Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

of strength over weakness all the world through, Hurrah! say I, for the ‘ Good old. plan, That he should take who hath the power, And he should keep who can.’ Pirate, quotha? Ho, ho! This hand, shipmate, has often been crimsoned with human blood; but why should I care more for the life of vile and cruel man, or false and wanton woman, ‘than the butcher in his reeking shambles does for the inno- cent lamb he slaughters ?” : “You are a monster.” “Right; but why I know not ; it was not my fault that Iam : * Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time Into this breathing world ;’ bub, since it is so, I say with King Dick, ‘ And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover, To entertain these fair well-spoken days, I am determined to be a villain!’ ” “ But this is nothing to the purpose !” Jack Sheppard drew back, and stared with awe upon the chuckling fiend before him. “ Haw! haw!” laughed Hans Trinkgelt, ‘‘ Mynheer Barabbas iz von ztrange vellow, he zink too moch ov his oglinez,” ‘“‘T am reminded of it often enough,” growled the dwarf; “but let us come to theclinch, Will you join our crew, Jack Sheppard ?” “T’d rather serve as recruit in the devil’s army,” returned Jack. ‘But listen, my hearty; you hate Jonathan Wild, and would not be sorry for the chance of serving him a shrewd turn; well, I'll show you how you may do it,” “‘T listen ; but be quick, for I am in haste,” ‘Well, then, you remember the saucy kestrel that bearded us in the cave at the Foamy Reef ?” “ What, Roving Jack?” asked Sheppard, with a start. “The same ; he is now Sir John Warbold, the pirate-hunter. I hate him, andI never allow my hate to remain unsated, and I want you to assist me in carrying out my plot for vengeance. You may make your own fortune at the same time.” “But what has all this to do with Jonathan Wild?” “You shall hear; the unconscionable villain intends to carry off Violet Tremaine,” * And who is she?” “The foster-sister of Roving Jack, and the heiress to immense riches,” returned the dwarf. ‘I want you to marry her !” ti I 22? You |” “The devil !” “That’s just it; she might as well marry the devil, of course. He, he! ho, ho! What will the mighty pirate-hunter say when he hears that his sister and ward has married Jack Sheppard, the cracksman ! Jack Sheppard, the felon! Jack Shep- pard, the prison-breaker !” “‘ Wouldn’t your vengeance be more complete if you were to marry her yourself?” sneered Jack, with a look of aversion. “T can’t, my boy.” “Why not, as well as I?” laughed Jack. “I should think the lady’s consent will not be ex- pected in either case.” “TJ’ll tell you why,” returned the dwarf, sighing deeply ; “ my heart is engaged elsewhere,” Both the robber and the other pirate laughed immoderately at this speech, ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER, 119 a A demoniac gleam flashed in the dwarf’s red eye, but he joined in the laugh. “Ho, ho! he, he! Why should not I play the gay gallant—the bold lover with the rest ? I mean to carry off Nell Peveril ; but to business. Werth Wolfgane’s schooner sails for Scarborough to- morrow ; the Owlet’s Roost will be attacked by night ; Violet and Nell will be carried on’ board the ‘Raven,’ where a fleet parson will be ready to tie the nuptial knot.” | _ Bah | such a marriage would never stand.” “But the shame of it will; and you’re a smart fellow, Jack, the lady may take a fancy to you, and by the influence of her friends may save your neck, for though you are condemned, you have never committed the crime of murder,” “Give me time and you shall have an answer.” “Time? Why, the ship sails to-morrow, and we have but a few hours left.in which to carry out our plan for bilking old Jonathan, Come, your answer.”’ But ere Jack Sheppard could reply, they were interrupted by a loud knocking at the door. * Open the jigger, here ; quick, quick, or it will be too late,” cried a gruff voice from without, All started, and drew their pistols, “ Who’s there?” asked Jack. *‘Tt’s I, Jack, your pal—Blueskin,” - Jack Sheppard threw open the door. Blueskin rushed in, His dark face was deepened like a purple hue. He threw himself into a chair in a state of ex- haustion, and wiped the perspiration from_ his forehead. The pirates and the housebreaker looked at him with astonishment. At last he recovered his breath sufficiently to speak, “ Fly, Jack |” he cried, “‘you are pursued; Quilt Arnold, Mendez, and a whole posse of the traps are on your track; the hunt is as hot ash—. Get off by the back entrance, or you'll be nabbed as sure, as Newgate !” ; As if to confirm this assertion quick, heavy fool steps were heard in the passage, Jack darted to the window. He sprang out. He reckoned not the height. He lighted on his feet, however; but he felt stunned, and reeled giddily. Recovering himself he sped to the wall, Over he scrambled. He rushed up the street. Meanwhile Quilt Arnold, the Jew Mendez, and a large number of the Bow Street runners burst into the room, Blueskin, however, was gone, He had rushed after Jack; but, less hasty than his confederate, he had dropped from the window by clutching the sill with his hands. _Barabbas made a sign to Hans -Trinkgelt. The Dutchman grinned, and seating himself at atable drew a bottle and glass towards him, and pretended to have been drinking. The moment after Quilt Arnold had bashed. in the door, and entered the room, Barabbas ran, to his side, He whispered something in Quilt’s ear *‘ Ha!” cried the thief-taker, ‘‘ you have the pass- word right enough ; and now I recognise you, you belong to Wirth Wolfgang’s crew.” “ Aye,” returned the dwarf, in an under tone. ‘‘What’s in the wind, my hearty? Surely the governor has not played us false ?” “False? No! but we are in search of Jack Sheppard,” SOMIIGIOOKSECONN