s, and constantly watched by two of the
jailers' assistants, who neither quitted him for a single moment, nor
suffered any visitor to approach him, Jack Sheppard found all attempts
to escape impracticable.

He was confined in the Middle Stone Ward, a spacious apartment, with
good light and air, situated over the gateway on the western side, and
allotted to him, not for his own convenience, but for that of the
keepers, who, if he had been placed in a gloomier or more incommodious
dungeon, would have necessarily had to share it with him.

Through this, his last trial, Jack's spirits never deserted him. He
seemed resigned but cheerful, and held frequent and serious discourses
with the ordinary, who felt satisfied of his sincere penitence. The only
circumstance which served to awaken a darker feeling in his breast was,
that his implacable foe Jonathan Wild had survived the wound inflicted
by Blueskin, and was slowly recovering.

As soon as he could be moved with safety, Jonathan had himself
transported to Newgate, where he was carried into the Middle Ward, that
he might feast his eyes upon his victim. Having seen every precaution
taken to ensure his safe custody, he departed, muttering to himself, "I
shall yet live to see him hanged--I shall live to see him hanged."

Animated by his insatiate desire of vengeance, he seemed to gain
strength daily,--so much so, that within a fortnight after receiving his
wound he was able to stir abroad.

On Thursday, the 12th of November, after having endured nearly a month's
imprisonment, Jack Sheppard was conveyed from Newgate to Westminster
Hall. He was placed in a coach, handcuffed, and heavily fettered, and
guarded by a vast posse of officers to Temple Bar, where a fresh relay
of constables escorted him to Westminster.

By this time, Jack's reputation had risen to such a height with the
populace,--his exploits having become the universal theme of discourse,
that the streets were almost impassable for the crowds collected to
obtain a view of him. The vast area in front of Westminster Hall was
thronged with people, and it was only by a vigorous application of their
staves that the constables could force a passage for the vehicle. At
length, however, the prisoner was got out, when such was the rush of the
multitude that several persons were trampled down, and received severe
injuries.

Arrived in the Hall, the prisoner's handcuffs were removed, and he was
taken before the Court of