Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD. Their patience was quite tired out at having waited for so long. , ; All their vociferations, however, were not productive of any effect. ‘ While they shouted and bawled, time went relent- lessly on. The finger of St. Sepulchre’s Church clock, at which ever and anon rapid glances were cast, moved slowly and steadily onward until the half hour was once more reached. ‘ No one could be more perplexed at this strange cir- cumstance than were the highwaymen and their friend the landlord. Strive as they would, they could come to no plausible solution of it. ; Ten o’clock came, and yet there were no more signs of the gates opening than there had been hours before. The behaviour of the populace now partock very much of the nature of a riot. Cries were raised that the gates should be battered down and the prisoner brought forth. All at once there was another sudden change in the behaviour of the mob. A whisper was passed from mouth to mouth almost with the speed of electricity, and spreading like some huge wave, reached the uttermost verge of the crowd. That whisper consisted of four words, and those four words were: “ Dick Turn has escaped.” The highwaymen started so violently upon receiving this intelligence, and showed so much surprise, that it ig a wonder they escaped suspicion, and the fact can only be accounted for by the preoccupation of everyone. ** Escaped!’ murmured Tom, between his lips, and looking as startled as though he had been told Newgate had been swallowed up by an earthquake—“ escaped ! How? Impossible!’ **So I fear,’’ said Claude Duval. thing be true P”’ “Have you kept good watch, Tom ?”’ Matthew. | ** The very best, and I will swear at any moment that since I delivered the letter last night no living person has left the prison.”’ ‘Well, well,’ said Matthew— this is more than strange; but let me advise you to cast it from your minds, not to buoy yourselves up with hopes which are sure to be fallacious. It is some idle tale invented by some one to account for the delay. No, no—such news is too good tobe true, Dick Turpin has not escaped.”’ But the remark was repeated again and again. Another hour passed away, and the gates were uot opened. Then, indeed, it seemed as if there was some founda- tion for the report, for how would the- execution take place at the appointed time P Then such cries and groans of disappointment as arose from the vast mob had surely never been heard before. They considered they were cheated, deceived, and were exasperated accordingly. “ Dare we believe it?’”’ said Claude Duval, just after the clock struck. ‘ Dare we place any faith in this assertion P”’ . “TIT don’t know,’ said Matthew—‘ it seems very strange; andif I thought I could only force my way through the crowd I would endeavour to put the question to some of the officers or officials of the prison. At any rate, I will try,” he added—“ I can dono harm. Wait here, and I shall know where to find you.”’ : The highwaymen made no opposition to his depar- ure. By gent!_ insinuating himself in between the closely- packed people, old Matthew performed what seemed to be an impossibility, for he proved that there was room for yet one more among them. _ But his dimensions were so great that people instinc- tively shrank back to allow him passage, hoping he would get further away, in order that the¥ might be relieved from the extra pressure. » And in this manner—although it was avery tedious operation—Matthew actually succeeded in getting to the opposite side of the Old Bailey. Upon arriving there he found a scene of great excite- nent and animation going forward. “* How can such a asked old 1437 The police officers had congregated into a huge group, and were conversing eagerly. To most of themold Matthew was known, yet they were so absorbed in their conversation that they did not perceive him. Venturing at last to touch one on the shoulder, Mate thew said : , ‘** What’s this extraordinary tale f have just heard— is there any truth in it P”’ The police officer eyed him suspiciously. **T fancy you had a hand in it,” he said. “It passes my comprehension.” ‘What P”’ asked Matthew, with a fast-beating heart. “Why, how he could have escaped.’’ “Then he has escaped P”’ “Oh, yes, certainly; I believe we can entertain no doubt upon that point, though howand by what means we cannot imagine.”’ ‘*Tt seems to me incredible,’’ said Matthew. ‘ I can’t believe it even now. I thought the prison was to be closely watched by the whole force of police officers.”’ ‘And so it has; we have formed a circle round the building, one man being almost within reach of the other, I am certain not one has been negligent in his duty; every part of the outside of Newgate has been watched, and how Dick Turpin has escaped I can’t make out, for no person has left the prison. YetI am told that when they opened his cell no trace of him could be seen.”’ CHAPTER DCCCLXXX. DICK’S ESCAPE FROM NEWGATE CONTINUES TO BE A PROFOUND MYSTERY, AND OLD MATTHEW INTRO- DUCES A SINGULAR PERSONAGE. THis intelligence filled old Matthew with amazement, and, finding nothing more was to be gleaned, he turned round, and with infinite difficulty fought his way back to where he had left the highwaymen. On the present occasion, however, his task was by no means so difficult as it had been, for the people were really beginning to believe that Dick Turpin had escaped, and accordingly were gradually separating. Matthew’s first words on rejoining the three friends were : ‘Follow me—be quick ; there’s no good in remain. ing here any longer, and you had better retire before the crowd breaks up.’’ ‘* But Dick,’’ said Tom—‘‘is it possible that he has escaped P”’ **T believe it is true,’’ said Matthew, with a smile, ‘“‘and that’s the same thing; but I am going to think about it.’’ They walked on rapidly through the streets. Old Matthew led the way until, having got near to Drury Lane, T'om said: “‘ Had we not better go in here where we left our horses? Will if not be dangerous to go to your house ?”’ ‘No, I think not,” was his answer. “If I can guard against your being seen, why, you know, I have 2 hiding-place that will baffle the closest search.’’ ‘*] leave all to you,’ said ‘l'’om; ‘but be quick, for I am anxious to know the result of your cogitations.” > Matthew walked boldly up White Horse Yard, and, finding no one was about to observe their mvvements, opened the little door in the wall. “We're allright,”’ he said; ‘‘ but I should advise yon to remain in the yard until I have seen that the coast is quite clear inside.”’ The highwaymen consented, standing so as to be out - sight of anyone who might look through the win- ows. Matthew was absent only a moment, then he re- appeared and beckoned them. * All’sright,’’ he said, “‘ there’s not an officerin sicht.” He conducted them straight to tae parlour and made them acquainted with just what “yd passed between himself and the officers. 3 ‘** Incomprehensible and increare, -us .t may apfes”.”’ he concluded, “‘ I suppose itis reaily true that Dics« Turpin has escaped, though how he has managed to do so is positively marvellous. I[f he has gone, all will be well, and I should recommend you to stay here till nightfall ; if he has not, we shall have quicker tidings of it here than elsewhere.”’ (E(0) Gomichboo () SS