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Updated: June 1, 2025
Mr Pigtop was opposed to this, lest I should die upon the spot; but I gave the magistrate more satisfaction by telling him I had good reason to suppose that the ball had not penetrated deeply. I was the last examined; and I almost electrified Pigtop when I deposed that I knew well the person of my murderous assaulter, and that it was Joshua Daunton.
And, so your father actually did send that old lord to look after you at your return from the West Indies. Well, that shows some affection for you, at all events." "The fruits of which affection Daunton is, no doubt, now reaping." "Well, let us go and cut his throat, or rather, turn him over to the hangman." "No, Pigtop; I have promised his mother that I will not attempt his life."
Strange and disloyal thoughts began their turmoil in my bosom; and speculation was busy, and prospects of vanity began to dance before my eyes. Old enough to be my mother! What then? Mother! the thought brought with it the black train of ideas of which Daunton was the demoniac leader. He had asserted that the superb woman before me might claim from me the affection of a son.
To all this they both smiled very sapiently, and told me they had their reasons. "Well," said I, "you are wise, and, compared to me, old men. You cannot think this Daunton a moral character you cannot think him honest. Still, telling me you are my friends, you champion him against me. And yet I know not how or in what manner.
Joshua looked very demure and very unhappy; but Dr Thompson set on foot an inquiry, and the truth of the destruction of the clothes was soon ascertained. The loblolly-boy, that is, the young man who had charge of the laboratory where all the medicines were kept, confessed, after a little hesitation, that for certain glasses of grog he had given this pernicious liquid to Daunton.
"Ralph, much mischief was done in that absence my boy, my lost William: he, whom you know as Joshua Daunton, broke into his mother's house, rifled my escritoir, and carried off some of my most important documents that unread letter among the number." "But how know you its contents?" said I, breathless with agitation. "By the tenor of these succeeding ones from Sir Reginald and his priest."
Joshua Daunton was on his knees before Mr Pigtop, who was in an agony of pain, holding on his upper lip, which was nearly severed from his face, whilst the blood was streaming through his fingers. Doctor Thompson with diachylon and black sticking-plaster was soon on the spot to the assistance of the almost dislipped master's-mate.
At length, the master of the inn suggested that perhaps they had passed out of the window, and might be still upon the boarding or the scaffolding. The shutters were hastily thrown open and, sight of horrors! Joshua Daunton was discovered hanging by the neck dead! Sir Reginald gazed for some moments in speechless terror on the horrible spectacle, and then fell back in a death-like swoon.
"Give me your protection, and as much of your friendliness as is compatible with our different stations." "But, Daunton, according to your own words, you have been a sad fellow. Before I extend to you what you require, I ought to know what you really have done. You spoke of tramping have you been a tramper a gipsy?" "I have." "Have you ever committed theft?" "Only in a small way."
Never having had anything beyond his pay, his life had been one of ceaseless privation and discontent. He had now nearly spent all his money, and had omitted to make those reparations to his wardrobe, rendered so necessary by the malignity of Joshua Daunton. He wished to leave the service, and be anything rather than what he had been. He had no relations living, and positively no friends.
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