"These river-pirates are of several kinds," continued Morcar. "There's the _light-horsemen_, or men who board the unprotected vessels in the night. Then there's the _heavy-horsemen_, who wear an under-dress, called a _jemmy_, which is covered by their smocks: these fellows obtain employment as _lumpers_,—that is, to load or discharge ships in the pool, during which they contrive to stow away every thing portable in the large pouches or pockets of their under-dress. Afterwards, the _heavy-horsemen_, give information to their pals, and put them on the scent which ships to rob at night. Next there's the _mud-larks_, who get on board stranded lighters at low water, and carry off what they can when the vessels are unprotected, or ask some question to lull suspicion if they find any one on board. This mode of river-piracy is very profitable, because numbers of lighters and barges are often left for hours alongside the banks, without a soul on board. _Game lightermen_ are those pirates that are in league with dishonest mates and sailors belonging to vessels that come up the river to discharge: and they receive at night from their pals on board, through the port-holes or over the quarter, any thing that's easy to move away in this manner. Last of all there's the _scuffle-hunters_, who put on smocks, and obtain work as porters on the wharfs where a ship is loading: then, if they can't contrive to steal any thing by those means, they can at all events carry some useful information to their pals—so that the ship is generally robbed in one way or another." [Illustration] "With so well organised a fraternity and such means of operation," said Markham, who had listened with interest and astonishment to these details, "Tidkins is capable of amassing a fortune in a very short time. But we must stop him in his criminal career. At the same time, let us do nothing without mature consideration. Are you willing to assist? Your reward shall be liberal." "The Zingaree may not of his own accord deliver up any one to justice," answered Morcar; "but he is allowed to serve an employer who pays him. Moreover," he added, as if ashamed of that sophistical compromise with the rules of his fraternity, "I shall gladly help to punish the miscreant who treated us with such base ingratitude." "Then you consent to serve me?" said Richard. "I do, sir," was the reply. "To-morrow, at mid-day, I will meet you somewhere in the eastern part of London," continued Richard. "I have already a project in my head; but I must consider it more maturely." "Where shall we meet, sir?" asked Morcar. Markham reflected for a moment, and then said, "On the Tower wharf." "I will be punctual, sir," answered the gipsy; and he took his departure. CHAPTER CLXVI. THE THAMES PIRATES. Moored at a wharf at the Rotherhithe side of the river Thames, nearly opposite Execution Dock, were several lighters and barges, all lying together.