wn;
And, if from him my love could stir,
Jack Sheppard I should much prefer!"
_With his foodle doo_!

"Do you refuse my toast?" cried Jack, impatiently.

"I do," replied Kneebone.

"Drink this, then," roared Blueskin. And pouring the contents of a small
powder-flask into a bumper of brandy, he tendered him the mixture.

At this juncture, the door was opened by Rachel.

"What did you ring for, Sir?" she asked, eyeing the group with
astonishment.

"Your master wants a few table-spoons, child," said Mrs. Maggot.

"Leave the room," interposed Kneebone, angrily.

"No, I shan't," replied Rachel, saucily. "I came to see Jack Sheppard,
and I won't go till you point him out to me. You told me he was going
back to Newgate after supper, so I mayn't have another opportunity."

"Oh! he told you that, did he?" said Blueskin, marching up to her, and
chucking her under the chin. "I'll show you Captain Sheppard, my dear.
There he stands. I'm his lieutenant,--Lieutenant Blueskin. We're two
good-looking fellows, ain't we?"

"Very good-looking," replied Rachel. "But, where's the strange gentleman
I saw under the table?"

"Under the table!" echoed Blueskin, winking at Jack. "When did you see
him, my love?"

"A short time ago," replied the housekeeper, unsuspiciously.

"The plot's out!" cried Jack. And, without another word, he seized the
table with both hands, and upset it; scattering plates, dishes, bottles,
jugs, and glasses far and wide. The crash was tremendous. The lights
rolled over, and were extinguished. And, if Rachel had not carried a
candle, the room would have been plunged in total darkness. Amid the
confusion, Shotbolt sprang to his feet, and levelling a pistol at Jack's
head, commanded him to surrender; but, before any reply could be made,
the jailer's arm was struck up by Blueskin, who, throwing himself upon
him, dragged him to the ground. In the struggle the pistol went off, but
without damage to either party. The conflict was of short duration; for
Shotbolt was no match for his athletic antagonist. He was speedily
disarmed; and the rope and gag being found upon him, were exultingly
turned against him by his conqueror, who, after pinioning his arms
tightly behind his back, forced open his mouth with the iron, and
effectually prevented the utterance of any further outcries. While the
strife was raging, Edgeworth Bess walked up to Rachel, and advised her,
if she valued her life, not to scream o