Journeys of the Kit-Kat Club; England - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIX AN EVENING WITH DICK T U R P I N Dick's ride to York--In hot pursuit--Three to one--The death of Bess--Dick escapes after all IS my share of the evening's entertainment," said the major, "I will read you an extract from Harrison Ainsworth's novel 'Rookwood,' describing the night ride of Dick Turpin, the famous highwayman you heard me mention on the coach from Bath, from London to York astride his famous mare 'Black Bess.' Turpin had been up to his usual tricks of robbing stage coaches or solitary horsemen. A constable, Paterson, and a lawyer, Coates, were in pursuit. While stopping at an inn on the outskirts of London to empty a glass or two with a friend, Turpin was surprised by the arrival of his pursuers. He made a dash for his horse, got astride, and was off from beneath their very noses. "Arrived at the brow of the hill, whence such a beautiful view of the country surrounding the metropolis is obtained, Turpin turned for an instant to reconnoiter his pursuers. Coates and Titus he utterly disregarded; but Paterson was a more formidable foe, and he well knew that he had to deaf with a man of experience and resolution. It was then, for the first time, that the thoughts of executing his extraordinary ride to York first flashed across him; his bosom throbbed high with rapture, and he involuntarily exclaimed aloud, as he raised himself in the saddle, ' I will do it!' "Aroused by the approaching clatter of his pursuers, Dick struck into a lane which lies on the right of the road, now called Shootup-hill Lane, and set off at a good pace in the direction of Hampstead. "' Now, ' cried Paterson, 'my boys, we must not lose sight of him for a second in these lanes.' "At length, after various twistings and turnings in that deep and devious lane; after...