Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 376: what you’re looking at

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

1748 ready to burst from their lips, or if they could have fled from the spot. But speech and motion were alike denied them, so they remained silent, rooted to the spot. So hideous was the scene that Tom had muc. ufliculty in repressing a smile. But he saw how slight a thing would now suffice to put a finishing stroke to their alarm, and caaéa them to flee as though ten thousand demons were at their heel ‘Tmpious villains !” he said, in low and sepulchral tones. ? “Your doom—— He had time to say no more. The awful words, and the still more awful voice fx which they were pronounced, dissolved the spell that had weighed upon the officers. Simultaneously, awful yells came from theiz lips. Then there was a crash and total darkness. Knight had dropped the cask— Cunningham the lantern. The former fell to the ground with se much force that it burst, and the valuable contents were strewed in all directions. - But Knight was quite heedless of them now. The lantern had slipped from Cunningham's trembling fingers, and after rolling over cnca upon the sawdust was extinguished. Then there was an awful rush. The officers were anxious to a degree to quit this hor- rible place, but that very anxiety defeated their inten- tion. So blinded were they by their terror, and so confounded by the darkness, that though the steps were within a few feet of them, they groped about vainly and fruitlessly. Tom groaned again. Their terror was redoubled, and the scuffling incredibly increased. At last, however, the foot of the steps was reached, and up they went with greater speed than ever they had made use of before. Tom was delighted to think his stratagem had been so successful. So soon, however, as he was certain that the officers were fairly on their way to the upper regions of the house, Tom proceeded to put the remainder and by far the more important portion of his plan into execution. This related to the valuables which the officers had been terrified into leaving behind them. Hastily throwing off the table-cloth which had served him so well, Tom folded it and proceeded to put it to still further use. The darkness was profound, but yet he was able to find his way without difficulty to the spot where the pre- cious contents of the cask lay scattered upon the floor. With great speed he gathered them together and placed them in the middle of the cloth. No doubt, in his haste, many escaped him—indeed, Tom intended that some should remain in order that whena little calmness took possession of the officers, which would probably be towards daylight, they would be able to perceive that they kad been tricked out of their spoil. Pthe anticipation of their state of aggravation gave Tom much delight. By far the greater part of the valuables was placed in the cloth ; and then hastily forming the whole into a large bundle, Tom threw it over his shoulder and hastened up the steps. Opon gaining the top he stopped, in order that ke might, if possible, form some conception of the where- abouts of his terrified foes. But all was profoundly still. So still that Tom began to think that they had actusi}y; quitted the premises. Whether they had done s0 or not, however, or whether joa had concealed themselves in some inner room, %’om took no steps to discover. He felt that the best thing he cvuuld do now was to get from beneath that roof with all convenient speed, as at any moment the courage of the officers might return to > them, and then an awkward encounter might ensue, as | he galloped on he shouted: they would be in a state of absolute frenzy. BLACK BESS; OR, a cr Ll SL, AE ._ a ee ere He succeeded in finding it without much difficulty, an gained the open air without hearing or seeing aught of his foes. Altogether Tom hed ample grounds upon which ta congratulate himself respecting the whole affair, bet most especially upon the conclusion of it. The bundle upon his shoulder was both large and heavy, and he felt that it woald not be over convenient for him to carry it with him fo any distance. He made his way with it to the spot where he had left his horse. The animal he found safe enough, and very contentedly cropping the sweet grass that grew about its feet. It was not until after some moments’ consideration that Tom mounted, and then it was with the resolution to find as speedily as possible some retired nook where he could bury his beoty. CHAPTER MXXXIITI. If WHICH TOM KING GETS VERY STRANGELY ON THE WRONG TRACK. It was not long before just such a place as Tom King re- quired presented itself to his notice. At no great distance from the inn he came across @ small pool of water, over which hung a remarkable-look- ing weeping willow tree. Among the roots of this he determined the treasure should be deposited. He had no other tool for the purpose of making an excavation except his sword. With this weapon, however, he set to work in good earnest. It was not the first time he had puta sword to a similar use, and so he worked rapidly. Morcover, the ground was of a very soft nature, which assisted him materially. As soon as the hole was deep enough for his purposo, he wrapped the cloth well round the valuables and de- posited them in it. The earth was quickly covered over and the place re- stored to its usual appearance—the superfluous earth being easily got rid of by being thrown into the water. Tom -hastened over these proceedings as much as he could, for he was well conscious that the night was wearing fast away. He had set his mind upon discovering Maud’s where- abouts, if possible, before morning came upon him. Mounting his steed and looking well around him in order that he might ‘ve able to recognise the place easily again, he rode off za the direction mentioned by the two officers. This was actually for some distance on the direct roail to the old water-mill where Maud had had so narrow an escape from death. l'om looked about him very cautiously, for he did not know how soon he might catch sight of his pursuers. But for a long time his pains and trouble met with no reward. All at once, on passing round a sharp curve in the cross- road, he believed he saw something like a female figure flit before him at some distance on in front, and imme- diately vanish round the next turn. This was quite enough to stimulate him to the utmost. Touching his horse lightly with the spur, he set for- ward at full gallop. The next turn was rounded, and again the figure cams in sight. There was no room for doubts now. It was unquestionably a female, though in the darkness the outlines of her form were dim and ill-defined. It would seem a3 tnouch at this moment that she be- came conscious some one was pursuing her, for she uttered a shrill ery, which was unmistakably one of terror, and bounded onward at a rate which intense terror could alone have enabled her to make. Tom echoed her cry by another. But his was one of encouragement. He did not suffer his horse to abate his speed, and as Allis well! I have ‘*Maud—Maud! Fear nothing! Accordingly, when he had satisfied himself that the | come to save you!” coast was clear, our friend made his way as well as he could to the little wiadow by which he had entered. But either his words failed to reach her ears altegether, or else her great alarm rendered her deaf to every sound JOO (E(©) (S