Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

ee 98 Se Sai Se TE ES Se SET EOS 2) SaaS Gree BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE, LOO A et P — —-S~NT nrr-—a-ueraenn You were fired at by Blueskin and Sheppard, Mr. Wild, when they made the sudden dash through us.” ‘““ Go on—go on.” “Seetne you tall I dismounted, for I fearcd you were killed.” ** Feared 7” Yes, Ma. Wild.” * Hoped, you mean. Go on, villain.” “1 found you bleeding and quite insensible, so I ordered Flood and thice others to take yon home, while I pursued the fugitives.” * Well, and what then 7” * By the time I gained the saddle they were not only out of sight, but out of hearing also.’ * Fool! why did you not follow them at once P” * fT acted as J] thought for the best.” "hen you pursued and captured them.” We pursued them, Mar. Wild.” “Ot course. * But we could not find the least trace of them. When we ussured ourselves that such undoubtedly was the fret, we turned back, and licre we are.” “ And so Blake tired at me.” “And Sheppard too.” ‘“Curs* that devils’s brat; it is he that has brought on all this mischief. But he shall swing—he shall swing. I swear it; and when [ swear a thing I never fail to keep my oath. Jack and Blueskin both shall die at Tyburn. Ha! lia! they have triumphed so far, but I bid them beware, for Jonathan Wild will have his revenge—revenge —rey ” dis voice failed. His legs gave way beneath him. Jonathan fell like a log on the floor of the hall. CHAPTER LXVI. LORD DONMULL LISTENS TO JONATHAN'S INSIDIOUS ADVICE. NavuRE succumbed beneath Wild’s terrible excitement. It is wonderful that he should so soon have recovered his strength as he had. It was the brandy that did it, aud now that its effects had evaporated, he was left weaker than before. ‘Again were the services of Mr. Snoxall called into requisition, but this time when Jonathan recovered he turned over, and fell almost immediately into a deep slumber. “‘That’s right,’ said the apothecary, as he poured some narcotic down his throat. ‘‘ Just let him sleep for twelve hours, or so, and then when he awakens ten to one if he is not all right.” flaving thus spoken, Snosall left the room quietly and saat the door, leaving instructions that Lis patient was on no account to be disturbed. He then turned his attention to the woman, Mary Milli- ner, whose condition was certainly much worse than that of her rascally husband. During, then, the remainder of that night, and the whole of the following day, during which timo the three fugitives talked over their affairs, and had the strange adventures we have recorded, Jonathan slept. slept, one would have thought, to gaze into his coun- tenance, the sleep of innocence and pence, so deep snd dream-like did it appear. But it was exhaustion produced that effect, for, generally speaking, Wild was rather tronbled with disagreeable dreams, It was just as the shadows of evening were beginning to dusk the different objects in the room in which he lay, when Jonathan opened his eyes. Ve still felt rather faint and dizzy, and his eyes rested languidly upon the familiar things by which he was surrounded. This state of things le ouly endured for a very short space of time. for his brain began to assume its wounted action. The pain > the pistol-wound im his face began to make itself felt. ife sprang off the bed, for he had only heen lying on the outside of it he found, and going to a large piteher and basin near the window, he ponred some of the cantents of the former inte che latter, and plentifally bathed his head, neck, and for zerewith. . TERS AR EE HS erg Ser oe. Jonathan had great faith in the therapeutic qualities of two agents. One was brandy. That was the inward application. The other was cold water. That was the outward one. They were simple enough, in all conscience, and they always had the effect desired, The intensely cold water soothed the irritation of his skin, and took away the dull oppressive fecling that was about his brain. By the time he had finished, the twilight had given place to darkness, but he was well acquainted with the topography of his domicile, and he had no difficulty in find- ing his way down into his room on the first floor. He seated himself in his accustomed chair in the chimney-corner, and then rang the bell. Tonks appeared in answer to the summons. Ife trembled when he first entered, but he gathered courage from the fact that he did not look so demoniacal as usnal; in fact, that his face had rather a ghastly »p- pearance than otherwise. But it was not the less hideous on that account. “ Did you please to ring, Mr. Wild ?” “Of course I did, idiot, or else you would not have heard it. Whats the time?” “ Five-and-twenty nunutes to nine, Mr. Wild, sir, if you lease.” me Ya—ah! Who has been here to-day ? ” “A gocd many, sir, but they were all told to come to- morrow, owing to your serious indisposition, There is one gentleman just come.” Who is he ?”’ * He would not tell me his name, Mr. Wild, but he toid me to give you this letter, and ask for a reply.” Jonathan stretched out his hand, and tore open thie envclope. Inside there was nothing but a bank note for five pounds. He turned it over, and on the back he saw the one word, “Donmull.” A shade of vexation crossed Jonathan’s features, and crumpling up the note as though not of the least value, he thrust it into his pocket. * And the gentleman that gave you that is waiting to see me, you say, Tonks, eh?” “Yes, if you please, Mr. Wild.” “OF course | please, scoundrel! Ask the gentleman to step up, and let me advise you to be civil.” Rarely, indeed, was Wild in so temperate a mood, and Tonks tceok care to vanish while his shoes were good, as the saying is. Two minutes afterwards he rcturmed, and having ushered lis lordship into the apartment, withdrew with great alacnity. Steges, of course, ghded in after his employer. Jonathan condeseended to rise and motion them to a seat. Then he sat down again. There was an awkward pause. Lord Donmull broke it by saying the one word— ‘* Well?” ** T wish it was well, my lord.” “TIow do you mean? Speal:. Tell us how you have cot on. We have come to know whether you have fulfilled your promise.” Wild seowled. ; “Tf have as yet got more peril than profit in the business. Curse it all! I have liad them all but iu my power, when a shot brought me to the ground.” Jonathan pointed to his bandaged face. ‘*T have only just recovered,” lic continued, “from the swoon.” ** }1is not very serious, I hope, Mfr. Wild.” ‘“No-no. The one that caused me this pain, though, shall suffer for it with interest.” “That is well.” “But come, let us to business. If you will excuse :ne, should prefer our interview took place alone.” ‘ Aloue P” Just so, my Jord.” ; ‘| have no secrets from isteggs.”’ “None,” said that individual, who looked very angry at the very idea of his being sent away from the cou- ference. Pn aed poo CO JOO AUG S.COUNM