Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 345: what you’re looking at

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

A ra purpose. The horses were already going at their best spred. To their unmitigated chagrin, they perceived the dis- tance between them end the fugitives gradually but surely widenin They felt then that they might almost as well coniess themselves beaten; but yet they could not at present bring themselves to admit it. - As for the bighwaymen, the success they had met with served to inspire them to make fresh exertions. At length, when Dick considered that a safe distance had been placed between the officers and themselves, he began to look out for some narrow turning that would enable them to leave the high-road. Some time elapsed before anything of the kind presented itself; but at length he caaght sight of a cross-road—it was too wide to be called a lane. At this spot stood the remains of what had once beeu a finger-post, . It had now fallen into’thorough decay. The upright post leaned far out of the perpendicular, and was thickly overgrown with moss, the dampness of which materially served to rot the wood. One arm, and only one, was remaining, and that was in so mutilated a state that it was impossible to discern any lettering upon it. Seen by the very dim gray light which now bagan to creep over the landscape, this finger-post had an inex- pressibly forlorn and dreary look. * This way!” shouted Dick, to Tom King, and point- ing to the left while he spoke—“this way: One more push, and then I hope we shal be able to taxe it mere easily.” It did not appear that this cross-road was made mach use of, for in the middle were two very deep ruts, and all the rest was overgrown with grass so tall that it reached up to the horses’ knees. »Over this their progress could not fail to be silent. Having gone to some distance, Dick pulled up. ‘* My friends,” he said, ‘‘I have an idea; let me know what you think of it.” They prepared to listen intently. “Tt strikes me very forcibly that as soon as ever the officers come tothe finger-post they will guess which way we have gone, and then, although we may be rid of them for a time, yet they will eventually plague us.” To this all assented. “Now, what [ want to do is to throw them off the track altogether, so as to leave us free to adopt any course we may think proper, without having the dread of their appearence at any unexpected moment upon us.” ‘That would he very desirable indeed,” said Tom King; ‘* but, for my own part, I don’t see how it is to be accomplished.” “Listen, and I will tell you my idea—it is only an idea, mind you, and if. you don’t like it, why, do not, out of any consideration for me or my judgment, omit to say it—-promise me that.” ~ “We promise, Dick; but do not keep us any ionger in suspense.” ‘‘T will not.” The highwaymen were silent, and prepared themselves to listen with the utmost intentness to what Dick Turpin had to say. CHAPTER MXXI. DICK TURPIN ASKS BLACK BESS A QUESTION. ‘*My idea J consider is a very simple one,” began Dick Turpin, “and yet perhaps you may think it very extra- ordinary. It is, to quit this lane at once, and, vom pletely doubling our course, make our way back to the ruins.” “ To the ruins ?” echoed Tom King, in a tone ef yvouce which showed plainly enough how much he was sur- prised. “ Just so,” answered Dick, gravely. eS you surely do not think of entering them azain ?” “No, Ican’t say that Ido, My intention is merely to ges back to their vicinity, for I believe that is apows the -THE KNIGHT OF TH® ROAD. 1717 They spurred their horses again and again, but to no last place where the officers would think of looking for ’ us. “Perhaps so,” said Tom King. “At any rate,”. added Claude Duval, ‘it would be much better to do that than to attempt to seek any shelter hereabouts, for if we did we should be disturbed in an hour or two at the most.” ‘““Tsee you are getting reconciled to the idea,” con- tinued Dick, “and let me request you to make up your minds quickly.” “You are captain,” said Sixteen-String Jack—“ the direction of our movements ought to be left to you.” “T know all about that, but the best of generals is not the one who relies most on his own judgment, but the one who in situations of doubt and difficulty holds a con- sultation with his chief and most experienced officers.” “Then I for one,” cried Claude Duval, “‘am inclined to adopt Dick’s idea.” “It is certain,” remarked Tom King, “that we must ere long get shelter somewhere. In a little while day- ligit will be full upon us, and such a party as we noW make could not pass anywhere without attracting a great (leal of notice.” “Our horses are weary,” said Dick; “we must rest, and, what is more, it is necessary that we should find some place where we can remain an hour or two in per- fect quiet and talk over our position. We shall have to consider most carefully what is to be the nature of our future movements.” “On, then!” exclaimed Tom King. “Lead the way! Let there be no more delay, for every moment is of value.” This was true enough. A little time had been consumed by this conference, ar it could not by any means be said that time had been ost. Indeed, the brief halt had enabled the horses to recover their wind to a very considerable extent, and now, after this temporary rest, they seemed to set forward with fresk vigour. The speed made for some time was all that the high- waymen could desire. Their way lay across a succession of smooth meadows, the turf in which was particularly grateful to the horses’ feet. Dick's comrades were by no means surprised that he should manifest so strong a desire to return to the old ruins, Nota word had been breathed respecting Maud, but yet all knew that it was Dick’s strong impression that she was in the vicinity of the castle, which made him so anxious to return. At any rate, the step which they had taken seemed, so far as they could tell at present, a wise one. ‘lhe offeers appeared to be completely baffled. By this treme the daylight had much increased in intéusity, and in the east could be perceived a ruddy glow that provlaimed the speedy rising of the sun. As our friends happened to ascend some rising ground they were able, by looking back when they had gained the summit, to command a very extensive view of the country around them. Hill and dale, river and stream, bush and tree, were all revealed with aclearness and brilliancy that was delight- ful to contemplate. ln vain, however, did our friends strain their eyes in the endeavour to catch sight of their pursuers. At some distance several men could be seen in the act of crossing a ploughed field; doubtless they were on the way to thescene of their daily labours, but these were the only human beings the highwaymen were able to discern after the longest and closest scrutiny. ‘6 All’s well,” said Dick, at last, though his voice pro- claimed that in truth all was not well with him. ‘ For- ward once more, my comrades; the ruins cannot be far distant now.” “Do not forget that we are on the look-out fo. a place of shelter,” observed Tom King. ‘It is true, we have. been singularly fortunate at present, but then we are runniug a very serious amount of risk by riding thus by daylight.” ‘Tam well aware of that,” answered Turpin, “and it shall continue no longer than we cap possibly help.” ‘ EONMICLOOKSseC)