Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

—_—— 44 ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. “My dear, kind friends,” said Roving Jack, while happy tears sparkled in his proud, flashing feyes, “I am conscious of my own unworthiness—I know that I have done nothing by which I could deserve these expressions of your generous sympathy and warm affection—I know that this demonstration , proceeds from the spontaneous impulse of your own kind nature, from the outburst of generous pleasure felt by your kind hearts at beholding a poor, humble boy, born amongst you, suddenly raised to a position of unhoped-for wealth and distinction. Yet be assured that I will for. ever strive my utter- most, both as lord of this manor, and as your favoured friend, to win your cherished love and esteem, and, as far as lies in my power, to help those in distress, to make peace between those who are at emnity with each other, to improve the lands, and to bring prosperity and comfort to the humblest homes in Seaborough. God grant me strength and wisdom to fulfil this vow !” **God bless the noble lad !” cried the men, ‘The flower and pride of the village |’’ responded the women. “Hurrah for Roving Jack, the Lord of the Manor, the Prince of Jolly Good Fellows, and the King of the s Robber hunters !” shouted the brave Boy Band, CHAPTER XVIII. ROVING JACK’S CAREER IN LONDON— THE OLD BLACK LION IN WYCH STREET. LET our youthful readers imagine themselves trans- ported to the quaint old street near Drury Lane bearing the familiar name that heads the present chapter. In those days, every shop had its sign, and on either side of the narrow thoroughfare were hung the various quaint symbols of the various trades carried on in the tall, dark, strangely-gabled houses. At one corner was the figure of a man in armour, opposite to which swung the tabard of a dirty, dis- reputable-looking tavern called the “Black Lion,” famous as the haunt of Jack Sheppard, Blueskin, and various other scoundrels of the same class, who have won by their crimes such an evil notoriety. Beyond this hung an immense glove, carved in gilded wood ; beyond that a monstrous key, with other like devices bespeaking the occupation of the various inhabitants.* It was in the dusk of the evening, before the dim oil lamps—or, rather, lanterns—which then served to illumine—or, rather, to make visible—the dark- ness of the dirty streets, had been lighted, that two distinguished-looking youths paused at the door of the ‘* Black Lion,” One of them, a supremely noble and handsome boy, was richly dressed in a mourning suit of black velvet, a three-cornered hat trimmed with crape, black silk stockings, and shoes with diamond buckles, and wearing a small sword by his side, His companion was attired in a gayer style, wearing a sky-blue coat richly brocaded with gold lace, a laced cocked hat, ruffles, anda silyver-mounted sword. “Upon my life, Jack, I think you had better forego this adventure,” said the latter of these young gallants. ‘ You are known to some of the villains, and will surely get into some scrape,” * It has been the careful aim of ou heen scenes of our hero’s career in ocal sketches as accurate as possible, so that our young reader may be able to know what London was really ie in tlie alien times. From time to time pictures will appear of Old London Bridge, Smithfield, Newgate, the Tower, &c, r artist, in picturing the old London, to make his i sss —— —————EEeeeeeseee —_—_—_—_—— “T care not,’ said our hero, for it was he. “I was anxious to see that fellow, Sheppard; 1 can discern some germs of goodin him. He did mea good service once, and I should like to rescue him, if possible, from that awful rascal, Jonathan Wild, who evidently designs to bring the poor lad to the gallows.” ‘“‘ Of course, where you lead I follow,” was Hal’s reply, given in a tone of reluctance. “ Only I don’t see what good can come of it. Jack Sheppard’s case is quite hopeless, even if you could induce him to give up his present mode of life, which I gravely doubt, He is a condemned felon, only at large because as yet the officers of the law have failed to catch him.” ‘“‘T can supply him with money, if he will pledge himself to reformation, and smuggle him across the _ waters in my new frigate ‘The Avenger,’ and give him a chance of redeeming his past errors and crimes by a life of industry and honesty in a new country.” ‘‘Tt will be a case of ‘love’s labour lost,’ depend upon it, Jack.” it ge a ss “ At least, I will wipe out the obligation I am under. No one shall say that I suffered a good turn to pass unrequited.” “Vet I think it is folly to run the risk of being hustled, robbed, and perhaps murdered——Ha ! Step aside, Jack, the villains are watching us from the window.” “Then we'd better put a bold face on the matter,”’ returned Jack. “The rogues might dog our steps if they saw us retreat now, and this is a cut-throat neighbourhood.” So saying, Jack mounted the steps of the tavern, and entered the low, dirty passage. The landlord, by name Joe Hind, a burly slovenly fellow, came shuffling out to meet them. For an instant he stared at them with surprise, as if their appearance was that of unwonted visitors. ‘‘ Mohawks !” he muttered, “‘ or roving bloods on the quest for some pretty bona roba.” - Then he bowed obsequiously, and said, with a frowning smile— “Welcome, noble young gentlemen, My poor house is honoured by such a presence.” Bowing and grinning, he led the way down the passage.” ‘Do you require a crib—a room in private?” he asked, ‘“ No,” returned Roving Jack, coolly. “We are willing to join in with the rest of your company.” ‘‘Gad ! that’s all bob ! my dimber gentry coves,” returned Hind, winking. “ You’re fly to the humours of the ken ?” “We are not greenhorns,” said Jack, smiling. “Blast me, all on the square, my flash culls, I perceive—ha! ha! This way, my bloods.” He laid his hand on the panel of the door of a large room, from which rang forth sounds of boisterous merriment, above which a manly voice was heard hollering out, . ** Now Pheebus sinks into the west, And welcome joy and welcome jest, Midnight shouts and revelry, Tipsy dance and jollity.” Hind opened the door, and thrusting in his head, laid his finger on his nose. “Ha! the traps?” cried one or two villanous- looking ruffians, seizing their weapons, “Alls bowman, my covies, it’s only a brace of stray pigeons,” ; ‘Fit for plucking, eh ?” . “Stash your clatter, they’re down to the rigs ; ee COMME KOOKS COT)