Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

- fbesh and blood like himself, but unsubstantial phan- | toms. Had they not been, how could they possibly have so sompletely disappeared in such a brief space ef time? CHAPTER CMXVI. fN WITCH DICK FINDS HIS PERILS AND PERFLEXITIES INCREASING. Dick Torr: puted off his hat and wiped away the cold, death-like drops of perspiration that had gathered there upon his brow. He looked around him, but he saw nothing but what | served to make him feel more couviusively than ever that he had met with a supernatural adventure. And what could so strange, so unparalleled an event portend ? Was it the precursor of danger to himself, or of peril to his comrades ? He doubted not there was some good reason why he had thus so suddenly and strangely been brought face to face with two of his companions. But what the reason was bafiled him entirely. If he had chosen to interpret it as the harbinger of ril to himself he would have appeared to be correct, Ei now, as his eyes wandered along the broad level high- road, he caught sight of a body of police officers, who evidently were riding forward at the best speed they could make. Dick quitted his exposed situation at once, and with all his faculties aroused by this fresh danger he debated within himself which would be the best course for him now to adopt. In the space of a few minutes the officers would arrive at the top of the hill. What, then, should he do in the meantime ? Flight was out of the question; he felt that so con- clusively that he abandoned the idea almost as soon as it was formed. With such a miserable horse as he now possessed, the police officers would have no trouble in overtaking him, nor would he have the least chance if he trusted t his ewn fleetness of foot. He could think of no other course that offered the slightest chance of safety save that of endeavouring to assume with what perfection he could the character he had undertaken to play. Accordingly, carefully placing his hat once more upon his head, he took his seat in front of the cart. Then he urged his horse onward, hoping that he might pass through the ranks of the officers without danger. This, however, was a hope scarcely to be indulged The disguise had already served him well on many oc- casions, but then that was during the night, and many things which pass muster in an artificial light would bs instantly detected by day. The question was, then, would the officers look so par- tioularly at him or take so much notice of him as he drove quietly past as to penetrate his disguise. He could only trust not, and drive quietly on. This course he carried out, ent his head down upon his breast and appearing as if alf asleep. Furtively, however, from time to time he glanced at the officers, who were now very close at hand indeed, but not so close as he had anticipated, for they had reduced their speed. They were permitting their exhausted horses to ascend the hill at a walking pace. The officérs were talking. Dick could hear their voices floating distinctly on the still, calm morning air. Another moment and he was able to tell the vrecise words they made use of. “As I live,” said one of them, ‘it’s the same rascal | Pll swear to him and his bru’~ on four legs at any minute.” ‘“* And I'll swear to the cart,” said another. “Curse his impudence,” added a third. “I firmly be- lieve he sent us out of our way on purpose. If I only felt sure of it he should pay dearly for the act.” “ iy a it it was done on purpose,” said another. “Tom Kimg would very likely throw him a guinea and bea bhi be silont--at any rate, let us take him in cus- ‘728 ENIGHT OF TEE 3040 1498 “ Agreed—seize him at onee—we'll have a prisoner ef aome sort. I am determined not to have all my night’s work for nothing !” It was the police officer in commend who spoke ‘hese last words : Can anyone form a remote idea of the state of Dick Turpin’s mind as he overheard this conversation ? There was no time left for him to act or even tc think ; the officers were now close upon him, and several of them, spurring theit horses, dashed forward, and in a moment surrounded the cart. One and all drew their pistols, presenting them full at Dick’s head, while another saved him the trouble of stop- ping the horse by seizing hold of &« ‘ridle. The cart came to a standstill. Dick looked up in well-affected amazement. It was a bold thing for him to do, but he did it, for he had @ reason. m ‘T'be officers saw his face, but they failed to recognise im. ‘“‘ Surrender,” they cried—“ you are our prisoner !” ‘‘ P__p—p—prisoner ?” said Dick, stammeringly, and pretending to tremble with fright. “Yes; and now surrender! If you resist, you area dead man!” Resistance indeed was vain, and Dick did not attempt it; but with a wonderful coolness and presence of mird he continued to act in accordance with his assumed character. ‘*B—but, gentlemen,” he said, touching his hat at every word—‘‘gentlemen all, what have I done? I haven't been stealing.” ‘No, you have not been stealing,” was the answer; “but you recollect us, don’t you—you remember when you saw us before ?” ‘* Yes—yes; Captain was down.”’ ‘Yes; and you gave us false information as to the road the highwayman took. That’s felony, and you shall be punished for it! Come down off your perch; we'll have the darbies on you in a jiffey !” Dick hesitated, and pretended to do so from fright; but it was in order to decide upon his next actions. Clearly he could not better his situation by remaining where he was; and therefore, slowly and reluctantly, and with many expressions of terror and shakes of the head, he clumsily got up, and as clumsily began to de- scend from his vehicle. But the officers were impatient, and seizing him rudely, pulled him down into the road. Then, with great expertness, one of them clapped the handcuffs over his wrists. So suddenly was this done, that even Dick was taken at unawares. He had not quite made up his mind whether he should submit to being handcuffed or not. Now it was too late; his wrists were fast. The officer evidently thought he had performed a very clever, dexterous feat, for he laughed exultingly as he said: “There, now, my fine fellow, what do you think of that? How do you feel now 2” Dick pretended to cry. ‘ Let me off,” he said—‘'oh, do let me off, and I will do anything you like! I did tell you wrung, I know I did; but, then, I was afraid I should have my brains blown out !” “Eh? What?” gaid the chief officer, at this moment. “Why were you afraid of that ?” “Why—why, sir, if you please,” said Dick, “if you will only let me off, I will tell you the whole truth.” ‘Well, well, tell it.” “But will you let me off afterwards ?” . “Silence!” said the officer who stood next to him, accompanying the words with such a thump, that Dick felt as though all the breath was suddenly jerked out of his body—" silence! What do yop mean by speaking like that? Mind your manners.” 4 Dick pretended to be still more humble and contrite. “T am very sorry, sir,” he sald—“ very sorry, but I was mortally frightened !” “Who by? Why don’t you tellall, as you promised ?” “ Well, so I will, your worship. You must understand when that fellow came galloping along, he saw me in the cart, abd be pulled upall of « sudden ka” EO A MIC CS | & (E(0) 0)(0\(0)