Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 320: what you’re looking at

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

\ 1693 wag such that in a very little while they got over a great deal of ground. Looking back, however, Dick perceived that the officers had by no means abandoned the chase, nor did they show any indications of being about to cease their endeavours. That they would be able to come up with our friends was most unlikely, however, for almost at each moment it could be seen that the distance between them bad increased. Asthey journeyed thus rapidly a.wag that feeling of uneasiness and impatience to which we hay. before adverted again filled Dick’s breast, and this time the intensity of the feeling was increased tenfold. His imagination busily suggested a thousand evils which might have happened in his absence, and 43 he went the presentiment of some great grief and danger in store pressed more and more heavily upon his spirits. In vain he tried, as before, to banish these senss~- tions. They seemed to laugh at all his efforts. In such a state of mind as we have faintly and im- perfectly described the rapid motion was a relief rethor than otherwise, though to his feverish mind the speed at which they went seemed tediously and insufferably Blow. The desire to reach the ruins with as little delay as might be caused him not to make so considerabie a detour as he had at first proposed, although by doing so, as he was well aware, he voluntarily courted danger. His comrades noticed the change in his course with some surprise; but they had undertaken to leave the carrying out of the affair in his hands, and they had so high an opinion of his abilities in such a matter that they never once for @ moment thought of making any com- ment upon it. The pursuing officers were by this time completely out-distanced, and this circumstance made a great differ- ence. , In the midst of all his terrible forebodings, Dick did not forget what he had overheard respecting the roads being watched, in order that he might be intercepted, and there- fore, to guard against any possibility of coming into collision with his foes, he directed his course in such a ranusr that the ruins were left considerably on his right and. He rode on; bending round slightly, and at length, with a sigh of relief, made its way in a direct line to the place he wished to reach, though, as well as he understood, he approached in precisely the opposite direction to what be expected. e congratulated himself upon having adopted this course, for they met with no opposition whatever. They did not so much as catch sight of a single living being. But as he drew nearer and nearer to the ruins, instead of increasing his pace in order that he might all the sooner put an end to the suspense he had been so long enduring, an unaccountable feeling made him tighten his hold upon the rein, until Black Bess’s speed was reduced to a walk. He did not attempt to analyse this feeling, but he seemed irresistibly impelled to act in the manner we have described “ Hullo!” said Tom King, pressing forward a little. “What is the matter, captain? Why are you pulling u ?” se ust as he spoke he happened to catch sight of Dick’s countenance. He was so struck by its aspect that he immediately added: “Why, what on earth is the matter, \.o<? You seem as though you had seen a ghost! Can it be possible that you are hurt ?” “No—no, Tom, itis not that. I am almost ashamed to confess it; but if you will believe, my heart is so heavily oppressed that it seems as though it would weigh me down.” “But what is the quse, captain?” asked Claude Duval, who was close enough behind to overhear what had passed. ‘“‘] fear that—that while we have been away some great ey hee happened, of what nature I cannot even guess; but so strongly has the presentiment taken hold 7 - ‘ } _ - - be #,« o. 24 . BLACK BESS; OR. "A a? tant of me that I positively dread to approach any nearer, rn because—because I fee: some terrible discovery awaits me.” “ Why, Dick,” said Tom King, after a long pause, for, to tel] the truth, he scarcely knew how to reply, ‘I thought you were one never troubled by any such fancies.” ‘“ Pancts~ or not,” said Sixteen-String Jack, “I should be the last to disregard them. Still, let us approach. Knowing the worst will not be so bad as this state of terrible suspense, with our suspicions suggesting all manner of terrible occurrences.” , “t Jack says rightly,” observed Olaude. shake off this keaviness—let us approach.” Tkus urged, Dick Turpin once more pushed Black Bess forwards at a better speed. There was one spot where, on nearly every occasion when they returned, they had found Jack the ostler wait- ing for them. {t was a kind of out-post in the ruins, from which a view of considerable extent could be obtained. This time he was not to be seen. His absence struck a chill to the breasts of everyone—it seemed so like a confirmation of Dick’s forebodings. It was a moment before anyone could speak, and then Dick said: ‘‘ How strange it is that Jack Ostler is not here to meet us as usual!” His voice was unsteady and constrained. ‘‘Tt is,” returned Tom; ‘but push on. It may be that Maud feels disinclined to remain alone in the ruins.” Dick shook his head at this supposition. He knew full well that Maud’s anxiety would be equal to, if not greater, than his own. So far from making any such excuse, he thought she would be the first to place herself at the nearest point, and watch untiringly for his return. With a thousand more apprehensions than before, Dick continued on bis way. By this time his apprehensions were fully shared in by his companions, so highly contagious is everything resembling fear. It might have been fancy in a great measure, and yet to them it seemed as though there was an unusual air of desolation pervading the place— “Come, Dick, A desolation and silence which they had never before noticed. A few minutes brought them to the courtyard, where, at least, Dick felt certain Maud would be watching fcr his arrival. But this spot seemed even more silent and deserted than elsewhere. Without a word, Dick aligsted from his steed. He did not speak, but all coald see how deeply his heart was moved, and they knew ‘has such feelings as he then experienced could not be expressed in words. Silently, then, they too followed his example. At length, in a faltering voice, Tom ventured to sug- gest that both Maud and Jack had for a short time descended into the secret chamber. Dick shook his head. “That is a point soon enough ascertained,” said Dick. ** Follow me.’ “Shall we lead the horses after us, or leave them here ?” ‘Better leave them here. They are familiar enough with the place not to stray away. If it turns out as you suggest, they will quickly be attended to.” From this speach it was evident that Dick Turpin was doing his best to cheat himself into the belief that Tom King’s suggesticn was likely to prove correct. The horses were released, though no attempt was made to remeve any of their trappings. The snimais justified the remark that had beex made. ¢ “fy . They were familiar with the place,and showed né disposition to stray off. Indeed, Black Bess seemed more than half inclined » follow at her master’s heels; but after going a little distance she, at a word from him, came to a halt, In perfect silence, then, and with heavy, slow, linger- ing footsteps, the highwaymen made their way in the direction of the entrance to the subterraneous apary ment. Gomicboo