The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 400: what you’re looking at

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

LS Sa ses st i i tay THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. from off the trap-door, and walked round and round it for upwards of an hour, giving vent to subdued growls the whole time. Then, suddenly —with one tremendous roar—it appeared to fling iteelf with a kind of desperation upon the partial opening of the trap-door, tearing at it with its claws, lashing its own sides and the ground with ite tail—evidently furious and frantic at being thus kept away from the victim it sought to clutch: but at last finding its efforts were all of no avail, the animal desisted, and the Burker could hear its cat-like paces retreating from the vicinage of the trap-door. Nearly an hour paseed; and there were no evidences of the return of the tiger nor of its presenee anywhere within the precincts of the ruins. The Burker to take courage: he knew that wild beasts seldom prow! about in the open country during the broad daylight; and he was resolved that the monster should not catch him there again in the evening. Cautiously sliding back the trap-door, he looked out ; and the coast seemed clear—at least within the range of his vision. He felt cheered and invigorated by breathing the fresh air; and emerging completely from the cavern, he looked in the direction of the spot where he had concealed the Gossoon. <A hideous spectacie met hie eyes. All the clothing was stripped off the corpee, and lay scattered about in rags and tatters. The stones with which thedead body were covered, had been cast or rolled to a con- siderable distance—thereby proving the strength of the wild beast. <As for the corpse itself, it was frightfully lacerated, mangled, and mutilated : in many places the flesh was completely torn off the bones by the claws of the tiger; but it did not appear as if the animal had banqueted upon any of the flesh. The Burker had possessed himself of the dead Gossoon’s wallet, containing the remnant of that individual’s provisions; and he now made a copious meal, washing it down with a good draught of the potent alcohol. He then resolved to carry into execution his plan of quitting the ruins: but first he peeped cautiously forth to assure himeelf that the tiger was not still loitering ebout in the neighbourhood. On this point he was eatisfied; and descending again into the cavern, he was about to secure a quantity of the treasure—as much indeed as he could carry off— when he heard a singular sound, like the blowing of a trumpet. Rushing up the steps, he looked forth from the ruins; and he beheld a colossal ‘ elephant approaching, with a mahout, or driver, seated upon his back. This individual was a Hin. doo—noét above thirty years of age—with rather a handsome countenance—and an expression of be- nevolence as well as of good-humour. He did not exhibit much surprise on beholding the Burker,— douhtiess for the reason that he was accustomed to ‘frequent those cities and towns where E awarmed; and he addressed the Englishman in the cus terms of ing salutation. These the Burker understood ; and he replied to the best of his ability. Pleased with the aspect of the man --taking his demeanour to be friendly—and gasing upon the colossal proportions of the elephant, which had sent forth that trumpet-sound from its trunk,—the Burker was smitten with an idea. He would make a confidant of the mahout in respect 889 portion might be conveyed away by tho elephant ; and when some distant place of safety was reached, it might be fairly divided. The Burker accordingly made rapid signs for the mahout to enter the ruins with him; and he likewise spoke as many words of Hindostance as he could command, to make his new acquaintance aware that a tiger had visited the scene, so that the mahout should be prepared for beholding the mangled corpse of the Gossoon. On the terrible word “ tiger” being mentioned, the Hindoo armed himself with a brace of pistols, which were in the holsters attached to the girth of the little seat upon the clephant’s back; and quitting the docile animal, he followed the Burker into the ruins. The Hindoo was horrified on beholding the corpse of the Gossoon: but by his looks he evidently com- prehended that the Burker had told him the truth in respect to the mutilations having been effected by a wild beast. The Englishman now directed the mahout’s attention to the sliding trep-door ; and lighting a torch, he led the way down into the cavern. The Hindoo followed him in fallest con- fidence — as indeed he well might; for he was armed with pistols and other weapons, whereas the Burker was defenceless. On beholding the vases filled with coins, the native’s countenance expressed admiration, wonder, and joy; and the Englishman, by means of signs and the few words which he could command, gave him to understand that they would remove and share this hoard of wealth, The mahout grasped the Burker’s hand gain, as well as in token in ratification of the bar of friendship ; and they went to work aocord- ingly. The mahout was provided with immense bags, in which he was accustomed to carry the elephant’s provender: these were slung over the animal’s back—the jars were brought forth—and the coin was consigned to those sacks. But the Hindoo— though an honest, good-tempered fellow—was not altogether without the characteristic cunning of his race; and in order to prevent the coins from jingling in the bags, he expertly put thin leyors of grass and large leaves. In a short time the sacks were filled to the extent which the mahout thought the elephant could conveniently bear; and the re- mainder of the coin was secured about the persons of the two men. They now set out together, both mounted upon the elephant; and the Burker was rejoiced to find that the mahout’s way was in quite the contrary direction from the town where he had seen the horrible tortures administered, and whence he had been scared off by the warning of the police offi- cial. The Hindoo endeavoured to make the Bur- ker understand the destination for which he was bound and the length of the journey which he had to perform: but the Englishman’s acquaintance with Hindostanee was much too limited to enable him to comprehend his new friend's meaning. It was however sufficient for the Burker that he had at length fallen in with one who seemed friendly disposed towards him, and who had an identical interest with his own, so to speak, in reference to the treasure whereof they had obtained posses- sion. In a fow hours a town became visible in the distance ; and the travellers reached a point where to the treasure; the whole or at least the greater | the road branched off into two—one leading direct a A COMNMUG MVOOLKS) a GO)