Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

48 ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. aaa epee ny errr er were drawn, and the crowd surrounded the daring boys with menacing looks and a torrent of execra- tions. Blueskin would have attacked our hero, who, with Hal, had drawn his sword, and stood prepared for the assault. But Tom King interposed. ; “I care not if he be the queer-chief (chief- justice) himself! He is under my protection, I say, and no one shall harm him !”’ “Cut him down, Blueskin! Down with the infernal spy !”” shouted the robbers. Thus incited, Blueskin uttered a tremendous oath and raised his sword, Tom seized him by his laced cravat and dragged him backwards. .. “Tsay you shall not touch the kid!” cried Tom. ‘T am sworn to his quarrel, and will defend bim with my life !” Blueskin released himself from Tom’s grip, and then flew upon him with a frightful oath. Their swords clashed, The next instant by a dexterous twist of his wrist Tom King disarmed his antagonist, and sent his sword flying across the table. Meantime, Jack and Hal were defending them- selves vigorously from a furious assault of swords, knives, and bludgeons, There was a terrific uproar. Women shrieked, men thundered their oaths, swords clashed, benches and tables were over- turned, lights were knocked ont, and all was pell- mell, havoc and confusion. Jack and Hal had leaped upon the settle, and, finding that their slight dress-swords were of little use in defending them from such numbers, snatched up chairs and stools and dashed them down upon the heads of their assailants, i Blueskin drew a pistol and levelled it at our ero. Tom King grasped his arm. The two strong men wrestled desperately, and snarled at each other like fighting tigers. The pistol went off. The bullet lodged in the ceiling, and patches of lath and plaster scattered down. Joe Hind roared his entreaties to keep the peace, but was utterly disregarded. The daring boys had thrown all the missiles within reach, including bottles, candlesticks, flagons, and punch-bowls, and were fain to betake themselves to their swords. Another instant would have decided the contest by the destruction of Tom King and the dauntless young robber-hunters; but a slight-built youth bounded like a harlequin over the heads of the crowd, and perched himself upon the table, sword in hand, “Hold !” he cried, in a loud, ringing voice. ‘Back, all of you! If the kinchens are spies we can strangle ’em according to the laws of the pro- vince. But, the watch is alarmed, and in another moment we shall have ’em battering at the door in the king’s name. Back, you curs! Are a couple of kids worth all this pother? Silence, I say |” “ Right, Captain Sheppard !” growled one of the ruffians, ‘‘You’re not the lad to shield a cursed peach! Silence all !” Comparative quiet being obtained, Jack turned to our hero, and questioned in a low tone, “Fool ! What brought you here?” “No treachery, Jack Sheppard ; I am by choice and profession a robber-hunter ; but——” “ Hush, fool !” cried. Jack, sternly ; “answer my question |” r “You saved my life when I was attacked by Jonathan Wild in the cavern on the Foamy Reef ; I vowed at the time that I would seek you out, and offer you my assistance to escape from the cursed thief-taker—who has sworn to hang you—irom your vile associates and evil courses. My ship is equipped and ready to make sail; I can remove you to a foreign land where you may spend the rest of your life in honest industry and happiness. If you re- fuse that offer you will at least accept a hundred guineas, which I have brought as some recompense for the good turn you did me.” ‘Phew! we'll speak more of this hereafter, Sir John,” returned Sheppard, respectfully ; “and now I will do my best to save your life, for you are in deadly danger.” He then turned to address the impatient robbers, who stared on this scene with wonder. “Tt’s all bowman, my pals,” said Jack, with a light laugh. ‘This slashing lad is an eccentric; I saved his life-on one occasion, and he has brought me fifty guineas according to promise. I had no thought that he would have had the pluck to keep our appointment at this place; but we roaring boys of the high pad know how to respect courage, and the gallant young gentleman is willing to dis- tribute another fifty guineas amongst you by way of garnish,” Jack Sheppard. held out his hand, and our hero slipped a heavy purse into it. The housebreaker then took out a handful of guineas, and threw them among the crowd. ‘‘ Hurraw |” shouted the thieves. There was a desperate scramble. _ “This way, gentleman; follow me close,” said Jack Sheppard, proceeding towards the door. Tom King brought up the rear, Blueskin, however, opposed theirexit, . ‘“Blood and thunder!” he shouted. “Are you mad, captain? Will you let the ban-dog whelps escape?’ : “T have given my word, Blueskin,” | “Your word! I say it shall not be; they have thrown themselves into the trap, and we'll wring their kite’s necks.” “‘Harkye, Blueskin,” said Jack Sheppard, coolly, “if you attempt to thwart me in this matter, our partnership ceases from this moment ; I break with you for ever !”’ Blueskin uttered a savage growl, and stamped his foot with disgust. Joe Hind, who stood trembling by the door, im- ; mediately threw it open, Roving Jack, Hal, Tom King, and Jack Sheppard passed out, and proceeded along the dark passage. Before Joe Hind could prevent him, Blueskin sneaked through the half-closed door. With noiseless step he crept along the passage in the wake of the part asping a strong sha [uifadnthis ERR, Gia es ae he _Slo—_—_OElCao—_—_—_—————— NOTICE TO OUR READERS. REMEMBER THIS!—In consequence of the enormous sale of “ ROVING JACK,’’ the Proprietors have determined on pre- senting their Subscribers with a most interesting and novel gift, As it Will take some weeks in preparation, we shall give particulars in No, 11. As the gift will be a surprise te our Readers, and a great expense to ourselves, we shall not — issue it to any but our regular Subscribers. Remember! —This gift will be something new, and highly amusing. : a Ee eel — ee hoe) 4 TA )~ 3 im) (COMMUCELNOOLKS (@) (E@) ' t