Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

2 a ee ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. —s hd) Or Tom King made nothing of this obstacle. He encouraged his splendid horse by a cheering word, and lightly tapped her glossy flank with the riding whip. The animal made a bound. She cleared cart, donkey, and driver, and rattled in at a tremendous rate, » CHAPTER LVI. A WILD RIDE — THE ROADSIDE INN — BARNEY WARNS TOM KING OF HIS DANGER—EDGEW ORTH BESS CONCEALED, EDGEWORTH BEss felt sick and dizzy. Houses, shops, vehicles, faces swam past her in a swift, gliding panorama, They crossed Holborn. They dashed up Gray’s Inn Lane. They reached the highroad to Islington, Tom King now slackened his pace. Reaching the door of an old inn, the highwayman drew rein. A ostler came rushing out. The white mare was breathless, she trembled in every limb, and her mouth and neck were flecked with foam. The ostler took the horse’s head, ‘‘ Hulloa, Barney, is it you?” asked Tom, with a smile, as be wiped the perspiration from his flushed brow. “Yes, it’s me, captain,’ returned the fellow, grinning. “ What news?” * Nothing bad.” oS a “Why, this is pretty Edgeworth Bess,” said Barney. ‘‘Yes ; we’ve had a sharp ride ; bring me a tank- ard of nut-brown.” ‘‘ Shall I help the lady to dismount ?” «‘ No, no; bring me something to drink ; we must be off at once.” “Better not take the girl with you,” said the ostler. ‘© Why not ?” “You'll find her an incumbrance.” “Tt will not matter, we are not far from Black Mary’s, where we can kaye a rest.” « You'll never reach it, captain.” “ Not reach it?” «ec No. ” “Why not?” * Because the road is lined with scouts on the look out for you,” “ Phew ! how do you know that?” “ And, what’s more, Black Mary’s hovel is gar- risoned by a company of the Bow Street runners, “Ts this truth, sirrah ye “ Aye, or I’m a liar.” “« How do you know 2?” “T saw them start for the hovel ; there was Dan Shotbolt the dubsman, and Quilt Arnold.” ‘Who else ?” ‘“There were four-and-twenty of them in all; they divided into two parties, and took separate ways.” ‘‘ Did they stop here?” “ Yes.”’ ‘“ How long since?” “ Not half an hour ago.’ “ Did they search the house in * Tn every hole and corner.’ “ And what said Nat oriiiall the Jandlord ?” —_——— “ He-told them you had not been here.” “ What did they say to that ?” “They abused him and threatened him in choice Billingsgate.” * Did he hold staunch?” ‘No, captain ; but I’m your friend.” “ Did the villain offer to betray me?” Worse,” ce Ha !” ‘He promised to lay a trap for you.” “ The false hound |” ‘‘T thought I’d put you on your guard for old acquaintance sake,” “You're a brave fellow; take this—no, here’s one heavier.” And he threw him a purse. Barney caught it deftly, tossed it to try its weight, and with a radiant grin slipped it into his pocket. “ And where is Nat ?” ‘““ Not here, or I should not be talking at my ease, I'll warrant ye.” “Tut, tut, you fool—an answer,” “Well, then, if you must know —— *“ Quick, you blockhead.” ‘‘T hardly like to tell ye ——” ‘Why not?” - “Tt might get me into a scrape.” “Swift, you may depend on my discretion,” “T will, captain ; only ——” “Curse you for a fool, speak quickly.” “ A still tongue, they say ——” ** Perhaps this will open your: lips. ” And he tossed the fellow another purse. “Ha, ha! the oil of palm works wonders,” chuckled the oxstler; ‘‘but I’m running a great risk in giving you this warning, for old Jonathan has vowed black vengeance against any one who shall help you off.” The ostler looked anxiously up and down the road, ‘* Stay a moment,” he said. He ran into the house. Tom King waited impatiently for his return, After a few moments he came back. “There was an old pedlar here,’ he whispered, “ sitting by the window.” ‘* And what of him?” ‘‘T didn’t like the looks of him ; he’s some spy— some harming cheat, I take it,” *“ Where is he now 2” *© Gone.” “ Whither ?” ‘‘That’s more than I can tell.” ‘Well, what about Nat Springald?” “ He is gone on to the ‘ Merry Haymakers.’”’ “The devil! I had appointed to meet Dick Turpin there.” “T’ve made that all right, captain.” “ How ?” “T’ve sent him warning.” “ By whom ?” “Oh, a trusty messenger.” “ His name?” *‘ Gregory.” “Ha! one of our gany. Good ! you are a trump, Barney. And, now, say where is Wild?” “Hard behind you, with another squad of the shoulder-clappers.” “ Why the devil didn’t you tell me that before ?” “ You didn’t give me time.” ‘‘ Well, what’s to be done ?”’ “Pretty Bess must dismount,” “ But, she will be taken.” ‘-']] take care for that.” 3) CONMICVOOLS LL CC Ee et a i, Cm: a Stes