The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 366: what you’re looking at

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

THE STEAM PACKET. 285 you the explanation promised just now. Gentlemen,” added the cap- tain, turning towards the bailiff and his companion, ‘‘I am now ready to accompany you.”’ ‘* I must inform you, sir,” said the gentleman in the blue coat, now speaking for the first time, ‘‘ that I am the Justice of the Peace for this town and its district, and that my duty compels me to attend upon such occasions as the present, when the caption is made in a house or its premises, to see that the proceedings be peaceably and legally conducted. Ihave now alsoto inform you that you are not compelled to repair to prison until sun-set; but may walk about accompanied by the bailiff and his follower’’—here the magistrate and bailiff both glanced towards the two ill-looking fellows at the gate before alluded to—* to endeavour to obtain the means of settling the debt.” *“‘T thank you, sir,” said Captain Pentonville; ‘‘but as I have no chance of immediately obtaining the money to liquidate the amount claimed, possessing no resident friend in Boulogne, I should rather proceed to prison without delay. Mr. Pifpaf—Mr. Smale—I return you my sincerest thanks for past civilities—past kindnesses; do not reproach me for my misdeeds—I am 1 already about to widens the penalty attached to them.” The captain bowed to the two Luminaries whom he had hus ad- dressed, and then walked rapidly away, accompanied by the bailiff and the Justice of Peace, and followed up the street, at a respectful dis- tance, by the officer’s two men. Meantime Mr. Gibbins, upon leaving his master’s room as ere now related, had strolled as far as the Hotel des Bains, where he accosted a fat, pampered, important-looking walter, who was lounging at the door of the passage leading to the coffee-room. ‘* Parley-woo English, my fine feller ?”’ said Mr. Gibbins, in a tone of familiarity which was intended to place the sleek waiter quite at his ease. The waiter nodded his head majestically, ie stretched out his Tees so as to form an acute angle with the floor, as he waved his hand and his napkin as a signal for Mr. Gibbins to proceed, “Oh! you does, does you?” said Tom, giving the stout waiter a poke in the ribs; ‘¢ vell, that’s a blessin’.” *¢ And what your beesness, young man?”’ demanded the waiter, de- precating this familiarity with a scowl. ‘‘ On’y this,” answered Tom, “that me and my guv’ner, and t’other gen’lemen and ladies as woyages along with us, intended fust to put up at the Hot-tel day Bangs ; but some feller or another puts a crotchet ¥ rr] (E(0) Gomichbooks