Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 308: what you’re looking at

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

tence De Or eee mT ene ce ae me ret ate ig Sey te Kili ali, «Simp ame ga —eiitieien ** But what are we to do P” BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. To his infinite relief, the moment he did so Blueskin “J have been trying to think of a scheme to elude him | spoke. for the last few niinutes.” *¢ Have you hit upon one P”’ ¢¢ No,”? ce Try.” **T have.” * Did you think of one at all?” ** Yes,” What is it, then P Let us hear it.” “Tt isso simple a one that I am afraid Jonathan will not be imposed upon by it.” ‘* Tell it to me.” “I thought this. Suppose we were to release our feet from the stirrups, and having got the horses up to a good speed, slip off their backs, and let them go down the road without us.” ** Capital.” It is a stale dodge, Jack, and one that Wild is well up to. If we were to slacken our speed, or stop to get off, he would know what we were doing as well as possible.” “Never mind. Get up a good speed, and then slip off. If our feet are free from the stirrups we can’t hurt ourselves much But then what are we to do?” “ We might hide behind this hedge until Jonathan and his crew went past.” “So we might; but look here, Blue, a better thought strikes me.” Be quick, and tell it, then, Jonathan is gaining upon us rapidly.” ** Suppose, instead of hiding behind the hedge, where Wild might perhaps find us, we were to climb up ove of these trees that go all along the road? They are leafy ones, and the branches grow low, so that we shall have no difficulty in getting one and shonld be up in a trice.” *“So we should, Jack. I like that idea vastly. If we can only shp off!”’ ‘‘ We shall have to be very quick in our movements.” *S'We shall.” ‘And be careful how we slip off, for if we either of us got stunned it would be a case with us.” “We must take care. Are you ready?” “Yes. But, Blue.” “What P” ** How about the horses ? ”’ ** Never mind them.” “What will the old Jew say ?” **We must make matters right with him. Never mind the horses ; let them go where they like. Are you quite ready?” c¢ Yes.” Off with you, then.” Kiven as he spoke, Blueskin, who had quite freed his feet from the stirrups as he proceeded, put his very peri- lous manoeuvre into execution. But in spite of the care he took to prevent such a re- sult, he fell heavily to the ground. His horse, however, never stopped a moment, and half terrified by what had occurred, went much faster down the lane. p Jack had fallen, too, and rolled over and over upon the roadway, but it would seem that, being the lightest, he had sustained the least injury, for he was the first to gain his feet. The horses were already a good way off, while the sounds of their pursuers became uncomfortably distinct. ose CHAPTER CCXIII. OUR FRIENDS FIND THEIR SCHEME SUCCEED TO APMIRA- TION, THe first thing, however, that Jack did was to look around him for his comrade. He found him extended upon the ground, not exhibiting the least signs of hfe or motion. With the dread at his heart that what they had talked about had occurred—namely, that Blueskin had been stunned by the fall, Jack made his way towards him. Their position seemed now to be most perilous. Had they taken the pains they had only to accomplish their own capture Pr Ina few minutes Jonathan would be upon them. vaok stooped down. ** Help me up, Jack. Iam hurt a little, but not much. I shall be all right again in a minute.” These were cheering words, so Jack hastened to raise him to his feet, and when that was done Blueskin pronounced himself to be wonderfully better. ** Quick, then, as you value your life. I question now whether we shall be able to climb before Wild is upon us.” “Take it easy, Jack. He is some distance off yet— further than I expected, a great deal. Ile must have halted for something, or else we gained upon him surprisingly during the last few minutes.” **So much the better, then, for us,” said Jack. ‘Now, are you better?” **Oh! yes, much better.” *€ Well, then, look before you.” ¢< I do.” **Can you see that tree ? ” cs Yes.”? “Take that one. It is easiest to climb. You see the lowest branch is within reach of your hand.” : * Allright, Jack.” **T will take the one next toit. Quick! Blue—quick With a good deal of uneasiness, Jack saw that his comrade had been much bruised and shaken by his fall, and now he only seemed partially conscious of what he was about. However, he went straight to the tree, and when he reached it, a fresh accession of vigour seemed to come over him, and, seizing the lowest branch with both hands, he mounted rapidly. Seeing this, Jack prepared to mount himself, but did not commence until his friend was fairly hidden among the foliage. Lithe and agileas Sheppard was, the feat of climbing a tree was the simplest thing possible to him. He was up among the branches 1a a moment. His first act was to syeak im a low tone of voice to his companion. ‘* Blue— Blue.” Yes, Jack.” ** Are you safe P” * Quite.” ** Keep still.” ** Do not fear.” ** Are you much hurt P”’ “No. Scarcely at all.” “T am glad of that.” ‘IT was half-stunued for the moment, but I have quite got over that now.” “Hush! Jonathan comes.” “Tle does. Do not speak again.” ** Nor move, for the least rustle might betray us.” There was not a moyvement—there was not a whisper after this was said. Breathlessly and eagerly they awaited the approach of their indomitable foe. Was their stratagem to be successful ? We shall soon see. On came Wild and his men. Their speed was a rapid one. * Blueskin and Jack were, however, quite right in supposing that he had paused. It was only for a moment or two, though. While in full pursuit off the heath Jonathan felt certain that they would adopt some cunning stratagem to get out of his way. He never for a moment anticipated he should have the least chance of running them down. When the thought occurred to him, the first thing he did was to east about him, and, by imagining himself in their position, think what would be the likeliest thing to be done. There was the old dodge of sending the horses on aud hiding in the hedge. They might try to adopt that. If they did, he could easily discover them. Accordingly he halted, and called his men around him. ‘¢ T think it very likely,” he said, ‘* that Blueslin and Jack Sheppard, who are on the road before us, will try some scheme for eluding us. For instance, the might dismount, and send their horses riderless at full galep 129 Be ke an SR tet ee (SO) CC SS} o(CO) a a aro ae eer ey am f DOO