Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

70 BLUESKIN wee 9 We eS Tere 0" renee ane © ern of aught else. What will you have to Jack. “ Anything you like.” “ We have some cold beef,” said the landlord. ‘ Bring that then,” said Jack, ‘‘and a glass of hot brandy and water.” The landlord quitted the room to obey their orders. — The other oocupants regarded Jack and his companion with the utmost surprise, but there was something 1n the countenance of the baronet that made it quite out of the question for them to offer him any rudeuess. The landlord returned with great expedition, and then Sir Marmaduke said— “When I have eaten this, I should be glad if you would show us to a room where I can washy myself, and bathe my wound. You see I have had a near touch.” ‘You have, indeed,” said the landlord, obsequiously ; “but you said something about starting to Tilbury.” “Yes, I wish to doso as soonas I am ready, which will be in less than an hour’s time. Can you, do you think, find anyone totakeus? Your guests here appear sailors by their dress.” “They are, but you must be aware it would be quite impossible to run such a distance as that.” “T know it. I want them to take me as far below bridge as they can, where doubtless I shall meet with gome vessel which is about saihng down the mver. “TF that is your intent, I think I can oblige you.” “ How P” ‘Four of the men here belong toa vessel that trades between London-bridge and Hamburg, where she 1s now at anchor. They intend to leave here at daybreak, and pull down the river, when they will at once set sail. The one you see nearest to the fireplace is the captain.” Sir Marmaduke and Jack looked in the direction indi- cated, and saw a man with a cheerful, good-tempered- looking countenance, complacently smoking a long clay ipe. v Do you thiuk,” said the baronet, “that the offer of ten pounds would be sufficient to induce him to set off a few hours earlier than he intended and put me ashore at Tilbury ?” ‘ T will eall him here and ask him,” said the landlord, “with your permission.” ‘Do so, do so.” The landlord beckoned with his finger, and the captain at once left his seat and came towards them. The others looked on curiously, but the conversation had been carried on in too low a tone for them to hear a word of it. ‘© What cheer, mcssmate ?”’ asked the captain. ‘¢This gentleman and his companion,’ replied the land- lord, “‘ are very auxious to get down the river before day- light, and they want to know whether, in consideration of a ten-pound note, you would mind starting at once, and putting them ashore at Tilbnryness.” ‘ Your honour’s humble servant to command,” he said, addressing himself to Sir Marmaduke. willing, too, for it is not often a sailor has a chance of making ten pounds.” “ Very well then,” replied the baronet, who had finished his bread and wine. blood from my face and have my wound atteuded to, and then I[ shall be ready.” All right, your honour. I'll be off at once. find the boat at the bottom of the steps here. may be one or two others, so when you get to the landing, call out, Rinydove—that’s the name ot my craft, you must know—and we will reply at once.” Upon this understanding they separated. It took Sir Marmaduke but a few minutes to make himself ready. The wound itself was scarcely worthy of the name, aud all that was done toit was to spunge it cleau with some warm water, and apply a little plaister. This done, they, under the landlord’s guidance, betook themselves to the landing-steps, which was situated just where St. Paul’s pier is now. The mght was light, and when they turned the corner of the street in which stood “ The Jolly Sailors,” they could see the river, and the numerous boaigs at their moorings with great distinctness. ‘““Ringdove,”’ said the landlord. Ay, ay, sir,’ wasthe reply. “‘ Here you are!” You'll CS PRIS) ka ae eee oe “Tam ready and | “Tam just going to wash _ the | There | little | | i OTT : A ROMANCE. ery Gaeta 2F om epee ood Rtg Cine oy ws age Te ?” he added, turning | There were two boats at the bottom of the steps. In one could be seen four dark forms. : Jack put a guinea into the landlord’s hand, and then descending the steps, proceeded to assist his compamon into the boat. But while he was thus engaged he was startled by the sudden appearance of three other men, who made their way down the steps towards the other boat. , Here you are, your honour ; the best boat on the river, sir! ~ “Curse you !” said a growling voice. ‘row, and push off at once !”’ Jonathan Wild!” said Jack, as he sprang into the boat. ‘‘ Row for your lives—row! Get free from him, and you shall have, not ten pounds, but fifty! Quick ! Ob! quick, or we are lost!” - Hold your CHAPTER XLVIITI. JONATHAN WILD TURNS DOCTOR, AND UNDERGOES A LITTLE DISCIPLINE. THE altogether unexpected appearance of Jonathan Wild was not, as Jack fancied, owing to his having traced them, but owing to a purely fortuitous circumstance. To account for it, however, we must go back a little way. It will be recollected that the last we saw of him was when, by oue well-directed thrust, Jack prostrated him to the ground. Two of his men at once stooped down and raised him to his feet, while the other two started off in pursuit of the fugitives. But, as they had already turned the corner to the market, their prey was no longer in sight, nor was there anything to give them a clue as to the ronte they had taken. Therefore they had to trust to chance entirely, and, as they fancied down the Old Bailey was the way they were likeliest to go, they set off in that direction at full speed. Of course there search was resultless. Full an hour elapsed before Jonathan recovered. In fact, so death-like did he look, that Levee weut out for an apothecary, who was in the habit of dressing Wild’s wounds. This man, whose name was Ebenezer Snoxall, lived at the corner of Skinner-street. On his arrival, his first care was to dress Wild’s wounds, before he attempted to revive him, for he kuew how very violent he was apt to be. He shook his head gravely and uttered such exclama- tious as “Hum! ha!” during the process. At last Jonathan looked something like himself, so Mr. Snoxall held some pungent essence under his nostrils, which caused him to open his eyes at once. He glared about him for some seconds, and clasped his hands over his head. There was a horrible humming noise in that region, accompanied with the most splitting headache that could be conceived. ‘Don’t worry yourself, Mr. Wild,” said the apothecary, in croaking accents peculiar to him. ‘‘ You will require a long rest before you get over this. You will, indeed.” Who are you?” roared Wild, spriuging up toa sitting posture. ‘Murder!’ said Mr. Snoxall, “murder!” added, in defiance of The cloud about persing. He remembered the voice of the apothecary. He laid down again, and strove to think. | “Ha!” he cried, ag he remembered what had taken place. ‘ Blue—Blueskin, I say.” | **TTe’s not come in, if you please, Mr. Whild,” said Levee, opening the door just wide enough to admit his head. ‘ Where’s Sheppard and that—that old man with him. Caught and put back in their cells, of course. Ha! ha! \ they shall pay dearly for this prank.” | Levee hesitated. | ‘What now, villain? Where are they ?” _ Jgonathan’s face assumed a bloodthirsty expression. ~ “Now pray don’t excite yourself, Mr. Wild, pray don’t,”’ said the apothecary; ‘‘ the consequences will be serious wf you do. You will bring on brain fever.” ie Ny oe Then he ammar, ** [t’s me—it’s me.”’ onathan’s brain was gradually dis- JOO KSICO | neta |