it is doubly necessary for us to have our seysee awake.” ‘T am entirely of your opinion there,”’ ‘Well, then, Jet us be careful what we do.”’ ‘“We must be.” “ Now, if we could only ascertain one thing.” “What ?” ‘ Whether the house is watched,” ‘Tt can be done.” Agrees: “ace wn, a she” 3 ~ “equa inial = Snail (SO) AUUC NOOlKKS «CO >