Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

1396 ringing of which betokened that his presence was 1H- | I snould have done, but I think my qnired in the vestibule. With greater caution than they had used when eatering the Bag of Nails Inn, the officers dismounted, aud #heu assisted their prisoner to the ground. More than a dozen hands seized nold of Dick in various ways, and, as the handcuffs were already tightly secured behind his back, he stood but a poor chance of getting (ree—so poor a one,,indeed, that he made not the slightest effort to liberate himself, but allowed kis captors to lead nim up the steps and across the threshold of Newgate. When the heavy door closed with its peculiar clang, Dick felt indeed that he was a prisoner. Strange enough, however, no sooner had he come to the realisation of this fact than all his heaviness suddenly departed, his usual coolness, courage, and vivacity came back to him. ae loa himself up to his ful] height, he iocked around im. Tiven though they stood beneath the roof of the prison, nes police officers did not yet venture to let go their old. “The Governor,” said Sir Marmaduke, sharply — ““where is he? Send for him at once!” “He will be here directly, sir,” said the man on the jock. ‘TI have already rung the bell, so that he will know he is wanted urgently.” At that very moment, the door communicating with the Governor’s apartments was thrown open, and that indivi- dual appeared upon the threshold. Mr. Cawthorn’s successor was an under-sized, shrivelled- ap, middle-aged man, who, to those occupying positions above him, was most disgustingly humble—indeed, the way in-which he fawned upon the sheriffs and other high officials was positively sickening. But to all the men and the prisoners he was a perfect tyrant, always choosing some opportunity or other for displaying his power, From his servility, .owever, to the ruling powera, he was likely te tetain his situation for a long time. “** nat is all this?” he cried, sharply—* what is tt*® Speak, some of you, and tell me! What de vou mean by seeping me in suspense in this manner ?” “‘T will sooninform you,” said Sir Marmaduke. .tepping forward. ‘“ But, first of all, just allow meé to remavk that my name is Braham—Sir Marmadnke Braham, chief magistrate of the county of Surrey.” Dick really thought that the Governor of Newgate was about to fall on his knees at once; but he did not, though he bowed his head so low that it was the greatest wonder in the world how he regained his perpendicularity. He did not stand upright, however, but, continually oscillating backwards aad forwards, and waving his hands so as to keep time with the movement, he said: “‘T beg ten thousand pardons, Sir Marmaduke! I was not aware that you were present! Jam very sorry in- deed that I spoke so sharply, only, you see “Oh, yes, yes!” cried Sir Marmaduke, impatiently. “I see all about that! Just pay attention to me!” “T am all attention, Sir Marmaduke.” ‘Well, then, { have brought you here a prisoner, no uther than the notorious rascal Pe He stopped suddenly, and uttered a shout, and fora moment there were one or two who wondered what could be the cause. It so happened that Sir Marmaduke, while speaking, was standing very near to Dick, and just in front of Lim. No sooner did the word “rascal” escape his lips, than Dick, whose legs were at liberty, took one step forward, ind, raising his right foot, subjected the bar-est to the in- dignity of a kick upon his hinder quarters, ‘I'he Governor stood aghast. Dick Turpin, with a smile on his lips, resumed bis former attitude. “ [ will have your life!” screamed Sir Marmze-ke—“ J will have your life, rascal, villain that you are! No, no!” he added, with a sudden change of manner---‘' no, no~I won't touch you—I’d scorn to doit! I'll wait my time end, if it costs me half my fortune, [ will have the bast place to stand to see you kanged !” “gust as you like,” said Dick—*‘it’s quite sadifferent w ue. Of course, you understand toat my arms, being instened behind me, prevented me from using my fists, as +" BLACK BESS; Ui, : ~ “2S = 5 © ny abs a foot made a very good ——L substitute.” “ You shall be punished for this insolence, rest assured ™ cried the baronet, foaming with rage. “Take care ot him, Mr. Governor! He is a dangerous man—a most dangerous man! Don’t lose sight of him for one single moment !” * All right!” said the Governor—“ you may depend upon me! Why, can it be possible?” ‘he continued, as he looked closer. ‘Yes, yes, it is—I recognise him now! Why, you have really captured Dick Turpin !” “Yes, yes—I have !” “Speak the truth,” interrupted Dick, didn’t !” “Be silent !” | “T sha’n’t, without you choose to gag me!” “Tt is not true that you captured him, Sir Marmaduke,” interrupted Sir George. ‘The man surrendered himself tome. I took him prisoner, and therefore I claim the re- ward of a thousand, pounds that is offered for his appre- hension.” “And who may you be, sir?” asked the Governor, sneeringly. ‘My name is of no consequence to you, but perhaps I had better say I am Sir George Hazlitt, Sir Marmaduke’s neighbour.” The Governor bowed again. “Really,” he said, “the villanous rascal has had too much honour. The idea, now, to be captured by a baronet L” ‘“ Pay attention to what I say,” continued Sir George. ‘‘ He was my prisoner, and was quite willing to follow me to Newgate without resistance, provided I had felt in- clined to bring him; but Sir Marmaduke, being present, thought fit to take upon himself the management of affairs, so sent for this troop of officers, to whom, of course, I handed over the prisoner, and they have done no more than perform the very simple duty of bringing him here.” “Yes,” cried Dick, “that’s it—that’s quite correct every ‘vord of it.” “Who told you to speak ?” roared the Governor. “ Seek information of my elbow !” replied Dick. “T say vou There was a general titter at this, though one and ail — endervoured to conquer their propensity to laugh. “Be silent, then,” said the Governor. ‘I will notaHow you to sav @ word !” : “ And yoe shall not prevent me,” said Dick, “se what do you think of that? Now,I don’t mind telling you something for yur own good. If you desire to have peace and quietness ‘a the prison, just let me have my own way; if you do now, take my word for it I will con- vert it into a regular little hax, upon earth !” CHAPTER DCCOLIIL DICK TURPIN ENRAGES SIR MARMADUKE, BUT MAKES FRIENDS WITH THE GOVERNOR OF NEWGATE, TueE Governor of Newgate stood perfectly aghast. The idea that such words should be addressed to ar august functionary like himself, and, above all, by a pri- soner, was monstrous in the extreme. So great was his amazement that he could only stare with wide-open mouth and eyes at Dick, who nodded his head as much as to say: “T mean it, every word of it.” What the Governor would have said or done we really cannot tell, but Sir Marmaduke interposed, saying: “Pay not the least attention to him—treat all he says with contempt, and just listen to me.” ‘¢‘ Yes—yes, I will listen—I am all attention, of course, but if ever——” ‘Never mind him, I say—keep that to yourself. I want to know how this case stanas ?” “ What case, Sir Marmaduke ?” “Why, as to who is entitled to the reward ?” There was a pause—an awkward one for the Governor, for he did not want to reply so as to give the least offence +o the baronet. “T cannot presume to decide,” he replied, at length, “ and really the matter has nothing whatever to do witk me.” “But you will have to give a receipt for the prisonez ™ “Oh yes—that’s according to form.” / (e(0) IOOKS (E(0)