Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 190: what you’re looking at

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

Da tinds fsa eA hat Mos tr veda Beene VD eae ‘s\ aw Soh Ae eae Maem feet babe a Pca biel. ee » J 7 , id = af ee S “ ma ‘et - tt J ts, 4 7 . ' + Be ee ee a Having at length penetrated to a sufficient distance, he paused, secured his horse, and sat down to rest. By instinct he assumed a position of listening, but though he stretched his hearing to the utmost, no alarm- ing sownd reached him , He congratulated himself again and again upon his good luck, and afterwards, feeling oppressed by the intense silence which prevailed in this place, he found himself insensibly sinking off into a slumber. Fully aware of the great danger there would be of sleeping in such a spot as this, he tried his best to keep himself awako. With much difficuity he succeeled, but again and again the heavy slumbering feeling would come over him, and in the end, unable to struggle any longer against it, he sank off into a sleep so deep and dreamless as might have been envied by many. At length, with a shiver anda start, ho awoke, and then the first thing he noticed was that the day was rapidly drawing to a close. When he remembered the length of time he had re- mained in so helpless a condition he fairly shuddered. But the next moment his good spirits returned, and he thought only of his good fortune in having escaped so well. But he now began to be very keenly sensible to the pangs cf hunger, and wondered in what way he should be able to satisfy the craving for food. ‘TY will creep to the edge of this wood,” he muttered, “and before night quite closes in will have another good look around me. Then if Isee nothing of my foes I will run the risk of making a brief halt at the first inn 1 can find.” Having come to this decision, Claude lost no time in carrying it out. He retraced his steps as well as he was able to the very spot where he had tirst gained entrance to the wood, and stood there for a long time watching earnestly. ln the distance he saw atew farming men walking slowly across the meadows, evidently making their way ~pomeward at the close of their day’s labur. But except these, he was unabie to make out any other human beings. Encouraged by this result, which was almost more than he had dared to hope for, Claude sprang upon the back of his steed and trotted off. Coming at length to a cross-country road, he deter- mined to pursue its windings, feeling tolerably certain that before he had proceeded any great distance he should Brrive at a roadside inn. Fortune seemed inclined to favor him again, for before he bed gone more than a mile he perceived before him just the kind of habitation he wished to gain. It was asmall, rustic, peaceful-looking dwelling, and seemed to have all around it an aspect of shelter and safety. Perceiving it, Claude quickened his speed, and riding up to the front door he drew rein near the large moss- grown horse-trough, out of which his steed commenced drinking greedily. ‘ Houze—house!" he cried. ‘Nuw, ostler—quick !’’ The words had scarcely passed his lips before he was startled by a tremendous uproar, though coming from within this peaceful building. He heard loud voices in contention, and the rush of hasty footsteps. Wondering, but never guessing at the cause of this commotion, Claude sat perfectly still upon his horse. The front door of the inn was closed, but now it was suddenly dashed open, and, to Claude’s intense surprise, eut rushed several police officers. Pistols were in their hands, and they no sooner gained the open air than they discharged them. But such was their state of excitement and flurry, that net one paused to take aim. The whole of the weapons were discharged at reslom. ¢ With a shout of astonishment, Claude Duval put spnrs to his horse and galloped off, leaving the police officers fu a frantic, excited throng in the middle of the ercss-road. The landlord, and ostler, and other persons who bap- pencd to be in the inn at this time were beyord ali measure amazed, “ ‘I'he horses,” roared the one in command—“ the horses —bring them cut! Why, d—n the fellow’s impudence ! Bae * ——— —S<—<o a ae ™ he idea of riding up to the inn in that fashion! Quick --guick, bring the horses, I sav !” Not finding his requests attended to with sufficient alacrity, he set the example of darting off to the stable and saddling his own steed himeelf. CHAPTER CMIEG. CLAUDE DUVAL FINDS TIMSELF ENVIRCONED BY MANY DIFFICULTIES. SPEEDY as the officers were in entering the stables and getting their horses ready for the road, yet of necessily some time elapsed, and so by the time they were fairly oa the road, Claude Duval! had got so good a start that it sate quite hopeless to attempt the task of overtaking im. Yet, enraged beyond measure to think that they had missed their man by so narrow a chance, the ofiicers, without pausing to use any reflection whatever, whipped and spurred their already-exhausted animals in a most unmerciful manner. The fact was, as the reader may surmise, these officers were those who had given chase to Claude Duval at the i when the two highwaymen separated from each other. cae They had speut very many hours fruitlessly searching around, and at length, feeling completely tired out thein- selves, they had determined to rest for a short time at this roadside inn, the only dwelling they had come ia sight of for a long time. | Scarcely, however, had they done so than, by a strange fatality, Claude Duval drew up to the front door in the manner we have described. lt was now fairly night, and, though the moon occa- sionally broke forth from the many clouds that were con- stantly drifting across the sky, it was very dark, these occasional glimpses of light only serving to make the darkness greater by contrast. Claude Duval did not gallop far before he felt quite sure that he had nothing particular to fear from those who had so hastily set out in his pursuit. Their horses were no match in point of speed for his own. Accordingly, then, in a very short time, he gradually decreased his rate of progress, and began once more to look around him for a place where he could obtain a small supply of food, for the pangs of hunger increased in severity. He came at length to a small cottage, built near the corner ot a lane, and apparently the abode of some poor laboring man. The stoppage of the horse’s feet outside this humble tenement caused those within immediately to approach the door. It was thrown open, and on the threshold Claude per- ceived the torm of a man and woman, the former carry- ing a candle, and the countenances of both expressive of a great amount of curiosity. “Tam weary and faint for want of food,” said Claude Duval, in a low tone of voice. ‘ bring me anything you have—no matter how rude the fare may be, it will be welcome ; and rest assured you shall be well rewarded tor it.’ So great was the astonishment and surprise of the cottagers that at first they were unable to reply; but after the lapse of a moment the woman recovered her presence of mind sufficiently to say: “Well, we are just sitting down to our poor supper and if you like to dismount and join us 2 ‘“Yes—yes!’’ said the man, advancing, “and [ will take care of your horse.” “'Phanks—thanks !” said Claude. ‘But I cannot dis- mount, nor can I linger. Bring me something, and J wili eat it bere.” This request was complied with at once. The focd was rude indeed, and roughly prepared, yet Claude thought that never in all his life had he eaten anything with so much relish. A draught of weak home-brewed ale washed down this frugal repast. As be handed back the jug, Claude Duval heard behind him the clatter of horses’ feet. 5 ‘They havo kept well upon my track,” he muttered; (E(@) AMIKS .OO KS