Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 396: what you’re looking at

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

1768 BLACK BESS; OR, en i te eee To tiis all assented unanimously. ‘What do you say, then, comrades,” asked Dick, ‘are you willing to say it shall be so?” ‘Nay, you are our captain, and with whatever decision you may come to we shall be content ; we know you would intend it for the best.’’ **Yos, and for all that my judgment might lead you astray; I do not desire that you should look upon it as infallible—that would be undertaking too great a re- sponsibility.’ * Well, captain, \_ are willing if you are.” **Can you suggest any other place ?” ** No—not any.”’ ‘‘Then in that case I consider we have no alternative left us.”’ ** You have decided, then P?”’ “Yes, in this way: we will try the inn for a few hours, at all events, and then we can come to any decision afterwards we may think proper.’’ , Lhis was agreeable to everyone. ‘Tom was pleased to find his proposal assented to. ‘ It was really wonderful to sce how they became re- conciled and accustomed to the idea which had so startled them at first. Already they began to look at it quite as an ordinary proceeding, their only concern being whether the officers had really left the premises or not. They went the right way to ascertain this, for, with- out any more discussion, they turned their horses’ heads in the requisite direction. The distance could not be considered otherwise than trifling. A short space of time brought them in its vicinity, and then Tom recommended a halt. His recommendation was unhesitatingly complied with, *‘T have been thinking,” he said, ‘that it would be much the best to reconnoitre before venturing to approach too near; so if you will remain where you are and take care of my horse, I will soon let you know the existence of the present state of affairs.’’ ** But shall you go quite alone ?’”’ ** Yes, I think it will be best, and I flatter myself f can execute the task better than either of you, because of my familiarity with the premises.” ‘Yes, that is an advantage.”’ ' “T am off, then. Above all things do not move one step from this spot until my return.”’ While these few words were being exohanged, Tom King had slipped off his horse and given the reins to Claude Duval. ‘* Are your pistols ready for use?’”’ asked the latter, as he received the charge. Yes.” ‘Are you quite sure 2” * Quite.”’ ** Be off, then, and good Iuck to you!” Tom knew the value of time, so he did not wait for any more to be said, but glided off into the semi-dark- ness at once. His comrades were able to observe his progress for some time, but at last he disappeared. - Tom grew more and more cautious as he approached , the building. The silence which prevailed was in the highest degree assuring. By slow desrees he made his way round to the front of the inn. To his great joy, not a single gleam of light ap- peared, ** They have gone,”’ he muttered to himseif. ‘1 was certain they would not stay after such a horrible adven- ture as that.” However, nether the silence nor the darkness could be taken as proof that the inn was empty. The question was, how was this very important and necessary fact to be ascertained P : from was a very little while in hitting upon an expe- client, It was one, however, that involved some degree of risk of discovery. . Nevertheless, he determined to put it 12to practice. it was to hurla small stone through one of the win- dows, and with sufficient force to cause considerable golse, A moment’s search enabled ‘l'om to find just the kmd ~ of missile which he required. ‘This was a smooth round pebble. Aiming it at one of the upper windows. he threw it with the full strength of his arm. The crashing of glass sounded with alarming dis- tinctness in the profound silence which prevailed. He crouched down and anxiously awaited the re« sult. One, two, three, four minutes passed. At the expiration of that interval there was no more indication that there were any human being in the house than there was at first. ‘‘T knew I was right !’’ Tom muttered. ‘‘ Everything falls just as I expeoted.’’ However, to make doubly sure, Tom once again made a tour of the premises. The result was the same. He now considered he was warranted in returning to his companions. He found them all waiting for him in great sus- pense. They had heard the crash of glass even where they stood, and had indulged in many vague speculations as to the cause of it. Tom King soon resolved them. The intelligence was received by all with the greatest satisfaction, Mand, however, alone excepted. The fact of no notice having been taken of the stone was looked upon as sufficient proof that the house was empty. But although she had not ventured to make any ob- servation whatever, Maud shrunk back, appalled and terrified at the idea of taking up a residence in a place which had witnessed the perpetration of so many awful crimes. Of one thing she was certain. By no possibility could she ever summon up her cou- rage to remain alone in that dwelling. But where Dick ‘Turpin was she felt herself to- lerably safe, though now she trembled from head to foot. She thought it rather strange that Dick did not ob- serve this circumstance, but the fact was, the whole of his energies just then were centred upon the task they had before them. The nearer Maud drew to the hateful place, however, the more did her alarm increase. The next words spoken by Tom King, however, gave her a fleeting satisfaction. ‘‘ Stop,” he said—‘‘ there is one thing we have omitted now.” ‘What is that?” ‘* How are we to dispose of our horses?” © *'True,’’? answered Dick. “I don’t know how we came to forget that.’ ‘‘ Are there no stables at the back ?’’ asked Claude. *‘T think so; but would it be safe for us to put our cattle there P’’ ‘“‘ As safe as anywhero else, I imagine.’ The matter was, as usual, left for Dick’s decision. ‘We will go a little closer,” he said, ‘‘and then we shall be able to judge better.’’ Again they advanced towards the ill-omened dwelling, dispelling Mand’s hope that something had been thonght of which would result in an alteration of their arrange- ments. They were careful to approach the inn with all due caution. The first glance showed them that the outbuildings were of a spacious description. “No fear of not finding accommodation kere,’ Claude, He was right, for stable room was to be had in plenty, and, what was more, our friends found, after a brief search, that the place was by no means ill supplied with provender, In order to be prepared for any sudden surprise, none of the trappings were removed from the horses. The girths were loosened and the bits removed, but the bridles were not taken off. Having seen thoroughly well to the comfort of their steeds, the highwaymen proceeded to leok after their gwn accommodation, ’ said (ECOUMMNE JOO