hen we have the Heavy Horsemen--they do their work in
the daytime, when they go on board as lumpers to clear the ships. And
then we've the Coopers and Bum-boat men, and the Ratcatchers and the
Scuffle Hunters, and the River Pirates; and, last of all, we have the
Mudlarkers: all different professions, Jack; never interfering with each
other, and all living by their wits. I'm too old now; I was a flash
pirate once, but I'm now nearly eighty, and am only fit for a
mudlarker."

"But," exclaimed I, with astonishment, "are they not discovered and
punished?"

"That's very seldom, Jack; for you see we have receivers all down the
river; some of them great men, and dining with the mayor and common
council; others in a small way--all sorts, Jack: and then we have what
we call Jew Carts, always ready to take goods inland, where they will
not be looked after. Old Nanny was a receiver and fence in a large way
once."

"Then the only honest people on the river are the watermen."

Here old Grumble chuckled. "Why, Jack, they be the worst of all, for
they be both receivers and thieves. Do you think the watermen live by
their fares? If you do, just wait on the steps one night, and you'll
find that their night work is worth more than the day work is. We all
must live, Jack; and now I've shown you a way by which you can earn more
money in a night than you can in a fortnight by asking for halfpence.
Here's five shillings for you, my boy; and when I want you again I'll
let you know."

Alas! the five shillings, so easily and so unexpectedly earned, did, for
the time, satisfy all my scruples: so easily are we bribed into what is
wrong. I wished Old Grumble a good night and left him. As I returned
home, I thought of what he had said about night work, and, instead of
making my way to Fisher's Alley, I returned to the landing-steps,
resolving to watch for a time and see what occurred.

I thought of what had passed. I was not satisfied with myself. I
thought of what Anderson would say, and I felt that I had done wrong.
And then I attempted to exculpate myself: I could not prove that the
things were stolen. I did not go with any intent to help in such a
business. Old Grumble had only paid me for my work; but then, why did
he pay me so much money? My conscience told me that it was because the
dealings were unfair. I could not persuade myself that I was right. I
looked up at the heavens--for it was a clear night, and there was a