Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

~~ ee Rie was followed by Dick, who had to half carry Maud wih him. Claude and Sixteen-String Jack brouc’t ap the reap, Cnce more the steps were descen2ad, the cellars crossed, and the entrance to the secret passage reached. It turned out now that their false alarm had reall= dore them geod service. 3 The coverings over the passage had now been removed, and nething remained for the highwaymen ‘o do. but to enter hastily and replace them. | This, by an admirable, yet simple contrivancoe that hed nevertheless cost them many hours’ thought, was quickly dona, * Morward,” said Dick—"it will be useless to linger here! Let us take up such a position that, if necessary, we may make an immediate retreat.” “Good!” cried Tom King. the self-same thing. Follow me with what speed you may.” : As he spoke he walked hurriedly along the passage. CHAPTER DCCCXCVI. _DES@EZBES THE ENERGETIC PROCEEDINGS OF JACK MAR SHALL AND HIS OFFICERS. fr will be necessary now to go back a litile in order to account for the events which next occurred. It will be recollected that on the night when Dick Turpin so strangely made his escape from Newgate, his three comrades left the White Horse Inn in Drury Lane. As they had correctly feared, the deaf and dumb boy whom Matthew had so befriended was a traitor. He had recognised the highwaymen, and no sooner had he started upon his errand than he betrayed them to a police officer. is scheme no doubt would have succeeded, and the highwaymen beyond all doubt have been captured, had not his long absence been too much for their impatience. The simple fact of going to the stable instead of wait- ing at the corner of White Horse Yard unquestionably saved their lives. | With what followed the reader is already aware. With more than usual ease, Tom and his comrades managed to out-distance the police officers. Still, although the highwaymen had got out of sicht and hearing, they were by no means inclined to abandon the chase, especially as, after going a short distance, they _ were met by a troop of their companions headed by Jack Marshall himself. A few words served to explain matters to him, and no sooner had he comprehended all, than for about five minutes he did nothing but curse the officers in every conceivable way. “They went westward, did they?” hecried. “ Well, we'll go westward too. Come on, it’s strange indeed if we don’t see or hear something of them.” Accordingly, the two parties forming one, set their steeds in motion and galloped at a very furious rate along the western road. From time to time they paused to make inquiries as to whether any perscus resembling those of whom they were in search had passed that way. : But on every occasion they were replied to in the negative. At last, reaching a roadside inn, Jack w?sshel determined to pause. He had been actively engaged for a 'ong time =14 ‘as 80 weary that he could scarce’y sit in the sad lle. Moreover, most of the horses were completely blown, and, if pushed, mignt tail them altogether. It so happened that this inn was no otner wasn ihe Truss of Hay, at which, as fate would have it Dick Turpin made a halt. Having stayed long enough, as they believea, to rest their horses, the police officers were just about to depart when Dick and his companion passed down the passage in the manner we have previously related, The officer standing at the door did not recognise Dick, sot he fancied that he was no other than the highwayman e beheld. Had he seen him under any other circumstancea »han the present, probably he would have had no doubt what- over. _ CA® AVIGHT OF THE RBOAD. 4 “IT was about to propose 1463 The very idea that Dick Turpin should quietly walk into the inn where they were staying, and walk out again, was really too preposterous to be entertained. Still, he looked vacant, hesitating and confused. Percoiving it, Jack Marshall bawled out :. “What the devil are you standing shilly-shallying there like that for, Roberts? What’s the matter with you? Are you moon-struck?” “No, no, Mr. Marshall—no, no. 1 beg your pardon, pir.” “Well, what isit? You look as if you had seen a ghost.” “Well, sir, I’m afraid you will laugh at me, or think me drank, or mad, or something of that sort, but I really do. believe—and yet how can it be possible ?” ““Go on!” roared the chief police officer. ‘ What do you believe ?” “Why, that when I opened this docr I saw Dick Turpin walk down the passage.” Jack Marshall leaped up from his chair with a yell. He seized hold of Roberts, the police officer, and shook him violently. “ Fog: !—dolt [—idiot !” hescreamed. ‘ If you had any doubt of that kind in your mind why did you not speak, and aot stand there looking like a fool? Bah! Get out of the way !” He flung the officer aside with great violence, then made his way to the bar window. ‘‘Landlord,” he cried, ‘‘ who was it passed down the passage a minute or two ago—did you notice ’em ?” ‘‘ Were there two of them, sir ?” ‘“* How the devil do I know ?” “Well, I only ventured to inquire,” said the landlord, offended at Jack Marshall’s manner. figs wel supposing there were two, what were they ike ?” ‘Why, one I know very well—he’s an old friend of mine, and calls regularly here every time he passes.” “Yah !—bah! it can’t be him then !” “ But,” continued the landlord, “‘now you mention it, he had a stranger with him, and rather a strange-looking stranger, if I may be auowed to make that remark.” Jack Marshall pricked up his ears once more. ‘Describe him,” he cried, fiercely and excitedly— “‘ describe him !”’ ‘Well, sir, to tell you the truth, I can’t very well, for he very carefully kept as much out of sight as he could; he had his hat drawn down on his face, and altogether I saw but little of him.” F “ Was that the man you meant?” roared Marshall, | addressing himself to Roberts, who had ventursd to emerge into the passage. “‘ Yes—yes!” he replied, nodding violently—tha,’s him !” “'Then, no doubt you are right. lost! But quick—quick, all of you! ready, no douét! Mount at once!” Probably never before had Jack Marshall been in such a state of tremendous excitement. He dashed out of the inn more like a madman than a sane being. In the same haste, he mounted his steed, and then plunged his spurs into its flanks. ‘‘Come on,” he roared—‘‘come on, I say! meen to be all night 2?” As well as they could, the officers scrambled into the saddles, and followed their leader in a desultory throng. Now, had the officers galloped straight off to the Three The horses are Do you ) Spiders Inn they must inevitably have arrived there tefore Dick. But suek was fated not to be the case. Jack Marshall, indeed, was very forcibly reminded of the truth of the old proverb which declares ‘‘ more haste less speed.” Altogether letting passion get the better of prudence, he paid less 3ttention to his horse than he should have done. Consequently, the tired beast, making a false step, stumbled. His rider was not ready to save him by checking af the bit, so down he went, and Jack Marshall involuntarily ertormen & very creditable somersault over his horse's ead. MICOOOKS.(EOMA (E(@) | @ What a chance we've ~