Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 318: what you’re looking at

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

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She glanced aronnd for her husband, and ceaght sight ef him carmying some fodder to the horses, “Jack, you lazy, drunken villain,” she said, fv « sup- pressed voice, ‘come here !’ ‘‘ What now?” he growled. “What do you want to be throwing that in my teeth for ever ?” “You deserve it, you idle wretch! Come here, I say! What was that I heard you talking about the othe: day You know what I mean—about those robbers ?” ‘‘ What robbers?” said the man, sulkily, having as- parently paid but slight attention to his wife’s words. “ You know very well what robbers without asking. f mean Dick Turpin, and all that lot.” : * Don’t bother.” “ But I shall, you idle sot} me was offered for them ?” “Why, somewhere about three thonsand jounds, | think. But why do you ask?” he added, struel. by tke unusual expression upon his wifes countens.ce. Because,” said she, clutching him by the arm so What rewart di! you tell tightly that ber nails were almost buried in the flesh —‘ because they are all four in the house now, and another man with them, whom they call Tom Davis.” Having made this communication, she released her hold upou ber husband’s arm. He staggered back aghast with surprise. “Howdo you know, you witch?” he at last gasped Put. “ Be quiet, fool; they will hear you !” “But how do you know it 2?” 4] have been listening at the door, and have heard them talking.” This was so rational and probable a source of know- ledge that the man could not utter another word. He sat down upon a log hard by, and rubbed his fore- head vigorously. It was more than his mind could take in at once. « Now, dolt,” cried his wife, ‘do you know what you + He gazed blankly at her. “ Listen to me and I will tell you,” she added. “ You must make the best of your way to the nearest place where you are likely to find any officers—don’t speak a word to anyone on the way, mind, or you will lose the reward—then tell them to come here.” “And perhaps by that time they will have left.” “No fear of that if you make haste. They seem very tired, and some are actually going to sleep, so you cannot have a better chance. They are sure to stay an hour or two; but make as much haste as you can.” Upon this the man rose from his seat and prepared to start. Just then his eyes happened to alight upon the horses, and as they did so his face brightened as though he had been struck by a capital idea. *‘ Hadn’t I better take one of those horses ?” he said. “I could be back then in half the time.” : “No, you fool,” was the reply, “you had better do Ten to one if they did not hear you, and then it will be all upat once; and ore might pop out while you are away and then what could [ tell them? and besides, you have never been across a horse’s back in your life, you looby, se how can you ride. I should like to know ?” The woman’s words were poured out witk tnat particular amount of fluency for which the feminine organs of speech are so remarkable. he last point seemed to settle the matter. ‘Make haste, you besotted idiot,” she muttered, “and never mind bothering your own stupid brains; just attend to me—that is all you have to do! Be off, 1 say— be off without another word!” With these words ringing in his ears, the man hurried off, while the woman, in a perfect fever, returned to the house, ® All was silent in the inney room, or parlour, as she always called it. The fact was, the whole of the party was aaisep with the exception of Sixteen-String Jack, the pain of whose wound prevented from slumbering, therefore he had undertaken to keep good watch end ward while his com ganiona reposed themselves. dozed off for afew moments; but the intolerable smart- — r as: ing of his wound would make him start awake agsin. At length, desirous to shake off his drowsiness, he rose aud gently opening the door, stepped out. ‘ie woman no sooner saw him than she 4, peared over~ oome with terror. Jack neticed her confusion, but was very far from sus- pecting the cause of it. Passing out quickly, he made his way to where thu : a horses were standing. The animals were perfectly safe and quiet, and ap- parently tolerably comfortable. Observing that all the grass was eaten, he looked around him for the man, and not seeing him, went back towards the front door of the house, “My good woman,” he said, “‘ where is your husband ?* “My husbawd, sir?” she said, her voice quavering like some extraordinary musical instrument out of tune—* my —my—husband, sir ?” “Yes!” said Jack, speaking rather angrily, for his roundae then gave him a terrific twinge. ‘ Where it he? you? Are you struck dumb or what?” CHAPTER MXI. THE WITH A SURPRISE OF AN UNEXPECTED CHARACTER. How true itis that a guilty conscience stands in need of no accuser ! The woman jumped at once to the conclusion that Jack had fathomed all, without pausing to think how highly improbable it was- that such should be the case. Her hesitation and confusion went far towards chang- ing suspicion into certainty. Jack eyed her closely. | “7-_-T am not drunk, sir,” the woman managed tc articulate at last; ‘‘but you spoke so sudden and sharp- like, that I thought something must be the matte:, and felt frightened.” Jack was only half satisfied with this explanation. “Where is your husband, woman? Why do you noi answer me that question ?” “J-—] thought he was outside. He—he must have gone to look for some more food for the horses.” “It may be so,” said Jack, “for they require it, and | was going to tell him to seek for some at once.” The woman drew a long breath of relief. Finding that her worst expectations had not been realised, she recovered her usual calmness and presence of mind with wonderful rapidity. “Shall I go and look for him, and tell him what you say? I daresay I can find him.” “Yes, do so. If our horses are not fed we canno? complete our journey.” _Without another word the woman withdrew. Jack stood at the front door and watched her take her departure. e was unable to see ner for long, however, as the dense masse* of trees around quickly hid her from his view. : How long ne remained leaning idly against the door- post Sixteen-String Jack had no conception, for he seemed to fall off into a drowsy half-slumber, during which be was just conscious of where he stood and nothii.g more. Ween at length he started up wide awake, he found © At first he was dazzled and half blinded with the glare, but putting his hands to his eyes to screen off tue ardent rays, he perceived the woman approaching. She was alone. “ Have you found your husband ?”Jack asked, as she came nearer. Yes,” was the reply. “Allis well. He will be nore in a short time.” If Jack ha@ known exactly how long he had mn ~ the door his suspicions would hbsye bed fas orce, see setting sun shining redly in his face. here’s he gone, I say ? 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