Oldal 123 [123]
OCR
85 Oliver murmured his comprehension ‘of the different bodies referred to, and Mr. Sikes proceeded to load the pistol with great nicety and deliberation. * Now it’s loaded,” said Mr. Sikes when he had finished. 6 Yes, I see it is, sir,” replied Oliver, trembling. “ Well,” said the robber, grasping Oliver’s wrist tightly, and putting the barrel so close to his temple that they touched, at which moment the boy could not repress a shriek; “if you speak a word when you’re out 07 doors with me, except when I speak to you, that loading will be in your head without notice —so, if you do make up your mind to ae without leave, say your prayers t.?" Having bestowed a scowl upon the object of this warning, to increase its efbet, Mr. Sikes continued. s As near as I know, there isn’t anybody as would be asking very partickler arter you, if you was disposed of; so I needn’t take this devil-and-all of trouble to explain matters to you if it warn’t for your own . D’ye hear!" “The short and the long of what you mean,” said Nancy, speaking very emphatically, and slightly frowning at Oliver, as if to bespeak his serious attention to her words, " is, that if you ’re crossed by him in this job you have on hand, you "11 prevent his ever telling tales afterwards, by shooting him through the head, and take your chance of swinging for it as you do for a great many other things in the way of business every month of your life.” “That ’s it!” observed Mr. Sikes approvingly; “ women can always put things in fewest words, except when it’s blowing-up, and then they lengthens it out. And now that he’s thoroughly up to it, let’s have some supper, and get a snooze afore starting." In pursuance of this request, Nancy uickly laid the cloth, and, disappearing or a few minutes, presently returned with a pot of porter and a dish of sheeps’ heads, which gave occasion to several pleasant witticisms on the part of Mr. Sikes, founded upon the singular coincidence of “jemmies” being a cant name common to them and an ingenious implement much used in his profession. Indeed, the worthy gentleman, stimulated perhaps by the immediate prospect of be‘Ing in active service, was in great spirits 8 and roof whereof it may be here remarked, that he humorously drank all the beer at a draught, and did not utter, on a rough calculation, more than fourscore oaths during the whole progress of the meal. Supper being ended,—it may be easily conceived that Oliver had no great appetite for it Mr. Sikes disposed of a couple of glasses of spirits and water, and threw himself upon the bed, ordering Nancy, with many imprecations in case of failure, to call him at five precisely. Oliver stretched himself, in his clothes, by command of the same authority, on a mattress upon the floor; and the girl, mending the fire, sat before it, in readiness to rouse them at the appointed time. For a long time Oliver lay awake, thinking it not impossible that Nancy might seek that opportunity of: whispering some further advice, but the girl sat brooding over the fire without moving, save now and then to trim the light: weary with watching and anxiety, he at length fell asleep. When he awoke, the table was covered with tea thi and Sikes was thrusting various articles into the pockets of his great-coat which hung over the back of a chair, while Nancy was busily engaged in preparing breakfast. It was not yet daylight, for the candle was still burning, and it was quite dark outside. A sharp rain, too, was beating against the windowpanes, and the sky looked black and cloudy. 6 Now, then!” crowled Sikes, as Oliver started up; “half-past five! Look sharp, or you ’ll get no breakfast, for it’s late as it is.” Oliver was not long in making his tollet; and, having taken some breakfast, replied to a surly inquiry from Sikes, by saying that he was quite ready. Nancy, scarcely looking at the poy, threw him a handkerchief to tie round his throat, and Sikes gave him a large rough cape to button over his shoulders. ‘Thus attired, he gave his hand to the robber, who, merely pausing to show him, with a menacing gesture, that he had the pistol in a side-pocket of his great-coat, clasped it firmly in his, and, exchanging a farewell with Nancy, led him away. Oliver turned round for an mstant when they reached the door, in the hope of meeting a look from the girl: but she had resumed her old seat in front of the fire, and sat perfectly motionless before it -humour; in
