Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

tae ; FLACK BESS; OF, — , ® — Ve 8 ee eee, ~— ee foes —_——————— ——w OOS Yet Jack Marshall was not satisfied, and for the simple | much to expect that my disguise will stand a scrutiny a_ <t reason that he had got the idea firmly fixed in h‘gs min‘ | eeeond time.” erty that Dick nad taken the straightforward road. His resolve was, however, quickly taken. Sit nS He had maintained this very vigorously in spite of the ile would push on at the best speed the miserablehorsa — general voice of his men, who were all inclined te think | was capable of making, and he trusted, by keeping clos that the highwayman had turned either to the left or the | to one side of the way, to be out of the way of the horse - right. men, who would thus gallop past without any obstruc~ > This, in fact, was the subjeet of discussion when Lick | tion first caught sight of them. To this end, tren, he pulled tho left rein rather sharply, It was mortifying, then, In the extreme for Mir. | for up to the present momeut he had kept in the middle of Marshall thus to find himself in the wrong. the highway. ‘‘ What have you in your cart?” he asked, at Jength. The horse, not expecting such a movement, or making ‘ Nothing at all, sir—just nothing af all, I am going | a false step, or crossing its legs from some other cause, oi now to London to fetch my load.” ctambled, and before Dick could save it, fell down upon Jack Marshall determined to have a pecp at ths its side, where it lay without making the slightest effort interior of the vehicle, being moved to do so by t# } te rise agaia. thought that if ho found the waggoner speaking the truth in this instance it would be only fair to presume that the informat*on he had just given was correct. Accordingly, riding to the back af the cart, Jack Marshall lifted up the canvas, and, one of his men pro- ducing a light, took a peep at the interior, The cart was evidently empty, save and except a very small quantity of dirty straw that was littered on the bottom of it. Jack Marshall let go of the canvas with a feeling of Aisappointment. He did not know why it was, but somehow there seemed to come over his mind a species of reluctance to part company with the supposed cartier. But he had no pretext for detaining him, and so, gruffly and angrily, bade him drive on, Dick gladly enough complied with the mandate, and left the oflicers to make up their minds whether to turn to the left or the right. He drew a long breath when he found that he had fairly escaped from this danger, for once or twice he had felt particularly uneasy, especially when Jack Marshail had called for a light. Now that all had passed off so well, he was able to find ample grounds for congratulation. His disguise had successfully withstood a very severe test, and certainly this incident encouraged him not a little in the hope that he should carry out his mission saccessfully. It must not be thought, however, that it had the effect of in any way abating his caution. Suddenly, however, the sharp clatter of a horse’s hoofs going at a furious gallop smote upon his ears. There wasa bend in the road, so that he was not able to see for any great distance before him. But the clattering sound increased, and then, with great suddenness, the single horseman, going at the utmost speed of which his horse was eapable, appeared in sight. Despite the suddenness of the whole affair—for when Dick first caught sight of the rider he was only a few yards in advanees of him—he recognised him. It was his old, faithful, well-tried comrade, Tem King. Beyond ell dcubt, he was being hotly pursued by olice officers, though at present the clatter of their orses’ feet could not be heard. : Involuntary a shout came from Dick Turpin’s S. Tt caused the fiying horseman to turn his head, and if Dick had had up to that moment any doubt as to the identity of this horseman, all his doubt would have been set at rest, for Tom Iing’s countenance was fully ex- posed to view. In the excitement of the moment, Dick forgot he was disguised, and wondered how it was his comrace did net recognise him. All Tom did, however, was to apply his spur more vigorously to his horse’s already-bleeding flanks, and the next moment he was far away down the road. The beat of his horse’s feet soon became inaudible, ana searcely had this happened than Dick distinctly heard the approach of a large body of mounted men. ‘I'he speed they were coming at was something diarnv- ng, é Confound it!” Dick muttered. “Tam dceomed tc be unfortunate to-night! Ten to one I[ shall have te encounter this second troop of officers, and it’s rather too CHAPTER CMVIIE DICE TURPIN RUNS A RISK TO RENDER UES COMRADE, TOM KING, A SERVICE. Dick's yexation and anger now reached their climax. By the merestchance in the woild, he had saved him- self from being hurled from his seat wien the horse sud- denly fell down. Descending carefully, he went to the creavure’s help, and endeavoured to force it to rise. Before he had time te do anything further than this the troop of officers came In sight. / " The cart was now drawn most awkwardly across ths road, occupying nearly the whole of it. The police officers evidently caught sight of the ob- struction, for a loud shout came upon Dick’s ears. His position now was about as awkward and perilous as could well be imagined. Should he be recognised, nothing in the world could save him other from capture or death—no other alterna- tive would e offered to him. That presence of mind and coolness whiah had on so many occasions stood him in such good stead did not desert him on the present occasion, and almost mecliani- cally he made up his mind as to what would be the best thing todo. It was thoroughly to assume the character he had taken up, and to bend all his energies towards assisting his horse to regain his feet. ‘his could only be done by removing a portion of the harness. | While he was engaged in unfastening the traces, the officers, who had slackened pace when they first caught sight of the horse lyi g across their path, now came up with him, and, as he ¢ alf expected, stopped. “ Tullo, fellow !” said a voice. Dick placed his knee upon his horse’s head and looked ; up. “ffave you travelled far along this road?” was the first question. : ‘Yes, a good way. But don’t bother—dou’t you sce my horse is down !” : “You had better be civil,” said the same voice. ‘“ We are Officers. You must have seen aman gallov past at full speed a few minutes ago. Now, tell me truly, which way did he go?” Dick had expected this answor, and had wondcred whether he should really do his comrade a service by sending the officers on @ wrong track. It could scarcely make Tom's position worse than it was, but then, should the officers discover they had been trifsd with, mast unquestionably they would take him | into custody the next time they encountered him. os But Dick was not likely to hesitate long between con- sidering his own safety and the safety of a companion, so without the ieast hesitation whatever he answered the officer’s question by saying : S ‘Yes, I seéd him sure enough. and a fine rate he was s going at for sartain.” : “But which way did ke go—straight on?” ericd the 3 officer, impatiently. = “No—no,” said Dick, “he didn’t go .raight on, least- im. ways, he did too, but not straight along the road.” ees *“ You mean he took to the fields ?” “Yes, that’s what I mean,” said Dick, with a grin end while he spoke he raised his arm and pointed across the meadows. ‘He jumped his horse clear over that hedga” De SO a LLL | ERLE LL LL LE LL —_—_"”__—_—_———— eee SS Cn Rm ee eee — comicbooks.com