Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 360: what you’re looking at

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

£732 -—-—— “ Luckily, I recollected that he would be compelled ere long to descend for more materials, and iust as I thought of it he began te come down. “T now held my breath with anxious anticipatior, for I was determined, at all risks, that as soon as Fis fest touched the ground I would bound forward, ascend the ladder, and drop myself from the opposite side. ‘¢ The man reached the ground. ‘He stooped down to supply himself with meve materials for his work. “© With a sudden dash } reached the foot of the ladder, and then ascended it with more speed than I felt con- vinced a ladder had ever been ascended with before. ‘Bre the man could recover himself from his state of surprise, or even comprehend what had taken place, | had reached the top. ‘‘ He bawled frantically to me to stop. “But I disregarded him, for just thenl had fairly gained the wall. ‘‘ For a moment I sat astride it. 4 “JT seized the ladder with both hands, and threw it own. ‘‘ The man had to step back to escape injury, and I felt eertain that I had prevented him from following me so speedily as he would have done. ‘But a general alarm had now been raised. ‘(My escape so far had been discovered, and they were organising a pursuit. “T looked down on the outer side of the wall witha fecling of great misgiving. “‘ However, I could not hesitate, having succcecied so far. “T lowered myself as well as I was able till I hung down at the extreme length of my arms, and let go. “T reached the hard road with great force, but I was on my feet again in a moment. “JT knew at once which way would take me towards London, so I ran with all my might; but before I had gone far I could tell that the doctor and his crew were on my track. “ This circumstance, so far from causing me to despaig, only made me double my speed, and when I found thas i was actually distancing them I made increased exer- tions. ‘Now, gentlemen, I have done, for it was soon after this that I was so fortunate as to meet with you. And let me thank you for having patience to listen to so long a narrative.” “But I hear nothing of your pursuers,” said Claude Duval; ‘and besides, if they were so close after you as you describe, they must-have reached this spot ere now.” “They must have abandoned the chase. Perhaps I have distressed myself with running without alsolute occasion. At any rate, my best thanks are yours.” “You are welcome,” said Claude. ‘‘ And, what is more, should we encounter any of your pursuers, we will send them upon a wrong track.” Thanks again! And if ever you call at 97, Bucklers- bury, you will find Simon Pursall will make you wel- come.” “It is the most extraordinary narrative I ever listened to,” said Sixteen-String Jack. “Tt is indeed, gentlemen. that.” ‘‘ Farewell!” cried Claude. ‘ We have stayed here too long already, for we have much important business to at- tend to.” They rode off as he spoke. scarcely giving the man time to utter the word farewell. “ What do you think of that adventure, Claude ?” asked Sixteen-String Jack, when they hai got toa little dis- fance. “Why, that it was about the oddest we have eves en- countered.” “So I think; but my chief concern is to know whether the man has been insane or not.” ‘What is your opinion ?” ‘TI can hardly give one. It mary ww all true; and if so, ne has been badly used, though at the same time the cheat is of a more elaborate description than I have ever before heard of.” ; ‘There is 3 certain amount of probability about it, fs there not ?” I knew you would say BLACK BESS ; OR, ‘Yes, there is; but then I have often heard that med people are very cunning sometimes in concocting appar- ently coherent, but yet extraordinary, narratives, such as this we have just listened to.” ‘We may speculate upon it till doomsday, I expect, without coming much nearer to a conclusion.” “‘ Yes, and therefore we may as well give it up at once and turn our attention to the business we have in hand.” They rode on for some distance in silence, but at length Jack said: “We are getting too far away, Claude, I feel convinced we are. Let us retrace our steps and stert off upon a fresh track.” “With all my heart.” “T have been trying to think what would become of Maud.” “So have I.” “With what success ?” ‘None. Have you?” “T have not. If she was with Jack the Ostler under that tree when it was struck with lightning, I cannot conceive how he could perish and she escape.” ‘Tt baffles me completely, and I feel like one groping in the dark.” ““So do J, and therefore I consider there is but one course open to us.” “ And what is that ?” ‘“‘'T'o leave all to chance. We have nothing better to direct us; and—who knows ?—we may by mere accident stumble upon the right track.” “‘ Tt is possible.” ‘Come, then, we will get a little nearer to the blighted tree. I feel certain we are taking the wrong course now.’ With these words they changed the direction in which they were going. Scarcely had they turned round, however, and fairly got their horses in motion, before Sixteen-String Jack perceived in advance of him a faint and distant light. Immediately upon making this discovery he directed the attention of his companion toit and pulled up. No sooner were the horses at a standstill than Claude exclaimed ; “T can hear wheels now.” “So can I.” All doubt about the character of the light was now at an end. A vehicle could be heard approaching, though what puzzled the highwaymen was to see only one light, as 16 was the custom for carriages of almost every description to carry two. Our friends remained in the middle of the road where they had paused, undecided what to do. ‘ Oome, Claude,” said Jack, arousing himself, “ what is to be done? If we wait here, the carriage will in a few moments be upon us.” ‘‘T think we had better not interfere with it, under the circumstances,” said Claude, though he manifestly spoke with great reluctance. ‘ Let us attend first of all to the task we have undertaken.” * Very good,” replied Jack, who did not like to say any- thing in contravention to his companion’s expressed deci- sion. : As he spoke he backed his horse close under the shadow of the hedgerow. “Why are you taking up that posirion?” asked Claude, in suspense. ‘Simply in order that tha c.rriage may pass freely. If you place yourself by my side, those approaching will pass on without having the least suspicion that we are on the road at all.” ‘Which may be important,” said Claude, as he at once bt, his steed close to his friend’s. }2 this time the approaching vehicle was very close at hand indeei—so close, that there was no reason to fear that their patience would be exhaust Ay mush waiting OHAPTER MXXVII. IN WHICH CLAUDE DUVAL HAS QUITE A CHIVALRIC AND PLEASANT ADVENTURE. Nor another syllable was spoken, on account of the fear they had that the sound of their voices might be floated (E(0) AMLCE JOOKS (Elo)