Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

1476 ee ee —_ eombatanis held themselves prepared for attack or de- fence. The stranger was the first to make a thrust, and it waa given so suddenly—so straightforwardly—that it seemed as though it must inevitably reach home. But Dick parried it at once, then, quick as lightning changing the direction of his sword, struck the oficer lightly on the shoulder. ¢ “One!” he said, with a laugh. The officer’s face flushed, and it was perfectly certain iiuat he had made up his mind he should obtain an easy victory over the highwayman, and the thrust that had been parried so skilfully was his favourite means of at- tack, and never before had he known it to fail him. Yet, considering all things, he preserved his calmness admirably, and he again crossed his sword Gys1 thac of Dick Turpin. The stranger now waited to be attackec, and Dick did not leave him long in suspense, Watching his opportunity, he suddeniy lunged forward, and struck his adversary on the arm just above the elbow; at the same time, he felt a slight touch himseil. “Two and one!” he said. “Then the next stroke must decide it.” Some traces of excitement now began to manifest them- selves in the stranger’s manner. Never before had he encountered an opponent so skil- ful as Dick Turpin. IIe felt that his credit as a swordsman was now at stake, and this feeling went very far indeed towards un- nerving him. As for Dick himself, he was to all outward appearances as indifferent as ever; but that might have arisen from his consciousness of his own superior powers as a swords- man. Again the weapons clanged together. Rapid thrusts were interchanged and parried. Then, by mutual consent, they paused. At this moment a shriek came upon their ears, It issued from Maud’s lips. From the distance she had witnessed this conflict, and, of course, she was unable to tell that it was one of a friendly character. ‘Thinking only of Dick’s danger, she came hurrying on. ‘“That is some one with you?” said the stranger, in- terrogatively. “Itis,” said Dick, “and this must be settled before she comes up. Now, then, to it again !” There was more of earnestnces in Dick’s manner than there had been hitherto, and the stranger felt it. Searcely had the swords been crossed than Dick, with a rapid movement, disengaged his own sword, and tapped the officer lightly on the breast. “Three!” he said. ‘Just ix time!” With acother cry, Maud bounded forward, and reached his side. She clasped her arms around him, and could scarcely believe at first that he was unhurt and safe. “ All’s well, Maud,” he said—‘all’s well!) This gentle- man and myself have had a friendly bout together—no- thing more.” With an evident sense of chagrin the stranger sheathed his sword, drew down his shirt-sleeves, and resumed his coat; and Dick sheathed his own weapon likewise, and, with a careless, almost indifferent, step, walked to the spot where the purse was lying, and picked it up. “Farewell,” he said, perceiving that the stranger had already gained the saddle, and was about to gallop otf— “farewell, sir! And should you ever hear Dick Turpin’s neme meutioned, you at least will be able to bear testi- mony that he did not behave himself like a common foot- act" The officer bestowed a stare of intense and undisgwised astonishment upon Dick, then, mutteting: “T might have guessed it,” plueged his spurs into his horse’s flanks and galloped away, for this disclosure of his adversary’s nam ‘id not in the least degree reconcile him to his defeat. “ Are you sure you are unhurt,” said Maud—~ new you quite certain of it?” “Quite; and was in no danger except from you. Yes, ad that shriek of yours come upon my ears at a critical Joraent the consequences would have been serious ; but RLAOX BESS; OR, ———— no matter, [ have gained my end; here is a porss. and if the stranger is satisfied I am.” He consigned it to his pocket as he spoke. Ther once more both resumed their places upon the back of Black Bess. “T am not afraid that he will betray me,” Dick said, in answer to a question from Maud, “nor do I think he would give the officers any informaticz, However, I feel that to journey any further along this road by daylight would be unwise, so at ths second turning we come to we will leave it.” “ Why not the first ?” “Simply because the officers might, take it into their heads to ride down it; it would be mech safer to ride on to the second.” Maud felt that this reason was a good one, and said no more. Dick again put Black Bess to the gallop, as he was anxious to leave the road he was now on, from the simyle fact that a long, uninterrupted view could be obtained of it. He did not reach a second turning, however, until he had gone considerably more than a mile. At length he stopped suddenly. “ There’s a lane,” he said; ‘* but we have passed it; the entrance is so dark and narrow that I could scarcely make out what it was at first.” Maud looked around her in some surprise, for although she had been on the look-out she had seen nothing of the lane Dick spoke of. Black Bess’s head was now turned round, and after they had retraced their steps for a short distance they found themselves opposite to the entrance of one of those narrow, winding, leafy lanes that are to be found in al- most every part of England. CHAPTER CMIV. DICK TURPIN MEETS WITH ANOTIIER SINGULAR ADVEN- TURE. On either side trees had been planted very closely to- gether, and they were of great antiquity, as was evi- denced by the immense thickness of their trunks. These trees were indeed so closely in contact that it would have been hard to squeeze any bulky object be- tween them, and their branches shot out in such profusion above that they completely covered the lane, forming a kind of arched canopy te it. Dick without hesitation made his way along it, and as soon as ever they had got beneath the shadow of the old trees, such an air of peacefulness and quiet came over all things that they felt themselves to be in perfect safety. ‘We are not likely to meet with anyone here, Maud,” said Dick, “so we can journey on without much fear, Still you are weary, and should any shelter present itself, rely upon it [ shall not hesitate to avail myself of it.” “Tf it will be safe to do so,” said Maud. “Oh, it will be safe enough, never fear; leave all con- sideration of danger to me.” So great was the silence around, and such an impres- sion did it produce upon Dick, that he could not prevail upon himself to disturb it. The fact was he was terribly fatigued, though his con- stitution was so strong that he was only made sensic!s ot it by a longing desire for repose. It was theretore at a pace scarcely exceeding s walk that he allowed Black Bess to make her way along this Jane. Another reason which induced him to adopt this course was out of consideration for his steed. Black Bess had beer apon her iegs for many hours, and had travelle€ many miles. Comparatively speaking, it was rest for Dick to sit in the saddle while his mare was going so gently. Dut althougu nis bodily powers enjoyed this repose his mentai ones did not. He was very uneasy, nct only on account of his com- rades, but particularly on behalf of Tom Davis and Ellen, who he feared would find themselves in a very difficult, unpleasant position. Maud glanced up at his face and saw bv the expression of it that something was troubling him, In a moment she asked what it was. “{ will tell you,” he said. “It is as you may say 6@ com G “S 100