a book of scoundrels(流浪之书)-第12章
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inactivity。 As Hercules； whose counterpart she was； changed his club for
the distaff of Omphale； so would she put off the wimple and bodice of her
sex for jerkin and galligaskins。 If she could not allure manhood； then
would she brave it。 And though she might not cross swords with her
country's foes； at least she might levy tribute upon the unjustly rich； and
confront an enemy wherever there was a full pocket。
Her entrance into a gang of thieves was beset by no difficulty。 The
Bear Garden； always her favourite resort； had made her acquainted with
all the divers and rumpads of the town。 The time； moreover； was
favourable to enterprise； and once again was genius born into a golden age。
The cutting of purses was an art brought to perfection； and already the
more elegant practice of picking pockets was understood。 The transition
gave scope for endless ingenuity； and Moll was not slow in mastering the
theory of either craft。 It was a changing fashion of dress； as I have said；
which forced a new tactic upon the thief； the pocket was invented because
the hanging purse was too easy a prey for the thievish scissors。 And no
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sooner did the world conceal its wealth in pockets than the cly…filer was
born to extract the booty with his long； nimble fingers。 The trick was
managed with an admirable forethought； which has been a constant
example to after ages。 The file was always accompanied by a bull：；
whose duty it was to jostle and distract the victim while his pockets were
rifled。 The bung； or what not； was rapidly passed on to the attendant rub；
who scurried off before the cry of STOP THIEF！ could be raised。
Thus was the craft of thieving practised when Moll was enrolled a
humble member of the gang。 Yet nature had not endowed her with the
qualities which ensure an active triumph。 ‘The best signs and marks of a
happy； industrious hand；' wrote the hoyden； ‘is a long middle finger；
equally suited with that they call the fool's or first finger。' Now； though
she was never a clumsy jade； the practice of sword…play and quarterstaff
had not refined the industry of her hands； which were the rather framed for
strength than for delicacy。 So that though she served a willing
apprenticeship； and eagerly shared the risks of her chosen trade； the fear of
Newgate and Tyburn weighed heavily upon her spirit； and she cast about
her for a method of escape。 Avoiding the danger of discovery； she was
loth to forego her just profit； and hoped that intelligence might atone for
her sturdy； inactive fingers。 Already she had endeared herself to the gang
by unnumbered acts of kindness and generosity； already her inflexible
justice had made her umpire in many a difficult dispute。 If a rascal could
be bought off at the gallows' foot； there was Moll with an open purse； and
so speedily did she penetrate all the secrets of thievish policy； that her
counsel and comfort were soon indispensable。
Here； then； was her opportunity。 Always a diplomatist rather than a
general； she gave up the battlefield for the council chamber。 She planned
the robberies which defter hands achieved； and； turning herself from cly…
filer to fence； she received and changed to money all the watches and
trinkets stolen by the gang。
Were a citizen robbed upon the highway； he straightway betook
himself to Moll； and his property was presently returned him at a
handsome price。 Her house； in short； became a brokery。 Hither the
blades and divers brought their purchases； and sought the ransom； hither
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came the outraged victims to buy again the jewels and rings which
thievish fingers had pinched。 With prosperity her method improved； until
at last her statesmanship controlled the remotest details of the craft。 Did
one of her gang get to work overnight and carry off a wealthy swag； she
had due intelligence of the affair betimes next morning； so that； furnished
with an inventory of the booty； she might make a just division； or be
prepared for the advent of the rightful owner。
So she gained a complete ascendency over her fellows。 And when
once her position was assured； she came forth a pitiless autocrat。
Henceforth the gang existed for her pleasure； not she for the gang's； and
she was as urgent to punish insubordination as is an empress to avenge the
heinous sin of treason。 The pickpocket who had claimed her protection
knew no more the delight of freedom。 If he dared conceal the booty that
was his； he had an enemy more powerful than the law； and many a time
did contumacy pay the last penalty at the gallows。 But the faithful also
had their reward； for Moll never deserted a comrade； and while she lived
in perfect safety herself she knew well how to contrive the safety of others。
Nor was she content merely to discharge those duties of the fence for
which an instinct of statecraft designed her。 Her restless brain seethed
with plans of plunder； and if her hands were idle it was her direction that
emptied half the pockets in London。 Having drilled her army of divers to
an unparalleled activity； she cast about for some fresh method of warfare；
and so enrolled a regiment of heavers； who would lurk at the mercers'
doors for an opportunity to carry off ledgers and account…books。 The
price of redemption was fixed by Moll herself； and until the mercers were
aroused by frequent losses to a quicker vigilance； the trade was profitably
secure。
Meanwhile new clients were ever seeking her aid； and； already
empress of the thieves； she presently aspired to the friendship and
patronage of the highwaymen。 Though she did not dispose of their booty；
she was appointed their banker； and vast was the treasure entrusted to the
coffers of honest Moll。 Now； it was her pride to keep only the best
company； for she hated stupidity worse than a clumsy hand； and they were
men of wit and spirit who frequented her house。 Thither came the
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famous Captain Hind； the Regicides' inveterate enemy； whose lofty
achievements Moll； with an amiable extravagance； was wont to claim for
her own。 Thither came the unamiably notorious Mull Sack； who once
emptied Cromwell's pocket on the Mall； and whose courage was as
formidable as his rough…edged tongue。 Another favourite was the
ingenious Crowder； whose humour it was to take the road habited like a
bishop； and who surprised the victims of his greed with ghostly counsel。
Thus it was a merry party that assembled in the lady's parlour； loyal to the
memory of the martyred king； and quick to fling back an offending
pleasantry。
But the house in Fleet Street was a refuge as well as a resort； the
sanctuary of a hundred rascals； whose misdeeds were not too flagrantly
discovered。 For； while Moll always allowed discretion to govern her
conduct； while she would risk no present security for a vague promise of
advantages to come； her secret influence in Newgate made her more
powerful than the hangman and the whole bench of judges。 There was
no turnkey who was not her devoted servitor； but it was the clerk of
Newgate to whom she and her family were most deeply beholden。 This
was one Ralph Briscoe； as pretty a fellow as ever deserted the law for a
bull… baiting。 Though wizened and clerkly in appearance； he was of a
lofty courage； and Moll was heard to declare that had she not been sworn
to celibacy； she would have cast an eye upon the faithful Ralph； who was
obedient to her behests whether at Gaol Delivery or Bear Garden。 For
her he would pack a jury or get a reprieve； for him she would bait a bull
with the fiercest dogs in London。 Why then should she fear the law；
when the clerk of Newgate and Gregory the Hangman fought
