Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 236: what you’re looking at

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

BLACK BEES; Ok, a S Well, then,” he said, with a melancholy smile, for his it waa always saddened when he had occasion to refer to the past, ‘‘ many years ago, in my youth—I mean, I remember reading—how such an occurrence is far from oncommon. It depends upon some strange state of the atmosphere, which | cannot explain to you, but which brings suddenly distant objects close to hand, so that sometimes, in the midst of a vast plain, trees and houses have been seen, which, upon a closer approach, have seemed to melt into the air.” “Let us ascribe it, then, to that,” said Diek, “ and so dispose of the subject, for we have far more presuing subjects that require our attention. None of you have mentioned Tom Davis yet; I trust he is not for- gotten.” “Certainly not, captain—certainly not! ‘waiting for you to speak.” “ Well, then, the question is, what shall be dcae? I confess I have already made up my mind, and that is, at svery risk, to set him at liberty; he deserves as much at dur hands.” “‘ He does—he does!” was the unanimous reply. ‘Such being the case, then,” continued Dick, “ we can sasily arrange the rest. When he is set at liberty we will farnish him with what money we are able to obtain, and ut him in the way of leaving England. If we can see im safely aboard sage vessel, then I shall feel that we have done our duty to him.” “But,” said Claude Duval, “ before we go any further, it is necessary that we should learn something more as to his position at the present moment.” ‘Precisely so,” said Dick; ‘‘and a knowledge can only be obtained by a journey to London.” ‘“‘ But who is to take it ?” ‘* That remains to be seen.” “Not you, Dick—not you!” cried Maud, for the first time joining in the conversation. “Surely you will not run the risk of paying another visit ?” “« Why not?” “Tt is tempting your fate too much. Let me go,” she added. ‘I shall be less likely to be suspected than you, and I can bring you back all the information you re- uire.” Dick shook his head. ‘‘T am sorry to deny you, Maud; but, in good truth, it cannot be. I should suffer more on your account than you could possibly suffer on mine, for you would know that I was able to extricate myself from any perilous situation, while you would be incapable of doing so.” “ Then,” said Claude, ‘suppose I go.” ‘“‘T am willing, too,” said Jack. ‘“ And I as well,” said Tom King, faintly, “if I only felt a little stronger and better.” ‘‘You are out of the question, Tom,” said Dick; “ but what I proposo is, that Claude, Jack, and myself shall draw lots. It can easily be managed by a few splinters of wood—one longer than the rest. Whoever draws that, goes to London, and the other two will, in the meanwhile, set out upon an excursion to obtain such a sum of money as would be useful to Tom Davis after we have rescued him.”: This was assented to without the least demur, for whatever Maud may have felt upon the subject she kept to herself, knowing from experience that it was useless for her to raise her voice in such an affair. The small pieces of wood were rapidiy prepared, and held by Tom King. Three were drawn, and Dick Turpin was found to hold the longest. ‘That is as I wished,” he exclaimed, with sparkling eyes. ‘I have ionged for the opportunity to go, for 1 feel that it is something which particularly concerns my- self.” ‘But when shall you start ?”’ asked Maud, timidly. ‘‘ To-night, as soon as it is dark enough to leave here safely.” “But you wi need a disguise,” said Clauda .Jayal. “Where shall you obtain that?” Dick shrugged his skoulders. “It strikes me I shall take very few precautions in that way,’ be replied. “If I wait here until I find a disguise _I shall never go at all. I will rida off, and trust entirely w luck to befriend me.” We bave an hour or two to spare yet,” said Sixteen- We were —_— — - String Jack, “‘and there would be ne harm if we were te spend that time in making our arrangements a little more fully.” . ‘None whatever. Bae first of all I will go and see that Black Bess is in readiness.” “Why not take one of the other horses ?” said Tom —— —_— or Ras Kine. self.” “That may be,” said Dick, ‘and no doubt is the case ; but if I weat without her that would be ne safeguard to me, but the reverse. When JI am seated on her back, I feel an amornt of confidence and security which I cannot feel e.sewhere. No, no—Black Bess must ac- company me on my mission, or I must give it up alto- gether.” With these words, Dick hasteried to one portion of the ruins which the ostler had already extemporised into a kind of stable. He was rejoiced to find his gallant mare looking fresh and ready for any amount of exertion. ‘The time between then and nightfall passed quickly, for there was much to talk about and decide upon. It was agreed that Tom King, Maud, and the ostler should remain at the ruins—that Sixteen-String Jack and Claude Duval should seek a night of adventures, while Dick made his way to Lonaon. Oddly enough, not a word was said sbout his return, and probably this would have been left altogether nn- mentioned had nos Maud put the question just as Dick seated himself in the saddle. ‘There are many hours between now and daybreak,” he replied, ‘‘and I have them all before me. I shall try my best to get back here before day dawns. All will, however, depend upon circumstances. If I can see good reason for remaining away—if I feel that I should be safer elsewhere—I shall not come here; so do not expect me. Rest assured that, for my own sake alone, [ will take the best care of myself.” But Maud could tell, by the manner in which he pronounced these words, that he was just then in the humor for any adventure, no matter of how dangerous a character; and with a burst of grief which she could not eontrol, for her heart foreboded much coming evil, Maud covered her face and turned away. “ Farewell!” said Dick, in cheerful tones—‘ farewell, yet not for long! I shall soon return, bringing the need- ful intelligence with me.” “Black Bess must be as well known, as your- CHAPTER CMLXXIYV. GOOD FORTUNE APPEARS TO INAUGURATE DICK TURPIN’S EXPEDITION. As he gave utterance to these words, Dick Turpin set Black Bess in motion, and took his way slowly from the castle ruins. Jack the ostler had been sent out as a kind of scout to ascertain that there was no one loitering near, and at this moment he appeared, saying : “All right, captain—there’s not a soul about. You may venture to ride off boldly.” Nevertheless, Dick Turpin did not altogether relax his caution, but continued to keep a sharp look-out on all sides. But as soon as the ruins were fairly behind him, he allowed Black Bess to put forth her powers of speed. There was on this occasion a feeling of freedom and ° case, as well as energy and determination, about Dick’s heart to which he had been for a long time a perfect stranger. Maud had rightly defined his frame of mind. But for all his light-heartedness, Dick, as he rode along, wondered by what means he should obtain a dis- ise. To ride to London in his own proper character was & feat of daring from which even he recoiled. Such a proceeding would have been nothing short of actual insanity. But when and how was he to find the means of so well disguising himself that, should he by chance encounter any of his foes, they would fail to recognise him. This was a question be asked himself over and over azain without, however, being able to frame anything like 2 satisfactory reply to it. (E(@) m “SEO (E ,OO