The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

18 THE COURT OF LONDON captain thundered forth, the rattling of the cordage, the shaking of masts and spars, the frequent fluttering of the sails, the din of the rudder beating occasionally against the stern of the vessel, the tremendous oscillation of the tiller, the straining of the timbers from one end of the vessel to the other, the changing voices in which the gale spoke, now dull, low, and mournful, as if with subdued moanings, then loud, bursting, gushing, roaring, raging, as it. swept over the Atlantic, — these were the sounds which fell upon the ears of the two men as they sat smoking, drinking, and conversing alone together in the cabin. And although their discourse was of a private and particu- lar nature, no necessity was there to speak in whispers; for so great was the din without — in the ship, upon the ocean, _ and in the air — that there were intervals when the two men could not hear themselves speak; and thus, even if a listener had been stationed on the other side of the door, with his ear to the panels, he could not have overheard a syllable that was uttered in that cabin. It was now about eight o’clock on this memorable evening, and the anger of the storm was rapidly increasing to a perfect fury. But, comparatively unmoved by the elemental war, the Magsman and the Big Beggarman were deliberately digesting projects well suited to the appalling nature of the night that. was heralded by a blood-red sunset and an evening of tem- pestuous heavens. ‘“‘ Well, then, you’re decided on doing it without any un- necessary delay? ”’ said the Big Beggarman, as he refilled his: pipe and pressed down the tobacco with his thumb. “This very night, Stephen,’ responded the Magsman. ‘“‘ There’s no use in waiting any longer, and since our plans are pretty well decided on — ”’ Here the gale drowned the remainder of his sentence. “* Now let us look the whole thing calmly and coolly in the face once more,”’ said the Big Beggarman, after a long pause, ‘““ so that we may calculate all the chances that’s for us and all that’s against us.”’ “Good!” exclaimed Joe Warren; “ there’s nothing like. holding a proper council of war. In the first place, then, we must reflect that you and me are only two on one side against. the captain and nine men on the other.” (C(O) MG 6)(0)©)