Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

167¢ Take my advice; throw down your cloak in yonder cor- ner, wrap it round you and go to sleep. In the mean- while I will sit here and keep watch, and while I do su, nuthing mortal or ghostly shali spproach te Ge you harm ‘‘ No—no, Claude, I cannot sleep.” “Well, try, and after you have done eo, f will take your place ard you can have mine. By this means we shall surely 6ntain safety.” After some little persuasion Sixteen-String Jack com- pace with his companion's wishes, but althougk he turow imself down in the darkest corner and covered himself with his cloak, his eyes refused to close in sleep At length, however, fatigue and silence combined to bring a drowsy feeling over him. Claude called to him in a faint tone of voice, and find- He he received no reply, concluded rightly that Jack Bleptes 3. 54) Thé temptation came very strongly over Claude to leave his comrade where he was and take a ramble through the ruins alone, But he remembered the assurance he had given, and determined to be as good as his word. ‘he time passed wearily and slowly away, for he had nothing to occupy him save his thoughts, and he ex- perienced no little difficulty in keeping himself awake. Jack slept during the remainder of the night, nor did he awake until the sun had fairly risen. He started up and glanced around him in confused be- wilderment, when his eyes lighted upon Olaude, who looked pale and worn out with watching. ‘What's the matter, Jack?” he asked; quite scared.” “T have been dreaming, and the vision was so vivid that I could scarcely persuade myself it was not reality.” “Do not trouble yourself to tell it,” said Olaude, rising. “T have managed to keep my eyes open till the present moment, but now they must close, and when they do, let me ask you not to wake me up unless something import- ant takes place.” 7 Jack readily gave this assurance, and ina few minutes Claude Bia vel ae quite insensible to all around him. Sixteen-String Jack was much refreshed, and he looked around him at the crumbling walls with very different eae to those he had experienced on the night be- ore, Yet still, when he recollected what he had seen, his feclings were far from comfortable. Claude slept till long past noon, and his first question on awaking was whether Jack lad heard or seen any- thing. ‘‘ Nothing whatever,” was the answer—“ the silence is as profound now as it was at midnight.” “That goes to show we are alone. Then, Jack, my friend, I feel more and more convinced that we have come to the right place at last. The officers will never think of looking for us here.” “T hope not. But would there be any risk in taking a good look arotnd us ?” } ““T think not,” gaid Olaude. “I was about to propose aramble. If we are careful we can keep well under cover of the walls, and so be in no fear that we shall be seen. Oome this way.” With these words the highwaymen quitted the ruined ihapel and occupied themselves for a long time in wander- ing about the remains of the castle, and making them- selves acquainted with its position. In doing this they saw no signs or token tnat pointed to the fact that any human beings save themselves had trodden on this ground for years and years. From time to time they peeped forth from various chinks and crevices, and every +s saw nothing but the fair, open country. At last they reached the keep or this old structure, ad, doubtless from the fact that it was more strongly built than the remainder, it had withstood more successfully the ravages of time. An iron-bound, heavy oaken door was swinging upon its hinges, and beyond this they perceived the commence- ment of a flight of spiral steps. 4 “ Let us go this way,” said Olaude. “If we cas manage to reach the top of the keep, so much the better; we can crouch down so as to be out of sight; end think what a y-sious view of the surrounding country we shall have ! “you look Pari as tae Sse s Ban, 4) eee & Fouad” & | (oy ey ea SAR g ON i iloe ee tab We \ AP a tey ed eet Pulte! (ivan il ee PM tt 5 be - ’ : , WAck Bket, GH, — : em -~ We can here have ample warning of the approsca ¢ friend or foe.” “Tet us try the ascent, then.” “With all my heart!” This was enough for Clauae. He sprang forward and commenced ascending the st_ ya rapidly. In many places thee were broken, and bverywhore slippery and treacherous to the feet. Au they ascended small fragments of masonry were per- petually dislodged, causing them no little apprehension. In the end the summit of the keep was reached, and at the first glance they took around, neither of the high- waymen could repress ejaculations of delight. In good truth the scene was a most charming one, suck a3 would have well repaid anyone to have travelled milvus to look upon. Remembering their danger, however, the highwaymen set to work to scan every bit of country attentively. While so engaged they did not speak, but when at last they had travelled round iu a complete circle, Claude observed : “There’s nothing to fear at present, Jack—l’ll ke sworn no police officers are anywhere near us.” ‘Yes, I think we may safely assert that.” ‘Well, is not this the right place to stay in fora time ?” asked Claude, somewhat triumphantly. “ Why, if we choose to keep this elevated station we shall have timely information of anyoue’s approach.” ‘* Yes, it’s all very well,” said Jack, “but yet I can see one objection to it—one difficulty in the way.” “What is it ?” “Why, just at the present time I am most forcibly re- minded that along while has elapsed siuce I tasted food. ine vy tell me how we are to obtain it in this lonely ace Claude Duval rubbed his chin reflectively. “T have not thought much about it,” he added, “and yet it seems to me the difficulty is one easily to be got over.” “ How so?” . “Why, look! Yonder lies the village, and beyond all doubt there's an alehouse in it.” Well ?” “It is well,” said Claude, “for when night comes we can wrap ourselves in our cloaks, set out on foot, and walk to the village. We shall pass easily as travellers, and at the alchouse we shall be able to get a substantial meal.” ‘“‘ But there’s the danger of detection,” said Jack. ‘‘Of course there is, and so there will be everywhere.” . And then what should you do on the next occa- sion ?’ “ There—there,” said Olaude, with a laugh, ‘you ought to know by this time it is perfectly fovlish for us to arrange what we shall do at any future time. Let us be content with the present.’’ Sixteen-String Jack was thus silenced, for he was un- able to think of any better plan of operations. With great anxiety and impatience, however, he watched the decline of day. He longed most ardently for night to come. At length, when dusk began to creep over the meadows, they descended from the keep, and, having secured their horses in such a manner that there was no fear they would stray away, the two highwaymen, enveloping themselves in their cloaks, set out at a sharp pace to the village. Before quitting the ruins, they were most careful to ascertain that no one was in sight who might observe them, then they made their way to the point they wished to reach by the most devious and circuitous route they could think of. It was getting very late when they entered the long, straggling High Street of the village, and, ere they had gone many paces, they perceived a large, substantial looking iun, with a huge swinging sign in front of it. “Thais the place.” said Claude. “ How cheerful ane comfortabie it looks. If we can only manage to Keep quiet there, I shall be in no hysry to take my depar- ture. | : ‘Nor I either.” No more was said nutil the front of the inn was fairly reached, then they paused a moment, for the souad Gomichboo '@ SS (E(0)