Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 335: what you’re looking at

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

318 THE COURT OF LONDON The woman obeyed these instructions without another remonstrance; and as soon as she had put on her cloak, which had a large hood to cover her head, — and also to conceal her features, when it was necessary to observe such mystery, — the father and daughter descended to the little parlour. Ramsey was waiting for them with an impatience that had become almost intolerable; and they all three issued forth from the crib behind the bar. As they traversed the public-room, the Big Beggarman beckoned the Kinchin-Grand to join them; and this worthy chief — who, as it will be remembered, presided over the juvenile thieves that were wont to assemble at a certain flash house in Grub Street — forthwith abandoned his pipe and his pewter, and followed the party from the boozing- ken. ‘Now, then, Bill,” said the Big Beggarman when they had gained the street, “run and get the boat ready. We want to get across as quick as possible.” “All right!’’ exclaimed the Kinchin-Grand, who was somewhat more decently, or at all events, more warmly attired than when we first introduced him to our readers; and, having uttered that cheering ejaculation, he hurried on in front to obey the orders which he had received. _ The Big Begg arman, Carrotty Poll, and Ramsey pursued their way in silence, the last- mentioned individual enter- taining not the slightest suspicion of foul play on the part of his companions. In a few minutes they reached a place where a kind of low and narrow stone pier went shelving down from the bank of the Thames, until it was lost in the mud at low water, whereas at high tide it was completely covered. To a post fixed by the side of this convenience for landing or embarking, a large wherry was fastened; and the Kinchin-Grand was standing in the boat when the others made their appearance on the spot. The party en- tered the wherry and took their places, Ramsey being seated between the Beggarman and Carrotty Poll; and the Kinchin- Grand, having pushed off, betook himself to the oars, which he managed with remarkable expertness. The wherry shot out from the bank, upon the black bosom of the Thames, which not the feeblest twinkling of moon- beam or starlight now relieved of its sombre gloom; but as the boat drew nearer to the middle of the river, the profile GoOmichdooks (E(@)