Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

99 AGNES ; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. eee ——— ELT, 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 byo-path, he might lose himeelf the uniform of a captain of the ebirri, a rank | which was almost equivalent to that of a colonel in the regular army. They however retired into | the tavern; and Charles lost not a moment in | leaping upon the back of his steed, snatching the | bridle from the hand of the astonished landlord ;— | and away the youthful traveller galloped like lightning, leaving the host of the village inn | transfixed to the spot with a species of stupofied | dismay at this sudden departure. The ebirré rushed out just in time to catch a glimpse of the forms of our hero and his steed ere they were lost to view in a turning of the road. * By all the saints!” ejaculated one of the offi- cers, “there is something wrong in this! What did he say? why did he vanish so abruptly ?” “He said nothing,’ answered the landlord, to whom these rapid questions were addressed. “In fact he only spoke one word during the few minutes he was here; and that was just to say yee when I asked him if he would take any re- ireshment.” “And he did not wait for the refreshment!” ejaculated the sbirro who had before spoken: “but he ran off likeafelon! How old did you take him to be, master landlord? for you were nearest to him.” “Twenty or so, at the outside,’ was the re- sponse,—“ quite a beardless youth—very hand- » some “Twenty! and he to wear tke uniform of a eommandant! This must be looked to! Ah! and have we not heard how some strange freaks were played last night by a young gentleman and lady who were being taken prisoners to Bagno— how they escaped and were then recaptured 4 * Well, but I happen to know that they did reach Bagno after all,” said another of the sbirm: “for I met a friend of mine in the forenoon to- day, when I was riding down yonder by the stone bridge—this friend belongs to Bagno be ‘Spare us a long tale!” cried the first speaker. “Wo will get to horse and pursue the young There is something But if not, fellow who has just left us! wrong in the matter, I am confident! no harm will be done.” , The three sbirrt hastened to get their horses out of the wretched shed which served as an apology for a stable; and they were just on the point of mounting them, when they heard the sounds of other steeds advancing at a furious gallop—and in a very few moments three horse- men dashed up to the front of the little inn. These new-comers belonged to the garrison of Bagno: they were in pursuit of our hero—and their tale was soon told. Much rejoiced were they, therefore, to learn that they were upon the right track: they left their own steeds at the hostelry, and mounted the three which the sbirri had just gotten in readiness, but which they now , willingly abandoned to the service of the soldiers | from Bagno. Meanwhile Charles De Vere was speeding on- ward at a rapid rate,—blaming himself for his folly in having halted in the hamlet, and deliberat- ing whether it would not be better to turn into some bye-road, or else take measures to procure a | arms, ow Owe Oe Ree em a ee among the mountains; and as for tarrying any- where on the highway itself to procure other vest- ments, this seemed to be out of the question after the incident which had just occurred. “For suspicion must have been excited by my egregious folly,” thought Charles; “ and pursuit is now certain!” He rode onward for about twenty minutes without drawing bridle: but now he came toa hill which was so fearfully steep that he was com- pelled to relax the pace of his horse. The descent was long as avell as precipitous; aid Charles had not proceeded half way down the decline, when the sounds of galloping steeds were wafted to his ears. They came from behind. Ah! now his worst fears were confirmed—he was evidently pursued! The moon was shining with a splen- dour that made all things visible: our hero looked back—and he discerned three horsemen on the summit of the eminence, about half a mile be- hind. He did not immediately urge on his own steed again; but he watched to ascertain whether - the pursuers would descend the hill with caution, or whether they would rush wildly down it, reck- less of danger. His uncertainty was soon cleared up: he perceived that they were adopting the latter course. They had discerned him—they were coming down the precipitous slope at a mad headlong pace! Charles patted his horse’s neck ; and in another instant he was careering down the hill as swiftly as those who were in pursuits He reached the bottom in safety, and now threw a glance over his shoulder. Only two of the horse- men were in sight: he had not time to leave his glances lingering up the broad line of road in order to desery what had become of the third; but he concluded that the man’s horse had failed or fallen in the ardour of the chase. And now up the next hill dashed our hero: but the sounds of pursuit came nearer and nearer from behind—aned it was only too evident that the horsemen were gaining upon him. He plied the whip with which Ursula had fortunately provided him ere he left Bagno ; and the mettled steed ap- peared to comprehend that its rider’s urgency was great—for it put forth all its powers. But by this time twenty miles of the journey had been accomplished, and the horse began to show signa of distress. Still Charles dared not spare the poor animal—for his pursuers were every moment | gaining upon him. And no wonder! they had | recently obtained fresh horses ! The summit of the hill was nearly attained; and our hero’s keenly attentive ear made him aware that only one of the pursuers was close bee | hind him—but he knew that in two or three minutes he must be inevitably overtaken. He ventured to glance behind: the other horseman was still half-way down the hill. <A thought struck Charles! The death-strugglo must come sooner or later: why not at this moment when he might stand a chance of beating his enemies in detail? Ah! but he had no weapon: for when Signora Belluno provided him with a suit of uniform, she had not thought it expedient, or else had forgotten to give him either eword or fire. His only resource was in the riding- whip, er Te er en | A COMMCcMOOokKs LS AO en * eee oO (©) 5}