United States or Malaysia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Mrs Gaff's resolution was shaken; after a few moments' consideration she said she would take it in silver, and begged to have it mixed with a good number of sixpences amongst it.
His active mind did not remain long paralysed; pulling out the clasp-knife which he always carried in his pocket, he quickly cut the cords that fastened Gaff's wrists.
"Now, Graddy," he said, in the tone of a man who has thoroughly made up his mind, "we'll settle this question right off. One of us must submit. If fair means won't do, foul shall be used. You may be bigger than me, but I don't think ye're stronger: leastwise ye'll ha' to prove it. Now, then, pitch that knife overboard." Instead of obeying, Graddy hurled it with all his force into Gaff's chest.
Mrs Gaff's palm instantly exploded like a pistol-shot on Billy's ear, and he measured his length exactly three feet six on the floor.
Then Gaff's heart sank within him, for he felt sure that, whenever it was too dark for each to see the other, the madman would summon up courage to make a sudden attack. The attack, however, was precipitated by Gaff inadvertently glancing over his shoulder to observe how far the sun had yet to descend.
Of course Gaff's re-appearance with his son in his arms was greeted with heartfelt and vociferous cheers; and, of course, when they were hauled on board, and Gaff handed Billy to the skipper, in order that he might the more conveniently wring a little of the superabundant water from his garments, another and a still more hearty cheer was given; but Gaff checked it rather abruptly by raising himself and saying sternly
The lawyer then asked if Gaff's wife was alive, and on being informed that she was, he told Haco that Gaff had had a brother in Australia who had been a very successful gold digger, but whose health had broken down owing to the severity of the work, and he had left the diggings and gone to Melbourne, where he died.
"Now," said the middy, taking out his purse, "that's all fixed; here is five shillings in advance, and twenty shillings will follow when the performance is over. Don't forget the time and place: the village of Cove, the rear of Stephen Gaff's cottage everybody knows it and eight o'clock precisely."
Suppose we could find a village constable in a cottage they'd kill him as gaily as they would you or me but it isn't his at-home day, he's at Timsdale-Horton Races. When this gaff's over, the belated soothsayers will tell me: 'you ought to have roused the police and laid your case before them, in one of the three great towns that I drove through last night. And what yarn was I to pitch?
Gaff's blows had been delivered with such vigour that Graddy's head was much damaged, and it was a long time before the two could get him restored sufficiently to sit up. At length, however, he roused himself and looked with a bewildered air at the sun, which had just risen in a flood of golden light.
Word Of The Day