William Harrison Ainsworth

“ The first stroke appeared to arouse all the vindictive passions of Jonathan. Fixing a ferocious and exulting look upon Jack Sheppard, he exclaimed.
“At length, my vengeance is complete.”
“Wretch!” cried Jack, raising his hand in a menacing manner, “your triumph will be short-lived. Before a year has expired, you will share the same fate.”
“If I do, I care not,” rejoined Wild; “I shall have lived to see you hanged.”
“O Jack, dear, dear Jack!” cried Mrs. Marvel, who was now quite dissolved in tears, “I shall never survive this scene.” ”

“ But I will never—never return.”
“I will not attempt to combat your resolution, Jack,” returned Thames, after a pause. “But I dread the effect your departure may have upon your poor mother. Her life hangs upon a thread, and this may snap it.”
“I wish you hadn't mentioned her,” said Jack, in a broken voice, while his whole frame shook with emotion. “What I do is for the best, and I can only hope she may have strength to bear the separation. You must say farewell to her, for I cannot. I don't ask you to supply my place—for that is, perhaps, impossible. But, be like a son to her.” ”

“ And how much I owe you, too, dearest Winifred, for your kindness and attention. Without you I should never have recovered either health or reason. I can never be grateful enough. But, though I cannot reward you, Heaven will.”
“Don't say anything about it, dear Mrs. Sheppard,” rejoined Winifred, controlling her emotion, and speaking as cheerfully as she could; “I would do anything in the world for you, and so would my father, and so would Thames; but he ought, for he's your nephew, you know. We all love you dearly.” ”

“ The knife is at my breast. Stir a foot, and I strike.”
“Oh Heavens!” cried Jack, driven to his wits' end. “Mother—dear mother! Once again, I beseech you to listen to me. I am come to rescue you from Wild's violence. I must break open the door. Hold your hand for a moment.”
“You have heard my fixed determination, villain,” cried Mrs. Sheppard. “I know my life is valuable to you, or you would not spare it. But I will disappoint you. Get you gone. Your purposes are defeated.”
“Footsteps are approaching,” cried Thames. “Heed her not. It is but a wild threat.” ”

“ Just as the attendants were preparing to lower the corpse into the earth, Jack fell on his knees beside the coffin, uttering the wildest exclamations of grief, reproaching himself with the murder of his mother, and invoking the vengeance of Heaven on his own head.
A murmur ran through the assemblage, by several of whom Jack was recognised. But such was the violence of his grief,—such the compunction he exhibited, that all but one looked on with an eye of compassion. That person advanced towards him.
“I have killed her,” cried Jack. ”

“ As Jack was removed, he noticed Jonathan Wild at a little distance from him, eyeing him with a look of the most savage satisfaction. The thief-taker's throat was bound up with thick folds of linen, and his face had a ghastly and cadaverous look, which communicated an undefinable and horrible expression to his glances.
Meanwhile, the mob outside had prodigiously increased, and had begun to exhibit some disposition to riot. ”

“ Ireton,” cried Jack, in accents of the most urgent entreaty, “before you take me hence, I implore you—if you would further the ends of justice—search this house. One of the most barbarous murders ever committed has just been perpetrated by the monster Wild. You will find proofs of the bloody deed in his room. But go thither at once, I beseech you, before he has time to remove them.”
“Mr. Ireton is welcome to search every room in my house if he pleases,” said Jonathan, in a tone of bravado. “As soon as we've conveyed you to Newgate, I'll accompany him.” ”

“ A carpenter's daughter is no fit match for a peer of France.”
“If my dignity must be purchased by the loss of you, I renounce it,” cried Thames. “You will not make it valueless in my eyes,” he added, catching her in his arms, and pressing her to his breast.
“Be it as you please,” replied Winifred. “My lips would belie my heart were I to refuse you.”
“And now, father, your blessing—your consent!” cried Thames.
“You have both,” replied Wood, fervently. “I am too much honoured—too happy in the union. Oh! that I should live to be father-in-law to a peer of France! ”

“ A peculiar smile illuminated Jack's features.
“There it is!” cried Sir James, eagerly. “There's the exact expression I want. For the love of Heaven, Jack, don't move!—Don't alter a muscle, if you can help it.”
And, with a few magical touches, he stamped the fleeting expression on the canvass.
“I have it too!” exclaimed Hogarth, busily plying his pencil. “Gad! it's a devilish fine face when lit up.”
“As like as life, Sir,” observed Austin, peeping over Thornhill's shoulder at the portrait. “As like as life.” ”

“ The blow was scarcely dealt, when, with a bound like that of a tiger, Blueskin sprang upon him. The chain, which had been partially cut through, snapped near the staple. Before any assistance could be rendered by the jailers, who stood astounded, Blueskin had got Wild in his clutches. His strength has been described as prodigious; but now, heightened by his desire for vengeance, it was irresistible. Jonathan, though a very powerful man, was like an infant in his gripe. ”

“ At the same moment, Quilt Arnold rushed forward with such haste, that, stumbling over William Morgan, he precipitated him into the grave.
“Wretch!” cried Jack. “Are you not content with the crimes you have committed,—but you must carry your villany to this point. Look at the poor victim at your feet.”
Jonathan made no reply, but ordered his myrmidons to drag the prisoner along.
Thames, meanwhile, had drawn his sword, and was about to rush upon Jonathan; but he was withheld by Wood.
“Do not shed more blood,” cried the carpenter. ”

“ He then stamped upon the hand on the lower bannister, until that also relaxed its gripe.
Sir Rowland then fell.
A hollow plunge, echoed and re-echoed by the walls, marked his descent into the water.
“Give me the link,” cried Jonathan.
Holding down the light, he perceived that the wounded man had risen to the surface, and was trying to clamber up the slippery sides of the well.
“Shoot him! shoot him! Put him out of hish mishery,” cried the Jew.
“What's the use of wasting a shot?” rejoined Jonathan, savagely. “He can't get out.” ”

“ Baffled in their attempt, the mob uttered a roar, such as only a thousand angry voices can utter, and discharged a volley of missiles at the soldiery. Stones and brickbats were showered on all sides, and Mr. Marvel was almost dislodged from his seat on the coffin by a dead dog, which was hurled against him, and struck him in the face.
At length, however, by dealing blows right and left with their swords, and even inflicting severe cuts on the foremost of the rabble, the soldiers managed to gain a clear course, and to drive back the assailants ”

“ Oh, Thames!—my lord marquis, I mean—you have made me the happiest—the proudest of mankind.”
Not many days after this event, on a bright October morning, the bells rang a merry peal from the old gray tower of Willesden church. All the village was assembled in the churchyard. Young and old were dressed in their gayest apparel; and it was evident from the smiles that lighted up every countenance, from the roguish looks of the younger swains, and the demure expression of several pretty rustic maidens, that a ceremony, which never fails to interest all classes,—a wedding,—was about to take place. ”

“ Jack had brought away the bunch of keys which he had taken from Quilt Arnold, but, none of them would open it. He was therefore obliged to use the iron bar, which he did with as much caution as circumstances would permit. At the first blow, Mrs. Sheppard uttered a piercing scream.
“Wretch!” she cried, “you shall not force me to your hateful purpose. I will never wed you. I have a weapon—a knife—and if you attempt to open the door, will plunge it to my heart.”
“Oh God!” exclaimed Jack, paralysed by her cries. “What shall I do? If I persist, I shall destroy her.” ”

“ On the appearance of his visitors, Sheppard arose,—his gyves clanking heavily as he made the movement,—and folding his arms, so far as his manacles would permit him, upon his breast, steadily returned the glances fixed upon him.
“This is the noted house-breaker and prison-breaker, gentlemen,” said Mr. Pitt, pointing to the prisoner.
“Odd's life!” cried Gay, in astonishment; “is this slight-made stripling Jack Sheppard? Why, I expected to see a man six foot high at the least, and as broad across the shoulders as our friend Figg. This is a mere boy. ”

“ Taking the opposite course from that which he had hitherto pursued when it has been necessary to attend him in his visits to the lower part of his premises, he struck into a narrow passage on the right, which he tracked till he came to a small door, like the approach to a vault. Unlocking it, he entered the chamber, which by no means belied its external appearance.
On a pallet in one corner lay a pale emaciated female. Holding the lamp over her rigid but beautiful features, Jonathan, with some anxiety, placed his hand upon her breast to ascertain whether the heart still beat. ”

“ His course had been observed by the watchman, who directed Wild which way to take.
“It is Jack Sheppard, the noted housebreaker,” cried Jonathan, at the top of his sonorous voice. “He has just broken out of Newgate. After him! A hundred pounds to the man who takes him.”
Sheppard's name operated like magic on the crowd. The cry was echoed by twenty different voices. People ran out of their shops to join the pursuit; and, by the time Wild had got into Field-lane, he had a troop of fifty persons at his heels—all eager to assist in the capture. ”

“ Pitt?”
“There is no mistake, Sir,” rejoined the prisoner, drawing himself up, “I am Jack Sheppard.”
“Well, I never was more surprised in my life,” said the poet,—“never!”
“He's just the man I expected to see,” observed Hogarth, who, having arranged everything to Thornhill's satisfaction, had turned to look at the prisoner, and was now with his chin upon his wrist, and his elbow supported by the other hand, bending his keen gray eyes upon him, “just the man! Look at that light, lithe figure,—all muscle and activity, with not an ounce of superfluous flesh upon it. ”

“ Sheppard, “are you come to renew your terrible proposals?”
“I'm come to execute my threats,” replied Wild. “To-night you shall be my wedded wife.”
“I will die first,” replied Mrs. Sheppard.
“You may die afterwards as soon as you please,” retorted Jonathan; “but live till then you shall. I've sent for the priest.”
“Mercy!” cried Mrs. Sheppard, vainly trying to discover a gleam of compassion in the thief-taker's inexorable countenance,—“Mercy! mercy!”
“Pshaw!” rejoined Jonathan. “You should be glad to be made an honest woman.” ”

“ The coach in which the prisoner had been conveyed was already broken to pieces, and the driver was glad to escape with life. Terrific shouts were raised by the rabble, who threatened to tear Wild in pieces if he showed himself.
Amid this tumult, several men armed with tremendous bludgeons, with their faces besmeared with grease and soot, and otherwise disguised, were observed to be urging the populace to attempt a rescue. They were headed by an athletic-looking, swarthy-featured man, who was armed with a cutlass, which he waved over his head to cheer on his companions. ”

“ Maggot. “I've the Bridewell account to settle.”
“Be it so,” replied Jack, putting up his blade. “I've a good deal to do. Show him no quarter, Poll. He deserves none.”
“And shall find none,” replied the Amazon. “Now, Mr. Kneebone,” she added, drawing up her magnificent figure to its full height, and making the heavy cudgel whistle through the air, “look to yourself.”
“Stand off, Poll,” rejoined the woollen-draper; “I don't want to hurt you. It shall never be said that I raised my arm willingly against a woman.” ”

“ Not I. I'm not quite such a greenhorn as Shotbolt, Jack, whatever you may think.”
“For mercy's sake go up stairs,” implored Sheppard. “I have not told you half. There's a man dying—Captain Darrell. Take me with you. Place a pistol at my ear, and shoot me, if I've told you false.”
“And, what good would that do?” replied Ireton, sarcastically. “To shoot you would be to lose the reward. You act your part capitally, but it won't do.”
“Won't you go?” cried Jack passionately. “Mr. Langley, I appeal to you. Murder, I say, has been done! Another murder will be committed if you don't prevent it. ”

“ Bird, the turner, who is an old friend of our's, has some acquaintance with the turnkeys of Newgate,” replied Winifred, “and by his means my father hoped to convey some implements to Jack, by which he might effect another escape.”
“I see,” remarked Kneebone. “This must be prevented,” he added to himself.
“Heaven grant you may have been wrongly informed with respect to Thames!” exclaimed Winifred; “but, I beseech you, on no account to mention what you have told me to my poor father. He is not in a state of mind to bear it.”
“Rely on me,” rejoined Kneebone. ”

“ Advancing towards him, he made him a formal salutation, which was coldly returned.
“I am expected, I find,” observed Jack, glancing at the well-covered board.
“You are,” replied Kneebone. “When I heard of your escape, I felt sure I should see you.”
“You judged rightly,” rejoined Jack; “I never yet broke an engagement with friend or foe—and never will.”
“A bold resolution,” said the woollen-draper. “You must have made some exertion to keep your present appointment. Few men could have done as much.”
“Perhaps not,” replied Jack, carelessly. “I would have done more, if necessary.” ”

“ As he spoke, a smile crossed Sheppard's countenance.
“He understands me, you perceive,” said Hogarth.
“Well, I won't dispute your judgment in such matters, Mr. Hogarth,” replied Gay. “But I appeal to you, Sir James, whether it isn't extraordinary that so very slight a person should be such a desperate robber as he is represented—so young, too, for such an old offender. Why, he can scarcely be twenty.”
“I am one-and-twenty,” observed Jack. ”