Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

— . <0 | <<. ‘The saddle and kridle wer, quickly placed on. King; “we could do it easily. “Are you ready Dick.” said Tom King, in a sup- ed voice. “Yes, quite ready ? ‘Then come on, or the sooner we leave this stable the tter.” 7 _ Dick advanced, le ding 3daud by one hand and Biack Bess by the other. Tom King followed, leading his own horse an‘ Claade’s. Sixteen-String Jack carried the ligat and ied his cwn toed, Claude Dural being left to replace the trap- oor. ‘ This he did with every imaginable amount of cau- on. He was anxions to leave the top of the trap-door eovered with straw, and, as he believed, he had not left any sti im the crevices in such a way as to bet‘ay m. It is certaiv,, however, that he must have done so. _ All felt greatly relieved when this much was over. The distance to the opening of the passage was still 86 siderable, yet they did not apprehend any interruption to their progress, and they believed that, upon emerging from it, they would not be seen or molested by any- one. Without waiting another moment, they pushed for- As they proceeded, they could not avoid casting glances of admiration upon their. own work. The difficulties in the. way of excavation had been great, and, in order to keep the roof and sides of the pas- sage from falling in, they had been obliged, with great care and labour, to prop them up by means of beams and planks of wood. When close to the opening from the passage, and at a spot where, from the looseness of the soil, they had been compelled to put up more supports than elsewhere, Tom King suddenly cried : ae Halt! It is just possible,” he said—“ indeed, it is very likely that the officers will be clever enough to find out the entrance to this secret passage. Who can tell what has taken place since our departure ?” “Well, well, Tom,” said Dick Turpin, ‘ what of that? —why do you pause ?” *‘ Because,” he s232, *i nave an idea.” “Well, thee. xzeak quickly.” “Tf the o%icers should find out this passage, and make their az along it, they will be very quickly indeed upon our track. It would be a good thing to put a stop to their progress, and that can be done by 2 Tom did not say any more, but explained what he meant by a gesture. “ You would let the passage fall in ?” He nodded. “Tt might be worth our while,” said Dick. ‘‘ Who can say? But, then, we may involve ourselves in great danger by making the attempt.” - uF think not,” said Tom. quickly—shall it be done?” “4 -will leave it with you te decide,” returned Tur- . Tom found that Claude Duval and Sixteen-String Jack heartily approved of the scheme. Having constructed the place, of course they knew the best and easiest way for demolishing it. Accordingly, certain of the posts were loosened, and _ planks removed. The earth began to fall in very fasi. “Tf we had such a thing as a rope handy,” said ‘tom One pull at the post, and then down the whole must come.” ‘Try it without, Tom,” said his companions 8 smart pull, and then run back.” Despite the imminent danger of being crushed by some of the falling earth, Tom did not hesitate to adopt this course. Before he had ._.npleted his purpose, however, he was warned of danger by a ory from his companions, He turned, and hastily retreated. ~ Well was it for him that he was so hasty in his move- menis. With a strange rushing, crashing sound, the roof of the “But you must decide -- Give A THE KNIGHT OF THE BROAD. a 28 SS aa Sy aed _ re was ¢ wo pot le 3 Laut FAM - © — . 1463 on a Tons upon tons of earth came down, and effectually stopped up the passage. “There,” cried Tom, rubbing his hands with great satisfaction, “I rather think the officers will find it diffi- cult tu follow us now! We shall be able to geta good start.” This little matter being over, they pushed on at im- ereused speed, in order to make up for the time they had Ost. By the fresh, cool air that blew upon their faces, they could tell how near they were to the mouth of the pas sage, In a few moments more it was reached, and, as there was no longer se necessity for a light, it was extine guished. Slowly and cautiously they made their way out among the trees. As soon as they had all assembled, thev .woked up, and were astonished to perceive that the sky was tinted with a brilliant red. Clouds of smoke, too, could be seen rising up above the tree-tops. For some moments this spectacle was gazed on in silence, Dick Turpin was the first to speak. ‘They have burnt our house down,” he said. perfectly certain that the inn is on fire. building hervabouts.” ‘‘T wish we could tell exactly what has happened since our departure,” returned Tom King. “But no matter. Doubtless we shall have enough to do in looking after our own safety.” “ Depend apen it we shall,” said Turpin. ‘My own escape from Newgate—the fact of my being tracked to this place, as no doubt I have been, will create a tremen- dous commotion everywhere, and great efforts will be made to capture us.” ‘“‘ It appears to me,” said Claude Duval, “that before we go any further it will be necessary for us to holda kind of council of war and decide upon the nature of the proceedings we should next take.” ‘“ Wxactly,” returned Dick. “I was about to make the same remark myself. Suppose we all give our views upon the subject, and then decide? I don’t think we are In much danger of molestation here.” “Nor I,” returned Sixteen-btring Jack, “ though very likely as soon as we attempt to quit the cover of these trees we Shall be seen. It is a desperate, well-organised attack that they have made. All their preparations are doubtless very complete.” ‘* Por my own part,” said Tom King, after a short silence, ‘‘I am in favour of a separation—of course, a temporary one.” ‘And I—and I,” cried Claude Duval and Sixteen- String Jack both together, so that it was evident the same idea had occurred to them “There are many good reasons for adopting such @ courae,” said Dick Turpin, to whom they all now looked for a decision; “‘but then, for my own part, I am sorry that we should separate. One would think that we should gain strength by union.” ‘t No doubt we should,” said Tom King, “ but then, how much that would increase the chances of being seen. Here are five of us—quite a large party I may.say—and wherever we go we must attract a good deal of no- tice.” “Certainly more than when alone,” said Dick Turpin. “But bow is it you intend to separate ?” Tom King questioned his two companions, and found that they, like himeelf, had decided upon going singty. “It will be best, Dick,” Tom continued—“ much the best, for one can get out of the way and escape when two or a greater number could not possibly do so.” “ You shall decide amoung yourselves,” answered Ture in; “I will not attempt to contro you in such a matter ; don’t wish it. If you think our separation will conduce to our safety, let us part.” “ But not until we have arra ged for some meeting- place,” said Tom King, quickly. “ We must name a certain place and time and we must be tnere by some means o& other.” 2 But where ? This was the point that set them all thinking. It was hard to decide which plase would 6 ice Buiied “Tt ig There’s no other (7) Eomicvooksreom