Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

- a ee 40 -_—_———_— “ What's that 2” “ Arrest you.” “ And as he spoke, he made a dart forward. Jack quickly stepped on one side, and the man pitched head-first into the nearly empty centre room of the barge. ‘Seize him, Murray, don’t let him escape,” shouted the man, as he scrambled to his feet. Murray essayed to obey this order, but Jack dealt him a blow in the face which sent him after his companion. “Well, you see the water rats cannot do any more than the Jand rats after all,’’ said Jack, addressing the two men, who were groping about the sides of the room for hand and foot hold to get out of their unpleasant position. This they had little difficulty in finding, and the man whom Jack had struck, and who had been called Murray by his companion, commenced clambering up. As his head appeared above the deck, Jack placed his foot upon it, and pushed him back so suddenly that he fell upon his companion, and they both rolled over each other on the floor of the barge. While Jack stood laughing and looking down on them he felt himself suddenly seized from behind and his arms securely pinned to his sides. So firmly was he held that he felt his capture had at last been effected. His attention being occupied by thosein the room of the barge, he had not for a moment thought the third officer would attempt to leave tle boat and come to his companions’ aid. But so he had. Hearing the scuffle, and judging that his com- panions required assistance, he had quickly fastened the boat to the cable of the barge and silently clambered on to the deck of the vessel and stolen behind the unsuspecting Jack. “Tt’s all up with you now, Jack,” whispered the man in his ear. “ You are too sensible a fellow to offer resistance where it would be of no avail. You will have a fine ride on the river in our company to-night. Now, then, Murray— come on, Slipper. I’ve got him to rights.” © Hold him tight,” said Murray. ‘ Hurrah!” cried Slipper. ‘“ Curse the fellow ! he’s knocked all the bark off my shins.” You'll have your revenge,’ said the man who held our hero. ‘ Look sharp!” “Oh! oh!” roared Murray, in a sharp, pain- ful tone, as he suddenly slipped down again into the bottom of room. Jack laughed loudly, but made no attempt to release himself from the hold of his captor. “Damn it!” cried Slipper. ‘ Pull him back, Benson ; pull him backwards ; the devil’s crush- ing my fingers with his boots !” if Jack’s arms were secured, his legs were not ; and feeling that if the two men in the barge room got out all hope of his escape was gone. The moment they placed their hands on the top of the room to assist them up, he planted his foot upon their fingers, and caused them to fall back with a ery of pain. Benson pulled him backwards on the instant, a feat that he was enabled to accomplish with ease, for, secured as his arms were, Jack could not resist the act, =PRING HEEL’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. “Now, pull up,” cried Benson. that dodge again, Jack, or I shall be compelled — to kick your legs to keep you quiet.” | ‘“Thank you kindly,” exclaimed Jack, “for the suggestion.” ; Suddenly kicking out behind, Jack dealt such a blow upon the officer’s right shin with the heel of his boot, that the man released his hold of Jack’s arms, ~ oan In an instant Jack turned, seized the man by the throat, and, swinging him round so suddenly that he was powerless to offer any resistance, hurled him over the side of the barge into the room, beside his companions. ee “ Now,” said Jack, if you want to lodge me in jail, you'll have to swim for your object. Good night, my friends. I regret that you will have to remain prisoners on board this barge till daylight. The tables are turned, you see. Good nicht !” . He sprang off the barge into the boat, and hastily slipping its fastening, seized an oar, and pushed the little bark away from the vessel, on ~ which the officers now stood, looking at each other in silent chagrin. a “Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Jack, as he dropped the oars into the water, and bent his body to the stroke. ‘“‘Come on, my fine fellows! What! three of you permit one man to escape? For shame! The world will laugh at you to-morrow as I do to-night. Ha! ha! ha! et ‘Bring back the boat, Jack,” cried Benson, “and we'll let you go.” : “Thank you, my friend, but I’m not a bird to be caught by that chati—oh, no ! : “Upon my soul we will,” cried Slipper. ‘““T prefer to trust to myself,” cried Jack. ‘You will be prosecuted for robbery as well as resistance to the law, if you take that boat away,” cried Benson. | “Very likely, if they catch me,” said Jack. “ But you will find the boat safely moored at one of the wharves to-morrow.” “Jack !” cried Benson, “Hallo ! my friend.” “Don’t be a fool. Come back. We shall get into trouble when this affair is known.” “Serve you right,” said Jack. | “Think of the loss of our berths—of our wives and children,” said Slipper. ‘Very sorry for them, but I can’t help it,” said Jack. ‘“ Hark ye, you will find your boat in the morning, and a five-pound note in it, perhaps. I must make use of it now, and will pay for its hire. Ifyou keep your own mouths closed nobody will know what three confounded fools you have been. I have no more time to waste, so, once more, good night, and pleasant thoughts to you in your unpleasant position,” Jack now bent to the oars, and the little vessel shot over the almost smooth water like an arrow in the direction of the vessel on board which Ellen Folder had been lifted by the two rough sailors. He soon reached the ship, and pulled up under its stern, where he fastened the boat alongside the one to which he had clung with his insensible burthen, then seizing the rope that hung over its aids he drew himself up on to the now deserted — OCK, ~ “oe % fy * = -}— WicwOOKS TCO — ae -— “Don't try |