Thames told him he would find him, mounted, and
rode off across the fields in the direction of town.

CHAPTER XII.

The Well Hole.

Jonathan Wild's first object, as soon as he had made good his retreat,
was to ascertain what had become of his janizaries, and, if possible, to
release them. With this view, he hurried to the spot where he had left
the post-chaise, and found it drawn up at the road-side, the postilion
dismounted, and in charge of a couple of farming-men. Advancing towards
them, sword in hand, Jonathan so terrified the hinds by his fierce looks
and determined manner, that, after a slight show of resistance, they
took to their heels, leaving him master of the field. He then threw
open the door of the vehicle, in which he found his janizaries with
their arms pinioned, and, leaping into it, ordered the man to drive off.
The postilion obeyed, and dashed off as hard as his horses could gallop
along the beautiful road leading to Neasdon and Willesden, just as the
serving-men made their appearance. Arrived at the latter place,
Jonathan, who, meanwhile, had contrived to liberate his attendants from
their bonds, drew up at the Six Bells, and hiring a couple of horses,
despatched his attendants in search of Jack Sheppard, while he proceeded
to town. Dismissing the post-chaise at the Old Bailey, he walked to
Newgate to ascertain what had occurred since the escape. It was just
upon the stroke of nine as he entered the Lodge, and Mr. Austin was
dismissing a host of inquirers who had been attracted thither by the
news,--for it had already been extensively noised abroad. Some of these
persons were examining the spot where the spike had been cut off; others
the spike itself, now considered a remarkable object; and all were
marvelling how Jack could have possibly squeezed himself through such a
narrow aperture, until it was explained to them by Mr. Austin that the
renowned housebreaker was of slender bodily conformation, and therefore
able to achieve a feat, which he, Mr. Austin, or any man of similar
dimensions, would have found wholly impossible. Affixed to the wall, in
a conspicuous situation, was a large placard, which, after minutely
describing Sheppard's appearance and attire, concluded thus:--"_Whoever
will discover or apprehend the above_ JOHN SHEPPARD, _so that he be
brought to justice, shall receive_ ONE HUNDRED GUINEAS REWARD, _to be
paid by_ MR. PITT, _the keeper of Newgate_."

This placard attracted