He was a very skilful tattoo artist, but, I am sure, could make the process nastier than any other that I ever saw attempt it.

He chewed tobacco enormously.

After pricking away for a few minutes at the design on the arm or some portion of the body, he would deluge it with a flood of tobacco spit, which, he claimed, acted as a kind of mordant.

Piping this off with a filthy rag, he would study the effect for an instant, and then go ahead with another series of prickings and tobacco juice drenchings.
The tunnel-traitor was taken to Captain Jack.

That worthy decided to brand him with a great "T," the top part to extend across his forehead and the stem to run down his nose.