Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 354: what you’re looking at

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

BLUESHIN : I do not want to press this matter on you, but tell me, yes or no, whether you will grant my request.” * To be sure I will. I know how to be sensible for a kindness, and, if I can hide you from Jonathan Wild, I will, Now you are here, however, fall to and eat as much as youcan. You need not fear being interrupted, for this is a very slack time with us. Presently I will take you upstairs, and there you are at liberty to stay as long as Jonathan will let you, or yon think proper.” * Thanks, Ross—thanks. Take my word for it, you will lose nothing by our acquaintance. Ishould not have asked you, though, only we were terribly hard pressed, and all at ounce I thonght about you.” ‘Well, fall to—fall to. Eat and drink as much as ever you like now you have the opportunity.” “\, @ will do justice to your invitation, never fear.” “Do—do. It is not made for the mere sake of making it, I assure you.” ‘Tam aware of that, Ross.” ‘Are you sure there is nothing else J can do for you besides what you have mentioned ?”’ ‘Nothing, thank you, without you could find me ao trustv messenger.” ** Where to go to?” ** Little Earl-street, Seven Dials.” **'That is a long way from here.” **T know it.” “What do you want this messenger to do P”” ** Deliver a letter.” ** Nothing more P” ** Nothing, except to wait a few moments and bring back a reply.”’ ** And is it very necessary this letter should be trans- mitted?” ‘Very; the person to whom it would be addressed is a friend of ours, and he arranged to have three horses wait- ing for us at a certain place, but from some cause or other he failed to keep his arrangement. At least, we were very much behind our time, aud, when we went to the place appointed, there were no horses to be found. Of course, if there had been, we should have been fur away hy this time.” **T understand. Then you want to apply to this man to send you the horses here? ”’ ** Yes.” “Well, if you like, J’ll tell yon what I will do.” * What P”’ ** Take the letter myself.” ** Will you really ?” With your consent.” “lt is just what I desired, only I did not like to trespass so much on your good nature as to ask you, but, now you have volunteered, it is quite another matter.” “T shall be quite willing to go. The fact is, I have some business to transact which will take me as far as Charing Cross, and it is not a great distance from there you know.” ‘** Not ten minutes’ walk.” “Then, if you like, you shall write the letter now,—I will furnish you with materials, and when it is done, you ean all go uy) stairs, and I will auswer for it the secret of your being here shall be kept well enough.” *T will trust you, Ross—I will trust you.” ‘You can do so safely. Here are all the things you need, so set about writing your letter at once.” “* Here, Jack,” said Blueskin, “you will manage that job best ; you can write faster than I can.” “Very well. J’ll write, if you like. What do you want me to suy P” ‘© Tell Tuniposki Low surprised we were at not finding the horses at the place agreed upon, and how much trouble we have had in consequence.” “What else?” * Tell him we are here, where we shall be able to find shelter for a few hours; and request him to fulfil his bur- gain, sending the three horses to this place as soon as it is car’ foontght, so that we can carry out our original inten. 10n. ‘Ts that all?” Yes.” ** 1’ll soon have that done, then.”’ Jack Sheppard had received a tolerably good education, so he wrote the Jetter in a very little time and with a very little difficulty. - a eEESEreweers ee Eee Bo A KOMANOE#. —— cr TRE 1. Vee ay and At last he folded and sealed it up, then addressed it te Aaron Tumposki, Little Karl Street, Seven Dials. When this much was done, Blueskin took the letter and handed it to the landlord with many injunctions to be sure and not lose it, and to deliver it to no one but the person to whom it was addressed. The landlord promised obed'ence, and carefully placed te missive in one of the inmost recesses of his pocket~ ook. He then led the way upstairs. Our frionds had well satisfied their hunger and thirst with the bountiful good things which had been placed before them. It was by this time quite daylight, 80 there was no need to carry the candle with them. It was Jack who had the thought to suggest something to aoe which otherwise would never have occurred to him. * Blue,” he said, iu a whisper, “has the old man got a wife, or any daughters, or anything of that sort, eh?” “*T don’t know.” 6¢ Ask.”’ ** What for?” Jack pointed to Edgworth Bess. ** TI understand,” he muttered; then, in a louder tone, he added, addressing himself to the landlord as soon aa they reached the first landing— ** Ross, are you married ?’ 6é Eb P a? ** Are you married P” ** Lor’ bless you! yes. Haven't you never seen my old woman ?P”’ ** No.” “Then you never will.” 6c Why i a3 “She went dead about three months ago, and now £ am a forlorn widower.” *“* You dou’t seem to have grieved much; but have you got any daughters P ”’ ** In course I have; two.’ ** Grown up oe” Oh! yes.” ** Are they in the house?” r ¥ ¢ Y is “Then oblige me by calling them up and Ietting them attend to this young lady, who stands in the utmost neec of their assistance.” ** Certainly—certainly. The lazy huzzies te they ought | to be up by this time. Here, Susan—Jane! The landlord pronounced the two names in a tone that amply attested to the strength of his lungs. He was replied to almost immediately, and a door was opened, from which emerged two young girls~one pete! oicer, and one rather younger than Hagworth Bess erself, They were dressed, and ready to go downstuirs. They understood what was required of them withcu! many words beiug eaid, apd with that ease and freedon: | which is always apparent in young gitle of about the | same age, they made friends with Edgworth Bess, and withdrew with her into the room from which they had emerged. Blueskin and Jack Sheppard were placed in tho adjoin- lug room, so that, let what would happen, they should not be far from the young girl in whose fate t warm an interest. Here the landlord left them—the last words on his lips | being a renewal of the promise to lose no time in convey- ing the letter to the Jew. Blueskin aud Jack were both very glad tostretch them- | selves upon the sofa and comtortable bed which were in the room. As a precautionary measure, liowever, they determined to sleep and ke p watch alternately, for they could not tell how soon Wild might make his appearance. But the day passed over without any alarm occurring. Edgworth Bess found the landlord’s daughters homely and agreeable companions. Everything that lay in their power they were only too glad to do for her. And so that one day at least passed more calmly and comfortably for the poor persecuted heiress, than many a oue had for a long time. She slept well and soundly, and when she awoke paid ey felt sc | oO oA alias a ee ete - " = cs COmiIcboooks (SO) > TL Sl