Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. 115 try for her this time, boys. The breeze is steady, and getting pretty stiff, We shall get her within range presently.” The breeze increased to a gale, The “Avenger” spread her canvas kindly to it, and she ran ten knots, The pirate was on a tack; but as soon as she went about, the “ Avenger” gave her a broadside, which made her rather groggy. But she picked up well, The “Avenger” tacked, and gave her another broadside, Her topmast went down, and there suddenly appeared great confusion on board of her, The “ Avenger” gained upon her, The pirate was disabled, and seemed to make no way. “There’s some mischief among them,” said the Pirate-hunter, And he was right, as the sequel will show. The shot fired from the “ Avenger” had {caused sad havoc, Ovieda had been mortally wounded. He was lifted on toa sail-cloth. He beckoned Gonzalvo to approach, and bid the crew leave them tor a few moments, ' Friend Gonzalvo,” said he, ‘‘my time is come, and a short hour will close my eareer in this world, Our vessel is crippled, and cannot escape from her pursuers, On either side death is certain, Yet I cannot bear the thoughts of my brave crew being strung up to the yard-arm like so many rabbits. You are a bold man, and have courted death like a hero since you have been on shipboard. It now remains for you to achieve one more act of bravery to save us from disgrace, Hark ye! Our powder magazine is well stored. Your hand may accom- plish the deed, and the pirate’s crew will die as they have lived—like bold and desperate spirits.’ Gonzalyo grasped his hand, “By h—I, Pll do it !” he exclaimed, as he grasped the lantern, Another shot struck Ovieda, and his lifeless body rolled on the deck, . The pirates, driven to desperation, flew to their guns once more, The British ship rapidly gained on them. er vivid light was seen on board the pirate’s ship. Gonzalvo had kept his promise, He had set the ship on fire ! A cry of horror was heard among {the lawless crew. ‘A-minute elapsed, A tremendous explosion took place; and when the smoke cleared away not a vestige remained of the pirate’s vessel or his daring crew ! CHAPTER XLIX. JACK SHEPPARD MAKES AN EXCHANGE WITH ISAACS THE JEW. ISAACS the Jew, the clothes vendor, lived ina dirty, narrow court, near Ratcliff Highway. Thither Jack Sheppard betook himself, ; It must be remembered that the housebreaker was splendidly dressed, | He had adorned himself in his richest finery to do honour to the parting banquet given to him by his mistresses, | _ But he was unarmed, We walked with his eyes. moodily fixed upon the ground, His heart was gnawed by regret, scorn, despair and anxiety. He thought of the past, and shuddered, The present had nothing to give him satisfaction. His friend, his sweetheart, for whom he would have laid down his life—those few whom he had never wronged, those few whom he had cherished and served—as he thought of Jonathan Wild he almost loved. him, in comparison, with those dear ones who had betrayed him. The thief-taker was a palpable villain, his enemy sworn ; they had exchanged threats, they had felt all the defiant pride of mutual hostility ; but “there, where he garnered up his heart,” his friend, his sweetheart, to be deceived by them ! He arrived at the door of the shop, The Jew stood on the threshold, He was a little, weazened, hideous-looking fellow, dressed in a long gabardine of brown serge ; his hair was long, red and shaggy; his lips curled with a treacherous leer ; his deep-set, cunning black eyes had a false and subtle gleam, and_ his oily, sneakish voice was very repelling, He east a quick glance upon Jack Sheppard. “ Shtrike me | itsh Captainsh Sheppard !”’ he said, with an obsequious cringing, rubbing his sallow hands, ‘‘Dam’me, what do ye mean, ye jibbering ape?” muttered Sheppard, fiercely, gripping his arm, “Is mine a name to be proclaimed in the market- place?” : “T peg your pardonsh, my tear poysh,”’ said the Jew in a whisper ; “come into de shopsh.” Jack Sheppard followed him down a step into a large, but low-roofed room, with shelves all round the walls, on which were piled suits of clothes of every material and variety. The Jew looked quickly at the robber. His sharp eyes detected at once that the latter was unarmed, Jack Sheppard’s sword had been abstracted from the sheath, which still depended from his side. The robber at once fathomed the meaning of the old Jew’s look, He thrust his hands into his ample pockets, and pretended to grip a pair of pistols, The old Jew hopped off a step or two. Vell, my fine captainsh, in vot vay can I sherve you?” asked the Jew, ** Are we safe here?” asked Sheppard. “ Shafe !” gasped the Jew. * Aye, safe from intrusion ?” **Intrushion! Are you in troublesh, noble cap- tainsh? are you purshued?” rejoined the Jew, in some alarm, “Tam always pursued,” returned Jack, grimly ; “sometimes I get taken, but always escape.’ “Come dish vay, my noble captainsh,” said the Jew. He led the robber into a dark and dingy back room, « And now, quick,” said Sheppard, “for I have no time to lose.” ‘Vot can I do to sherve you, captainsh ?” “JT want to exchange these clothes for a dis- guise.” The Jew’s eyes glistened, He knew that Jack Sheppard was liberal in his payments, ‘‘-Vot short of dishguish ish to be, my nabsh?” **The dress of a poor labourer.” “ Shtrike me, but that will come expenshiye !”’ returned the old rascal, gravely, shaking his head and passing his hands up and down his knees, EORDKE OOo <SinG