Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

re ¢ross-road was joined by several others, so that if the THN ANIGHT GF FUs ROAD, inu had not been here they would have been greatly puzzled to know which was the way to Londo. In expectation of their arrival they found a small group of persons waiting outside this hut, for it wes scarcely deserving of any better appellation, thougr en coming nearer and looking more attentively at it, it was evident that at some distant period it had been a substantial, good-looking dwelling, but it had been allowad by neg- lect to fall into its present miserable and dilapidated state. A scene of considerable confusion now ensued. he wonder of the landlord, his family, and dependants was extreme. Never before in their recollection had sv Strange or exciting an incident occurred at their coors. After a time, however, the horses were all stowed away in the rambling, broken-down sheds which existed in plenty at the back of the inn. Tom King was raised a little, and thus was e»*bled to take a good look at his halting-place. As he gazed upon it he became conscious that at some time or other he had scen this inn before, but when it was he could not for the life of iim make out. The countenance of the landlord was certainly a strange one to him. Matters having been so far arranged, the officers again picked up the plank and carried ‘Tom King through the front door, along the passage, and into the large kitchen in which they had agrced to take up their quarters. This kituhen was at the back of the inn, and com- manded a view of the littered, untidy yard in the rear, and the tu.nble-down stables beyond. ~ As before, the plank was placed on end, with the top resting against the wall. *“ Now, T’om,” said Blogden, “I owe you no ill-will, although you refused my offer before, aud therefore I renew it. Your limbs must be cramped by remaining so long in one position, and you must be hungry as well; why not give the promise I require, and then you can sit down amoung us quite comfortable 2?” _“*No,” said Tom, “I very much prefer remaining es I ain to making the promise you are so anxious to have. But let me tell you all my bones ache; I am cramped from head to foot by being thus tied to the board. Surely it is not asking too much to request you to release some of the bonds, so that my blood may have a chance of circulating.” “No,” said Blogden, decidedly, “ you will find me im movable. If you will comply with my conditions, well and good; if not, stay as you are; you can make your own choice.” After that Tom was silent. A tolerable repast was then spread upon the table, and when he caught sight of the various eatables, Tom King experienced the pangs of hunger very sharply. Yet he resolved to say not a word. The officers ate voraciously, and drunk in due pro- portion, the liquor being as before, strong, home-brewed ale. Wheu the meal was over, the effects of itand ci what they had drunk. and of their fatigue, made themselves manifest. One by one they dropped off into a doze. Tom watched them anxiously. It was quite clear that sleep had stolen upon the officers unconsciously. Every one who had closed his eyes had left the task of watching to the others. At last Tom King felt that the oppariunity he had been looking for, which seemed so far distant, now had eolte. Now was tue timo to make a vigorous effort to escape. Carefully and yet vigorously he tugged away at the ropes which confined his wrists. To his joy they slackened a little*-a very little, yot enough to endow him with courage and determination, Time wore on, and the officers still slumbered, Incredible as the feat may appear, Tom actually sua- ceeded in getting his hands at liberty. When this was the case he felt that the remainder of his task was comparatively easy. _ ie wext on most vigorously with his work, and so tn- _.fent-end so wrapped up did he become in it ¢pat ite 1589 omitted to glance every of his sleeping captors. When, however, he at last looked up and saw Joe Blogden’s eyes wide open and fixed upon him, he gave quite a nervous start of surprise, and dropped the knot he had been attempting to untie. ‘* Aha!” said Joe, ‘so you have given mea taste of your quality, have you? Thank you—I am niuch obliged to you. Doubtless you thought J was asleep. What a mistake! Why, Tom, I have been watching you all the time ; and as you have been so clever and done what I believed to be impossible, I shall know what to expect from you if we are in the least degree neglectful. Ho! wake up there !” he bawled, in a voice that seemed power- fw exough to lift the roof off. The officers awoke instantly and sprang to their fect. Tom King’s desperation and anger knew no deands. He was almost free, and this made his disappointment all the nivre bitter. Ile resolved not to submit, however, without a des- rerate struggle. In his efforts to extricate himsclf, however, he pulled the plank over, and fell heavily to the ground. The next moment, all the officers were upon him, the ropes were again crossed and recrossed over his body in all directions, and, indeed, wherever there was a chance. At last he found himself much in his old position, except that the ropes were tighter, and caused him ereater pain than before. When all was done, Blogden approached and cautiously examined every knot. “ Now you are right, Tom, my friend,” he said—“ quite right. If you can get out of that, I give you leave to make your escape. You little thought I had my eyes upon you, but—aha !—catch a weazel asleep, Tom, and then you may stand gome chance of finding Joe Blogden napping! few seconds at the countenances Aha!” The cfiicer was so overjoyed at his own preternatural cleverness that he hardly knew how to restrain himself within proper bounds. The officers of course laughed heartily, and were vastly amused, but the incident terminating so disappoint- ingly to Tom King was a very good lesson to them, since it taught them the necessity of not relaxing in thyir vigilance for the future in the least degree. CHAPTER OCMLXIV. WHICH JOE BLOGDEN MAKES A PECULIAR PROPOSI- TION TO HIS COMPANIONS. So impressed were the officers with this idea, that for some time after the occurrence of the event just described they did nothing but sit stock still with their cyes fixed upon their prisoner. Observing this, Tom smothered his anger and disap- pointment as well as he was able, for ae knew that if he allowed it. to appear in his face the officers would enjoy it and triumph over him. At last, when they had calmed down a little, Blogden turned towards them and said: ‘¢ Now, my lads, just let me know when you think you will fecl rested enough to set out again on your journey. It is a disagrecable job, I know, but still, the sooner it is over the better, and when we once get him to Newgate, all the trouble will be off our hands.” ‘So it will,” murmured the officers; “‘but we are re-~ gularly footsore, Mr. Blogden, and do you know how far it is to the next inn ?” ‘No, I don’t ; but that is well thought of—I will call the landlord in, and inquire.” Accordingly this was done. ; ““ Now, landlord,” cried Blogden, “ just be good enough to listen. How far shall we have to travel before we come to the next inn, on the road to T.ondon ?” “ Well, sir,” was the answer, ‘I should say a matter ef fifteen miles.” “ Fifteea miles ?” roared Blogden. What do you mean by that ? Curse you fora liar! You only want us to re- main here in order tnat you can make plenty out of us! 1 suppose it is not every day that a large party stops here ft” 3 “ff you know better than Ido,” said the landlord, ‘what ip the world was the good of asking me the ques IM () <S G fo) tion 2” COMME IO ‘\