Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

Fa, eee THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD. 1508 ES OS ST eending, and the thousands of brilliant sparks that rushed apwards. As he continued to gaze, a strange feeling of uneasi- ness sprang up in his breast—a feeling that was indefi- & ana Secause I heard them say that they were resolved to rable, but yet which increased in power every moment. A vague consciousness that something was wrong—that something was about to happen which would be to hima greater misfortune than anything that had yet happened to him—took full possession of his heart, For a brief space of time it unnerved him, but, obtain- ing command over himself, he redoubled his speed, changing his course slightly and making his way direct to the scene of co ion. CHAPTER OMXXVL IN WHICH BLACK BESS MAKES HEE APPEARANCE BEFORE THE PUBLIC IN A FRESH CHARACTER. Havine brought the narrative up to this point, we will take our leave of Dick Turpin for awhile, and revert to the proceedings of two others, in whom it is presumed eearcely a secondary interest is felt. The others we allude to are Maud and Black Bess, who, the readers will recollect, had been left in the charge of the friendly proprietor of the circus. It was shortly after Dick’s departure that a man, travel-stained, dusty, and weary, came walking slowly over the common on which the strollers may be said to bave encamped. His eyes were fixed upon the bright, ruddy fire they had lighted, and which looked like a beacon of hope in the gloom. As he drew nearer the sound of footsteps was heard, and Smithini himself, starting up, strained his eyes in the endeavour to make out the form and features of the intruder. It was not long before he succeeded, for this new-comer - advanced boldly until the ruddy light from the fire fell full upon his haggard countenance. “ Why, Joo,” said Smithini, extending his hand, “ can it be possible—is it you ?” ‘“Yes, there is no doubt about it,” replied the other, sadly. “TI have managed to get thus far.” “But I thought you were laid up, unable to mt_e, after that terrible fall of yours.” “ Well, I was, and Iam not right now, but better; I am starving, though,” he added, “ and so am not likely to improve. I recollected you, and from the past felt cer- tain that you would do all you could to help me.” “So I will,” said Smithini. * We’ll talk about that more at length to-morrow. Here, sit down and have some- thing to eat.” The man gladly complied, and, sitting down, he removed his hat and the wrapper from the lower portion of his face. The firelight then disclosed the countenance of a middle-aged man, with many deep lines turrowed upon it, and the whiteness of which was brought into strong relief by the black moustache he wore upon his upper i Fro many he was known, and as goon as their greeting was over, Smithini, turning to him, said: “Have you any news, Joe? Is there anything fresh ?” “No,” he returned, “ nothing at all, except a rather o** thing that happened to me on my way here.” “ What was that ?” “ Why, 1 was suddenly encountered and surrounoed by @ troop of police officers. I was much frightened—I could not help it. I was rigidly examined and closely 7 iter om and it would seem that I had been mistaken or another.” “ Indeed ?” “Yes. These officers are in pursuit of a highwa and a female he has with him. They have been tracked to somewhere near this place, but the clue has been lost. However, they are resolved to find it.” These words gave Smithini more uneasiness than he thought proper to express. Maud, too, overheard the woras, and it cost her @ great effort to preserve anything resembling calmness. Her anxiety to hear more, however, overcame every other consideration. “They are on their way to this place even now,” con- tinued the man. “ No doubt you will see them shortly, and they will make the same inquiries of you.” ‘What makes you think that ?” “Simply because I left them coming in this direction, question everyone they met.” Smithini lapsed into silence. < At length, however, he spoke. .. “J don’t like the grabs,” he said; “I never did; I had half made up my mind to stay here till to-morrow, but now my determination is changed—we’ll start at once ” “ And to what place are you bound ?” “ Somefield.” “Oh, not far from here—I know the place.” ' “Yes, we shall reach it in a shest time easily.” He rose from his seat as he spoke these last words, and issued rapid injunctions to the others to get all ready for a start. The inyanctions did not require much time to carry out —indeed, sooner than could have been expected they were all in motion. “Fear nothing,” said Smithini, whispering in Manud’s ear, “I will protect you; while with me you are safe. I am doing this merely in the way of precaution.” “ And Dick,” she said—* will he find us ?” “Oh yes, I arranged all about that. Do not be appre- hensive on that score. Ali I wish is to avoid a meeting with the officers.” The journey to Somefield was performed in safety and in secrecy. Day was just beginning to dawn when they halted on a piece of waste ground just outside the little town. A short time was allowed for repose, then the men be- gan busily to work at erecting their large canvas tent. It was not long before their arrival became known to the inhabitants, and there was soon a crowd of idle spec- tators, who stood and watched all their preparations. It was announced that one grand performance in the circus would be given at mid-day, and by that time every- thing was in readiness. To the deep disappointment of all, and Smithini im particular, for he had met with much ill-luck of late, they met with very little encouragement. So few people, indeed, sat down upon the seats that none of the performers ‘elt the heart to go through thei: performance properly. When the audience had been dismissed, Maud founé her new but kind-hearted and trusty friend seated in an attitude of deep dejection. Anxiously she inquired into the cause. “* My usual luck,” he said; ‘I don’t know what it is to do well now. There was a time, however, when all was different, but it is no good thinking about that. You see, the people will mot come, and my stock of money is now exhausted !” Maud was not in a position to suggest any means by which Smithini could be helped out of his difficulty, ye: she longed for the power to do so. Bhe valued his friendship, for there were few indeed keh hold out to herself and Dick a protecting an “‘T don’t know what to bring forward to attract the public,” Smithini continued. “I am completely at fault !” “And I,” said Maud, “cannot help you. If I could I would with all my heart. There is nothing I would not do to assist you.” Smithini raised his eyes and fixed them keenly upon her countenance, .“ Are you sure of what you say ?” he asked. “Quite sure,” she answered, earnestly. ‘Now tel) me why ?” “T was thinking -——— But no—no,” he broke off, ‘1 will not give utterance to that thought; it is wrong—mad- ness ‘‘ Let me know it,” said Maud—“ let me farm my judgment of it.” Smithini resisted, but she was so preesing that he at last = ak Xda # OW eat, @ eaid, witid idea crossed my mind that Black Bese might saving me. “Of saving you? Howam? “ Why,’ he continued, “I have been told that her master has trained her with Uneosumon care, anf*nat ahe for a moment ths neears of EGORMIC (—) JOOKSAGO