Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 197: what you’re looking at

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

ee SE ee TiC OG iconG SPRING-HEEL’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON, ain’t got a chargé\in it, When I get the gun Til call. off the dog, for who knows, he might have a shy at [as soon as he’s got rid of Boxer.” “True,” said Jack; ‘and prudence is the better part of valouy. We may secure this fellow; and then od ovef the rounds with the dog in search of the others.” | “That's just what I’ve been thinking on, sir: You sée he can’t nidke much résistance while you tie his hands and legs if I hold a couple of barrels at his head. But he knows this old thing ain’t loaded, you see, sir, ahd might he obstropolos.’’ . © Very true.” | | ~*Gilpin—Gilpin! here’s the gun,” cried the voice of the housekeeper. “ Make haste and take it, Oh! [Im so frightened.” And the old lady appeared at a lower window holding the gun in her hand. The gardener, however, did not attempt to fetch it, but replied — © Just give it to this gentleman, will you. If ae for it, the dog, perhaps, will turn on im,” | © Who isit?’’ cried the housekeeper. ‘* Per- haps it’s one of the thieves.” “No it ain't ; I knows better nor that,” crieu Gilpin, sharply. Ser. _ “An! are you sure—quite sure?” ’ “Be not alarmed, my good woman,” said Jack. ‘I'm the person who aroused you toa sense Of your danger by pulling the gate-bell— dangér which; I’m happy to say, I think is er... | “Oh, lor’! I’m so terrified. I tremble all over. I can’t keep a limb of me still. Only think of the family being away in London—only think of that, sir,” cried the old lady, as she handed Jack the weapon. | “Tf cannot help thinking how foolish you mist have been to have called out that circum- stance from the window.” “Qh! I was so frightened.” : Well, go in and compose yourself, and I and Gilpin will see that allisright.” = | Tie old lady disappeared, closing the window quickly after her, and Jack returned to the side of the gardener. ‘Just give I the gun, sir,” said the man, sticking the blunderbuss between his knees. » Jack did as requested. . ags< © Now, sir, are you ready to prevent that Jack cutting away?” “Quite.” ) “ Allright, then. Bere, Boxer! Boxer! come ere, boy, come here.” ov phage The dog let go his hold of the burglar, and furned at the sound of the gardener’s voice, but as he caught sight of Jack he uttered a deep owl. | ; “Down! down!” cried Gilpin. And the dog sank to the ground on the instant, crawling on its belly till its head laid at the feet of the gardener. 43 ‘He’s as quiet as a lamb, and wouldn’t bite a mouse now, unless I tell him,” said Gilpin. “Now, you, sir, look here, both these barrels are loaded, and I be a pretty fair shot, so I give ye warning, if you attempt to resist Ill send both charges through your skull.” thing else,” said the gardener. The man was too much, weakened by, his struggles with the dog and the loss of blood he had sustained to offer any reSistance, and. Jack. grasping his arms, pinioned. them behind him, and holding them there with one hand, with the other tore off the large silk handkerchief from the burglar’s neck, with which he secured them effectually together. -~— | 4110 _ Then, by a sudden jerk, he thrust the burglar’s legs from beneath him, and laid him on his face on the gravel walk: | “That be neatly done, sir;’’ said Gilpin. “Now l’il take my cloak,” said Jack, picking up the garment from the ground where it had fallen. “ Your cloak ?”’ said Gilpin. BV ‘Yes, my friend. ‘[his rascal robbed me of it not long ago.” | : “Then I’m glad you’ve got it back. I wonder where the other dog be? Perhaps they got away. from him; but he won’t give up tlie chase now he’s been set on. Here, sir, will you take the blunderbuss—though I don’t know what use it be, ag ita. °* leaded; except to hit a fellow on the head wrt-~x -- come over the grounds with me There's nouns » them know about the house; taney: >7'Om .anoud the dogs. “Us. tainly we * aid Jack. “Don’t lear « ae were,’ cried the man; “ don’t leave me here with th:t dog.” “ Ain’t such a fool; cried Gilpin. | ‘* We’re going to take the dog with us; we might want him to lay hold on one of your pals.” The fellow uttered a groan. | “ Howl away, you won’t be able to do any- ‘““Come, boy! come, Boxer!” | | The dog leaped to his feet with a growl. ‘“‘ Steady! steady, boy! Ha! ha! you mustn't touch that gentleman. Down, sir! down!” The dog crouched down again. He had showed unmistakeable indications of a desire to spring upon Jack, but the rebuke was sufficient; and our hero had now nothing further to fear from the brute. “ For God’s sake don’t go till yow give mea drink of water,” cried the mam. ‘‘ I’m choking with thirst.” f “You may choke if you like,’ cried the gardener. | “‘Give the poor devil a drink;” said Jack. “Ha! what's that?” | “"Tother dog, sir. Lay down, sir! lay down!”’ | | With a whine, the beast crouched.down beside its companion, and looked wistfully up in the gardener’s face. The man stooped over him, and examined his mouth intently. It was covered with foam, but not a streak of blood was to be seen around it. ‘The others have got clean off,” said Gilpin, as he rose to his feet. | “ How do you know ?” “There would have been blood on his jowl, if they hadn’t, sir. The rascals have got clean off, that’s certain ; and perhaps, after all, it’s as well they have.” “Perhaps so,” said Jack. “Then you think it’s no- further use searching the grounds?” Here he comes. 199 |