Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 394: what you’re looking at

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

1766 BLACK Fess; 0B that it matters little which direction I take.” : ‘In that case, then, I shall be glad to adops teu arrangement. for I have an appointment i de nos wish to miss.’ ‘““ Exactly e.,” said Captain Hawk, with a smile, and at the same time he turned his horse round and urged him gently forward. This, however, was by no means so easy a matter as it might appear, for Satan was impatient at the least restraint, As for Biack Bess, so well did she understand her master’s manner, and so thoroughly was she under subjection to him, that he had no difficulty in making her go at just twhat pace he desired. ‘“*T daresay you wonder what brought the police officers to the ruins,”’ the captain began, “‘ but Iam to blame for that; though as things haye tarned out all right, I hope you will forgive me.” * But [ do not understand.’’ *<T will soon explain myself, however. I daresay you have heard of the particulars of our meeting in the lane P”’ “You mean between yourself Maud P”’ “Yes, if that is her name. Well, after she had asked me which was the way to the ruined castle I began won- dering whatever she could want there at such a lonely hour. The longer I thought the more did my wonder- ment increase, and at last I resolved to shake of the officers as well and as soon as I could, double upon my course, and make my way to the ruins myself, in order to find out if I could what she wanted there, and also, believe me, I was animated with the idea that 1 might be able, perchance, to be of some assistance to her.”’ “You are thoughtful,” said Dick, ‘and I appreciate your intention just as I should if it had been carried into effect.’’ * Well, now, I should rather think you weuld have wished me a thousand miles away, for, but for my in- terference, you would not have been interrupted by the officers,”’ “Tt does not matter, as it has turned out.” “No. For my part, I am glad, since it has procured me what I have wished for for so long—an introduction to yourself. But, leaving that, let mo tell you I rode rather carelessly into the ruins, and must have been seen doing so by the grabs, for they were upon me in @ moment.” “Thad wondered what brought them there,”’ said Dick. “It wasa mystery to me, quite; but now all is explained.’’ ““Ves; and I hope to your satisfaction.” “Quite so. And yet was it merely upon the chance that you might meet with us and thank us for warning you that you ran the great risk of galloping back ?”’ “It was indeed.”’ “Then you are one of two things.” * May I ask which and what ?” “JT cannot well answer the first part of your ques- tion, but what I was about to say was that you were either very brave or very reckless.” ‘‘ Just whichever you like—perhaps a little of both,” responded the captain, with a light laugh. ““It may be so; but still——” ‘You would have hesitated, I suppose P” **T should.”’ ““ Well, you see, I place so much confidence in Satan’s owers. He has carried me out of so many sorapes that 1 begin to have absolute belief in his powers of apeed.”’ “Mind you do not put trust in him onee too ofton,”’ said Dick, seriously. “It is a pity to try a herse too much.”’ * Does Satan look the worse ?” “No; he does not, I confess.” “But stay! Iam running on in this fashion, and vot [have not told you who [I am—or, rather, I have not made you acquainted with my profession. I dare- gay, however, you can guess it,” ‘*A highwayman ?"’ “Well, yes, I suppose that is what people will cali awe eer ‘No, not atall. I am bound fornowhere to-night, sc ; by an effort he banished it, and was again smiling and light-hearted as before. ‘* Perhaps,”’ ho said, *‘ the time may come when we shall be better acquainted, and if so, I may relate to you something of my early life. You will find much that is strange in it.’’ ) “Very hikely; and at the same time I may be able to convince you that your Satan is inferior to my own Black Bess. We will have a trial of speed some day— of course, now it is impossible, as she carries a double burden.’’ mes *¢ Certainly !’’ The captain seemed as though he was about to say farewell to Dick, and yet for some reason or other he appeared to shrink from doing so. ‘“T have a further favour to ask of you,” he said, “though I fancy you will consider me too importu- nate.” “Not atall. Pray speak freely.” “Well, then, above all other things, I should desire to be made known to your comrades. I have heard so much of them by common rumour, that I am most im- patient to do so.” ‘*T see na reason why that request should not be granted,’ answered Dick, “for I am now within a very short distance of a place where we had agreed to meet, and where they are doubtless impatiently awaiting our arrival.” “*{ will take you at your word,” said Captain Hawk, “for such a chance may not occur again.”’ ‘**[ intended you to take me at my word. Let us make better speed. We shal! soon reach our destination.’’ This was quickly verified, for at that time Dick was not very far from the blighted tree, Owing to the increase in the rate of speed, but few words were exchenged. Captain Hawk was one of those individuals that fow ean help liking, As for Dick Turpin, he took a strong fancy to him from the first, there was something in his manner so very jovial and free. Tom Davis, however, did not look exactly pleased, and by his manner it would seem as though he was exceedingly desirous of saying a few words to Dick in private. For this, however, there was of courseno opportunity, so he fidgeted about very uneasily indeed. Tom was by nature rather distrustful of new-comers, and he by no means shared in Dick’s prepossession in favour of Captain Hawk. Without knowing why, Tom felt dubious about him, and he felt positive Dick had been indiscreet to give so ready a compliance to his last-made request. All Tom Davis could do was to keep a sharp look-out on all the movements of the captain, and as his action was limited to so little, he resolved to perform that little well. The old tree was reached, however, without the occur- rence of any incident whatever. But Tom Davis was not inclined to abate any of his caution on that account. No sooner had they all cometo a hait, than Dick exclaimed: “I scaresly expected to be first upon the ground. What can have detained the others so long, I wonder ?” The reader will remember that Tom King was the first t arrive at the place of rendezvous, but upon hear- ing the horseman approach, had carefully concealed himself, The very moment, however, that the sound of Dick’s well-known voice reached his ears he came forth. © T am here,”’ he said. ‘And Claud and Jaci ?”’ “‘T have seen nor heard nothing of them gince we parted,” “Hush!” said Maud. “I hear some one now.” The sound of horses’ hoofs could now be distin- guished plainly. ** Here they are. I’ll be bound !’”’ cried Dick. “It would be wisest to draw aside and make gure, me, and yet when I think of—— But no matter—2o would it not, captain?’ said Tom Davis. matter !’ Some reminiscence of somewhat a sad character evi- * Certainly it would.” giihout the utterance of another syllable, this pro- dently camo over the captain’s face at this moment, but | posal was carried into execution, | na we < - fi = . x aa - - 4 r a ‘ " 4 4 - > » -* 4 i ’ » >A ee . ‘ 7 9 ; OS EL RTS NS Pe ee CaM Ke ire Lea Oe OS Nee ee Se | ‘comicbooks.com