epented of his brutality.
The blow was scarcely dealt, when, with a bound like that of a tiger,
Blueskin sprang upon him. The chain, which had been partially cut
through, snapped near the staple. Before any assistance could be
rendered by the jailers, who stood astounded, Blueskin had got Wild in
his clutches. His strength has been described as prodigious; but now,
heightened by his desire for vengeance, it was irresistible. Jonathan,
though a very powerful man, was like an infant in his gripe. Catching
hold of his chin, he bent back the neck, while with his left hand he
pulled out a clasp knife, which he opened with his teeth, and grasping
Wild's head with his arm, notwithstanding his resistance, cut deeply
into his throat. The folds of a thick muslin neckcloth in some degree
protected him, but the gash was desperate. Blueskin drew the knife
across his throat a second time, widening and deepening the wound; and
wrenching back the head to get it into a more favourable position, would
infallibly have severed it from the trunk, if the officers, who by this
time had recovered from their terror, had not thrown themselves upon
him, and withheld him.

"Now's your time," cried Blueskin, struggling desperately with his
assailants and inflicting severe cuts with his knife. "Fly,
Captain--fly!"

Aroused to a sense of the possibility of escape, Jack, who had viewed
the deadly assault with savage satisfaction, burst from his captors and
made for the door. Blueskin fought his way towards it, and exerting all
his strength, cutting right and left as he proceeded, reached it at the
same time. Jack in all probability, would have escaped, if Langley, who
was left in the Lodge, had not been alarmed at the noise and rushed
thither. Seeing Jack at liberty, he instantly seized him, and a struggle
commenced.

At this moment, Blueskin came up, and kept off the officers with his
knife. He used his utmost efforts to liberate Jack from Langley, but
closely pressed on all sides, he was not able to render any effectual
assistance.

"Fly!" cried Jack; "escape if you can; don't mind me."

Casting one look of anguish at his leader, Blueskin then darted down
the passage.

The only persons in the Lodge were Mrs. Spurling and Marvel. Hearing the
noise of the scuffle, the tapstress, fancying it was Jack making an
effort to escape, in spite of the remonstrances of the executioner,
threw open the wicket. Blueskin therefore had nothing to stop him.