Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 271: what you’re looking at

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

ee, ee SSS... 2::°5050989KCKeeQ_— ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. 291 eee 6 eal eal alll toe nl iid ee “Nat Wetherby !” she murmured to herself ; ‘why this is the very man Edgeworth Bess seeks to betray.” Resuming the conversation, she turned to the highwayman and said, in a tone which inferred doubt, ‘‘And do you mean to say that you have never heard of my exploits?” “ How the devil should I, seeing that your face is unknown to me?” “True ;-I had forgot that,” said Violet, boldly, “Of course you’ve heard of Fly-by-Night Dick ?” ‘““ What, ‘ the little’ wonder that——” “I am he,” interrupted: Violet, piqued; “but don’t cast aspersions on my size, I shall grow bigger, never fear ; my soul is too large to be con- fined in so small a body.” “Well, don’t be offended,” said Nat Wetherby, with a conciliatery smile; “I know you to be an ornament to the profession of prigging.” “ But as yet. I have been in an inferior grade to if,’ continued Violet, ‘To-morrow night, how- ever, [ commence on the ‘ High Spice Toby.’ ” “The devil you do,” replied Nat Wetherby, surprised at the announcement ; “ I’ve taken a par- ticular liking to you—you are one of my own kidney —all pluck and —~—” ‘““No gammon,” suggested the individual re- joicing in the name of Fly-by-Night Dick. “Ttell you what I’ll do—I’ll show you how to transact business on the road—we must work together,” The words had scarcely been uttered when Violet was startled by the presence of a third person, It was Edgeworth Bess! . She had entered the room somewhat abruptly. Seeing a stranger init, she naturally recoiled, and was about to leave, when Nat Wetherby pre- vented the action and spoke as follows :-— ‘Tt’s all right, Bess, this fine little bantam cock is one of my pals, He is going to make his first appearance on the mouching lay to-morrow night, and as I am anxious he should come off with credit——” “He is giving me instructions how to proceed,” interrupted Violet, suddenly struck with an idea, _* Pray heaven it fail not!” “What ought I to say?” continued she, address- ing Nat Wetherby. “Well, I’ll tell you,” replied the highwayman, “ We will suppose you are mounted on a spanking rad.” 3 “ Scampering about the heath with ‘a ‘fine sky above me?”’ “Yes ; the moon shall be shining brightly,” “ But, always hidden at the moment you wish her dark,’’ added Violet, by way of parenthesis. “Suddenly, you hear the sound of wheels in the © distanee ; you curb your rein and draw ‘out your weapons.”’ To give a perfect ‘illustration of the preceding remark, Nat Wetherby, with the last words, brought out a brace of pistols. : He then started, pointed the fire-arms, and putting himself in what might be termed a graceful attitude, continued, “Your money or your life!” “Your watch—your diamonds—ah ! I beg pardon I see a lady.”’ Nat Wetherby, then with a grace that might have done credit to Claude Duval himself, as he spoke took off his hat to Edgeworth Bess, whom he considered as the representative of a female traveller, “ Be not alarmed, madam,’’ he continued, “I am Fly-by-Night Dick, who never yet hurt a woman,” “Nor ever will,” rejoined the other. ‘*‘T’ll trouble you for your earrings, “The only reason I take them is because they hide your beautiful throat. “Your necklace I take for the same reason. 4 “Then, of course,” continued Nat Wetherby, with the coolest nonchalance imaginable; “ you get your cash, jewels, et cetera, et cetera; you make a low bow to the damsel, a slight one to the gentleman, and bid them good night,” * Oh, I think I can do all that,” “Very good,” continued Nat Wetherby; “but now let’s see what notion you have of robbing a carriage,” “Oh, I’ve no notion whatever,” replied Violet, diffidently, “Then what is the use of your going to the heath to-morrow night?” ‘To rob single travellers,” ‘* My dear lad, it’s a thousand times better to rob a Carriage, |because you get three or four times as much by it, Come; suppose we rehearse that now? Come here, Bess,” continued Nat Wetherby, “you and J will be again the travellers.” Edgeworth Bess, who had witnessed the previous scene with something like contempt, refused to take a part in what she called the “mummery.”’ Sulkily, she reminded her paramour that his con- federates were expecting him anxiously below, and that they were waiting for the will of Admiral Warbold he had been sent for, Nat Wetherby assured her that it was quite se- cure ; deposited safely in the strong-box which stood in the room ; and that as she had the key he would instantly produce it, but first he was deter- mined to finish the task he had commenced—that of instructing Fly-by-Night-Dick in his intended calling. The highwayman had taken quite an in- terest in the lad, and his welfare was certainly an object of consideration, Disputation at an end, Nat Wetherby placed two chairs side by side. One of these was occupied by Edgeworth Bess the other by himself, “Now, Fly-by-Night,” he continued, addressing Violet, ‘we will suppose I and Bess are travellers in a Carriage.” if Wes7” “Then stop us,”’ “Well,” said Violet, naively, “ what’s the use of my stopping you when I have no pops?”’ ‘‘ Ah, that’s true! here, take my barkers; but mind how you handle them, for they are loaded to the very muzzles.” Violet had no sooner received the pistols than she rushed to the door and doubly locked it, ‘Nat Wetherby and Edgeworth Bess for the mo- ment could not account for this singular proceeding on the part of Fly-by-Night. Suddenly, a conviction, swift as a lightning flash, darted across the highwayman. ~ He had been betrayed ! Before the door stood Violet. The weapons with which she had been provided by Nat Wetherby were pointed at his head, while these words fell upon his ear— “JT mean neither of you mischief,’ Violet ex- claimed ; “therefore as you value life be wise and consent to my proposals,” ‘‘ Name them |” ‘Firstly ; I see there is a key hanging from the waist of your mistress.” “’Tis the key of yonder box which contains a parchment of the greatest value.” ‘That must be mine.”’ “Go on,” said Wetherby, smiling in rage. “ Having delivered the key, Nat Wetherby, you COMMU OOOKS (CO)