The Argosy — page 387: what you’re looking at

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

360 The Village Blacksmith. picked up the whip Raleigh had thrown on the ground, and seizing the wretched Mark raised it in the air. But he changed his intention and let it fall harmlessly by his side as he exclaimed: ‘You good-for-nothing thief; dare to mention my daughter’s name to me again and I’ll thrash you within an inch of your life.” ‘Mercy, mercy, Mr. Foreman; I'll never mention it again as long as I live,” whimpered Mark, falling on his knees at Reuben’s feet in an agony of fear, for he had no desire to feel the weight of the black- smith’s heavy arm. ‘Get up and bear your punishment like a man if you are convicted, as you certainly will be; so you had better make up your mind to that and give up all hope of escape. The police are on the look-out for you, so you would have no chance if I did let you go. Your wisest plan is to go quietly to the police-station with us when the Captain comes back,” said Reuben. And then the opportunity for improving the occasion and endeavouring to save Mark’s soul was too good to be lost, so he hastened to seize it. “ Mark Brown, by this time to-morrow night you’ll be in gaol, or [I am mistaken, for bail will be refused now you have tried to escape ; your cell will be small and not too light ; your bed will be hard, and the bolts will be strong ; but remember, unless you repent of your sins and believe, your prison-cell will be heaven compared to the place you'll be sent to for ever and ever when you die. Remember——’” But here Reuben was interrupted by Captain Raleigh, who returned to say he could not make anyone hear. ‘They must be very sound sleepers ; I have rung the bell at least a dozen times. But as no one is stirring let us try the back-door ; the servants no doubt sleep this side of the house; there is a knocker as well as a bell here,” said Raleigh, proceeding to knock and ring loudly, but with no result. ‘Tt is very strange ; they must hear all this noise, one would think,” he continued, when they had spent five or ten minutes in unavailing knocks. | Mark now began to tremble with a new fear. It was very evident the laudanum was taking effect on the servants ; suppose he had given them an overdose, and one or perhaps more should never wake again, he would be a murderer! In his abject terror he felt inclined to confess what he had done, but fear of another thrashing prevented him ; future hanging seemed preferable to immediate flogging after his recent experience. ‘* See, sir, there is a light in this window ; let us throw some gravel up; that is sure to wake them,” said Reuben, pointing to the window of the room the Fuchsia-bells occupied. Gravel was thrown, but in vain; the servants slept on ; and after more vain knocking and ringing they went round to the front of the house, Reuben leading Mark lest he should attempt to escape, to see if they could wake the Archdeacon. \ r , it it pt | | | Gomichbooks.com eee — -