Jack Mason, the Old Sailor

are, part street, and part lane, running from Mint Street, through a variety of turnings, and along the brink o

and another and more sweeping enactment entirely took away its immunities. In consequence of the encouragement thus offered to dishonesty, and the security afforded to crime, this quarter of the Borough of Southwark was accounted (at the period of our narrative) the grand receptacle of the superfluous villainy of the metropolis. Infested by every description of vagabond and miscreant, it was, perhaps, a few degrees worse than the rookery near Saint Giles's and the desperate neighbourhood of Saffron Hill in our own time. And yet, on the very site of the sordid tenements and squalid courts we have mentioned

te house; the glass in most of the windows was broken, and its place supplied with paper; while, in some cases, the very frames of the windows had been destroyed, and the apertures were left free to the airs of heaven. On the groundfloor the shutters were closed, or, to speak more c

on produced by the spectacle-such the alarm occasioned by the crazy state of the building, and, above all, by the terror inspired by strange and unearthly noises heard during the night, which were, of course, attributed to the spirit of the suicide, that the place speedily enjoyed the

n thoroughfare; and in this passage, under the cover of a penthous

le in the garret, feebly struggling through the damp atmosphere, for the night was raw and overcast. This light did not remain stationary, but could be seen at one moment glimmering through the rents in the roof, and at another shining through the cracks in the wall, or the broken panes of the cas

he entry with the swiftness of desperation. This individual apparently met with some impediment to his further progr

ardless of the consternation he excited in the breast of that personage, who was almost stupified with astonishment, he began to divest himself of

of his age, he was scarcely less remarkable for symmetry of person than for comeliness of feature; and, though his attire was plain and unpretending, it was such as could be worn only by one

weight imposed upon him, only recovered the use of his lungs as Wood alte

a tone of surprise, "yo

as he was concerned, he thought he might safely venture on a slight display of spirit. "It's very well you haven't

ed the stranger, as if struck by a new idea: "I sh

," answered

nd other vociferations resounded at no great distance along the thoroughfare, "not a moment is to be lost. Give

I've no reason to be ashamed of it. A

and lights were seen flashing ruddily against

are discovered, answer no questions, as you value your life.

ntern to the ground, and extinguished the light. A moment afterwards,

of apprehension ran through his frame

m, when the discharge of a pistol was he

cried a voic

y the collar, presented a drawn sword to his throat. This person was s

g to free himself from his assail

one, snatching a torch from an attendant, and throwing its light full

, and at the same time relinquishing his grasp. "I could have sworn I saw

, sirrah," continued he, haughtily interrogating Wood; "

replied the carpenter, doggedly. "You'll get nothing out of m

"and may lose the object of our quest, who, beyond dou

infant began to

you hear that! We are not wholly at fault. The d

eize it. In this attempt he was, however, foiled by the agility of the carpenter, who managed to r

for God's sake, or I shall be murdered, and so

undered Sir Cecil, "or we s

never dare to show themselves in this privileged

ied to raise an outcry, but his throat

you are a dead man. Yield up the babe, and I

no one but its mot

e, sirrah?" cried Rowland fier

than ever; but her countenance, though bewildered, did not exhibit the alarm which might n

olding the infant toward

t before the child could be committed to her ca

e latter. "But don't wait for me, Sir Cecil. Enter

ght and his followers crossed the threshold,

ivering the babe, with a me

a little aside. And, setting down the link, h

not so much as scream for help?" said Wood, staring at the wido

er she could make was to murmur di

re about to murder your child-your child, I t

ied Mrs. Sheppard, pressi

od noticed a small stream of blo

had completed his preparat

her senses are gone. However, I'll make a last effort t

arrest! help! help!" seconding the words with a shrill and peculiar cry, wel

horn was instantly blown

iferated Wood

pass at the carpenter, who fortunately avoided the

Wood, renewing hi

All's bowman, my covey. Fear nothing. We'll be upon

s sounded more l

roach of the enemy, could not have been more expeditiously, or effectually aroused. Rattles were sprung; lanterns lighted, and hoisted at the end of poles; windows thrown open; doors unbarred; and, as if by magic, the street was instantaneously filled with a crowd of persons of

the language of the gentlemen of the short staff) an important caption could be effected. In order to guard against accidents or surprises, watchmen, or scouts, (as they were styled,) were stationed at the three main outlets of the sanctuary ready to give the signal in the manner just described: bars were erected, which, in case of emergency; could be immediately stretched across the streets: doors were attached to the alleys; and were never opened without due precautions; gates were affixed to the courts, wickets to the gates, and bolts to the wickets. The back windows of the houses (where any such existed) were strongly barricaded, and kept constantly shut; and the fortress was, furthermore, defended by high walls and deep ditches in those quarters where it appeared most exposed. There was also a Maz

of Rowland, by whom he was closely pressed, forced his way, in spite of all opposition, to Davies, and dealt him a blow on the head with such good will that, had it not been for the intervention of the wall, the ruffian must hav

cil and his followers ap

; "we have searched every corner of th

e about our ears. We shall be torn in pieces if we are discovered. Davies!" he added, calling to the attendant, who was menacing Wood with a severe retal

, who made no resistance, along with him, entered the ho

and a tumultuous uproar, mixed with the clashing of weapons, and the bra

ed instantly

ving his hat triumphantl

ded the Minters, baying, yelping, leaping, and howling around him like a pac

asked

" responded

ety to join the party, had unintentionally substituted

re and former avocations had procured him the nic

e are

ishing their various weapons, and flashing the

impossible, to allay. He knew not what to say, or what to do; and his confusion was increa

you, gentlemen," sta

say?" roared t

and flash," replied the l

't understand our lingo; as, how should he? Take pattern by me;" and as he said this he strode up to the carpenter, and, slapping him on the shoulder, propounded the following questions, accompany

itative voice, immediately behind the ruf

tanders, "let Jonathan kimbaw the

hose of a fox. A physiognomist, indeed, would have likened him to that crafty animal, and it must be owned the general formation of his features favoured such a comparison. The nose was long and sharp, the chin pointed, the forehead broad and flat, and connected, without any intervening hollow, with the eyelid; the teeth when displayed, seemed to reach from ear to ear. Then his beard was of a reddish hue, and hi

em of villany at work around him, that his chief object in taking up his quarters in the Mint, must have been to obta

pon him, and demanded, in a stern tone whether the persons

he carpenter, who had in some d

e you've not b

," answered

u'll next inform us why you ha

threatened by the persons you

ich was echoed by the whole assemblage. "And so we're to be summoned from our beds and snug fire

t?" said Jonathan, calmly pursuing his interrogat

itors," replied W

he come down with the dues? A

ow if you are willing to pay your footing as a member

e why I should be obliged to pay for doing my duty. I tell you this child would have been strangled. The noose was at

t of our customary fees. Do not imagine you can at one moment avail yourself of our excellent regulations (with which you seem sufficiently well acquainted), and the next break them with impunity. If you assume the character of a debtor for your own convenience, you must be content to maintain it for ours. If you have not been arrest

e might dissent from the latter proposition, he did not deem it expedient to make any repl

l be here in a moment or so, and you will then learn his determination. In the mean time, let me advise you as a friend not to irritate him by a refusal, which would be as useless

ith a look of dismay. "Why, I should expect to purc

the amount to get his head from under th

than, mildly. "I should be sorry to persuade him t

be cursed if he don't get a taste of the aqua pompaginis. Let's have a look at the kinchen that ought to have been thr

exclaimed Wood; "but, for mercy's sake don't

per. "Tell me frankly, and speak under your breath. Your

side him. Coarse as were the ruffian's notions of feminine beauty, he could not be insensible to the surpassing loveliness of the fair creature, who had thus solicited his attention. Her figure was, in some measure, hidden by a larg

ally suggested themselves to Blueskin, and he was about to seek for some expl

w, but agitated voice; "w

nded to be gentle, but which sounded like the murmuri

eplied the lady; "but

in, with a disgusting leer,-"cut a throat-

, with difficulty overcoming the loathi

le to the women, bless their kind hearts! Now! slip the purse into my hand. Bravo!-the best cly-faker of 'em all couldn't have done it better.

the lady, in an agony

ond," added he, contemplating the brilliant from the hollow of his hand: "it does sparkle almost as brightly as your

in vain. The lady