Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

—————— ) SPRING-HEEL D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. And so tenaciously did the miser cling to Jack’s cloak, that he was unable to release him- self from his frantic hold. | He had not the heart to strike the old man to compel him to let go, though he knew that every moment was fraught with danger to himself. You are no devil, but a man,’’ cried Jerard, “and I will hold you till help comes. I will drag you to a prison—transport you. Villain, to rob a poor old man. But give me the paper, and I will let you go. Upon my soul, I'll let you O it “Hark you, old man,’ said Jack,in hurried and anxious tones. ‘‘’Tis you who are the rob- ber, not I, for I would restore to the fatherless. what you have stolen. Release your hold of my cloak, or I shall be tempted to forget that grey hairs should be respected by the young and strong.” ae at ) aes “T won't let go—I won't let go!” shouted the miser. | ae ee go eee LA oA “TI would not harm you. Take your hand from my cloak ; take your hand off, I say, or the con- sequences may be fatal to you.” | And in his endeavours to release the miser’s hold, he dragged Jerard several yards along the street. : ‘‘ You shan’t go! Help—help!” Ne Sho ‘“Confound you!” said Jack. “ You will drive me to desperation.” | “You are driving me to it. you have robbed me of. I’m a poor old man— very poor, and you shan’t. ruin me! No, you shan’t go!” ; Jack raised his hand threateningly, and then dropped it again to his side. ‘Base as you are,” he said, your age shall protect you. Confound you! Release your hold!” — | But the miser only clung the more tenaciously, and shrieked aloud for help. “What's to be done ?” thoucht Jack. “I can’t strike him; and yetif I do not use force to release myself, I shall soon be surrounded by a yelling crowd. Ah! good!” His eyes had rested upon the entrance to the cellar of a house close to where he stood, the flap of which was more than half rotted away with damp, leaving a large gap close to the wall of the house. | Dragging the old man close up to it, he stamped with all lis force upon the remaining portion of the rotten covering to the cellar entry, and splintered it, driving the pieces down the orifice, and exposing an opening large enough for anyone to pass through. ~ Then grasping the hands of the miser, and using no inconsiderable force, he succeeded in releasing his hold of his cloak, and by a quick movement of his foot, he jerked the old man’s leos down the opening, and holding him by the wrists, lowered him softly, but speedily, into the cellar, : aq | : “The old man ‘uttered 4 sharp cry of terror, as Jack, believing he would not have to drop far, let go hishold. Jy, The form of the miser disappeared in the dark- ness, and Jack turned and fled in the opposite direction from whence the sound of the footfall he had heard proceeded. | SESE ee ee we Give me what By, heavens! some. one comes! | 103 But as he went, the cry of the old miSer came loudly to his ears, and he knew that a short time only would elapse ere he would ‘bé discovered and released, even if he was unable to strugele out of the cellar himself unaided. Jack hurried on, till he reached ‘the Bethnal’ Green-road, and was congratulating himself upon meeting with no further annoyance, when a’ ¢ry of “There he is! that’s him’! saluted bisear, and two men sprang out of a doorway-right before him. Vi Jack leaped back a few feet, and’ prepared to. meet this unexpected surprise. | ‘ Collar,” said one, addressing the other. ‘‘'W shall earn the fiver, after all, that Scrivener’) promised for his,eapture.”’ . oh sal a And as he spoke the man flung himself upon our hero,-but ere he could fasten his!grasp!upon ’ Jack’s collar, .a heavy blow upon ithe forehead sent him reeling back, and another planted between the eyes of his companion dropped him, as if shot, to the earth. So the old man has offered a reward for my apprehension,’ said Jack, as he darted off quickly. “ But I don’t believe he would ever pay it—the miserable old raseal/| Well, the sooner I get ‘clear of this loeality the better. It’s too hot to hold ne till this night’s work blows over,” He cast a hurried look behind him, .» « | “They don't seem. disposed. to follow mé,” he said. ‘So much the better., I wish I could get a coach. Ah! that’s one coming.”’ The sound of wheels had caught his'ear as he spoke, and he darted forward to meet the vehicle. The driver having pulled up, Jack got into the vehicle, and ordered the man to drive to Temple Bar. ) “Certainly, sir,” said the driver, who ‘having had little patronage that day was going home) rather dispirited, and looked upon, this chance as a perfect God-send. i ‘Drive fast, for I’m in a hurry,” said Jack, “and when we get to our destination, I'll give you a sovereign.”’ : PI LOV, “ You're a gentleman,’ said. the overjoyed Jehu, as he closed the door, and leaped on to the box of his vehicle. “ That’s more than a good many say,” mentally muttered Jack. “But different people take dif- ferent views, and form different opinions of things and persons; and this fellows opinion would alter,» I’m thinking, if, at the expiration of the journey, I only pay bim his fare.” | oi Jack ensconced himself back on’ the cushions} and, the driver smacking his whip, he was hurried along the road. . | When they had gone about a mile and a half of the journey, Jack pulled the check-string. The man drew up. yon | “Do you, know a, place, driver,” sail Jack, “where we can get a nice drop! of brandy?” “ Indeed, I do, sir,” was the man’s reply. “Then pull up there, for I dare say a glass will be acceptable to you.” ‘“ Ah! that it-would !” said the driyer, burying his chin in a thick roll of woollen stuff, which he wore round his neck, and smacking his lips at the bare thought of the liquor. ‘ Gee-up, go) along ;” and urging his horses onward about half- a-mile further, he brought them up before a (2 St SS) en SG CH OO