Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 295: what you’re looking at

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

-% : « » - Ty ACA ok FO Ee PMG * Hush—hush !” There was an immediate silence. The light was now very close at hand—so close that “ the highwaymen could »9 longer doubt the corftctness of their conjecture. Moreover, there also came upon cheir ears at frequent intervals a rustling, crackling sound, which made itself ovcasionally heard above the howling of the wind. This sound was just such a one as would be produced by a man forcing s passage through the thickly-growing forest trees. “It is a man with a lantern,” said Claude, faintly. _ ‘What can be his errand and his purpose in wandering thus among the recesses of the forest ?” * That, I trust, we shall shortly find out, my friend.” “* Huskh—hush !” “He cannot hear us—the wind roars too violently.” Nevertheless, his comrade preserved silence. To watch the proceedings of this man sufficiently oc- cupied their attention. He came on with tolerable steadiness, though he swung the lantern carelessly about in his hand. By the course he was taking, it was certain that he would pass very near the spot where our two friends had hidden themselves. To descry what kind of looking individual he was seemed impossible, owing to the dazzling effect produced by the lantern. At length he passed them—so closely that if the high- waymen had chosen to extend their arms they could have touched him. Our friends held their breaths. The man passed on, but when he gained the little open space which Claude and Jack had so recently quitted, he came to a dead stop. “‘] dare not go any nearer with the light,” he muttered —and the highwaymen heard him plainly, for his position was such that the wind carried al! sounds from him to them—'' but curse all such caution, say I! Just tell me, will you, who is likely to be watching fora light in the forest at this time of night? But here goes—anything for a quiet life!” Having uttered these singular words, the man opened the door of the lantern, and extinguished the light. A double darkness then seemed to reign around, but, by straining their eyes to the very utmost, the highway- men were able to keep him in view. He advanced a few more paces, and finally paused again at the opposite side of the clearing. Then above the roaring of the wind there arose shrilly and clearly the sharp notes of a whistle, whose tone admir- ably counterfeited the cry which would be uttered by some night bird. The whistle was repeated thrice. Scarcely had the last notes died away than a faint gleam of light ascended into the air. “Ts that you, Drotchill ?” “Yes.” ‘‘Come down, then! Be quick with you!” By the misty illumination which was shed arcund—and which appeared to emanate from some light burning be- neath the surface of the earth—the hishwaymena saw the form of the man more distinctly than ever. He gradually descended till he passed out of sight, then there was a faint sound, succeeded by darkness and silence. The two highwaymen were so much surprised—for what they beheld was something quite unexpected—that some moments elapsed before they either moved or spoke. At last Claude said: ‘Well, Jack, what do you think of that ?” “\T scarcely know at present.” “ Nor do I, though I have arrived at one comlusion.” ‘s What is it ?” “Why, that the light wea saw first of all was not the same as that which has just been extinguished.” “What was it, then?” “Why, it must have been some other man. His passage eS eae ved KNIGHT O# THR ROAD, “Very strange indeed. But keep quiet—perhape we| “ Yes.” _ shall yet succeed in finding a solution to the mystery.” 166% “Then the second light was carried by some otter per+ son approaching this self-same spot.” “No doubt you are right, Claude. I thought it odd the light should show itself again so far off and in a dif- ferent direction. But still, that does net enlighten us much.” “‘ Not very much; still, it is something.” ‘At any rate, there is some underground cavern here- abouts, inhabited by at least two persons.” ‘Yes, that much ie eertain.” “Then shall we rest contant with possessing that amount of knowledge, or shall we try to make some fur- ther discoveries ?” “T am in favor of the latter course.” “So am LJ for, who knows, it may turn out to our ads vantage.” ‘*Creep forward, then, and let us try to discover the exact spot where they disappeared.” ‘Yes, but be cautious.” Y The highwaymen crept forward with greg *‘zalthi- ness. Beyond their determination to discover, if possible, the entrance of the cavern, they had made no arrange- ments as to what else they should do, and it was quite as well, for they would have been rendered of no avail. Suddenly, to their great surprise, the dim light showed itself again not many paces off. The murmuring of voices could be heard. Then, one after- another, the two highwaymen, who had at once drawn back into concealment, counted four- teen men appear. They all looked dusky and shadowy. “ Are you all here ?” said a voice. *¢ All but old Robin.” ‘Then let him come forth as well, for what we have to do will require the united assistance of all of us.” : CHAPTER MII. IN WHicH CLAUDE DUVAL AND SIXTEEN-STRING JACK SUFFER THE PENALTY OF INTRUDERS. THE man who pronounced these words spoke in an authoritative tone of voice, and stood rather aloof from the rest, his manner and bearing being clearly that of a leader. In response to his words, one said: “ Hilloa, Robin! Come forth! You will have to quit grubbing underground for an hour or two. Come forth, you lazy old mole!” “I'm coming,” said a grumbling voice—* I’m coming ' But what on earth do you want me up above for ?” ‘You must ask the captain if you want to know.” ‘‘ Robin,” said the one who had been styled captain, “you are wanted to come with us—let that much suf fice.” ‘‘ But the old place?” . “It must take care of itself for once. We cannot spare anyone. Make up the entrance as well as you are able, then be in readiness to follow us.” Old Robin made some grumbling reply. After that the faint halo of light which had ascended from below, rendering these strange beings dimly visible, faded completely away. No sooner did this happen than at a word all the men walked hurriedly off, quickly disappearing from view. Our two friends waited until all sounds of their pro- gress had died away, and then Olaude cried: “ Fortune favors us, Jack!” ‘Tt does indeed. That secret band have a habitation of some kind underground, and it seems to me that at the present moment all its inhabitants appear to have de- parted.” “There can be no doubt of it.” “Then, my friend, if you feel half as curious as I dq you will not miss the opportunity of paying their strong- hold a visit.” “There is only one thing—ft is getting on towards daybreak, remember.” ‘‘We have some hours before us yet, and this little ad- ___ through the wood may not in reality have been so devious er) ‘imagined. Then don’t you recollect that upon veacifing this spot the light vanished ?” = 9s ‘ venture will not occupy us for long, you may depend.” % Come on, then, I am willing.” So saying, the hizghwaymon quitted their place ot cob . < a - Vey * I ao ae Eomichboo SynlElo)