Page:Long pack, or, A shot with Copenhagen (2).pdf/7

 felt the deals that surrounded its edges to prevent the goods being rumpled and spoiled by carrying the cords that bound it, and the canvas in which it was wrapped. "The pack was well enough, he found nought about it that other packs wanted. It was just like other packs made up the same stuff. He saw nought that ailed it. And a good large pack it was. It would cost the honest man £200, if not more. It would cost him £200 or £350 if the goods were fine. But he would make it all up again by cheating fools like Alice, with his gewgaws." Alice testified some little disappointment at seeing Richard unconvinced, even by ocular proof. She wished she had never seen him or it howsomever; for she was convinced there was something mysterious about it; that they were stolen goods or something that way; and she was terrified to stay in the house with it. But Richard assured her the pack was a right enough pack.

During this conversation, in comes Edward. He was a lad about sixteen years of age, son to a coal-driver on the border—was possessed of a good deal of humour and ingenuity, but some what roguish, forward, and commonly very ragged in his apparel. He was about this time wholly intent on shooting the crows and birds of various kinds, that alighted in whole flocks where be foddered the cattle. He had bought a huge old military gun, which he denominated Copenhagen, and was continually thundering away at them. He seldom killed any, if ever; but he once or twice knocked off a few feathers, and after much narrow inspection, discovered some