Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

a ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. 218 eee “ And I (by a peculiar antithesis, if I may he permitted to use the word) shall never forget you, You were kind enough to oblige me with forty pounds——” i “Tn gold, for which I have no receipt at present. ‘We never give them in the City in business transactions,” . “T suppose it is deemed unnecessary when the amount is certain to be repaid in full.” “Doctor Ephraim Spintext, for that I learn is your name,” said Turpin, “there is a little matter standing between us that may as well be settled on | the nail, and as it concerns only ourselves, if you have no objection we will hold our conference with closed doors.” With this Turpin doubly locked up the apart- ment, and placed the key in his coat pocket, at the same time remarking— mg “Fairly trapped—caught like a woodeock in its own springe.” The sensitive organs of the divine, as may be imagined, were necessarily excited by the» pro- ceedings of the highwayman, who after them unceremoniously slapped him on the shoulder. *‘ As yout reverence was kind enough to conform to my wishes on our first meeting,” said he, “I - trust I shall find a similar complaisance on our second.” “ May I ask what your demand in this instance may be?” ex, ‘‘A very simple One, my dear sir—the loan of your cloak.” “* “T find it will be useless for’ me any longer to dissemble,”’ said Spintext, firmly ; “ your intentions are too apparent for me not to perceive them, Ruffian, you have already robbed me, and now, with unparalleléd effrontery, make a further de- mand upon my purse,” — ‘‘T trust you will not compel me to resort to ulterior means,” , “ This assumed indifference of your part, fellow, is both offensive and useless,”’ Said, Spintext, ‘‘there- fore you must léarmmy deterfiimation at once, and without reserve, I positively refuse to yield another penny, and I——”’ “T see I shall -have to make short work of you, doctor, and stick by my old friends—friends that | never fail me,” i With these words, Turpin drew a brace of pistols from-his pocket, and placed them on the table at which he and the doctor were-seated. : “ Now, no flinching,” Continued the highwayman ; “dub up the garment I require, or I'll pay your reverence off as Paul did the Ephesians.” The courage of Spintext, at the sight of the loaded pistols, resembled that of Bob. Acres—it oozed out at his fingers’ ends; but his mind assumed a more tranquil, state as, withia sigh, he delivered up his cloak. 5 unied ‘‘T have ever boasted,” said Spintext, ‘that I would never be robbed by a'single highwayman,” And, you find that such a, boast, 'was void,’ sneered Turpin, who. commenced searching the habiliment he held in his hand,» Y oved T * “On the contrary,” said Spintiext,''/ I should . not have resigned my cloak had I not seen you hada confederate.” ).) §« : * A confederate P ” ‘‘Yes-—the man who how stands at youn elbow.” The “ruse ” succeeded, | The moment Turpin turned to regard the sup- posed intruder, Spintext: whipped up his pistols, and exclaimed——” “You may see with half an eye how matters 10w LLL ALLL LLL LLL OL stand, rascal ; make your peace with heaven, for you haven’t two minutes to live.” i “Thank you for the information,” said Turpin, scarcely recovering from his surprise at the late turn of events ; ‘‘but I shall never fall by a blue- hime ‘‘ Advance a step, villain,” said the divine, pre- senting both the weapons, ‘and Isend a brace of bullets into your head.” “Do you take me for a green-horn ?” ae “This is bravado; but you will find out your mistake, for I shall think no more of shooting you than I would of snuffing the candle whieh stands upon this table,’’ if: “Be it so; I’ll take my chance.” See ‘“‘You’re an amusing rascal, and I am willing to spare your life on one condition.” Papen» ‘You are vamping up some scheme to further betray me.” Pi, “Ts life nothing ?” Mit “ What are your proposals ?” a “ Those which, in honour, you should agree to.” “Name them.”’ _ rer ‘Return me the amount you have robbed me of, aud depart in peace.”’ = “ Suppose I say—no,” ~~ “Why, then I fire.” “ Fire and be d——d.” Spintext obeyed the blustering injunction. He fired—not at Dick Turpin, but through’ the window. Sie The highwayman now remained in a state of passive stupefaction, gazing vacantly to understand the motives of his generous:associate,, Suddenly the parson’s Wig was Temoyed, and supplanted by asleek, glossy, black head of hair, closely cropped, and his features changed from a sanctified to a rollicking air. MAY - & What, didn’t you know me?” said the indivi- dual, proceeding to disrobe himself, and appear in his Own person. “I gayé=you) more credit for discernment, and could not have believed that the dashing Dick Turpiny.the high spice toby gloak, and terror of the road, could have been’ so”: witted,” ANN = ae “T must readily admit,” said the party addressed, laughing, and recovering. from his surprise, that you are the last person in the world I should suspect of ‘ taking holy orders,” Before closing the ehapter and continuing our story, we must remark that so cleverly had the dis- guise been effected that the most sapient, astute, or cunning would never have recognised in the Very Reverend Doctor Ephraim Spintext, the renowned, daring, and dexterous robber—Jack Sheppard ! bi GHAPTER XOV Uso adc tanned JONATHAN WILD IN PURSUIT—THE ARRIVAL OF THE OFFICERS AT THE “ KING HARRY” ‘ON THE ENFIELD ROAD—DICK TURPIN AFFORDS JACK SHEPPARD MEANS OF BSCAPE, | WHILE Jack Sheppard and Dick Turpin were yet within the walls, of the ‘‘ King Harry,’ a party of horsemen drove up furiously to, the.door of the, same, : mee a A presentiment of danger at once occurred to the first-named as he hurried, to the window to ascer-— tain if his previous suspicions, were correct. | The easements were fastened and barred, but he ig Blie-plam—builet. - . y i OF oO Eomichookstcom