Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 335: what you’re looking at

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

bh oo: ? : 4 - aa ee Jius* To j ‘ ae ne inten: bs ‘i “f 2 mi me , - Le . ‘ <4: A = si excitement deadened her to the danger that naturally attached itself to such a headlong course. _ The animal in front of her was now quite mad with terror, and consequently it is easy to conceive at what a furious rate it went, since all its efforts seemed to be to outrun the maes that was lumbering at its heels. Nevertheless, although its speed was so terrific, Maud managed to keep up with it, and the terrified animal, in spite of all its efforts, was ‘unable to inorease the dis. tance there was between them. How long this terrible chase continued Maud knew not, but long ere it was brought to a termination she felt an odd sensation of faintness and sickness come over her for which she was not altogether able to account. Then she became sensible of a dull, aching pain in her right side. Mechanically she pressed her hand upon it, believing pupal to be produced by nothing else than the hasty gallo She withdrew her fingers with an ejaculation of terror. er dress on that side was wet and sticky, and in a moment she became aware that when the officers had fired their volley she had not escaped injury, She could not believe, however, that the injury was a very severe one, because had it been it would unques- tionably have manifested itself sooner and in a different manner, When the first shock of this discovery was over, Maud again turned her attention to her unfortunate pro- tector. Just as she glanced down the road the horse contrived in some way to get rid of his burden. Either from the stirrup-leather giving way, or from his foot becoming released from the stirrup, Hunch’s frightful course was brought to a termination, So suddenly did this event occur that Mand had much ado to pull her horse up in time to prevent herself from riding over him. As soon as ever her own steed, which showed every symptom of great terror, was brought to a standstill, she dismounted and bent over the prostrate form of her unfortunate protector. It was now each moment growing lighter, for morn- Ing was close at hand. By the dim, gray illumination, Maud beheld a terrible and fearful spectacle. Poor Hunch was from head to foot nothing but one: disfigured mass of bruises and scratches covered with dust and blood. The manner in which his torn apparel was soaked by the laiter showed that he must have been badly woun- ded by one or more bullets when the officers discharged their volley. Maud pronounced his name, but it was in a most hopeless tone of voice. There came no reply.. Indeed, it was too much to suppose that any human being could survive such frightful injuries as he had received. Upon making the discovery that he was indeed no more, Maud burst out into a passion of regretful tears. Misfortune and death did indeed seem to follow in her footsteps, and to be the fate of those who were willing to befriend her. The fatality was a strange one, This was the second faithful protector she had lost upon this truly fearful night, and now she found herself once more solitary, alone, and unprotected, and as re- gards the important expedition upon which she had set out, so far from being nearer, she actually seemed fur- ther from the accomplishment of the important errand upon which she had set ont. Despairingly, and with her heart completely weighed down, she rose and looked around. The dull, distant, but unmistakable sound produced by the horses of the pursuing officers struck upon her For herself she cared little, if anything. She felt that her life could not be better spent than in saving Dick, who to her was far dearer than her own existence, Nothing else but this feeling could have enabled her to struggle against, and finally to some extent overcome, the deathlike sensation of faintness which now came over her. She reeled, and every object seemed to be gyrating round her at an awful speed. Nevertheless, with ths magner of one deprived of sight, she groped about, in order to obtain a grasp upon her horse’s saddle. The animal stood perfectly quiet, though intense terror caused him to tremble in every limb. Maud feared, however, that to remount wus a task far beyond her failing powers. She tried again and again, But in vain. Each attempt was of a more feeble cnaracter than — its predecessors. But now the sound of her pursuers came upon her ears with much greater distinctness than before. Surely now they must be close—very close at hand. This knowledge nerved her to one more trial. Summoning up the whole of her remaining strength, she renewed her endeavours, This time she succeeded, though before she had time to settle herself properly in the saddle and obtain a firm seat the terrified horse dashed off. ‘ By clinging partly to the mane and partly to the nommel of the saddle, Maud contrived to save herself from falling. ‘hen, despite her insecurity, she urged her horse on- ward with her voice, so anxious was she to make all speed. But there was little need for this. ‘he creature’s terror seemed to increase rather than abate. Every moment his pace became more terrific. Closer and closer upon his back Maud crouched as she felt herself in more and more imminent danger of falling off, Great as this peril was, yet it shrunk into absolute insignificance when compared with that from which she was escaping ; and, under the circumstances, there was one thing which could not fail of affording her satis- faction. She was certainly distancing ler foes, for now they could no longer be heard trampling so loudly upon the road way. It would almost seem as though Maud was now about altogether to elude her foes. But such was not the case. Again, and with tenfold intensity, the sensations caused by the loss of somuch blood as had Howed from her side reasserted themselves. And now indeed was the great danger. Her position upon the back of the horse was not in the least degree more secure than it had been. Every object seemed to fade away from her. The hedgerows retreated until they were lust to sight altogether. Strange sounds, like the clanging J rar-off bells, were ringing in her ears. Yet, with the grasp of despair, she continued to main- tain her hold. Unconsciously, however, her fingers relaxed, Gradually all muscular power was departing. She gasped for breath. She tried to utter a cry—to call out for assistance in that spot, although she was dimly conscious that she should find none. } More and more to cna side her body hung. The horse, snorting with alarm as he felt the flutter- ing of her apparel against his flanks, dashed on more furiously than ever. There was & wudden, rushing sound— A gurgling ory— A heavy splash, and the next moment the horse con- ears, and once more aroused her into fresh life 4 tinued his headlong course— activity. She remembered most vividly aud painfully how 50: | | evousible was her present expedition, But he was riderless ! (E(6) JOO (C 6S (E (0)