Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 224: what you’re looking at

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1596 “Well, if you should find them helpless when yeu get there,” added Jack, ‘I should recommend you to drive to Bow Street police station, then you will Enow more about it. If they are officers, all well and good, and if they are not, why the police will take care of them unt. sey come to their seases.” ; ‘“'That’s a very good idea of yours, Jacn~ .hat's the proper thing to do,” assented the waggoner “and if in case they don’t wake up, that’s where I'!] take es.” ‘Very well. Good-night.” “‘Good-night,” said the waggoner, as ho ciimbed up into his lofty seat. ‘Good-night, Jack, and you may depend on seeing me either to-morrow night or the fol- lowing morning.” With these words the waggoner smacked hia whip loudly ond off set his team at a very telorable Tate con- sidering the nature of the load tuey had beliind them, The ostler stood watching until darkness hid the waggon from his sight ; then, unable any longer to restrain his mirth, he leaned up against the gate-post and laughed until the tears rolled down his cheeks, and until his sides fairly ached. “Oh, it’s too rich a joke—too rich! Won’t they be mad when they wake up! I fancy I see ’em; I’d give one whole year’s wages freely if I could only be invisible in the waggon at the time when they do open their eyes. Why, I shouldn’t wonder if tney were to get into a rage and set to work fighting etch other like so many mad cats. Oh, it’s too good! I can’t take it all in yet—I feel Ican’t. But wait a bit—quicet, Jack, quiet; you have got a great deal to do yet, and abuve all things don’t forget the captain.” CHAPTER CMLXVII. TOM KING MAKES HIMSELF TOLERABLY COB FORTARLE IN THE LOFT. WuILE Jack, the ostler, muttered these words half-aloud, his countenance by degrees changed from an expression of uncontrollable mirth to one of extreme gravity. He shook his head once or twice to and fro, from which it may be inferred that he was not altogether blind to the danger and risk he ran by thus aiding and abetting the notorious highwayman. He made his way at once direct to the stables, and hay- ing entered, closed the door. By the time he had ascended the perpendicular ladder and gained the loft above, his face had resumed its usual cheerful, jolly aspect. “Hullo!” he said, in a faint voice. tain, I’ve come back ; it’s all right.” There was no reply. “What can be the matter ?” thoughtJack. ‘Surely he’s not gone. No—no; but wait a bit, I'll get a light.” The loft was now so profoundly dark that it was im- possible to see from one side of it to the other. From the stable beneath, however, he produced a lantern, and by the aid of this in searching about he dis- covered Tom King lying upon the straw very much in the same position as that in which he had left him. ‘‘ He’s asleep,” said Jack. This was indeed the fact, although at first it may seem strange, even unaccountable, that ‘T’om King could fall off into a slumber in such a place. But the fact was, his slumber was one produced bv his state of utter and complete exhaustion. He had sunk off to sleep quite unconsciously—in fact, he had almost swooned. But the ostler satisfied himself taat he was sleeping peacefully, and having done so, he turned aside. *‘ Lot him rest,” he murmured—“ let him rest ; he will wake upafresh man. [ll sce that he is perfectly sate.” Jack sat down at once to watch, choosing a position near to the circular window of the loft, which enabled him to hear distinctly all that might take place ou side, and, should the moon brzak forth, would allow hima oler- able view of the country round. Here, then, he remained patiently on the watcu for a long, long time. It may be that ne dozed once or twice, for it was not until there were palpable indications in the east that the coming of the new day was not far distant thata slight sound Ae heard indicating that Tom King was rousing himself, *‘ Captain—cap- BLAOK BESS; OR, and—and——’ Jack turned round at once. “Well, captain,” he said, “I should think you fel better after thas littie pit of a snooze; do you not ?” Tom King pressed his hands to his head in a be- wildered way; he could not understand at first where he was, and was beyond measure puzzled to know what had happened. Ry degrees recollection came back to him, and then he.» | sat ap in the straw thoroughly awake. “The officers,” he asked, anxiously—“ where are the officers? Tell me that!” With great difficulty the ostler controlled his propen- sity to indulge in an explosion of laughter; he was only able & succeed by noticing the extreme anxiety with whicn Tom asked the question. “'They’re gone, captain,” he said, ‘ don’t be alarmed about them in the least—I assure you there is no occa- sion.” ‘‘Gone ?” repeated Tom, incredulously. “Yes, Just wait a moment, and I will tell you all about it.” Jack did go. Tom King listened with unbounded wonder. Then, in a grave voice, he asked : “ And do you really mean to say, Jack, that you have had the audacity te do this ?” ‘‘ The what, captain? I don’t know that word; but if you mean have I done it, why, I say yes. Aha! isn’t it e good joke ?” “Jack,” said 'Tom King, ‘it strikes me you will have to pay dearly for it. Where’s my horse—l'll be off at ence ; and if you are wise, you will make yourself scarce &$ quickiy as you can!” ‘Gently, captain—gently—not so fast, if you pleaso; L have aot told you all yet.” “‘Inased! What have you to say 2?” “Why, this: I think I shall clear myself very well in the matter; Z 4m not at all alarmed on account of that.’ ‘‘ But,” interrupted Tom King, “the officers will be filled with rage when they find how they have been played with, and an immense troop of them will be sent down without delay.” “T’m not so certain of that,” was the answer. “In the first place, they had never been this road before; I gathered that from what they said, and it’s odd to me if I didn’t give them enough of the drug to make them re- main fast asleep until they were delivered at Bow Street station. Delivered! only just think of that now!” Jack laughed again, and this time Tom King joined in heartily. ‘‘ Well, when they come to themselves,” pursusd the ostler, ‘they won’t be able to tell just where abouts this inn really is; they will have an idea of its locality, and very dikely will search closely until they find it, but that will take them some time.” “Yes,” said Tom King, “that’s true enough; I didn’t think of that.Before.” ‘But I did, captain; and, what’s still more to the point, either to-night or early to-morrow morning the waggoner will be passing this way again, and from him I shall learn full particulars, and until then, captain, my advice is that you remain quiet where you are, and get your strength - up. Rely upon it you shall not be disturbed.” ‘Many thanks,” said Tom—‘“ many thanks; but I must be moving, and I think I cannot de better than take the opportunity of a parting now.” Jack looked disappointed. Tom King rose quickly to his feet. No sooner, however, had he assumed an erect posture than he became all in a moment conscious ef the extreme state of weakness he was in. He reeled and almost fell. ‘‘ Now, captain,” said the ostler, decidedly, * you must not think of leaving here like that; besides, there is no earthly occasion—take my word for it, youare safe. Just keep still—that’s all you have to do.” ‘But will not this loft be visited ?” ‘‘Not by anybody except myself, captain; I have the stables all to myself. I don’t think master has been up here since the last lot of hay and straw was brought.” “ Then,” said Tom, rather faintly, ‘‘I will stay; I am not so strong as I should wish to be; besides, I have a wound which, though getting well, gives me much trouble, Gomicbooks