Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

380 But you let your temper get the better of yon, guv’ner, that’s how it is, and while you do you will never get on. Now, from what I have seen, I don’t fee) at all surprised that yon should have failed in capturing these people as you have.” , “Cease your preaching. That will do no good. “Not now it won’t. Now, guv’ner, I am calm and you ain’t. Will you just condescend to take my advice in this little matter ?” “What is it?’ growled Jonathan. It was really wonderful to see what an ascendaney George had obtained over the mind of his delightful father. It was his cool defiance of him that did it. — Who else dared have spoken to the great thief-taker in the manner he just had ? No one. At all events, not without some hostile demonstration from Jonathan. But there was George, as unconcerned as possible, and caring no more for him than he did for Quilt Arnold. The hopeful son preceeded to advise his father. es You have got spies all over Londen, don’t you say ?” Yes.” “ Very well, then; it’s no good you wasting your time in a fruitless search after that boat, because the chances are a thousand to one against you finding it; the best thing you can do is to leave them until yeu receive some intelli- gence of their whereabouts, and iu the meantime let us hasten to surround Blueskin, and either slay bim or take him prisoner.” ‘*No—no!” < No what?” * Not slay him! I have sworn an oath he shall die at Tyburn.” “Oh! very well; we will capture him, then, but you must be quick about it, or you may make up your mind he will be off! think what a deal of time we have lost already. Call your men together, do!” It would seem that Jonathan fully approved of the plan of action chalked out by his sen, for he made vo further demur, but placing his whistle to his mouth blew a faint blast upon it. It was, however, loud enough to reach the ears of his men, who at ouce hastened towards him to hear his com- mands. ‘We can find no boats, if you please, sir,” they cried ; atleast nothing but lightermen and barges, and they are no good; there is net a wherry to be seen.” ** Stop your jaw!” said Wald, junior, “ and just wait for orders, will ycu?”’ [a CHAPTER CCLIV. JONATHAN WILD AND EIS SON ATTACK BLUESKIN AND ROSS IN THE PASSAGE LEADING TO POET’S-CORNER, WESTMINSTER ABBEY. THUS rebnked, the men were suddenly silent, and oceupied themselves in adjusting their reins so as to be in a con- dition to give immediate obedience to the orders when they should be given. From what we have seen of Wild, junior, at present we are rather iuclined to pronounce him a better general than his celebrated father. But, then, we may be mistaken, for, after all, our ac- ngiptigace with him has been of a very recent date in- eed. _ife has said plenty, and shown himself ready enough to give advice and to direct what should or should not be done. But it is not by such things as these that he should be judged and comparcd with his father, but by his actions. These we have yet to see. The men, however, who composed Jonatnan Wild’s force upon that occasion, looked at each other with sur- prise and wonder when they saw how completely the command was taken out of his hands and usurped by his son. And yet it was not exactly that they so much wondered at the son’s usurpation, but to think that Jonathan should submit to it with so much tameness as he did. That puzzled and bewildered them. They were eommanded, then, 4o foMow their two samen NR nner __ sep emptor g ee OF GEO CN OT sans se, ae a PE OT EE hE, BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. leaders—if snch they could be called—at a gentle pace, and with as much silence as possible, the route taken being that which would lead them to the passage at Poet’s-corner. Upon reaching that spot, the two Wilds looked about them, and quickly discerned the man at his post, who made a signal to them that all was well—that those they sought had not emerged from the passage. .. We had better dismount,” said George, in a whisper. vcnathan acquiesced, and waved his hand for the men (0 follow his example. Silently they all slid from their horses, and stood like spectres in readiness for action. ** Forward,” said Wild, senior. ‘* Rush in and over- power them. There are but two, so you will be easily able to do so. They must not be slain on any account.” Wild, junior, shook his head when he heard these words, as though he thought the orders given were not the best that could be issued under the circumstances. But he said nothing just then—most probably because the opportunity was not afforded him. With a sudden dashi the men rushed forward up the passage, as though determined to end the matter in the most summary manuer possible. But we will just glance in the meantime at the pro- ceedings of Blueskin. It will be recollected that where we left him last he was in conversation with Ross, the landlord. But what he was saying was suddenly interrupted by the trampling of herses’ feet, Jonathan Wild’s command to his men—which reached his ears only in a hoarse murmur—and then the reports of the pistols which were fired at Jack Sheppard and Edgworth Bess in the boat. These sounds at once had the effect of filling his breast with the utmost uneasiuess, for he guessed that Jonathan Wild was the cause of them. He feared, too, that he had discovered the boat and its occupants, and the dread came over his heart that, if he had done so, the position of the fugitives would be a very terrible one indeed. All would be over with them. But, as we have already seen, Jack Sheppard and his fair companion escaped from Wild with much greater ease than he could have believed possible. Blueskin, however, had no means of knowing this. After the pistols had been fired, ke could hear nothing more of a definite character. Tow to act he scarcely knew. It might be—and he thought most hkely—the sounds he heard had no connexion with him; for who could know he was there ? If this was the case, it was clearly his best policy to remain just where he was, for by moving he might bring danger upon himself which otherwise he would have avoided. Still there was the doubt upon his mind, and this doubt might eperate fatally cither way. What, then, was he to doP Ife drew Ross to the most retired corner of the passage, and addressed him in a whisper. “Do you think any one has dogged your footsteps to this place?” * No, I think not.” ** It is very strange. It may be that what we have just heard, alarming though it seems, in no way concerns us, and yet I cannot divest myself of the idea that, somehow or other, Jonathan Wild has got upon our track.” ** Do you really think so?” ** I eannot help deing so. I have about me a most un- confortable uneasy feeling, and I try in vain to shake it off, becaase circumstances keep occurring which tend to fix it. iz my miud.” 2 ~~ What is it?” “Why, this. Jonathan Wild has some means of which I am quite ignorant, of learning what Iam all the time about. In what other way are we to account for his presence at your house, which, ten to one, he has never visited before?” ** He never did visit it.” ‘*Then he must have received intormation, and that of a very precise character. That is what makes me uneasy, and makes me so full of dread respecting the sounds we have just heard. I fear Jonathan has found out precisely where we are.” Sa SC =r rn PUESEEERSSSSSESSSSSSSUEOSOUUEPUcn 49 soo > (SO) COmIcoooks