Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

BLUKESIN NN CT ET a reply, “‘is, I_am sure, possessed of too much good sense to be alarmed upon such needless grounds.” “It all right,” said Jack, “ she says she don’t mind.” ‘T knew she would not, especially if she took into account all the advantages there would be in staying in such a place. We might count upon absolute safety, for that we should rest somewhere is absolutely necessary.”’ “‘T am quite willing to be guided by you,” said Bess ; *€ besides which, I am most anxious to hear what you know about my father.” ‘You shall hear it. We will also take measures of some kind to rescue your possessions from your unnatural uncle.” “<I am very curious to know several things,” said Jack, after a short pause. ** Defer them until! we arrive. eae now is far from an agreeable occupation, besides which, I wish to tell you what I intend in a straightforward manner.” ‘One question,” said Jack ; “‘ how long do you think of staying at this abbey ? What is the name of it ?” ey. Yes, cpeiney Abbey. there ?”’ “That will depend entirely upon circumstances. At present it is out of my power to say.” few minutes now served to bring them to the boundary of the wood which surrounded the abbey ruins. It was evident, from the manner in which Blueskin took the lead, that the place was by no means unfamiliar to him. Jack observed it, but said nothing. He knew that all would be fully explained at a fitting opportunity. A broad, leafy glade, which seemed like some well- kept avenue in a nobleman’s grounds, stretched out before them. The turf beneath their feet was soft and springy, and the horses’ hoofs made no sound as they came in con- tact with it. Upon most occasions this spot was in darkness, but now, owing to the altitude of the moon, it was lighted up with great distinctness, and presented a spectacle of magic beauty very rarely indeed met with. As they proceeded, however, it grew gradually narrower, and consequently darker. Upon reaching its termination, Blueskin spoke. ‘‘Dismount,” he said. “ You will no longer be able to proceed on horseback. I will lead the way.’ Jack obeyed, and assisted Bess to alight. Both were glad, after having maintained one position for so long, to make this change. With his horse’s bridle over one arm, and the other arm supporting his fair companion, he followed Blueskin along a narrow and mazy footpath. It was only with difficulty that they could see about them now,and at every step they took the darkness seemed to deepen. But no words could possibly convey an idea of the intense silence that prevailed in that deserted place at that lonely hour, nor can the imagination, without reality, form a due conception of it. Mone tangled became the path at every step they took, and more difficult to travel. Luxuriant undergrowth encumbered the ground, while projecting boughs from the trees and shrubs on either side of them formed almost an impenetrable barrier. But when it seemed as though really they could force a way no further, a light appeared before them, and, in another moment, they emerged into a kind of courtyard in the abbey ruins. This place, seen by the chastened light that then illu- mined it, was, indeed, most beautiful, and such as neither Jack nor Bess had ever seen or heard of. Lhe inclosure in which they stood was about a hundred yards in length, by forty or fifty in breadth. It was surrounded on all sides by tall, crumbling walls, their gray-looking surface being in many places relieved by dark patches, where the ivy, and other climbing pare- sites, embraced them. Many windows and _ quaint-looking doorways were visible—the former all light—the latter deep shadow. It was, however, but a hurried and transient view that Sheppard and his companion had of this place. Calling to them to follow him, Blueskin made his way in a direct line across it, and under a dark archway. How long are we to stay : A ROMANCE, 85 On the other side of this was a small paved court, not dissimilar in appearance to the one they had just left. Beyond this there was another and another, which served to show Jack the vastness of the building. At length Blueskin paused before a low arched door. The stout oak wood of which it was composed had, like the walls, resisted time. It was clamped heavily with iron, which doubtless contributed not a little to its durability, for it now presented an appearance of great strength. “It is a fine place, Jack, is it not?’ said Blueskin. ‘A httle ghostly-looking, but I lke it all the better for that.”’ ‘* T should think we should be safe here ?”’ “‘ Safer than anywhere in England. Even if they knew we were secreted here, and that is a piece of knowledge they are not likely to get, they would have a great deal of trouble in capturing us. There are a thousand turnings and windings and secret places in the ancient fabric that would puzzle them, for the monks who built this place in olden times had cunning spirits.” * You seem to know all about it, Blue ?” ¢ Do I ?”? ‘*'Yes. Have you ever been here before ?”’ “Wait a bit. I'll tell you all presently. Bess, my dear —you must excuse me, you know—are you not very tired and badly in want of a rest ?”’ ‘“*T am indeed.” “Very well. Jack, just hold my horse a minute, and then I shall be able to unfasten the door.”’ Jack hastened forward, and took Blueskin’s horse by the bridle, while that individual, after a minute’s search in his pocket, produced a picklock. Long practice had made him skilful m the use of such articles, and the bolt of the lock flew back in a moment. nee door creaked dismaly as it swung open upon its inges. lueskin took his horse again and led him through the opening. Jack Sheppard, with Bess and his horse, followed. It was in a kind of garden that they now found them- selves, or rather what had at some remote period or other been a garden. Now it was merely an enclosed place, overgrown with tall, luxuriant grass. A great portion of this place was in shadow, for the walls were so high as to intercept at least one-half of the moon’s rays. Jack Sheppard and Edgworth Bess could not help looking about them with the greatest curiosity and interest. To the young and unvitiated taste there 1s always some- thing entrancing in the contemplation of such scenes. *“'This place will do for the horses,” said Blueskin, as he turned his loose. ‘‘ They cannot stray from here, do what they will, for there is no outlet except by that door yonder, and that we can keep closed.” As he spoke, Blueskin raised his arm, and pointed toa small door in the wall nearly opposite the one by which they had entered, and which had been carefully secured again. ae And where does that lead to ?”’ asked Jack. “To the interior of the ruins. Hitherto you have seen nothing but the outer courts.” ‘“‘ It is an extensive place.” * You have had no means of judging of its vastness, for what you have seen forms but a small portion of the vene- rable pile. But come, I will show you the interior.” _ With the help of the picklock Blueskin opened the little door. He stood on one side to allow his companion to pass him. Then he secured the door. ‘“‘ Keep straight along the passage. There is no obstruc- tion, and it is only a few feet in length. There is a flight of steps at the end. But although this assurance had been given him, Jack felt rather disinclined to walk along a place so profoundly dark as that was, so he would have Blueskin to precede them. It was not for his own sake though, that Jack Sheppard was so careful. It was for his companion’s. Blueskin advanced without hestitation to the foot of the stairs he had spoken of. “ It is an awkward place in the dark for those who ave unaccustomed to it, so I will get a Jight.” ‘Will it be safe ?”’ eae eee Ss ie, f _$ P : fad COMmIICcoooks (SO)