The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 389: what you’re looking at

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

878 several streets, until they reached a small low THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. and his squinting eye darted forth: building consisting of two rooms, and which wasa |The Burker was actually terrifie sort of charitable institution where wayfarers might rest themselves and cook their rice without having anything to pay for the accommodation. There were several other Goseoons in this place, and to whom the Burker’s companion was evi- dently well known. They had plenty of rice and other provisions, which they liberally shared with the new-comers. When the meal was over, the Burker’s friend borrowed « few copper coins of the other ; and he then beckoned the Englishman to accompany him. They went out together, and proceeded to a shop where articles of cutlery were sold. Here the Goesoon purchased acouple of common rudely-constructed knives, the blades of which were fixed in the handles dagger- shaped; so that indeed they resembled oyster- knives. A piece of cork was stuck on each point ; and the Gosscon, giving the Burker one, made s sign for him to secure it about his . He then lei the way back to the khan, Of publie ac- commodation-house; and there some of the other Goseoons produced opium and strong spirits. The Burker partook of the latter, but refused the former: his companion however regaled on both: and after a while the whole molley company stretched themselves to sleep on the benches in the inver room. When the Burker awoke in the morning, he found that himself and his companion were the only two persons remaining in the place: the others had all gone fotth on their respective a¥oca- tions. No brenkfast appeared to be forthcoming ; and the Gossoon made a sign to the Burker to fol- low him. As they passed by « shop where eomes- tibles were sold, the Gossoon pointed to the provi- sions, then to his own mouth and fo thes of the Burker—as much as to imply that some of that food should presently find its way {nto those avenues tothe stomach. The Burker was choered by this intimation ; and be followed the Gossoon, wondering to what proceedings be was about to - addrees himself in order to procure the means to purchase the inviting provender. Presently the Goseoon halted in a somewhat crowded thorough- fare; and placing bis back against a dead wall, he made the Burker stand by his side. Then the Gossoon, taking forth his knife, signalled the Burker to do the same, but to draw off the cork from the point. The Burker, watching the pro- ceedings of his leader, hid the knife up his sleeve; and the Gossoon began to appeal to the charity of the passers-by. At first it was in a whining tone of entreaty ; then it was with howls and lamenta- tions; and he kept nudging the Burker to imitate him. This the Englishman did to the best of his endeavour; and several persons—no doubt struck by the novelty of seeing an European in such a condition—stopped for a moment to contemplate him. Bat his was a countenance little calculated to excite sympathy: the townspeople therefore only shook their heads dubiously, and passed on their way. nm. Minnnnn ante Bee aie ee penion’s aspect ; and he went on | and Ismenting more vociferously tk Still however the passers-by sect in respect to the elpjms of the ¢ Burkee upon theig charity; and couple of hours elapsed without being dropped into the outstre! either. That period of the day 1 when the streets would become | count of the intense sultrinses thus there appeared to be little ob: now stood, for the Gossoon and obtain the wherewith fog the pure fast, Yet the Gossoon had » reso was evidently one to which he onl address himself as @ desperate 9] the easier and more legitimate mes failed. Hoe had his eoncealec the Burker likewise had his weapo own arm; and the Gossoon made draw it forth. The Burker hesitat standing the object which the serve: bus when be beheld the der his own knife, he followed the exan Gossoon went on howling, roaric more terrifically than ever,—the B best fo play his own part in the aj All of a sudden the Gosscon mad cut himself with his knife; and t own sleeve, he drew the blade, | frenzy, along his arm, The Bark relishing the frantio example thus Gossoon, muttered something in naculer to the effect that be woul the hottest place he could possibly he would stick a knife into his ow an lightning, however, the Goseoa Burker’s sleeve, and stuck his knifi part of the man’sarm. The Burk the pain, was on the very point of mary chastisement on the Goss the knife into his heart,—when a q showered down upon them from the opposite houses. Several of on secing the blood of the two r flowing, quickly bestewed their 1 the Burker’s rage was somewhat money tbrown from the window gathered up; and the Goesoon, Burker to follow, hurried away. In a few minutes they stopped place; and the Goescon, producii of ointment, applied some of j arm, and then to the Barker's. sevug ~—~ this, he produced bandages likewise; and having made the Burker twist one round bie arm, he proceeded to perform the same good office for that individual. The Barker could not however help perceiving that whereas the Gossooh had inflicted upon himself a comparatively trifling scratch, he had dealt far less considerately when plunging bis knife into the arm of bis comrade. But as the -- --— oe He -2--- ab ---2a-ti-e oP comicibooks.conm