Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

238 ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. must take de sounding of dis place to see how de gat jomp.” ‘Your wants will be readily supplied when you have answered my questions,” ‘‘Broceed, yah, nain spraicken. Not a vord— hold mine schnapps-lapper quiet like Bemgarten church-yard in vinter,’’ ‘In the first place, tell me what has become of Jael? She was standing here ‘just now, but has vanished like a phantom.” “Dat ish not so clear to me as you, mynheer.” “ You are trifling with me, Wirth; it is impossible she could have left the spot without passing you. Come, tell me which road she has taken? ” “Sdop, I vant to speak, Did you say Jael?” ‘“Yes, the gipsy girl.” “She is a prave frau ; do she love you?” ‘‘ No—but that is of no consequence.” ‘By de moder of mein fader! I know vhat vill make de kinchen love you dearly.” ‘‘ Name it,” “Sdop again, You let me seein mine hant five hundred pounds, and I promise you shall make one present to de lady, in return for vhich she shall tank you kindly and love you forit, Dere, is it a bar- gain?” “My hand upon it,” ‘“Goot; to-morrow night, if you keep your vaith mit me, I shall be as goot asmy vord. Meet me here, and——” At this moment, the sound of a footfall being heard, the plotters separated, each taking a differ- ent road. Wolfgang, looking after his retreating companien, who, with hasty steps, was making his way for the neighbouring Mint, muttered to himself, ‘Der debil take you for von bad-hearted tief! I drust you so far as I can see you, mein friend. Yes, T haf got vot they call a rod in pickle for you dat shall dickle your doby, all zo as if you was squat down in a pot of poiling pitch mit notin’ but your skin to cover you.” *K 2 + * * The celebrated tavern of the “Cross Shovels ” stood at the eastern angle of the Mint, Its principal room was very spacious, but very low. Its floor was ever covered with tables, tankards, and guests, who were principally composed of gallants, topers, and profligate women. It was now night, and the disreputable house, glaring with fire and candle, looked in the distance like a farrier’s forge, compared with the heavy atmosphere that hung about its open door, The sounds of drinking, swearing, and alterca- tion, resounded within the tavern: from which might be discerned swarms of confused figures, engaged in such unprofitable occupations. From the interior, let the reader wandér to the exterior of this abode, He will there find a man, walking to and fro, not unlike to a sentry before his box. This man is watching all who énter or leave the place before which he is parading, A muffled cloak conceals his features, and de- scending lowly, entirely disguises his person. At length the tavern door, which had been sud- denly closed, opened, It was for this signal he appeared to be Waiting. Two of the roysterers who had been drinking, staggered out by the portal, The gleam of light that escaped from it disclosed their faces. The man wearing the cloak stationed himself in a dark recess, to observe and then to follow them: a CQ IChoOks.co “The bell of St. Mary’s Overie has struck seven,” said one of the tipplers ; “this is the hour I have made an appointment with Jael.” “‘Donder and blixen,” replied his associate, with an articulation anything but distinct. “ Dese womens are no petter than a parcel of damaged foots ; and take more trouble for one, dan I would give for the whole sex if you could tie them up in von betticoat.” | ‘““Why, friend,” said the other, “it strikes me you are drunk, or, as you sailors say, three sheets in the wind.” ““Yaw—yaw, that is very proper what you call goot,” rejoined the addressed, reeling, and stum- bling. ‘‘ When the shoolp is loaded, you may scut mitout de ballast.” In the last speaker no doubt will be recognised Wirth Wolfgang. And in his companion the illustrious and re- nowned Tom King. The zigzag path into which these worthies were drawn was closely followed by him who was watch- ing thent, still enveloped in the ample folds of the mantle that covered him, ~ “In the name stingo and brandy wine, man,” exclaimed Tom King, “try to keep your perpen- dicular, or I must leave you to your fate; time flies, I tell you, and I’ve an appointment at eight.’ The exhortation of the highwayman seemed to have anything but its effect on the Hollander, who shortly propped his body in propinquity with a wall, then descended with it heavily into a gutter. The next moment the fallen individual was snoring in a “thorough bass,” while Tom King uttered a curse, and away he went. The man in the cloak followed him, leaving the Dutchman to sleep by himself under the canopy of heaven, They had no sooner departed than the Dutchman became suddenly sober, rose from his slumbers, and bent his steps to a neighbouring hovel, in which Jonathan Wild was awaiting his arrival. We will leave the thief-taker and Wirth Wolf- gang in company, and follow on the footsteps of Tom King and his pursuer. The highwayman had reached the bridle-way of Blackfriar’s, leading to an open space of land designated as St. George’s Fields, While here, he perceived that some one was pur- suing him, Chancing to turn his eyes, he saw a shadow immediately behind him,- Tom King stopped ; the figure stopped. He walked on ; the figure walked on also. He felt some alarm at the discovery, but con- tinued his journey, . Having arrived at the “ Monk’s Oak ” (the spot upon which the Obelisk now stands), he once more looked around him. yer The then lonely spot was absolutely deserted, and nothing was to be seen but the same dark figure which was approaching him with slow steps. So slow that he had time sufficient to observe well his hat and cloalk. When within afew paces, the strange visitant paused, and remained motionless as a marble statue, His eye was lit up by that vague slare which jens from that of a beast of prey in its darkened air. Tom King, who was brave and would have scorned a pair of snappers levelled at his head, literally trembled at the sight of the man before him, who seemed as one petrified, He stood for some minutes in silence, hesitating