Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

—_—_e k&X——jFrlrarq\,rre en cn ence en ts ROVING JACK; THE! PIRATE: HUNTER. 188 “And he willbe true to his appointment, or Lam | greatly mistaken in my man.” Wild rang a bell, and the man who had conducted Paul into the room made his appearance. Wild ordered:a can of grog to be made. It was brought and partaken of. ; But moderately on the part of the seaman, who, whenever he could, shirked the glass, I Under the genial influence of the liquor, Wild became more communicative. ‘‘T say, friend,” said he, “don’t you think an active fellow like you (for I have learnt by your mouth you can put yourhand to the helm) might make money enough of your own and be inde- pendent,” | ..‘* Well to tell.you the truth, Mr. Wild, I never gave it a thought.” “Do so now,” Wild made the remark with some bluntness, ‘“You’ve been at'sea some years,”’ “Yen,” ‘And you’ve not got coin enough to jingle ona tombstone,” “No, my messmates would tell you that the prize money is ever sifted with a gridiron. ‘All that falls through goes to the officers, ‘That which remains comes to the men.” ‘‘T tell you what,” said Wild, “ you are just the lad forme, and it’s.'your own fault if you don’t make your fortune.” “At least T’'ll try.” “You seem brave, quick, and intelligent ; if you will serve me, I will serve you, so let’s have another glass, and see if we can’t make a bargain.’ After Wild had dispensed the fluid, he handed a glass to Paul, recommending him to wet his whistle, The seaman acquiesced with a smile, being ac- companied in the action by his companion. A few remarks had passed’ between them relative to the matter last spoken of, when ‘Wild rose from his chair. He went to the corner of the room and opened a sliding panel. ‘In this Paul discovered a regular stand of arms, short cutlasses with baskets round their handles, pistols, tomahawks and other kinds of warlike weapons. “This is the sort of rigging’ I require for the vessel which I wish you tosteer,” said the’ thief- taker, : If the seaman made no reply, his gesticulations served for one, > He gave a furtive glance. Run his forefinger across his throat, ‘| And then pointed downwards, : “No, not exactly that” exclaimed Wild no, not 4 pirate, but a little given to this,” Here the speaker indicated the small rum cask that had been placed‘on the’ table, ‘Oh, I see” said the other in'a whisper, “ You mean smuggling,” . ‘Right as atrivet, will you join me?” o“ Should I refuse > “ You’ve a desperate man to deal with,” ‘Then I consent.’? «| pou thought you would,”. interrupted Wild, “I liked you at first sight, and thoucht I saw some devil in your composition. “Now listen, I am going to place myself in your power, but remember you are in mine. “On running our last cargo,” he continued, “ we were opposed, the mate was killed, I fired and’ he was avenged,” And you want me to filPhis place, I suppose.” “Yes, now mark me, had you not consented tomy terms, you would never have quitted this place since you have done so, you are freeto depart.” _ Jonathan Wild pointed to the. door through which Paul had to pass. , ‘“Recollect, my reputation is in your hands ; ‘seek to injure it, and my security must be your death.” The door now was widely opened by some one on the outside. ) . A sudden gust of wind issuing from the spacious staircase beyond, in a minute extinguished the lamp that was burning. os And the chamber was left in perfect darkness, ‘‘Confound the wind,” exclaimed Paul Peveril, “it has put out the light and left us floundering about like porpoises in a fog.” a “‘There is a strange voice here, but one I have . heard before.”’ . As he uttered the words, the new comer entered the room. ““What is he doing here?” continued he, “ Ratifying a compact ; he is about to become one ~ of us.” : “Indeed ! I think I know him,” “You don’t know much harm of me,” ‘answered Paul Peveril. 4 | ‘Nor much good,” muttered the other to himself ; and then addressing Wild he continued, “ This fellow may blow the gaff on us.” ‘He has engaged to the contrary,”’ said Wild, “T care not for him or his bond.” ‘So it seems. Come hither ?” | While thus speaking Wild advanced to the ciosed shutters, which he opened with his own hand. The beams of the moon brightly shining in the heavens above, disclosed everything as clear as the noonday, \ The late visitor scanned ‘the features of Paul Peveril with a strict scrutiny. oe “Hum, a fine fellow,”’ he exclaimed ; “it appears you know our purpose ; will you swear never to give evidence against us under any. circumstances ?” ‘No, I will not promise that,” . At the moment Paul uttered these words, he in his turn looked into the face of the party who had last addressed him. He was much altered and very differently attired, but for all that the shrewd; seaman’ knew him again, | ‘Tis that piratical lubber. Dick Turpin,” Paul muttered to himself, Another mishap now befel Paul Peveril. He suddenly remembered that he in haste had forgot to provide himself with weapons, which. his present emergency would almost of a necessity require, He was alone armed with a clasp knife, which hung suspended from his waist belt, , * This, and courage, then,” said he, |“ must stand my friends,” . | ./" You, have. heard the conditions,’ exclaimed Wild, ‘and you refuse to concede to them,” “T refuse to——” | ‘‘ Enough | your blood be on your own head.” Wild. and his confederate cocked their pistols, and presented them at-the head, of, their prisoner, For such Paul: now was, as the door. had been securely fastened on him. | IR . Looking at the poised weapons, he raised’ his hands, and spoke thus, with apparent indifference.’ ‘Belay, belay ; hear me out; don’t bein such a hurry ; as faras concerns:this unlawful trade you're engaged in, Iwill swear by heayen—-—” | Here the ruflians again raised their firearms,