The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 391: what you’re looking at

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

eS SS gS S ay In about half-an-hour the fugitives looked vainly around for their pursuers; and they were now en- abled to breathe their steeds for a few moments. But only for a few momente—and then their course was continued at the same whirlwind swiftness as before. Another half-hour, and they drew in the reins again. Many miles of ground had now been passed over: the countenance of each was suffused with a crimson glow handsome did he appear to the view of the lady ! It was while they were thus walking their horses for the few moments they allowed themselves as ing-time, that the quick trampling of s steed coming from a-head, reached their ears; and @ turning in the wild unbeaten way which they were pursuing, suddenly brought them full in the tated to stop end dere e conflict with the brigand : but Juliana, with a ory of alarm, her steed into all the swiftness of which it was capable—so course; and the former exclaimed, “If it come to e death-struggle, my fair companion, you shall only fall back into the bandit captain’s power when I shall be no more alive to defend you !” looked back: Ramon de Collantes was still in pursuit—be was about two hundred yards be- “Courage !” ejaculated Forester: and this was the cry he had been continuously sending forth, for he feared lest Juliana’s strength and spirit should suddenly give way. But as she still held gallantly on, in her precipi- tate flight, that apprehension wore off; and he ex- perienced an exultant admiration for the heroimn E ; ni of ' sudden a pistol-bullet whistled past Forester’s os Good heavens !” cried Juliana; “he has fire- arms |”--and for an instant a dissiness came over y . !” again shouted Forester. “Look! look !” he instantaneously added: “we are saved ! You are beyond danger! Look! look !” And as his beautiful companion quickly tarned her eyes in the direction to which he pointed; she beheld @ squadron of cavalry descending an eminence. In a few minutes the soldiers, who at the spectacle of that chase put spurs to their chargers, were close upon the roadside :—Forester and Juliana drew in their reins—they were now = the midst of “Ramon de Collantes !” ejaculated Forester, was in full retreat. But his horse was wearied by the chase after the fugitives; and in a short time -| he was overtaken, Like a lion at bay, he turned and faced his twenty opponents. A pistol was dis- charged at the foremost; and at the very instant the soldier, reeling back in his saddle with a mortal wound, was about to fall from his horse, Ramon de Collantes clutched at the sword which was of desperation, did he strike right and left—ghastly wounds were inflicted—but it was only for a few instants that he thus was enabled valiantly to de- fend himself. A pistol bullet pierced his brain, Some of the soldiers, who were about thirty in " all, had remained to protect Forester and Juliana: the soldier said, it was well known to the military authorities of Catalonia that the had beso wont to harbour in the dilapidated beeer but on the occasions when a military force had bat very little coin was found about him—not more than a sum equivalent to ten or twelve pounds of English money. It therefore appeared tolerably evident that he had not been enabled to receive the ransom-moncy at Madrid; and this suspicion was speedily confirmed when the letter of credit, on being discovered amongst his papers, was found to have no endorsement, nor notification of any payment being made on account. As a matter of course this document was at once handed over to Mr. Forester,—who, we should add, forgot not to mention the circumstance of his valet being still a captive at the tower. He expressed his in- tention of ing to Barcelona, whither he desired that his domestic might be instructed to follow. , The soldiers departed in one directiun— Forester eee eee ee oD a a e (COL (C DOO a .* CS (COL