Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 19: what you’re looking at

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& is were to share among them such a nice little amount as ubberly fellows who are coming galloping up yonder this, and therefore, Sir George, I have to beg that you will claim it yourself—you are heartily welcome to it.”’ _ ” The huntsmen were in no small degree amazed to hear Turpin talking in this civil fashion upon such a topic, and they &changed glances with each other accordingiy. Sir George burst out into a laugh, as he said: “Well, of course, a thousand pounds is an amcunt to any man, no matter how rich he may be, and as you say, I think it would be very unjust to allcw those officers to share it, though, if it comes to that, ye. aurrendered yourself to me—I did not capture you.” “*Tt’sall the same thing,’ returned Turpin, - if yon like you can lay hands upon me and capture me now.” Sir George paused a moment as though some fresh thought had struck him. Then, with a twinkle in his pleasant gray eyes, anda smile upon his lips, he advanced, and held Turpin firmly by the wrist and the back of his coat collar. ‘“ Now,’’ he said, ‘‘ you are my prisoner.’ Sir Marmaduke scarcely knew what to make of all this—he was still foaming and fretting with rage. But he consoled himself with watching the approach of the police officers and with thinking that now they had arrived he should be able to turn the tables to some extent upon his companions. The officers were some who had been fetched from the nearest market town to where they happened to be— surong, stout-built fellows, as ignorant as gateposts, and possessing none of those qualities of courage and skill necessary to the keeping of a man like Dick Turpin @ prisoner. Dick noted all this with an air of satisfaction. ** After all,’’ he thought, ‘‘I shall not have to trouble myself about the locket—I shall have plenty of oppor- tunities to get free from them.”’ On their arrival these officers greeted Sir Marmaduke with an immense amount of respect. Indeed, it seeméd as though they would never have left off bowing to him. ‘*Now, my men,” he said, “that is Dick Turpin. _- Seize him, bind him securely, and convey him with all speed to Newgate! You know the reward thatis offered for his apprehension.’ “Yes,” said Sir George. ‘‘ But I wish to remind you all that he is my prisoner, and mine only, and I shall not relinquish the reward in favour of anyone! Officers, I call upon you, as a mere matter of duty, to escort this man to Newgate,” Hearing this, the officers looked greatly mortified and crestfallen. . ‘ However, they turned to Sir Marmaduke for consola- ion. * Well see all about that,” he said. “Just hark at this, my men: It is true Sir George may claim the reward, as he says, though I don’t think he will; at any rate, if he does, I will use my influence to have the re- ward paid to you as well; or, if I cannot do that, why, I will pay you the thousand pounds ont of my own pri- vate pocket as soon as you assure me he is safe within the prison of Newgate.’’ ‘Done, sir,’’ said the one in command—“ done, sir, and many thanks to you! I'll warrant when we once take charge of him that he doesn’t escape.”’ While he spoke, the officer produced a pair of hand- cuffs from his pocket. “There,” he said, “‘these are the little things I am going to treat you with. Ihave heard agreat deal about your cleverness, Mr. Turpin, but I want to know whether you can wriggle yourself out of these P”’ Dick looked at Sir George, as much as to say: “ Save me from the indignity and pain of having those ndeuffs put on me.’ But Sir George only nodded at him and smiled reas- suringly. The officer with the handcuffs made a great snow of bluster and violence. } ‘You need not make so much fuss,’ cried Sir Gedrge. * Just set about your duty quickly, and remember that I am keeping an eye upon your proceedings; the man pe you no resistance, so perform your duty peac- a w Thus rebuked, the officer checked himaelf in some ere . a al ts PLu ‘ 4 J ‘a ff i - £54 ‘ eS & ee, A J . oy + Ate ‘at. - 4 : : ‘ ‘hy AG Ka tre 4 wh 4 WE ae ; % : FAT he ER a Daa HE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD. 1301 very biting remark that he was going to make, and Silently put on the handcuffs. “As he is my prisoner,’’ said Sir George, “I shall ac- company you with him wherever you may go.”’ ** And so shall f,” cried Sir Marmaduke. ‘I ean tel] what you mean, well enough; but you will find I shall have an eye on all your movements—I ghail not leave Dick Turpin until | find him safely a prisoner,”’ Well, I can’t prevent you from doing that, nor doI wish to do so,’’ answered Sir George. “J only spoke for myself, because I can assure you, that the thousand pounds will come in particularty useful just at the pre- sent time,”’ No further remark was made, and Dick Turpin was requested to mount one of the officer’s horses. He complied, and had not the bridle been grasped by several of the officers, he would then, although his arms were secured behind him, have made a bold rush to es- cape, ‘I'his was at present impossible, and wisely he resolved not to expend his strength or run any risk in making an abortive attempt at escape. When he did try, it should be when he could fee! al- most certain of success. A rope was next produced, and tied round his leg just above the ankle. This rope was then passed underneath the horse’s belly, and secured tightly to his other leg. ‘*Now, then.’ cried the chief officer, ‘‘one of you mount behind him, and clasp him tightly round the waist with your arms. ‘Twoothers shall hold the reins and lead the horse along.’’ Sir Marmaduke was highly delighted with this expe- dient, and complimented the officer upon his cleverness. While Dick Turpin was so guarded he must of necea- sity be safe. ‘he other huntsmen seemed half inclined to join in the procession, for such it seemed when all was in readi- ness for a start, and afew of them actually followed for a short distance. One by one, however, they dropped off, until only Sir Marmaduke and Sir George were left. The distance to London was considerable. But neither cared for that. Sir Marmaduke was still barning with revenge, not only because of Turpin’s attempt to rob him, but also because his conduct had been so exposed, and because so much ill feeling had been shown towards him. There was no fear but that this feeling would carry him much further than to London. On the other hand, Sir George was actuated by widely different feelings. It was his intention, if possible, to enable Turpin to make his escape, for he was a man who always admired boldness, no matter where or with whom he found it. Dick Turpin he had somehow taken a kind of liking to from the first moment that he saw him, and he was determined that no effort should be wanting on his part to procure his release. Of course he would have to be exceedingly careful while Sir Marmaduke’s eyes were upon him, for if that individual could bring the charge of aiding Dick to es- cape home to him, he would certainly do so, and press for a severe punishment. Sir George, in his light-heartedness, did not care a whit. Already in his own mind he had resolved what he should do with the thousand pounds’ reward which, be it understood, he fully intended to claim, The officers and Sir Marmaduke were all in high spirits, and they trotted along the high-road towards the metropolis at a very respectable rate. Many persons they met turned to look at such a strange cavalcade. But noexplanation was given as to the meaning of it, But it was noticed first of all by Dick Turpin that the clouds were beginning to gather upin a pack away upon the horizon. He hed not led an ont-door life so long as to beigno- rant of the portents of the weather, and from what he saw he felt perfectly certain that ere long there would be a terrific storm. From having nothing else to occupy his thoughts and attention, he amused himself by watching the progress Gomilcbooks:.co