Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

280 Dee ee eee ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. where Redmond O’Hanlon, disguised as Slashing Nat Wetherby, managed to carry on his old trade of robbery with every success, he Having given this trifling history of the indivi- dual in question, we proceed t@ the point at which we broke off. Sir Ranulph Gayton, alias Geoffrey Bradshaw, had no sooner encountered the new comer than he returned his salutation. The meeting was a propos ; the Hibernian was just the person the wily baronet wanted, the very man to aid him in his design. He had a firm hand and a stout heart, and possessed all the distinguishing characteristics of a fine gentleman. , 49 Added to these, were a perfect knowledge of the world, a captivating address, and perfect indepen- dence of the law of “‘meum et tuum,” or, in other words, he paid no respect to’the relative position of property. “We are well met,” said Geoffrey Bradshaw, grasping fervently the hand of Nat Wetherby. “I have been wishing for a friend, and fate has sent me one.” “You don’t say so,” replied, the party addressed, winking at his insidious companion, as much as to say that he had only his word for the assertion. ‘*You are one of those illustrious heroes,” con- tinued the other, ‘of whom posterity will be proud. “Who can finger a trigger, or handle a knife, like ‘illigant ’ Redmond O’Hanlon? . ** Who can produce such a dare-devil squadron as those who composed hisband? - _- - , “Show me, if you can, his equal in trotting a tit from its stable, or diving-a fam into’a cly.’’ . “ We've had enough, in all conscience, about the Irishman,” interrupted Ned~ Bush, ‘“hadn’t we better turn our attention now to those sounds which strike like music on our ears ?” This remark had been called forth by a merry peal of bells from the neighbouring church. The presence of a spirit of- noise, mirth, and caprice spoke from each brazen mouth, and at once seemed to keep up a perpetual rejoicing by their clamour, “Pleasant bells those, very,’’ observed Nat Wetherby ; “quite different to those of St. Sepul- chre’s, which I heard this morning from a cell in Newgate,” Bradshaw eyed his associate shrewdly, and, after a pause, remarked, “Can you tell me, Nat, why those tinklers are ringing so gaily?” “Why, I believe,” he replied, ‘ that is, I've been told—mark me, I don’t assert it as a fact, but, still, I hear—that there’s a wedding taking place,” ‘“A wedding ?”’ ‘"Yes.” “Do you know the name of the bridegroom ?”’ hastily enquired Bradshaw,” ‘Well, if my information be correct,” replied Nat Wetherby, drily, ‘‘the name of the wretched victim is no other than Roving Jack.” ‘That is right, quite right ; so you have received the intelligence on good authority,” “Sir John Warbold is a happy dog,” continued the highwayman, ‘‘for the fortune of his wife will be paid down immediately after the marriage ceremony,’ ‘Indeed ! this interests me. I was not aware of such a fact,” said Geoffrey Bradshaw, on hearing the avowal, which at once changed the current of his thoughts, and troubled them anew. ‘The lady's name,’ he continued, “is Violet Tremaine, and the proud structure, with its rich domains, before which AUG we are standing, have been held by her family for centuries.” “So I believe,’ replied Nat Wetherby, whose further remarks were interrupted by the contem- plation of the following scene. It was the return of the wedding party to the ancestral home of the father of the bride, Sir Jocelyn Tremaine, ~- He headed the cavalcade, close behind him rode five or six gentlemen, and then came a carriage in which were seated the newly-married couple, Sir John and Lady Warbold. The features of our hero were somewhat pale, as might naturally be expected from the anxiety he had suffered from that. fatal passion, gambling, which had so nearly brought him to utter ruin. - But his determined manner and firm deportment, evinced to all who beheld him that he had become an altered and a wiser man, Violet, the bride, appeared painfully agitated, First becoming white as marble, anon suffused with blushes, Murmurs of impassioned homage from the spec- tators greeted her as she pursued her way. And there appeared not a man, of the many who gazed.upon her, but would have given his life for a favouring regard, | The approach of the cortege had been watched by the inmates of the mansion destined to receive our hero and the guests. ~ -Their best wishes are with him. The flag ever used upon auspicious occasions is floating from the summit of its tower. Its appearance is regarded as a favourable omen, and the neighbours for miles around flock to the given signal, . When the horsemen and carriage arrived at the avenue, all alighted. Roving Jack and Violet leading the way, walked slowly along the broad gravel path towards the principal entrance: The doors were thrown open. And a crowd of servants rushed forth to bid wel- come to the happy couple. They passed on and entered the hall, followed by Sir Jocelyn Tremaine, and the company invited to the entertainment that was provided in the spacious room adjoining, Here was exhibited to the view of the assemblaze numerous tables, and glittering buffets, arrrayed with all the appliances concurrent with a feast. Everywhere the walls of this apartment were festooned with flowers fragrant and blooming as the spring. While mirrors wreathed with roses reflected the gleaming plate and sumptuous fare, beneath which the festive board seemed to groan. We will now leave the scene of festivity, and those participating in it, and retire to an adjoining chamber, It is evening, and sunset gilds the groves seen from the window. While the grey mist which hangs over the afar off meadows proclaims that night is rapidly travel- ling on, The apartment itself appeared lonely in the glimmery twilight. It was ascended by a broad oaken staircase, sup- plied with curiously carved banistersand a richly- moulded ceiling, Tapestry adorned its interior, and squares of black and white marble formed a flooring, The room was large, antiquely furnished, and decorated by a single portrait painted upon a panel with the date—1588. comichbookssGcom -