The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 324: what you’re looking at

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

A SCENE ON THE THAMES 321 ‘The guineas! ’? repeated the wretched man, a cold tremor passing over him and freezing the very blood i in his velns. ‘Oh, you hesitate, do you?”’ cried the Big Beggarman. “ Now, Bill — keep the boat steady! ’’ — and, thus speaking, he threw himself furiously upon Ramsey, whom he over- powered in an instant. ‘‘ Villain — miscreant — assassin! ’’ almost screamed the desperate gentleman, as his cloak came off in the useless struggle which he endeavoured to renew against his burly opponent; but, having been thrown with his back across the seat, he was unable to offer any eftectual resistance, the more especially as Carrotty Poll now lent her aid to her father. “Steady the boat, Bill, or, by God! she’ll capsize,’’ thundered the Beggarman, for the wherry was oscillating frightfully. ‘* Now, sir, give up that gold — ” ‘“ Never!’ cried Ramsey, suddenly armed with the courage of despair; and, by an almost superhuman effort, he hurled the ruffian back, regaining his own feet instantly. But Carrotty Poll, who was herself flung aside by this rapid movement on the part of the intended victim, had fallen upon his cloak, which lay on the seat; and her arm had en- countered something which she felt to be the bag of gold. Plunging her hand into a pocket formed in the lining of the garment, she assured herself that such was the fact; and, in a shrill tone of exultation, she cried, “ Tve got it, father! Hold him — seize’ him! ” All this was the work of an instant, and the Big Beggar- man, regaining his legs, rushed upon Ramsey, threw his arms forcibly around him, and endeavoured to hurl him into the water. But this was not so easily accomplished. It was a struggle for life on the part of the guilty lover of Lady Stamford, and his strength appeared to increase every mo- ment. The boat swayed from side to side in a manner that threatened the entire party with instantaneous immersion, and the Kinchin-Grand, being compelled to steady it as well as he could with the oars, dared not leave his place. “By God! we shall upset,” exclaimed the Beggarman. “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 rending CONnnicloool KS (GO)