The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 257: what you’re looking at

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ee —_— gAN 60 it come quite nat’ral, and there was no feeling here about it:”—and he laid his hand upon his breast as he thus spoke. “ But t’other thing was done al] in a minute: it was a sort of plunge from a puddle into the great deep sea. In course you can’t understand all that I’m saying—’cause why, you’re hardened to it. A chap that when he was a mere lad, could kill a feller and eat him, must be up to anything.” “ Well, and so I am,” responded Chiffin, with another grim smile, as if he took Tony’s words as a most flattering compliment and gloried im it. “Why, there was a time when you was as proud as a peacock to be noticed by Mr. Chiffin Esquire ; and you would have given one of your eyes to have earned the name of Cannibal.” “ ‘Yes—and a precious fool I was for letting you lead me away like that,” answered Tony Wilkins, with a remorseful bitterness that was moet un- feigned. “TI only wish I had a chance of altering, and doing myself some good in the world. My thoughts and feelings has drove me to have this wish: but in course I know it can’t be done. Besides, it would be useless. I should always sce them folks with their throats cut and their brains beat out, rising before me. So you see, it matters little what becomes of me; and if you mean mis- chief—why, I’m your man, and we'll fight it out in any way you like. Only don’t let us make more row than is necessary: let’s start off and get imto the open fields, if you like, and settle the business there: ‘cause why, I don’t want to get took up and sent to the Stone Jug.” “Well, Tony, you deserve anything I could do to you,” answered Chiffin: “but I really don’t see any use in our being bad friends.” “Can we be good ’uns ?” asked Wilkins, eyeing “Why not? Just now I said ing about forgiving you: but you wouldn’t have that word at no price—and so there’s an end of it, Suppose we say we'll let be bygones, have a new start, and work toge for the future? Now, Tony,” asked Chiffin, “what do you say to that ?” “I say that I'm in such a precious plight, I must do anything to get a crust. Now, do you think, Chiffin, that if I had had twopence or three- pence in my pocket to pay for a bed, you would have found me wandering about the streets at this hour? I haven’t eaten nothin’ since the middle of the day yesterday; and so this drink is getting into my head.” “Well, Tony, shall we be friends?” said tho Cannibal. “ With all my heart,” was the quick response: and here's my hand.” 4 The two ruffians accordingly shook hands,—sur- veying each other with scrutinizing earnestness at the same time, to assure themselves that no treachery lurked beneath this display of reconcilis- tion. If would seem that they were mutually satisfied with the way in which they met each other’s looks; and raising their glasses, each nodded in the accustomed style of familiarity. eome grab; and I myself am as hungry as a hunter—for I have been out on business all night, and had precious little sleep last night either. It’s getting on for four,” he added, glancing up at the sramenee clock in the tap-room; “and I sha’n’t go THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. to bed yet awhile. I must eat first. I kmow where the food is kept; and if you'll land me the light, Pll go and help ourselves.” Thus speaking, Chiffin took the candle—and left the room. In a few minutes he returned, laden with a dish containing cold meat, a loaf of bread, and half a Dutch cheese. These comestibles he spread upon the table, and bade Tony Wilkins commence an attack thereon. This the younger ruffian was by no means backward in doing; and for the next half-hour there was very little said, both being too busy in satisfying their appetite to “Well now,” said Tony Wilkins, when his ravenous hunger was ap “what's to be done P—for if you and me is to work together, the sooner we do summut, the better—'cause why, as I said just now, I'm altogether und.” “You have been unfurtunate, then ?” observed the Cannibal. “TI can’t exactly eay how I have managed to live at all,” rejoined Wilkins. “It wasn’t living —it was downright starving. I never had such a think it was a judgment time of it! Iraly used to for that there business——” “Don’t talk no more of it,” interrupted the Cannibal: “it makes you quite chicken-hearted. Look here, Tony,” he continued, @ sove- reign out of his pocket and shoving it across the table: “when I say I’m friends with a chap, I mean it; and you sha’n’t want a little blunt as long as I’ve got it to give you.” “Well, you're a good feller arter all,” ex- claimed Tony, as he took up the money. “I begin to feel summut like myself again.” “ Aye—and you shall be lke yourself again too, very soon,” said Chiffin: “for I’ve got a good thing in hand for to-night; and we’ll talk it over presently. Then I'll let you know what my plans are; and we sha’n’t be in London many hours.” “TI like you again, Chiffin, as much as ever,” said Wilkins, on whom the brandy had taken more or less effect. “Well, I'm getting rather sleepy,” eaid the Cannibal: “and yet I don’t know that it’s worth while going to bed. Half-past four,” he added, with another glance at the clock. “Suppose we lie down on theese benches and take a nap for an hour or two: then we shall wake up refreshed— we'll have eome precious strong coffee, and talk over different matters.” “With all my heart,” answered Wilkins: and he proceeded to lay himself down on one of the seats. The Cannibal did the same, and in a few minutes appeared to doze off. Then he sent forth a low snoring noise: but the man slept not in reality; and every now and then he slightly opened one of his eyos and looked in the direction where Tony Wilkins lay. He could not however discern whe- ther the latter was asleep, or whether de also was ing to be so, but was keeping on the watch for fear that the reconciliation might not be genuine. The Cannibal accordingly retained his : but not one wink of actual slumber did he take;—and thus the time passed on until the people of the house began to move about soon after seven o'clock. The pot-boy en- tered to swecp out the tap-room; and the Canniba, e t (COL (C DOO CS (COL