Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 282: what you’re looking at

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

302 ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER, pe continued the speaker, ‘ with the idea that by par- taking of a potion prepared by ancient sages—— “ The elexir of life. ‘Man could attain a length of days, outnumber- ing those even enjoyed by the patriarchs of old. “ Tllusion—error,”’ “The drugs used in the confection of that potent draught were but the simple medicaments of the earth, sent to raise to its office exhausted nature. Hence ignorance has stamped as a miracle a common human power. The restorative is used by the sons of modern science in cases of suspended animation, ‘‘ A trance, it is sometimes called. Into such an ecstacy you had fallen, and from which the pungent properties of the chemicals fused by the Dutchman have drawn you. ts. “ Take my word for it, Jack Sheppard,” continued our hero, ‘there is no more magic than this in the go called ‘ Elixir of Life.’ ” We will now touch upon the concluding remarks made in this curious confabulation, ‘‘The world believes you dead,” said our hero, still ad@ressing the highwayman. “It is better for you and your welfare that they think so still.” ‘‘Ha! Wherefore?” “ You seem surprised, nevertheless I will repeat the assertion.” *‘ Your reason ?” ‘Tis a simple one,” said Roving Jack. ‘‘ For the few years I have known you, 1 have ever thought you were intended for a different part to that which you have played on the world’s stage. You possess a noble disposition, apt parts, and a daring spirit.” continued our hero, ‘‘and should have written your name in different characters on the scroll of fame,” . T see your drift, Sir John,” replied Jack Shep- pard, “You can guess it.” “ You would have me quit the road ?” “Yes,” » ‘©T cannot,” “Why?” “The fearless and venturons life has charms for one formed as myself, for which [I am at a loss to express.” During the conversation, Roving Jack had noticed a peculiar restlessness and inquietude about his companion, On inquiry he found that the highwayman’s left arm had been injured by the shot he had intended to take away his life, Upon examination of the wound, it was dis- covered that unless attended to mortification would set in almost immediately. To prevent such a ealamity, Roving Jack in- sisted that he must have a surgeon’s aid. The question now arose in his mind, how he should obtain it without causing suspicion as to whom or what the patient might be, Wishing to preserve fully the incognito of Jack Sheppard, our hero suddenly thought of a plan by which he might accomplish his desired object, Touching an alarum that stood on the table near him, he summoned to his presence Wirth Wolf- gang and Blueskin, For what purpose, the incidents related in the next chapter will clearly prove, CHAPTER OXXXIi, HOW WIRTH WOLFGANG AND BLUESKIN ENTRAPPED THE DOCTOR, AND HOW JACK SHEPPARD PRO- PITED BY SUCH A PROCEEDING, THE night was both stormy and dark as Wirth Wolfgang and Blueskin traversed a lonely thorough- fare situate in the north-eastern district lying ad- jacent to the great metropolis. ? 3 They were muffled in cloaks which, while they protected their wearers from the tempest that was raging, also concealed their persons from the eye of curiosity. “Tt is a singular request, mein friend,” said Wirth Wolfgang, who had hitherto pursued his way in silence, “ but I suppose dere is goot reason for it,’ “Yes, mounseer,” replied Blueskin, who eyer favoured the Dutchman with a semi-French appel- lation, “It is Sir John’s orders, and our duty to obey them, seeing that he has always been a friend to our brotherhood,”’ Ja, what you say is true,” “ Besides, it is to serve ——” Jack Sheppard ?” “ Hush ! no names; we are sworn to secrecy, and blabbing might disclose the whereabouts of the captain, who has so cleverly slipt out of the hang- man’s noose.” “Tam dumb as Bumgarten churchyard in winter,” rejoined Wirth Wolfgang, glancing up and down the road as if to ascertain whether or not any one had heard his indiscreet remark. ‘“‘T would not,” he continued timorously, “ hand over the kinchen to Jean Ketch for all de yealth of my native city, Amsterdam.” ‘I believe you,” replied Blueskin, hastily, and turning the conversation away from the subject spoken of, ‘“* But how,” continued the robber, “do you think we can most readily find out this doctor?” ‘“By a cautious inquiry,’ answered the other. “Tet us stand out of de rain for a few moments, be- neath dis porch, vhere ve can consider how ye shall proceed in dis affair.” As he spoke, the Dutchman indicated a rude out- house which stood adjoining an old-fashioned tavern on the road they were trayelling, Here Blueskin and his companion remained till _ the rain, which appeared likely to cease, had abated, They were leaving this temporary shelter when they encountered a gentlemanly-looking man who had issued from the tavern above named, He was habited in a suit of dark cloth, and by his demeanour was evidently a person of superior position, “There is no satisfying waiters,’’ he muttered to himself, as he was fastening the strings of the purse he carried in his hand. ‘ Five shillings, I thought, was very handsome for the trifling accommodation I have received, and, to exact more, wonld posi- tively have been nothing less than an extortion, and against such proceedings I will always set my face.” The speaker here looked upwards and seemed to be contemplating the state of the weather, “Yes,” he continued, ‘I shall get home to my wife, after all, with a dry skin, for the storm, which threatened to be of some duration, is blowing off as fast as it can,” Wirth Wolfgang, who had been silently watch- ing the individual thus communicative to himself, now jostled against him and greeted him with the ominous monosyllable— At the word the accosted wayfarer started and thrust the purse he still exposed into his most con- venient pocket, Recovering his composure, he eyed his oppo- nents narrowly, and at once put them down on the tpbleh of his impeinséion as robbers, | species of fellowship most rigidly to avoided, especially when the ae aha weapons, oO com choo (SucO a ————— | 3 eore e