Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 366: what you’re looking at

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

| The three fugitives had the pleasure of looking on upon all this. More of the Oetober ale which Ress had so strengly recommended was brought in, and full justice was paid both to it and to the eseulents. CHAPTER CCLVI. JACK SHEPPARD, BLUESKIN, AND EDGWORTH BESS SVC~ CEED IN THEIR ATTEMPT £O ESCAPE FROM JON S THA WILD. GrapuaLLy the storm subsided. The flashes of lightning became less vivid, sid the cumblne of the thunder less treumendous. The peals enue, too, at much longer intervals. But the rain poured down steadily enough, though uot with the impetuosity which had before distinguished it. Stil] Jonathan and his men seemed quite oblivious of it. Surely that old October ale possessed some very strange and curious qualities. In fact, the more they drank of it, the nore good-tem- pered they grew, uutil, at length, they positively called upon Jonathan for a song. All this our friends watelhed with an all-absorbing interest, though to Blueskin il was perfeetly mtelligible. Ile could tell that Ross, tho laidlord, was doing much more in his and their belialf than ever Le would have expected. In fact, cautious as the landlord was, and having so much dread of the thief-taker as Le knew him to have, he could scarecly believe that he was not making some mistake. But no, there was Wild, and there were bis men, all looking as merry as they well could, and about as oblivious of prudence as it was possible for them to be. Yet Ross lad never given Blueskio the least sign that things were progressing tavourably for hin. Perhaps the reacon was that he should be seen, and that he did not wish to Lave all his trouble for nothing. Suddenly, liowever, one of tho jamzaries doubled np into a curios leap and slipped under the table. But, such was the state of exeitement im which all his companions were, the circumstance was nnuoticed, except by those who were seated nest, aud all they did was to laugh. After the lapse «f a moment, auother of the bull-dogs, as Jouathan loved to call them, doubled up and disup- peared in preeisely the same manner. He was followed by another and another, and with in- creasing rapidity. The reader, doubtless, already suspects what had taken place, and, therefore, there is no reason for us to keep it iu seerct any longer. Ross was a nan who possessed one of those dispositions which can never forget a kindness. Now, although a long time had clapsed since Blueskin had performed the service to which we have alluded, still— His mcmory was green, and he resolved, no matter how much he might personally inconvenience himsell, to requite tlie favour. Accordingly, then, when he had made up his mind to this, he determined to induce Jonathan, by some meaus or other, to remain for a time at the mn. We have scen how eleverly he took advantage of all the cireumstanees whieh would enable lim to do so, and how, without Jonathan being aware of it, he had contrived to supply them with ale, and then to keep them still longer by serving up the meat. The ale was drngged. Not one pot was bronght in that did not have some addition made to it by the landlord. And tlus did not alter the taste of the ale—on the con- trary, it seemed to improve is flavour, giving 1t a richness and ereaminess, if we muy so speak. We are not afraid to say that there are plenty of pub- liean’s who know very well what it was that Noss put into the ale. It was a decoction of berrics, used to impart an intoxi- ealing quality to whatever it was udded to. A cortain quantity always found its way into the casls of old October ale, and all the landlord did wus to add a bttle more in cach taukard. Quwwwee——"-- it has been at the cost of your own ruin. ¢ eulUSKIN: A ROMANCE, Its effeets were not sudden, but gradual and un- conselous. It stole upon them unawares. And so the janizaries, as the fumes rose wp into their brains, felt themselves deprived of sense and strength, and their bodies collapsing in the manner we have described, they fell under the table. At length, Jonathan Wild, who seemed to withstand dhe power of the drug much better than his men, became aware that they were one after another falling off their seats in a state of helpless drunkenness. ‘This was a condition of things that would never answer. Uttering a terrible imprecation, he sprang to his fect. But Ins excitement and motion appeared to accelerate its effect upon him, tor his legs suddenly gave way beneath him. Le felt himself going—fell that he was growing over- powered, and nade a frantic ctlort to recover Limself. But in vain. He clutched at the edge of the table, but it shpped from lis grasp, and he fell as helpless and imscusible as a log of wood upon the floor. None of his janizaries remained to follow Ins example. They were all down. Jack Sheppard and Edyworth Bess viewed this scene with the greatest astonislinent, and were scareely able to understand it. Blueskin, however, knew all. As soon as he saw that it was prudent for him to do so, Ross approached them. Mr. Blake,” he said, * T have acquitted myselt of the obligation I was under to you. You are free.” “You have acyuitted if nobly,’ replied Blueskin, “though, | am afraid, at great cost to yourself.” Never mind that now. Quiek. You cannot be tvo quick, for there is no knowing Low soon Jonathan may recover, and make your escape ditlieult, if not doubtful.” ‘** You anust release us, Ross. Weare powerless to help ourselves.” “Are you handcuffed ?” Yes.” Thea I must get some keys. Stop a moment.” * Don’t be any longer than you ean help.” ‘Rely upon me, Mr. Blake.” As he spoke, the landlord hastened towards the prostrate body of Wild, and, feeling in lis pockets, soou fouud a buuch of keys, which he doubted not would release the three prisoners from their disagreeable thral- dom. And in tlus anticipation he was not disappointed, and our friends, to their unspeakable satisfaction, found their arms and hands at liberty. . ‘Now,’ suid Ross, ‘don’t stop to tall to each other, but follow me as quickly as you are able. The storm is quite over, and you have a good chance of making your escape.” ‘But the horses from Tumposki’s?” said Blueskin, ‘“‘some fatality seems to attend them. I suppose the storm which had the effeet of detaining Wild here will also have kept them away ; so what are we to do for herses in our flight 2?” ‘Surely you forget Jonathan Wild’s ?”’ “Oh! ah! yes, he came here on horseback, and so did all his men.” ** Of course they did.” ** And where are the horses ?”’ *¢ All in the stable, and yon can have a good pick out of them. ‘Take the three best.” ** Ross, you have indecd saved us.” * T have tried to do so.” * But, my friend, when Jonathan recovers, what shall you doP His anger will be terrible, and your life will not be safe at his hands.” ** 1 will get out of lis way, never fear.” * Do so, for it would grieve me much if any harm liap- pened to you. But do not think that I shall allow you to be a loser by this nicht’s work. You have saved us, but However, we set a high value on the possession of our lives and jiterty, and you shall have it.” “ L want no reward, Mr. Blake. What I have done I consider wus purely my duty, and there the matter reste.” ‘Not so. lL know you will not refuse to reecive some | Compensition for the loss you Jmvo ulready and mey eS, ar I gf) ——— = ae GOMIGIOO SS (SO)