Spring Heeled Jack | Page 3

fix the offence upon them."
Articles and paragraphs of this nature were of almost daily occurrence
at this period, and the public excitement rose to such a pitch that
"Vigilance Committees" were formed in various parts of London to try
and put a stop to the Terror's pranks and depredations, even if they
could not succeed in securing his apprehension. There could be no
possible doubt that there was very little exaggeration in the
extraordinary statements as to Spring-Heeled Jack's antics.
A bet of two hundred pounds, which became the talk of the clubs and
coffee-houses, did more to add to Jack's reputation for supernatural
powers than all the talk of mail-coach guards, market people, and

servant girls.
A party of gentlemen were travelling by the then newly-opened London
and North-Western Railway.
As they neared the northern end of the Primrose Hill tunnel they
observed the figure of Jack sitting on a post, looking exactly as his
Satanic Majesty is usually represented in picture books or on the stage.
"By Jove! there's Spring-Heeled Jack," cried Colonel Fortescue, one of
the travellers.
"Yes," cried Major Howard, one of his companions, "and I'll bet you
two hundred pounds even that he's at the other end of the tunnel when
we arrive there."
"Done!" cried the colonel.
And sure enough as the train emerged once more into the open air there
was Spring-Heeled Jack at the side of the line, his long moustaches
twirled up the sides of his prominent nose, and stream of sulphurous
flame seeming to pour out from between his lips.
Another instant and he had disappeared..
The whole party in the train were almost paralysed for a time, although
most of them had "set their squadron in the field," and hardly knew
what fear meant.
Colonel Fortescue handed the major the two hundred pounds, and the
affair became a nine-days' wonder.
The solution was, no doubt, simple enough.
Spring-Heeled Jack had sprung on to the moving train at the rear, and
during its passage through the tunnel had made his way to the front,
and then, with a bound, had made his appearance in front of the
advancing train.

Be this as it may, the unimpeachable evidence of men of position, like
the gallant officers, backed up, as it was, by the payment and receipt of
the two hundred pounds, brought Jack with a bound, like one from his
own spring heels, to the utmost pinnacle of notorious fame.
We have no particulars of the exact mechanism that enabled Spring-
heeled Jack to make such extraordinary bounds.
To jump clear over a stage coach, with its usual complement of
passengers on top, was as easy to him as stepping across a gutter would
be to any ordinary man.
The secret of these boots had died with the inventor, and perhaps it is
as well.
We have no doubt that if those boots were purchasable articles many of
our readers would be tempted to leave off taking in the Boy's
STANDARD, so as to be able to save up more pennies towards the
purchase of a pair.
Fancy, if you can, what would be the consequence of a small army of
Spring-heels in every district.
To return, however, to our hero.
His dress was most striking.
It consisted of a tight-fitting garment, which covered him from his neck
to his feet.
This garment was of a blood-red colour.
One foot was encased in a high-heeled, pointed shoe, while the other
was hidden in a peculiar affair, something like a cow's hoof, in
imitation, no doubt, of the "cloven hoof" of Satan. It was generally
supposed that the "springing" mechanism was contained in that hoof.
He wore a very small black cap on his head, in which was fastened one
bright crimson feather.

The upper part of his face was covered with black domino.
When not in action the whole was concealed by an enormous black
cloak, with one hood, and which literally covered him from head to
foot.
He did not always confine himself to this dress though, for sometimes
he would place the head of an animal, constructed out of paper and
plaster, over his own, and make changes in his attire.
Still, the above was his favourite costume, and our readers may
imagine it was a most effective one for Jack's purpose.
These are almost all the published facts about this extraordinary man.
But we have been favoured by the descendants of Spring-Heeled Jack
with the perusal of his "Journal" or "Confessions," call it which you
will.
The only condition imposed upon us in return for this very great favour
is that we shall conceal the real name of the hero of this truly
extraordinary story.
The reason for this secresy is obvious.
The descendants of Spring-Heeled Jack are at the