A deep indignant groan followed.
“Let me see the earth thrown over her,” implored Jack; “and take me
where you please.”
“No,” thundered Wild.
“Allow him that small grace,” cried Wood.
“No, I tell you,” rejoined Jonathan, shouldering his way out of the
crowd.
“My mother,--my poor mother!” exclaimed Jack.
But, in spite of his outcries and resistance, he was dragged along by
Jonathan and his janizaries.
At the eastern gate of the churchyard stood the carriage with the
steps lowered. The mob pursued the thief-taker and his party all the
way, and such missiles as could be collected were hurled at them.
They even threatened to cut the traces and take off the wheels from
the carriage. The Jew got in first. The prisoner was then thrust in
by Quilt. Before Jonathan followed he turned to face his assailants.
“Back!” he cried fiercely. “I am an officer in the execution of my
duty. And he who opposes me in it shall feel the weight of my hand.”
He then sprung into the coach, the door of which was closed by
Obadiah, who mounted the box.
“To Newgate,” cried Jonathan, putting his head out of the window.
A deep roar followed this order, and several missiles were launched
at the vehicle, which was driven off at a furious pace.
And while her son was reconveyed to prison the body of the
unfortunate Mrs. Sheppard was committed to the earth.
CHAPTER XXVII. HOW JACK SHEPPARD WAS BROUGHT BACK TO NEWGATE.
Jack Sheppard's escape from Newgate on the night of the 15th of
October was not discovered till the following morning; for although
the intelligence was brought by several parties to the Lodge in the
course of the night, Austin, who was the officer in attendance, paid
no attention to them.
After pursuing the fugitive as before related, Jonathan Wild returned
to his own habitation, where he was occupied during the remainder of
the night with Quilt Arnold and Obadiah Lemon in removing everything
which, in case of a search, might tend to criminate him. Satisfied
in this respect, he flung himself into a chair, for his iron frame
seldom required the indulgence of a bed, and sought an hour's repose
before he began the villanies of another day.
He was aroused from his slumber, about six o'clock, by the return of
Abraham Mendez, who not choosing to confess that Jack had eluded his
vigilance, contended himself with stating that he had kept watch till
daybreak, when he had carefully searched the field, and, finding no
trace of him, had thought it better to return.
This information was received by Jonathan with a lowering brow.
He comforted himself, however, with the certainty which he felt of
capturing his prey on the Sunday. His breakfast despatched, which he
ate with a wolfish appetite, he walked over to Newgate, chuckling
as he went at the consternation which his appearance would create
amongst the turnkeys.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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