Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 308: what you’re looking at

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

1680 + eee SO oe ‘isen to a pitch of rude, untutored eloquence that was all the more touching on that very account. Quickly raising his head, he continued : “T ought to disown him—to cast him forth—never to think of him again! He has proved himself unworthy of all consideration, I ought to curse him—to curse the very day and hour——” 2% ‘“No, no, John,” said his wife, tearfully, rising from her seat and placing her hand upon the landlord’sshouider, ‘you ought not to curse. It is not so mush our poor toy who isto blame, but ourselves. If we had acted more wisely, the result would have been very, very different.” “Yes, wife, you are right!” ejaculated the landlord, dashing his hand violently against his forehead—': you are quite right—the fault is ours. And now, sir, I have done. - Is not my grief inconsolable 2?” “T trust not.” “Trust not? In what way can i. be relieved ?” “ You have not told me the result of the trial.” “No, no—I forgot that. Well, then, by the sanguinary laws ot this land, my poor boy was liable to a shameful death upon the scaffold.” Yes,” said Turpin; ‘but the time will come when that sanguinary law will exist no longer, and when the legislature will not believe the theft of any sum over a shilling in value shall be heinous enough to deserve death.” ‘‘Well, well, it may be so, but that will mot alter my ease.” “No, truly. But your boy—is he——” ‘Condemned to die, you would say.” yen Sats ‘He had a narrow escape, but the eounseHor I engaged pleaded for mercy so effectually and so well that his sen- tence was commuted to transportation for life.” “ Por life ?” ‘Yes, and we are now about to gaze upon him for the last time—one more glimpse will be accorded tous. As if to make the disgrace more bitter and hard to bear, he will be brought from London to this place, where we are all known so well, and from whence he will embark on board a vessel chartered to take out him and <*her con- demned prisoners. Now, sir, you do indeed know all, and I cannot but thank you for the interest and sympathy you have shown in the whole narration.” Again the landlord buried his face. Dick glanced into Tom King’s countenance. A meaning look was exchanged between them. Dick rose. “ Perhaps,” he said, “‘we may be able to render you more effectual assistance in your strait than you imagine ; but before I commit myself by saying anything further, 1 will just hold a bricf conference with my companion.” The landlord was so amazed at this speech that he could not utter a singe syllable. But his countenance well expressed his astonishment. Tom King followed Dick Turpin to the front of the inn, where they found their horses in perfect safety. ‘Could anything have happened more fortunate than this ?” exclaimed Dick. “Fortunate! that is a strange word to use.” “It ig on the present oceasion, but you know what I mean ?” © Oh, yes.” “Tt was very strange that I should feel so much curiosity in the landlord’s trouble from the very first.” ‘‘] suppose you intend to tell him what we are to do ?” ‘Yes, in this way: If heis willing that his son should be rescued——” ‘You may make sure of that, Dick. He is so ford that he would sacrifice his own life for him.” ‘Well, then, supposing that to be so, he will be a mest important ally—in fact, just the man we require, and that we could not very well do without.” ‘‘ We should have pretty good hostage of his fidelity.” * Yes, I should not be afraid to trust him, and now I propose that we broach the subject to him. Should he fall in with our views, he will find us safe “helter till the moment for action arrives.”’ ** And he will be able to tell us what time we may expect the van.” « ** OF course he will, and we could scarcely have put the question to anyone without exciting suspicion,” BLACK BESS; OR, “ That is just what I was thinking.” “ Well, then, suppose you mount and ride after Jac and Claude, bring * here, and you can explain matters on the road.” “And youe” “T will rexnain here and sound the landlord.” Feeling certain that no better arrangement than this could possibly be made, Tom King sprang upon the back of his horse and galloped after his companiona Turpin watched him for a moment, then turned into the inn. He enconntered the landlord in the passage, that in- dividual having recovered possession of his senses sufii- ciently to rise and walk towards the front door. “Step into a private room with me,” said Dick, “I have something of importance to communicate,” Almost mechar'cally the landlord obeyed. Dick shut the foor. Then turning round, said: “Tn the first place, Iam about to confide to you a mo- mentous secret, but I shall trust to your honor to keep it inviolate. If you betrayed me it would be the depth of baseness.” ‘Never fear, sir; but what may this secret be ?” ‘ Wait a moment and I will tell you; but first of all you must answer me some questions.” The landlord inclined his head. ‘‘ In the first place, you would be glad if by any means your son could recover his liberty ?” ‘‘ Sir—sir, forbear !” | ° Forbear r” ‘‘' Yes; do not mention such a thing to me, or you will drive me mad! Thatisa hope and a thought I dare not entertain |” ‘‘ But for supposition’s sake ?” The landlord shook his head, ‘Tell me,” said Dick, speaking in an impressive whisper; ‘suppose it should be possible to set him free, should you scruple much at the means employed ?” “T do not understand you,” answered the landlord, breathlessly. : a uyor could rescue him from his guard, would you 0 so?” “ Butthat would be utterly impossible.” : But supposing it was in your power, should you do so ” “Yes; and if I thought I should succeed I would gladly pour out every drop of my heart’s blood.” ‘That is exactly what I expected,” said Dick; ‘ but hark! I hear some one approaching—they are friends of mine.” “Friends of yours ?” ‘* Yes, true, devoted allies—not friends in the ordinary sense of the word. Wait a little while. What else passes between us shall be said in their presence.” There was a brief pause, and then the three highway- men entered. “T should think we had better not leave our horses outside,” said Tom. “No, no, gentlemen, you shall not. ere, Isaac—Isaac !” In response to this csjl the servant man appeared. He looked to the fnll as dejected as his master; but then the landlord’s son had ever been his favorite. “Only put the horses somewhere under cover,” said Dick; ‘do net remove any of their trappings. We may require them at an instant’s notice.” The ostler simp'y nodded his head, and passed out. “ You can trust to him, gentiemen,” said the landlord. “In hischarge your cattle will bw serfectly safe, 1 will answer for that.” The door was then carefully closed. The landlord trembled with evatement, while mg heart beat at so violent a rate shat he could scarcely breathe. He expected some s.range and startling disclosure, yet eauld not for the re of him make out what its exact nature would 4e, But Dick furpin soon relieved him from his state of suspense, “Just listen attentively,” he began. “We have all mede up our minds to stop the prisoners’ van before it .eanhes Greenwich aud to rescue from it one of the I will see to them. (e(6) ,OO AMIE cS (e(e)