Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

oe ee ee = 294 (pce and rere Dai aR OP **"I'hen you had better blow your own brains out with it, and cheat the hangman, for we shall be nabbed now for a certainty.” His words were followed by the springing of several rattles in the streets, and from the upper part of the house, which was occupied by another family, came cries for help. “TI conldn’t help it,’ muttered Flood. “If he had gone.on with his shouting, there would have been an end to us, I daresay.” **'You thirsted for his blood,’ said Jack, savagely, ‘and I wanted no blood spilt. I undertook the enter- prise more with a view of keeping in with you than any- thing else, and see how you have served us.” “We must make the best of a bad bargain,” said Blewitt, “and not stand hagghng here. Come, Jack, settle your row with Mat. another time. Let ua be aff, Where is the back-door ?” ‘There is none.” ** Are you sure? ”? ** Of course I’m sure.” ‘Then we are done for—hark As Blewitt pronounced the word, several heavy blows were struck upon the shop door. ‘They will find out the shutter in a moment,” con- tinued Blewitt, and then it will be all over with us. What shall we do, Jack ?”’ ** Don’t ask me,” replied Sheppard, * whe was stooping down over the prostrate form of his late master. ‘‘ Settle it between yourselves.” phe two men were much disconcerted by Jack’s beha- viotir. They had great reliance upon him, and had every faith in his opinion. The blows upon the outer door redoubled. But Jack heeded them not. Geutly he raised his master’s head, and tried to move him from the awkward position in which he had fallen. But his efforts were followed with sucha cry of dreadful agony from the lips of the injured man, that he desisted. He let the head sink into tho samo position. Then he heard that strange rattling sound in his throat which is the certain fortokener of death. Feeling that he was beyond his aid, and bitterly regretting that ho should have ever undertaken or shared in this night’s work, he deemed his next duty was to see after his own safety. ‘I'he two men he had with him, who had first prompted him to do the deed, and to ouo of whom their present dangerous position was owing, were standing together. They could not tell what to do for the best. ** What shall we do, Jack ? What shall we do?” asked Blewitt, in an agony of apprehension. ** [ know not.” ** Ts thero no escape Pe” *€ None.” ** Don’t say that, Jack.” “Why not? It’s the truth, and may as well be said as not.” ‘Is there no means of getting out ?” ** None, except by the window or tha door.” ** Our foes are there.” “TI know it.” ‘*'Then we are lost.” And through your own folly. You wanted to take lis life, and I wanted you to spare it. You have had your Own way, and now take the consequences.” ““T am very sorry, Jack,”’ said Flood. ‘Don’t let’s have, any uli blood just now. What I did wag for the est. ** How many men are outside P”’ **T don’t know.” ** We must find out, then. Perhaps, if we are uick, we shall have a chance of getting off.” Jack Sheppard, intimate as he was with the place, was the person best fitted to ascertain these two points, so, setting his two companions to guard the staircase and prevent any one descending, he glided into the shop to reconnoitre. No steps had actually been taken to break down the|d dowi, or it would have been demolished long since. Those outside had contented themselves with merely hammering upon it, and demanding entrance. Juck knew by going to tha window where they had annette Ce oe peer wed wee? ~ Us. sow a ge aes OR ee ce a Ce ee er 8c) aie: a BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. entered, and pushing the shutter the least bit open, he should be able, not only to see, but te hear all that was taking place just in front of the door. _ To his dismay he found, upon putting this mancuvre luto execution, that upwards of a dozen persous had assembled. Most of them were watchmen. ‘* Shall we break down the door ?” said or. ** There’s murder inside,” said another. ‘* Stop till the officers come,”’ cried a thi’, ** Here they are, then,” said a fourth. Another second, and a compact body of polico-officers arrived upon the scene. ** Murder—mauarder,” cried all. ‘* There’s murder being done in old Roots’ house. Break the door down, they won't open it.” ‘* We'll soon see about that,” said some one, in a prag- matical tone of voice. ‘* Keep a good look, all. See;that nobody leaves the premises. Now, my men,” he cried to the officers, over whom he seemed to have some command, *‘ down with the door, and be quick about it.” “All right, sir,” was the reply, and a furious attack was made upon the door. ‘ So furtous a one that it could not possibly long with- stand it. 7 The position of the housebreakers was getting desperate. What was to be done P Jack withdrew from his place of observation and made his way to the foot of the stairs. ** Come,” he said, ‘‘ we have only one chance!” ** Who is outside 2?” “Twenty people, at least, and more than half are police-officers.” Then we are lost!” ** TI fear so.” ‘They are breaking down the door.” “You are right. I heard the order given for them to do it.” oe ‘* And they will soon have it open.” *€ You are right.” ‘* But what chance have we got?” ** Let them in.” - Tet them in?’”’ ¢¢ Yes | 39 ** But how can that bo a chance?” ** Cannot you see?” ce No t PB ] **Come on, then, and you will.” ‘*€ But you don’t mean to open the door ?” ‘*'Yes, Ido!” ** But how avill that give us a chance? I should think that will be throwing a chance away.” “ Not a bit of it; quite the reverse.” “How sor” “They won’t be prepared for such an event, will they?” ** No, I should think not.” ‘*Of course they won’t. Then they will be token hy surprise.” ‘*T understand.” . **T will unfasten the door quietly.~ ‘t ‘Yes, yes.” . ‘* And then fling it open.” *F All right.” ; ‘The moment I do so, and before trey have tims to recover from their surprise, dash out amongst them. Lat each one look after himself, and in the confusion, we shall, ten to one, escape.” ** Capital, Jack.” Don’t attempt to keep together. Let each one try to fight himself free, and let each take different directions.”’ All right, Jack. Quick! quick!” ‘Yes, or I shall be too late.” The door of the carpenter’s shop was a strong One, or it would not have so long resisted the heavy blows that were rained upon it. It had given way, however, in many places. With all the speed he could, Jack made his way to the oor. He had fastened it some hundreds of times, so he was at no loss to find the bolts and loak. As gently as he could he undid them. But he found this a more dificult matter than 0 entre » ew COmiIcboooks (CO) > | | ot | aN me