The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 312: what you’re looking at

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

THE STEAM PACKET. 239 “Devila bit!’ ejaculated the tailor. ‘I was obliged to say what I did—that I should consider any one to be my enemy who interfered —and I saw by his countenance that, however much annoyed he felt, he took me at my word. He bit his lip, bowed, and said nothing.” “‘ Then in that case you must go out, Buckram,” said the captain: ‘and I will go and arrange matters with this Major Pepperton— who, I suppose, is as much a major as I am a——a—— ” ‘* A captain, eh 2?” added Buckram. _ “Or you a nobleman,” retorted the other. And with these words the captain departed to call upon Major Pep- perton. It is not necessary to describe the particulars of the interview between those gentlemen : suffice it to say that an arrangement was made for a meeting between ‘‘ Lord Noodleton and Mr. Lyttleton Latitat,” for seven o’clock on the ensuing morning. _ That night Mr, Buckram did not sleep a wink : he passed the livelong hours in painful reflections, at one time cursing the imposture which he had set up, at another determining to dare all, sooner than abandon the chance of espousing Belinda Pifpaf. At length the morning dawned, and he rose from his feverish bed. Captain Pentonville entered his room at six o’clock; anda live waiter made his appear- ance with hot coffee and buttered toast upon a silver one. The soé- disant nobleman partook of a little refreshment, and then accompanied his friend away from the hotel. Their path lay towards the port; and — when they reached the long jetty, instead of entering upon .it, they turned off abruptly on the sands in the direction of Gravelines. They walked without uttering a word for about a mile and a half, when the captain exclaimed, ‘‘ This must be the spot; it answers the exact description,—and we are first upon the ground.. There’s a consolation for you, Buckram! ”’ | “Tis indeed—highly satisfactory!’ murmured that individual, whose knees knocked together and teeth chattered, although themorn- ing was as warm and genial as any one that ever yet dawned in the same latitude. ‘‘ Tt wants a quarter of an hour to the trnae i said the captain, con- _ sulting his watch. _“T hope they will forget the hour sleet > observed .Buckram. “We will only give them two minutes’ grace.” _ “Five at least,” cried the captain. ‘ Allowances must be made for the difference of clocks.”’ “‘Oh! it is deuced easy for you to talk so,’ ejaculated the tailor : sf ‘you ain’t going to fight the duel, or else you wouldn’t be quite so anxious to extend the time. I say I will wait till two minutes past, 99 Gomichbooks (E(0)