Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

Me —, 2% oe t = ; ~- tren te wee t> THE KNIGHT fag in your voice; but such good fortune is hard to - beheve. If you are in earnest, however, give me your * ps in earnsit,” said Dick, as hé complied with his _ Smithini grasped his hand warmly, and then, with great solemnity, said: ‘ __ -* Tf you make good your promise, I swear there is no __ gervicein the power of man to perform that I would not _ render you. Now, then, let me hear it.” Dick was more pleased than evar with this mea’'s manner. _ Hetold him that he should wish to teeve Maud with him for a day or two, during which time he was to take _ the greatest care of her—to shield her from all danger. ag if, on his return, he fornd her safe, his promise shouid kept. | * Tt seems a trifling service to perform for so great a reward. ‘I scarcely like to accept your terms.” ‘‘T like you none the worse for that,” said Dick, “and, in proof of it, I will take you entirely into my confidence, for you don’t look like the man to betray the trust placed in you by another.” CHAPTER CMYI. DICK TUkPrIN ASSUMES HIS DISGUISE AND SETS OUT FOR LONDON. A Loox of surprise came over Smithini’s face as Dick thus spoke. “You can trust me,” he said. betray you.” ** [ don’t fear,” said Dick, sinking his voice to a lower tone, and glancing cautiously around, so as to make sure they were out of hearing of everybody, ‘and for that reason I shall tell you, without reserve, wholam, You must have heard of me in some way or other. 1am known by the name of Dick Turpin.” “The highwayman ?” “ The same.” The stroller held out his hand. ‘‘T have heard much concerning you,” he. saat, “and what’s more, I like what I have heard, and will lo my best to befriend you—indeed, almost from the first I guessed at your identity, but I waited to see whether you would disclose yourself.” - “T have done so,” said Dick. “That is my wife that J wish to leave in your care. She is sought for by the _ Officers, as well as myself, aud therefore it is necessary that she should keep herself in strict concealment.” The man nodded. “As for myself, business of an urgent and of a dangerous nature compels me to make my way to Lon- don.” Smithini gave a start of surprise. _ To London ?” he replied. Dick nodded. * a “Let me advise you not to go.” ; * Why ?” ‘Because, if you do go, capture is certain.” Dick laughed his old, quiet laugh. “You must leave me to take care of myself,” he said, “and to act as I may judge best. I thank you for your caution, but it is needless.” ___ **No offence, I hope 2” | ___ * None in the least, and now. since all this is arranged, I will seek my wife, and let her knuw the result of this interview.” wot “Very good. There is only one thing, and that you appear to have forgotten.” ‘Never fear that I will * J > 2 ** What is it 2?” ~ To make some amangemeat as to meeting again.’ ‘** Can you not remain hereabout ?” ‘ “It would interfere seriously with my plans, were I to do so,” said the man, after a pause, “ though, of course, yeu can command me. For my own part, however, 1 think the safest and most prudent course wouid be to continuo my movements just as thought had never seen you. Your wife will travel with ua, and there will then be no greund for suspicion,” ot _ “You are quite right,” said Dick. “Last it be so. . Pell me to what place you thought of goiug next?” + My ost halt,” said the stroller, “will be about a OF THR ROAD. 1479 dozen miles from here, a swall town called S——fiel ., I may stay there a day, perhaps only afew hours, 1. I am not there when you arrive, push on to the next village. You will hear tidings of us ail along on our route,” *' It will be easy to trace you,” said Dick, “and so I kuow quite sufficient.” With these words he turned away, and made Maud cequainted with the arrangements that had been agreed to by himself and Smithini. To them she did not venture to offer any opposition. She knew how perfectly useless it would be to attomps to dissuade Dick from setting out upon this expedition, and ske had sufficient ¢o20d sense to know that the arrangement made was the very best possible under the circumstances. Although matters had been settled so far, there was one point upon which Dick was seriously troubled. He could not make up his mind as to the precise means he should take to reach London. 2 question was, should he go with Black Bess or not: Much was to be said on both sides. If he took her it would double the chance of his discovery, for she would be more likely to be recognised than himself. On the other hand, should he leave her behind, he would be cutting off his own escape. While in this siate of indecision, Dick’s eyes rested . mechanically ot one of the vehicles belonging to the strollers, It was a clumsey-looking covered cart, in which odds and ends of various descriptions had been stowed away. - While looking at it, Dick was reminded of an adven- ture he once had, which had met with a most successful termination. t was when, upon the Guildford Road, he had assumed the disguise of a waggoner, and had played the part to such great perfection. This recollection suggested to him the idea that, among his new friends, he would have plenty of opportunities of disguising himself, and he began to wonder whether it yeas not be possible to drive to London in absolute salety. The more he thought upon this project the more he approved of it—especially, as he was unable to think of anything else. At last he resolved that this should be his mode of action, and all that remained was to arrange with Smithini to have the horse and cart, and to leave Black Bess behind. There was litile difficulty about this—indeed, the stroller’s eyes sparkled when the proposition to leave Black Bess in his charge was made to him. ‘““She’s a beautiful-looking creature,” he said, “and well known, so that it may prove nota little dangerous to travel with her ; but if you make up your mind to leave her in my charge I will disguise her so effectually that even you would be in doubt as to her identity—at least, at first sight.” ‘‘ Indeed ?” said Dick, curiously. “TI will show you.” He hastened to the yellow caravan, and presently re- turned with a stone bottle, and brush. ‘‘ Catch her,” he said, “‘and I will show you now.” “She wants little catching,” answered Dick, and as soon as he spoke he gave thesignal whistle. ; There was a beatof hoofs, and in a moment Black Bess was by his side. “There are few horses capable of learning such a trick as that,” said the stroller—‘' very few, and I have had some experience ia it. Why, she could be made to do anything.” ‘tT believe it.” ‘ Keep her quict ther, and you wii! sev wuat an altera- tion can be made in the course of a few momenres.” Dick possessed absolute control over his mare, so he had no difficulty in keeping her quiet while the stroller began his preparations. Dick quickly guessed at his intention, and reguested him to go on without stopping until the operation was completed. | The stone bottie contained a preparation they made ase “ How 2?” JOO =) a cS (¢ (@) (EO)