Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 132: what you’re looking at

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Ewes ee |. ee ee ne SA gel Oe ee — 2 2S I tents ET” Yatnacts se nme 430 BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. How, where, and under what circumstances, had he met with his death ? By whom had his pockets been rifled ? How came his dead body, stiff and rigid as it was, opon the back of that mysterious steed? aud by what means had he yetained hie seat ? What, too, was his destination ? To neither of these questions could Blueskin reply. So absorbed, too, did he become—and, when all the strange circumstances are fully considered, who can won- der at it—that he, for a time, forgot his own affaire. He was aroused, however, by hearing the grinding vu! wheels, and then the blast ot a horn rung out clearly on the might air. “The Oxford coach,’’ he cried. ‘I must begone. It would never do for me to be seen near this dead body, or I should have the greatest trouble in the world in removing suspicion from myself. I will draw him to the side of the road, and place him against the bank, so that he shall not run the risk of being mutilated by the wheels ; Yen CHAPTER LXXXVITII. A MUsTERIOUS AND HORRIBLE ADVENTURE BEFALS BLUESKIN ON RIS WAY TO LONDON, THe horse made a strange snorting noise ae Blueskin left his side, whose attention was too much engrvssed by what had happened to pay any heed to it. “He must be dead,” he said; “and yet how awfully suddeu! I wish I had a light now, but I must do with- out.” The rider’s face was partly turned to the ground, so, catching hold of the collar of his coat, he pulled him over on to ns back. Enough light was shed upon the earth for him to be ible to see with tolerable plainness any object not very far distant from him. Therefore, as he knelt down near the prostrate form, le was able to see it was a man who was some distance down the vale of life. His hair was thin and white. The face aad figure well filled out. His attire, though plainly made, was of the very best quality of material, but there were no ornaments about him, not even a watch-chaiu with its pendant seals. But what struck Blueskin most was the ghastly pallor of the countenance, which wore the marble hues of death. The eyes were fixed and open. There was no movement about his breast to show that he still breathed. ‘He must be dead,” said Blueskin. ‘‘ The fall from his horse killed him. It’s an ugly job, aud it shouldu’t have happeued if I could have helped it. Still, I may as and then continue my road to London.” As he spoke, Blueskin carried out his intentions. The dead body was placed in a sitting posture against the bauk on the south side of the road. Then going to the place where he had tied his horse to tree, he undid the knot and mounted. By the time he had done this, the lamps of the coach were plainly visible in the distance, and the guard blew another blast upon his horn. A slight impulse was enough to cause his horse to start . off at a good pace, but perceiving a town in the distance, well take advantage of the circumstance. He may carry | Blueskin turned down a narrow lane which wae on his left something about him which is well worth having. If he’s | hand, and resolved to wait there until the coach had dead he can’t feel the loss, and I may as well have the | passed. things as anyone else, aud a great deal better, too, I He was curious to know whether the ghastly object by think.” the roadside would be Perec by any of its occupants, Having thus taken it for granted that he was dead, | and whether they pulled up in consequence. Blueskin began to search his pockets with a dexterity But no, the coach came steadily on, the rambling of the en A SD (SP ee which sufficiently attested his long practice. | wheels reaching his ears with greater distinctness every But, to his astomshment, not one single thing could he | moment. find in any of the pockets. The lane was one that had tall trees growing on either He could searcely believe himself, and he mado a second | side of it. They cast a deep black shadow, for the season examination, but with the same result. was scareely far enough advauced to strip the branches of “Why, some one must have been beforehand with me, | their foliage. und emptied his pockets! What a strange thing] No He took up his position just a foot or two down it, and one lias approached him, and—ah !” with his face turned to the highroad. Blueskin suddenly interrupted himself with this excla- For a moment the idea of stopping the coach, single- wition, and sprang to his feet. handed as he was, came into his head, for he muttered— By mere accident he had touched the faee of the old ‘* { have had no luck in the way of money to-night, and mau with his hand. the Oxford mail will be sure to carry a rich booty. It It was icy cold. would be a daring feat for one mau to rob so many, but I ‘’ Good heavens!” he cried, “ not only is he dead, but | have a great mind to try.” But no,” he added, “ it would he must have been dead some hours. It he had been | be running too great a risk. Were I to throw away my killed by falling from his horse, bis body would be warm, | life, who would Jack and Bess find to protect them? For not cold. What am I to think of all this? ” their sake I will hold back; and, besides, my wound is With a greater amount of emotion than he in genrsral | easy, but I must not tax myself too far, and I am not cer- manifested, Blueskin stooped again, and touched on of | tainly in a position to cope successfully with so many foes. the hands. It shall pass! I will try some safer game.” That, too, was as cold as a corpse. This was a prudent and sensible resolve. Then he took hold of one of the fingers, and tried to The coach lumbered by. beud it. He waited until it was out of sight and hearing, and But it was impossible. The joints were quite rigid. then followed slowly, so as not to overtake it while chang- A further and still closer examination showed him that ing horses. the man had been dead six hours at the very least. ‘T would give no trifle to learn a little more about that But nowhere about him could he find the least signs of | horse and its dead rider. I suppose there is little chance violence. of my ever doing so, and too many important things are What, however, was the most awful circumstance con- | pressing upon me for me to be able to devote my fime to nected with the whole affair was that, beyond all doubt, | tracing it out. That it is but a small fragment of some the horse which had come by at such a furious speed had frightfal tragedy, I feel confident, and I should like to | carried on bis back no living rider, but a rigid corpse. learn the other details.” Fe, In spite of himself, Blneskin trembled at this horrible Blueskin trotted gently through the little town which adventure. Ile had cried, ‘Stand and deliver!” on the | he had seen, but upon gaining the open country beyond, highway to a dead man! he gave his horse the reins, and swept over the ground at The behaviour of the horse was now accounted for. | an amazing rate. Some of them have the most invincible repugnance toa! From a contemplation of the singular and mcet myste- dead body. They cau tell one from afar off, and neithee | rious adventure which he had had, his thoughts reverted blows nor caresses will induce them to approach it. to those two young and persecuted beings in whose good In the whole affair there was ample food for reflection [ fortunes he felt so warm an interest. and speculation of the most bewildering character. “T trv it they are both in life,” he said; “and yet, why Questions to which he would fain have been able to| should 2? Jonathan would wish them dead, and he awaiis some reply, thronged quickly to lis mind. would have no scruples whatever in the matter. low Whowas this old mau? What rank and position in] tediows the road seems! Shall I never get to Londer *” hre did Le held? Me urged lis liorse to fresh exertions, and uyon breas® = BOO ee a cteeget e Nge COmMICooOokKkS.c© - ibe OU Rene Se ree = ge gmt eye — >