[Peter Simple and The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2 by Frederick Marryat]@TWC D-Link bookPeter Simple and The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2 CHAPTER VIII 12/16
Had I minded all they whispered in my lug as I came along, I had need been made of money--sax-pence here, sax-pence there, sax-pence every where. Sich extortion I ne'er dreamt of." "How did you come from Glasgow ?" "By the wheelboat, or steamboat, as they ca'd it, to Lunnon: where they charged me sax-pence for taking my baggage on shore--a wee boxy nae bigger than yon cocked-up hat.
I would fain carry it mysel', but they wadna let me." "Well, where did you go to when you arrived in London ?" "I went to a place ca'd Chichester Rents, to the house of Storm and Mainwaring, Warehousemen, and they must have another sax-pence for showing me the way.
There I waited half-an-hour in the counting-house, till they took me to a place ca'd Bull and Mouth, and put me into a coach, paying my whole fare: nevertheless they must din me for money the whole of the way down.
There was first the guard, and then the coachman, and another guard, and another coachman; but I wudna listen to them, and so they growled and abused me." "And when did you arrive ?" "I came here last night; and I only had a bed and a breakfast at the twa Blue Pillars' house, for which they extortioned me three shillings and sax-pence, as I sit here.
And then there was the chambermaid hussy and waiter loon axed me to remember them, and wanted more siller; but I told them as I told the guard and coachman, that I had none for them." "How much of your ten shillings have you left ?" inquired the first lieutenant, smiling. "Hoot, sir lieutenant, how came you for to ken that? Eh! it's my uncle Monteith at Glasgow.
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