Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

-_— THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD. 153i At the time, however, itcan scarcely be said that these #eausiderations presented themselves to Tom’s mind. ‘On the contrary, rather, no sooner did he conceive this idea than he proceeded to put it into execution. Uttering eucouraging cries, and doing «verything iaat. Jay in his power to incite his horse to put torth his utmost powers, Tom came on at full gallop to the waggon. When within a short distance of it, however, the animal stopped suddenly, then swerved aside. The highwayman’s heart sank within him, but the mocking laughter that came from the lips of the waggoner aud the police officers in their too-soon exultation at the success of his scheme made him furious, so, angrily tug- ging at the rein, he made his horse draw back again, and ence more he put it to its utmost powers. , He used the spurs with a barbarity that no other air- evmstances could have excused. One would have thought, however, to witness tne be- haviour of the horse, that the animal had gone for the first time merely in order to ascertain the nature of the leap it had to take, for on this second trial it rose gal- tantly in the air and just cleared the formidable barricade ; its hind hoofs just scraped one of the upper poles, but that was all. The ground was reached in safety. Such a discordant yell of disappointment and rage as fame simultaneously from the lips of all the police officers was surely never heard before. It was now Tom's turn to exult, so, wheeling his horse round, he took off his hat and returned their mocking laugh. So exasperated were the officers by this proceeding, that by common consent they pulled out their short, stumpy pistols, and discharged them. A ridiculous proceeding, for they must have known fall well Yom King was far out of their range. And now this clever stratagem that they had caused to be put into execution told much against them. Not one of the officers dreamed for a moment of at- tempting to overleap the waggon, so they pulled up and called to the waggoner to allow them to pass. To turn the waggon round again, however, into its Original position proved to be no easy task, for one of the wheels got fixed in some way, and for a few moments the vehicle was quite immovable. The officers cursed, aud swore, and behaved themselves pore like madmen than sane beings. Put, as one might expect, that did not mend matters in the Jeast. a i» the meanwhile, Tom profited by this delay to the very utmost. e knew the time was a most favourable one for him to make an effort, and he made it accordingly. Before his foes were enabled to get once more fairly upon his track, he was not only out of sight but out of hearing also. To come so near achieving their object, and then to miss it, was indeed aggravating in the highest degree, and is scarcely to be wondered at that the police officers sbould lose their tempers under such circumstances. But with dogged determination they kept steadily aloug the road, trusting to run down their prey in Dine. Vom King no sooner found that he had fairly shaken them off than he reined in his steed to allow it a little rest after its recent exertions. The pause thus made, tov, enabled him to take a review of his position, and allowed him the opportunity of con- nidering the nature of his future movements. First, then, as to his position. After an attentive contemplation of the objects around, the highwayman came to the conclusion that he was by _ moO Means so many miles away from London as he had imazined. When he thought back upon his late adventnies re could not wonder at his having been so hunted up and down the country. Tracing back events, he cous& jell that very wany times he tad doubled upon his course, and altogether nad taken arather semicircular direction, the course of which tended towards the metropolis. This setiled, his chief consideration was where to re- main during the time that had been agreed upon by him- So far the officers had been so vigilant and pertinacious that they had not allowed him to remain for any fengtb of time anywhere, and even nuw, us the moon shone forth with great brilliancy and power, and revealed to him objects at a very great distance, he failed to perceive a place which held out the slightest promise of a¥ording him the shelter he so much required. Mcreover, he remembered how ill-provided he was with funds, owing to the suddenness with which he had taken his departure from the inn. There was no resource but to remedy this somehow or other, as it was impossible to say how soon circum- stances might arise rendering it necessary that he should have command of money in order to purchase his safety. Having reached this point, Tom listened again, but as yet no sound of his pursuers was audible. His horse ity this time had recovered his wind, and so, at a very gentle trot, Tom continued his course for a little way along the cross-road. He did not pause, indeed, until he reached a spot where @ narrow winding lane branched off. To what place it led he knew not; but, by its appear- ance, it was evident that few travellers ever used it. This would have made many turn aside, but Tom liked it all the better 9n that account. So, turning his horse’s head, he once more put the animal in rapid motion. The course of this lane was most devious and un- certain, and, having journeyed along it for some little time, Tom lost his reckoning, and could not for the life of him tell whether he was proceeding north, south, east, or west. Once, and only once, he caught sight of a human habita- tion, and that appeared to be a farm-house, lying back at some distance, and being almost buried by a dense mass of trees. After more than half an hour's hard riding, Tom tound himself at the end of the lane. As he quite expected, it debouched upon the high- road. At this spot trees were growing densely, and the shadows which they cast amply sufficed to screen him and his steed from all observation. Therefore he paused once more to consider upon his proceedings and also to listen for the approach of his oes. The latter, however, proved a vain attempt, and the highwayman muttered : ‘I have tired them out, that’s certain, and I suppose I may look now for a few moments’ peace. What shall be my next step ?” He checked himself abruptly, and listened again. Very faintly, yet quite distinctly, came a dull, murmur- ing sound. y Tom knew it well. A vehicle was coming along the high-road from the left hand at a very rapid rate, and, by the noise produced, it must be one of tolerable dimensions. Almost at the same moment, he caught sight of two faint, star-like lights, creeping rapidly along, at no great distance from the ground. * Shall I try my luck?” he muttered. Ashe spoke, he drew forth one of his pistols, and examined it attentively. ‘‘One would call it a piece of foolhardiness to attempt to stop any vehicle while the officers are thus at my back, but money is requisite, and who knows whether [ shal! have a better chance of obtaining any than I have now ?” He ceased, 1vr by this time the vehicle was very close at hand, so clese that Tom, by straining his eyes, was able to make out that it was a carriage drawn by four | beautiful grey horses. ‘‘ After all,” he said, as he rode quickly forward “it will be but the work of a few moments, and I shall ha ~a my way again, without any interruption worth naming. ’ Just then, Tom pointed his pistol in the direction of the coachman, who was seated, half dozing, on the box, yet taking care to incline the barrel upwards to such e seems that the bullet would pass harmlessly above his he gelf and his companions. NOOO KSAEO MA EORMIC | @