Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

OO OO ———————————————————— ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. 144 TINT nn en street, so that there was no fear of unning against them. The churchyard was wholly deserted, for no one dreamed that the rogues would venture back to their prison. After looking very carefully round, Jack clam- bered over into the churchyard. That was as silent and deserted as the street. Had any one seen him they would have fancied him some ghoul or evil spirit, making its noiseless way amongst the tombs. He reached the new-made grave where_he had left Blueskin concealed. Kneeling upon the earth he peered down into the recesses of the tomb. ‘“‘ Hist! old pal! Blueskin! Where in the devil’s name are you?” he whispered. There was no response, The grave was silent. ‘“Have they nabbed him, I wonder?’’ thought Jack, as he strained his eyeballs to catch a sight of his companion’s figure. ‘ He gently lowered himself into the grave, which he found was quite empty. Blueskin had departed. ; But which way, and for what reason ? ““T must seek him,” muttered Jack, be almost certain to go to the ken.” Jack crept out of the grave as quietly and cautiously as he had crept into it, Over the high boundary wall of the churchyard and into the street. As he did so he saw a man emerge from the shadow of a doorway and advance towards him. Neither dress nor figure were those of Blueskin. Jack quickened his pace. The stranger did the same. “Tt must be a Bow Street runner,” thought Jack, and his walk became a run. The stranger ran also, and with such dexterity that he gained upon Sheppard, The thief strained every nerve, He sighed heavily as he glanced over his shoulder. Each step lessened the distance between him and his pursuer, The stranger was joined by a second man and then by a third. Through lane, court, and alley Jack Sheppard fled ; through scenes of squalid poverty with which he was well acquainted, and past dark nooks where vice-begotten wealth was hoarded up in obscure buildings, “T must brick them,” thought Jack, as he heard the footsteps of his pertinacious followers close behind. He turned suddenly and crossed Drury Lane, hastening down a narrow street which led out of that thoroughfare. A door stood open close by. Jack entered, and, without stopping, fled swiftly up the dark stair-case, In some of the rooms were heard sounds of rude “ He would mirth and revelry ; in others the cries of misery and woe. One pursuer was heard ascending. To escape he must get out on tke roof, but how could that be done ? . A door was before him, and opening it he found himself in a low garret. There was a window, however, and by it Jack determined to escape. He squeezed himself through it, and stood upon the tiles. ‘‘T have escaped,’’ he thought. But at that moment aloud shout was heard be- low, and looking down Jack saw that he was dis- covered, The garret window, too, showed a sorry sight, for the nursuer was creeping through it, though but slowly. “T must run, and take my chance of finding another window open through which I can descend,” muttered Sheppard, He mounted to the very ridge or highest part of the roof, and with nimble footsteps ran swiftly forward. % Those below, while they abhored the crimes of which he had been guilty, could but admire the daring and agility of his attempt to escape. Scores of curious eyes were turned up to gaze upon him, but he heeded them not. Suddenly he stopped, and his heart was filled with terror. A few yards before him the row of buildings abruptly terminated. | There was no means of escape save by retracing his steps and passing his pursuer, GRAND DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES!! ———~>— 1,400 VALUABLE PRESENTS GEivVvE NWT AWAY WITH THE BOYS OF ENGLAND, Consisting of Ponies, Pet Dogs, Pigeons, Ducks, Fowls, Rabbits, Concertinas, Watches, Cricket Bats, Balls and Stumps, Bows and Arrows, Fishing Rods, Quoits, Boxes of Colours, Sets of Characters, Scenes, Stage Front, etc., etc. ; ORDER No. 1 OF THE BOYS OF ENGLAND. ONE PENNY WEEKLY, With No. 1 is PRESENTED A LARGE AND MAGNIFI- CENT ENGRAVING OF THE BATTLE OF CHEVY CHASE, AND A SET OF CHARACTERS FOR A NEW PLAY. FOUR TIMES THE SIZE OF ANY OTHER BOYs’ JOURNAL, _ LOOK OUT FOR THE BOY SAILOR; OR, LIFE ON BOARD A MAN-OF-WAR. A most interesting and powerfully-written Tale, to be completed in about 30 Numbers. But neither roysterer nor mourner saw or heard Jack, He gained the top of the staircase, No, 2 24 JA GOT with No. 1, and a LARGE EN- GRAVING, GRATIS, PEE comichbooks.com ~~