Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

ee Ss ere RT tre 1a4 wr See CHAPTER CY. THE M.STERY OF THE POST-CHAISE BEGINS TO UNFOLD ITSELF. THERE was one person present who listened to what was going forward with even more curiosity, interest, and bewilderment than even Blueskin did. That person was Jack Sheppard. It will be recollected that, in obedience to his comrade’s injunctions, he had taken up his position at the other window of the post-chaise, so as to be at hand to prevent either of its occupants leaving it. Of course, where he was, he could hear every word that was spoken with the greatest plainness. But what he had heard so far only served to make him feel the keenest desire to know something more of the affair that at present seemed so mysterious and incompre- hensible. That he would have this desire gratified, appeared ~ highly probable. From what the girl Susanna had said, he gathered they - were pursued, and that it was a female who was pursuing _ them. And that this female, whom they appeared so much to dread, was the occupant of the carriage that was coming _ along at such a rate there was every reason to suppose. If so, it would reach the spot upon which they stood in the course of a few minutes. Then, surely, he would know more. With his eyes turned in the direction of London, he watched its coming. In the darkness and distance its outlines were dimly dis- tinguishable. As he gazed with straining eyes upon it, something seemed to tell him that he was about to witness a strange episode in the great drama of human hife. , Leaving him, however, with his attention more directed to the road before him than the chaise window, where it ought to be, we will return to Blueskin, who had deter- mined, at all hazards, to take his booty before the other vehicle arrived. Accordingly he assumed a threatening manner, and, clicking the lock of his pistol, he said— ‘Do not drive me to extremities! I have had patience with you so far, but I bid you beware of delaying too long. - Do you value your life ?”’ “My life ?”’ “ Yes, your life. Do not repeat my words.” “TI do not value it,” said Charles, “ for it is as good as lost already. Kill me!” ‘ No-—no!” shrieked Susanna, and, springing forward, she twined her arms around his neck, interposing her body hetween them. ‘Spare him, and I will give you all we have. Wretched man! you httle think the amount of mischief you have caused by interrupting our flight !”’ ‘Then you are fugitives,’ said Blueskin. “‘ From jus- tice, perhaps, and so I have done a good turn, I suppose, to those who will not thank me forit. Never mind. Once more, I say, give me all you have of any value, or I will take it by force; and I warn you beforehand, if you drive me to such a course, I shall not be over gentle when I set — about it!” | Upon hearing these words, spoken as they were ina tone of the greatest determination, Charles, at the en- - treaties of Susanna, took from his fob a large gold watch, richly chased and jewelled, from which depended a long _ chain and a bunch of massive gold seals. | But Blueskin was not satisfied with this. ' he wanted, aud cash he determined to have. ‘This is uot enough,” he said. ‘‘ Quick, your purses, rings, and other jewellery! Make haste, for your lives! ”’ Trembling all over with intense terror, with hot tears streaming down her cheeks, Susanna, one after another, produced the various articles which had been named, and handed them out of the chaise window. Hastily placing them in his pocket, Blueskin would have made off, but at that moment, with a sudden dash, the pursuing vehicle arrived upon the scene of action. Still more audible and horrible became the curses which issued from Charles’s lips. Still more piercing became the shrieks of his com- panion. Tnen, before the pestitions had fairly brought their It was cash ee — ieee, oe eatin in a. ia aaa — =~ an BLUESKIN : A ROMANCE, foaming horses to a standstill, the door of the carriage which had just arrived was thrown open. A. female form came forth. Blueskin drew aside, but did not attempt to fly. He felt a sudden and uncontrollable desire to know more of the inmates of the two vehicles. He looked on attentively. . a moment or so he was rejoined by Jack, who said— “What's the meaning of all this, Blue?”’ ‘€ T cannot imagine.” Nor I.” “Tt is very strange.” “Very. What shall we do?” ‘* Remain where we are a little while.” With all my heart! but will it be safe?” “ Quite! There is nothing tofear. We are more than a match for any now present, and we can easily give our horses the spur if we hear sounds indicative of the arrival of any one.” All right!” This little dialogue was carried on with the greatest rapidity, but, having come to this understanding, both set themselves to the task of watching what course events would now take. The female who had alghted in so hurried a manner was tall, and a large travelling cloak which she wore could not conceal her really fine proportions. With the speed of passion she ran along the roadway to the door of the post-chaise. A loud scream burst from Susanna’s lips as she wit- nessed her approach, and, cowering down in the farthest corner of the vehicle, strove to hide herself from view. “ Wretch!” cried the woman, fiercely, and in a manner which sounded as though she had spoken through her clenched teeth. “ You thought to escape me, but, behold, a, fortunate chance has placed you in my hands!” As she spoke, she unclasped her cloak about her neck, _ allowed it to fall upon the ground behind her, in a eap. “Let me get at her!” she cried furiously. ‘‘ She shall live to repent this day, and you, too, villam, unworthy of the form you wear!”’ It was Charles who was thus addressed, and his terror a scarcely less than that of the young girl beside im. There was light enough for Blueskin and Jack to see that the apparel which this strange woman wore was of the best material, and doubtless it was under the domina- tion of blind rage that she spoke and acted in the manner she did. Springing up on to the step, she had the door of the chaise open 1n an instant. “Come forth!” she shrieked. ‘‘ Come forth, or I will make you! I will drag you forth! Do you hear me? Come forth, I say!” “ Now, Julia,” said Charles. ‘‘ Do not be violent, I’”’— The extraordinary female} named Julia did not allow the unlucky Charles to finish his sentence, for with the sudden fury of a wild animal, she jumped into the chaise, and, catching hold of him by the hair of his head, drew him out into the road. So rapidly and dexterously was the feat performed that neither Jack nor Blueskin would have had time to inter- fere, had they possessed the greatest inclination to do so, which, if the truth was told, they certainly had not. They had already learned the wisdom of remaining neuter in other people’s quarrels. Charles sat on the ground in a very rueful manner indeed. He did not venture to move, but he turned his head in the direction of our friends, and implored their aid in the most abject terms. The scene was ludicrous enough, in all conscience, and yet it was all the more horrible on that account. The woman Julia looked in a moment to see who it was from whom he asked succour. She saw dimly the figures of two men un horseback. “Help!” she said. ‘If you are gentlemen, if you have a consciousness of what is right and wrong, if you. are willing to assist a woman to avenge herself for the injuries which she has received, I implore you to aid me.” ‘“What do you wish us to do?” asked Blueskin, wha strangely enough, felt more sympathy for this woman, oe COMmiIcoooe CG <SnGOlin