Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 313: what you’re looking at

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

» - saccessful so far the authorities will be furious when they find their prey has slipped through their fingers.” ‘““And, what is more, they will spare no efforts to make him a prisoner again, and should they once do that it will be all over with him. Hark!” “ What do you hear ?”’ “ it is Sixteen-String Jack, I think.” “Yes, or some one else on horseback coming trom the direction of the inn. But, Dick i “What now ?” ‘““T have just thought of something which we zave forgotten.” . * What is it ?” ‘To provide a horse for Tom Davis,” Dick uttered an exclamation. “That quite escaped me altogether; but itis uct now too late to supply the omission.” “Stay. I think is is quite as well that we have not incumbered ourselves with a spare horse.” “But where is Tom to ride ?” “Why, it will be better for him to ride by turns be- hind all of us. Besides, he may not be altogether in a fit condition to spring on to a horse and ride off at full gallop. We think nothing of it because we are used to it; but it is impossible to say in what way his imprison- ment may have affected him.” Dick assented, and then both became silent. After the lapse of a few moments, during which the beat of a horse’s feet had become more and more distinct, Sixteen-String Jack appeared dragging after him a long piece of wood, such as would be suitable for building purposes. | eae companions sprang forward eagerly to assist im. “This is just what we want,” cried Dick “Ts it long enough?” “Yes, quite.” Nevertheless, to make quite sure, the wocd was tried, and found to be quite long enough. They also perceived that there would be little difficulty in wedging the ends of it between the masses ef send- stone of which the lower part of the holloway waz som- posed. Once more drawing back to their former positions, they waited with great impatience for Claude to appear and give them warning of the approach of the prisoners’ van. It so happened that their suspense was not put to a very severe trial, for Claude Duval appeared suddenly among them. So suddenly that his appeararce caused them all to give vent to expressions of’amazeient. ‘Is it coming ?” ‘* Yes—yes,” he answered, somewhat breathlessly. *“ But how is it you have come upon us with so much _ abruptness—we never heard your horse’s hoofs.” “YT did not intend you should. I purposely took to the meadows at the side of the high-road in order that no suspicions should be awakened in the breasts of the police officers.” During this hurried conversation all four of the bigh- wayinen were busily occupied in raising the barrier which they had devised. It promised to be an effective one, for the piece of wood, though slight, was strong, and, as they expected, they succeed2d in wedging the ends in between the rocks with vreat firmness. ‘“Now, my comrades,” said Claude, “just Jet me pid you to prepare, for we shall have the toughest bit of fighting to do to-night that we have ever had ip ail our lives before!” “We me ready.” “So am I. Did I tell you I had a pesp & the van P” ‘‘No, no—have you seen it 2?” “Yes. After going some distance I took to the meadows, and pushed on until presently a vehicle came in sight. 1 pulled up, and, taking care to keep well under cover, watched it go by.” “ And was it well guarded #” “ Pretty well.” “ By how many oflicers?” “ Six or seven.” Dick gave a long whistle, and then ejaculated | should prefer the latter. 1685 A OE ERED STG ERE eB “ Rather long odds!” “Very, I ahould say.” ‘Are you sure there are so many ?” ‘““Tolerably so. I saw either four or five riding on the outside of the van, and two more were riding on horseback at the sides.” “Indeed, then, you may depend that these will be the men who will give us the most trouble. There must be no blundering, mind,” Dick added. ‘ You must under- siand that it is a life or death matter—either they will slay us or we must slay them, and of the two evils I When those officers come, attack them at once, and down with them !” ‘There they are, then,” cried Clau&e. Scarcely had the words escaped his lips, than a dis- tant rumbling sound was heard—a sound which could not be mistaken. ‘“Are your weapons all ready ?” asked Dick. quite sure.” “ All’s well, captain.” ‘Then keep well out of sight until the horses reach the barrier, then the greater suddenness with which you spring out the better.” They were anxious moments that elapsed while they listened to the approach of the heavy vehicle—anxious ip. every sense of the term. Keeping a tight hand upon their bridles, they watched with eyes strained in the endeavour to pierce the gloom. At length a dark object appeared in view, and, as if to assure his comrades that there was no mistake, Claude whispered: “ There it is—that is it !” “ Be ready, then,” said Dick, in a low but firm tone. There was neither time nor opportunity to utter another word. The prisoners’ van was drawn by four horses, for the authorities were anxious tbat the journey should be made with all possible speed, and it came on at a truly slashing pace. This the highwaymen were glad enough to see, because it promised them all the more success. Even if the driver should catch sight of the barrier he would not be able to pull up in time to save his horses, while, if they kept up their speed, the vehicle would be brought to a standstill with so much suddenness that the whole of the officers would for a second at least be quite overcome with surprise. And sow, strangely enough, the two officers on horse- back wLo had been riding a little in advance of the two leading horses dropped back to the rear for some purpose ~r other. Had they kept their proper positions, and the posi- tions they were intended to take, namaly, about twenty paces in frout of the leading horses, the barrier would have been discovered. But it was fated that events should turn out otherwise. With a crash that was truly awful and sickening to hear, the two first horses dashed with full force against the barrie. Down they went as if struck by lightning, and it was a thousand wonders they did not bring the other two horses down with them. They la, on the ground kick- ing and plungixg at a furious rave, and making terrific though ineffectual attempts to rise. Owing to the sudden stoppage, the van swayed back- wards and forwards in an alarming manner for a moment, and it really seemed for a time as though it would over- balance and topple to the ground. But it righted itself. In the meantime Sixteen-String Jack had hastened to the spot where the two fore horses were lying. With about three strokes of his sword he demolished the harness which obstructed their movements. Ko sooner were the animals freed from this incum- brance than, making another tremendous effort, they rose to their feet and started off at a headlong gallop down the road. While Jack was thus employed, his comrades were fully occupied. ; The police officers for a few flecting seconds seemed absolutely paralysed by the suddenness of the shock. Our friends made the most of this advantage, In a load voice Dick Turpin cried : “ Make Gomichoo SalG) m