Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

» ne THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD. Rad succeeded in placing a much greater distance betweer himself and his foes than he had dared to anticipate. Surely if anything was calculated to encouraga him this was. And 50, with quite a feeling of exultation, he redoubled __ his efforts. é _~~It really seemed, however, as though all things shozi¥ en that night turn ont vexatiously. The ground suddenly began to rise, so that his Berse oe only went more slowly, but underwent much mero atigue. There was no other resource, however, than to keep on, and the highwayman endeavoured to console hiznself with the thought that when the summit of the hili was reached he would be able to make up for loss of time by the rapidity with which he should perform the descent. And here in this case fortune favoured him, for the de- scent was much greater than he had beon led to imagine. Allowing the reins to fall unrestrainedly upon his horse’s neck, he again goaded bim to the utmost. The danger of such a course as this must be apparent, but, then, all ordinary dangers were lost sight of under ‘such exciting circumstances as these. One false step, Tom was well enough aware, and down his horse and himself would go, and with such violence S wows probably occasion insensibility, if not instant eath. But the false step was not made, and at the bottom Tom found a rather dense cluster of trees, through which he did not attempt to penetrate, however, but contented himself by simply skirting them—his object being to get out of the sight of his foes. On the opposite side of these trees Tom King suddenly perceived a light. It came into view so quickly that he was upon it almost instantly. At the same time a man started up, as it appeared, from the earth, and raised his arms above his head. TYom’s horse stopped and reared with so much sudden- ness that the highwayman was unhorsed. The man, however, who had started up seized the frightened animal, and Tom King scrambled quickly to his feet. “You were riding fast, stranger,” said the max who had started up. “I was lying here, and did but move to af myself from being trampled upon by your horse’s oofs.” Tom King, breathless and exhausted, could not reply, but he endeavoured to climb into the saddle. ‘You are spent and weary, stranger,” continued the man. ‘“ You seem like one flying for his life. Your form looks familiar to me, too. Hi! Sebel!”—in a different tone of voice—‘a light here—quickly !” ‘Curse your light!” said Tom. “I wantit not} Let go the reins!” Before he had finished speaking, a light suddenly ap- peared in the darkness, and ‘Tom could tell it was turned full upon his countenance. ‘‘] knew it, stranger,” said the man— I felt certain we had met before! Idonot break bread with so many strange faces asto be unable to remember them. I re- collect you well.” ‘“‘And there is something familiar in your voico,” said Tom King, recovering his composure, and with the thought flashing upon him that this man might possibly be able to befriend him in no ordinary degree. “Yes,” continued the man, “it is lng—very long since we met. You had then a companion with you, who rode a wig steed of matchless quality. Do you remember now ?” “Yes, yes,” said Tom-~"quite well! You gave us both shelter and food at atime when we were sorely in need of both.” ‘* And it seems that you are in fresh danger now ?” - “T 4m,” said Tom. ‘The officers of police are close behind me. They have given mea hard—a very bard cha, and every moment 1 expect to see them come into view.” At the very came of officers the gipsy ground his teeth Pavagely, and uttered en angry exclamation. . 1537 you're safe! Let the officers do what they may, they cannot find you!” There was something so sincere in the tones of this man’s voice, that Tom did not hesitate to trust and to believe him. ereover, on the former occasion, that he so weli ra- jevllectes, this man had been to them a most faithful ally. & He naa nothing to fear from him in the shane of trea- chery, and just then his position wac so paa vai it could not possibly be worse, and consequently wefe was all the more chance of making it better. These reflections did not take Tom King a moment to make, and he suffered him to lead him onwards in the conan for the boy Sebel had extinguished or hidden the light. Tom soon found that he was descending into a kind of dell, at the bottom of which a fire was blazing. lt was, indeed, the light that he had first perceived. Round this were grouped, in various picturesque atti- tudes, some ten or a dozen gipsies, male and female. They were all anxiously on the look-out, and wonder- ing what had happened. “A friend,” said 'om’s conductor, briefly. ‘ He re- quires shelter and concealment. Draw out the waggon quickly! There, that will do well. Stranger, come this way.” A large covered waggon, or rather cart, that had been backed close up against one side of the dell, was drawn away from its position, and the gipsy, leading Tom for- ward, showed him an indentation in the soil, looking like the entrance to a cavern. “ Enter,” he said—“ enter quickly ; itis a small cham- ber, yet large enough to conceal you and your horse. Be quick ; we will push the waggon back, and assume careless attitudes; then, if the officers appear, they will behold nothing suspicious.” “ But should they search ?” said Tom, who by no means relished shutting himself up in such a place. “ Tt is not likely,” said the gipsy. ‘‘ You leave that to us. If you are in any danger of discovery we will arm ourselves, and stand up in your defence. If we can dono more we will cover your retreat; but believe me, when L say again you have nothing to fear. In—in quickly !” Almost against his will Tom was pushed into the little indentation we have mentioned, and his horse also. Then, with great nimbleness and dexterity, the gipsies pushed the covered cart back in such a manner that his hiding-place was altogether concealed. The gipsy calculated that the existence of such a place would never be suspected, consequently that Tom wouid be quite safe. Whether he was right or not would be quickly put to the test, for his quick ears detected the dull thud pro- duced by the concussion of many horses’ feet upon the turf. ‘‘ Now, then, round the fire, all of you. Sit quietly, and remember if we are questioned, that we have seen nothing—heard nothing.” Scarcely had these instructions been carried out than the police officers arrived at the brink of the dell, They came upon the place very unexpectedly, and were very near galloping into it. They reined up their horses in good time, however, and seeing the lights, called out in loud tones. The gipsies gave a responsive cry, and then the police officers, finding that the descent was practicable, began to make their way down one side of the dell. In a few minutes they halted near the fire. -¢ Huilo!” cried one of the gipsies, The appearance of the police officers caused conside:- able consternation among the gipsies, part of which was feigned, and part real. “ Have you been here long ?” asked the officer. “ Since sunset.” 3 «“ And have you seen anyone or heard anyone pass by —s man mounted on a horse, and going at full gallop?” He was responded to by a general negative; and the gipsy who had hidden Tom King said: ‘“‘ The silence of this place has not been disturbed, but there is something in the air of it which proc!aims that it ig no place for us, When vou arrived, we were tonsure “No matter, stranger,” he said. ‘The poor Zingaui img as to whether we should strike our tents and | will again befriend you! Come with me, and fear rot~ | now or wait till daylight.” —— _ 2 be se <3 22 “— = ral FAS} awe a % ° 2h te «Some 6 ye OF : 9 Se oh Se Re. A ek og a eee - EMNMIE NOC KS EEC) () 6S