Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 202: what you’re looking at

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229 ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. this point, and a,vigorous frost setting in, it was filled with floatingice. — Undaunted by fatigue, and benumbed by the cold, he remained in the moat, until he had suc- ceeded in forcing a second passage through the wall, lying on its margin at the further side. At the sight he gave way to transport, and was moved to tears. As he sprang through the last opening, the watch came round with their lanterns, and from the gal- lery above, cast their lights upon the fugitive. Just as the clock struck the fifth hour of morn- ing, Jack Sheppard was on the high road. The prison guns fired, and all was bustle and commotion behind him, sounding alarms to follow in his pursuit. es te 3 , CHAPTER XCIX, THE (MEETING OF ‘THE ROBBER-BAND IN HORNSEY WOOD ON MIDWINTER NIGHT-=—-TRAVELLERS “IN ) THE SNOW—THE CROSS OF GOLD—JACGK SHEP- ' PARD’S INTERFERENCE:AND STRANGE INTERVIEW WITH VIOLET TREMAINE, It was-towards the close of the eventful day spoken of in our last chapter that a company of highway- men were seen to secret themselves in the intricacies of Hornsey Wood. Their object in doing so was to waylay several rich travellers who were expected to pass that way on their road to London. ~ As the desolate country and wild region were clad in snow, each of the band was nestling in the warm fur cloak that covered him, and the whole of the men were stationed round a fire composed of wood gathered from the dismantled trees surround- ing them. Impatient of delay, the robbers had placed them- selves in a position which commanded a view of the open road, All were supplied with flasks of brandy, and seemed to drink deeply to the success of the ex- pedition for which they were thus assembled. “Tt is strange,” said Tom Fielder, “‘ that we have heard no news of the runaway.” , ‘‘ Captain Sheppard has good reasons for keeping out of sight,” replied Blueskin ; ‘he’s not the man to desert his pals when there’s danger threatening | them, or business to be done.” ‘Well, Blueskin,” said Nat Rose, ‘I know you've a sneaking kindness for Jack, and would always have a good word for him, if he gave you a ride backwards down Holborn Hill; but still I must say that his absence in the present instance is very un- satisfactory, and——” “Stop, stop,” interrupted Blueskin ; ‘‘ mayhap he don’t know of the ‘lay,’ seeing as how he only slipped the darbies at Moorfields this blessed morn- ing.’ | ‘Oh, bless ye, Edgeworth Bess ‘has put him up to it ; she’s concealed at old Ishmael’s, as he knows, and he wouldn’t be an hour out of limbo without paying het'a visit. Ina word, Blueskin,” continued the highwayman, “TI have, for’ some time, had my doubts as to Captain Sheppard, and my suspicions aroused respecting his inattention to the ‘interests of our fraternity.” “Captain Sheppard has lost his wonted courage ever since he formed’ a friendship with that fellow ‘Roving Jack,’” said Fielder. ‘ Plunder, which | used to be’ his aim, he now shrinks from, and, as | I’m a freebooter, I think he would hardly dare to | rob a hen-roost, if he had no eggs for breakfast.” GomiGc oneKo) | “You are right, Tom:Fielder !” exclaimed another of the gang, “for, as I am treasurer to this ere respectable society of toll collectors, I knows that the mopusses are uncommon scarce of late, and that my official office has become, in parliamentary language, a sinekoor (sinecure). Not a copper have I*had in charge for the last six hours,’’ continued the individual, ‘‘and, therefore, as I hate idleness, I begin to think of quitting this lawiess life, and return once again to flue-faking.” * ‘*A marvellous good resolution, my pippin,” mut- tered Blueskin, the lieutenant of the party, ‘ But, remember, Master Simon Smut, that as you’ve only entered our society lately, we must have no shirking, no sheering off to the enemy, no traitors,”’ “Lor bless yer, Mr. Blueskin,” replied Simon, “Though my spirit for adventure has led me into many difficulties, I don’t think any one can accuse me of snitching.+ I respects myself too much for that ; besides, didn’t I swear Li “ Yes, most roundly, when you were collared the last time we were crib-cracking.”’{ . | 6) ij ‘No, I don’t mean that sort of wulgarexpression, I mean that I’ve taken a sacrament’ oath to be faithful and true to the lads of the ‘high-toby,’” ‘ Yes,’ replied Blueskin, coolly ; ‘‘ but the chances are, wy queer cull, that you would forget your oath for the sake of the reward that has been so liberally offered by the government for the apprehension of one and all of us.” ““Do you doubt my honour, Mr. Blueskin ?” “ Honour ?” “Yes; I’ve always heerd about honour among thieves, and I wish to make myself agreeable to the company I keeps.” : ‘None of your soft sawder, I tell you plainly, young soot-bag ; that, as you have thought fit to enter into our hazardous seryice, so you must remain in it until——” ““ Yes, how long?” | ‘Until death or Tyburn Tree shall. relieve you from all further obligation.” ~ : : While Blueskin was yet speaking, the lights of a distant carriage were seen, and its dark outline visible in the snow-covered roadway. Felder and Rose were directed to give an account — of the travellers, to bring them to the robber’s _ rendezvous, when they might, at their leisure, ease their pockets. rea wt Immediately upon the order given, the two high- waymen hurried away. : . In afew minutes a piercing shriek was heard and before Blueskin had time to ascertain from whence it proceeded, Fielder and. Rose returned. They bore with them a female, The richness of her attire, and nobility of her mein proclaimed her as one of the wealthy class who dwelt in London, ) On perceiving her, Blueskin assumed a humble deportment. Ne took off his hat, and approaching with much seeming diffidence, exclaimed, ‘ ‘“T ask your pardon, fair lady, for interrupting you in your jcurney ; but as we are poor, take pity on us and bestow your alms.” ney ‘““What would you?” demanded the terrified Violet Tremaine, for such was the name of the prisoner who had fallen into the hands. of this fierce banditti, a ‘‘We would possess ourselves of whatever valuables you may haye about you. For instance,” continued * Plue-faking—chimney-sweeping, } Snitching— betraying. , t Crib-tracking—breaking into a house,