Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 395: what you’re looking at

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

— aa? ; MM pines They were recognised at a glance. _ “Safe and sound ?” asked Dick, riding forward. have met with no success, and so our only hope is thai _ you have been more fortunate.” : *. “Thave. I have recovered Maud, who has sustained y had barely time to take up their positions before he horsemen made their appearance. # _ ‘t Wind and limb, captain,” was the reply; “sat we no serious injury. She has been aided and succoured by one I have great pleasure in making known te gon. His name is, I believe, Captain Hawk.” “Quite at your service, gentlemen, and very uappy indeed to make your acquaintance.” Tom King, as well as Claude Duval ana Sixteen- String Jack, were much taken by surprise. It was one of the rarest things in the world for them to make a new friend. The darkness that reigned about this place preveated them from seeing the captain very distinctly. The latter, fancying he observed some reserve on thetr part, said: “Do not distrust me. I shall always be glad to aid pe in any way lam able; and what is more, you will pleased to understand that 1 am of the sams fraternity as yourselves.” The announcement was by no means expected, and the effect of it was to cause a greater appearance ef friendli- ness on the part of the three highwaymen. Captain Hawk, however, was gifted with a full share of penetration. He could see very well that the friends had some topics they wished to discuss, and to which they did not exactly feel inclined to make him party. Tt will not be long, I trust, before we meet again, but for the present we must part, as I have made arrangements I do noi wish to break ‘’o make any tresn ,!ace of ap- intment with you would, 1 know full well, be useless; t I shall trust to chance to throw us toge:ber again ere long. Good-bye to all |” He bowed as he spoke. “Remember, you have to be convinced about your steed !” Dick said, as he was departing. The captain waved his hand, but made no other _ reply. The next moment he had vanished in the dark- pess. “Captain,” said Tom Davis, urgently, though he scarcely raised his voice above a whisper—* captain !” ‘© What is it ?” : a“ Do that ?” “Let him go! What do you mean?” ‘Why, captain, I distrust him, and that’s the truth! What guarantee have you that he will not go at once and betray us to the officers?” “No guarantee, certainly; but still, L consider it mcst unlikely that he should do sa.” ‘‘T am of another opinion, captain.” ‘* But what grounds have you?” Here Tom Davis became mute. you think we ought to have kt him go like He could only admit that he had been swayed by prejudice. “Tt cannot matter either,” added Turpin. “We do zat iniend to remain in this place many moments.” “No, decidedly not,” said Claude Duval, with a shudder; ‘‘and the question we have first to decide is where we shall next take up our quarters.” “And it is a question deserving of much considera- tion,” said Dick. ‘I had fancied that there would be no difficulty about this, but now I am quite at a loss for the moment what to advise.” ; This remark elicited some questions from his comrades, and Dick at once stated his former intention of returning to the ruins, but how the officers had seen them there. He also niade them aware of the manner in whiclb.be had become acquaiated with Captain Hawk. “But for that ualucky incident,” said Sixteen-String Jack, “* you may depend that no better or safer place for us could have been found for the present, and if one enly half as good is now xroposed I shall think we are extremely fortunate.” “ Then oe listen to #2 for a few moments,” said Tom Kizg. ‘1 have been here waiting for you for some time, : : ie é é < and have all the while occupie’ my mind by thinzicz upon this very subject.” * And you think you can geé es out of our difficulty ?” said Turpin. “T think I can.” ‘Proceed, then; there is no time to jose.” “First of all,” said Tom, “it will be necessary for me to give you a brief account of my doings since our part- ing; without this explanation you will not be able to comprehend what I have to propose.” : ‘‘Go on, then, only be careful to put your narrative into as few words as you can.” ‘You may depend I shall do that. Listen!” Amid a profound silenco, then, Tom King proceeded to make his comrades acquainted with those facts which have been already detailed to the reader. In the intense interest which this narrative awakened. they became forgetful of everything else. When Tom brought his adventures toa conclusion, all declared that nothing could surpass them. | “But now, Tom,” said Dick, “ what is it you have to propose? I confess i am no nearer to forming any con ception of it than I was before.” “Tg it so indeed ?” CTE is.” “Then prepeve yourselves for a startler. for wnat 1 have to say wii. I feel pretty certain, take you completalr by surprise.” OHAPTER MX. RELAt£S WHAT BEFEL DICK TURPIN AND HIS COMRADES BENEATH THE ROOF OF THE JOLLY TAR INN. THE strongest curiosity was evinced, but what words ean express the astonishment of all when Tom King said, as coolly as though it was the simplest and most trifling matter in the world: “I propose, ther, comrades, that for the present we taxe up our quarters beneath the roof of the Jolly Tar Inn.” “ Where ?” cried Dick, in utter amazement, “ ] told you to prepare fora startler.” “ But you are not in earnest ?” “TJ assure you I was never more so in my Life.” “hen you are mad.” “TY think not, captain.” “ But the thing is impossible.” * Not at all.” * How so?” “Where is the difficulty ?” i a Wy how shall you get rid of Kaight end Ounning- am ” “ Get rid of them ?” * Yes.” “ Why they are got rid of already.” * By whom ?” “By me. Depend upon it, they ware so horribly frightened that no earthly consideration would ever iz- duce them to cross that threshold again.” * But, then, there are the others.” “What others ?” * The officers.” “J doubt there are any thers ncvw.” Why not?” “The inquest was to have been held as yesterday—for it is nearly morning now—and when this formality is over, the bodies would be removed, the inn shut up and doubtless left to itself.” “It is worth trying, I think,” said Turpin, after several moments’ deliberation, “ though to me it still looks like running our heads into the lion’s mouth, However, should the officers find we have had the audacity to do this, we shall never be able to astonish them again.” ‘‘ No matter for that,” urged Tom. ‘I still consider the scheme gates in every way, and I do not believe that either o safer.” “Perhaps not,” said Dick; 4and if the officers haya really left the premises for good, I quite agree with you; I would give much to be satisfied on that point,” “ You must be content to run the risk of that.” ‘+The advantage which weighs principally with ms,” said Turpin, ‘is that we are now so near the spué ¢rs- ee for our abiding-place. It will be very soon «tite da ylight. and we ought to be under cover by then.” 1781 you could propose a place where we should be : Ss . Gomicdoo “S$ com i at <S