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.

322 THE COURT OF LONDON anguish; for he felt that his strength was failing him. “I implore you—I beseech you — mercy — mercy —”’ ‘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 perpetrated. 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 Carrotty 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,” returned the Big Beggarman, impatiently, for that appalling scream had done him harm, rufhan as he was. “‘ Pull in to the shore, Bill, and quick about it.” “Which way — Execution Dock?” cried the young reprobate; and, without waiting for an answer, he sent the boat rapidly veering toward 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 around went the wherry toward the opposite 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 darkness 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, Gomicbvooksn