Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

IVAN THE “ Ah, how came this in your pocket when you ain’t worth more than ‘four copper ‘pieces, eh?” said the bold robber, holding up the purse. “‘T—I—quite forgot it was there, wife must have put it there,” ‘“Bless her for a good woman! And, when you return home, tell her you lent it to me. And now let’s know the history of this precious looking bit of paper,” he continued, holding up one of the documents,”’ “That’s a warrant.” _ Well, it’s a handsome looking bit of nonsense, to come down upon?” “Why, some one you may have seen about here, perhaps, Do you know, or haye you heard of Nat Fathom?” “The devil! Why, you white-livered lump of parchment parings pressed hard, you don’t mean to say that you are going to hunt down that poor chap? Surely he has had knocking about enough lately, without being persecuted by you, or any of your crew?” These last words were spoken with such vehemence that the judge was frightened. “It’s n—no fault of mine, The warrant comes from the king himself,” gasped Jefferies, in terror, “He's a villain, then, and so are you for doing this for him, you old quill-driving scamp! What does all this warrant say? What has Nat Fatomdone? Tellme now, quick, and no lies !’’ said the Eel, in great fury. ~ “Tt says he is a murderer and——” “A lie! Take care what you'‘are about, Mr. Lawyer, or else you'll burn your blessed fingers over this little affair |” said Tommy. “But, you know, I am only engaged by the king.” ‘Yes, I know, and I should advise you to look out for more honest employment. I know very well that Nat Fathom did not either rob or kill such miserable old devils as you or your master are.” ‘ “T dare say not ; only, you see, I—I—am obliged to——” “You are not obliged to persecute any honest man,” said Tominy. \ “Well, I dare say he is honest, but, then——” “But, then, you just stick to what you said last, or else I'll refresh your memory some day, when you don't much expect me.” ~ “Yes, yes, yes ; but please let me go.” “T}] let you go ina minute, Are you hungry?” ‘‘What do you mean ?” “ Could you eat a bit of anything if you had the chance?” . “ Well, yes, perhaps; I think I could,” replied the judge, who thought it best to humour his new acquaintance. “Then I’m blest if you shan’t carry this warrant home in your stomach, to keep it dry !” «“ What, that warrant for the arrest of Nat Fathom ?”’ “Yes, that very identical piece of paper.” ‘No, you don’t mean it, I’m sure.” _ “J never joke with strangers, and I mean to make you eat every bit of it,” langhed Tommy. At the same time Tommy the Eel drew from his pocket a large clasp-knife, which he opened ina demonstrative manner. “Mercy! mercy! Don’t, for the love of Heaven, murder ne!” said the judge, frightened. “T-ain’t going to murder you, but I mean to make you eat this warrant ; so, if you won’t take it in your mouth, I shall bore a little hole just under your chin, and push it down your throat that way,” laughed the Eel. The judge’s hair stood on end, and his knees would have knocked together had not the pony’s body been between them. ; — zs “Oh! have mercy, and I'll eat every bit—I will, indeed ! he cried. Tommy, with a broad grin and with two or three slashes of his knife, cut the obnoxious warrant for Nat Fathom into a half dozen pieces, which he presented to the famous judge, saying, “Now, then, spit it out.” The judge groaned deeply. In fact, I suppose my Who is it 7 sir, begin as soon as you please, and don’t TERRIBLE, 165 a “Now, then, none of those noises, I know what you mean to insinuate by those sounds,” “T don’t mean anything—indeed, I don’t.” “Because,” continued Tommy, “there’s no compulsion in the matter; it’s entirely a voluntary act of your own, you know, isn’t it?” “Oh, yes, of course, it’s anything you please, only do pray put your large knife out of sight before I begin, if you please,” said Jefferies, trembling. ‘Oh, yes, my penknife,” said Tommy, closing the ugly- looking weapon, which was nearly the size of a sword bayonet. ‘Well, I ain’t particular, so long as you eat every morsel of that paper, though I am really sorry I haven’t got any salt or pepper or sauces of any kind to give you with it. So now, Sir Judge, commence as soon as you like—the sooner the better.” Having put away his penknife he watched the judge while that unhappy individual contrived with many horrid con- tortions of countenance to swallow slip after slip of the important document. When he had finished, Tommy the Eel, who had nearly choked himself in his attempts to refrain from laughing, thus addressed him, “ Well, now you’ve had a dose of the physic you're so fond of giving other people, you can go along home and learn to leave Nat Fathom and all honest folks alone.” “Oh, yes, I'll do anything you like,” responded the judge, in great agony. At the same time casting his eyes along the road Tommy perceived a strange horseman coming up towards him at a good smart trot. At the same moment that the Eel caught sight of the rider, he at once tightened his clutch on the rein of the judge’s obstinate pony. | In a calm, deliberate, and distinct manner, which at once convinced the judge that he was in earnest, he whispered, “Tf you venture to make the least signal or motion, or say even half a word to this man coming along, I'll cut your throat as certainly as I am a living man, and no one in the world will be quick enough to prevent me.” His clasp knife again flew open with a click that sounded ominous in the ears of the frightened judge. The unknown horseman rapidly approached, and when within a few yards of the unfortunate judge, cried out, “ Will this road lead me to London ?” “Yes,” responded Tommy, with cruel insolence, “ follow your nose,” , “T’]] pull your nose, if you are-impertinent, my fine fellow,” said the horseman, as he rode off, thus putting an end to the judge’s hopes of regaining his purse and his liberty. The warrant, of course, was too far gone to be recovered. “ Now, then, be off with you,” said Tommy the Eel, “ and don’t come this way any more, nor trouble that brave man you had the warrant for, or else you'll get into trouble.” | So saying, Tommy gave the pony’s ear a sharp nip, which started him along the road at as great a speed as he was capable of. > “TJ think I served him out nicely. I wish Blue-Jacket had given orders to hang him ; what a fine chance I had to be sure. Ishall never have such a good one again.” eu So saying, Tommy again hid himself among the ruins in order to wait for a second and far more important personage than Judge Jefferies. He quickly retired, therefore, into the profound darkness of the ruins, and from the whisperings of voices it was plain that he was not there alone. What the Eel intended to do, and why he was thus placed to guard a lonely road, will soon be explained, CHAPTER LXX&XI, ACCIDENT TO SIR HUMPHREY GREATHEAD—THE ROBBERY BY TOMMY THE EEL. Tommy the Eel, had not played his pranks upon Jefferies very long, and while he was engaged telling some story, and Commicloooks.Coni