Agnes Vol. 2 — page 108: what you’re looking at

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

{ AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 29 men were evidently eyeing him with attention and change of apparel with the least possible delay. with a growing surprise in their looks—for they But if he were to diverge from the main route doubtless thought that he was very young to wear and seek a bye-path, he might lose’ himacif the uniform of a captain of the shirri, a rauk | among the mountains; and as for tarrying any- whioh was almost equivalent to that of a colonel : where on the highway itself to procure other veet- in the regular army. They however retired into , ments, this seemed to be vut of the question after the tavern; and Charles lost not a moment in ' the incident which bad just occurred. leaping upon the back of his steed, snatching the “For suspicion must have been excited by wy bridle from the hand of the astonished landlord ;— egregious folly,” thought Charles; “and pursuit is and away the youthful traveller galloped like now certain!” hektoing, leaving the host of the village inn! He rode onward for about twenty minutes transfixed to the spot with a species of stupefied without drawing bridle: but now he came toa dismay at thia sudden departure. ‘hill which was so fearfully steep that he was com- The sdirré rushed out just in time to catch a pelled to relax the pace of his horse. The descent glimpse of the forms of our hero and bis steed ere | was jong as well as precipitous; and Charles had they were lost to view in a turning of the road. | not proceeded half way down the decline, when “ By all the saints!” ejaculated one of the offi- ithe sounds of galloping steeds were wafted to his cers, “there is something wrong in this! What ears. They came from behind. Ah! now his did he say? why did he vanish av abruptly P” | worst fears were confirmed—he was evidently “He said nothing,” answered the landlord, to; pursued! The moon was shining with a splen- whom these rapid questions were addressed. “In ' dour that made all things visible: our hero looked fact he only spoke one word during the few , back -and he discerned three horsemen on the minutes he was here » and that was just to say summit of the eminence, about half a mile be- yes when I asked him if he would take any rs- hind. Hedid not immediately urge on his own ireshment.”’ ateed again; but be watched to ascertain whether “And he did not wait for the refreshmont!” the pursuers would descend the hill with caution, ejaculated the sbirro who had before spoken: or whether they would rush wildly down it, reck- “but ho ran off like a felon! How old did you: less of danger. His uncertainty was soon cleared tuke him to be, master landlord? for you were; up: he perceived that they were adopting the neareat to him.” tlatter courae. They bad discerned him—they “Twenty or so, at the outside,” was the re- | were coming down the precipitous slope at a mad sponse,—“ quito a beardloss youth—-very hand-| headlong pace! Charles patted hia horse’s neck ; 6 »me ” and in another instant he was careering down the “Twenty! and he to wear the uniform of a/| hill as swiftly as those who were in pursuit. He commandant! This must bo looked to! Ah!) reached the bottom in safety, and now threw a and have we not heard how some strange freaks | glance over his shoulder. Only two of the horse- were played last night by a young gentleman and | mon were in sight: he had not timo to leave his lady who were boing taken prisoners to Bagno— glances lingering up the broad line of road in how they escaped and were thefi recaptured ” order to descry what had becomo of the third; “Well, but 1 happen to know that they did but he concluded that the man’s horse bad failed reach Bagno after all,” said anothor of the sbirrs: or fallen in the ardour of the chase. . “for I met a friend of mine in the furenoon tu-{ And now up tho ucxt hill dashed our herv: ba day, when I was riding down vonder by the stone the sounds of pursuit came nearer and ucarer from bridge—this friend belongs to Bagno 7 i behiund—and it was only too evident that the “Spare us a long tale!” cried the first speaker. | horsemen were gaining upon lim. Ele plied the “We will get to horse and pursue the young | whip with which Ussula had fortunately provided fellow who has just left ue! There is something | him ere he left Bagoo ; and the mottled ateed ap- wrong in the mattor, Lam confident! But if nut, ! peared to comprehend that its rider's urgency was no harm will be done.” | great—for it put forth all ita powers, But by The three sbirri bastened tu get their horses | this time twenty miles of the journey had been out of the wretched shed which served as an | accomplished, and the horse began to show signs apology for a stable; and they were just onthe of distress. Still Charles dared not sparo the point of mounting them, when they heard the pvor animal—for his pursuers were evory mument sounds of other steeds advancing st a furious gaining vpon him. And no wonder! they bad gallop—and in a very few moments three horse- | recently obtaincd fresh horses! men dashed yp to the front of tho little inn.! Tho summit of tbe bill was nearly attained; These new-comers belonged to the garrisou of/and our hero’s keenly attentive ear mad» him Buagno: they were in pursuit of our bero—and | aware that only one of the pursucrs was close be- their tale was soon told. Much rejoiced were hind him—but he knew that in two or three they, therefure, to learn that they were upon the minutes Lo must be inevitably overtaken. He right track: they left their own steeds at the | ventured to glance behind: the other horseman hostelry, and mounted the three which the sbirri i was atill half-way down the hill, A thought had just gotten in readiness, but which they now | Struck Charles! ‘he death-struggle must come Williogly abandoned to the service of the soldiers ;sooner or later: why not at this moment when from Bagno. he might stand a chance of beating hig enemies 10 Meanwhile Charles De Vere was specding on- detail? Ah! but he bad no weapof: for when ward at a rapid rate,—blaming himself fur his Signora Belluno provided him with a suit of, fully jn having halted in the hamlet, and deliberat- uniform, she had not thought it expedient, or oles ing whether it would not be better to turn into had forgotten to give him either sword or fire. some Dye-road, or else take measures to procure a arme. His only resvurce wae in the riding- whip, OO a) (©) 5 O SS ceo