Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

224 Sheppard, in conclusion, “as I do, is a theft; but to impose an unjust tax on the people, and squander away the public wealth, is perfectly just and justi- fiable.” “You are jesting; this is unseeming levity,” answered Violet. “TI do not jest, my good lady,” exclaimed the robber. ‘Rogues you know must live; pilferers will be pilferers, whether upon the road, or in more dignified stations.” On a signal from Jack Sheppard, the carriage of. Violet Tremaine drew up to the spot upon which she was standing, ‘‘But your horses are ready,” said he, pointing to the animals pawing the ground, as if anxious for their mistress’s reception into the vehicle they were drawing. ‘‘You are at liberty to depart, madam, whenever it shall please you.” “ Before I go, receive from my hand this ring.” Jack Sheppard received the gift from Violet Tremaine, while a low bow on his part seemed to give a tacit and speedy assent to her wishes. “Tf,” she continued, “I am not greatly mistaken, you will, ere long, quit your lawless life, and, should the bandage fall from your eyes, and re- pentance enter your soul, present that ring’ at the gate of the Royal Palace, and whatever your danger, whatever.your situation, aid will come to you.” ~_ “TI shall remember your kind offer, lady fair, and I trust, ere long, to be able to put them to the test.” With the words, Jack Sheppard led Violet Tremaine to her carriage, and, having seen her safely seated, he waited, apparently in deep re- flection, till the vehicle was far out of sight, CHAPTER C, JACK SHEPPARD QUITS THE BAND—HIS ARRIVAL AT 8T, JOHN’S GATE—THE FAITHFUL CHAMBER- MAID—THE STRANGER IN THE NEXT’ ROOM— HOW THE INTENDED VICTIM FOILED AND DE NOUNCED THE ASSASSIN, cate SHEPPARD once more returned to his com- rades, He was both surprised and enraged at beholding the coldness and hauteur with which he was received by them. “Why, how now, Blueskin,” he exclaimed, angrily, “you look out of temper.”’ “Then do I look as I feel, captain,” replied the party addressed, with a brow scowling with rage and disappointment, “Well, your anger matters but little,” replied Jack Sheppard, “for we are now about to part— perhaps for ever.” Not more suddenly does the falcon turn at the call of her master than did Blueskin start at the words his comrade had uttered. He peered into his face as if to seek some further confirmation as he stammered out, ‘You don’t mean that, Jack, do you?” “Aye, but I do,” replied the highwayman, ‘ or in other words, Iam about to turn honest, 1 shall abandon you and the band.” “ By heaven, I thought so!” exclaimed Tom Fielder, ferociously. As he spoke, he drew a clasped knife from his belt, Stealthily he crept towards Jack Sheppard. In another moment the deadly weapon had been plunged in his breast but for Blueskin. The latter arrested the blow, and whispered in the ruffian’s ear. “Hold, Fielder, this must not be, nor dare to stain your blade inthe blood of him who has been 80 long the favoured of but gallant fraternity ! gammon, ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. Nay ! look not so fiercely,” continued he, “ or you dangle from the mare with three legs * in a jiffey,” Turning towards Jack Sheppard, Blueskin ad- dressed him— . “ And so you would turn honest, eh? ’Psha, you are clean gone mad to a certainty.” — “ Yes,”’ replied Jack Sheppard, calmly, “I shall hasten to London and seek that fortune chance may throw in my way.” | “Now, if I could not blow out my brains with the pistol [hold inmy hand,” muttered the faith- ful tobyman, ‘ “ Nay, I know you will not do that, Blueskin, because—” 5 ied “ Because what ?” ** Because you love me, man.”’ ‘‘ That’s true,” replied Blueskin, hastily, ‘‘ and no I’ve shared your perils like 2. man, and I'll follow you to the world’s end like a dog. Now tell me Jack,” he continued, “ why are you about to quit the honorable profession in which you haye embarked,” eae “‘T shall not quit if,” answered the highwayman. ‘‘ Tshall be a robber still, bu& on a broader scale. The harm is not in thieving, man, but in the méans employed. The fraudulent bankrupt stalks abroad often when the honest debtor rots in gaol. ‘“‘ If you work against the law as we do,” said Jack Sheppard, in continuation. . ‘‘ You gain little, and work in the dark; but come, clear up this cloud, Blueskin, look better tempered. We have known each other long—very long.” “Yes, captain, many’s the crib we’ve cracked to- gether when pale Oliver has put on his night-cap,”’ “ Well, those days are over, we must shake hands and say good bye, unless, indeed, you will go with me. What say you, old friend?” | ‘a en No,” answered Blueskin, doggedly, “* the road is the best home for the brave, and I should cuta sorry figure in genteel society, where ‘ The priest calls the lawyer a cheat, While the lawyer be-knaves the divine, _ And the statesman, because he’s so great, Thinks his trade is as honest as mine.’ No, Jack, I can’t be honest if I would. I was born to be a prig, and man can’t control his destiny.”’ Both Jack Sheppard and Blueskin remained. silent for a moment. | After the pause the latter was the first to speak. “Well, for old acquaintance, captain, I won't send you into the world without something in your pocket ; take this purse.” It was one that had been taken from Violet T'remaine, and appeared well filled, vid ‘Take it,’ continued Blueskin, forcing the money ; on his unwilling companion, “for it may be a long time before you get the first proceeds of your new trade, ‘honesty,’” “ Blueskin,” said Jack Sheppard, “ since you will take no refusal, I will accept the sum as a loan only ; but mark you, it will be repaid, and with compound interest, too,” | ‘“As you like, boy, as you like. I know your proud spirit before to-day. But remember,’ con- tinued the old robber, moved to tears, ‘ these arms, —my cabin will be ever ready to receive you when | you have discovered the infidelity of the world.’ ; ‘And remember you, Joe, that whatever be my fate—whatever befal me, you will hold.the chief place in Jack Sheppard’s heart,” ind With these words the highwayman tore himself - from the embrace that Blueskin had offered him, - Mounting a horse, he rode rapidly away, and shaped his course in the direction of London, * Dangle from the mare with three legsto inne. iGbooksscom CCOLM {oO ales