Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 378: what you’re looking at

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

” ee ene i ee 376 CHAPTER CCLI. TORTUNE SEEMS RESOLVED TO BEFRIEND JONATHAN WILD. Tire man, who was not a messenger, but actually one of Wild’s spies, twirled bis hat round in his hand while he considered into how small a compass he could put his in- formatien. : ‘‘T have found Ross, the landlord of the public-house,” he said. “Have you?” cried Jonathan, “then he shall pay dearly enough for the way in which he has acted. Where is he?” “We was walking along the Whitechapel-road, Mr. Wild.” “Well, go on.” © So I followed him, My. Wild, and never once lost sight of him.” * Which way did he take ?” Ife went westward, andas I expected every minute to house him, I kept at his heels.” “What next ?” T followed him, Mr. Wild, till be got to Westminster Abbey.” To Westminster Abbey?” Yes, he walked straight on up to Poet’s-corner, as thongh he was going to enter the abbey, but I knew he could not do that, as it was so late, and the place all locked re Well 2?” , “He went up the narrow tuming leading to Poet’s- corner, as I told you, and I waited for him to come out again.” et . “But he didn’t seem to come, so I thought, perhaps, he had got an appointment with some one, and was wait- ing for him to come.” Very likely. What then?” I saw Govus, and told him to take my place watching while I came here to you.” * And that is all you have to communicate ?” Yes, Mr. Wild.” ‘Then, here’s a guinea for you, and go downstairs and tell Qmlt Arnold to have a troop ready at the door in- stantly and a couple of spare horses.” ‘Yes, Mr. Wild,” replied the man, as he withdrew to execute this order. “What do you make of this news?” inquired his son. ‘Who is Ross P” “He is the landlord of a public-house, and it was through his iustrumentality that Blueskin and Jack Sheppard made their last escape.” “T see. Then you think it likely, by keeping in view of Ross, you will come in sight of the others.” “Nothing more probable. You see they would bribe this Ross to aid them, and I daresay this appointment at Westminster Abbey is for the very purpose of giving him the reward.” The reader knows Jonathan was not very far from the real truth in this supposition, but it was a supposition merely. Still it serves to show what talent he had in forming an idea of what people were likely to do under certain cir- cumstances, and in this lay no small portion of his success. _ Ifthat is the case, then, guv’ner, we ought to be off like lightning, or they will transact their little business, and be off.” **They will.” ** T should like to catch them all at cne swoop.” “So should I. Arm yourself, and then we will go down.” _ A few moments were spent, both by Wild and his son, a looking to their weapons, after which, they went down- stairs. _ They fonnd the troop already at the door, but not quite i readiness to start. But it was wonderful to see with what expedition things were done in Wild’s household. A stranger would have declared it impossible for men and horses to be ready upon so short a notice—and yet there they were. _Jonathan Wild descended the steps in front of his domi- eil, followed by his son. 93 we we ee oo Se eine ren Yr eon ere ee iP tte EA. UT. Oy, RLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. The janizaries, to many of whom George was known, as well as the circumstances connected with his life, looked on with surprise when they saw them apparently on such good terms with each other. And here we ought to state that, upon the arrival of George Wild, which took place a few hours before Jona- than’s return, Tonks, who was on the lock, refused to allow him admittance. But the behaviour of Wild junior was so outrageous, that in the end they were obliged to allow him to come in, when he took possession of Jonathan’s private room inthe manner we have described. When Wild returned, Tonks wished to inform him of what had taken place, but the aspect of the thief-taker’s countenance was so terrible that it quite frightened him, and he resolved not to say a word, for fear any unpleasant consequences should fall upon his own head. Quilt Arnold, too—when Wild passed him in the pas- sage—opened his mouth to communicate the same intellt- gence, but he closed it without uttering a sound. And so Jonathan bad the full benefit of the little sur- prise that was in store for him. A storm was fully expected, but it seemed to have entirely blown over. But the bull-dogs, as Wild called them, knew better than to take anything more than a passing notice of this circumstance. Jonathan mounted the horse which had been provided for him. George Wild got on to another. By this time the remainder of the troop were in readi- ness. Wild turned round and looked att hem, then inquired whether all was ready ? He was replied to in the affirmative. 7 Forward, then!” he cried. ‘* Make all spced—follow ne.’ So saying, he plunged his spurs into his horse’s sides, and set off at a furious gallop after our three friends, who are now menaccd by perils of a terrible description, and worse than all, they were in ignorance of what was im- pending over them. They would have no time to prepare. At the rate they went, it did not take Jonathan Wild and his band very long to reach their destination. But ere they got to the old abbey, a man darted out from the shadow of the houses, and stood in the middle of the road. Te held up his arms, and ealled in a loud tone of vcie> to them to halt. Jonathan pulled up, and the remainder of the trocp camo to a standstill. ‘Mr. Wild,” said the man who had thus arrested the progress of the cavalcade; “isthat you, Mr. Wild?” Yes,” growled Jonathan. * Have you had news from Kenrick ?” €¢ Yes.’ “Then [ have more.” Come here then at once, close to my horse, and tell me quietly.” The man approached. ‘*Y am Govus,” he said. Well?” TI was leftat Poet’s-corner, by Kenrick, to watch for Ross, the landlord, while he camo to you.” “Why have you left your post ?” *€T put Tomlins there.” ** All right.” * T have important news.” Tell it quickly, then.” While I was waiting for Ross to come out, and pre- pared to follow him, I heard footsteps approaching, so I drew back and watched. “Well? ” ‘A man approached, who appeared to be very heavily laden with something. He staggered aud could hardly support the weight. Noiselessly I crept to him. I knew who it was.” *Whor” ‘*€ Blueskin.” “Good. Is he there now P’ Yes, Mr. Wild.” “ We must be off, then.” . “Stop a moment, Mr. Wild; he is quite safe; and J —_ 4. — mee NOOlKKS CO (SO) Cc =}