Page:The White Slave, or Memoirs of a Fugitive.djvu/71

 "Just so, colonel, says I; — and perhaps I might, — if you'll promise me something in the first place.

"Promise you something, said the colonel; — haven't I promised five hundred dollars already! — what is it you mean?

"Says I, colonel, it isn't the reward I was thinking about, — the reward is handsome — a very pretty reward surely. Pay me four hundred and fifty dollars, colonel, -and promise me not to whip Archy, when you get him, and I'll not ask for the other fifty.

"Pshaw, nonsense, says the colonel. Pray Mr Gordon, what is it to you how much I whip the scoundrel, provided you get your money?

"Says I, colonel, Jemmy Gordon isn't the chap to forget a favor. That boy Archy, saved my life, it's three years ago, this very month; and if you'll promise me upon your honor, not to punish him for running away, I will undertake to hunt him up for you; — and not otherwise.

"The colonel higgled and haggled a good deal; — but when he found he couldn't get round me no how, — he promised all I had asked him. So I told him how you had been at my house, and how you were coming again; and he sent Stubbs and them other fellows to help me take you, — and that's the long and the short of the whole matter. So don't be sulky Archy, but cheer up and take it kindly. Yousee, I meant to do what was best for us both."

"I wish you much joy, Mr Gordon of your part of the bargain; and may you lose your five hundred dollars, the next time you play cards, and that will be before you are twelve hours older."

"You're in a passion, Archy, or you wouldn't talk in that way. Well, boy, to tell the truth, I don't much wonder at it. But by and by, you'll think better of it. I should think you might be content with having broken my head; my eyes, Archy, but it aches as though it would split." So saying, Mr Gordon broke off the conversation and joined his companions.

Little reason as I have to speak well of him, I am bold ‘ to say there are a great many men in the world, not much better than Jemmy Gordon. Five hundred dollars was a