CHAPTER XXIX.
How Jack Sheppard was taken to Westminster Hall.
Loaded with the heaviest fetters, 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.