Jack Sheppard

“ 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.” ”

“ What has become of the other?”
“Why, surely you don't mean Jack Sheppard?” cried the woollen-draper in surprise.
“That was the lad's name,” returned the stranger.
“I guessed from your dress and manner, Sir, that you must have been long absent from your own country,” said Kneebone; “and now I'm convinced of it, or you wouldn't have asked that question. Jack Sheppard is the talk and terror of the whole town. The ladies can't sleep in their beds for him; and as to the men, they daren't go to bed at all. He's the most daring and expert housebreaker that ever used a crow-bar. ”

“ 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. ”

“ As they neared the house, Jack Sheppard, who led the way, halted and addressed his companion in a low voice:—
"I don't half like this job, Blueskin," he said; "it always went against the grain. But, since I've seen the friend and companion of my childhood, Thames Darrell, I've no heart for it. Shall we turn back?"
"And disappoint Mr. Wild, Captain?" remonstrated the other, in a deferential tone. "You know this is a pet project. It might be dangerous to thwart him."
"Pish!" cried Jack: "I don't value his anger a straw. All our fraternity are afraid of him; but I laugh at his threats. ”

“ 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. ”

“ She lost it in the Mint. Jonathan Wild must have stolen it from her.”
“He must,” exclaimed Jack, hastily; “but only let me have it till to-morrow, and if I don't entrap him in a snare from which, with all his cunning, he shall find it difficult to escape, my name's not Jack Sheppard.”
“I see through your design, Jack,” returned the carpenter, gravely; “but I don't like under-hand work. Even when you've a knave to deal with, let your actions be plain, and above-board. That's my maxim; and it's the maxim of every honest man. ”

“ And springing backwards, he darted suddenly through the door.
“After him,” cried Wild; “he mustn't escape. Dead or alive, I'll have him. Bring the link.”
And, followed by Abraham, he rushed out of the room.
Just as Jack got half way down the stairs, and Wild and the Jew reached the upper landing, the street-door was opened by Langley and Ireton, the latter of whom carried a lantern.
“Stop him!” shouted Jonathan from the stair-head, “stop him! It's Jack Sheppard!”
“Give way!” cried Jack fiercely. “I'll cut down him who opposes me.” ”

“ And, then, forsooth, she must needs prevent your hanging Jack Sheppard after the robbery in Wych Street, when you might have done so. Perhaps you'll call that charity: I call it defeating the ends of justice. See what a horrible rascal you've let loose upon the world!"
"I'm sure, mother," rejoined Winifred, "if any one was likely to feel resentment, I was; for no one could be more frightened. But I was sorry for poor Jack—as I am still, and hoped he would mend."
"Mend!" echoed Mrs. Wood, contemptuously, "he'll never mend till he comes to Tyburn." ”

“ But, in spite of her attractions, we shall address ourselves to the younger, and more interesting couple.
"I could almost find in my heart to quarrel with Jack Sheppard for occasioning you so much pain," observed little Winifred Wood, as, having completed her ministration to the best of her ability, she helped Thames on with his coat.
"I don't think you could find in your heart to quarrel with any one, Winny; much less with a person whom I like so much as Jack Sheppard. My arm's nearly well again. And I've already told you the accident was not Jack's fault. ”

“ Sheppard, which she gratefully declined. "If you mean to accompany us, you may need it."
"You are very kind, Sir," returned the widow, "but I require no support. Nothing stronger than water has passed my lips for years."
"We may believe as much of that as we please, I suppose," observed the carpenter's wife, with a sneer. "Mr. Wood," she continued, in an authoritative tone, seeing her husband ready to depart, "one word before you set out. If Jack Sheppard or his mother ever enter this house again, I leave it—that's all. ”

“ Kneebone, respecting the lawless career of Jack Sheppard, and struck with the probable fate that awaited him, the young man, as he contemplated this scene, fell into a gloomy reverie. While he was thus musing, two horsemen rode past him; and, proceeding to a little distance, stopped likewise. One of them was a stout square-built man, with a singularly swarthy complexion, and harsh forbidding features. He was well mounted, as was his companion; and had pistols in his holsters, and a hanger at his girdle. The other individual, who was a little in advance, was concealed from the stranger's view. ”

“ Those who act wickedly bring misery on all connected with them. And so gentle as the poor creature is, when she's not in her wild fits—it would melt a heart of stone to see her. She will cry for days and nights together. If Jack Sheppard could behold his mother in this state, he'd have a lesson he'd never forget—ay, and a severer one than even the hangman could read him. ”

“ He has got Blueskin with him."
"Ah! indeed! what's he doing here?" inquired Jack.
"Come to buy off Jack Sheppard, I suppose," replied the fellow. "But it won't do. Mr. Wild has made up his mind, and, when that's the case, all the persuasion on earth won't turn him. Jack will be tried to-morrow; and, as sure as my name's Obadiah Lemon he'll take up his quarters at the King's-Head," pointing to Newgate, "over the way."
"Well, we shall see," replied Jack. "Look to the horses, Obadiah. This way, Sir Rowland." ”

“ Turning quickly round, in the hope of discovering the thief, he was no less surprised than distressed—for in spite of his faults, the woollen-draper was a good-natured fellow—to perceive Jack Sheppard in custody. The truth at once flashed across his mind. This, then, was the cause of the widow's wild inexplicable look,—of her sudden shriek! Explaining his suspicious in a whisper to Jack's captor, who proved to be a church-warden and a constable, by name John Dump,—Mr. Kneebone begged him to take the prisoner into the churchyard. ”

“ Shotbolt nodded in token of acquiescence, and emitted an odd guttural sound.
“Write as follows,” continued Jack. “'I have succeeded in capturing Jack Sheppard. The reward is mine. Get all ready for his reception. In a few minutes after the delivery of this note he will be in Newgate.' Sign it,” he added, as, after some further threats, the letter was indited according to his dictation, “and direct it to Mr. Austin. That's well. And, now, to find a messenger.”
“Mr. Kneebone's man is in the shop,” said Rachel; “he'll take it.”
“Can I trust him?” mused Jack. “Yes; he'll suspect nothing. ”

“ CHAPTER XVI. HOW JACK SHEPPARD'S PORTRAIT WAS PAINTED. Early in the morning of Thursday, the 15th of October, 1724, the door of the Castle was opened by Austin, who, with a look of unusual importance, announced to the prisoner that four gentlemen were shortly coming up with the governor to see him,—“four such gentlemen,” he added, in a tone meant to impress his auditor with a due sense of the honour intended him, “as you don't meet every day.”
“Is Mr. Wood among them?” asked Jack, eagerly. ”

“ Cousin to W. F. A. Novelist. His historical novels are numerous, but Jack Sheppard is his most famous work, and has been 8 times dramatized. His popularity has been very great, many of his works having been translated into most European languages, yet their literary merit is not high, and the influence of Jack Sheppard, in particular, is pernicious. ”

“ Quilt knelt down, as if he meant to comply; but, watching his opportunity, he made a sudden grasp at Sheppard's leg, with the intention of overthrowing him.
But Jack was too nimble for him. Striking out his foot, he knocked half a dozen teeth down the janizary's throat; and, seconding the kick with a blow on the head from the butt-end of the pistol, stretched him, senseless and bleeding on the ground.
"Like master like man," observed Jack as he rolled the inanimate body to the side of the road. "From Jonathan Wild's confidential servant what could be expected but treachery?" ”

“ Without inquiring into the correctness of the latter part of the story, it may be sufficient to state, that Black Mary was a person in whom Jack Sheppard thought he could confide, and, as Edgeworth Bess was incapable of much further exertion, he determined to leave her in the old woman's care till the following night, while he shifted for himself and fulfilled his design—for, however rash or hazardous a project might be, if once Page 262conceived, Jack always executed it,—of visiting Jonathan Wild at his house in the Old Bailey. ”

“ To these she added the wine and spirits directed, and when all was arranged looked inquisitively at her master.
"I expect a very extraordinary person to supper, Rachel," he remarked.
"The gentleman under the table," she answered. "He does seem a very extraordinary person."
"No; another still more extraordinary."
"Indeed!—who is it?"
"Jack Sheppard."
"What! the famous housebreaker. I thought he was in Newgate."
"He's let out for a few hours," laughed Kneebone; "but he's going back again after supper."
"Oh, dear! how I should like to see him. I'm told he's so handsome." ”

“ Blueskin nodded, and left the room. Jack affected to close the door, but left it slightly ajar.
“What did you say to him?” inquired Jonathan, suspiciously.
“I advised him not to trouble you farther about Jack Sheppard,” answered the supposed janizary.
“He seems infatuated about the lad,” observed Wild. “I shall be obliged to hang him to keep him company. And now, Sir Rowland,” he continued, turning to the knight, “to our own concerns. It's a long time since we met, eight years and more. I hope you've enjoyed your health. 'Slife! you are wonderfully altered. ”

“ Sheppard. “I alone am to blame.”
“Can I not carry you where you can obtain help?” cried Jack in a agony of distress.
“It is useless,” replied Mrs. Sheppard: “nothing can save me. I die happy—quite happy in beholding you. Do not remain with me. You may fall into the hands of your enemy. Fly! fly!”
“Do not think of me, mother, but of yourself,” cried Jack, in an agony of tears.
“You have always been, far dearer to me than myself,” replied Mrs. Sheppard. “But I have one last request to make. Let me lie in Willesden churchyard.”
“You shall—you shall,” answered Jack. ”

“ Wild is sure to be up. He never retires to rest till daybreak—if at all. Come with me, Langley, and bring the lantern.”
CHAPTER XIV. HOW JACK SHEPPARD WAS AGAIN CAPTURED. Jack Sheppard, after whistling to Blueskin, hurried down a short thoroughfare leading from Wych Street to the back of Saint Clement's Church, where he found Thames Darrell, who advanced to meet him.
“I was just going,” said Thames. “When I parted from you at Mr. Kneebone's door, you begged me to await your return here, assuring me you would not detain me five minutes. Instead of which, more than half an hour has elapsed.” ”

“ And life is much the same, whether taken in battle, on the couch, or by the road-side. Besides those whom I've slain with my own hands, I've brought upwards of thirty persons to the gallows. Most of their relics are in yonder cases; but I don't remember that any of them have disturbed my rest. The mode of destruction makes no difference. It's precisely the same thing to me to bid my janizaries cut Thames Darrell's throat, as to order Jack Sheppard's execution.”
As Jonathan said this, Jack's hand involuntarily sought a pistol. ”

“ 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.” ”