Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

1494 “Yes, yes.” “Then he swore an awful oath, and he said that the grabs was behind, and swore again thatif I so much as opened my mouth to say which way he had gone, he would certainly find it out, and blow my brains ont, # && wasayeartocome. He Jooked at me, aud said he should know me again.” “ And so, on those grounds, you gave us felse infarmna- tion, eh ?” said the police officer. “Yes, yes, [ have.” “Well, then, my fine fellow, you haye heer elever enough to admit your guilt; and let me tell you all you have just said will be used against you in evidence. You beard me give the caution, of course ?”’ “Oh, yes, yes,” said the officers, in chorus, though y* a word in the shape of caution had beer spoken. “ But won't cou let me off ?” said Dick, more ruefully thanever. “Ihave told youthe truth. Why don’t you let me off?” “We'll let you off this far,” said the officer, witha wink: “ We'll carry you straight before Squire Bartlett, who lives near at uand, and he will take charge of you. We would take you with us to London, only we have more important matters on hand.” Dick Turpin put in a wild, incoherent, terrified appeal. It produced no effect whatever upon the officers. They were, indeed, without exception, quite rejoiced to think that they had succeeded in making a prisoner of some sort or other. It consoled them, in a very great measure, for the disappointment they had experienced throughout the night. CHAPTER CMXVILI. DICK TURPIN IS CARRIED BEFORE SQUIRE BARTLETT, AND COMMITTED. Even in such a perilous and trying position as this, Dick was able to find some slight amount of consolation, although it was so slight that probably anyone else wonld have passed it over altogether. But he had heard the officers express their intention of not taking bim to London, but simply of conducting him before some country justice of the peace. He was very careful, however, not to allow any signs of the satisfaction this afforded him to appear in his coun- tenance, lest this should arouse the now dormant sus- picions of his captors. Indeed, ‘ie was not a little amazed himself to discover that his disguise stood such close scrutiny. He had not dared to hope that the result would prove so favourable. On the contrary, he had made up his mind that his detection would follow as a matter of course. The chief reason, however, why he was not recognised consisted in the fact that the officers’ minds were fully impressed with the idea that he was a carter and no- thing else. They had seer him on a preceding occasion going towards London, and now they met him returning, and to all appearauce quite unconcerned. That this could be Dick Turpin was an idea sv mon- strous and extravagant that it never for one moment crossed their minds; indeed, it may be safely said it would be the very last thing they would think of. And so, as it never occurred to them to suspect that the carter was not what he professed to ba, Dick stood in slight danger of discovery now. The only thing that would betray him would be apy forgetfulnase or oversight on his part, If for one moment he spoke in his own natural woice, detection would follow. ina matter of this kind, howewer, Dick was nc likely o be careless; and, moreover, the character he was playing was the one of all others which he could sustain with the best abfAty, for during his early life he bad lived far in the country, and had had daily opportunities of uoting the peculiarities of tha labouring man Accordingly, although the eyes of so many of his enemies were directed upon him, Dick Turpin was us- known, The residence of the squire they had mentioned was wery close at hand-—indeed, almost in sight of where they stood, and towarda it they now mada tiealx way, BLACK BESS; OR, The horse snd cart were also valiantly taken prisoners and led along towards the justice's. Many were the jokes made and laughs raised at Dick’s expense, but he showed no signs of merriment or resent- ment on hia countenance. He Kept up a perpetual appeal to be Yet off, alleging various reasons for not being brought before the squire. ‘Yo all of these the ofticers turned a deaf ear, though they served them as materials for sport. At length, breasting the hill, Dick tooked around, and perceived a large, substantially-built white mansion, situated very pleasantly upon the declivity of the hill. This he doubted not was the residence of Squire Bart- lett, and he shortly after found that his conjecture was quite correct. Although the hour was such an early on, unin wreaths of smoke could be seen curling from some of the chim- neys, and the officers noted this with great satisfaction. As the distance was not great, and all the way dowa- hill, it was soon performed. They clamoured loudly at the lodge gates, and were admitted. While the little procession made its way up the wind- ‘ng avenue leading to the house, Dick’s reflections were by no means of a pleasant character. He was as yet not very far from London, and it was quite possible that this country justice might by his inquiries find out that he was only disguised, or he might be clever enough to recognise him. At any rate, Dick felt that he had an ordeal of no tri- fling kind to pass through. Bub he endeavoured to nerve himself for it as best he cou The officers made their way round to the back of the house, and, after much Knocking, were admitted into a kind of court-yard. Here they alighted from their steeds, and a few servant, who were up at that early hour, issued from various doors, all filled with curiosity to know the meaning of this strange arrival. “Ts his worship here?” asked the officer in com- mand. . ‘‘ Yes,” replied the servant he addressed. “Then tell him he’s wanted immediately.” “T can’t.” “ Why not?” ‘“* He’s in bed ” * Well, wake b*an.‘ “Tt’'s more than mv 1ead’e worth, or yours e‘ther.” “Pooh, pooh—nonsense—nothing of the kind!” said the officer. ‘‘ We havea prisoner of great importance, and it is necessary that he should be examined without delay, so call his worship up at once! Say I am here— . Davis, the police officer from London.” \ At this moment one of the upper windows was thrown open with great violence, and a nightcapped bead ap- peared “Gh, law!” exclaimed the servant—‘there’s his worship! Now there’ll be a row !” “ Hallo—hallo!” said the justice, in very gruff, choleric tones—“ what’s the meaning of this infernal row at this hour in the morning? Tl) have you all committed to prison! Be off—be off at once!” ‘‘ Your worship,” said the officer in command, taking off his hat, and speaking with great respect, ‘‘ I am very sorry to disturb you, but 1 have a prisoner here of very great importance indeed, and I want you to order him into safe custody.” “Oaut, then: You must wait till twelve o’clock !” “But it’s impossible, your worship!” said the pomoe officer ‘“ Weare in pursuit of Tom King and we charge this man here with beis,s¢ his accomplice, for he gave us false informati oa duriug the night.” “Yom King, did yo. say ?” said the justice. “Yes the noturious highwayman |” “Catch him, then— atch him! Tl add fifty pounds to the reward mysvlf{ O—n tbe fellow’a impudence—he robbed a sister of mine in a stage-coack some time ago! Wait a minute,and | will be with you. Go into the justicing-room.” Ths squire, now al) asive, withdsss olenseif irom the window, and the servants, having neard his worda, ne longer scrupled to show the officers the way to ths justicinp-toom Geom Ebooks