Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. ee — ee oe 45 bold slips though young ’uns, so draw it mild, my blades,” He then turned to his guests. *‘ You'll find a crew of roaring boys, real blades of the huff, my dimber kiddies,” he said to Jack, as he threw open the door. “ If you behave prettily and ain’t above throwing a sop in the pan, perhaps you will be accepted as candidates for the liberties and privileges of this dominion. Don’t forget the garnish,” Roving Jack and his friend walked into the room with an air of ease and self-possession that could scarcely have been expected from their age and in- experience. They found themselves in a large room crowded with vile and desperate characters of both sexes, At the head of a long table sat a tall, handsome fellow, of very dashing exterior, richly dressed in a crimson silk coat, covered with gold lace ; his laced hat, a riding whip, and a brace of finely-mounted horse-pistols, lay on the table before him, while upon his knee was seated a young female of witching beauty. She had delicate features, large, lustrous, laughing black eyes, and brilliant complexion, and long rippling ringlets black and glossy as the raven’s wing. She was very showily dressed, and her charming person was adorned by some very valuable jewellery. Gangs of house-breakers, pickpockets, footpads, gipsies, gentlemen of the highroad, and girls of bad character crowded the reeking den. With firm and graceful step, Roving Jack walked lightly across the room to a vacant seat by the table. The men present greeted him with a stare of suspicion and a suppressed growl of envy and malice. But the young “ladies,” on the contrary, ex- pressed their admiration of the two gallants, by the boldest comments. One girl, a lovely blonde, extravagantly dressed, her saucy blue eyes dilating, and her piquante cherry lips parting in a dimply smile, that displayed a row of tiny teeth as white as seed-pearls, ex- claimed aloud, “Lal Poll; what lovely eyes !” The tall, dark, commanding, but very handsome woman to whom this remark was addressed, was attired in a green silk riding-habit, embroidered with silver, a man’s velvet jacket, a muslin cravat, edged with the finest point lace, and a three-cor- nered laced hat cocked jauntily on one side of her bead. ‘ Devilish pretty fellows, both on ’em, Bess; but, for my part, 1 prefer the fair one—the cove in sky- blue—look at his leg !” ‘“‘You’re a fool, Poll,” returned the other, coqnettishly, tossing her pretty head. “The gal- lant in the black suit is all my fancy ; the other is not to be compared with him ; he’s a perfect duck, Ab, me! In mourning, too! He !ooks so tender and interesting. I should like to kiss him.”’ “Come, come, Bess ; what would Jack Sheppard say if he heard you?” “Oh, Jack’s well enough,” returned the girl ; “but this is real gentry.” ‘Much! I’msure! Your modesty is refreshing, Edgeworth Bess ; do you think such a gallant slip as that is gull enough to stoop to pick up nothing?” returned Poll, contemptuously. “Come, I say, Mistress Maggot; civility, if you please |” cried Bess, raising her voice to a shrill pitch, while her cheek flushed crimson with passion. —_ -———_—-——_———. —— “Oh, my dear! pray don’t let’s quarrel,” said Poll, coolly. “ Well, don’t you make me mad, Poll Maggot,” returned Bess, with difficulty restraining her temper ; ‘I don’t want to break out ; I’ve had fits ; it upsets me; but don’t you suppose that because Jack Sheppard’s my fancy man that there ain’t none of the true blood’s and Corinthians that favours me. Who gave me that bracelet do ye think ?” “Some cracksman or bridle cull (highwayman), I suppose.” “Guess again.” “ Perhaps it was the old Jew, Abraham Mendez,” sneered Poll, “‘who stood your friend when you were sent to Bridewell for filching the old French marquis’s gilt screen and reader,” (gold snuff-box and pocket-book.) “ What, you wretch |” “ Don’t be cross, my dove,’’ retorted Poll ; “ poor old Abe deserves your gratitude, for he saved your dainty bodice a precious tight lacing, you know ; and though he is old, and frowsy, and blear-eyed, they say he has saved quite a fortune since he has been in Jonathan Wild’s service. If anything should happen to Jack, I'd advise you to make a Fleet match with the old Israelite ; he can’t last long with so many diseases ; and then, Less, you may gratify your ambition, and cut a shine as a fine lady.” The face of Edgeworth Bess blazed scarlet with fury, and for an instant she seemed inclined to spring upon her companion; but, cowed by the cold, scornful glance of the tall and powerful virago, she relapsed into a hollow, giggling laugh. ““T know the meaning of your jeers, my love,”’ she said, ‘‘It isn’t my fault if Jack likes me better than yourself. JZ never was jealous of you, I'm sure. Butif you want to know how I came by this pretty bracelet, I'll tell ye. Sir Ranulph Gayton, the prince of the gay rufflers, and leader of the Mohocks, gave it me. There now !” * Jack will be delighted, madam, to hear cf your good fortune,” said Poll, stiffly. ‘“‘That for you, and Jack, too!” retorted Bees, snapping her fingers in her companion’ face. ‘And that for yourself, minion !” returned Poll, inflicting a sounding box on the ear, which knocked poor Bess on her back, Bess sprang up, and, but for the intercession of the bystanders, would have assailed her like a tiger. Poll put her arms akimbo, and laughed derisively. “Let her come tome; a tender lamb,” she sneered, Bess raved herself hoarse with imprecations. But uttering a burst of choice oaths, several of the ruffians seized the pretty frail fury in their strong arms, and, despite her kicking and struggling, at a sign made by the dashing gentleman at the head of the principal table, carried ber out of the room, and turned her adrift in the streets. As for Poll, she laughed her cold contempt, and, reseating herself, cocked her hat more fiercely than ever, and tossed off a glass of gin. This short and sharp altercation between these two ladies, fair and gentle, had little effect in dis- turbing the composure of the general company. There was a sudden break in the loud conversa- tion and the flow of jest and laughter just for a moment, and some eyes were carelessly turned upon the girls. The women folk, however, showed an inclinaticn to take part in the quarrel, and support their re- shrieks and AIC OOO! SaxtEC) LL