The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 393: what you’re looking at

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

364 REYNOLDS’ WORKS wallet, containing the remnant of that individual’s provis- ions, and he now made a copious meal, washing it down with a good draught of the potent alcohol. He then resolved to carry into execution his plan of quitting the ruins, but first he peeped cautiously forth to assure himself that the tiger was not still loitering about in the neighbourhood. On this point he was satisfied, and descending again into the cavern, he was about to secure a quantity of the treasure, as much, indeed, as he could carry off, when he heard a singular sound, like the lowing of a trumpet. Rushing up the steps, he looked forth from the ruins, and he beheld a colossal elephant approaching, with a mahout, or driver, seated upon his back. This individual was a Hindu, not above thirty years of age, with rather a handsome counte- nance, and an expression of benevolence as well as of good- humour. He did not exhibit much surprise on beholding the Burker, doubtless for the reason that he was accustomed to frequent those cities and towns where Europeans swarmed, and he addressed the Englishman in the customary terms of morning salutation. These the Burker understood, and he replied to the best of his ability. Pleased with the aspect of the man, taking his demeanour to be friendly, and gazing upon the colossal proportions of the elephant, which had sent forth that trumpet-sound from its trunk, the Burker was smitten with an idea. He would make a confidant of the mahout in respect to the treasure; the whole or at least the greater portion might be conveyed away by the elephant, and when some distant place of safety was reached, it might be fairly divided. The Burker accordingly made rapid signs for the mahout to enter the ruins with him, and he likewise spoke as many words of Hindustani as he could command to make his new acquaintance aware that a tiger had visited the scene, so that the mahout should be prepared for beholding the mangled corpse of the gossoon. On the terrible word “ tiger ’’ being mentioned, the Hindu armed himself with a brace of pistols, which were in the holsters attached to the girth of the little seat upon the elephant’s back, and quitting the docile animal, he followed the Burker into the ruins. The Hindu was horrified on beholding the corpse of the gossoon, but by his looks he evidently comprehended that the Burker had told him the truth in respect to the mutilations having been ef- CORNIELIOOLKKS (E(©)