Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 393: what you’re looking at

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

BLUESKIN : oe allowed the feeble gleam of the taper to dismay them, but presented a bold front. One wave, however, of Blueskin’s weapou did wonders in the shape of dispersing them. At last he routed them altogether, and then he renewed his attentions to the wounded man. Lhe comparatively fresh air which filled the passage— fresh in comparison with the air in the vault—assisted very much to recover him, besides which, the stimulant which Blueskin had so unsparingly administered began to exert its effects. In a little time he managed to sit up, and support his back agaiust the wall. Then he partook of some more spirit, and, opening his eyes, looked with an expression of intelligenco into the face of his saviour. He groaned now and then, for he evidently suffered much agony from the rat-bites he had received. Blueskin could speak from experience as to their painful character. > But he thought not of himself. He gave his undivided attention tothe man he had rescued from the vault. He every moment got better and better. Blueskin spoke to him soothingly and cheerfully. “Recover yourself as much as you can. You are saved.” “Saved ?” ‘*'Yes, saved from the vault. Saved from all the horrors of such a death as you were menaced with.” “Oh! Heaven, yes.” * Believe me, all is well” ATL?” ‘Yes. I am but a poorfugitive, hunted by the minions of the law, but all that ITean do for youl will. I was forced by my foes to seek shelter in this spot, and I heard your groans while hiding. You are saved, and, when you feel well enough to accompany me, I will do my best to lead you from this place.” ‘*A thousand thanks!” ‘“* You speak better than you did.” “Dol?” ‘* You do, indeed.” “T feel stronger.” IT rejoice to hear it.” ‘But oh! the anguish which I suffer from my wounds is almost more than I can bear ” * Have patience.” “T have.” “You have escaped by a@ hair’s-breadth the most hor- rible death you can conceive, that of being eaten up alive.” “ By rats ?” “Yes, by rats. I have had a serious battle with them, but in the end proved myself the conqueror. I have ater them all off. But, come, are you now able to rise ?” “T think so, if you will assist me.” '} Come, then.” CHAPTER COLX. BLUESKIN AND THE STRANGER ESCAPE FROM WESTMIN- STER ABBEY, AND THE FORMER COMMITS A ROBBERY ON THE HIGHWAY. ILUESKIN assisted his strange companion to his svet. But it taxed his strength to the utmost to preserve an erect attitude, and he was forced to lean rather heayily npon our friend’s arm. “Take me from this place,” he said—oh, take me trom this place! The very atmosphere here is full of horror. Take me from it. For the service you have rendered me you shall be well rewarded.” - “J will not refuse your bounty.” said Blucskin, ‘because, to be frank with you, it wili be very acceptable tome. Still, I should like yon to uvderstand that I did not aid you merely from a calculation of receiving a reward for so doing.” “T know—I know.” “Twas hunted to the death, and, as the only resource [ had, sought shelter in this venerable pile. I gained a staircase, which led me to these vaults, and while explor- ing thely gloomy recesses J heard a groan; at first I was TESS a RE “UR aa SN RUS pe ea pe ES Sf RS IE 39k A KOMANCEL. terrified and full of fears, but I recovered myself, and— you know the rest.” “T do know the rest, my brave deliverer, and I can never reconipense you for what you have done; without your interposition and aid, I should, by this time, have been a mangled corpse.” ‘Do not think of that. you from this place.” “Yes, oh! yes.” CT will try.” 66 Ty Pa “Yes. Did I not tell yon I had been hunted here 2” “You did.” - “Phat argues, then, that Iam astranger here, which is just the fact of the case.” *T see.” ‘But I have reason to think that I have succeeded in throwing them altogether off the scent. Consequently my next proceeding will be to get out of this building.” “And you will let me accompany you ?” Certainly.” “Then you shall name your own reward.” While speaking, the strangely assorted pair made their way along the passage leading to the bottom of the steps. It will be seen that Blueskin was very frank with this stranger. But his reason was, he felt exceedingly curious to learn something of the history of this man he had reseued, aud he thought candour would beget candour. The stranger, however, never offered to saya word about himself. Nor could Blueskin well ask him, considering the manner in which they had become acquainted. He waited, for he was in hopes that ere long his curlosity would be gratified. The top of the staircase was reached without the occurrence of any particular incident, the time being occupied in conversation of too unimportant a nature to be put before the reader. Upon reaching the door leading into the Abbey, Blue- skin unlocked it as he had done on the former occasion, and passed through. They were now in the body of the building. Morning was close at hand, and through the numerous windows there came faint beams of light, sufficient to enable our friends to see their way without the little wax taper, which he accordingly extinguished. “We will get out, if we can, at the first door we come to,” Blueskin said. His companion assented. Like most other places, the doors in Westminster Abbey were secured more against anyone entering than any- one leaving the building. A lock was all that interposed, and Blueskin, having first reconnoitred through a side window, and ascer- tained that none of his enemies were about, pushed the bolt of the lock back with so little trouble that his strange companion was scarcely aware of what had been done. The fresh, cool, morning air blew gratefully upon their faces, and did a great deal towards thoroughly reviving the wounded man. But he presented a terrible spectacle. He was covered with sawdust coagulated with blood, or where it was not stained with the ensanguined fluid, the white showed out in all the more horrible contrast. Blood was flowing, too, from all parts of his body, and his clothing was torn to shreds. Such was the singular-looking object which emerged with Blueskin into the light of day from the vaults ot Westminster Abbey. The stranger, whoever he might be, was in a most deplorable state of weakness, and Blueskin felt that he should have to snpport him to whatever place he was going, for he could not have walked unaided. But how could Blueskin go with him withont incurring the utmost danger ? Even at that early hour people would be abroad, and curiosity would be excited the moment they canght sight of the blecding blood-stained object by the side of which Blueskin walked. ; The latter was, of course, in great dread of detection, and was obliged to be exceedingly careful how he showed himself. ; And yet Blueskin did not like to mention this You have asked me to lead wma, COmiIcboooks (SO) 5}