Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

THE ENIGHT OF THE ROAD, 1471 “You are Son no doubt,” cried Turpin, overheagin it, “and, to speak the truth,soamI. I should be gla enough of a few days’ quiet and peacefulness with you. Let us hope we may meet with such a place ere long.” Maud uttered the same hope with great forvency. The silence that prevailed around ther, and the utter solitude in which they seemed to be, gave them an assur- ance of safety which was perhaps more imaginary than real. But the night was tast wearing away. ' In the east, iaCéeations of the coming day could plainly be perceived, aud before long daylight would be shed around them. Dick still maintained his course along the cross-country road, for it continued to prasent the same signs .of only being slightly used. This, then, of all others, was the route for him to take. He was especially desirous to avoid meeting with any- one, since a herse carrying a double burden could not fail to attract universal notice. All at once, however, upon turning round a bend in tne road, Dick came in sight of a small roadside public- house. A little further on he could see where two other roads branched off, one running at right angles to the direction he was taking. Now he paused altogether, and both Maud and himself looked with considerable curiosity and interest at the old- fashioned building before them. In the faint, grey morning light it looked particularly pleasing, and around it and in its whole appearance there was an airof tranquillity and peace that especially recom- mended it to the fugitives. At last, in a faint voie- “aand ventured to speak. “Surely ” sie ssid, “in this place we shall find the s- tuge vs which you spoke. We are far away frow Kaling, and who is there that could trace us here, and iu go louely and retired a spot ?”’ “No one, I should think,” returned Dick, musingly, for even he felt the charm of this delightful spot. “Well, then, let us stay now—I am fatigued, and should be glad to rest.” “We will, Maud, for although we have travelled thus far unseen, we cannet hope to go much further by broad daylight without meeting or overtaking somebody. Yes —yes, we will stay here.” e walked Black Bess slowly towards the inn as he spoke, and on drawing close enough to make out what was written on the swinging signboard, he saw that the house was called the Wood Pigeon, and was kept by Stephen Marshall. “ How strange !” he ejaculated, as his eye fell upon the natwe ‘“ We have only just escaped from Marsha:., and here’s Marshall again.” ‘“‘ But not the same.” "No, surely not the same,” returned Dick; “ but the coincidence is singular.” He felt half inclined to turn back even then, for he had grown to dislike the name. But it was @ common ono, and it was scarcely likely that the keeper of this little roadside inn could be known to or by the chief police officer. While thus engaged in thought, the front door or the Inn was opened, and a burly, good-tempered-looking man made his appearance on the thres.uold. ‘“‘ Morning,” he said—“ merning, sir. Would you like to stay here fora time—I have every accommodation ?” “TI think so,” said Dick, ‘for we have come some dis- tance, and are weary.” “Then let me recommend you to stay here, for it is more than six miles te the next inn, where. although I say it, you will find ‘me accommodation very infericr to what you wiil have here.” While speaking, the landlord, reading assent ia the eyes of the travellers, came forward and assisted Maud to | iz ht. ick sprang nimb!y to cne ground. You have a capital vag there, 6‘r,” said the landlord, sooking at Black Bess with admiriug eyes. “Yes very fair,” said Dick, hastily. about ?” “ We is very likely not awake yet,” said the landlord. - #f you don't mind, I will take the lady into the bouse, “Is the esatler and in the meanwhile you can go round to the stable; you will find him somewhere about; I will be with you ina minute or so.” “ All right,” said Dick, and, taking Black Hess by the bridle, he led her off in the direction that had been pointed out to him. After much shouting and pulling at the handle of a cracked bell, he managed to arouse the attention of the ostler, who, by his appearance. had evidently been sleep- ing on the straw. t was a rare ving fer anyone to bring a horse to be put up at the Wood l’iyeon, and so this lad was prepared to treat Dick with al! imaginable deference. The gift of half a crown, too, made a wonderful im- pressiop upon him. He felt convinced that Dick must be a nobleman at the very least Before he had finished giving his instructions about Black Bess, and before she had been thoroughly rubbed down, the landlord appearrd. “I think [ will stay here all day,” Dick said. "Very good, sir; your g 0d lady does seem tired, and I ata eure you will have no fau:t to find with the accommo- datioa ; all that we have is of the very best quality.” Having seen to Black Bess, Dick returned with the landlord across the yard. Entering the inn, the landlord led him to the room ia which Maud was seated. But before he could accost her the profound stillness which prevailed at that early morning hour was broken in upon by the hasty tramplmg of horses’ feet and the rattle cf rapidly-revolving wheels. Dick reached the little projecting window «si ape atride Bcarcely had he done so than a ‘post-chaise, drawa b:- four horses, drew up in front of the inn, with a sudden: ness that seemed as though it would overturn it. The horses Jooked excessively fatigued, and thei’ fianks were dripping with perspiration. ‘The postilion, too, took off his cap and wiped his fore head on the sleeve of his coat, while he vociferated loudly for the ostler. The landlord wasin a state of great confusion imme- diately. Never before in all his long residence at the Wood Pigeon had he known a post-@haise to pass the house, let alone stop at his door. In the midst of his confusion, he recollected his own duty, and so hastened to the frout of the inn. By the time he reached it, the door of the post-chaise was opened from within, and a young man of strikingly handsome appearance alighted. Holding up his hands, he next assisted a lady to alight. She was richly attired, and seemed to be in an early stage of girlhood. Great traces of agitation could be seen upon her coun- tenance, of which, however, Maud and Dick obtained only a momentary glimpse, for the young man halfeled, half-carried her into the inn. He spoke loudly, so that Dick could not avoid hearing what he said, though, to speak truth, the highwayman was so much interested with this young couple, and had so grown to consider it was necessary for him to make himself acquainted with all things that came under his notice, that he would without scruple have listened intently at the door. At present there was no necessity for this course. “A bottle of your best wine, landlord—and quickly !” he cried, in rich, full tones, ‘‘and a little cake, or some- thing of that kind— whatever you can get most quickly !” Then, by the sound of steps without, Dick coul2 tell that the young man had Jed his companion into a reom on the opposite side of the passage, which ran completely from the front to the back of the inn. “* An elopement,” said Dick, to Maud, with a smile— “a runaway match, or something of that kind. Well, if they ¢-e tond of each other they ought to be happy. and I consider nv one should interfere.” In the meanwhile, the pustilion was busily engaged in rubbing down his horses, aud supplying them with hay and water. “We sha’n’t stay many minuses,” Dick heard nim an, in a confidential voice, to the ostler. “The fact is, ual ECO AAIG | @ JOOKSAGO