Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

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We have beon so much inthe habit of going together everywhere that I felt lost without you. While giving way to tiiese thoughts, I gradually rode out of the wood, and emerged 3 just in time to see that treacherous attack made upoy you, re and to witness the officer start off in pursuit.” | *‘ Indeed |” said Jack, “I never guessed that. But what Sth fcllowed?” | | “Why, the officer soon got others to join him, and away they went after you like so many hounds after a fox. I stood considering for a little while, wondering which way I should go, then took it into my head the best thing I could do was to pursue the officers.” ‘* Pursue the officers ?” exclaimed Jack. “Yes, I knew you would laugh at so droll anide, but PP mark you, I intend to keep a safe distance from them. I thought while I was riding—and I was quite certain they were on the road before me—there was little to fear from them.” “True enough,” said Jack. you here ?” mes “Well, partly. But you must a!so know that 1 mauimed . in the hope of being able to como up with you before - long. I made quite certain that you would adopt some _ stratagem or other to throw your pursuers oif the scent, and so I had resolved to make inquiries—of course with - sention—all along the road untill lesrmed something of ar But 2ortunately,” sai) Jack,“ thera waa uo occusion. ae You don’t know Low rejoiced I felt when ! heard your “ voice.” ‘‘No doubt,” said Claude, “and it is agreeable that row we have met we should continue together ¢.uring the time that has been fixed?” - “ Yes, with all my heart! I should likoit coove all things.” ** That, then, is comfortably settled; and now, Jack, for an account of your adventures.” “You know all, or nearly all; however, I will give you the details.” Jack did so, and concluded by saying: ; ‘*Now you see, Claude, we left the Three Spiders | ix such a hurry that I neglected to provide myself with any money at all, and I suppose you are in the same predicament ?” ‘‘ Precisely.” _ “Well, then, I have promised the tollkeeper he shall be :ewarded.” ‘tHe deserves to be.” “T feel it so, and therefore I propose that we take ad- vantage of the first adventure that presents itself and turn it to good account.” _ “ With all my heart once more!” said Claude. * And it is so long since [ had a little sport on the high Way that I loox forward to it with real pleasure.” The two highwaymen being thus of one mind, got on quite capitally together. ving made their arrangements so far, and listened for any sounds that might betoken the presence of police officers, they carefully set to work ic exrmine the con- dition of their weapons, — Claude’s pistols were unloaded, but luckily both hime self and comrade were well provided with ammunition — in fact, they took good care neyer to travel anywhere u - less thus provided. | “We shall miss Claude, as he rammed a bullet into his pistol. ‘¢ And that’s what brought at en NG , the comforts cf the old inn,” said “We have _ gyer else we required—now me siiall find it very dif- oF Py Very different indeei” said Jack. “If we had ouly] a supply that would have lasted some time.” “ Make the best of it—make the best of it! We have’ managed well hitherto, and I see no reason why we should not continue to do so.” : : “Yes,” was the answer. ‘“ Bus 1 would give much to know what took place at the inn after our departure from it For that, however, we must wait--it will not do for us to venture near.” “Not mn any account. But hark! something is com- ing.” 1} ‘ Ara vou sure ¢” “Quite. Listen!” Both highwaymen stopped, and then, distinctly enough, they heard a horse approaching, the clatter of his feet being accompani«d by the rattle of wheels. ‘It’s a gig,” said Claude, ‘ or something of that kind. Very likely wa shall get our little business over at once. At any rate, be the approaching traveller who he may, he shall be stopped.” 3 “Yes,” said Jack, “I am quite determined upon that point. Remain where you are. I will take up a posi- tion on the opposite side of the road.’ : i teen laine Jack carried out his intention while he spoke. Having crossed the road carefully, he backed his horse as close under the hedgerow as he could, so as to remain concealed in the shadow. laude Duval did the same thing, and certainly it would have required a very piercing vision to have made out their figures as they stood there. A profound silence was now maintained. The highwaymen had got their weapons in readiness for instant use, and they listened with a slight degree of impatience to the ever-increasing neise made by the rapidly-approaching vehicle. CHAPTER CML. STETFEN-STRING J2i-, AND CLAUDE DUYVAL HAVE AN ADVENTURE OM ““E HIGHWAY. ‘*CLAUDE,” said Sixteen-String Jae’. in a low toneeat voice, ‘keep where you are; I will ma:.axe this little - affair, which I consider as being peculiarlym wn,” \ “As you like,” returned Duval, carelissly. ‘i wo. remain a looker-or, unless I see something »*mh may make my interference necessary.” . “Good; nu more. Silence, er we shall be overheard.” Not another word was spoken, and the highwaymen, as they looked along the road, perceived witn a tolerable amount of distinctness that it was a kind of gig that was nearing them, drawn by a large light-coloured horse, and seated in it could be perceived the dusky forms of two persons. In a few seconds afterwards the gig was near enouga for Jack’s purpose, so he rode out with great suddenness Peg his place of concealment into the middle cf the road, ‘* Hold !”” he said. Hold, I say !” His sudden and unexpected appearance evidently took both travellers by surprise, and perhaps it was more the astonishment into which they were thrown than a desire to comply with this strange demand that made the one woo was driving tighten the reins. _Sixteen-String Jack easily kept up by the side of the ig. He had his eyes wide open, and keenly on the watch for everything. Yet he was taken by surprise by the rapidity with which one of the travellers drew a pistel from his belt, and, quickly cocking it, pulled the trigger. There was a snap and a flash, but no report. *‘ Don’t try anotner,” said Sixteen-Atring Jack, “other. wise I shall feel bornd totryashot Asi3 is, lam wil- ing to let you both go uninjured provided you wiii only allow me something you cau well spare.” . ‘“Qur money, watches, and so fourth,” said the one who was driving, in an angry voice—="' that’s what you “Tf you value your lives, pull up! . had no difficulty in getting ammunition lately, cr what-| consider we can spare, is it not?” “Just so.” “ Then, Jim,” he added, in «a different tone of voice and addressing his companion, “may Ibe d—d if { sa (E(0) JOOKSEO ( (O)