Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 10: what you’re looking at

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1382 “You are both safe, I see,” were Claude’s first words, * But the captain—where is he?” “Not back yet,” was the reply, “ as we Sre expect- ing him each moment. Had he returned, I shev!4-have tried my luck again to-night with Jack.” “But,” exclaimed Claude, “morning is Grawing on apace; it is strange he hes not made his appearance before this!” e ‘ We have heard from him,” said Tiina Devis. “ Heard from him? How ?” “ Why, early yesterday morming, to our great couster- nation and alarm, Black Bess came gailoping up to the front door.” “What, again ?” “Yes, and without the captain. Y must say that it gave me such a turn that for a short time I was not able to move alimb. Darting forward, however, I first of all discovered that Black Less was dripping wet from head to foot.” : “ And could you find nothing of the captain ?” “No, nothing but this pocket-book, which was strapped to the saddle; and here, look—on ono of the leaves ycs can find scrawled these words: “¢ All’s well—fear not forme. Back soon.’” ‘Fhe pocket-book was handed to Claude, who examined it with very great attention. “Well,” he ejaculated, at length, “‘ this indeed passes my comprehension! What on earth could have induced him to send Black Bess in this manner? He must be aware that she is almost as well known as himself, and that it was almost, if not quite, as dangerous for her to arrive here by herself as it would be for him to ride upto the door by daylight.” “ That was my thought,” said Davis. “But you spoke about her being wet—what «as the meaning of that ?” ‘tT can only guess,” was the reply. ‘‘WhenI took her into the stable I found that the wound in ber neck had been bleeding afresh, and I suppose that, in order to allay the pain, she had jumped into some stream.” “Tt is singular indeed,” said Claude, musingly. “ What construction do you put upon it ?” These last words were addressed, not to Tom Davin, but Pe the two highwaymen—T'om King and Sixteen-String ack. Claude observed in a moment that they fidgeted about and looked uneasy, as though they wished to say some- thing, and yet, from some cause or other, held back. Just then, while Claude was wondering more and more at the singular aspect affairs were assuming, his eye happened to rest upon Maud’s countenance. lt was as white as ashes. liven her very lips were white, and her eyes were burn- ing with a strange, peculiar light. Before he could speak again, Tom King said, witha man‘fest effort: ‘‘ Never mind the captain just now, Claude; suppose ha make us acquainted with your adventures. Where ave you passed the day ?” . “That will do another time,” said Claude. “I cannot trouble myself with thinking about that.” “ Well,” said Tom King, hurriedly, and with the same air of restraint, “since you will not speak, I must per- force give you an account of my adventures; ten to one, by the time I have concluded the captain will make his appearance.” “Do you really think that?” exclaimed Maud, in a trembling voice, and clasping her hands beseechingly to- gether—“ do you indeed think that ?” “~ do, or else why should he hays seat oack that message? Rely upon it, wherever the captain may Fe he is well able to take care of himself.” Then, without pausing. Tom King began an account of his own adventures, He seemed anxious to fill up the conversation, and to allow no one else the opportunity of speaking. The fact was, he wished to prevent any diseussion taking place upon the subject of the captain’s non-ap- pearance, Yet all could tell by his manner that he was very ill at ease. *“T got safely away,” he began, * though I confess I was rather troubled about Jack Marshall and his men.”’ * However, I saw nothing of them, and made my way BLACK BESS; 03, with all speed to the Oxford Road, for I caafess I have a greater fancy for that highway than any cther. | . ‘The reason is, I suppose, that I have never to look far for an adventure in that directitn. é ‘¢ And so it turned out in the present iustance. “Scarcely had I gone a hundred yards when I heard She sound Gf a vehicle approaching. “ By the sound I could tell in a moment tuat it was of a heavy description, though I was at a loss to Maxc Up my mind as to exactly what kind of velicle it was. ‘‘In the meanwhile 1 made all my preparations, and having carefully primed my pistols, I looked up and saw lights flashing close at hand. , ‘‘ Then directly afterwards I made ont the shape of a large, lumbering, old-fashioned carriae+” -awn by a couple of white horses. > “In spite of its heavy appearance and ponderous wheels, the vehicle rolled along at a very rapid rate, and, indeed, no wonder, for the coachman as he sat on the box flogged the horses incessantly in order to keep them up to the top of their speed. ‘‘Tt was clear that whoever was inside was for some reason or other in a very great hurry indeed, and anxious to reach some point as quickly as possible. ; “Tt was not likely, though, that I could allow that to interfere with me, so I at once rode out and commanded the coachman to stop. ‘Whether he tried to rein-in the horses or not I can scarcely say ; it would have been impossible to ckeck them all at once. sa “Under these circumstances I tricl our old expedient of firing a pistol over his head. ‘On the present occasion it was quite successful. “With a cry of terror be pulled up. “Threatening him with instant death if he moved, I made my way to the door of the carriage. ‘‘No sooner did I reach it than the window wes let down from within. “T then caught sight of the form of a very old lay, and so much did her appearance impress me that I must give you a brief description of her. “She was neatly yet richly and elegantly dressed; her face, though old and somewhat withered, yet was a most pleasing one, chiefly because of the unmistakable air of benevolence that it wore. . : ‘“‘Qne could tell that she was all kindness and affection meu of those good creatures that are occasionally met with. : ‘But her face was very pale, and her eyes filled with tears. Iler voice was husky with emotion, and yet she endeavoured to assume an air of sternness, perhaps in the hope that she might conceal it. ‘««Sir, sir—whoever you are,’ she exclaimed, ‘let me entreat you to depart—let me proceed! Do not hinder me a moment, for, alas! every second is most precious to me, or rather to one I hold far dearer than my lifa! Sir —sir, if you are not dead to every human kindly feeling, let me implore you to allow me to pass—do not detain me amoment longer! If you will, I will make you any promise you desire !’ ‘‘T confess, comrades, that I was deeply touched by her manner—so deeply, indeed, that at first I could not reply. ‘‘ Raising my hat, however, I said: **Vou are quite free to pass. I much regret that I have hindered you. I should be glad to render some atonement for it. My life is one of adventure—you know my calling—and I pursue it more for the love I have for adventure than any other cause. If you need a strong arm and @ willing heart to assist you, speak—you have only to say the word, and you will find both at your ser- vice. ~~ = es CHAPTER DCCCXLIII. IN WHICH TOM KING CONTINUES THE RECITAL OF HIS INTERESTING ADVENTURES. “< Tie old lady looked at me wistfully, and, clasping her hands together, leaned forward eagerly. **¢ You can trust me,’ I said, guessing what was pass- ing through her mind—‘you can trust me in all things.’ : “Then I will put faith in you,’ she exclaimed, with comicbooks co