Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 274: what you’re looking at

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

272 3 After proceeding about a hundred paces through a thicket which kept increasing in density every moment, they came to a small clearing, where the trees and ender- growth had either been removed or had never grown. In this place was a rudely-built wood hut. Its roof was shrouded by tall trees, whose branches projected far over it, and cast it into deep shadow. There was sufficient light for all three of our friends to note the appearance of this place with tolerable accuracy. Blueskin had halted at the edge of this clearing, an the other two, who were following, did the same. The former then pointed to the hut. Following the direction of his finger, Jack and Jonnson perceived near the door of the hut, and lying apparently across its threshold, the body of a man. At least, they took it to be such, althongh the outlines of it were only partially defined. Even as they gazed, t@xere arose the same cry as they had before heard. The connexion between this man and the shots they had heard not long before was too close to be overlooked, and they at once came to the conclusion that he was wounded. But by whom ? That was a question none of them could answer. Jack was young, and had, in some respects, a sensitive nature. ' In the present instance, situated as they were, cold prudence would have recommended them to leave that spot as fast as possible, and leave the wounded man to take his fate, lest his foes should come upon him, and be the means of discovering them also. But the humanity of Jack’s nature would not suffer him to listen to this selfish plea. He determined to succour the wounded man at all hazards, let bim be whom he may. He touched Blueskin, therefore, on the arm to attract his attention, for he stood near euough to him to be able to do so, and said—. “You will help him, Blue, shall you not? He is rt.’ ‘‘T should like to give him some assistance, poor fellow, but we are scarcely in a position to do so.” ‘““We are not, and yet I don’t see how we could make matters worse.” “Nor I.” ‘‘ Besides, if either of us were in his place, we should think it very hard to be passed by and not noticed.” c¢ True.” ‘‘He may be too much hurt for our assistance to avail him. At any rate, we can but step forward and see, and leave him to his fate afterwards.” ‘* Agreed.” ‘Stop a moment,’ said Johnson, “there may be more danger in this than meets the eye. Recollect, we are in very great peril. Suppose, now, this should only be some scheme to capture us?” ‘‘Pho—pho !” ** You do not think it is P” **T do not.” **Go on, then, by all means. I should be as sorry to eave him without ascertaining his condition ag your- selves.” This point having thus been settled, a]]l three cautiously crossed the open space. The diameter of it in its widest part was only a tow yards, so that they quickly reached the prostrate orm. Stooping down, Blueskin saw, that as they had first surmised, it was the body of a man. The moan of anguish which came from his lips as soon as Blueskin touched him, showed that be retained full possession of his consciousness. “Help! help!” he gasped. “I am shot. Help! help! I have come thus far. Oh! they have done for me at last. Help! help! or I die! Hark! hark! they are on my track—the track of blood! I hear the cracking of the bushes as they force their way. They come-they come!” This speech was uttered with strange volubilit,, Dut in such a low tone of voice, that had not Blueskin been bending over him with his car only about a couple of anenes from his mouth he could not have told what he BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. ‘here was not much to be gathered from his words— part of them were but raving—for Blueskin’s ears were quick, and he could not detect the sounds to which he had alluded. He continued speaking, but this time with more calm- ness and coherence. ““Save me, and help me! Save me, and help me! Carry me into the but—my hut. I am not much hurt. It is strong. Carry me in, and if I am to die, let me die q | there.” Bluesiin glanced upwards. The building was certainly strong. The door was open. ‘*He wants to be carried in,’ he said to hig com. rades. “Do so, then.” ** He says he is not much hurt.” “The place will serve us, perhaps, for a hiding-place,” suggested Jack, “‘at any rate, we can rest ourselves. I do not feel as though I could go much further.” CHAPTER CXC. BLUESKIN, JACK SHEPPARD, JOHNSON, AND THE WOUNDED MAN ARE ATTACKED IN THE HUT BY THE OFFICERS OF POLICE. ‘*THELP me,” then exclaimed Blueskin, ‘‘and we will carry, him in and see what the inside of the place is ike. ‘*'Very good,” said Johnson, and between the two the wounded man was carried into the hut. Jack came last, and he closed the door. A pungent smoke, as though coming from some wood fire, saluted their nostrils, and in a moment after they saw a faint glow at a little distance. This was the fire, and Jack crept towards it. The interior of the hut was profoundly dark, and he took his course with great caution, for he did not know what obstacles lay in his road. At length, however, the fire was reached. He kicked the embers with his foot, and a faint sputter- ing flame started up, which Ulumined the place with a momentary radiance. Jack was pleased to find that there were several half. burued logs of wood upon the fire, and by knocking these about he soon succeeded in making the fire burn up well, and give a bright and steady light. By its aid the wounded man was looked at, having becn brought close to the fire for that purpose. Ile was now insensible. His apparel was soaked in blood. He was dressed like an ordinary farm-servant. Rapidly and skilfully Blueskin undid his clothing, in order to find the wound and ascertain its nature; but before he could do so, his quick ears caught a faint sound outside. He sprang to his feet in a moment. His companions had heard the same sound, and a look of alarm appeared upon their countenances. The sound became more unequivocal. It was the trampling of feet, mingled with the murmur of voices. To rush to the door was an instinctive impulse which all three obeyed. They opened it a little way, and peeped out. A loud cry followed, and then there dashe? *"?9 the clearing about a dozen men. They were all dressed as keepers. The truth now flashed upon the minds of all three. The man who had been wounded was a poacher. He had doubtless left a track of blood all the way he came, and so they were easily able to follow him. Truly were our friends now in a most awkward predica- ment. © Blueskin, however, remembered what the man had said about the hut being strong, and so he closed the door in a moment, and looked for the fastenings. There was a very large wooden bar, fixed by a pivot to the centre of the door. One swing round, and it fitted securely in its staples. A large bolt was at the top and bottom, and these he ew. “He ig ip the hut,” cried a voice. ‘‘ Down with the door i” EO DOO C SS} o(CO) =}