And send he may make such knaves1 repent3!
Loyal Songs against the Rump Parliament.
Ho, treachery! my guards, my cimeter!
BYRON.
When the irreverent Mr. Pepper had warmed his hands sufficiently4 to be able to transfer them from the fire, he lifted the right palm, and with an indecent jocularity of spirits, accosted5 the ci-devant ornament6 of “The Asinaeum” with a sounding slap on his back, or some such part of his conformation.
“Ah, old boy!” said he, “is this the way you keep house for us? A fire not large enough to roast a nit, and a supper too small to fatten7 him beforehand! But how the deuce should you know how to provender8 for gentlemen? You thought you were in Scotland, I’ll be bound!”
“Perhaps he did when he looked upon you, Ned!” said Tomlinson, gravely; “‘t is but rarely out of Scotland that a man can see so big a rogue9 in so little a compass!”
Mr. MacGrawler, into whose eyes the palmistry of Long Ned had brought tears of sincere feeling, and who had hitherto been rubbing the afflicted10 part, now grumbled11 forth12 —
“You may say what you please, Mr. Pepper, but it is not often in my country that men of genius are seen performing the part of cook to robbers!”
“No!” quoth Tomlinson, “they are performing the more profitable part of robbers to cooks, eh!”
“Damme, you’re out,” cried Long Ned — “for in that country there are either no robbers, because there is nothing to rob; or the inhabitants are all robbers, who have plundered13 one another, and made away with the booty!”
“May the de’il catch thee!” said MacGrawler, stung to the quick — for, like all Scots, he was a patriot14; much on the same principle as a woman who has the worst children makes the best mother.
“The de’il,” said Ned, mimicking15 the “silver sound,” as Sir W. Scott had been pleased facetiously16 to call the “mountain tongue” (the Scots in general seem to think it is silver, they keep it so carefully) “the de’il — MacDeil, you mean, sure, the gentleman must have been a Scotchman!”
The sage18 grinned in spite; but remembering the patience of Epictetus when a slave, and mindful also of the strong arm of Long Ned, he curbed19 his temper, and turned the beefsteaks with his fork.
“Well, Ned,” said Augustus, throwing himself into a chair, which he drew to the fire, while he gently patted the huge limbs of Mr. Pepper, as if to admonish20 him that they were not so transparent21 as glass, “let us look at the fire; and, by the by, it is your turn to see to the horses.”
“Plague on it!” cried Ned; “it is always my turn, I think. Holla, you Scot of the pot! can’t you prove that I groomed22 the beasts last? I’ll give you a crown to do it.”
The wise MacGrawler pricked23 up his ears.
“A crown!” said he — “a crown! Do you mean to insult me, Mr. Pepper? But, to be sure, you did see to the horses last; and this worthy24 gentleman, Mr. Tomlinson, must remember it too.”
“How!” cried Augustus; “you are mistaken, and I’ll give you half a guinea to prove it.”
MacGrawler opened his eyes larger and larger, even as you may see a small circle in the water widen into enormity, if you disturb the equanimity26 of the surface by the obtrusion27 of a foreign substance.
“Half a guinea!” said he; “nay28, nay, you joke. I’m not mercenary. You think I am! Pooh, pooh! you are mistaken; I’m a man who means weel, a man of veracity29, and will speak the truth in spite of all the half-guineas in the world. But certainly, now I begin to think of it, Mr. Tomlinson did see to the creatures last; and, Mr. Pepper, it is your turn.”
“A very Daniel!” said Tomlinson, chuckling30 in his usual dry manner. “Ned, don’t you hear the horses neigh?”
“Oh, hang the horses!” said the volatile31 Pepper, forgetting everything else, as he thrust his hands in his pockets, and felt the gains of the night; “let us first look to our winnings!”
So saying, he marched towards the table, and emptied his pockets thereon. Tomlinson, nothing loath32, followed the example. Heavens! what exclamations33 of delight issued from the scoundrels’ lips, as, one by one, they inspected their new acquisitions!
“Here’s a magnificent creature!” cried Ned, handling that superb watch studded with jewels which the poor earl had once before unavailingly redeemed34 — “a repeater, by Jove!”
“I hope not,” said the phlegmatic35 Augustus; “repeaters will not tell well for your conversation, Ned! But, powers that be! look at this ring — a diamond of the first water!”
“Oh, the sparkler! it makes one’s mouth water as much as itself. ‘Sdeath, here’s a precious box for a sneezer — a picture inside, and rubies36 outside! The old fellow had excellent taste; it would charm him to see how pleased we are with his choice of jewelry37!”
“Talking of jewelry,” said Tomlinson, “I had almost forgotten the morocco case. Between you and me, I imagine we have a prize there; it looks like a jewel casket!”
So saying, the robber opened that case which on many a gala day had lent lustre38 to the polished person of Mauleverer. Oh, reader, the burst of rapture39 that ensued! Imagine it! we cannot express it. Like the Grecian painter, we drop a veil over emotions too deep for words.
“But here,” said Pepper, when they had almost exhausted40 their transports at sight of the diamonds — “here’s a purse — fifty guineas! And what’s this? Notes, by Jupiter! We must change them tomorrow before they are stopped. Curse those fellows at the Bank! they are always imitating us, we stop their money, and they don’t lose a moment in stopping it too. Three hundred pounds! Captain, what say you to our luck?” Clifford had sat gloomily looking on during the operations of the robbers; he now, assuming a correspondent cheerfulness of manner, made a suitable reply, and after some general conversation the work of division took place.
“We are the best arithmeticians in the world,” said Augustus, as he pouched41 his share; “addition, subtraction42, division, reduction — we have them all as pat as ‘The Tutor’s Assistant;’ and, what is better, we make them all applicable to the Rule of Three.”
“You have left out multiplication43!” said Clifford, smiling. “Ah! because that works differently. The other rules apply to the specie-s of the kingdom; but as for multiplication, we multiply, I fear, no species but our own!”
“Fie, gentlemen!” said MacGrawler, austerely44 — for there is a wonderful decorum in your true Scotsmen. “Actions are trifles; nothing can be cleaner than their words!”
“Oh, you thrust in your wisdom, do you?” said Ned. “I suppose you want your part of the booty!”
“Part!” said the subtilizing Tomlinson. “He has nine times as many parts as we have already. Is he not a critic, and has he not the parts of speech at his fingers’ end?”
“Nonsense!” said MacGrawler, instinctively45 holding up his hands, with the fork dropping between the outstretched fingers of the right palm.
“Nonsense yourself,” cried Ned; “you have a share in what you never took! A pretty fellow, truly! Mind your business, Mr. Scot, and fork nothing but the beefsteaks!”
With this Ned turned to the stables, and soon disappeared among the horses; but Clifford, eying the disappointed and eager face of the culinary sage, took ten guineas from his own share, and pushed them towards his quondam tutor.
“There!” said he, emphatically.
“Nay, nay,” grunted46 MacGrawler; “I don’t want the money — it is my way to scorn such dross47!” So saying, he pocketed the coins, and turned, muttering to himself, to the renewal48 of his festive49 preparations.
Meanwhile a whispered conversation took place between Augustus and the captain, and continued till Ned returned.
“And the night’s viands50 smoked along the board!”
Souls of Don Raphael and Ambrose Lamela, what a charming thing it is to be a rogue for a little time! How merry men are when they have cheated their brethren! Your innocent milksops never made so jolly a supper as did our heroes of the way. Clifford, perhaps acted a part, but the hilarity51 of his comrades was unfeigned. It was a delicious contrast — the boisterous52 “ha, ha!” of Long Ned, and the secret, dry, calculating chuckle53 of Augustus Tomlinson. It was Rabelais against Voltaire. They united only in the objects of their jests, and foremost of those objects (wisdom is ever the but of the frivolous54!) was the great Peter MacGrawler.
The graceless dogs were especially merry upon the subject of the sage’s former occupation.
“Come, Mac, you carve this ham,” said Ned; “you have had practice in cutting up.”
The learned man whose name was thus disrespectfully abbreviated55 proceeded to perform what he was bid. He was about to sit down for that purpose, when Tomlinson slyly subtracted his chair — the sage fell.
“No jests at MacGrawler,” said the malicious56 Augustus; “whatever be his faults as a critic, you see that he is well grounded, and he gets at once to the bottom of a subject. Mac, suppose your next work be entitled a Tail of Woe57!”
Men who have great minds are rarely flexible — they do not take a jest readily; so it was with MacGrawler. He rose in a violent rage; and had the robbers been more penetrating58 than they condescended59 to be, they might have noticed something dangerous in his eye. As it was, Clifford, who had often before been the protector of his tutor, interposed in his behalf, drew the sage a seat near to himself, and filled his plate for him. It was interesting to see this deference60 from Power to Learning! It was Alexander doing homage61 to Aristotle!
“There is only one thing I regret,” cried Ned, with his mouth full, “about the old lord — it was a thousand pities we did not make him dance! I remember the day, Captain, when you would have insisted on it. What a merry fellow you were once! Do you recollect62, one bright moonlight night, just like the present, for instance, when we were doing duty near Staines, how you swore every person we stopped, above fifty years old, should dance a minuet with you?”
“Ay!” added Augustus, “and the first was a bishop63 in a white wig64. Faith, how stiffly his lordship jigged65 it! And how gravely Lovett bowed to him, with his hat off, when it was all over, and returned him his watch and ten guineas — it was worth the sacrifice!”
“And the next was an old maid of quality,” said Ned, “as lean as a lawyer. Don’t you remember how she curvetted?”
“To be sure,” said Tomlinson; “and you very wittily66 called her a hop-pole!”
“How delighted she was with the captain’s suavity67! When he gave her back her earrings68 and aigrette, she bade him with a tender sigh keep them for her sake — ha! ha!”
“And the third was a beau!” cried Augustus; “and Lovett surrendered his right of partnership69 to me. Do you recollect how I danced his beauship into the ditch? Ah! we were mad fellows then; but we get sated — blases, as the French say — as we grow older!”
“We look only to the main chance now,” said Ned. “Avarice supersedes70 enterprise,” added the sententious Augustus.
“And our captain takes to wine with an h after the w!” continued the metaphorical71 Ned.
“Come, we are melancholy72,” said Tomlinson, tossing off a bumper73. “Methinks we are really growing old, we shall repent soon, and the next step will be-hanging!”
“‘Fore Gad74!” said Ned, helping75 himself, “don’t be so croaking76. There are two classes of maligned77 gentry78, who should always be particular to avoid certain colours in dressing79; I hate to see a true boy in black, or a devil in blue. But here’s my last glass to-night! I am confoundedly sleepy, and we rise early tomorrow.”
“Right, Ned,” said Tomlinson; “give us a song before you retire, and let it be that one which Lovett composed the last time we were here.”
Ned, always pleased with an opportunity of displaying himself, cleared his voice and complied.
A Ditty from Sherwood.
I.
Laugh with us at the prince and the palace,
In the wild wood-life there is better cheer;
Would you board your mirth from your neighbour’s malice80,
Gather it up in our garners81 here.
Some kings their wealth from their subjects wring82,
While by their foes84 they the poorer wax;
Free go the men of the wise wood-king,
And it is only our foes we tax.
Leave the cheats of trade to the shrewd gude-wife
Let the old be knaves at ease;
Away with the tide of that dashing life
Which is stirred by a constant breeze!
II.
Laugh with us when you hear deceiving
And solemn rogues86 tell you what knaves we be
Commerce and law have a method of thieving
Worse than a stand at the outlaw’s tree.
Say, will the maiden87 we love despise
Gallants at least to each other true?
I grant that we trample88 on legal ties,
But I have heard that Love scorns them too,
Courage, then — courage, ye jolly boys,
Whom the fool with the knavish89 rates
Oh! who that is loved by the world enjoys
Half as much as the man it hates?
“Bravissimo, Ned!” cried Tomlinson, rapping the table; “bravissimo! Your voice is superb to-night, and your song admirable. Really, Lovett, it does your poetical90 genius great credit; quite philosophical91, upon my honour.”
“Bravissimo!” said MacGrawler, nodding his head awfully92. “Mr. Pepper’s voice is as sweet as a bagpipe93! Ah! such a song would have been invaluable94 to ‘The Asinaeum,’ when I had the honour to —”
“Be Vicar of Bray95 to that establishment,” interrupted Tomlinson. “Pray, MacGrawler, why do they call Edinburgh the Modern Athens?”
“Because of the learned and great men it produces,” returned MacGrawler, with conscious pride.
“Pooh! pooh! — you are thinking of ancient Athens. Your city is called the modern Athens because you are all so like the modern Athenians — the greatest scoundrels imaginable, unless travellers belie96 them.”
“Nay,” interrupted Ned, who was softened97 by the applause of the critic, “Mac is a good fellow, spare him. Gentlemen, your health. I am going to bed, and I suppose you will not tarry long behind me.”
“Trust us for that,” answered Tomlinson; “the captain and I will consult on the business of the morrow, and join you in the twinkling of a bedpost, as it has been shrewdly expressed.”
Ned yawned his last “good-night,” and disappeared within the dormitory. MacGrawler, yawning also, but with a graver yawn, as became his wisdom, betook himself to the duty of removing the supper paraphernalia98: after bustling99 soberly about for some minutes, he let down a press-bed in the corner of the cave (for he did not sleep in the robbers’ apartment), and undressing himself, soon appeared buried in the bosom100 of Morpheus. But the chief and Tomlinson, drawing their seats nearer to the dying embers, defied the slothful god, and entered with low tones into a close and anxious commune.
“So, then,” said Augustus, “now that you have realized sufficient funds for your purpose, you will really desert us? Have you well weighed the pros101 and cons85? Remember that nothing is so dangerous to our state as reform; the moment a man grows honest, the gang forsake102 him; the magistrate103 misses his fee; the informer peaches; and the recusant hangs.”
“I have well weighed all this,” answered Clifford, “and have decided104 on my course. I have only tarried till my means could assist my will. With my share of our present and late booty, I shall betake myself to the Continent. Prussia gives easy trust and ready promotion105 to all who will enlist106 in her service. But this language, my dear friend, seems strange from your lips. Surely you will join me in my separation from the corps108? What! you shake your head! Are you not the same Tomlinson who at Bath agreed with me that we were in danger from the envy of our comrades, and that retreat had become necessary to our safety? Nay, was not this your main argument for our matrimonial expedition?”
“Why, look you, dear Lovett,” said Augustus, “we are all blocks of matter, formed from the atoms of custom; in other words, we are a mechanism109, to which habit is the spring. What could I do in an honest career? I am many years older than you. I have lived as a rogue till I have no other nature than roguery. I doubt if I should not be a coward were I to turn soldier. I am sure I should be the most consummate110 of rascals111 were I to affect to be honest. No: I mistook myself when I talked of separation. I must e’en jog on with my old comrades, and in my old ways; till I jog into the noose112 hempen113 or — melancholy alternative! — the noose matrimonial.”
“This is mere114 folly,” said Clifford, from whose nervous and masculine mind habits were easily shaken. “We have not for so many years discarded all the servile laws of others, to be the abject115 slaves of our own weaknesses. Come, my dear fellow, rouse yourself. Heaven knows, were I to succumb116 to the feebleness of my own heart, I should be lost indeed. And perhaps, wrestle117 I ever so stoutly119, I do not wrestle away that which clings within me, and will kill me, though by inches. But let us not be cravens, and suffer fate to drown us rather than swim. In a word, fly with me ere it be too late. A smuggler’s vessel120 waits me off the coast of Dorset: in three days from this I sail. Be my companion. We can both rein121 a fiery122 horse, and wield123 a good sword. As long as men make war one against another, those accomplishments124 will prevent their owner from starving, or —”
“If employed in the field, not the road,” interrupted Tomlinson, with a smile — “from hanging. But it cannot be! I wish you all joy, all success in your career. You are young, bold, and able; and you always had a loftier spirit than I have. Knave2 I am, and knave I must be to the end of the chapter!”
“As you will,” said Clifford, who was not a man of many words, but he spoke125 with reluctance126: “if so, I must seek my fortune alone.”
“When do you leave us?” asked Tomlinson.
“To-morrow, before noon. I shall visit London for a few hours, and then start at once for the coast.”
“London!” exclaimed Tomlinson; “what, the very den25 of danger? Pooh! you do not know what you say: or do you think it filial to caress127 Mother Lobkins before you depart?”
“Not that,” answered Clifford. “I have already ascertained128 that she is above the reach of all want; and her days, poor soul! cannot, I fear, be many. In all probability she would scarcely recognize me; for her habits cannot much have improved her memory. Would I could say as much for her neighbours! Were I to be seen in the purlieus of low thievery, you know, as well as I do, that some stealer of kerchiefs would turn informer against the notorious Captain Lovett.”
“What, then, takes you to town? Ah! you turn away your face. I guess! Well, Love has ruined many a hero before; may you not be the worse for his godship!”
Clifford did not answer, and the conversation made a sudden and long pause; Tomlinson broke it.
“Do you know, Lovett,” said he, “though I have as little heart as most men, yet I feel for you more than I could have thought it possible. I would fain join you; there is devilish good tobacco in Germany, I believe; and, after all, there is not so much difference between the life of a thief and of a soldier.”
“Do profit by so sensible a remark,” said Clifford. “Reflect! how certain of destruction is the path you now tread; the gallows129 and the hulks are the only goals!”
“The prospects130 are not pleasing, I allow,” said Tomlinson; “nor is it desirable to be preserved for another century in the immortality131 of a glass case in Surgeons’ Hall, grinning from ear to ear, as if one had made the merriest finale imaginable. Well! I will sleep on it, and you shall have my answer tomorrow; but poor Ned?”
“Would he not join us?”
“Certainly not; his neck is made for a rope, and his mind for the Old Bailey. There is no hope for him; yet he is an excellent fellow. We must not even tell him of our meditated132 desertion.”
“By no means. I shall leave a letter to our London chief; it will explain all. And now to bed. I look to your companionship as settled.”
“Humph!” said Augustus Tomlinson.
So ended the conference of the robbers. About an hour after it had ceased, and when no sound save the heavy breath of Long Ned broke the stillness of the night, the intelligent countenance133 of Peter MacGrawler slowly elevated itself from the lonely pillow on which it had reclined.
By degrees the back of the sage stiffened134 into perpendicularity135, and he sat for a few moments erect136 on his seat of honour, apparently137 in listening deliberation. Satisfied with the deep silence that, save the solitary138 interruption we have specified139, reigned140 around, the learned disciple141 of Vatel rose gently from the bed, hurried on his clothes, stole on tiptoe to the door, unbarred it with a noiseless hand, and vanished. Sweet reader! while thou art wondering at his absence, suppose we account for his appearance.
One evening Clifford and his companion Augustus had been enjoying the rational amusement at Ranelagh, and were just leaving that celebrated142 place when they were arrested by a crowd at the entrance. That crowd was assembled round a pickpocket143; and that pickpocket — O virtue144, O wisdom, O Asinaeum! — was Peter MacGrawler! We have before said that Clifford was possessed145 of a good mien146 and an imposing147 manner, and these advantages were at that time especially effectual in preserving our Orbilius from the pump. No sooner did Clifford recognize the magisterial148 face of the sapient149 Scot, than he boldly thrust himself into the middle of the crowd, and collaring the enterprising citizen who had collared MacGrawler, declared himself ready to vouch150 for the honesty of the very respectable person whose identity had evidently been so grossly mistaken. Augustus, probably foreseeing some ingenious ruse151, of his companion, instantly seconded the defence. The mob, who never descry152 any difference between impudence153 and truth, gave way; a constable154 came up, took part with the friend of two gentlemen so unexceptionally dressed; our friends walked off; the crowd repented155 of their precipitation, and by way of amends156 ducked the gentleman whose pockets had been picked. It was in vain for him to defend himself, for he had an impediment in his speech; and Messieurs the mob, having ducked him once for his guilt157, ducked him a second time for his embarrassment158.
In the interim159 Clifford had withdrawn160 his quondam Mentor161 to the asylum162 of a coffee-house; and while MacGrawler’s soul expanded itself by wine, he narrated163 the causes of his dilemma164. It seems that that incomparable journal “The Asinaeum,” despite a series of most popular articles upon the writings of “Aulus Prudentius,” to which were added an exquisite165 string of dialogues, written in a tone of broad humour, namely, broad Scotch17 (with Scotchmen it is all the same thing), despite these invaluable miscellanies, to say nothing of some glorious political articles, in which it was clearly proved to the satisfaction of the rich, that the less poor devils eat the better for their constitutions — despite, we say, these great acquisitions to British literature, “The Asinaeum” tottered166, fell, buried its bookseller, and crushed its author. MacGrawler only — escaping, like Theodore from the enormous helmet of Otranto — MacGrawler only survived. “Love,” says Sir Philip Sidney, “makes a man see better than a pair of spectacles.” Love of life has a very different effect on the optics — it makes a man wofully dim of inspection167, and sometimes causes him to see his own property in another man’s purse! This deceptio visus, did it impose upon Peter MacGrawler? He went to Ranelagh. Reader, thou knowest the rest!
Wine and the ingenuity168 of the robbers having extorted169 this narrative170 from MacGrawler, the barriers of superfluous171 delicacy172 were easily done away with.
Our heroes offered to the sage an introduction to their club; the offer was accepted; and MacGrawler, having been first made drunk, was next made a robber. The gang engaged him in various little matters, in which we grieve to relate that though his intentions were excellent, his success was so ill as thoroughly173 to enrage174 his employers; nay, they were about at one time, when they wanted to propitiate175 justice, to hand him over to the secular176 power, when Clifford interposed in his behalf. From a robber the sage dwindled177 into a drudge178; menial offices (the robbers, the lying rascals, declared that such offices were best fitted to the genius of his country!) succeeded to noble exploits, and the worst of robbers became the best of cooks. How vain is all wisdom but that of long experience! Though Clifford was a sensible, and keen man, though he knew our sage to be a knave, he never dreamed he could be a traitor179. He thought him too indolent to be malicious, and — short-sighted humanity! — too silly to be dangerous. He trusted the sage with the secret of the cavern180; and Augustus, who was a bit of an epicure181, submitted, though forebodingly, to the choice, because of the Scotchman’s skill in broiling182.
But MacGrawler, like Brutus, concealed183 a scheming heart under a stolid184 guise185. The apprehension186 of the noted187 Lovett had become a matter of serious desire; the police was no longer to be bribed189, nay, they were now eager to bribe188. MacGrawler had watched his time, sold his chief, and was now on the road to Reading to meet and to guide to the cavern Mr. Nabbem of Bow Street and four of his attendants.
Having thus, as rapidly as we were able, traced the causes which brought so startlingly before your notice the most incomparable of critics, we now, reader, return to our robbers.
“Hist, Lovett!” said Tomlinson, half asleep, “methought I heard something in the outer cave.”
“It is the Scot, I suppose,” answered Clifford: “you saw, of course, to the door?”
“To be sure!” muttered Tomlinson, and in two minutes more he was asleep.
Not so Clifford: many and anxious thoughts kept him waking. At one while, when he anticipated the opening to a new career, somewhat of the stirring and high spirit which still moved amidst the guilty and confused habits of his mind made his pulse feverish190 and his limbs restless; at another time, an agonizing191 remembrance — the remembrance of Lucy in all her charms, her beauty, her love, her tender and innocent heart — Lucy all perfect, and lost to him forever — banished192 every other reflection, and only left him the sick sensation of despondency and despair. “What avails my struggle for a better name?” he thought. “Whatever my future lot, she can never share it. My punishment is fixed193 — it is worse than a death of shame; it is a life without hope! Every moment I feel, and shall feel to the last, the pressure of a chain that may never be broken or loosened! And yet, fool that I am! I cannot leave this country without seeing her again, without telling her that I have really looked my last. But have I not twice told her that? Strange fatality194! But twice have I spoken to her of love, and each time it was to tear myself from her at the moment of my confession195. And even now something that I have no power to resist compels me to the same idle and weak indulgence. Does destiny urge me? Ay, perhaps to my destruction! Every hour a thousand deaths encompass196 me. I have now obtained all for which I seemed to linger. I have won, by a new crime, enough to bear me to another land, and to provide me there a soldier’s destiny. I should not lose an hour in flight, yet I rush into the nest of my enemies, only for one unavailing word with her; and this, too, after I have already bade her farewell! Is this fate? If it be so, what matters it? I no longer care for a life which, after all, I should reform in vain if I could not reform it for her; yet — yet, selfish and lost that I am! will it be nothing to think hereafter that I have redeemed her from the disgrace of having loved an outcast and a felon197? If I can obtain honour, will it not, in my own heart at least — will it not reflect, however dimly and distantly, upon her?”
Such, bewildered, unsatisfactory, yet still steeped in the colours of that true love which raises even the lowest, were the midnight meditations198 of Clifford; they terminated, towards the morning, in an uneasy and fitful slumber199. From this he was awakened200 by a loud yawn from the throat of Long Ned, who was always the earliest riser of his set.
“Hullo!” said he, “it is almost daybreak; and if we want to cash our notes and to move the old lord’s jewels, we should already be on the start.”
“A plague on you!” said Tomlinson, from under cover of his woollen nightcap; “it was but this instant that I was dreaming you were going to be hanged, and now you wake me in the pleasantest part of the dream!”
“You be shot!” said Ned, turning one leg out of bed; “by the by, you took more than your share last night, for you owed me three guineas for our last game at cribbage! You’ll please to pay me before we part today: short accounts make long friends!”
“However true that maxim201 may be,” returned Tomlinson, “I know one much truer — namely, long friends will make short accounts! You must ask Jack202 Ketch this day month if I’m wrong!”
“That’s what you call wit, I suppose!” retorted Ned, as he now, struggling into his inexpressibles, felt his way into the outer cave.
“What, ho, Mac!” cried he, as he went, “stir those bobbins of thine, which thou art pleased to call legs; strike a light, and be d —— d to you!”
“A light for you,” said Tomlinson, profanely203, as he reluctantly left his couch, “will indeed be a ‘light to lighten the Gentiles!’”
“Why, Mac, Mac!” shouted Ned, “why don’t you answer? faith, I think the Scot’s dead!”
“Seize your men! — Yield, sirs!” cried a stern, sudden voice from the gloom; and at that instant two dark lanterns were turned, and their light streamed full upon the astounded204 forms of Tomlinson and his gaunt comrade! In the dark shade of the background four or five forms were also indistinctly visible; and the ray of the lanterns glimmered205 on the blades of cutlasses and the barrels of weapons still less easily resisted.
Tomlinson was the first to recover his self-possession. The light just gleamed upon the first step of the stairs leading to the stables, leaving the rest in shadow. He made one stride to the place beside the cart, where, we have said, lay some of the robbers’ weapons; he had been anticipated — the weapons were gone. The next moment Tomlinson had sprung up the steps.
“Lovett! Lovett! Lovett!” shouted he.
The captain, who had followed his comrades into the cavern, was already in the grasp of two men. From few ordinary mortals, however, could any two be selected as fearful odds206 against such a man as Clifford — a man in whom a much larger share of sinews and muscle than is usually the lot even of the strong had been hardened, by perpetual exercise, into a consistency207 and iron firmness which linked power and activity into a union scarcely less remarkable208 than that immortalized in the glorious beauty of the sculptured gladiator. His right hand is upon the throat of one assailant; his left locks, as in a vice107, the wrist of the other; you have scarcely time to breathe! The former is on the ground, the pistol of the latter is wrenched209 from his grip, Clifford is on the step; a ball — another — whizzes by him; he is by the side of the faithful Augustus!
“Open the secret door!” whispered Clifford to his friend; “I will draw up the steps alone.”
Scarcely had he spoken, before the steps were already, but slowly, ascending210 beneath the desperate strength of the robber. Meanwhile Ned was struggling, as he best might, with two sturdy officers, who appeared loath to use their weapons without an absolute necessity, and who endeavoured, by main strength, to capture and detain their antagonist211.
“Look well to the door!” cried the voice of the principal officer, “and hang out more light!”
Two or three additional lanterns were speedily brought forward; and over the whole interior of the cavern a dim but sufficient light now rapidly circled, giving to the scene and to the combatants a picturesque212 and wild appearance.
The quick eye of the head-officer descried213 in an instant the rise of the steps, and the advantage the robbers were thereby214 acquiring. He and two of his men threw themselves forward, seized the ladder, if so it may be called, dragged it once more to the ground, and ascended215. But Clifford, grasping with both hands the broken shaft216 of a cart that lay in reach, received the foremost invader217 with a salute218 that sent him prostrate219 and senseless back among his companions. The second shared the same fate; and the stout118 leader of the enemy, who, like a true general, had kept himself in the rear, paused now in the middle of the steps, dismayed alike by the reception of his friends and the athletic220 form towering above, with raised weapons and menacing attitude. Perhaps that moment seemed to the judicious221 Mr. Nabbem more favourable222 to parley223 than to conflict. He cleared his throat, and thus addressed the foe83:
“You, sir, Captain Lovett, alias224 Howard, alias Jackson, alias Cavendish, alias Solomons, alias Devil — for I knows you well, and could swear to you with half an eye, in your clothes or without — you lay down your club there, and let me come alongside of you, and you’ll find me as gentle as a lamb; for I’ve been used to gemmen all my life, and I knows how to treat ’em when I has ’em!”
“But if I will not let you ‘come alongside of me,’ what then?”
“Why, I must send one of these here pops through your skull225, that’s all!”
“Nay, Mr. Nabbem, that would be too cruel! You surely would not harm one who has such an esteem226 for you? Don’t you remember the manner in which I brought you off from Justice Burnflat, when you were accused, you know whether justly or —”
“You’re a liar227, Captain!” cried Nabbem, furiously, fearful that something not meet for the ears of his companions should transpire228. “You knows you are! Come down, or let me mount; otherwise I won’t be ‘sponsible for the consequences!”
Clifford cast a look over his shoulder. A gleam of the gray daylight already glimmered through a chink in the secret door, which Tomlinson had now unbarred and was about to open.
“Listen to me, Mr. Nabbem,” said he, “and perhaps I may grant what you require! What would you do with me if you had me?”
“You speaks like a sensible man now,” answered Nabbem; “and that’s after my own heart. Why, you sees, Captain, your time is come, and you can’t shilly-shally any longer. You have had your full swing; your years are up, and you must die like a man! But I gives you my honour as a gemman, that if you surrenders, I’ll take you to the justice folks as tenderly as if you were made of cotton.”
“Give way one moment,” said Clifford, “that I may plant the steps firmer for you.”
Nabbem retreated to the ground; and Clifford, who had, good-naturedly enough, been unwilling229 unnecessarily to damage so valuable a functionary230, lost not the opportunity now afforded him. Down thundered the steps, clattering231 heavily among the other officers, and falling like an avalanche232 on the shoulder of one of the arresters of Long Ned.
Meanwhile Clifford sprang after Tomlinson through the aperture233, and found himself — in the presence of four officers, conducted by the shrewd MacGrawler. A blow from a bludgeon on the right cheek and temple of Augustus felled that hero. But Clifford bounded over his comrade’s body, dodged234 from the stroke aimed at himself, caught the blow aimed by another assailant in his open hand, wrested235 the bludgeon from the officer, struck him to the ground with his own weapon, and darting236 onward237 through the labyrinth238 of the wood, commenced his escape with a step too fleet to allow the hope of a successful pursuit.
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1
knaves
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| n.恶棍，无赖( knave的名词复数 )；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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2
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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3
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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4
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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5
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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7
fatten
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| v.使肥，变肥 | |
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provender
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| n.刍草；秣料 | |
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rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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11
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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12
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14
patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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15
mimicking
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| v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的现在分词 )；酷似 | |
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16
facetiously
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| adv.爱开玩笑地；滑稽地，爱开玩笑地 | |
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17
scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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18
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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19
curbed
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| v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
admonish
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| v.训戒；警告；劝告 | |
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21
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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22
groomed
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| v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的过去式和过去分词 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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23
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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24
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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25
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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26
equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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27
obtrusion
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| n.强制，莽撞 | |
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28
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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29
veracity
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| n.诚实 | |
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30
chuckling
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
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31
volatile
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| adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质 | |
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32
loath
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| adj.不愿意的；勉强的 | |
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33
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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34
redeemed
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| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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35
phlegmatic
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| adj.冷静的，冷淡的，冷漠的，无活力的 | |
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36
rubies
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| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
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37
jewelry
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| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
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38
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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39
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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40
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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41
pouched
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| adj.袋形的，有袋的 | |
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42
subtraction
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| n.减法，减去 | |
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43
multiplication
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| n.增加，增多，倍增；增殖，繁殖；乘法 | |
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44
austerely
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| adv.严格地，朴质地 | |
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45
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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46
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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47
dross
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| n.渣滓；无用之物 | |
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48
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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49
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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50
viands
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| n.食品，食物 | |
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51
hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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52
boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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53
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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54
frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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55
abbreviated
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| adj. 简短的，省略的 动词abbreviate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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56
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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57
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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58
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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59
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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60
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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61
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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62
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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63
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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64
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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65
jigged
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| v.（使）上下急动( jig的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
wittily
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| 机智地，机敏地 | |
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67
suavity
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| n.温和；殷勤 | |
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68
earrings
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| n.耳环( earring的名词复数 )；耳坠子 | |
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69
partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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70
supersedes
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| 取代，接替( supersede的第三人称单数 ) | |
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71
metaphorical
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| a.隐喻的，比喻的 | |
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72
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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73
bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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74
gad
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| n.闲逛；v.闲逛 | |
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75
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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76
croaking
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的现在分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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77
maligned
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| vt.污蔑，诽谤（malign的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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78
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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79
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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80
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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81
garners
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| v.收集并（通常）贮藏（某物），取得，获得( garner的第三人称单数 ) | |
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82
wring
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| n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭 | |
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83
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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84
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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85
cons
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| n.欺骗，骗局( con的名词复数 )v.诈骗，哄骗( con的第三人称单数 ) | |
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86
rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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87
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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88
trample
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| vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯 | |
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89
knavish
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| adj.无赖（似）的，不正的；刁诈 | |
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90
poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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91
philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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92
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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93
bagpipe
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| n.风笛 | |
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94
invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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95
bray
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| n.驴叫声, 喇叭声；v.驴叫 | |
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96
belie
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| v.掩饰，证明为假 | |
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97
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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98
paraphernalia
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| n.装备；随身用品 | |
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99
bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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100
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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101
pros
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| abbr.prosecuting 起诉；prosecutor 起诉人；professionals 自由职业者；proscenium （舞台）前部n.赞成的意见( pro的名词复数 )；赞成的理由；抵偿物；交换物 | |
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102
forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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103
magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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104
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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105
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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106
enlist
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| vt.谋取(支持等)，赢得；征募；vi.入伍 | |
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107
vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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108
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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109
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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110
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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111
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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112
noose
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| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
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113
hempen
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| adj. 大麻制的, 大麻的 | |
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114
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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115
abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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116
succumb
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| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
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117
wrestle
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| vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付 | |
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119
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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120
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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121
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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122
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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123
wield
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| vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等) | |
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124
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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125
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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126
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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127
caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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128
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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129
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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130
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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131
immortality
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| n.不死，不朽 | |
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132
meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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133
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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134
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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135
perpendicularity
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| n.垂直，直立；垂直度 | |
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136
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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137
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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138
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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139
specified
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| adj.特定的 | |
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140
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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141
disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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142
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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143
pickpocket
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| n.扒手；v.扒窃 | |
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144
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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145
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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146
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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147
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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148
magisterial
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| adj.威风的，有权威的；adv.威严地 | |
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149
sapient
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| adj.有见识的，有智慧的 | |
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150
vouch
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| v.担保；断定；n.被担保者 | |
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151
ruse
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| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
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152
descry
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| v.远远看到；发现；责备 | |
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153
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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154
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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155
repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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156
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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157
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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158
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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159
interim
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| adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间 | |
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160
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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161
mentor
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| n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导 | |
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162
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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163
narrated
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| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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164
dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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165
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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166
tottered
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| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的过去式和过去分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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167
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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168
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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169
extorted
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| v.敲诈( extort的过去式和过去分词 )；曲解 | |
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170
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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171
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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172
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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173
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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174
enrage
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| v.触怒，激怒 | |
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175
propitiate
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| v.慰解，劝解 | |
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176
secular
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| n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的 | |
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177
dwindled
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| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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178
drudge
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| n.劳碌的人；v.做苦工，操劳 | |
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179
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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180
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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181
epicure
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| n.行家，美食家 | |
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182
broiling
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| adj.酷热的，炽热的，似烧的v.（用火）烤（焙、炙等）( broil的现在分词 )；使卷入争吵；使混乱；被烤（或炙） | |
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183
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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184
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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185
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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186
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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187
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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188
bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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189
bribed
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| v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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190
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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191
agonizing
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| adj.痛苦难忍的；使人苦恼的v.使极度痛苦；折磨(agonize的ing形式) | |
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192
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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193
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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194
fatality
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| n.不幸，灾祸，天命 | |
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195
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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196
encompass
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| vt.围绕，包围；包含，包括；完成 | |
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197
felon
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| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
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198
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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199
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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200
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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201
maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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202
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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203
profanely
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| adv.渎神地，凡俗地 | |
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204
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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205
glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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206
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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207
consistency
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| n.一贯性，前后一致，稳定性；(液体的)浓度 | |
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208
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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209
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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210
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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211
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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212
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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213
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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214
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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215
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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216
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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217
invader
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| n.侵略者，侵犯者，入侵者 | |
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218
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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219
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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220
athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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221
judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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222
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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223
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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224
alias
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| n.化名；别名；adv.又名 | |
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225
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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226
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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227
liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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228
transpire
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| v.(使)蒸发，(使)排出 ；泄露，公开 | |
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229
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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230
functionary
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| n.官员；公职人员 | |
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231
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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232
avalanche
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| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
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233
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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234
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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235
wrested
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| （用力）拧( wrest的过去式和过去分词 )； 费力取得； （从…）攫取； （ 从… ） 强行取去… | |
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236
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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237
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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238
labyrinth
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| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
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