The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 357: what you’re looking at

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

THE CAPTAIN’S VISIT dol a slopdealer’s or outfitter’s, where I bought him a sea- chest and everything suited for the voyage. Next morning we went on board the ship, but as the wind did not change favourably till yesterday, the vessel had to remain at anchor in the Downs for some days. I stayed with him on board, for having once succeeded in getting him there, I did not choose to trust him out of my sight, or give him the chance of slipping away in some boat, in case he altered his mind. But he did not appear to repent of his decision; on the contrary, his spirits rose in proportion as he became accustomed to shipboard. As for me, I managed to pass the time pretty pleasantly, for the captain of the vessel was a jovial good chap, and there were six or eight merry blades of passengers on board. Sol amused myself by making them all drunk every night, and when I[ parted from them yester- day afternoon, they swore I was the best fellow in existence. As for Master Jack, I gave him his hundred guineas at parting, and he wept with gratitude. I saw the ship sail, and this morning I took a post-chaise and returned straight to London, to report all these particulars to your Royal Highness. So here I am, and that’s my history.” ‘“ You have acquitted yourself most admirably, my dear captain,’ said the prince. “I knew full well that you would not fail to execute my commission with delicacy, pru- dence, and caution, keeping me altogether out of sight and out of the question while conversing with the lad. But tell me, he had not the slightest suspicion that I had ever interested myself concerning him? ”’ ‘““Not the slightest,” responded Tash. ‘‘ The surgeon had evidently been most discreet and reserved during the many months the young fellow was under his roof. Besides, have I not already told you, sir, that, so far from even dreaming of your intervention in his behalf, Master Jack was perfectly convinced that he saw his previously unknown friend in me? ” “True, to be sure!”’ ejaculated the prince. ‘“‘ But now let us talk of other things. While you were gone I lost my young friend, your boon companion.” “What, Sackville? ’’ exclaimed the captain. ‘ Ah! I knew full well, before I went, that he would leave your Royal Highness. Those letters he received from his wife made him quite spoony, and when Sir Valentine Malvern (C(O) nn) GDoOo <Si