The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES. “ and thep,” he continued, the cloud deepening on his countenance as his suspicions grew stronger,— “ didn’t he seem to be precious ready to go on board the frigate, ip spite of the danger of being ruu up at the yard’s-arm f”’ . “I don’t know what tothink,” said the Big Beg- garmap, in a state of most bewildering perplexity and painful uneasiness, “J can scarcely make my mind up to proclaim Watkins and Bradley both traiters and scoundrels: for didn’t they negotiate that transaction between us and the American brig——_” “By heaven, they did!” cried the Magsman, slapping his hand violently upon his thigh as he leant against the cabin table: “and now a thought flashes to my mind!” “What is it?” demanded the Big Beggarmah, eagerly. “TJ tell you what, Stephen—it was through that very affair we're now betrayed!” exclaimed Joe Warren. “By goles! I seeit all—J see it all——and we are betrayed, as sure as I’m alive!” “ How do you kuow ?—what do you mean?” in- quired Stephen Price, alias the Big Beggarman. “IT mean that when Watkins and Bradley went on board the American brig to settle the compromise which the captain of that vessel proposed to make by paying the thousand dollars——” “ Yes, yes,” interrupted the Beggarman, impa- tiently. “ Well—what did Watkins and Bradley do on that occasion, think you?” “ They uo doubt told the American captain to give inforination concerning us to the first cruiser he should me¢t,” replied Joe Warren, his countenance expressing a diabolical hatred and a ferocious long- ing for vengeance against those whom he imagined to be engaged in betraying him. “ By jingo, that is not unlikely!” exclaimed the Big Beggarman. “ Watkins alluded just now to that affair of the American brig—and even reproached ws with it——” “Tobe sure! 4 man always throws into your teeth the very thing which is to be made the ijnstra- ment of your own betrayal and ruin,” cried the Wagaman bitterly. « Betrayal—ruio i” echoed Philip Ramsey, who at that moment descended from the deck into the cabin, and whose ear caught those ominous words as he was gliding down the companion-ladder. “ What mean you, my friends?” he demanded, with terri- Ged looks thrown upon the two ruffians alternately. “We mean what we say,” replied the Magsman, ferociously: “that we are betrayed—and that we satend to sell our lives as dearly as possible.” “ Betrayed I" echoed Ramsey once more. “By whom? Your captain and his mate have gone un voard the frigate——” “ And they won't come back again, lll be bound,” added the Big Beggarman, gloomily. “Now, then, every man to himself in case of need :”—and he began to arm his own person tw the very teeth. “ That's a good example, Steeve,” said Joe War- ren, fastening a cutlass to his own waist and sticking the belt round with pistols. “Now, Mr. Ram-—— Wakefield, I mean —~.” But as this moment the din of a cannon broke apon their ears, and shook the Royal ge as moch as if is had been fired upon its own deck instead of from the frigate. ‘The Magsman and the Big Beggarman hurried 189 up the companion-ladder; and the first glance they threw in the direction of the Diana showe: them that she had moored much nearer to the bri; and was evidently prepared to carry matters t the extreme, if resisted. “My brave fellows,” cried the Magsman, ad. dressing the sailors of the Roy d George, who were all collected in one group and Vazing with eviden uneasiness on the man-of-war,—*" you need no’ remain in any suspense whatsoever. Prepare yourselves for the worst: we ar3 betrayed! If we are takea we shall be run up to the yard-arm——” “And so we mean to fight to the very last,” added the Big Beggarman, flout ishing his éutlass. “ Bravo,” shouted the half-dozen sailors belong. ing to the Royal George, and who were disposed to follow tho desperate fortanes of Joe Warren and Stephen Price rather than surrender with the certainty of being hanged. A voice now hailed the brig from the deck of the frigate. “Let us learn what the King’s ship has to say to us,” exclaimed some of the sailors of the Royal George. “Hark! it's the captain of the Diang that’s going to speak!” And such was the fact. The commandiag officer of the man-of-war guaranteed their lives to the sailors if they would surrender at discretion: but from this proffered amnesty the tivo ringleader:: (che Magsman and Big Beggarman being thereby meant) were excluded. Scarcely was this proposal made, when the heif dozen sailors of the Aoyal George precipitat.d themselves upon Joe Warren and Stephen Price with such unexpected suddenness that these two redoubtable individuals were overpowered in aa instant. To disarm and bind them was the work of ancther moment; and as soon as it was per. ceived un board the frigate that the oo Officer's proffered amnesty with respect to the sailors’ lives, had produced such immediate and important results, a galley was again put of tothe Loyal George to receive the prisoners aad the rest of the crew. Into this boat were both tho Magsman and the Big Beggarman accordingly forced to descend. ‘The six sailors having thrown down their arms, likewise took their seats in the galley. Ramsey was compelled to follow— and the wounded sailor who had survived “the slaughter on board the Fire-Fily schouner, was lowered in his hammook into the boat. Asecoud galley now ar. rived from the Diana with an officer aud some few sailors who were to take charge of the Royal George; and thus terminated the merchant yes. sel's brief career of piracy. Suilen and silent, overwhelmed with the crushing sense of their sudden disaster, and cursing in the depths of their souls the treachery of Watkious and Bradley as well aa the cowardly perfidiousness of the sailors,—Joe Warren and Stephen Price stood ina few minutes upon the deck of the Diana frigate. But soarcely had they thus set foot on board ihe man-of-war, when an ejaculation of surprise struck upon their ears: and casting their Jooks in the direc- tion whence the expression of wonder had ema they recognised the well known countenance of Ti Meagles ! a a (COU (C DOO (CO