Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 233: what you’re looking at

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

+ oe oe curring, so that when Maud entered the church porch the young man was in the act of leaving it with hi5 senseless den. Directly atterwards Dick followed. With the qrickness of lightning, he flung his sword to the ground. need Then, seizing the massive oaken door, he pulled it shut after him. His hands were already upon the key, which was still sticking in the lock, as Silvia’s father was it~ tm- patient to allow it to be removed. As quick, then, as the eye could wink, the doer closed with @ bang, and the key turned in the lock. ~OHAPTER CMLXXIL. CLAUDE DUVAL MAKES A PROPOSITION @ HW COM- PANIONS. “Qagep!” shouted Dick Turpin, in a voice of exulta- tion—“ caged! That was neatly done, 1 ratzer think!” He stopped abruptly, for just then Maud flung her arms around him. ‘You are hurt,” she cried—“ you are wounded |” ‘No, no—notecratched.” *¢ But I say you are—here in the arm!” Dick carried his hand towards the place, and then, to his surprise, felt that his coat sleeve was wet with blood. “Tt is nothing,” he replied—‘'a touch that in the heat of my blood I had not felt. Hark!” A furious hammering sound came from the other side of the church door. ‘Knock away,” Dick cried, derisively—“ the door is strong enough to laugh at all your efforts. Come, Maud, we will leave this place.” Gladly Maud obeyed; but as soon as they emerged from the porch, Dick again paused. The young man had placed Silvia on the ground in the ehurchyard. Her head was resting on his knee, and he was endea- vouring to restore her to consciousness. “ Ply!” cried Dick, addressing hin—“ Fly while you have time! Your only hope of safety lies in instant flight! They are all within the church now, but they will soon find a means of leaving it !” “Then I can die in her defence !” ‘There is no need for that. Fy, 1 say, and take your companion with you!” “Tf [ dared.” “Dared?” repeated Dick,in astonishment. ‘She loves you, and you would save her from a fate worse than death |” ‘TT trust she loves me.” ‘Believe it. Her actions prove it. Do not waste another moment, as you value your own life and her happiness !” | *“ But you, sir?” cried the young man, rising to his feet, and looking inquiringly at the highwayman. “ May I ask in whom I have so strangely found a friend ?” “No matter. I tell you thereis no time for talk! Raise her up in your arms, andfollow me! Hark! I told you they would find a way out!” A terrific crash of glass accompanied Dick’s words It seemed as though one of the large wizdows in ~ the sacred edifice had been dashed completely Seem its setting. The sound served to arouse the young mana and quicken his exertions, though, te tell the truth, bis brain was in a whirl, for events had taken so sudden an@ atrange a turn that he is to be excused for feeling a little bewil- dered. Following Dick’s directions, he picked Silvia up in his arms, and wtr~le with her rapidiy along tha gravel- th. E Diak and Maud hurried after them, and Brack Bess, who had watched attentively every one of her master’s movements, brought up the rear. At the gate the stranger paused. “My horse is utterly exhaustea,” he said, ‘* sestdes, he fell heavily with me the moment I reached the ate.” Z “Bo much the better!” cried Dick. ‘ Mouns one of these. I will help this lady to seat herself before you, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD. 1006 a EEE — and I will start the other horses to keep you com pany.” ° ‘Why do that ?” 7 “Why, to prevent all chance of pursuit, to be sure !” ‘‘ Yes, yes—of course! But pardon me—I am so con- fused that I am altogether incapable of anything resem- bling calm thought.” | He mounted while he spoke. | Silvia had by this time partially recovered possession of her senses. Dick lifted her easily to the saddle, “Now,” he cried, “ off and away, and my best wishes go with you! Notanothermoment! See, they are rush- ing down the path !” The young man did not stay to turn his head to obtain confirmation of Dick’s words, but struck spurs to hie horse's flanks instead. It should be stated that all the horses had been secured to the gate leading into the churchyard, and left there. Dick released them quickly, giving each a sharp cut with a stick as he did so. Away they flew along the high-road after the two lovers, and ere the discomfited bridal party could emerge from the gate they had all disappeared round the curve a few yards ahead. Dick Turpin’s course was now clear and easy enough. He placed Maud upon the back of Black Boss, then mounted himself. He took off his hat and made an ironical bow to the excited throng, who were in various ways giving ex- pieston to the mortification and anger they experi- enced. ‘*Good evening, gentlemen,” he said—a pleasant walk to you: The young couple are quitesafe from your Eat Shame upon you all: to contemplate such a ee 1? With these words, Dick Turpin allowed the reins to fail upon the back of Black Bess. i That was all the noble creature wanted to urge her forward. Away she flew, and when Dick next turned his head to look behind him the church was completely out of sight. : “1 odd adventure, Maud, was it not ?” he exclaimed, as he slackened his mare’s speed slightly. ‘Still, I feel that I acted rightly. Without my interference I believe two young hearts would have been made wretched for ever!” “But your arm?” said Maud, apprehensively. you sure it is no more than a trifling hurt ?” “Quite sure; but, for all that, it is bleeding yet, so we will try a bandage.” Dick’s broad neckcloth served well enough for this purpose, and after this slight interruption the journey to Hampstead was continued. But more time had been, from first to last, consumed by this little incident than Dick believed, and he was quite surprised to find the hour was midnight while he was yet some distance from his destination. On making this discovery he pressed onward more rapidly, for he knew well that his companions would be suffering great anxiety on his account. The journey was one that alarmed Maud considerably ; but when she found herself in the vicinity of Hampstead Heath, without the occurrence of a single incident, she began to recover her ordinary composure. The hoath was covered with a darkness so intense that Dick found it necessary to reduce his mare’s speed to a walking pace. Fortunately he was thoroughly acquainted with the nature of the ground, otherwise he could not have mate his way to that one particular spot where they had agreed to meet. It was not long, therefore, before Dicx caught sight of the red gleam of light proceeding from the fire. | At first this baffled him considerably, and made him doubt whether he had really made his way in the right direction. Upon coming nearer, and finding that a fire was actually burning on the heath, ke paused irresolutely. ‘* Are “What is it?” Maud asked, with anxiety. “Why % you pause?” ‘Do you see that light yonder?” _ “Yes. Whatisit? Wat docs it portend (A) EORMIC JOOKS.GO