Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 313: what you’re looking at

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

. BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. the greatest cowards on earth, andJack Sheppard was the greatest coward among highwaymen.” *¢*Pon honour, yes.’ ‘“And you were going to give me an instance of his cowardice.” **Pon honour, yes. Very extraordinary. I recollect now quite well. Ido hope no one will interrupt me.” ‘© Proceed, sir, if you please.” **?Pon honour, yes. Very extraordinary. But about two months ago I was coming from Uxbridge.” ** Tt was night, sir, I presume.” ‘*?Pon honour, yes. Very extraordinary. But I had been toa party, and was coming home. I was mounted on a most maguificent bay horse, sir. ’Pon honour, magnificent. I gave three hundred guineas for him, ’pon honour. Well, sir. Very extraordinary. But I was mounted on this magnificent bay horse, coming home from a party I had been to at Edgware.” ‘You said Uxbridge, sir.”’ “*Pon honour, yes. Very extraordinary. But I meant Uxbridge when I said Edgware. Itwas a lapsus Tiel sir. Talking of lapsus lingue, reminds me a =a ‘*'Yes—yes; but what happened as you were coming home from the party at Uxbridge.” “¢?Pon honour, yes. Very extraordinary. But when | had got about half-way home at least a dozen men, all mounted and armed, rode out suddenly from the shadow of the hedge row and surrounded me.” The old maid uttered a faint scream. “A dozen men,” said Jack. ‘Pon honour, yes. * Your money or your life!’ cried one. “Don’t dally with me, Iam Jack Sheppard! Your money or your life!” “Tt was Jack Sheppard who said that ?” *¢?Pon honour, yes.” , ‘** And he was supported by eleven men?” ~ “Pon honour, yes. Eleven men, at the very least.” ‘¢ And pray, sir, what did you do, then, sir ?”’ ?Pon honour. Very extraordiuary, but I knew what cowards this Jack Sheppard and all other highwaymen were, so what do you think [ did? ”’ “ Really, sir, I am unable to say.” ‘Pon honour. Mind, in confidence, I’ll tell you. As soon as I found who they were, I determined to show fight, when I all at once recollected that I had only got one pistol with me, and that was unloaded.” ‘Very awkward that, sir.”’ *©?Pon honour, no.” €¢ No { b B “No, for, very extraordinary, I knew what cowards the fellows were.” “What did you do, sir?” ***Pon honour, sir. I drew this empty pistol, and, very extraordinary, never put it on full-cock, and cried, ‘ Turn, you villains, and fly, or I will be the death of every one of u! “And they made no effort to attack you ?”’ *Pon honour, no. They never thought of such a thing. Very extraordinary. But I made up my mind I would drive them all to Newgate like a flock of sheep.” ‘Did you indeed, sir P” “¢?Pon honour, yes.” * And how did you succeed in your attempt.” Very extraordinary. I'll tell you; but mind it’s in confidence. Of course we were in the country, twenty miles from town, so I had a long job before me.” “Excuse me, sir, but didn’t you say at first that tho attack was made upon you when you were about half-way between London and Uxbridge ? ”’ “?Pon honour; yes. Very extraordinary.” “So I think, indeed, if Uxbridge is forty miles from London.” oo. “?Pon honour, yes; but that isan immaterial poit in ‘*No, no.” ‘Pon honour, yes; I tell you, I was chasing these twelve highwaymen along the high-road to Newgate, and every one of the knaves were nearly frightened out of their wits, when ”’— At this moment the coach stopped with a sudden jerk, and the trampling of horses’ feet ensued. The boasting fop looked rather aghast ; and when Jack said, “ I’ll wager my life that is Jack Sheppard who has stopped the coach!” he uttered a howl of dismay, while he made a frantic effort to get under one of the seats. He dived down just where the old maid sat who was all in a dither. In a second all that could be seen of him were his legs, which stuck out most ridiculously from underneath her petticoats. CHAPTER CCXVII. JONATHAN WILD, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF QUILT ARNOLD PERFORMS A VERY DISAGREEABLE BUT NECESSARY DUTY. Cursinc Jack Sheppard—cursing Blueskin — cursing himself—and cursing all the world, Jonathan Wild rode up to the door of his own house in Newgate-street. The night was young yet, and many hours would have to elapse before dawn came, but he, nevertheless, for a time relinquished his search for those he so much wished to see the end of. But on that occasion he found it would answer his purpose better not to waste time in searching for the two objects of his hate, but to wait until he heard of them. Very long he felt sure it would not be hefore some tidings were brought him of their doings. Now, he argued, they were no doubt safely hidden, where, on a dark night, he would stand no chance what- ever of finding them. Little did he imagine how far he was off the truth. Little did he ‘think that so bold a plan would occur to them as to make their way with all speed to his ware- house in the Horseferry, Westminster, and despoil it of its precious and valuable contents. He threw himself off his reeking steed, and dismissed those who had so far aided him in the night’s pro- ceedings. But though he dismissed his men, Jonathan’s work for the night was by no means over. He had a disagreeable task to perform, but it was a compulsory one. It was to bury his mistress, Mary Milliner. Some days had elapsed since her mysterious death ; and as he had said, when speaking that evening to Quilt Arnold upon the subject, ever since the escape of Jack Sheppard his thoughts had been so much engrossed that he had forgotten all about her. Quilt Arnold was now quite in J onathan’s confidence, and in every respect his head man, occupying about the same position as Blueskin did when we first intro- duced him to the reader at the commencement of this narrative. Wilkinson was on the lock that night, and of course | ee trampling of hoofs which accompanied Wild’s arrival. i He flung open the door, and allowed his imperioug master to enter, ‘“That was a very valorous speech, sir, and did you great credit. At any rate, it shows that you were not a coward.” *¢?Pon honour, no.” ‘What did the highwaymen do?” Very extraordinary. But no sooner did I produce the pistol, and speak in the manner I told you, than seeing my determined manner, they turned and fled.” “What, all the twelve ?” Fs ‘*Pon honour, yes. Very extraordinary. All the twelve.” ‘*They must have been cowards for a dozen of them to fly from one man. Did not Jack Sheppard make any defence P” *“?Pon honour, no. Very extraordinary, but I believe he was the first to turn and fly.” “ No—no.” *?Pon honour. He was the greatest coward of all the lot, as I told you.” ** So you said, sir.” “*' Very extraordinary.” *T should think it was an extraordinary sight, sir? ” ***Pon honour, yes. One man chasing twelve.” F ao did you chase them when they turned and e ‘***Pon honour, yes. There was I—one man—with an unloaded pisto), chasing them.” = ae ila a OG Ate eterna Stay erecta” Racist oS LCT, COMmMIICHOokKS.C© 5}