The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES. Beggarman, regaining his legs, rushed upon Ramsey —threw his arms forcibly round him—and endea- voured to hurl him into the water. But this was not so easily accomplished: it was a struggle for life on the part of the guilty lover of Lady Stamford—and his strength appeared to increas? 2very moment. The boat swayed from side to side in a manner that threatened the entire party with instantaneous im- mersion—and the Kinchin-Grand, being compelled to steady it as well as he could with the oars, dared not leave his place. “By God! we shall upset,” exclaimed the Beggar- man. ‘“ Come, Poll—lend a hand ——” * Miscreant! let me go—you may keep the money —you may have it all,” cried Ramsey, in a voice of rending anguish: for he felt that his strength was failing him. “I implore you—I beseech you— mercy—mercy ‘s “Bravo! Poll,” ejaculated the Big Beggarman, as his daughter at that instant rendered effectual aid; and in another moment the herculean ruffian hurled the shrieking Ramsey over the side of the wherry into the river. The boat rocked frightfully, as the murderer and murderess sank down into their seats to steady it;— and the Kinchin-Grand, pulling long and vigorous strokes with the oars, made it shoot rapidly away from the spot where this awful deed had been per- petrated. Then arose from the bosom of the dark water in the wake of the boat, the terrific cry of the drowning man’s agony,—a cry which seemed to rend the very air, and which thrilled to the brains of the guilty wretches on whose ears it fell. “Can you see anything, father?” demanded Car- rotty Poll, she and her sire alike straining their eyes in the direction of the spot where Ramsey had now gone down a second time. “ Nothing—nothing: it’s all up with him,” re- turned the Big Beggarman, impatiently—for that appalling scream had done him harm, ruffian as he was. “ Pullin to the shore, Bill—and quick about it.” “Which way—Execution Dock 2?” cried the young reprobate ;—and, without waiting for an answer, he sent the boat rapidly veering towards that point. “No—back again—to Horslydown—damn you for a fool!” thundered the Big Beggarman, actually ferocious. “We don’t mean to tell the Magsman anything about this affair at all,’ he added, more mildly. “Well—don’t play the bully, old feller—that’s all,” said the Kinchin-Grand, without losing his temper: and round went the wherry towards the op- posite shore, Silence now prevailed, and total darkness continued upon the scene,—a silence unbroken even by another cry on the part of the drowning man—and a dark- ness which seemed to grow more intense after the perpetration of that dread deed! In a short time the wherry reached the stone pier whence it had started; and the Beggarman, Carrotty Poll, and the Kinchin-Grand retraced their steps to the boozing-ken, where the last-mentioned individual received fifty guineas as a recompense for his share in the evening’s work, as well as to bribe him to the maintenance of strict silence respecting the dreadful transaction. =—_—_» 115 EE a ES Ne — Se eee eee oe ene ee Nae See eee CHAPTER XXXIITTI. MEAGLES AND THE AMAZON AT THE BOOZING- KEN. NEARLY two hours had elapsed since the return ot the Big Beggarman, Carrotty Poll, and the Kinchin- Grand to the vile den in Horslydown, when the door of that place was thrown open, and Tim Meagles, accompanied by the Amazon, entered the horrible place. For an instant the eyes of all the revellers present were turned upon Meagles, whose dashing, off-hand appearance and frank, good-humoured countenance disposed them completely in his favour: but the next moment every look was rivetted upon his com- panion, whose ample bust proclaimed her to be a woman, in spite of her masculine attire. And well indeed might they gaze with admiration upon the huntress: for never had a more splendid creature burst upon their view. The cold night air had imparted the richest carnation glow to those cheeks that looked so firm and soft; and her fine large dark eyes, so clear and bright, seemed to swim in a living lustre. The black brows, well divided and rather full than thin, set off the stainless white of her high and noble forehead: her coral lips, on which a good-tempered smile was playing, half re- vealed the pearly teeth ;—and her luxuriant hair, dark as night, and glossy as the raven's wing, show- ered in a myriad curls upon her shoulders. Then her bearing was so graceful and elegant—the garb which she wore so admirably became her symmetrical form, and her shape was characterised by so much unrestrained lightness, that she was all which one might expect to meet in a daring huntress, who was likewise a charming woman. Such a character was well calculated to win the admiration of the men, and even of the women, who were assembled at the Beggar’s Staff: and a murmur of gratification and delight pervaded all parts of the dingy room as the lovely Amazon paused to take a survey of the scene. But that feeling which her presence had immediately engendered, rose into ab- solute enthusiasm, when, taking three or four guineas from her purse, she unaffectedly tossed them upon the bar, bidding Carrotty Poll supply liquor to the amount, that the company might have the wherewith to enjoy themselves more fully than they were al- ready doing. Having thus obeyed the first impulse of a disposi- tion naturally generous, Letitia followed Tim Meagles behind the bar; and in a few moments the lady and her companion were closetted with the Big Beggarman in the little parlour. “You recollect us, my good fellow—don’t you?” said Meagles, as soon as the burly landlord had closed the door of the crib. “Yes—perfectly,”’ was the reply. “You came here, both of you, about six or seven months ago—as near as I can remember—to see the Magsman about a certain paper in old Lightfoot’s possession. I know all about it—and I likewise know who you are. You're Mr. Meagles, sir—and you’re Lady Lade, ma’am,” added the ruffian, with a low bow to the former and a much lower one to the latter. “You have a good memory,” said the Amazon, laughing. “ But we are desirous of seeing your friend Warren—and it is about that very same busi- ness, too. Is he here to-night ?” LL a a eee Com Clooolks.conn