The Iron Bar.
Jack Sheppard's first object was to free himself from his handcuffs.
This he accomplished by holding the chain that connected them firmly
between his teeth, and squeezing his fingers as closely together as
possible, succeeded in drawing his wrists through the manacles. He next
twisted the heavy gyves round and round, and partly by main strength,
partly by a dexterous and well-applied jerk, sapped asunder the central
link by which they were attached to the padlock. Taking off his
stockings, he then drew up the basils as far as he was able, and tied
the fragments of the broken chain to his legs, to prevent them from
clanking, and impeding his future exertions.
Jack's former attempt to pass up the chimney, it may be remembered, was
obstructed by an iron bar. To remove this obstacle it was necessary make
an extensive breach in the wall. With the broken links of the chain,
which served him in lieu of more efficient implements, he commenced
operations just above the chimney-piece, and soon contrived to pick a
hole in the plaster.
He found the wall, as he suspected, solidly constructed of brick and
stone; and with the slight and inadequate tools which he possessed, it
was a work of infinite labour and skill to get out a single brick. That
done, however, he was well aware the rest would be comparatively easy,
and as he threw the brick to the ground, he exclaimed triumphantly, "The
first step is taken--the main difficulty is overcome."
Animated by this trifling success, he proceeded with fresh ardour, and
the rapidity of his progress was proclaimed by the heap of bricks,
stones, and mortar which before long covered the floor. At the
expiration of an hour, by dint of unremitting exertion, he had made so
large a breach in the chimney, that he could stand upright in it. He was
now within a foot of the bar, and introducing himself into the hole,
speedily worked his way to it.
Regardless of the risk he incurred from some heavy stone dropping on his
head or feet,--regardless also of the noise made by the falling rubbish,
and of the imminent danger which he consequently ran of being
interrupted by some of the jailers, should the sound reach their ears,
he continued to pull down large masses of the wall, which he flung upon
the floor of the cell.
Having worked thus for another quarter of an hour without being sensible
of fatigue, though he was half stifled by the clouds of dust which his
exertions raised, he had made a hole about three feet wide, and six
high, and uncovered the iron bar. Grasping it firmly with both hands, he
quickly wrenched if from the stones in which it was mortised, and leapt
to the ground. On examination it proved to be a flat bar of iron, nearly
a yard in length, and more than an inch square. "A capital instrument
for my purpose," thought Jack, shouldering it, "and worth all the
trouble I have had in procuring it."
While he was thus musing, he fancied he heard the lock tried. A chill
ran through his frame, and, grasping the heavy weapon with which chance
had provided him, prepared to strike down the first person who should
enter the cell. After listening attentively for a short time without
drawing breath, he became convinced that his apprehensions were
groundless, and, greatly relieved, sat down upon the chair to rest
himself and prepare for further efforts.
Acquainted with every part of the jail, Jack well knew that his only
chance of effecting an escape must be by the roof. To reach it would be
a most difficult undertaking. Still it was possible, and the difficulty
was only a fresh incitement.
The mere enumeration of the obstacles that existed would have deterred
any spirit less daring than Sheppard's from even hazarding the attempt.
Independently of other risks, and of the chance of breaking his neck in
the descent, he was aware that to reach the leads he should have to
break open six of the strongest doors of the prison. Armed, however,
with the implement he had so fortunately obtained, he did not despair of
success.
"My name will only be remembered as that of a robber," he mused; "but it
shall be remembered as that of a bold one: and this night's achievement,
if it does nothing else, shall prevent me from being classed with the
common herd of depredators."
Roused by this reflection, filled with the deepest anxiety for his
mother, and burning to be avenged upon Jonathan Wild, he grasped the
iron bar, which, when he sat down, he had laid upon his knees, and
stepped quickly across the room. In doing so, he had to clamber up the
immense heap of bricks and rubbish which now littered the floor,
amounting almost to a car-load, and reaching up nearly to the top of the
chimney-piece.
"Austin will stare," thought Jack, "when he comes here in the morning.
It will cost them something to repair their stronghold, and take them
more time to build it up again than I have taken to pull it down."
Before proceeding with his task, he considered whether it would be
possible to barricade the door; but, reflecting that the bar would be an
indispensable assistant in his further efforts, he abandoned the idea,
and determined to rely implicitly on that good fortune which had
hitherto attended him on similar occasions.
Having once more got into the chimney, he climbed to a level with the
ward above, and recommenced operations as vigorously as before. He was
now aided with a powerful implement, with which he soon contrived to
make a hole in the wall.
"Every brick I take out," cried Jack, as fresh rubbish clattered down
the chimney, "brings me nearer my mother."