Black Hawke, the Highwayman. With numerous illustrations

Chapter I. The Chequers Inn

Late one winter's evening, somewhat about two hundred years ago, a traveller on horseback drew rein in front of a comfortable-looking hostelrie, a few miles on the road to Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. He had evidently ridden hard, and had come some distance, for his steed, althsugh a very fine sample of the most splendid breed, was foaming, and reeked with steam. She panted visibly, too, and snorted with something of gratification at the prospect of rest and provender. The traveller having dismounted, patted the noble animal caressingly, and giving her to the care of the officious osUeCy entered the inn. /o$y*» • Even externally the place had a cosy aspect, as it t__fv&j*?t No. i. \n; within the shelter of a semicircle of fine old trees, the snowlying like a white thatching upon its roof, and a cheerful light beaming from its old-fashioned windows ; but the interior was eminently inviting, and as soon as the traveller crossed the threshold, the genial warmth and the cosy array within gave him a welcome that he seemed to feel, for, shaking the snow from his cloak and hat, he regarded the view before him with the complacent air of a man who had made up his mind to make the most of the good quarters he found himself in, The hostess came forward with a smile, and while the chambermaid took his light valise, invited him to a room, where a bright fire glowed upon the hearth.

Here with much j2&«mony she saw him comfortably seated, and having reorders, brought him the refreshment he desired, curtseying, lef( him to his reflections. ~W^f CM TALES OP HIGHWAYMEN. When the door was closed, the traveller poured himself out a full bumper of wine, and remained at the table for some time, drinking somewhat deeply, though he only sparingly partook of the viands placed before him. After awhile, he leaned forward in his chair, and with his hands clasped together, sat abstractedly gazing into the sire. As he watched the ruddy embers, his face, lit up by their glow, took a saddened look, and presently he arose, and musingly summoning his thoughts, slowly paced the room. "The old ' Chequers' is very little altered since I last left it. Dame Margery is not here, though. I wonder if she lives still ?

That was her daughter Minnette ; I suppose she would not remember me. I have changed in form and features since I went away five years ago. I am not expected to come yet. I dare say I shall not be so welcome everywhere as the news of my dt ath would be. " I used to have a boyish fancy for the orginal of this, "_ he continued, taking a miniature irom his pocket, and gazing earnestly at the fair face the artist had limned there ; " but I am not likely to be insane enough to drown myself in des pair if she has proved as fickle as the rest of her kind; No, no. I have returned for something better than that ; I intend ablish roy claim to my paternal estates, anil if I cannot get the, a. why some one will have to pay, that's all. I have contracted some few expensive tastes in addition to those I in with, and if fortune deserts me I must be ripe for mischief."

As he disengaged her from his hold he laughed lightly at her dismay. Instantly a change came •er the young damsel's faee, and she looked curiously at him. " Why, Minnette," he said, quickly, " have you forgotten — '' " Master Merlin I" cried the young hostess, with a little cry of pleasure. " 'Tis I, faith ; but no names, little one ; there be some I would not have know of my return ; not yet, at least, so prithee keep thy counsel for awhile." "Oh, Master Merlin— dear sir, to think of your coming back after all this time ; and how you have grown— and handsome. Oh ! if Lady Florence could only have seen you looking so noble " A change came quickly over tho stranger's countenance. He paled slightly, and his eyes beamed with a drop li " Lady Florence !" he exclaimed, huskily. " Oh, Minnette, what of her 1" "Do you not know?

Indeed, if you don't, I' cannot tell you ; though, for my part, a lady that could so forget her pro mises, and— and 1 — I only know I wouldn't have acted so if I had been in her place." " Forgotten her promises ?" — a shadow stole over Merlin's face — " 'Tis womau like. But eome, Minnette, let mo hear all. Is shea wife I" " Indeed she is ; she is married to " ■ m, little on " Hir Andrew Greville." He replaced the miniature in his breastand r'efillin tankard tossed off the contents at a draught, " pledging his own health," as he pithily remarked, as he cast the dregs to the rusl en floor. The Are glow shone ruddily on his face, and as he stood erect you could j vantage of his form and feature. He was tall, well made, lithe of limb, but broad at the and with his fine head set well back on his shoulders ; his face was bronzed ; the features were pleasingly but boldly shaped ; his brow was broad, and his curling hair was ck from his temples ; his hands were small, and fair almost as a woman's, and his whole physique was expres sive of immense power and matehles3 beauty.

He bad thrown his cloak aside, and his attire, which was of the richest msterial. set off his elegant shape ; he had a short rapier by his side, the sheath elaborately ornamented, the hilt glittering with roundly-polished jewels. As ll* strodA across the room, treading with the graceful is, he tapped the hilt of his rapier carelessly, aa if in response to his thoughts, when he pondered upon the of gratifying those tastes which he had acknowdedged as expensive. The -step of the hostess approaching he sat down again at the table? and was leisurely quaffing the ruby wine when she entered, and demurely asked if he intended to remain for the _ The'stranger smiled as he answered, " I' faith, yes ; he would be a dolt who would go forth to-night from such social quarters as these. Not I ; prepare me a chamber in which I can repose in comfort, and let my horse be well tended to ; we have come a long way, and of the two I fancy she has had the worst of the journey."

" To him ?" The stranger reeled as if a bullet had stricken to his heart. For a few moments he seemed about to fall. Hi. lips white, his features darkened, and tho light in bis eyes grew more intense. "To him?" he muttered, between his grating teeth. " The liar ! — the thief ! Why, I have seen her cower when her father mentioned his name I I have heard her with shivering lips and whispering voice say that the cold tombstones should lie above her breast before that recreant traitor should take her to his arms 1 And now But why — why trouble for a bauble so worthless as a woman's love? No more of her; but for him ! 'fore God, I came to fight him for my rights — this is a man's cause— though not for her. And when I meet him, G-od and this .'*' He struck his rapier hilt violently, and strode across tho room, his face purpling with anger, his eyes gleaming fiercely, his lips wreathing in scorn and pi He seemed to have forgotten the presence of Minnette, who, with a face as pale as a sheet, stood timidly watching him in this ebullition o£ fury.

All of a sudden he turned, and saw her white face, and then his looks changed as if by a miracle ; the wildness parsed away, and he softened down to comparative calmness. " My poor little one," he said, taking her hands in his, " I have scared you." " Oh, Master Merlin, you did frighten me. You loo] awful, and the veins on 3-our temples were like what Granddatn Margery used to say could be seen on your father's when he was in a passion." " My father ? He had enough to make his heart swell from his body 1 To be run to earth by these white wolves — to be falsely charged and persecuted — to 'nave his home stripped from him, and to see his enemies lording it in the haUs where h;s fathers had been like kings — and now one of these vam pires adds this insult to my wrongs I My father's curse fall on me if I do not avenge him to the full !"

" The best chamber in the house shall be placed at your service." replied the pretty-looking hostess, "and I will see that your horse is well cared for, though, as for the worst of the journey, I think, good sir, she is well repaid .n carrying so goodly and handsome a gentleman," This was said with a modest blush as she was about to leave the room. Again he strode across the room, and frowned darkly iu his rage. Tlie stranger rose, a glow of pleasure suffusing his coun- :e as he walked quickly towards her, and taking her ; hand prevented her departure. "Aud who taught you to flatter, little one?" he asked, -. " It is usually the part of the gallant to return cornits ; but for so pretty a speech I must even kiss the . of so blithe a lassie.'J " Indeed, sir, no ; I— pray, sir — nay " She i to get from him, but the stranger deftly brought his face to hers, and kissed her right gallantly, In a few moments he was again calm.

The tempest of passion had passed away, but a settled look of stern resolve was on his countenance. "Do not let me make you shrink, Minnette," he said; "I am calm now. Do not regard my passion; but co; down, and tell me all that has happened since I left Ei First of all, your father ; does he live ?" " He does, sir." " And Dame Margery?" " She is at peace !" " Died full ofeye.irs and in content. Ah, how happy are they who are free from the turbulence of this world 1 But to hear all : Sir Andrew Greville has married Lady Florence; have they children ?" " One babe — a litftle boy." " Sir Andrew's brother Marmaduke ; where is he ?" " At the Hall ; he lives with them." Merlin gathered up his hat and cloak, and enveloping him self in the latter squeezed himself into the cavity. Minnette closed the sliding door upon him, and he was left to solitude and darkness.

He had been about thirty minutes in his cramped and un comfortable position when he heard the door of the room open , and somebody of evident importance rushed in. Lights appeared at the same moment, and a chink in tlie wood enabled him to see Marmaduke Greville enter, followed by the Jew. • " They are twins, but I know not which is the more wicked of the two. Stay, there was one Simeon Lazarus, a sallow visaged, usurious Jew, a robber of the poor and defrauder of the wealtty-. It was by his aid also my father loot his lands." The former came in with a haughty step ; the latter, cringing and debased, sneaked like a felon after him. There was a great contrast between them ; but the look of the villain was apparent in both, though anything moro hor ribly repulsive than the flabby, puckered, ashy-hued linea ments of the Jewish money-lender it was hard to conceive.

" He is still intimate with Sir Andrew aud his brother." " I would have sworn it, the white-livered devil ! His evil visage is the spawn of sin !" " He is a bad man ; it was only last week he was the ruin of a whole family for arrears of rent." " The dog ! But, to turn from him, how fares it with honest Hugh Marks, the miller?" " He is as happy as ever, and his daughter Nancy is the prettiest maid of the village." " I know no more I care to ask after ; so, now, good Min nette, I will tax 3-our patience no further." " Indeed, sir, it is a pleasure to speak to you, aud an honour. But I forgot to tell you something I think you would like to hear." " Some wine, and see that we arc not disturbed," said Marmaduke Greville, peremptorily. Minnette obeyed, and the door was closed. ' Before we proceed to business let us just see that we aro not overheard," was Marmaduke's observations as he drew his rapier, and, stepping on tiptoe round the room, probed every place likely to give concealment to a listener, Satisfied that they were not overheard he sat down, and for the space of nearly an hour the two were in close con ference.

" Whom concerns it ?" Merlin found his hiding-place conveniently constructed for hearing what passed. " Simeon Lazarus." " Ha ! what of him ?" Scarcely a word escaped him, low as was their tone. He learned from their converse that Marmaduke cherished " Only that I expect him here to-night." " To-night ? With whom, Minnette ?" Minnette stepped close to Merlin, and, in a low voice, said cautiously, " Sir Andrew's brother has been here this evening ; he sent a private message for old Simeon, a,nd ordered him to como here ; and indeed, sir, I have my doubts that they are about no good, and so ■" " I see it ; you suspect their villany. Place me where I can overhear them ; do this, good Minnette, and trust me, if there be means, I will thwart them." " I can do it if you won't mind being cramped up ia a very small place."

"Mind? I would get inside a scabbard to overhear the villains." designs against the happiness of his brother, and this meeting was to arrange for the disposal of the child of the mai who was to be carried off by an agent of the Jew's, aud secretly murdered, Marmaduke designing after this to make away with his brother, and assume his rank, at the same time possessing himself of Lady Florence. Merlin's blood boiled as he heard the terms in which she was spoken of. "Understand," said Marmaduke, " I must see this brat's death. The man whom you employ must bring it to me that I may be certain it will never trouble me hereafter." "It shall be done— it shall be done. Depend upon the service," returned the Jew, forcing a ghastly grin to his countenance, and rubbing his emaciated hands servilely together.

"We shall not be squeamish." " Enough. When you desire gold let me know. I shall now depart that I may be absent on this night ; but before dawn let the child be in my power." " The place won't be so small as that," saiel Minnette, with a smile. " There is aseoret corner here behind these hangings ; I can place you there, and when they come I will show them into this room and " "You are a clever girl, Minnette. Good, the idea of cir cumventing these villains is like new life to my blood. Put me into this cranny, and if I do not help them as cer a style they don't expect, may I never be let out again." A few more words relative to their compact passed between them, aud then Marmaduke went from the room, the Jew remaining. Promising to be back in time to place him in his hiding place, Minnette left the room, and Merlin, reseating himself at the table, recommenced quaffing the liberal wine.

His thoughts were of a vaiwing nature as he sat there, for at times he frowned darkly and clutched his rapier hilt, at others he mut tered au impatient "Pshaw I" and, bringing his hand forcibly down upon tho table, replenished his glass, and drank again to the success of some scheme he was concocting. " It shall be done, it shall be done, dear Marmaduke. Sir Marmaduke, as you are to be by my making," muttered the Jew, his drivelling face shrivelling with malice, " we shall not be squeamish. Oh, dear no ; the brat shall be taken, but it shall not die. Oh, no ; it shall live to be something which I will make it. Oh! Gocl of my Fathers ! Then some fine day it shall know its mother's name, and its mother shall know the name of her child, when I have brought it to the gibbet !" As the Jew spoke, his grisly face was convulsed with rage ; his blearisheyes started in their sockets ; his lips frothed.

" That is how she shall ■puy for insulting me," he or. a screeching whisper, "when she shall see her child — ah, her dear babe — die on the gibbet tho death of a highwayman !''

Chapter II. What Merlin Hawke Heard From His Hiding-place

" Oh ! oh !" thought Merlin, " that is your little plan, is it, my fine son of Abraham ? Stop a bit, stop a bit ! You may be stopped in your gallop, you rascally old dog." The Jew put on his hat, and drawing his cloak about his decrepit form, was preparing to quit the room, when i who had conceived a sudden^ idea, divested hi cloak and hat, aud slier panel, r. from his hidiug-p'acc, anel stood motionless behinel him. Simoon Lazarus was starn tte to one of those old- Mixnette came back after the lapse of half an hour, and in- 1 Merlin Hawke that he must enter his place of con cealment, as Marmaduke GreviUe was approaching, and, haviug rapidly cleared away all signs of the apartment having been yccupied, she opened a sliding panel in one corner of the room, and disclosed a dim and dusty aperture of barely rint width for a man to ensconce himself.

It looked anything but iuviting ; but this was no time to be scrupulous. He took her at an easy pace along the high road for some miles, and, arriving in front of a commodious residence, took up his position under the shadow of a grove of chestnuts, and waited silently for what was to come. He had not long left the " Chequers Inn " when Minnette, muffled from head to foot in a large shawl, cautiously left the hostelrie, and, unseen by any one, made her way after him. fashioned looking-glasses, when he saw, reflected there, the life-like image of a man whom he had long since believed dead. So great was the shock that his visage was convulsed with fright, his tongue clove to his mouth, a spasm benumbed his frame, and in horrible fear he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, Merlin (who had taken advan tage of the opportunity to glide back to his hiding-place) was gone; but the Jew still seemed to see the dreaded image.

Then he turned his palsied glance from the mirror and tottered towards the door. Merlin Hawke had remained in his position, a3 motionless as if himself and horse had been carved out of granite, for about twenty minutes, when a fellow, whose low-looking features could be distinguished as he drew near to the house, approached on a broad grey mare which he was leisurely riding. That the plot upon which the Jew and his employer had conversed had been well matured was evident from the fact that the new comer admitted himself into the grounels leading to the house, and, leaving his grey mare by the gate, went to the rear part of the house ; here a confederate admitted him, and, for the next ten minutes, Merlin sat amid profound silence. It was broken at length by the low crunch of a man's foot upon the soft snow.

Two figures came up the pathway from the house ; one a man— the one he had seen go in — the other a woman. She held a muffled bundle in her arms, and, when the fellow had mounted his mare, she handed him the parcel carefully, and, with every show of caution, let him out and closed the gate after him. " A female confederate," thought Merlin, as she went noise lessly into the mansion. " Well, my fine fellow, you are hurrying off, I must be after you presently." " God of my Fathers I" he muttered, " I did see that cursed boy with mine own eyes lie dead ! drowned 1 when I had thrust him into the river— and — now— he does come there again. Oh, it is awful 1 it is awful !" And with chattering teeth he crawled from the room. Merlin, who had rather enjoyed the spectacle of his dismay, then came from his concealment.

" So, you old venom spitter, I have found a way to reach you at last ? You are superstitious. You thought it was my ghost, eh ? good I You never thought I should get out of that river into which you flung me, Bcum of the devil's brood. A pretty plot for that poor babe — a. highwayman! I know not if I should care to interfere if it were not her child. I would leave the villains to their own venom ; but, as it is, I will save the boy. A highwayman, too ! You will have cause to be grateful, Florence ; and as I think you are at present in very bad company, why I shall take the liberty to carry you off to-night, dear one, for if you're to be made a prize of, I may as well win you as any of those d— d rascals !" " Poor little dove," he added, a moment afterwards, his recklessness leaving him. " It is hard to think of your being made the sport of these inborn devils.

I would I had them at my blade's end ! But that time will come, and then, good rapier, you shall go home to the ver3r hilt !" Minnette came in, looking very frightened, but her confi dence returned when she saw Merlin. Having waited till he thought all was safe in the house he whispered a word to Fair Rosamond, and the mettled charger, arching her graceful neck, was instantly off like the wind ; but, fleetly as she went, her hoofs touched the eaith with such wondrous lightness that they awoke no echo from the snow-covered ground. When Merlin had ridden a mile or so along the road he slackened pace ; the cumbrous form of the grey mare could be seen in advance of him. " I heard the Jew muttering your name as he went out, and I thought that he had discovered you." " Oh, no, little one, I merely gave the chicken-hearted scoundrel a fright — that's all.

I think I've sent him off shaking in his boots. But now, Minnette, I shall want Fair Rosamond saddled, for I must not abide here to-night, though, to-morrow, I trust to do so. Perhaps I may bring some one else also." Without appearing to hasten he soon got close to the fellow, who, hearing the sound of horse's hoofs, and beholding the stranger riding behind him, would fain have been somewhere else with his suspicious burthen. Minnette was surprised at the announcement ; but a few words from Merlin acquainted her with his intentions, and, after expressing many fears for his safety anel hopes of his success, she calmly entered into his plans and went to give orders for Fair Rosamond to be got ready immediately. "That's a sensible girl," said Merlin, musing, after she had gone ; " worth her weight in gold !

She can be trusted, too. I'll get her to lie in wait and take the child after I have taken it from the villain, for I shall not have much time to spare, and I may as well take Lady Florence to-night as any other time." But Merlin was presently up beside him, and in spite of his taciturn sullenness, would canyon a conversation with him. "Are 3rou not afraid," he asked, "to ride alone in so un frequented a spot ?" " No, I be not afraid," replied the man. " I carry nothing to lose." " Indeed ! Then what have you under your cloak, good friend ?" " Nothing that you would wish to carry even if 3'ou were a highwayman." " Are you sure of that ? Come, let us see ; your burthen seems heavy and I may as well relieve you of it." The man turned to make some saucy reply, but found the barrel of a pistol looking him in the face, and although he was armed, the determined air of the stranger quite overcame any idea of resistance, and he hastened to explain that his burthen was only a child, hoping by the confession to escape.

But Merlin pinned the rascal immediately. "lama man of few words," he said. " Deliver the child or lose your brains !" Too terrified to offer opposition, he delivered up the babe ; but Merlin had not done with the rogue just yet. He bound him securely, with his face to the horse's tail, and setting the animal off at full gallop, bade him God speed on his journey. There was light enough for him to look at the child's face, and with strange emotions he traced the likeness of his lost love, Lady Florence. " I will be a better keeper to ye both, than those men would have been," he soliloquised; "and that is all I dare say, for with no fortune but my sword and name, and the last attaint with treason, I have but poor chance n gainst those

Chapter III. Merlin Finds Himself In The Chamber Of Lady Florence

— THE JEW TURNS UP AT AN UNEXPECTED JUNCTURE— A HOT PURSUIT IS BROUGHT TO AN UN- EXPECTED CONCLUSION. The night was not very light, although the snow was on the ground; the air was not frosty either-; all the better, as Merlin thought, since there would be less chance of his horse's hoofs betraying him in the event — a not unlikely one— of his being followed after the daring abduction of Lady Florence. Fair Rosamond looked sleek and glossy even after her short rest ; the magnificent creature seemed to know that adventure was in the wind, or she would not be taken out again that night ; she pawed the ground proudl3r and reared her finely pointed head as Merlin softly called her by name and sprang lightly to the saddle. wolves of the devil. Nevertheless, if they come to demand of me, I will make a hole in some of their skins." stirring.

Unperceived by them Merlin passed along the grand corridor ; he had left his hat and cloak in the shelter with his horse. He covered up the fair face of the child. "A highwayman, indeed," he mused. " The old rascal. By all that's holy it would be a precious good idea to make a highwayman of him, the skinny-faced old harpy ; and I'll do it too. There are one or two of the band about this vicinity. I'll get this infernal blood-sucker on their scent, so that he may fall into a trap, and be taken, and perhaps the next execution may be for him. At any rate he will have to bear enough if the highwaymen take him captive." A light gleaming from a half-open door attracted him ; he remembered the room, and his thoughts grew fiercer. It had been his mother's apartment. He advanced and passed within. The vision made his breath come short and rapidly ; his breast dilated, his heart seemed to expand.

A lady sat in the apartment. She was reading by the light of a taper. A small black bound missal and a white crucifix were before her. The fellow whom he had bound to his mare was out of sight, when he stopped on seeing a cloaked figure crouching by the road-side. She was richly dressed. Jewels hung round her arms, and encircled her fairy throat. Her raiment dazzled the eyes. She had her face turned towards the doorway. Such a face ! Its exquisite loveliness was almost beyond mortal conception. A pensive look gently overshadowed the features ; the eyelids were half closed over the beautiful orbs flashing beneath, and swimming, as it seemed, in tears ; her throat was white and full ; her robe exposed a bosom of ravishing tint and softness. It wa3 Minnette waiting for him. She received the child tenderly, and nestling it to her breast, covered it with her shawl.

" Return quickly, Minnette, and be on the alert. Within an hour or so, I shall return with the mother — dear Lady Florence." Minnette was about to hurry away, when he stopped her. " If, any thing should occur, Minnette, that I should not return to-night," he said, in a kindlier tone, " take charge of the child. Rear it tenderly, and only let it know its parentage when it is old enough to battle for its own rights." He whispered to Fair Rosamond, and almost in a moment was out of sight. Merlin Hawke stood bedazed on the threshold. The seraphic being before him was Lady Florence. Not as he had left her ; her beauties had more expanded their glowing charms ; her form and countenance were more divinely perfect. Merlin might have remained there in dumb entrancement till discovery came if he had not suddenly thought of the purpose which brought him there.