hugged myself with joy
when I found myself thus impenetrably disguised! Never did the face of
beauty have half the charms for me, that my blanched and terrific visage
had! 'I will go forth into the great world again--no one will ever
recognize me!' thought I; and bidding adieu to my brother
counterfeiters, I returned to New York. Ha, ha, ha! how people shrank
from me! how children screamed at my approach; how mothers clasped their
babes to their breasts as I passed by, as though I were the destroying
angel! The universal terror which I inspired was to me a source of mad
joy. Having ample means in my possession, I began a career of lavish
expenditure and extravagant debauchery, until the eye of the police was
fastened upon me with suspicion; and then I deemed it prudent to act
with more caution.--About that time I became aware of the existence of
the Dark Vaults, and the 'Jolly Knights of the Round Table.' Soon after
my meeting with that jovial crew, the law put its iron clutch on me for
a murder--a mere trifle; I passed my knife between a gentleman's ribs
one night in the street, just to tickle his heart a bit, and put him in
a good humor to lend me some money, but the fool died under the
operation, having first very impolitely called out _Murder!_ which
resulted in my being captured on the spot by two of those night prowlers
known as watchmen. Well, my ugly face was against me, and I could give
no good account of myself--therefore they (the judge and jury) voted me
a hempen cravat, to be presented and adjusted one fine morning between
the hours of ten and twelve. But his Excellency the Governor, (a
particular friend of mine,) objected to such a summary proceeding, as
one calculated to deprive society of its brightest ornament; he
therefore favored me with a special permit to pass the rest of my useful
life within the walls of a place vulgarly termed the State Prison--a
very beautiful edifice when viewed from the outside. I did not long
remain there, however, to partake of the State's hospitality--to be
brief, I ran away, but was carried back again, after being a year at
liberty, through the instrumentality of Sydney, whom may the devil
confound! But again I escaped--you know in what manner; and you are well
acquainted with most of my adventures since--my cutting out the boy
_Kinchen's_ tongue, my murder of Mrs. Stevens, and other matters not
necessary for me to repeat.'

'But,' said Ragged Pete, with some hesitation, '