Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 300: what you’re looking at

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

1672 BLACK BFSS; OR, aa This announcement was received with silonce. Then, with a resumption of all that excitement and nervousness which had previously characterised his words and movements, the captain said ; ‘‘A few words now will have te pass between as. The time has come for the wealth which has been accu- mulated to be divided amongst you all. That shall be done at once.’ “ou have all helped to pack this wealth up into a portable shape—all except this gold on the table, which remains to be divided. It wae) »laced in yonder inner cavern, as you all well know.” So saying, the captain pointed to the dour communi- cating with the smaller cavern, in which our friends had seen so many parcels packed up, all of which, it must be understood, had been most carefully removed by the captain on the preceding night, or rather morning. ‘When you are ready,” continued the captain, “rise and go, all of you, to the door, bring forth the wealth, and let it be divided.” With surprising alacrity ali the men rose to their feet in perfect readiness r this occasion to obey their captain’s commands. ' A grim smile came over the latters countenance as he observed it. In a dense throng they stood together, as if waiting for the captain to lead the way. But he hung back, pretending to be very busy witha small hand-lautern which he carried. ‘‘Go on, my friends,” he cried, in quavering tones— ‘‘og on. There isno need for you to hold back for ma, Go on. Be quick, and bring forth the wealth.” Still keeping in a body, the men advanced to the door which had been indicated. They threw it open on its hinges and entered. No sooner had the last one crossed the threshold than the door closed. Then the captain, who had been stooping down, flung himself flat on his face. There was a flash of light— A dull, heavy, roaring sound like thunder— Blows—cries—groans—another roar—then silence. Silence and darkness. The highwaymen were stunned and bewildered. The barrels in which they had concealed themgelves were overturned, and hurled with great violence against the walls of the cavern. Upon recovering possession of their senses, Jack was about to call aloud to his comrade, when fortunately he was arrested by hearing a voice exclaim: “Tt is done—the deed is done! At last—at last all— allisover! Dull fools never to suspect me! But that is over now. I will get together all these valuables, and depart. Then, sleeping or waking, I will try to forget that there is, or ever was, such a place as this. How the powder roared. Well—well, I will not think of it. Why should 1? It did its work effectually and well. They are dead—all dead—every one perished, and so there is no one who can contest my claim to the whole. Ha, ha! This is indeed a good night’s work, and yet why should I feel so nervous? Why should my flesh crawl, and the blood seem to turn coldin my veins? Itisallfancy! I must, and will get the botter of it! It is impossible for one of them to be alive.” By the time the man had done giving utterance to these ejaculations, Sixteen-String Jack was able to arrive at a tolerably correct conclusion respecting what had hap- ned. Sach that had been obscure to him before was now made clear. He guessed at once what would be an awful punishment to this treacherous monster. Placing his hands in a peculiar manner before his mouth, he gave utterance to a most awful groan. It was echoed by a shriek of dismay. ‘* Mercy—mercy !” cried the captain—have mercy ae me! Is it possible that some one has escaped with e ” Jack groaned again—this time more awfully tian before. The captain seemed to fall down on his face. To him the iutense darkness that prevailed had a thou- sand terrors. His imagination peopled it with all manner of hideous things, and it is no exaggeration to say that in a few moments he suffered whole ages of torment. Ae a peer PSB E OM ULE See ea eee Te * Claude Duval had been dashed down with greates force than his companion, for he appeared to be much nearer to the doorway. Consequently, it was some time before he revovered possession of his senses. He did so with Jack’s first groan ringing in his ears. Puzzled and bewildered, he remained perfectly still for a moment, not able to comprehend exactly where he wag or what had happened. Then came the second groan. Recollection then rushed full upon him. His first thought was for his companion’s satety Jack—Jack,” he cried, ‘‘where are you? Speak— speak! Are you much hurt?” The captain heard these words. His terrors increased, for the impression came over him that his deliberate plan of wholesale murder had by some mysterious means or other completely failed, as in his agitation he did not notice that Chaude’s voice was a strange one. “ Help—hetp!” he gasped—" help and save me! No —it is useless to ask for mercy—I must escape! If needs be, I mnst fight my way to freedom! No mercy— no mercy !” Jack guessed at once what were the captain’s feedings, and hastened to take advantage of the circumstance. Villain!” he cried, at the very top of his voice, “ you shall receive the reward due to such atrocity as yours | It will be in vain for you to attempt to escape—you are doomed |” With a wild shriek of terror, which proclaimed the fearful condition of his mind, the captain sprang to his feet and made a frantic dash across the cavern. Jack heard him, and felt certain that he had “gone in the direction of the steps. Fearful that his knowledge of the intricacies of the cavern would enable him to escape—a thing which Jack was most anxious to prevent—our friend cried : “ Hold—hold, villain that youare! If you attempt to move another step your death will bo certain !” But his words were disregarded. The captain was struggling furiously with the curtain which obstructed his progress, and which, for the life of him, owing to the state of mortal fright he was in, he could not dash aside. “Hold!” cried Jack, again groping his way through the darkness—“ hold, or I fire !” But the captain gave a cry of delight. The curtain was now torn down, and he was now hurrying towards the steps. Guided by the sound only, Jack raised his pistol and fired. There was a tremendous report, which caused number- less fragments of earth to fall to the floor of the cavern —fragments which had been detached by the explosion. Then came an awful cry that rang with terrific effect through the cavern. It was a cry such as Olaude and Jack hoped never ta hear again. It was followed by a heavy, crashing noise. “ Olaude—-Clande !” Yes, Jack ?” “Where are you?” '‘ Here—here.” “ Quick—a light !” ‘Inamoment. Are you unhurt?” ‘Yes, quite.” A momentary delay, which seemed almost like an ago, took place. Then there was a faint glimmering of light. Claude quickly had his lantern lighted. Then, advancing, he held it up. The first object upon which its beams fell was the haggard countenance of his companion. “ Why, Jack,” he exclaimed, “ you look as though you had seen a ghost!” “No matter—no matter,” was the impatient answer. “Give me the light, and follow me. This way—this way !” Guided as much as anything by a succession of awful groans, the two highwaymen made their way across che cavern. Upon reaching the kind of passage leading from it e most horrible sight presented itself. Gomicbooks.com