Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 280: what you’re looking at

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

mmr rrr, rs er ie 1652 oe ee Eee “hore, then, is all I have. I have kept my word to vO haved not ?” ~ You have, iudeed. Here, take this five- back again—if, will do to pay the toll-gates. will you take to drink at my expense ?” “ Nothing.” The tone in which the traveller pronounced this one word showed what an amount of aggravation he folt. *Oome—come, sir,” Dick cried, ‘think no more of your defeat.” “T have kept my word to the letter,” said the stranger, raising his voice so that all around might hear what he said; ‘“‘but having done so, I call upon these good people for assistance !” “ Assistance?” Dick echoed, while he tightened his grasp upon the reins. “Yes. Although I promised to surrender to you all | had, I did not undertake that 1 would keep vour identity a secret.” ‘But it would be base to disclose it!” Dick backed his mare as he spoke, for the people were clustering around him by far too closely tc Le plea- sant. ‘‘ Base or not, [ don’t care!” shouted the traveller, now quite beside himself with vexation. ‘Good people all, this is Dick Turpin, the celebrated highwayman, for whose apprehension a thousand pounds reward is offered ! Hielp me to secure the rascal!” This announcement was productive of an immense commotion. © ‘My blunderbuss,” criea the landlord—* where is my blonderbuss? I will blow him to atoms!” “Will you help me ?” roared the traveller. “Yes, yes,” was the unanimous cry. “Then, gentlemen,” said Dick, “I can only say you will have a long and fatiguing run. I have the honor to wish you all a very good night.” Se saying, Dick slackened the reins upon the neck of Black Bess. As usual, the gallant creature perfectly well understood what was required of her. Before the landlord and the others in front of the inn eould quite make up their minds where to turn and what to do Dick Turpin was full half a mile off down the road, and going at a pace that soon promised to take him out of sight. Muttering curses, the discomfited stranger rode off in pursuit, though the exhausted condition of his steed showed how perfectly ridiculous it was for him to attempt a pursuit. But the traveller just then was not in a condition to think very clearly or reason very oorrectly about any- thing, and so, with his breast full of angry feelings, he pushed on, trusting in the end either to overtake the highwayman, or else meet with officers or others whom he could set upon his track. und note fow what OHAPTER OMXOV. TOM KING IS FRUSTRATED IN HIS ATTEMPT TO TAKE POS- SESSION OF OLD MATTHEW'S LETTER. ‘“‘ Hasy—easy, Bess—take it easy, old lass! There is no need for you to exert yourself now. You have behaved vourself bravely, old girl! By Jove, who weld have thought that such an odd, unlooked-for adventure should have turned out so profitably? Jana possessed of six hundred pounds in value, at the very lowest estimate. Of that J am quite certain. Well, well, it could not have dropped into my hands at a better time. 2 have a use for every penny of it.” He was thinking of Tom Davis. “Tf old Matthew’s plan can only be carried out,” he said, half aloud, as Black Bess went slowly on her way, “it will be a glorious thing, and for my part I can see no reason why it should not. I should feel, then, that [ had done my duty to one who has ever been a faithfn) ally.” The hour now was very late—or, more strictly speak ~ ing, Very early. ‘There was little probability of meeting with anyone upon the road, and so Dick made his mind up to ride direct to the castle. & Accordingly he left the high-road and struck off acru.s tho open country, thus unknowinghy completely dis- —— | A BLACK BESS; OR, pepeaias the traveller in his hope of getting spon his track. Upon Dick’s arrival at the ruins the ostier at once eamo forward. “You are back soon to-night, captain,” he said. “'Yos,” replied Dick. “The others have 4 returnea, Isuppose ?” “Not yet, captain.” - Dick dismounted and gave Black Bess into the charge of the ostler, who at once took her off to her accustomed place in the ruins. Maud had heard Dick’s arrivai, and hastened forward to meet him. | ‘ Well,” said Tom King, as soon as Dick entered the subterranean apartment, “have you been successful ip finding a friend for the little girl? You do not knew how wmuch I regret parting with her. She had qvite wou my heart !” ‘““T believe,” answered Dick, “that I have left her in the hands of one who is better able to befriend her than almost anyone.” * But will he ?” ‘Well, little Ruth’s uncle is his personal enemy, and he has suffered much at his hands. However, I can see by both of your looks how interested you are, so I will give you an account of every incident that has befallen me. “ A rare night’s sport!” said Tom King, as soon as the narrative was concluded. ‘I wish I could only be for- tunate enough to meet with such a one. I feel to be growing absolutely rusty!” ‘How is your arm ?” ‘“‘ Better—much better. In fact, I feel nothing of it worth mentioning. It is getting well as fast as it can, and I shall be all the better for a little ex- ercise.” “You still think of looking for old Matthew’s letter ?” “Tf you have no objection, captain.” “Well, to speak truth, I had quite made up my mind to look after that bit of business; but as you seem to de- sire it you shall go.” : Maud heard these words with manifold pleasure, though she said nothing. Morning came, bright, clear, and beautiful; but it did not bring either Sixteen-String Jack or Claude Duval. Their non-appearance excited but little apprehension in the breasts of those who watched for them. They had to endure suspense as to the safety of their comrades; but it was better for them to do that than for the security of their abiding place to be affected. During the day Tom King was restless to the utmost degree. His impatience made him feel as though night would never come. No sooner was it dusk than he was in perfect readiness to start. His pistols had been loaded and put ready for use, his horse saddled, and every possible preparation made at least an hour before. Diok restrained him until it was really dark enough for him to take his departure safely. No prisoner released from a long and weary con- finement ever felt more elation of spirits than Tom King. He would have shouted out aloud in his gratification, but the manifest imprudence of doing so fortunately pre- sented itself to him and restrained him. Dick Turpin and Maud watched him till he passed out of sight, then the former turned round to the ostler and said : ‘‘Ts Black Bess saddled ?” “ Yes, captain.” Maud clung to Dick’s arm, and iooked appealtingty into his face. “Surely—surely,” she said, in a tremulous voice, “ you are not going away to-night ?” ‘‘ Yes—why not ?” “ Consider I am quite alone.” “There is Jaek. He will keep good watch and | ward.” “T do not doubt it; still think what long and weary hours they will be till you return; besides, Olaude and Jack are absené and how can you tell but what they may be in danger ?” I ee ic i tee Nn Pe a ae my PB me me AN enews os, ee "news oe a (e(0) JOO (E Ss) (E(o)