The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES. Seggarman, regaining his legs, rashed upon Ramsey -—threw his arms forcibly round him—and endea- voured to hur! him into the water. But this was not @0 easily accomplished: it was a struggle for life on the part of the guilty lover of Lady Stamford—and his strength appeared to increare every moment. The boat swayed from side to side in a manner that threatened the entire party with instantaneous im- mersion—and the Kinchin-Grand, being compelled to steady it as well as he could with the oara, dared not leave his place. “ By God! we shall upset,” exclaimed the Beggar- man. “ Come, Poll—lend a hand ——”" “ Miscreant! let me go—you may keep the money —you may have it all,” cried Ramsey, in a voice of | d rending anguish. for he felt that his strength was failing him. “I implore you—I beseech you— mercy— mercy “ Bravo! Poll,” ejaculated the Big Beggarman, as his daughter at that instant rendered effectual aid; and in apvother moment the herculean ruffian hurled the shrieking Ramsey over the side of the wherry into the river. The boat rocked frightfally, as the murderer and aiurderess sank down into their seats to steady it;— and the Kinchin-Grand, pulling long and vigorous strokes with the oars, made it shoot rapidly away from the spot where this awful deed had been per- pet rated. Then arose from the bogzom of the dark water in the wake of the boat, the terrific cry of the drowning man’s agony,—a cry which seemed to rend the very air, and which thrilled to the brains of the guilty wretches on whose ears it fell. “Can you see anything, father?” demanded Car- rotty Poll, ahe and her sire alike straining their eyes m the direction of the spet where Ramsey had now gone down a second time “ Nothing—nothing: it’s all up with him,” re- turned the Big Beggarman, impatiently—for that appalling scream had done him harm, ruffian as he was. “ Pull in to the shore, Bill—and quick about it.” “Which way—Execution Dock ?” cried the young reprobate ;—and, without waiting for an answer, he sent the boat ranidly veering towards that point, “ No— back again—to Horslydown—damn you for a fool!’ thundered the Big HReggarman, actually ferocious. “We don’t mean to tell the Magsman any thing about this affair at all,” he added, more mildly. “'Well—don’t play the bully, old feller—that’s all,” said the Kinchin-Grand, without loaing his temper: and round went the wherry towards the op- posite shore. Silence now.prevailed, and tota] darkness continued apon the scene,—a silence unbroken even by anether cry on the part of the drowning man—and a dark- ness which seemed to grow more intense after the perpetzation of that dread deed ! In a short time the wherry reached. the stene pier whenoe it hedatarted; aud the Beggarnaan, Carrotty Poll, and tke Kinchin-Grand retraced their steps to | received fifty guineas as a recompense far his share in the eveming’s work, as weil as to bribe him to the mainteuanes of strict silenee respecting the.dreadful transaction. he CHAPTER XZXXIIL MEAGLES AND THE AMAZON AT THE BOOZING-~ NEARLY two hours had elapsed since the return of the Big Beggarman, Carrotty Poll, and the Kinchin- Grand to the vile den in Harslydown, when the door of that place was thrown open, and Tim Meagles, — by the Amazon, entered the horrible ace. For au instant the eyes of all the revellers present were turned upon Meagles, whose dashing, off-hand appearance and frank, good-humoared countenance i them completely in his favour: but the next moment every look was rivetted upon his com- panion, whose ample bust proclaimed her to be a woman, in spite of her masculine attire. And well indeed might they gaze with admiration upon the huntress: for never had a more splendid creature burst upon their view. The cold night air had imparted the richest carnation glow to those cheeks that looked 60 firm and soft; and her fine large dark eyes, so clear and bright, seemed to swim in a living lustre. The black brows, well divided and rather full than thin, set off the stainless white of her high and noble forehead: her coral lips, on which a -tempered smile was playing, half re- vealed the pearly teeth ;—and her luxuriant hair, dark as night, and glossy as the raven’s wing, show- ered in a myriad curls upon her shoulders. Then her bearing was so graceful and elegant—the garb which she wore so admirably became her sy numetrical form, and her shape was characterised by so much unrestrained lightness, that she was all which one might expect to meet in a daring huntress, who was likewise a charming woman. Such a character was well calculated te win the adiniration of the men, and even of the women, who ‘were assembled at the Beggar's Staff: and a murmur of gratification and delight pervaded all parts of the dingy room as the lovely Amazon paused to take a survey of the scene. But that feeling which her presence had immediately engendered, rose into ab- solute enthusiasm, when, taking three or four guineas from her purse, she unaffectedly tossed them upon the bar, bidding Carrotty Poll supply liquor to the amount, that the company might have the wherewith to enjoy themselves more fully than they wese al- ready doing, Having thus obeyed the first impulse af. disposi- tion naturally genereus, Letitia followed Tim Meagles behind the bar; and io a few mements the Jady and her companion were closetted with the Big Beggarman in the little parlour. “ You recollect us, my good fellow—don’t you f" said Meagles, as soon as the burly landlord had closed the door of the crib. “'Yea—perfectly,” was the reply. “You came here, both of you, about six or seven months ago—as mear as I can remember—to see the Magsman abou! a certain paper in old Lightfoot’s possession. | know all about it—and I likewise know who you are, You're Mr. Meagles, sir—and you're Lady Lada ma'am,” added the with a low bew to the former and a much lower one to the lattec. “You have a good memory,” said the Amazon, Jaughing. “ But we are desirous of seeing your friend Warren—and it is about that very same busi- ness, too. Is he here to-night _iel COMICOOOKS. COR