Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

‘ no saw no ‘hi og whatever of a character to excite his chensions. _ A feeling of great fatigue, however, began to creep over him, a feeling which at first he tried hard to banish, but failed. It would assert itself in spite of all his efforts, _ This made him all the more desirous of firding some place whereat to rest. - -_-He was also forcibly reminded that a long <ime ked _ lapsed since he had partaken of any food. . The district he was in, however, seemed very thinly populated, for net so much as a rudely-built, thatched cottage met his gaze. Whe Still he rode on, until the darkness of night roiled away and daylight fairly came. | The sun rose and climbing high up in the sxy found him still pursuing his lonely course, growing at each step __ - mnore and more exhausted. a The sight of a thin wreath of blue smoke curling up _ {from among some trees a little distance in advance roused _ him into fresh life and animation. — Quickening his horse’s steps, he shortly fourd himself in front of one of those old-fashioned places, half farm- house and half inn, which a hundred years ago were com- monly found all over the country. : As was usually the case, there was an air of peaceful serenity dwelling around this place, and Tom immediately became susceptible to its influence. “Tf I only dared to run the risk of staying here,” he muttered, “how comfortable I could make myself for a short time, but I fear it is not to be thought of. No, no; it would be unsafe in the highest degree. I had better aot ba seen even.’ Tom was about to ride on, when just at that moment the front door of the inn was thrown open and an elderly man with round, stooping shoulders made his appcar- 2nce. “Good morning, sir,” he said, in a civil, offhanded tone of voice. ‘Do you wish to stay here? I hava the best of entertainment for man and beast.” ‘Pom hesitated. ) “Think twice before you decide to go on,” said the landlord; “for, judging from your appearance, you have made a vite long journey, and must be fatigued. Don’t ride on with the expectation of finding seme other place, for you will have to go twelve miles at the least before - you meet with a chance of halting again; and then the accommodation you get there is not for a moment to be compared to what you will have here.” “You are not troubled with many visitors, I suppose ?” said Tom, thoughtfully. ) “No, not many, I am sorry to say. The sight of a _ traveller is quite a treat. If I depended only upon what the inn produced I should have been in the workhouse long ago.” Tom was pleased to find that the house was of so lonely a character, and he imagined as well that at the present moment there was no other traveller resting be- neath its roof, or the landlord would have mentioned the fact. . ~ Then Tom began to consider that it was unlikely in- - deed that his foes would find him out at this place. — J will stay,” he said, suddenly, unable to resist the . femptation—" I will stay, landlord, and I shall took to you to make me comfortable.” _* With quite a radiant smile upon his face, the landlord eame forward, and was profuse in his expressions of wel- gome. Pa: “You keep no groom or ostler, I suppose ?” was Tom’s pext remark. es ‘No, I should have nothing for him to do. I will __ sttend to ygur horse, sir, if you please; don’t be afraid to entrust him to my care.” '*Not by any means,” said Tom; “ but as he is @ par- ticular favourite of mine | will walk with you to the stable, if you have no objection.” ‘ } “ None whatever,” said the landlord—‘ none whatever ; you are welcome to go wherever you ploase about the tat - aid «That's the way, theu, { suppose ?” said Tom, notuing = his horse by the bridle auc pointing to a wooden oe! “Yes, that’s the stable, and when you are inside it you wil tind that it is more comfortable than it appears.” ‘Jem advanced, and in a fow moments he had the satis- - aa - oH oe ‘THY &NIGHT OF THE BOD. ~- he a at SH Psy ek ao » .. ‘es Pap ‘ ‘ 4 te ee - os OE ee, “ALA 2! BEN 2 te Fes ae A pigs (oS in tem, UA ee eee ad OS be Oa cn ‘ ao! x “* A : > ee = Pe aA ’ - me Pee . } iia oo Fs ay ¥ — 1528 faction of seoing that his horse was properly st!saded _ This being done, he returned with the iandlord to tba inn, . ‘‘ There’s no one up at present,” he said to Tom, “ ex- cepting myself, but tho missis and my daughter will pe coe dircetiy. What would you like for break- ast ?” “ Anything that you have in the house that you can get readily,” was Tom’s response. “Can you let me have a private room ?” The landlord smiled. “'They’re all private enough for that matter,” he said ; “for while you are staying here I very much question whether I shall be so fortunate as to see another strange face. Two travellers stopping hore in one day would indeed be an extraordinary occurrence.” Tom laughed as he said : | “But I should like a private room for all that; I | should then be able to guard against any intrusion.” « Your Wishes shall be attended to, sir. Step this way.’ Then throwing open a door, the landlord added: “This is our best parlour, sir, and you are heartily welcome to make use of it while you stay.” And what about the breakfast ?” “Would ham and eggs suit you?” “ Hxcellently,” said Tom; ‘and make haste !’ He seated himself in what the landlord called the best parlour. It was indeed a very decent apartment, and Tom was by no means inclined to quarrel with it in any par- ticular. | A feeling of great drowsiness came over him while he sat waiting for his breakfast, and to overcome it he was obliged to get up and walk round and round the room. He paused several times to look through the window, which commanded a view of an extensive piece of country. But all as far as he could see was perfectly quiet. ‘“T believe I shall be safe here,’ he muttered to him- self for about the hundredth time. “I think I might venture to go to sleep.” The meal was brought in and done ample justice to, and when the landlord came to remove the cloth he said : ‘‘T don’t know how long you may be wishing to stay, sir, but don’t hurry off on any account, only ii He paused. “ What?” asked Tom. ““Only I have some particular business to do in the next town, and I shall be obliged to go to-day. It only happens once in a year, and I have to make the journey, and it is especially aggravating that it should come now.” “Not at all,” said Tom—‘ not at all! Iam inclined to rest more on my horse’s account than my own, and per- haps I may remain here the greater part of the day ; most likely you will find me here upon your return.” Upon hearing this, the countenance of the landlord brightened. “You will be well attended to,” he said. “I will give particular instructions about that.” “ Thanks,” returned Tom; “but I don’t think I shall give much trouble.” ‘ Very good, sir, just as you like, but if you want any- thing just touch the bell, and it will be answered at once.” “T shall take anapif I can,” replied Tom, “ for I have a long ride befiire me as yet. However, you leave me to make myself comfortable ” t The landlord withdrew, and ‘ow, still fighting against the irresistible inclination he felt to fall asleep, walked about until he had seen tho landlord take his departure. After that the silence of the inn grew more and more oppressive, and Tom, unable any longer to keep his eyes open, laid himself down at full length upon the com- fortable sofa placed against the wall on one side of the parlour, and had no sooner assumed a recumbent position than he fell fast asleep—so fast that he was altogether dead to all external noises—so fast that not even the approach of a body of horsemen in the front-of the inn would arouse him, as was proved by the fact of such an arrival taking place several hours after he had first closed his eyes in slumber. Sit Lee Pky a<* as + ‘ * sf EONMIE OOO KS @ (E(@)