Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 212: what you’re looking at

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

LL84 rupted so long—sn'j a few hours. AndI trust that the others have beeu as fortunate ss ourselves.” Vick had long made every preparation for starting, and so he had nothing else to do but to sit down idly and wait for the coming of night. Under these circumstancos, this one day seemed positively longer than all the rest of the time which had ‘preceded it. ® | T'o them, it appeared as if night would never come. At last the sun sank, and so great was Dick’s im- patience to depart that he could scarceiy ecntrol him- self so far as to wait until dusk had overspread the eartn. The fate of the farmer’s son was to them a caution and a warning as to the manner in whicb they maue the ascent. For himself, Dick felt little apprehension ; all his fears were centred in Maud. She, however, feeling how much depended on her own coolness, tried her best to retain her calmness of mind, and so by this means the ascent was at length accomplished. On gaining the level ground once more, both gave a long, deé¢p-drawn sigh of relief. After that, Dick’s spirits seemed to return te him in a wonderful manner. “Come, Maud,” he cried, ‘ all is well now: and look, Black Bess is as impatient as we are for a gallop! We are a long way from Hampstead, but not so far but that we shall reach it long before the appointed time. No matter, I could wait better there than else- where.” Carefully considering his whereabouts, Dick deter- . mined on the direction he ought to take. Then, placing Maud on the back of Black Bess, he mounted also, and, despite her double burden, the bouny mare set forward ata speed that few steeds could equal. = : When Dick felt himself in his accustomed place, and found that he was getting over the ground in such gallant style, his heart throbbed-with joy, and he ex- pericneed that elation of spirits that can scarcely be pro- cet by anything else than a good ride on _ horse- ack, He seemed at once to throw off all his cares and fears, and his manner had a_ proportionately cheering effect upon his companion. He looked on all objects with hopeful eyes. The darkness rapidly increased; but he trusted en- tirely to the sagacity of Black Bess to keep clear of all obstacles lying in her path, and therefore made no attempt to restrain her progress. Under these circumstances, the rough, open country was passed over rapidly in perfect safety; but had Dick taken the management of the reins entirely into his own hands the chances are a thousand to one that he would not have guided her so far without accident. This he had learned by long experience, and there- fore felt none of that timidity which would naturally oppress anyone in a similar situation. At last hs paused near a large white gate, ea the oer side of which could be seenthe smooth high- road. He listened for some moments, but mG the faintest sound was carried to his ears. ‘“T have a good mind to risk it,” he muttered. “ liisk what?” was Maud’s anxious inquiry. “Why, a gallop along the high-road. It wil! not fatigue Black Bess half so muchas tke heavy ground she will otherwise have to pass over, and of late, you mast xnowy, her food has been none of the best.” ‘Use your own judgment,” answered Mand. “ Yon ought to know far better than I what to do under such tircumstances.,” “Then we will try the road,” said Dick, decidedly. “You must remember that the hour is very early yet —-too soon alinost for the officers to expect to find us abroad; no doubt they will be of their guard.” With these werds Dick slipped down and, unfastened the gate. _ He hel? _. open to allow Black Bess to pass through, then vecured it again by means of the chain attached to the gato-post. ~~ BLAOK BESS ; OR, = . wu> « Once more he mounted, and Black Bess, with a neigh of satisfaction, resumed her former speed, and it was soon manifest that she galloped now with much less exertion. 4 Fortunately the road was deserted, and this circ. m- stintce, Strange as it may seem now, was then noshivg to be wondered at, for so unsafe were all the highways, and so liable were all passengers to be interrupted by the police officers, that none save those who were com- pelled by pressing circumstances ventured to travel in the darkness. Suddenly, however, Dick paused. He brought Black Bess completely to a standstill, then bent forward and listened. : “What is it?” Maud asked. “ Tush-—hush !” Dick listened for a few seconds, then replied: ‘ Tlorsemen are on the road before us—a long way it is true, yet they are approaching, and ere long shall meet.” “But there will be danger then.” ‘‘No doubt there will—great danger, for the pro bility is that these horsemen are police officers.” Maud looked terrified. “Don't be alarmed,” said Dick—“ all is well now that we have timely notice of their approach.” “ But what shall you do?” “Seek out a shelter. If we can hide ourselves some- where, the officers will ‘pass by, and then we can re- sum) our journey.” Dick looked around him while he spoke. The most noticable object in the landscape was a picturesque-looking little village church, and on this his attention at once settled. ‘There is the place,” he said—“ there!” “That church?” she echoed, in some surprise. ‘“ Yes. Having no suspicions of our presence here, the officers will never dream of looking for us there. Quick—in a few moments we shall be out of sight.” Dick had satisfied himself that there was no one at hai to observe his movements, and so he made his way at cace in a direct line to the church. The pierce of ground surrounding it was bounded by a low stena wall—so low that anyone could with ease Lave surmounted it, and Dick knew that Black Bess would clesr it easily. She face? the obstacle, and then gave one bound into the air and alighted upon the soft earth in the graveyard. * Quick—quick,” Dick cried—‘ton—on! I can hear the officers more plainly now, and we must be out of sight before they come much nearer!” Black Bess picked her way among the tombstones, and at last reached the huge overhanging porch of the church. Dick dismounted and assisted Maud to alight, then taking Black Bess by the bridle he led her fairly into the porch, and stood with her close to the church door. A very deep gloom prevailed about this spot, so dark indeed were the shadows cast, that Dick felt perfectly certain that although the church was near the roadway no eye could possibly detect him. Nevertheless, both Maud and himself listened with a certain amount of anxiety to the clatter of the horses’ hoofs, which increased in loudness at every se- cond. On the horsemen came at a slashing pace. ‘They we not visible, being concealed from vicw by a tall, thichkly-planted hedge. “ Ancther moment,” Dick whispered, “and they will have passed.” Scarcely had ho uttered the words than he was sen- sible that the whole troop had slackened pace, and then immediately afterwards they all drew up their horses in front of the rustic wooden gate opening from the high-road into the churchyard. Maud cvuld scarcely suppress a shries&, bet eltnzing ti¢htly to Dick’s arm, she whispered, with whi:a lips; FW Gnialy orate: Dick, they have not seen us ¢f:\a3 this place! If they have, what is to be dcue ?” — Serre sath we - comicboo! s.com a = & <n a ee ee 4 eres