Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 342: what you’re looking at

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

1714 Yet there was no resource. The dimensions of the apartment were so confined, and the stonework so very smooth and slippery, that to turn round seemed a matter of ia pon DUE Looking back over his shoulder, Dick explained the situation and the difficulties of it to his comrades, Tom King was next to pa so he said: “ Hold my hands, and I will endeavour ta descen” feet first.” e Dick tried, and succeeded. He dropped with unpleasant force into the moat, the depth of the water in which was by no means 80 great as he had expected. In fact, when he stood upright the water reached no higher than his waist. It was lucky he did not try to plunge head first. If he had he must have sustained some injury. No sooner did he find himself in safety on his feet than he dashed the water from his face, and said, in cautious tones: “Come, Tom—it is all right! Be quick, and we shall escape them yet!” Tom King needed no further bidding. Following his leader’s example, he lowered himself without hesitation. ’ Dick was standing ready to receive him, so that Tom made the descent with comparative ease. Tom Davis followed; but as he was of much greater bulk, and by no means so agile in his movements as the highwaymen, he failed to turn, and came down witha splash almost loud enough to rouse the people in the next Village. owas, all continued silent. Apparently no alarm had been given. Claude followed. Last of all came Sixteen-String Jack. He found he laboured under a considerable disadvantage, for he had no comrade to hold him by the hand while he turned round. Nevertheless, in spite of this anda certain amount of awkwardness resulting from his wound, he accomplished the feat successfully. ® But he was just tn time, and that was all. The delay it another couple of seconds must have cost him his life. Nothing could have saved him when, by the direction of Bishop, the officers fired that volley into the loop- hole. Indeed, so little was Jack beforehand that the splash which he made by falling into the water, and the dis- charge of the pistols, seemed simultaneous sounds. What occurred on the appearance of Bishop we have already described. The highwaymen and Tom. Davis waded quickly to the bank, and did not fail to congratulate each other when they once again found themselves on firm earth. Perceiving how impossible it was to do anything iz his present position, and influenced to a very great exteut by the pistol which Dick Turpin had pointed so calmly at him, Bishop, as we have already stated, beat @ precipitate and very undignified retreat. With all the speed he could make, he followed his men on their way to the staircase. “Tf we had but our horses,” exclaimed Claude Duval, ‘t we should be able to get clear off without much further trouble.” “Or,” added Sixteen-String Jack, “by making good speed, we might be able to reach the secret entrance first. We could then close it and make them every one prisoners.” : Em There was a general laugh at this proposition of turn- ing the tables upon the officers, in which Dick Turpin himself could not help joining. ‘Tt is not half a bad idea,” said Claude, quickly; ‘‘ and to prove that I think so,I will try to carry it into effect.” _ It was a matter that would not allow of discussio4, for while the pros and cons were being considered the opper- tunity would be gone. All the rest followed rapidly in Claude's footsteps—not that they thought bis scheme was likely to be carried out. but feantss it was necessary for them to go in that direction to recover their horses. With a great deal of confidence, Claude hurried for- He wii ceo lene Mar ORCAS WTB Sat ays Hise Teg er ; : i eh det Soe wkd Be" ane tee S” < ti my es s WS / > “> —. ore Ht a 7 “7 . > ’ ¢ a ry . 2 i? ick "y ~~ pa ty ¢. Sb. at 4 : ~/y¥ - “| 4 Ps * BLACK BBESB. re ~x area” 4 owt, Vn) 6 An = < a *, M . wwe * - 1 ~~" Se iat ? . - > x» Cy Be > d x - - ¥ a 4 oe .; . . - 5 tea e ¢ - 4 ims — F . . = ¥ 4. » 4 ¥ ; re. ' ; oe ee ~ae ~~ ward and actually was just in time to close the secret door as the first of the returning officers was abo emerge, That gentleman, to his very great astonishment, found a) By the door suddenly banged in his face, and then the whole of them were in total darkness, for the concussion of the air consequent upon the discharge of the pistols had extin- guished their lights, : But this act very nearly cost Claude his life. Of course our friends knew nothing about Isaaz and his companion, both of whom had been left outside by Bishop. The former, seeing Claude and guessing from his actions who he was, carefully levelled a pistol. By great good fortune Diex espied him and fired as well, but without having time to take any particular aim. Nevertheless, his shot produced just the effect he intended it should. It startled Issac and distracted his attention at a very critical time. Isaac fired, but the careful aim was lost. Nevertheless, the bullet whistled past Claude in much too close proximity to be at all pleasant. “This way, Claude,” cried Dick Turpin, in a loud Miners” this way! Quick—quick! we shall yet be in time Isaac no sooner perceived how very much he was out- numbered than he very prudently desisted from any further hostilities, and our friends were not the sort of men to seek vengeance for what had occurred. The cooped-up police officers, however, upon hearing the discharge of firearms, became greatly infuriated. Loud blows were rained upon the door. But it was strong, and withstood them well. They were not in the secret of opening it, and had nat Isaac and his companion been outside, the highwaymen would have been able to take it very easily. No sooner, however, had the latter vanished round a rojection of the masonry in quest of their horses, than saac with great haste ran to the door. He was not in possession of the secret, but, his efforts from without, joined to those of the officers on the other side, quickly demolished the door. On they rushed in such hurry and confusion that the entrance for a moment was choked completely up. No sooner, however, had Dick and his friends got out of seca than the former said: “ Some inward presentiment—for I can call it nothing else—seems to assure me that shortly before our arrival Maud must have been made prisoner by some of these men. If so, she is now in the ruins, in which case, asl need scarcely say, I cannot think of retreat until she is rescued.” His companions remained silent, waiting to hear what he would say next. Dick continued : “ To get the horses Will probably occupy a few minutes. While you are thus eugaged, I will take a stealthy look round an ey to ascertain where they have bestowed her.” A Dick.’ “Yes, Tom?” \. ‘‘T am your comrade, am I not ?” “ Certainly.” “ We are all your comrades,” cried the rest. ‘¢ And, therefore,” added Tom, “we will all join you in your search.” “‘Many—many thanks!” said Dick. ‘I should be glad to believe that my poor Maud occupies a warm placein ali your hearts.” ) ‘She does—she does—believe us, she dves.” “Well then, my friends,” said Dick, in a voice which displayed how deeply he has affected, “‘you can render me signal aid by dispersing yourselves all over the ruins, as then we should search narrowly every part—that is,” he concluded, “if yon are willing to run so much extra risk solely on my behalf, when the path of your own safety lies clear and plain before vou, if you only choose | to avail yourselves of it.” Tom and the rest scarcely waited to hear tne conclusion of this speech, but separated at once, and without hesita- tion, in order to do their captain’s bidding. Of course, being acquainted with tho exact mature of a]] the events that have occurred, the reader knows how (ele) 3 3 4 > a