The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

Xi a THE ROYAL GEORGE 25 copiously down their throats, they prepared for the worst with an undaunted energy worthy of a better cause. Each arming himself with a drawn cutlass and a loaded pistol, and having secreted the other swords in the bedding of one of their cots, so that those weapons should not at least. become immediately available to the sailors, the Mags- man and the Big Beggarman ascended to the deck. Watkins, the second mate, who had been left in charge of the ship, was standing close by the man at the wheel; and the other sailors were distributed about in different parts of the vessel, according to the nature of the duties which they were at the moment called upon to perform. The instant Joe Warren and the Beggarman put their - feet upon the deck, they hastily accosted the second mate and the steersman; and presenting their pistols, exclaimed, ‘‘ Dare to move from your posts and we will blow your brains out. Silence, speak not a word, and your lives shall be spared.”’ The suddenness of a proceeding so utterly unexpected, the determined manner in which the two ruffians spoke, and the cold contact of the muzzles of the pistols against the foreheads of Watkins and the steersman so completely astounded these individuals that the injunction of silence was in reality perfectly unnecessary: terror and amazement had already sealed their lips. ‘One word is as good as twenty,” said Joe Warren, now acting as spokesman. “ The truth is, then, that we have made away with the captain and the first mate, and we mean to take possession of the ship, or die in the attempt. If you fall into our views, well and good. We’ll sell the cargo first, share the spoil, and then hoist the black flag and turn pirates. But if you resist, we’ll continue the bloody work that’s already begun, by murdering you both. Now what say you? ”’ ‘“'Who’s to command the ship? ”’ inquired Watkins, who had by this time recovered his presence of mind and who now spoke with promptitude and decision. “You shall be the captain,” answered the Magsman, — “on particular conditions; and Bradley, the steersman, shall be first mate. Now, then, speak, what say you? ”’ “‘T agree,” returned Watkins, unhesitatingly. (Gi ®) Anyi