Part 69 (2/2)

”If you please, sir,” said one of the postilions, a quick, intelligent lad, who, while we were speaking, had removed the saddle from the dead mare to the back of the off leader, ”if you will take me with you, I can show you how to stop them.” He then explained, that about five miles farther on there was a turnpike at the top of a long hill, which a heavy carriage must ascend slowly, and that -458-- he knew a short cut across some fields, by means of which, if we made the best of our way, we might reach the turnpike in time to close the gate before those of whom we were in pursuit should arrive. This plan appeared so sensible and comparatively easy of execution, that even Mr. Frampton could offer no objection to it, and, mounting our horses, we again resumed the chase.

And now, for the first time since I had heard of Clara's abduction, did I at all recover my self-command, or venture to hope the affair would be brought to a favourable issue. But the change from inaction to vigorous exertion, and the refres.h.i.+ng sensation of the cool air as it whistled round my throbbing temples, tended to restore the elasticity of my spirits, and I felt equal to any emergency that might arise. After following the high road for about a mile, we turned down a lane on the right, and leaving this when we had proceeded about half a mile farther, we entered a large gra.s.s field, which we dashed over in gallant style, and making our way across sundry other fields, and over, through, and into (for the post-horses, though not by any means despicable cattle in their degree, were scarcely calculated for such a sudden burst across country as that to which we were treating them) the respective hedges and ditches by which they were divided, we regained the high road, after a rattling twenty minutes' gallop. The point at which we emerged was just at the top of a very steep hill, up which the road wound in a serpentine direction.

”Are we before them, do you think?” inquired I of my companion, as we reined in our panting steeds.

”I'm sure as we must be, sir, by the pace we've come. I didn't think the old 'osses had it in 'em; but you does ride slap hup, sir, and no mistake--pity as you ain't on the road, your honour.”

”If I pa.s.s behind those larch trees,” asked I, smiling at the postboy's compliment, ”I can see down the hill without being seen, can I not?”

His reply being in the affirmative, I advanced to the spot I had indicated, and, to my delight, perceived a carriage and four making its way up the hill with as great rapidity as the nature of the ground rendered possible. Turning my horse's head, I rejoined my companion, and we rode on to the turnpike.

Half a dozen words served to convey my wishes to the turnpike-man, as many s.h.i.+llings rendered him my firm friend, and half the number of minutes sufficed to close and effectually bolt and bar the gate.

-459-- The postboy having by my orders tied up the horses to a rail on the other side of the gate, we all three entered the turnpike-house, where, with breathless impatience, I awaited the arrival of the carriage. In less time than even I had imagined possible, the sound of horses' feet, combined with the rattle of wheels, and the shouting of the drivers, when they perceived the gate was shut, gave notice of their approach.

”Wait,” exclaimed I, laying my hand on the boy's arm to restrain his impetuosity, ”wait till they pull up, and then follow me, both of you; but do not interfere unless you see me attacked, and likely to be overpowered.”

As I spoke, the horses were cheeked so suddenly as to throw them on their haunches, and, amidst a volley of oaths at the supposed inattention of the turnpike-man, one of the party (in whose coa.r.s.e bloated features and corpulent figure I at once recognised my _ci-devant_ acquaintance of the billiard-room, Captain Spicer) jumped down to open the gate. This was the moment I had waited for, and bounding forward, followed by my satellites, I sprang to the side of the carriage. A cry of joy from Clara announced that I was recognised, and with an eager hand she endeavoured to let down the gla.s.s, but was prevented by c.u.mberland, who was seated on the side nearest the spot where-! was standing. In an instant my resolution was taken: wrenching open the carriage door, and flinging down the steps, I sprang upon him, and seizing him by the coat-collar before he had time to draw a pistol, I dragged him out head foremost, an I, giving way to an ungovernable impulse of rage, shook him till I could hear all the teeth rattle in his head, and threw him from me with such violence that he staggered and fell. In another moment Clara was in my arms.

[Ill.u.s.tration: page459 The Rescue]

”Clara, dearest! my own love!” whispered I, as, shedding tears of joy, she rested her head upon my shoulder, ”what happiness to have saved you!”

There are moments when feeling renders us eloquent, when the full heart pours forth its riches in eager and impa.s.sioned words; but there are other times, and this was one of them, when language is powerless to express the deep emotion of the soul, and our only refuge is in silence.

Clara was the first to speak.

”Frank--tell me--what has become of Mr. Fleming--the pistol-shot--that maddened plunging horse--I am sure something dreadful has happened.”

”He is indeed severely injured by the fall,” replied I, wis.h.i.+ng the truth to break upon her by degrees; ”but -460- I was unable to remain to learn a surgeon's opinion--and this reminds me that I have still a duty to perform; c.u.mberland must be detained to answer for his share in this transaction;” and leading Clara to a bench outside the turnpike-house, I proceeded to put my intentions into practice.

But whilst I had been thus engrossed, affairs had a.s.sumed a somewhat different aspect. The turnpike-man was actively engaged in a pugilistic contest with Captain Spicer, who, on his attempting to lay hands on him, had shown fight, and was punis.h.i.+ng his adversary pretty severely.

c.u.mberland's quick eye had perceived the horses the moment he had regained his feet, and when he saw that I was fully occupied, he had determined to seize the opportunity for effecting his escape. Springing over the gate, he untied one of the horses, and striking down the boy who attempted to prevent him, rode away at a gallop, at the moment I reappeared upon the scene; while the second horse, after struggling violently to free itself, had snapped the bridle and dashed off in pursuit of its retreating companion. This being the case, it was useless to attempt to follow him; and not altogether sorry that circ.u.mstances had rendered it impossible for me to be his captor, I turned to a.s.sist my ally, the turnpike-man, who, to use the language of the ”Chicken,”

immortalised by d.i.c.kens, appeared in the act of being ”gone into and finished” by the redoubtable Captain Spicer. Not wis.h.i.+ng to have my facial development disfigured by the addition of a black eye, however, I watched my opportunity, and springing aside to avoid the blow with which he greeted me, succeeded in inserting my fingers within the folds of his neckcloth, after which I had little difficulty in choking him into a state of incapacity, when he submitted to the indignity of having his hands tied behind him, and was induced to resume his seat in the rumble as a prisoner, till such time as I should learn Mr. Framp-ton's opinion as to the fittest manner of disposing of him. I then replaced Clara in the carriage, which by my orders had turned round, rewarded the turnpike-man, as well as the boy to whose forethought and able guidance I was mainly indebted for my success, and taking my seat beside my prisoner, we started on our return.

One naturally feels a certain degree of awkwardness in attempting to make conversation to a man, whom only five minutes before one has nearly succeeded in strangling, however thoroughly the discipline may have been deserved--and yet silence is worse; at least I found it so; and -461-- after clearing my throat once or twice, as if I had been the person half-throttled rather than the throttler, I began:--

”It is some years since we have met, Captain Spicer”.

The individual thus addressed turned round quickly as I spoke, and favoured me with a scrutinising glance--it was evident he did not recognise me.

”Have you forgotten the billiard-room in F---- Street, and the way in which your pupil and a.s.sociate, Mr. c.u.mberland, cheated my friend Oaklands?”

The captain, on having this somewhat unpleasant reminiscence of bygone hours forced upon him, turned--I was going to say pale, but that was an impossibility--rather less red than usual ere he replied:--

”I beg pardon, Mr. Fairlegh, but I'd quite forgotten you, sir; 'pon my conscience I had. Ah, that was a foolish piece of business, sir; but Mr.

c.u.mberland, he always was a bad un.”

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