Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

bs . ya. >. = ee, ae Es ats eee 7 < + > » vy >. ve 1478 Dick consented willingly enough, and renewed his offers of reward. These men were all to G certain extent outcasts from society, like himself. and therefore very likely to befriend him—at any rate, he resolved to run the risk of placing confidence in them, if only for Matd’s sake. Sar little cause for mirth at the present time, having met with a great misfortune.” “Indeed! What is it ?” ‘“The loss of our best horse—one that we had taught, with what trouble and patience yon could not comprehend, to perform many tricks. What caused the vreature’s death we cannot guess; it may have been cold, exposure—l know not what. Certain it is that the mort attractive feature in our exhibition ig gone.” ‘Then your entertainment is 4 circus ?” The man nodded. “Yes,” he said. ‘“‘*And here you see my company, or rather the remains of it,” he added, rather sadly, ‘for there was a time when my position was very different from what itis now. It is useless to repine—we must do the best we can, and hope for better times.” Dick would very willingly have questioned this man respecting his past life; he felt quite sure that he should obtain frem him many details of a strange and interesting nature. But after the rude meal was partaken of, such a feeling of drowsiness and heaviness came over him as he had _ never before experienced. He triedin vain to struggle with it. ‘T know not whether it is your intention to stay were long,” he said, rousing himself with some difficulty, “ but if you would let me sleep somewhere until sunset I would take rv as the greatest favour you can grant.” “Tt shall be so. We are tired, and our horses also. Make yourself content.” By the directions of the leader of* tne troop, some canvas was pulled out of the waggon and fixed upon poles, go that a rude kind of tent was formed. Here Dick threw himself down, and quickly fell asleep. Maud was in the yellow caravan, also wrapped in slumber, for she was quite worn out with the auxteties and fatigues of the last few days. Before retiring to rest, however, Dick had entreated Smithini to give him immediate warning if ha perceived the approach ef any police oflicers. Nothing but extreme physical exhaustion would have made it possible for Dick to sleep under such cireum- stances as these, But he did sleep, and soundly. When he at length opened his eyes, it seemed as though not more than amoment had elapsed since he had closed them. Looking around, however, he saw that %¢ was fast growing dark. For some time he remained perfectly still. He was thinking over his position, and endeavouring to decide what should be his next step. Among these friendly strollers there was no doubt he would be able to find a refuge, and Maud as well. But then he recollected the promise he had made to the Governor of Newgate. By what means he could possibly obtain the eum of money needed, and bury it in time at the foot of the tree on Hampstead Heath, seemed an absolute mystery Suddenly, in the midst of his perpaexities, he was struck by a bright thought. He was all exultation in a moment. Almost any other perso , however, would have shrunk beck in dismay at the b ro idea of what Dick toutem- plated. ; “ Yos,”? he said to himself, “ that’s the course ; it 18 simple and straightforward. I will go to Drury Lane; Matthew will willingly lend me the money I require: there will be no obstacle in that quarter, and, at the same time, [ shall be able to learn intelligence of Tom Davis. Why, thatalone would be worth ¢he risk. Yes? my mind is made up, I’ll go!” This seemed, however, little short of madness; it was Virtually courting danger for danger’s sake. ol * ‘ ¥ & % “I ~ ne x x =e 1 Pa 4 mak ; . oe) a ; oh BLACK BESS; OR, “We make ourselves as happy as we can,” said Smithini, when Dick alluded to the laughter which his resence had interruptec, ‘ but 1 can assure you, sir, we CE EE eT EY em, A ~* _# ¥ a Hae Fall its, x + - > ~ mee ee me eee —_—__ Although he had arrived at this decision, Dick foual many difficulties in the way of carrying tteut = First and foremost came Maud. | : What was he to do with her in the meanwhile, for ev23 impossible for her to accompany him to tse White orse ? ‘‘T must speak to her,” he said—‘t 1 must persuade her — . - to leat me go. These players will dcubdtiess take her under their charge ; she will be eafe with them, and if they keep faith with me, why, this man shall be so well rewarded that he will step at once into his lost position. All my difficulties are ciearing themselves away. Now my course is clear and -straightforward [ must follow 1 With tkese words, bick rose and emerged from the font. Close at hand, he saw the figure of Smithini. “ You have slept long,” he said—“ you must have been fatigued.” “ 1 was.” ‘‘Come this way, then. You see they have made a fire yonder; we will, if you like, have one more meal together, and then JI suppose we must part.” ‘‘Yes—I suppose so; but before I leave I have an offer to make to you.” Just as he spoke these words, the fire was reached, round which the whole party had assembled. Maud was there, and Dick hastened to place himself by her side. 2. The scene was one tha¢ recommended itself to Dick from its very novelty, and he heartily joined in good- tellowship with these strangers among whom he had been so suddenly cast. When the meal was over, he led Maud away to a little distance to speak to her. ‘Black Bess is safe, you say ?” “‘ Yes—quite safe, or was, only a short time back.” Dick whistled, then waited a moment. The quick beat of hoofs over the heath was heard, and the next moment Black Bess was by her master’s side caressing him. “Yes, all’s well,” he said. “And now, Maud, I have something to propose to you which will be for the good of all. It will entail some sacrifice on your part, but you must not hesitate to make it.” She looked at him strangely, wondering what would come next. In a few words, then, he announced his decision. Maud recoiled with horror at the bare idea. It needed all Dick’s rhetoric only to partially reassure her; but at length he succeeded. He hit upon the right course for inducing her to con- sent to allow him to visit the White Horse. It was by representing how selfish his conduct and hers would appear if they left Tom Davis and Ellen to their fate. The consent of Smithini to the arrangement alone was wanting, and Dick now hastened to seek him out. “Tf would rather not tell you who I am,” he said, bluntly, as soon as they had mnct; “but, as you may guess, I am an offender against the laws. The officers of justice are in pursuit of me. They are no friends of yours unless I make a great mistake.” “They are certainly not friends,” said Smithini, with some bitterness. ‘Often and often, by a needless inter- ference, they have deprived me of much money.” ‘“T don’t doubt it; but to return to what I was saying. You were telling me that your position was once very different.” : | “Tt was,” answered theman. “I had a large stud of horses, and the best troup of equestrians and tumblers i: the kingdom. Now you sec to what 1am reduced. I expect the next thing will be, we shall have to part with the waggon and tents fora subsistence, by picking up a few coppers by performing in the roadway.” ‘‘ Not so,” said Dick, laying his hand on hia shoulder. “TF you only consent to what I propose, you will have no need to take this gloomy view of things. f require a service at your hands; if you grant it, the recompense stall be such a 1eward as will enable you to resume your former position.” Smithini lo-ked at Turpia incredulously for a mo- ment, : ‘You speak fafr,” he said, “and there is a truthtya com } p 4 \ » 0 F wae ¢ 4 , % We ae ee ft & tyr ‘ ™ < Cop Va yy sy. oat SCs oe, ear e ey One, ty MAT ae CRG oe Pe eG k