Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

260 CHAPTER CXV. -THE DEVIL’S PUNCH-BOWL—POLL MAGGOT AND ‘ HER GUESTS—HIGHWAYMEN VERSUS GAMBLERS —HOW SIR MAURICE LACY PROFFERED ASSIST- ANCE TO HIS FRIEND, AND THE MEANS’ BY ‘ WHICH HE INTENDED TO CARRY OUT THE SAME. Time had rolled onward and some ten months had elapsed since the supposed death of Dick Turpin, when a party of men were discovered one night seated in a tavern called ‘ The Devil’s Punch Bowl,” which tavern was also dignified by the name of the “House of Call” for highwaymen, for its fre- quenters were usually knights of the road, and in the present instance its spacious parlour was tenanted alone by that fraternity and professed card sharpers. ae Among the guests were two individuals already known to our readers, Sir Ranulph Gayton and Sir Maurice Lacy. 3 ; These men, of good birth, family, and education, were now the associates of the most abandoned characters. What had wrought this change? That most dangerous of all passions—play. | The destiny of the gambler, it has truly been said, is inscribed on the gates of hell. It makes the son ungrateful; the husband fe- morseless ; the father the foe of his offspring. But, dissertation apart, it is sufficient only for our purpose to say that the parties mentioned had fallen from their exalted station and become de- praved, unscrupulous, and worthless, . The interior of the tavern already alluded to presented a scene of animation and bustle. Its walls resounded with laughter, and its tables were covered with glasses and well-filled tankards, The jovial crew of guests were enjoying them- selyes, each according to his own taste, and prin- cipally engaged in singing the following song :— ‘‘ Here’s to the gallant cavalier ' That braves the road in quest of gold; Here’s to the nymph each heart holds dear, Ne’er to his love may she prove cold. Let the rosy wine flow; Let the toast go round, And every heart shall bear a part In pleasure’s festive bound.” There was no,one more conspicuous in the merry assemblage than the fair hostess, Poll Maggot. She was one of those women who seem to be younger and more attractive as they grow older. She had increased, it is true, in bulk, but her admirers only considered her plumpness an improve- ment, Her sleek tresses, her laughing eyes and smooth brow, set, as it were, care, solicitude, and old Father Time at a nonplus, Her guests, regaling themselves after their song, proposed the health of the mistress of the hostelry, A proceeding that was carried out with all due ceremony by the brawling company, accompanied with lusty shouting and a thumping of the tables. ‘‘T hope, my good sirs,”’ said Poll Maggot, laugh- ing, “that you do not expect me to return thanks individually for the honour you have done me; if 50, 1 shall have to occupy your attention from this time till to-morrow,” “You have only to speak and we are dumb- founded, mine hostess,” replied Sir Ranulph Gayton, The words of the speaker were somewhat thick and husky, and evidently provoked by the deep draughts of which he had partaken that evening. “T will sum up what i have to say in a few —_— -—_ ow ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. words, Sir Ranulph,” said Poll Maggot, with a smile, ‘it’s only to thank you, one and all, for your favours, and I must acknowledge that you, gentle- men of the road and town, have formed a merry and gallant band in my house. Lone widow that I am, since my /ast husband’s sudden death at Tyburn, I don’t know what would become of me but for your charitable visits.” fi ee One at the further end of the table now put in his veto ; it was the highwayman, Nat Rose. “ No more sighing about your husband, hostess,” he said, “ recollect sudden death is what we of the “ Post” are all subject to.” : The general laugh of the company having sub- sided, Poll Maggot addressed one of their number in particular, _“ Well, let us change the discourse to one more lively. By the way, Sir Ranulph Gayton, how goes on your love affair with Violet Tremaine, she that’s betrothed to Sir John Warbold, whom I shall never cease to call Roving Jack by name ?” “ Faith ! ill enough. Nothing can turn the maiden’s stubborn heart; however, no bird flies so high that it may not be taken by the fowler some day or other.” “ You are right,” said a voice, which had been hitherto silent. It was that of the celebrated gamester, Sir Maurice Lacy. 3: What if I lend you a hand,” he continued, “ to wing the fair prey you are speaking of, Sir Ranulph Gayton ?” : “You, Sir Maurice Lacy? And I pray you tell me how you can accomplish that in which I have hitherto so signally failed ?” “ The means are easy enough if I only have your permission to put them in force.” * How will you set about it ?” f ‘“ My intention is to ruin the lover of the fair mistress, Violet Tremaine, at play.”’ ‘“’ Have a care how you ruin people,” interrupted Poll Maggot ; *‘ recollect that my former paramour, Jack Sheppard, who, you treacherously gave into the hands of justice, I hear is lurking about the town, ° and threatens your life if chance permits that you should meet him,” ‘There is no fear of that, Poll,” answered Sir Maurice, ‘‘ Jack Sheppard is safely locked in prison,”’ “Granted,” exclaimed Poll Maggot, ‘yet you may not be so secure as you fancy, for ’tis said, and with some truth, that the prison is not bui at can hold gallant Jack Sheppard.” While this conversation was going forward most of the company had finished their glasses, and now began to call for a fresh supply. ** Hola, hostess !” cried one. “More brandy, more brandy,” vociferated another. “To the cellar, Poll, or we must do the office for ourselves,’’ exclaimed the rest. With such admonitions as these, the buxom woman could do no other than attend to the sur- rounding claiour, | As she did so, we must return to our friends, the dissolute b.ronets. “ Well,” said Sir Ralph Gayton, addressing, and coming forward to Sir Maurice Lacy, “‘ you were talking of serving me in the affair of Violet Tremaine, for whom you know I have suddenly taken a great passion,” Yes,” replied the other gentleman, ‘ you have been my friend, and I will prove yours, Ihave scores to settle with this Roving Jack, and I shall not be satisfied till I have witnessed his downfall. Tutored by my instructions, since his accession to oO Eomichooks co