Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 303: what you’re looking at

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

von “Yes, I think so.” “Lead the way, then.” Jack stepped forward with a tolerable amount vf con- fidence, and, after a brief search, the eyes of the two highwaymen were gladdened by the sight of their steeds. . They were standing just as they had left them, having made apparently no effort to break their tether. Taking them by the bridles, our friends led them to- wards the borders of the wood. From the length of time that had elapsed, and from the fact that their horses had not been discovered, there seemed little to fear that the officers were still “n the look-out for them. : No doubt when they once discovered that the high- waymen had fairly gained the recesses of the wood, or forest—for it seemed more like the latter than,the former —they gave up the chase in despair. so Nevertheless, Claude and Jack did not vé..are to quit the protecting shadow of the trees until they had satis- fied themselves by reconnoitring that there was no one lurking about. The darkness prevented them from executing their task with any amount of exactness, still the darkness was in their favor, for it would serve to keep their forms con- cealed. “] think we may venture,” said Jack; “there does not seem to be anyone about.” ‘The coast seems perfectly clear,” replied Claude. As he spoke he at once rode out into the waste ground with which the wood was engirdled. “‘ The night is already far spent,” exclaimed Jack. “I think now our wisest course will be to make our way back to the ruins where, doubtless, Dick and the rest are waiting for us with great anxiety.” ‘That is exactly what I was about to propose.” “Push on, then. Our horses, after their long rest, ought to be able to make tolerable speed.” Having uttered these words, the two highwaymen with- out further delay set their steeds in motion, and soon were stretching across the open country in the direction of their destination. During the time, however, that they had remained concealed in the cavern much rain had fallen, and they soon discovered that the heavy, soddened nature of the ground taxed their horses’ powers most severely. Presently they pulled up, and with some abruptness, for they saw that a ploughed field of vast extent lay be- fore them. Tt. will never do to attempt to take them across there, Claude,” said Jack—‘it would knock them up com- letely. ee ou are right, it would; even now they show signs of great exhaustion.” ‘* What is to be done ?” “T fancy the best thing will be to keep alang under this hedge until we meet with a lane or cruss-country road. Rely upon it, we shail not have to go far before finding one.” The direction of their horses’ heads was now changed, and at a much slower rate than before, they journeyed on. Our friends found their anticipations well founded. Ere they had gone much more than half a mile they found themselves near a narrow winding lane, It was separated from them, however, by a tall, stout wooden fence. the top of which was garnished with a great quantity of rusty iron hooks. Claude and Jack shook their heads at this obstruction. It would not only be foolish but cruel to make their horses face such an obstacle, as in case it should no be cleared very serious injuries would be the reault. “We must look for a gate,” said Claude. “It wihh never do to try such a rasper as that while our horses are in this exhausted condition.” » “There is no occasion for the attempt to be made, I think,” replied Jack, “for unless»my eyes deceive ne I can see a gat a little way down yondor.” Claude looked in the direction to which his companion pointed, and cried: “Yes, there is a gate, sure enough We are all right n0w.” e Upon the gate being reached, however, it was found to be very strongly and carefully secured by means ef a | _ padlock and a stout iron chain. * i> THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD. —_ -———= ¢ ey ae 1678 Claude was unprovided with any materiels requisite for removing such an obstacle as this, but he dismounted quickly, for his eye happened to light upon a large round stone at least as large as his own head. : Raising this with poth his hands, he fiung it agains the gate. A sharp crash was the result, ang upon exanaining the padlock afterwards it was found to be compfetely de- molished. The gate swung open, and Claude rapidly remounted. Neither had a very good idea of where this lane was likely to take them, for to the best of their knowledge they had never been in it before. ; After a brief consideration, however, they turned to the right. For some ‘ime they rode on rapidly and in silence, for the ground beneath their hcrses’ feet was good, showing that the lane was well cared for. Passing round rather a sharp curve, they came in sight very suddenly of the high-road. Mechanically they drew rein and looked around. The first thing that attracted their notice was a build- ing situated just at the spot where the lane joined the highway. _ A second glance at it made them aware that the build- ing was an inn. Having made this discovery, they rode forward with greater cautiousness than ever. Lights were shining from mostof the windows on the ground-floor, showing that the inmates had not yet re- tired to rest, or, what was more likely, that they had just risen, for the hour was that dark one which is popularly supposed invariably to precede the dawn. Seeing that the inhabitants of the roadside inn were astir, Claude said: ‘What say you, Jack, to halting here for afew mo- ments? There cannot be much risk in doing so, and our horses will be all the better for a little refreshment.” ‘‘ They are sorely in need of it; and I feel that nothing would be so welcome to my lips as atankard of good home-brewed ale.” ‘‘ We are very likely to get it here. No doubt they are up at this early hour to be in readiness for one of the coaches passing by.” ‘‘No doubt that is it. Come, I can gee there is a herse- trough in tront. We have no time to spare, but yet our hait here will not prove any loss of time.” With this understanding the two highwaymen guided their horses to the front of the inn. No sooner did they pause than a man made his appear- ance from round an angle of the building. * Well, gentlemen,” he said, “are you going to favor me with a call?” ot ‘‘No, I think not,” answered Claude. “But if you will bring us a tankard of your best ale, and while we are drinking it supply the horses with something eatable that they can. amuse themselves with while we drink it, I shall be obliged.” ‘Your instructions shall be carried out, gentlemen. But, excuse me, I have no stable accommodation at dis- posal; but if you like to let your horses stand round the corner for a few minutes with the rest, they can have what they require, and you cau step indoors the while and warm yourselves, for it is nation cold.” ; “Tt is indeed,” said Jack, shivering, ‘‘ but we are in too great a hurry.” “You know best, gentlemen, so wait half a moment while I attend to you.” “That must be the landlord, J should think,” observed Jack, as the man bustled into the house, ‘‘ What horses @id he mean?” asked Claude. “I have a great mind to have a look.” Just then there seemed to bea t commotion all at once within the public-house, and in a second afterwards several individuals rushed forth. Our friends did not need to give a second glance to recognise them. They were police officers. “ Off and away, Jack!” cried Olande Davat, for he per- ceived at once that they were known. It was a great disappointment to be disturbed at tnis moment, but they thought not of it. Wheeling their horses round with great suddesnes, net (idirhes adon Set eee OMG OOKSEC O) |