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would have induced us to cross it。 We seized hold of the pole…straps and
succeeded with great trouble in dragging the coach out。 The two fore
wheels had rusted to the axle…tree； and refused to revolve。 It was the
merest skeleton of a coach。 The cushions had long since been removed；
and the leather hangings； where they had not crumbled away； dangled in
shreds from the worm…eaten frame。 A load of ghosts and a span of
phantom horses to drag them would have made the ghastly thing complete。
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Luckily for our undertaking； the stable stood at the top of a very steep
hill。 With three boys to push behind； and two in front to steer； we started
the old coach on its last trip with。 little or no difficulty。 Our speed
increased every moment； and； the fore wheels becoming unlocked as we
arrived at the foot of the declivity； we charged upon the crowd like a
regiment of cavalry； scattering the people right and left。 Before reaching
the bonfire； to which someone had added several bushels of shavings； Jack
Harris and Phil Adams； who were steering； dropped on the ground； and
allowed the vehicle to pass over them； which it did without injuring them；
but the boys who were clinging for dear life to the trunk…rack behind fell
over the prostrate steersman； and there we all lay in a heap； two or three of
us quite picturesque with the nose…bleed。
The coach； with an intuitive perception of what was expected of it；
plunged into the centre of the kindling shavings； and stopped。 The flames
sprung up and clung to the rotten woodwork； which burned like tinder。 At
this moment a figure was seen leaping wildly from the inside of the
blazing coach。 The figure made three bounds towards us； and tripped over
Harry Blake。 It was Pepper Whitcomb； with his hair somewhat singed； and
his eyebrows completely scorched off ！
Pepper had slyly ensconced himself on the back seat before we started；
intending to have a neat little ride down hill； and a laugh at us afterwards。
But the laugh； as it happened； was on our side； or would have been； if half
a dozen watchmen had not suddenly pounced down upon us； as we lay
scrambling on the ground； weak with mirth over Pepper's misfortune。 We
were collared and marched off before we well knew what had happened。
The abrupt transition from the noise and light of the Square to the
silent； gloomy brick room in the rear of the Meat Market seemed like the
work of enchantment。 We stared at each other； aghast。
〃Well；〃 remarked Jack Harris； with a sickly smile； 〃this is a go！〃
〃No go； I should say；〃 whimpered Harry Blake； glancing at the bare
brick walls and the heavy ironplated door。
〃Never say die；〃 muttered Phil Adams； dolefully。
The bridewell was a small low…studded chamber built up against the
rear end of the Meat Market； and approached from the Square by a narrow
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The Story of a Bad Boy
passage…way。 A portion of the rooms partitioned off into eight cells；
numbered； each capable of holding two persons。 The cells were full at the
time； as we presently discovered by seeing several hideous faces leering
out at us through the gratings of the doors。
A smoky oil…lamp in a lantern suspended from the ceiling threw a
flickering light over the apartment； which contained no furniture excepting
a couple of stout wooden benches。 It was a dismal place by night； and only
little less dismal by day； tall houses surrounding 〃the lock…up〃 prevented
the faintest ray of sunshine from penetrating the ventilator over the door…
long narrow window opening inward and propped up by a piece of lath。
As we seated ourselves in a row on one of the benches； I imagine that
our aspect was anything but cheerful。 Adams and Harris looked very
anxious； and Harry Blake； whose nose had just stopped bleeding； was
mournfully carving his name； by sheer force of habit； on the prison bench。
I don't think I ever saw a more 〃wrecked〃 expression on any human
countenance than Pepper Whitcomb's presented。 His look of natural
astonishment at finding himself incarcerated in a jail was considerably
heightened by his lack of eyebrows。
As for me； it was only by thinking how the late Baron Trenck would
have conducted himself under similar circumstances that I was able to
restrain my tears。
None of us were inclined to conversation。 A deep silence； broken now
and then by a startling snore from the cells； reigned throughout the
chamber。 By and by Pepper Whitcomb glanced nervously towards Phil
Adams and said； 〃Phil； do you think they will…hang us？〃
〃Hang your grandmother！〃 returned Adams； impatiently。 〃What I'm
afraid of is that they'll keep us locked up until the Fourth is over。〃
〃You ain't smart ef they do！〃 cried a voice from one of the cells。 It was
a deep bass voice that sent a chill through me。
〃Who are you？〃 said Jack Harris； addressing the cells in general； for
the echoing qualities of the room made it difficult to locate the voice。
〃That don't matter；〃 replied the speaker； putting his face close up to the
gratings of No。 3； 〃but ef I was a youngster like you； free an' easy outside
there； this spot wouldn't hold me long。〃
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〃That's so I〃 chimed several of the prison…birds； wagging their heads
behind the iron lattices。
〃Hush！〃 whispered Jack Harris； rising from his seat and walking on
tip…toe to the door of cell No。 3。 〃What would you do？〃
〃Do？ Why； I'd pile them 'ere benches up agin that 'ere door； an' crawl
out of that 'erc winder in no time。 That's my adwice。〃
〃And werry good adwice it is； Jim；〃 said the occupant of No。 5；
approvingly。
Jack Harris seemed to be of the same opinion； for he hastily placed the
benches one on the top of another under the ventilator； and； climbing up
on the highest bench； peeped out into the passage…way。
〃If any gent happens to have a ninepence about him；〃 said the man in
cell No。 3； 〃there's a sufferin' family here as could make use of it。 Smallest
favors gratefully received； an' no questions axed。〃
This appeal touched a new silver quarter of a dollar in my trousers…
pocket； I fished out the coin from a mass of fireworks； and gave it to the
prisoner。 He appeared to be so good…natured a fellow that I ventured to ask
what he had done to get into jail。
〃Intirely innocent。 I was clapped in here by a rascally nevew as wishes
to enjoy my wealth afore I'm dead。'
〃Your name； Sir？' I inquired； with a view of reporting the outrage to
my grandfather and having the injured person re instated in society。
〃Git out； you insolent young reptyle！〃 shouted the man； in a passion。
I retreated precipitately； amid a roar of laughter from the other cells。
'Can't you keep still？〃 exclaimed Harris； withdrawing his head from
the window。
A portly watchman usually sat on a stool outside the door day and
night； but on this particular occasion； his services being required
elsewhere； the bridewell had been left to guard itself。
〃All clear；〃 whispered Jack Harris； as he vanished through the aperture
and dropped softly on the ground outside。 We all followed him
expeditiously…Pepper Whitcomb and myself getting stuck in the window
for a moment in our frantic efforts not to be last。
〃Now； boys； everybody for himself ！〃
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CHAPTER Eight
The Adventures of a Fourth
The sun cast a broad column of quivering gold across the river at the
foot of our street； just as I reached the doorstep of the Nutter House。 Kitty
Collins； with her dress tucked about her so