The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 398: what you’re looking at

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ee 4 THE MYSTERIES deadly reptile; and a cobra, uprearing its hooded head, darted at the face of the Gossoon, who was uppermost at the instant, his hands clutching the Burker’s clothes, and the Burker retaining him likowise in his powerful grasp. The Burker in- stantaneously sprang up to his feet, horrified and dismayed, a cold perspiration breaking out all over him; while the Gossoon, with an anguished yell, likewise started up, the cobra having bitten him on the cheek. Quick as lightning the half- maddened dervish snatched up a stone, and hurled it at the serpent as it was gliding again amidst the grass. The reptile was stricken just behind its hooded head; and it continued to writhe be- neath the stone which held it firmly down to the earth. Making a piteous sign to the Burker to leave him unmolested, the Gossoon hastily gathered some herbs, which hoe selected from amongst the grass; and putting them into his mouth, he began to chew them,—his whole frame quivering with the nervous excitement and suspense of his feel- ings. For a few minutes the Burker looked on, he himself being scarcely able to shake off the horrifying sensation which had seized upon him at this terrific interruption of the struggle with the Gossoon: but as he gradually collected his ideas, he began to deliberate on the course which he should pursue. The Gossoon, having chewed the herbs into s poultice, applied it to his cheek with one hand—while with the other ho made depre- cating signs to the Burker, evidently entreating him to Jet him have this one last chance of life, and that under existing circumstances all pereonal hostility should be suspended, But tho Eaglish- moan was already reflecting that if the medicinal properties of the herbs should neutralize the venom of the snake-bite—in short, if the Gossoon should continue to enjoy a hale and vigorous lifo—they would stand towards each other in pre- isely the samo position ag before. They would ave the same feeling that the security of the one gould only be guaranteed by the death of the other — for they wore mutually suspicious,—the Burker especially could no longer trust the Gog- goon,—and the latter hed moreover given him s suggestion, to the effect that the treasure might as well be possessed by one as by both. Thus was it that the Burker came to the con- clusion that it were ridiculous to lose the present opportunity, and to suffer the Gosscon to obtain an advantage over him. Ho thorefore all ina moment darted back a few yards, caught up a huge stone in both his hands, and hurled it at the Hindoo. The latter beheld the movement and gtarted aside: but that movement was too rapid to fail altogether in its effect; and the stone, in- stead of striking the head of the derviah, smote him on the shoulder, Down he fell, sending forth a how] that reverberated through the ruins: but the Burker suffered not an instant to elapse ere he repeated the assault. Another stone was flung— this time with better effect : it struck the Goasoon wpon the head. The crashing of his skull would havo sounded horrible upon the ears of any other person but the Burker, who remorselessly hastened to despatch his victim. | Thus was the Burker rid of the Gossoon—the man who had been his companion—in some sense his friend—but chiefly an enemy. Sale master of the treasure was the Burker now: but how could ! OF THE COURT. 887 he render if available? He had no means of con- veyance for such a quantity of jars; and if he were to load himself with the coin, he could bear but comparstively a smal] portion of it away with him. He must have time to reflect. But be remembered that if any of the inhabitants, or authorities of the district, or any wayfarers should happen to find him amongst those ruins with a corpse, it would be instantaneously supposed that he had committed a foyl murder, without provocation, and without the faintest shadow of exouse for the crime, He therefore resolved to conceal the dead body; and having rifled it, he dragged i¢ -to the extremity of the ruins, where he covered it with fragments of the dilapidated masonry. When this was done, the Burker sat down upon a mass of granite to think of the course which he should now pursue. To remove the treasure without a vehicle, was impossible: to obtain one without ex- citing suspicion of some sort or quother, seemed equally impracticable for a person situated as he was. True, he had q quantity of money about him, his own bag of rupees, and the Gossoon’s likewise; for he had taken this from.about the person of the corpse :—but his wretched apparel, his ill-looks, and bis suspicious appearance would inevitably bring him into trouble if he were to proceed to any house and exhibit gufficient coin for the hire or purchase of a cart. Then, whas was he to doP The only plan appeared to be the first which he had thought of~—namely, that of securing about hig peraon as much of the treasure as possible, and taking his departure from thas spot. Having made up his mind to the pursuance of this course, the Burker proceeded to manufacture a couple of torches similar to those which he had just now seen the Gossoon make; and inasmuch as from the rifled garments of the corpse hoe had procured the materials for atriking q light, he pre- pared for another desoent into the subterranean. The sliding trap-door of masonry was opened; and, having lighted one of his torches, the Burker descended the steps. But not many moments had he been in the cavern, when he was startled by hearing 9 sort of subdued growl somewhere within the ruins. He thought that it must be fancy—or at least endeavoured to persuade himeclf thes if was: but the gound was repeated—and it was ac- companied by @ slight rugtling of the long grass whero it was not cleared qway. For a few in- atants the Englishman was so paralysed by mortal terror as $a bo unable to take any decisive step, until suspense grew horrible beyond all endurance ; and then, with @ torch still burning in his hand, he bagan to ascend tho steps. With exceeding caution—shuddering from head to foot--and hors tibly alarmed lest some wild animal abould sprin at him, the Burker thus raised himself up unt his eyes could just look over the levol of the aper- ture, Then a fierca growl saluted his cers, inatane taneously followed by 9 second sound which may be described as a savage howl of affright; and he be- held a huge tiger retreating slowly, evidently in alarm at the light of the torch. The Burker was so smitten with consternation that he nearly fell down the steps: but suddenly recovering his pre- sence af mind, he closed the trap-door, all except gbout an inch; and he left it thus far open for a | fwo reasons. The first was that the spring might GOMINMUGLWIOOLKS a GOUUL