The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 385: what you’re looking at

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

304 THE COURT OF LONDON of the liquor he had imbibed at Dartford. It was close upon midnight when the equipage began the long, tedious, and gloomy ascent of Shooter’s Hill, that spot which, until a very recent period, was so memorable for the exploits of highwaymen. Still the baronet dozed on upon the com- fortable cushions of the carriage; but all in a moment he was startled from his sleep by the abrupt stoppage of the vehicle, followed by the instantaneous plunging of the horses, together with several rough voices speaking menac- ingly. Letting down the window, the baronet became aware that his carriage was attacked by robbers; and having no weapons of any kind with him, he was unable to offer the slightest resistance. Besides which, the night was of such impenetrable gloom that he could literally see nothing of what was going on; but the voices which he heard enabled him to comprehend in a moment that his servants were overpowered, and that the ruffians were menacing them with death if they dared make any further noise. Thus far all that had happened since the baronet was startled from his nap was the work of a few seconds; and putting forth his hand, he was about to open the door when a couple of fellows came up to the window. One of them immediately seized the carriage-lamp on that side, and thrust it into the vehicle, turning it in such a way that its hght fell full upon the baronet’s countenance. ‘“‘ He’s a good-natured-looking feller,’”’ said one, in a gruff voice; ‘“‘ and so I suppose he’ll stand summut handsome.” ‘To be sure he will, Bob,’’ answered the other ruffian. ‘“‘ Now, sir,” he continued, addressing himself to Sir Douglas, ‘your watch, your rings, your diamond breast-pin, and, as a matter of course, your purse. If not by fair means, we will have them by foul,’’ and he placed a double-barrelled pistol so close to the baronet’s forehead as to cause him to tremble in spite of himself. ‘“‘ Now, then, be quick, you sir,” said the other ruffian, who had been addressed as Bob. ‘“ Don’t frighten the genelman out of his senses, Buttoner.”’ ‘‘ Well, I don’t want to, if so be he’ll only make haste,’’ observed the individual thus addressed, as he withdrew the pistol from the close vicinage of the baronet’s counte- nance. CONMIE NO KS () (E(0)