Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 139: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. 159 instant Sir Maurice was run through the shoulder by the villain.” ‘* Whom, of course, you immediately killed?” “No such luck, sir,’ returned Sir Ranulph, with much chagrin, “Iwas not in the room when the gaming took place, but I entered just as the scoun- drel was assailed by my friends. He fought his way to the door, and made a thrust at me as he passed ; and now J remember his face, whic!: Isaw but for an instant, I recognise in him the same villain that stopped my coach and fought with me some months ago,” ‘‘ And his name, sir ?” “Tom King.” “What! the famous robber --the ‘Gentleman’s Highwayman?’”’ “The gentleman’s devil !” growled Sir Ranulph. “ You may well say that, sir,” returned Dick, seriously. ‘‘ He is said to belong to the gang of » that rascal, Dick Turpin.” “ The same.” ‘ “Gentlemen, it is fortunate for you that he was alone. Had the rest of the gang been with him, you would have stood a cance of being robbed.” ‘‘T wish we could meet the ruffians !” ‘‘That Turpin is a daring dog. But let me see to my poor horse.”’ / Turpin walked to the side of Black Bess, He caressed and encouraged her with soothing words. ' After some time she struggled to her feet. She stood trembling with excitement and anxiety, her head resting on her master’s shoulder. The gentlemen praised her in unmeasured terms. “A noble creature! If you felt disposed to part with her, I would purchase her at any price,” said Sir Ranulph. “The wealth of England would not buy her,” re- turned the robber, with unaffected sincerity. “Do .you think you can manage to remount?” said another, kindly. ‘J will try,” returned Turpin. : He placed his foot in the stirrup, and sprang into the saddle. “Twas rather an ugly fall,” he said, with a smile; “ but I find I am little the worse for it.” “So it seems from the manner in which you sit your horse,” said Ranulph. “Gentlemen, in bidding you farewell, I must heartily thank you for the kind assistance you have réndered me,” said Dick Turpin, raising his hat ; “TJ trust we shall meet again, and I wish you good night, and a safe journey.” The gentlemen returned his salute, and Dick Turpin dashed off at a rattling place. He rode on for several miles without slackening his pace, but finally dropped into a quick canter, and made the woods ring with his exultant laughter, He tossed up his hat in the glee of his heart, and then, with trembling fingers, he eagerly rummaged his pockets of their store of rustling bank notes, and richly glowing guineas, which he counted with creat satisfactron. CHAPTER LXXIV. TOM KING'S STRANGE ADVENTURE—HIS HORSE TAMED—THE DREARY WALK THROUGH THE FORES! — THE WALTHAM BLACKS — DEER STBALERS CAROUSING — A NIGHT OF JOLLI- TY, Ws must now return to Tom King. It is needless to recount his adventures of the LE ————————————— ——————————— Peacock tavern, for they have already been briefly but sufficientiy referred to by Sir Ranulph Gayton. When he had been detected in his cheating tricks at the card table, and been furiously set upon by the enraged gamesters, he fought his way to the door. As he passed out he encountered Sir Ranulph Gayton. ‘They crossed swords. In an instant Tom King disarmed his antagonist and bounded from the house. His horse was waiting in the stable yard. In a moment he had mounted, and was tearing along the road. The young nobles speedily followed him, tumbling into their saddles, and giving hot chase. ; Dick Turpin hastened on. His beautiful white courser was in fine condition, and the hard road rattled under heft flying feet, and the landscape on either hand swam dizzily past him, The pursuers followed hard, most of them being splendidly mounted. Tom King’s escape appeared very problematical. Nothing recking, however, the daring scoundrel from time to tifie turned in the saddle, waving his hat, and urging his pursuers to come on, But he found this diversion somewhat dangerous, Several pistol shots were fired at him, More than once the speeding bullets passed close by his head, and crackled into the boughs of the low, sweeping trees. “A highwayman! a highwayman ! Stop him ! stop the villain !” A sturdy fellow, a farm labourer, attempted to stop the mad career of the rushing steed. He had cause to repent of his officiousness. A downright blow from Tom’s heavily loaded whip stretched him along the ground, senseless. Onwards and onwards the robber urged his brave steed. His progress was suddenly arrested by the appearance of a large number of well-mounted travellers, swiftly advancing towards him, He turned, Springing boldly over a high thicket and a wide, deep ditch, or ha-ha, he scoured across a gentle- man’s park, He was forced to give up all idea of keeping his appointment with Dick Turpin. He changed his course, and by a long detour, and at an easier pace, for he had outrun his pursuers and completely outwitted them, he made his way into the high road, which, crossing the borders of the two counties, brought him into Essex. He finally arrived near Waltham, and here he was forced to get off his horse and lead her pain- fully along, The sky had by this time become overcast with clouds, and the road was wild, dark and desolate, and penetrated through the heart of a wide, dense forest. His horse, too, had got a stone in her foot, and progressed slowly. Tom found himself much perplexed as to the right road to take, He had lost his way. Passing along a narrow path through the forest, he found himself emerging into the very road he had quitted before. He muttered an impatient oath. He looked up and down the road, All was dark, Tom King !