Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 236: what you’re looking at

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

—— ss asaeeienmmeiastiemenn emma 4 a4 ee ded Then he should turn against him. Achieve his ruin. But the scheme, bold and daring as it was, would not be very easy to carry out. Jonathan was a man not easily to be deceived. Should he discover the imposture, Steggs would umve to suffer for it. Jonathan Wild, although he had a great mang men in his gang, was always careful not.to engage one without he had evidence of his having committed a felony. y Then he could do just what he hiked with him, because ‘ his being able at any time to bring a charge against im. Now Steggs was not hable to this. __ But something about him—in all probaoility, his humble or rather servile manner—seemed to please him, and he felt inclined to wave this objection. Besides, he thought it would not be long before he got & hold upon him of some sort or other. The defection of Flood and Blewitt had, of course, made a vacancy in the number of his personal adherents. The man before him desired to enter his employ. He was ragged and starving, and he thought he should have some claim upon his gratitude—not that Wild ever had much idea of that, for in his own self he was almost a stranger to it. ‘“Are you willing to do my bidding?” he growled, looking fiercely upon Steggs. ‘“‘ It will he no child’s play, I can tell you!” “Try me, Mr. Wild,” whimpered Steggs. a trial, do, sir! “Oh! dear.” It was like the spider asking the fly to walk into his parlour only once. ** J will,” said Jonathan, after a moment’s considere- tion, ‘and you will find that if you will only do your duty you will have a good place, and earn heaps of money.” “Mr. Wild,” said § be your very hnmble servant en all occasions when I shall be of the shghtest service to you.” ** Don’t say too much,” growled the thief-taker. “Serve me faithfully. Iam sick of the treachery of those around me, and wish to find some one in whom I can confide and rely. I shall put you on your trial, and if you try to play me false in any matter, you know the result.” “On! dear.” ‘A ride to Tyburn, and a dance upon nothing.” Oh! dear.” ** What makes you say, ‘Oh! dear P’” Its a way I’ve got, Mr. Wild, that’s all.” Ya—ah !”? ‘** May I consider the matter as settled, sir P” “Yes. I shall keep a sharp eye upon your move- ments.” ** And if you are satisfied, Mr. Wild ?” ** You shal] have nothing to grumble at.” ‘Thank you, sir. Oh! dear.” Bang! bang! went Wild’s cudgel on the desk. Wilkinson appeared. “This man has entered my service,” said the thief- taker, in a disagreeable voice. “See that he is treated properly.” “Yes, Mr. Wild. Oh! dear, yes, sir, of course.” Wilkinson was surprised. But he did not dare show it. Steggs followed him out. ; Ag soon as he was alone, Jonathan resumed his medi- tations. From the expression of lis countenance, it might be gathered that they were of a pavticularly pleasing nature. He was interrupted by his business, a detail of which would prove anything but pleasing to the reader. At length, towards evening, he put on his hat, and left h:a house, muttering as he did so. ** tt will do me good to sce him, and now ¥ havo Wad some work, why shouldn’t I have some pleasare? Ha! fia!” * Give me CHAPTER CLXII, BLUESKIN, BY MEANS OF A HEAVY FEE, RETAINS THE £RVICES OF AN EMINENT LAWYER ON BEHALF OF JACK SHEPPARD. YMMURED in one of the darkest, deepest, and strongest celis in Newgate, was Jack Sheppard. : teggs, “you will always find me to | ° > BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE, At was far—very far Indeed—beneath the surface, ana a faint reflected light was all that illumined it. The walls were slippery with moisture, and covered in many places with glittering exhalations of a nitry cha- racter, while on the floor the damp had collected in a number of tiny pools. It was, in truth, as cheerless a place as could well have Deen imagined. The little aperture near the roof, and which, for the want of a better appellation, we suppose we must call oa window, was unglazed, and defended with strong iron ars. It seemed almost a mockery to place them there, for what fettered prisoner would be able to climb up the smooth slippery stones, which afforded seither hand nor foothold. The door which opened into the stone passage was of itself a masterpiece of strength. It was plated on the inner side with sheet iron. The frame of the door was also sheathed with iron. That, indeed, seemed something through which it would be impossible to force a passage; but, beyond that, there was the stone corridor protected by just such another door, and many more, before the street could be reached. What man was there, who, in the full possession of health and strength, and provided with every tool requi- site for his purpose, who could have worked his way to freedom undetected P We are not afraid to say no one. But Jack Sheppard had no tools whatever. He was fettered, too, in such a manner that no one could have got free from them. Round his waist was a broad tron ring, weighing many pounds. It was secured by a padlock. A ring was fixed in one part of it, and throngh this a chain was linked, which was fastened at the other end to a large iron staple cemented in the stonework. And not only this, but bis ankles were encircled with iron rings, to which long links of chain were affixed, and riveted to his girdle. Then his wrists were secured in a similar manner, except that the cham which connected them was formed of small links, and was not attached to the iron ring round his middle. Thus loaded—for it is stated, upon good authority, that the aggregate weight of the fetters worn by him on this occasion exceeded two hundred and thirty pounds—he found it a matter of considerable difficulty to move at all. Did not escape, then, seem out of the question ? It did; and even Jack lost all hope when he reflected upon the obstacles he would have to overcome before he could get free. Gloomily, then, after he had been left to himself, he sat down upon the stone bench.and thought. And the more he thought the more he gave way to | despair. What the result of the morrow’s proceedings would be, when he wag put upon his trial, he already knew. Was Jonathan Wild to triumph P It seemed so. Blueskin was at liberty, and doubtless would do all he could to serve him; but Jack was one of those who place but slight reliance upon the proceedings of others, pre- ferring to depend upon his own. And when he saw his inability to aid himself, 1t made him doubtful of the ability of others. Slowly and wearily the hours wore away, but he made no movement. He bent his head in sorrowful dejection. What had been his life ? A brief and unhappy course, to meet with a violent termination. His most bitter thought was the revulsion of feeling which Hdgworth Bess would feel towards him upon hear- ing the account of the murder. o had seen her for the last time, he thought; and, even should he, by some chance or other, regain his freedom, she weuld never treat him as she had formerly done. This was hard, indeed, to bear, for, despite the difference there was in their position—or, rather, rank—he loved her with his whole heart. EloOOO KS. CO 5}