Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 310: what you’re looking at

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

I ENE ect OL TT ES Rap Ds Ra RE = 308 BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. Their first impulse, after passing through this great | utterly impos sible for us to avoid capture at his hands, danger, was to clasp each other by the hand. aud then what would become of Edgworth Bess. She ‘We are safely through that, Jack,’ said Blueskin, [ would be left alone and helpless in that villain’s hands.” “and I can assure you it is almost more than I expected.” ‘We have had a narrow escape.” You are right there. We have.” © But I think Jonathan has gove back to Loudon this time.” So do J.” ; ““T think the best thing we can do is to make haste back after him.” “To London?” .* Yes.” *¢ T think so, too.” “ But what are we to do about the two horses ?” “Leave that tome. I will make it all right.” “Very well. Shall we get through the hedge into the lane?” ** Yes.” “ Which way do you think of getting back to London ?” We must walk, I suppose.” “SodolI. But I mean which way shall we take.” Blueskin considered a moment. “Tf we go on a little further,” he said, ‘‘ we shall get into the Edgware-road, and I fancy if we turn down that, it will be our nearest and best way.” *< Tt will certainly be the contrary one to that taken by Jonathan Wild.” **T know it, and that is one of the reasons why I think it will be best.” ‘Let us make our way there, then. You are sure this lane will take us out into the Edgware-road ?”’ *“ Quite sure. I know exactly whereabouts we are.” ‘That is all right, then.” Our two friends having scrambled through the hedge, proceeded along the lane as Blueskin advised. All was quite still around them, and they met with nothing that pointed to the presence of Jonathan Wild, which confirmed them in their supposition that he had made his way straight back to London. Every moment then served to give them fresh confidence. At length they came to where the lane terminated in the Edgware-road. oe ie notified this fact to his companion, who said— “We have got a fair chance now, so let us try if we cannot ascertain what sort of a booty we have got, for I can assure you J am very anxious to know.” ** Tt is dark, and we may have some trouble.” ‘Never mind the trouble. Let us set down on this bank, and try to form an estimate of it.” Blueskin complied. *‘'There is a watch,’ he said, ‘and one or two other little things of not much value.” ** Never mind them; there is a bag, is there not P”” “Yes; but it is neither so large nor so heavy ag I should have wished.” As he spoke Blueskin took from his pocket the bag of money he had robbed the traveller of. “Tf it is all gold,” he said, ‘‘ it won’t be such a bad mght’s work ; but, from the feel of some of the coins, I am sadly afraid it 1s silver.” “Don’t say that.” ** However, we shall soon know.” The string which secured the purse was untied, and then, turning it upside down, Blueskin poured the conteuts into his hand. His presentiment was realized. It was nearly all silver, and at the ontside the aggregate amount of the whole did not excecd five pounds. This was a bitter disappointment to Jack, who reflected upon the peril they had incurred, and the narrow escape tev had had to procure such a paltry sum. oe not forbear expressing his disappointment to ueskin. ““ Why, supposing we avoid capture, which is not verv likely while Jonathan is in his present mood, how long will it take to get together the sum we require ?” ** But, Jack, that would not be a fair way to reckon; because we have been unlucky to-night, that is no reason why we always should be.” **T don’t hke the plan, Blue. I am sure it will not answer. With the power he has at his command, % ‘Get up, Jack. Let us waik along the road and talk a little. You are taking to-night’s failure too much to heart, I am sure you are.” **T am not, Blueskin. Take my word for it, we have gone the wrong way to work.” ** Can you suggest any better scheme ?” *€ Not just this moment I cannot.” “Well, think. If you can hit upon anytbiug likely, I shall be glad enough to agree toit. But I do not know what else you could think of.” ** Stop a minute.” ‘What is it?” ** A thought strikes me.” Oh! is that all. I fancied you heard our pursuers.” **No—no. Blueskin.” “Yes, Jack.” *“Do you recollect soon after our affair at the Grange you took me to a place of Wild’s, at the Horseferry, West- minster.” ** Yes.” . Where Jonathan keeps a good deal of swag ?”” es.” “* Does he do so now P” ; ‘That is more than I could exactly take upon myself t say. I daresay he does.” © Well, then.” ‘What would you do? Rob him?” “ Certainly.” ‘It is a good plan, Jack.” *¢T am glad you are of that opinion.” *€ My only wonder is that I did not think of it before.” ** Tt is a wonder.” * But it will be a difficult piece of business.” ** Never mind that.” *€ And we are more likely to fail than succeed.” ** We can but try, Blue.” *‘'That’s true.” *¢'We shall run no more risk than we did to-night.” “Well, no, I suppose not.” ** And, Blueskin, we can almost make sure of taking at one stroke more than we require for our purpose, and it must stand to sense that the sooner we get the money, and have Bess safe out of Wild’s power, the better it will be for everybody.” ** T don’t dispute that.” ** Well, then, what have you to say against it ?” ** Nothing.” “ Well, then, I have nothing to say against it, having made the proposal.” *<'There is only one thing. It is just possible that Jona- than may have come to the conclusion that it 1s no longer a safe place to hold his treasures, and we may have all our tronble for nothing.” * We must run our risk of that.” **Come on, then.” ** Did you think of making the attempt to-night?” Why not ?” **T have verre. to say against to-night, of course; the sooner the better, I say.” ‘Very well, then; I consider to-night offers a better chance than any.” ** How soP” *¢ Jonathan will donbtless make his way slraight home, under the conviction that we are hiding somewhere on or about Hampstead-heath, and he will wait until he hears something of us.” **T would give a trifle if we had our horses back again. If we had I should gallop straight from here to the Horseferry, and, if possible, effect our purpose to-mght. Then the following night, when Jonathan's attention ig taken up with his loss, we will get into his house, and carry off Edgworth Bess.” “Oh! Blueskin, my friend, that does, indeed, sound like a plan that is feasible. Oh! if we could but be set down in Westminster this moment.” “Tt is folly to wish for impossibilities.” ** So it is.’ ““We must use our wits, and hit upon some means of Jouathan Wild will take such measures that it will be | getting there with as little delay as possible *° ee COMmiIcooo C SS o(CO) SS; ae EEA EI TS EEE Ean NED Ry Oma TT Ay a a panne ane, am