William Harrison Ainsworth

“ Sheppard,” said Wood, glancing round the chamber, as he expanded his palms before the scanty flame.
“It's wretched enough, indeed, Sir,” rejoined the widow; “but, poor as it is, it's better than the cold stones and open streets.”
“Of course—of course,” returned Wood, hastily; “anything's better than that. But take a drop of wine,” urged he, filling a drinking-horn and presenting it to her; “it's choice canary, and'll do you good. And now, come and sit by me, my dear, and let's have a little quiet chat together. When things are at the worst, they'll mend. ”

“ Nothing on land or water was spared by the remorseless gale. Most of the vessels lying in the river were driven from their moorings, dashed tumultuously against each other, or blown ashore. All was darkness, horror, confusion, ruin. Men fled from their tottering habitations, and returned to them scared by greater dangers. The end of the world seemed at hand.
At this time of universal havoc and despair,—when all London quaked at the voice of the storm,—the carpenter, who was exposed to its utmost fury, fared better than might have been anticipated. ”

“ At this moment, a door was opened below; lights gleamed on the walls; and the figures of Rowland and Sir Cecil were distinguished at the foot of the stairs.
Darrell stopped, and drew his sword.
“You have betrayed me,” said he, in a deep whisper, to his companion; “but you shall reap the reward of your treachery.”
“Be still!” returned Jonathan, in the same under tone, and with great self-possession: “I can yet save you. And see!” he added, as the figures drew back, and the lights disappeared; “it's a false alarm. They have retired. However, not a moment is to be lost. Give me your hand.” ”

“ The last observation, however, caught the attention of the carpenter's wife.
“What's that you're saying about Jack Sheppard?” she cried.
“Thames was just observing—”
“Thames!” echoed Mrs. Wood, glancing angrily at her husband. “There's another instance of your wilfulness and want of taste. Who but you would have dreamed of giving the boy such a name? Why, it's the name of a river, not a Christian. No gentleman was ever called Thames, and Darrell is a gentleman, unless the whole story of his being found in the river is a fabrication!” ”

“ II. By many a highwayman many a draught Of nutty-brown ale at Saint Giles's was quaft, Until the old lazar-house chanced to fall down, And the broad-bottom'd bowl was removed to the Crown. Where the robber may cheer His spirit with beer, And drown in a sea of good liquor all fear! For nothing the transit to Tyburn beguiles So well as a draught from the Bowl of Saint Giles! III. There MULSACK and SWIFTNECK, both prigs from their birth, OLD MOB and TOM COX took their last draught on earth: There RANDAL, and SHORTER, and WHITNEY pulled up, And jolly JACK JOYCE drank his finishing cup! ”

“ As Jack concluded his ditty, the door flew open with a crash, and Thames sprang through the aperture.
This manoeuvre was so suddenly executed that it took Abraham completely by surprise. He was standing at the moment close to the hatch, with his ear at the keyhole, and received a severe blow in the face. He staggered back a few paces; and, before he could recover himself, Thames tripped up his heels, and, placing the point of the spike at his throat, threatened to stab him if he attempted to stir, or cry out. Nor had Jack been idle all this time. ”

“ Thames Street was wholly impassable. Men were going hither and thither with barrows, and ladders and ropes, removing the rubbish, and trying to support the tottering habitations. Grace-church Street was entirely deserted, except by a few stragglers, whose curiosity got the better of their fears; or who, like the carpenter, were compelled to proceed along it. The tiles lay a foot thick in the road. In some cases they were ground almost to powder; in others, driven deeply into the earth, as if discharged from a piece of ordnance. ”

“ Sheppard, with a faint smile and a doubtful shake of the head, as Wood drew her to a seat beside him, “for I've had my full share of misery. But I don't look for peace on this side the grave.”
“Nonsense!” cried Wood; “while there's life there's hope. Never be down-hearted. Besides,” added he, opening the shawl in which the infant was wrapped, and throwing the light of the candle full upon its sickly, but placid features, “it's sinful to repine while you've a child like this to comfort you. Lord help him! he's the very image of his father. Like carpenter, like chips.” ”

“ CHAPTER VI. THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE LADDER. If there is one thing on earth, more lovely than another, it is a fair girl of the tender age of Winifred Wood! Her beauty awakens no feeling beyond that of admiration. The charm of innocence breathes around her, as fragrance is diffused by the flower, sanctifying her lightest thought and action, and shielding her, like a spell, from the approach of evil. ”

“ The slight smile that played upon Winifred's lips seemed to say that she was not quite so sure. But she made no answer.
“In case he should consent—”
“He never will,” interrupted Winifred.
“In case he should, I say,” continued Thames, “will you promise to let Jack Sheppard take my place in your affections, Winny?”
“Never!” replied the little damsel, “I can never love any one so much as you.”
“Excepting your father.”
Winifred was going to say “No,” but she checked herself; and, with cheeks mantling with blushes, murmured, “I wish you wouldn't tease me about Jack Sheppard.” ”

“ Marry, come up! I'll see who's to be obeyed. Drink the toast, Jack.”
“At your peril, sirrah!” cried Wood.
“He was hanged that left his drink behind, you know, master,” rejoined Sheppard. “Here's King James the Third, and confusion to his enemies!”
“Very well,” said the carpenter, sitting down amid the laughter of the company.
“Jack!” cried Thames, in a loud voice, “you deserve to be hanged for a rebel as you are to your lawful king and your lawful master. But since we must have toasts,” he added, snatching up a glass, “listen to mine: Here's King George the First! a long reign to him! ”

“ Do you know whoso portrait this is?”
“I do not,” replied Thames, repressing his tears, “but I believe it to be the portrait of my father.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed the knight, in astonishment. “Is your father alive?”
“No,” returned Thames; “he was assassinated while I was an infant.”
“Who told you this is his portrait?” demanded Trenchard.
“My heart,” rejoined Thames, firmly; “which now tells me I am in the presence of his murderer.”
“That's me,” interposed Jonathan; “a thief-taker is always a murderer in the eyes of a thief. ”

“ Uttering a faint scream, she sank backwards, and would have fallen, if it had not been for the interposition of Blueskin, who, at that moment, staggered into the room with a candle in one hand, and the bottle in the other.
“Oh, you're here, are you?” said the ruffian, with an exulting laugh: “I've been looking for you everywhere.”
“Let me go,” implored Mrs. Sheppard,—“pray let me go. You hurt the child. Don't you hear how you've made it cry?”
“Throttle the kid!” rejoined Blueskin, fiercely. “If you don't stop its squalling, I will. I hate children. ”

“ It's not very likely that a babby of nine months old will save my life, if I'm to be his friend, as you seem to say, Mrs. Sheppard. But I've not promised to stand by him yet; nor will I, unless he turns out an honest lad,—mind that. Of all crafts,—and it was the only craft his poor father, who, to do him justice, was one of the best workmen that ever handled a saw or drove a nail, could never understand,—of all crafts, I say, to be an honest man is the master-craft. ”

“ The watermen, who manned the larger wherry, immediately shipped their oars, grappled with the drifting skiff, and held it fast. Wood, then, beheld two persons, one of whom he recognised as Rowland, spring on board the chase. A fierce struggle ensued. There was a shrill cry, instantly succeeded by a deep splash.
“Put about, waterman, for God's sake!” cried Wood, whose humanity got the better of every personal consideration; “some one is overboard. Give way, and let us render what assistance we can to the poor wretch.” ”

“ Sir Rowland caught at a chair for support, and passed his hand across his brow, on which the damp had gathered thickly.
“The intelligence seems new to you. I thought I'd been sufficiently explicit,” continued Jonathan. “Most persons would have guessed my meaning.”
“Then it was not a dream!” ejaculated Sir Rowland in a hollow voice, and as if speaking to himself. “I did see them on the platform of the bridge—the child and his preserver! They were not struck by the fallen ruin, nor whelmed in the roaring flood,—or, if they were, they escaped as I escaped. God! ”

“ She has already forgotten it.”
“But I never can forget it, Winny. I will no longer be a burthen to those upon whom I have no claim, but compassion.”
As he said this, in a low and mournful, but firm voice, the tears gathered thickly in Winifred's dark eyelashes.
“If you are in earnest, Thames,” she replied, with a look of gentle reproach, “you are very foolish; and, if in jest, very cruel. My mother, I'm sure, didn't intend to hurt your feelings. She loves you too well for that. ”

“ He had the same dark eyes, though lighted by a fierce flame; the same sallow complexion; the same tall, thin figure, and majestic demeanour; the same proud cast of features. But here the resemblance stopped. The expression was wholly different. He looked melancholy enough, it is true. But his gloom appeared to be occasioned by remorse, rather than sorrow. No sterner head was ever beheld beneath the cowl of a monk, or the bonnet of an inquisitor. He seemed inexorable, and inscrutable as fate itself.
“Well, Lady Trafford,” he said, fixing a severe look upon her. ”

“ Sir Rowland laid his hand upon his sword.
“Mr. Wild,” he said, in a sarcastic tone, but with great firmness; “a person of your well-known sagacity must be aware that some secrets are dangerous to the possessor.”
“I am fully aware of it, Sir Rowland,” replied Jonathan, coolly; “but I have nothing to fear; because, in the first place, it will be to your advantage not to molest me; and, in the second, I am provided against all contingencies. I never hunt the human tiger without being armed. My janizaries are without. ”

“ And I've made up my mind that a husband ought to believe only half that he hears, and nothing that he sees.”
“An excellent maxim!” replied his wife, approvingly; “the best I ever heard you utter.”
“I must now go and look after Thames,” observed the carpenter.
“Oh! never mind him: he'll take no harm! Come with me into the parlour. I can't spare you at present. Heigho!”
“Now for it!” cried Jack, as the couple entered the room: “the coast's clear.”
Thames was about to follow, when he felt a gentle grasp upon his arm. He turned, and beheld Winifred. ”

“ Thames Darrell was, indeed, a youth of whom a person of far greater worldly consequence than the worthy carpenter might have been justly proud. Though a few months younger than his companion Jack Sheppard, he was half a head taller, and much more robustly formed. The two friends contrasted strikingly with each other. In Darrell's open features, frankness and honour were written in legible characters; while, in Jack's physiognomy, cunning and knavery were as strongly imprinted. ”

“ Sheppard staggered forward. She looked paler than ever; but her countenance, though bewildered, did not exhibit the alarm which might naturally have been anticipated from the strange and perplexing scene presented to her view.
“Take it,” cried Wood, holding the infant towards her; “take it, and fly.”
Mrs. Sheppard put out her arms mechanically. But before the child could be committed to her care, it was wrested from the carpenter by Rowland.
“These people are all in league with him,” cried the latter. “But don't wait for me, Sir Cecil. Enter the house with your men. ”

“ Before he could recover from the stunning effects of the blow, Wood possessed himself of the child: and, untying the noose which had been slipped round its throat, had the satisfaction of hearing it cry lustily.
At this juncture, Sir Cecil and his followers appeared at the threshold.
“He has escaped!” exclaimed the knight; “we have searched every corner of the house without finding a trace of him.”
“Back!” cried Rowland. “Don't you hear those shouts? Yon fellow's clamour has brought the whole horde of jail-birds and cut-throats that infest this place about our ears. ”

“ The worthy carpenter was restored to instant good humour by a glance from his helpmate; and, notwithstanding the infliction he had just endured, he would have quarrelled with any one who had endeavoured to persuade him that he was not the happiest of men, and Mrs. Wood the best of wives.
“Women must have their wills while they live, since they can make none when they die,” observed Wood, as he imprinted a kiss of reconciliation on the plump hand of his consort;—a sentiment to the correctness of which the party chiefly interested graciously vouchsafed her assent. ”

“ When I have traversed the streets a houseless wanderer, driven with curses from every door where I have solicited alms, and with blows from every gateway where I have sought shelter,—when I have crept into some deserted building, and stretched my wearied limbs upon a bulk, in the vain hope of repose,—or, worse than all, when, frenzied with want, I have yielded to horrible temptation, and earned a meal in the only way I could earn one,—when I have felt, at times like these, my heart sink within me, I have drank of this drink, and have at once forgotten my cares, my poverty, my guilt. ”

“ I told him I would bring him to the gallows, and I was as good as my word.”
“You were so,” replied Mrs Sheppard; “and for that wicked deed you will one day be brought to the gallows yourself.”
“Not before I have conducted your child thither,” retorted Jonathan, with a withering look.
“Ah!” ejaculated Mrs. Sheppard, paralysed by the threat.
“If that sickly brat lives to be a man,” continued Jonathan, rising, “I'll hang him upon the same tree as his father.”
“Pity!” shrieked the widow.
“I'll be his evil genius!” vociferated Jonathan, who seemed to enjoy her torture. ”

“ We never supposed you helped yourself to a picture set with diamonds—not we!”
“Is the guv'ner consarned in this job?” asked Terence, in a whisper.
“He is,” returned Quilt, significantly. “Zounds! what's that!” he cried, as the noise of a scuffle was heard behind them. “The other kid's given my partner the slip. Here, take this youngster, Terry; my legs are lighter than old Nab's.” And, committing Thames to the care of the watchman, he darted after the fugitive.
“Do you wish to earn a rich reward, my good friend?” said Thames to the watchman, as soon as they were left alone. ”

“ Come into the parlour, Winifred, and dry your eyes directly, or I'll send you to bed. Mr. Wood, I desire you'll put on your best things, and join us as soon as possible. Thames, you needn't tidy yourself, as you've hurt your arm. Mr. Kneebone will excuse you. Dear me! if there isn't his knock. Oh! I'm in such a fluster!”
Upon which, she snatched up her fan, cast a look into the glass, smoothed down her scarf, threw a soft expression into her features, and led the way into the next room, whither she was followed by her daughter and Thames Darrell. ”

“ As he said this, a slight noise was heard without.
“What's that?” ejaculated the ruffian, glancing uneasily towards the window. “Who's there?—Pshaw! it's only the wind.”
“It's Jonathan Wild,” returned the widow, endeavouring to alarm him. “I told you I was not unprotected.”
“He protect you,” retorted Blueskin, maliciously; “you haven't a worse enemy on the face of the earth than Jonathan Wild. If you'd read your husband's dying speech, you'd know that he laid his death at Jonathan's door,—and with reason too, as I can testify.” ”

“ His mirth, however, received an unpleasant check; for Abraham, greatly incensed by his previous conduct, caught him by the legs, and pushed him with such violence into the hole that the point of the spike, which he had placed in his pocket, found its way through his clothes to the flesh, inflicting a slight, but painful wound. Jack, who had something of the Spartan in his composition, endured his martyrdom without flinching; and carried his stoical indifference so far, as even to make a mocking grimace in Sharples's face, while that amiable functionary thrust Thames into the recess beside him. ”