Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

eeBrvte.” said Sir Marmaduke, after a moment’s pause, “with regera to my getting to Tilbury.” “Woll?? - '2%% is, aS you must be aware, highly necessary that I snouid start off at once, and at this hour of the night, how are we to find a conveyance.” That will be difficult, no doubt, but we must see. If the public-house is anywhere near the water, the landlord will sure to be able to furnish us with every information.” “Of course—of course!” ‘Come on then, sir. Let the recollection of the tmght- ful perils we have passed through nerve yeu to fresh exertion. It is no slight thing to eseape from the clutches of Jonathan Wild.” ‘It is not, as you say. And that brings more forcibly to my mind the value of the assistance you have rendered me. Not only have you freed me, but also obtained that document, which I was foolish and wicked enough to sign.” {eThe thought of having thwarted Jonathan Wild in one of his atrocious schemes, is for me a sufficient reward.” ‘“¢ 1 shall, though, feel offended and much grieved if you will not permit me to give you some tangible token of my gratitude for your exertions in my behalf. You are the saviour of myself from an ignominious death, my pos- sessions from exheredation, and my family from want and tuin. In return for these inestimable services, the least you ean do is to allow me, since I have the means of doing so, of seeing to your future welfare.” “To refuse the aceptance of your generous offer, Sir Marmaduke,” said Jack Sheppard, in tones of deep emo- ~ tion, *f would not only be churlish but ungrateful. Heaven knows I have need of some strong hand to hold me back from the frightful doom towards which I seemed to be hurried along by the force of a malignant destiny.” CHAPTER XLVII. THE FUGITIVES MEET WITH A SLIGHT SURPRISE. Sir Marmapurt CsBornwas not a little surprised at hearing such a speech from the lips of his companion, and he turned his eyes towards him with an inquiring glance. But in the dark and narrow thoroughfare in which they were 1t was impossible for him to do more than just dis- tinguish tho dark outline of Jack’: countenance. ** T rejoice,” he replied, “not .t you are so in need of help, but because it affords me an opportunity of showing yen how highly I estimate your condtct in this affair. hroughout you have manifested a spirit ot perfect un- selfishness, a quality which is 23 rare as it is admirable.” Sir Marmaduke was quite right there. Whatever Jack’s failings and vices may have been, e was truly and thoroughly unselfish, and so high a trait of character as that is sufficient to redeem many of his shortcomings. But as the reader cannot fail to have seen, Jack Shep- pard was purely a creature of circumstances, and it is by no means surprising that be should have imbibed the notion that he was urged onwards, withont ‘eference to his own volition, by fate or destiny. But somehow he shrank from letting the conversation turn upon himself, so he hastened to change the theme. “You speak louder than you did a little while ago. Do you feel better ?”’ *‘ 1 spoke louder, my kind young friend, because of the spirit which actuated me. Believe me, my utmost wish now is to place you in a different and worthier posi- tion than that which you at present seem to occupy.” ‘* Accept my thanks, sir, then for all that you have pro- mised. But F mtast remind you that we arc by no means out of dangcr. Jonathan Wild ic not man to go to sleep in such a case as this. You may depend he will’ y his utmost to get us once more in his power.” “TJ have more trust in heaven, and in the wisdom and evenhandedness of His dispensations, than to think that it would permit so base a villain to bo triumphant, unless ”’ be added, with a sigh, “ unless it was by crowning all did with success te make his downfall more biticr and tremendous.” “But that, to my noti_ns,” said Jack, “w= ld not be night. ‘Why not ?” ‘It seems to me a very insufficient reason for allowing others to suffer 80 much misery, ” Wesne~enes j I AE SNS Seer, BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. oat view the religious people take of such things, but I look upsnitin avery different light indeed, and Providence, so far from being a beneficent power, is in reality an evil one, and rejoices more in bringing men to sorrow than it does in bringing them to joy.” ‘Those,’ said Sir Marmaduke, gravely, “ are atheistic sentiments. They jar uponme. If you wish meto think well of you you will banish such opinions, which more befit a miscreant like Jonathan Wild than sueh as I would fain believe you are.” “At lo-t!” said Jack, suddenly. “ What do you fnean by that ejaculation?” asked the baronet, in tones of the utmost surprise. “Why,” rephed Jack, “ that we have reached that which we were seeking. Look before you on the right, and you will see a faint beam of light.” “T see it; and is that a public-house?”’ “ Tt is.” ‘* How can you tell from this distance ? mistaken.” No.” ** You are confident ?”’ “IT am, and for the best of all reasons.” *¢ What is it.” “T know the neighbourhood ; I have had oceasion to come here many atime. I did not know they kept open so late, out that heht which you see proceeds from the front room of ‘ The Jolly Sailors.’ ”’ ‘Ts that the name of the house ?”’ Yes; and that is all I know about it. I have noticed it as I passed, but I have never crossed its threshold.” A few steps sufficed to bring them to the doorway of the ancient hostelry. The door was closed. Jack knocked at it boldly. Nearly five minutes elapsed before they heard the bolts withdrawn. Then the door only opened to the extent of a few inches. It was stopped by an iron chain. “We are travellers needing rest and refreshment for an hour or so,” replied Jack to the gruff interrogatory of ** Who was there ?”’ The man at the door was apparently satisfied with the reply, for he let fall the chain, and allowed the door to You may be open. ‘We are obliged to be careful at night,’’ he said, “ for so many desperate characters are about.” ““T suppose so,’ said Jack, ““ but you see, my friend here, who is a gentleman, has been set upon and mal- treated hy thieves, and is at the present moment almost dying from the effects of the ill-usage he has received.” The man leox sucpiciously at Sir Marmaduke and Jack, and well he might. ‘Their appearance was quite sufficient to make him do so. But Sir Marmaduke himself stepped forward. There was a grace and dignity about him, as with an effort he drew himself up to his full height, which was visible through his tattered dress and disfigured features. “You have no just grouud tor suspicion,’ he said, though i am free to admit that our appearance is more than sufficient to excite it. But we have suffered fright- fully. I wish to make no secret of my name. It is Osborn—Sir Marmaduke Osborn of Farleigh Priory, Tilbur yness.”’ The man, who was really the landlord of the “ Jolly Sailors,” lc .ked for 1 moment the picture of incredulity, but wa~:o visibly impressed, both upon the corntenance and: ‘ner ef Sir Marmaduke, as well as in the tones of his veive, that it was not ,possible for Lim to mistake them. ‘Walk this way, sir,’ he said, respectfully. xou shall have every attention while you are beneath my roof.” ** Our stay must be a very short one. Itisimperatively necessary for many and important reasons, that I shonld reach my home with the least possible delay. Cun you tell me of any means by which I may go down the river?” . “* T dare say it cau be managed” said the landlord, “as he ushered them into a large room where several pautice looking men were seated. ‘‘ What wonld you like ? “Some hot wine and water, with a slice of brdes I know yours is the | sopped in it,” said Sir Marmaduke. “I dare not partake PEST EE Oh em ar ee re ae ee SE 8! TELA OF Dae-t COmIcboooks (SO) 5}