Page:Paul Clifford Vol 3.djvu/86

78 more favourable to parley than to conflict. He cleared his throat, and thus addressed the foe:

"You, Sir, Captain Lovett, alias Howard, alias Jackson, alias Cavendish, alias Solomons, alias Devil, for I knows you well, and could swear to you with half an eye, in your clothes or without; you lay down your club there, and let me come alongside of you, and you'll find me as gentle as a lamb; for I've been used to gemmen all my life, and I knows how to treat 'em when I has 'em!"

"But, if I will not let you 'come alongside of me,'—what then?"

"Why, I must send one of these here pops through your skull, that's all!"

"Nay, Mr. Nabbem, that would be too cruel; you surely would not harm one who has such an esteem for you? Don't you remember the manner in which I brought you off from Justice Burnflat, when you were accused, you know whether justly or"

"You're a liar, Captain!" cried Nabbem furiously, fearful that something not meet for the ears of his companions should transpire. "You