Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 303: what you’re looking at

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

aati a oe ee oe ae (= poe HLUESKIN: ‘‘Nor so warm a one. I am glad I have made you uneasy, because [ am convinced that she is not safe where she is now, and that brings me back to my first question.” * About the money.” ‘Yes; dismiss from your mind all ideas of amassing a large sum, because it will take too long, and because the risk will be proportionately increased. We must get her away from Wild’s house at once.” T think it would be best.” *T am sure of it. Now, you say that in about one year she will be of age. How much will keep her in comfort for that period of time? Mention the smallest amount.” ‘© You will have many expenses to provide for, such as travélling and such like, which, in foreign countries, you will find very expensive.” ** How much ?” *¢ T should think at least five hundred pounds.” ‘That is a large sum.” ‘Tt is; but I do not think you could do with less,” *©T am afraid not. Let us fix that as the amount. We may get it very quickly and we may not; but the moment we do possess it, let us hasten to set EKdeworth Bess at liberty.” ** Agreed.’’ | Then we will fly and not return to England antil it is out of Wild’s power to injure her.” ‘Exactly. Iam glad you so much like the plan.” **T do like it, and shall always be grateful to you for devising it.” “it seems feasible.” **It does, indeed, seem mors than that; but we shall find it easier to talk about it than to do it.” “ What, now, is the most difficult ?” **T ean hardly tell; to me they seem about all equal. We shall have a great deal of trouble in getting five hundred pounds, and I caunot sce very well how Edgworth Bess is to be got out of Wild’s house. Then, as for leaving England, Jonathau will take good care to make that a difficult matter.” ‘*There are many serious obstacles to be overcome; but we must not allow ourselves to be daunted by them. More desperate things have been achieved.” ‘True. Iam glad we have had this bit of conversation, sor I think we both understand our positions better than we did.” **T think we do. I can see now that it would have been by far too hazardous to have left Edgworth Bess in Wild’s house, in the manner [ at first proposed, and the sooner we release her from it the better.” ‘*T am glad to think I have brought you round to such an opinion. At this very moment how ean you tell what danger she is threatened with at Wild’s hands.” ‘Do not speak of it, Jack, I implore you, or you will unnerve me quite. But, see, we have reached our desti- nation. This turning on the nght hand will take us direct on to the heath.” ** And do you think we shall find a good booty there P ” ‘Yes. People are obliged to cross it, and often they have large sums in their possession. The beanty of the place is, that there are no houses near, so that the report of a pistol creates no alarm.” **T see.” ‘¢T trust we shall be fortunate to take what wo want in one hooty.” “That is too much to be hoped for, I think.” * Pho !—pho! I have heard of such things.” ‘*Then I only hope we shall be so lucky, but I confess I have my doubts.” “Tt is all luck, Jack—all Inck. This way. How confoundedly dark it is. We shall be upou the middle read directly, where we shall stand the best chance of meeting with people worth stopping.” ** It is fearfully dark, Blne. I cannot tali at all where fam going.” **The old heath is always darh at night. You must keep me in sight. I know the way well. When we once get upon the hard roadway it will be all nght enough.” “ Go on, thea, I will follow close after you.” _ Phe heath was indeed profoundly dark—much darker tnan any one can now expect to see it, for notonly was it far away from London, but nearly thrice the size it bow i, = Wee ee eee eee 4 ROMANCE. o en, 301 2 tga To be sure, there were cottages here and there, and one or two gentlemen’s residences, but at the present time this picturesque and romantic spot is almost gsur- rounded with dwellings. Relying upon his intimate knowledge of the spot, Blueskin was leading the way across a narrow footpath which led into the road, which, from the faet of its dividing the heath into two tolerably equal portions, was called the Middle-road. This road he reached in perfect safety, and as soon as he emerged upon it, he drew in his steed, and waited for Jack to rejoin him. As soon as he did so he said— “Come a little further, and I will show you as good a position for attacking a traveller as any knight of the road could wish to have.” ** Whereabouts is it P”’ ; monet half-way up a rather steep hill, 2% io vory ark.” “Tt can’t be much darker than this.” ‘Oh! but it is the banks on both sides that throw a shadow upon it, even in daylight. Being on the hill, you must understand, every one who ascends, by the time he gets half-way, will be going at a slow pace, which will male it all the easier for us to stop him.” **T see. Is it far from this hill you speak of P”’ “No. Only a few yards. Indeed, I do not know if it does not begin here. However, keep straight on; you will soon become sensible of the rise.” Jack soon found this to be perfectly true. In a little time he found himself upon rapidly rising ground. ‘* Now walk,” said Blueskin, “ we have plenty of time, and we shall not only better be able to hear if any one is approaching, but if there are any, they will not hear us.” There was sound sense in this, so Jack immediately reduced his horse’s speed to a walk. The hill was a very steep one, and after ascending it a certain distance, Blueskin commauded a halt. *‘ Here we are now, Jack. ‘The way we have just come is the high-road from London, and it is of course from travellers coming in that direction that we must expect the best booty from. As near as possible, we are half. way up the hill. Don’t you find it very dark P ” ““I do. I can just see you and your horse, and that is all. I beheve if I was once to take my eyes off you I should not be able to see you again.” ‘That makes it so much the better. Now, listen. Can you hear anything ?” c¢ No >) “Nor can I. However, look carefully to the primings of your pistols, so that they shall not fail you in the moment of need.” ** You mean feel for your priming, for I'l] bo banged if you can see!”’ The clicking of pistol-locks followad. Presently Blueskin asked— ** Are you all right P” ** Yes.” ** Then ride down the hill about twenty paces, and take up your position on this side of the road. Do not nove. If a traveller comes let him pass you. I will stop him at the top, and then you ride up andery, ‘ Stand!’ which will make him think he is surrounded.” CHAPTER CCX. BLUESKIN AND JACK SHEPPARD COMMIT A DESPERATE NIGHWAY ROBBERY ON HAMPSTEAD-HEATH. ‘THAT is a capital plan, Blueskin. Any one could tell you were not a green hand at this sort of thing. I quite understand what you mean, and you ean rely upon my carrying out your idea fully.” “Off you go, then, and get yourseif placed before any one comes. You must mind and net do anything to attract their attention, or you will pué them on their guard.” * Trust me for that.” ; As he spoke, Jack turned his horse’s head in the direction he inteuded to take, and descended the hill about twenty paces, as his comrade had directed. He stopped, and then backed his horse to the side of the road, until the steep furze-grown bank prevented him going furthor. me rere ne Rn ce cComiclboooks (C(O) >