"Now, thar' war'nt so much in takin' the gal, cos jist when she seed
the dogs comin', the critter took to tree and gin right up: but when
I went to muzlin' on her, so she could'nt scream, then she gets
saucy; and I promised to gin her bricks,--which, fellers, I reckon
yer must take a hand in so the brute won't wake the neighbours; and
I'll do'e it afore I sleeps," said Nimrod, getting up from the table
and playfully touching Romescos upon the arm. "I see ye ain't
brightened to-day--Graspum's share don't seem to suit yer, old
feller; ah! ah!!" he continued.
"Just put another ten per cent. upon the out-lining, and running
free 'uns, and I'll stand flint," said Romescos, seeming to be acted
upon by a sudden change of feelings, as he turned to Graspum, with a
look of anxiety.
"Very well," returned Graspum. "Yer see, there's that Marston affair
to be brought to a point; and his affairs are just in such a fix
that he don't know what's what, nor who's who. Ther'll have to be
some tall swearing done in that case afore it's brought to the
hammer. That cunning of yours, Romescos, will just come into play in
this case. It'll be just the thing to do the crooked and get round
the legal points." Thus Graspum, with the dignity and assurance of a
gentleman, gave his opinion, drank with his companions, and withdrew
for the night.
Romescos, Bengal, and Nimrod, soon after descended into the vaults
below, followed by a negro bearing a lantern. Here they unbolted one
of the cells, dragged forth a dejected-looking mulatto woman, her
rags scarcely covering her nakedness.
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