Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 199: 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. 219 ES a could easily overhear the ‘conversation that was taking place outside the house. “We've got him now,” said a voice, which Jack Sheppard at once recognized as that of Jonathan Wild. ‘The description given by Doctor Spintext’s servants of the robber so exactly tallies with the man we want, that no doubt remains that he is within or near ‘this buildin g,” “Don’t be too precipitate, Mr. Wild, or the bird may yet take wing, and give us the go- by. * “You are right, ‘Quilt Arnold, Caution is but necessary and requisite, Jack Sheppard is a tick- lish customer, and has as many expedients as a cat has lives.” “Yes, he’s a geval of a fellow ; but if we keep our eyes open now, I think we shall ‘land ’ him,” “T think it devilish hard if we can’t manage him amongst us,” said Wild, dismounting, An example followed by his attendants, one and all of whom descended from their steaming horses. “He’s a desperate character we have to deal with,” continued the thief-taker, “the hardest I have ever met, if I may except ‘Sally Wells, that was lagged for shoplifting. The jade, in a ‘bout, attacked me with a carving knife, and when I had disarmed her, bit off a couple of fingers from my left hand.” “But, now we come to business,” said Wild, as if he had formed a sudden resolution, “In the first place, are your weapons in working order ?” “Primed and loaded,” was the general reply. * And your blades i 1? Sharp as razors,” was again responded. “Good. With firm hearts and steady hands sur- — round the house, while I and Mendez enter it, On the slightest’ attempt of its inmates to leave, fire, and bring them down, no matter if you ,shoot the Lord Mayor of London.” - The orders given were strictly obeyed, ‘The “ Harry the Highth ”’ became as a beleaguered fortress, and Jonathan Wild, accompanied by his Jewish satellite, passed its threshold. While Jack Sheppard had been occupied! in watching his pursuers at the window, Dick Turpin had been deeply and equally engaged in another part of the room ; stealthily drawing a red phial from a secret pocket in his coat, he mingled the contents with those of a flask he held i in his hand. “Dam’me, Dick, the flunkies have peached,* and I shall be taken if you don’t stand my friend,” shouted Jack Sheppard, in desperation, ‘ Give me your snappers, I'll flipt one or two of them before I give up my worthless life.” “Hang it, Jack, never say die,” said Turpin, pettishly. « What's the use of winging the pigeon to fall by the swoop of the hawk? Don’t be in too great a fluster, and I warrant me I’ll put the Philis- tines off their scent.” “But how am I to escape? . Every door and window by this time is guarded.” Neyer mind; don’t make use of ’em,” said Turpin, jocosely,, © “But how am I to get out of the house 2 » “ Very easily.” ; _ “There is no time for fooling, Dick, ? replied Jack Sheppard, “ when my neck may be stretched before I’m many days older.” “JT quite agree with you. Hanging is not a subject for jesting,” continued the still composed mean * To peach—to give information. + To flip—to kill or wound, ‘“ Take a drop of this; ‘twill give you There was a peculiar and sinister look about Dick Turpin as he uttered this remark and handed some brandy to his companion, who seemed to be too much occupied to notice his expression of countenance. Jack Sheppard mechanically pressed the liquid 10 his lips, and gulped the contents of the vessel at a draught. As he was returning it, Abraham Mendez, as if by magic, popped his head in-at the door of ‘the apartment, favouring its occupants with a sardonic grin. ~ His head was the only portion: of his body per- mitted to enter, for the next moment he was flung heavily: downstairs, carrying in his fall the portly personage of the landlord and Jonathan Wild, both of whom were following on the Israelite’s footsteps. Jack Sheppard, taking advantage of the prostrate trio, leaped over them,’ and gained the entrance of the inn, As he emerged from the door, heoswas grasped tightly by an unexpected hand. Looking up, he beheld one of his late goalers. - There was no delay, no hesitation on the part of the highwayman. F A blow from his pistohmade his enemy bite the ust. Leaving the inert mass, with ‘the blood literally gushing from the wound, Jack Sheppard commenced running in direction of the field here a horse was waiting to receive him. His danger was not yet passed. At the outery, Jonathan Wild and his) men hastened to the spot from whence the sound pro- ceeded, while another difficulty presented itself in the path of the pursued robber. : Though the late terrible encounter was but the work of afew seconds, it: gave an advantage to those following in pursuit. | Threading the field, unprotected by bush’ or hollow, the fugitive was now a fair mark. | Ten weapons were raised, ten discharged. The deadly missiles passed swiftly by, but failed, providentally, to reach or hit him. He is still far in advance, but ie race is nearly | run. Arriving at the tree under which Black Bess was tethered, Jack Sheppard sank at her feet, and an extraordinary sensation overpowered him. His head felt light upon his shoulder, accom- panied by vertigo, or dizziness. His hands and . feet were cold, though his exer- tion had been excessive, while every object around him swelled to a gigantic size. Though in this strange state, he remained ,per- fectly conscious, but at the same time imperfectly able to control action, thought, or words, He fancied he saw a figure standing by his side, staring down, and staring at him. His confused ideas seemed to recognise the fama of Dick Turpin. He was watching, with.a grim smile, the efforts of Jack Sheppard to. raise himself, without any motion to assist him. The stupefied highwayman felt, as his sight,,.grew dimmer and dimmer, for a sealed. packet. The man at his'side made a sudden dash at it, but as suddenly checked himself, The suspicion of treachery now entered his head. The horrible idea did not daunt Jack Sheppard, but seemed to give a new impetus to his exertions, “T must resist this drowsiness,” he cried. ‘I must leave this spot while I have yet the power,