Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

1886 woman, yet some day, if I know who you are, I may be able to render you a service.’ ‘T hesitated a moment, then exclaimed: ; ‘* My name, since you must know it, is Tom King— Tom King, the highwayman |’ ‘‘ With these words on my lips I turned round again, and, with rapid strides, made my way to the little door. ‘ According to my exoressed intention, there I found the coachman waiting, and I immediately sent him off for the police officers. ‘* Mounting my own steed, I turned his face home- wards. ‘“* Somehow, whenever I have an adventure of this kind, it casts a singular gloom over me-a gloom that I can- not shake off. ‘J was in no humour for another adventure, no mat- ter of what kind, and therefore it so happened that I arrived here much earlier than Tom Davis expected. ‘Tt was a profitless excursion altogether, but I think Sixteen-String Jack has a different account to give.” With these words Tom King ceased, and Claude Duval would very willingly have put off Sixteen-String Jack’s narration till another time, and confined himself to a consideration of the captain’s probable position. But as for Sixteen-String Jack himself, he seemed to the fullas desirous of preventing the conversation from dwelling on that topic as Tom King was. Therefore, with an air of restraint, and yet with an affectation of joviality that could not but be noticed by all, he commenced as follows:— CHAPTER DCCCXLYV. SHE HIGHWAYMEN HEAR SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TIDINGS OF THE CAPTAIN. “Tr’s a strinz of adventures I have had!’’ commenced Jack, ‘“‘and so be prepared to listen. In the first place I made my way to the North Road, partly because we have not visited it for a long time, and partly becuse I was tired of adventures without any booty attached to them, and I knew very well that was the place to look for what I wanted. ‘A good gallop across the country quickly brought me there, and | reined in my steed in order to rest him a little, and also that I might listen whether any travel- ler was approaching, *“Scarcely had I assumed this position than I heard some one coming on at aregular jog trot. The pace almost told me the character not only of the horse but his rider. *** A grazier, I'll warrant!’ I muttered to myaelf. “My mind was made up at once as to how I should proceed. I drew back into the shadow of the hedge so as to allow him to pass me, while I ascertained how far my surmises were correct, | ‘““T found them completely verified. He was a stout man mounted on a cob as stout as himself. His attire was old and greasy. “He was so intent upon urging his horse forward that he did not perceive me, and I waited for him to get a little distance ahead. “Then emerging from my place of concealment, I followed at a pace only a little faster than his own, but yet of course one that could not fail to enable me to overtake him. ‘Ere long [ caught sight of his bulky figure in ad- vance, and in a few minutes afterwards placed myself beside him, ‘I was intent upon having some fun at his expense, so I accosted him with the utmost respect. * At the same time I plunzed my hand into my pocket one drew out about a dozen guineas, and cs J did so | 8ald : ““* This proceeding no doubt fills you with surprise,for, to the best of my belief, weare perfect strangers to each other, but we appear to be journeying in the same direc- sion, and therefore I should be eternally obliged if you would take charge of this gold.’ My stared at me in blank amazer.ent, as well he mignt. ‘‘ Perhaps he thought I was a little maa, but t con- tinned : * “The request seeins 1 strange one, but let meinform you, @ little way behind us are three or four very ill- BLA@K BESS; OR, : (s . Sn favoured-looking rogues—highwaymen, I should say, if appearances areanything togoby. Iwas heartily glad to avoid them, but they are following, and I have no doubt they intend to rob me.’ “The grazier seemed rather alarmed, so I hastened to reassure him, ‘** Mind you,’ { said, ‘I don’t think for a moment that they will attempt to rob you—it is me they will look after, because, judging by my outward looks, they will conclude that I carry the most money about me. So therefore I beg you will take charge of this, the bulk of my wealth, so that if the rascals search me they will find nothing to reward them for their pains.’ ‘While thus speaking, I thrust my hand into my pocket and drew forth about a dozen guineas. ““T held them towards the grazier, and renewed my request that he would take charge of them. ‘‘T can assure you he looked very much astonished indeed—in fact, his countenance was quite a picture, “‘It was hardly likely, however, that he would dis- trust me on this account. ‘* Tasked him to take charge of my money, which was a widely different thing to asking him to let me take care of his for him. ‘Yet it was rather unwillingly that he took hold of the coin, and then he exclaimed: ‘¢* Well, it’s a very strange notion this indeed. I don’t mind obliging you. I have passed these highwaymen before to-day, and have always got off well.’ «Tam glad to hear it,’ I answered, ‘and I hope if those rascals behind do ride up that you will keep the money safe.’ ‘** Oh, never fear—never fear! And I'll tell you why I seemed rather unwilling to grant your request; it was because I shall have to let you into a secret that I wished to keep locked up in my own breast.’ ' “© What may that secret be ?’ | asked. ““* Why, just this: you will have to know where I carry my money, and that’s what no one else knows ex- cept myself,’ | ‘“**You may depend that, out of gratitude merely, I shall keep your secret,’ I answered. ‘Pray put my money where it will be safe, for unless I make a great mistake, I can hear some one on the road behind us.’ x The old fellow looked quite alarmed, and said, has- tily : *** Well, if I must tell you, I keep it tied upin the tailof my shirt. Let meask you if a highwayman would ever think of looking for it there ?’ *** Never,’ I answered, emphatically—‘ it’s the last place I should have thought of.’ *“* Well,’ he said, ‘ I shall make some large purchases to-day, and so I have gota good round sum with me, and mostly in bank-notes.’ “With much pulling and tugging, the old fellow got out the tail of his shirt, and I found that he had not been joking, for tied up init very securely was something that looked very much like guineas and bank-notes. ‘I could scarcely control my laughter, becauseI knew what was coming. “He chuckled again and again about his cleverness. ‘““*T will put yours in a separate place,’ he sid, ‘:f youn don’t mind.’ *“*Oh, lam quite agreeable,’ was my reply; ‘and if you like I will hold my money the while.’ ‘Still unsuspectingly enough, he gave me back my dozen guineas, aud I slipped them instantly into my pocket. ** As quick as thought I drew out my sword. *“* * Now, my good friend,’ said I, ‘as thereis an end to all good things, so there is a conclusion to this joke. I have found out your secret, so just decide which I shall take, your money or your life, for 1am determined to have one or the other !’ “The grazier seemed quite panic-struck, and his eyes and mouth opened to a most alarming extent. ‘** Oh, sir,’ he said, ‘have mercy—have mercy!’ ‘€* Oh, yes,’ I replied, ‘ I am quite inclined to be merci- ful. I want nothing but that little supply of cash which you ought to have been robbed of lons ago; and beware how you deceive a highwayman again!’ ‘The old fellow must have noticed that I was rather off my guard, for all at once, when I least expected it, he aug one of the spurs into his horse’s flank. and mada Go JOOKS (ECO)