The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 11, October, 1836Various
History
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 11, October, 1836
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
The goods are also found on board, together with three men in the
hold, gagged and tied hand and foot. They give a strange account of
themselves. Being in the employ of Mr. Heaviside a lighterman, they
were put in charge of “The Flitter,” when she was hired by Peter Snook
for a trip to Gravesend. According to their orders they took the barge
in the first instance to a wharf near Queenhithe, and helped to load
her with some goods brought down in carts. Mr. Snook afterwards came
on board bringing with him two fierce looking men and “a little man
with a hooked nose,” (Ephraim.) Mr. S. and the little man then “had a
sort of a jollification” in the cabin, till the latter got drunk and
was carried ashore. They then proceeded down the river, nothing
particular occuring till they had passed Greenwich Hospital, when Mr.
S. ordered them to lay the barge alongside a large black sided ship.
No sooner was the order obeyed than they were boarded by a number of
men from said ship, who seized them, bound them hand and foot, gagged
them and put them down into the hold.
The immediate consequence of this information is, that our poor friend
Peter is bound hand and foot, gagged, and put down into the hold in
the same manner, by way of retaliation, and for sake-keeping on his
way back to the city. On the arrival of the party a meeting of the
creditors is called. Peter appears before them in a great rage and
with the air of an injured man. Indeed, his behavior is so
mal-a-propos to his situation, as entirely to puzzle his
interrogators. He accuses the whole party of a conspiracy.
“Peter Snook,” said Mr. Pester solemnly, from the chair, “that look
does not become you after what has passed. Let me advise you to
conduct yourself with propriety. You will find that the best policy,
depend on't.”
“A pretty thing for you, for to come to talk of propriety!” exclaimed
Peter; “you that seed me laid hold on by a set of ruffins, and never
said a word, nor given information a'terwards! And here have I been
kept away from business I don't know how long, and shut up like a dog
in a kennel; but I look upon't you were at the bottom of it all—you
and that fellow with the plum-pudding face, as blowed me up about a
cask of gin! What you both mean by it I can't think; but if there's
any law in the land, I'll make you remember it, both of you—that's
what I will!”
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