But," said the fellow, with a laugh, "he soon contrived to make his way out on it, though.

Ever since he's become so famous, the folks about here ha' christened it Jack Sheppard's cage.

His mother used to live i' this village, just down yonder; but when her son took to bad ways, she went distracted,--and now she's i' Bedlam, I've heerd." "I tell e'e what, John Dump," said the other fellow, who had hitherto preserved silence, "I don't know whether you talkin' o' Jack Sheppard has put him into my head or not; but I once had him pointed out to me, and if that _were_ him as I seed then, he's just now ridden past us, and put up at the Six Bells." "The deuce he has!" cried Dump.

"If you were sure o' that we might seize him, and get the reward for his apprehension." "That 'ud be no such easy matter," replied the countryman.

"Jack's a desperate fellow, and is always well armed; besides, he has a comrade with him.