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第16章

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in Spanish pieces of eight; and desired me to give him a receipt 

for it as in full for that year; ending at Christmas following; 

this being about the latter end of August。



I stayed here about five weeks; and indeed had much ado to 

get away then。  Nay; he would have come over the bay with 

me; but I would by no means allow him to it。  However; he 

would send me over in a sloop of his own; which was built 

like a yacht; and served him as well for pleasure as business。  

This I accepted of; and so; after the utmost expressions both 

of duty and affection; he let me come away; and I arrived safe 

in two days at my friend's the Quaker's。



I brought over with me for the use of our plantation; three 

horses; with harness and saddles; some hogs; two cows; and 

a thousand other things; the gift of the kindest and tenderest 

child that ever woman had。  I related to my husband all the 

particulars of this voyage; except that I called my son my 

cousin; and first I told him that I had lost my watch; which 

he seemed to take as a misfortune; but then I told him how 

kind my cousin had been; that my mother had left me such a 

plantation; and that he had preserved it for me; in hopes some 

time or other he should hear from me; then I told him that I 

had left it to his management; that he would render me a 

faithful account of its produce; and then I pulled him out the 

#100 in silver; as the first year's produce; and then pulling 

out the deerskin purse with the pistoles; 'And here; my dear;' 

says I; 'is the gold watch。'  My husbandso is Heaven's 

goodness sure to work the same effects in all sensible minds 

where mercies touch the heartlifted up both hands; and with 

an ecstacy of joy; 'What is God a…doing;' says he; 'for such an 

ungrateful dog as I am!'  Then I let him know what I had 

brought over in the sloop; besides all this; I mean the horses; 

hogs; and cows; and other stores for our plantation; all which 

added to his surprise; and filled his heart with thankfulness; 

and from this time forward I believe he was as sincere a penitent; 

and as thoroughly a reformed man; as ever God's goodness 

brought back from a profligate; a highwayman; and a robber。  

I could fill a larger history than this with the evidence of this 

truth; and but that I doubt that part of the story will not be 

equally diverting as the wicked part; I have had thoughts of 

making a volume of it by itself。



As for myself; as this is to be my own story; not my husband's; 

I return to that part which related to myself。  We went on with 

our plantation; and managed it with the help and diversion of 

such friends as we got there by our obliging behaviour; and 

especially the honest Quaker; who proved a faithful; generous; 

and steady friend to us; and we had very good success; for 

having a flourishing stock to begin with; as I have said; and 

this being now increased by the addition of #150 sterling in 

money; we enlarged our number of servants; built us a very 

good house; and cured every year a great deal of land。  The 

second year I wrote to my old governess; giving her part with 

us of the joy of our success; and order her how to lay out the 

money I had left with her; which was #250 as above; and to 

send it to us in goods; which she performed with her usual 

kindness and fidelity; and this arrived safe to us。



Here we had a supply of all sorts of clothes; as well for my 

husband as for myself; and I took especial care to buy for 

him all those things that I knew he delighted to have; as two 

good long wigs; two silver…hilted swords; three or four fine 

fowling…pieces; a find saddle with holsters and pistols very 

handsome; with a scarlet cloak; and; in a word; everything I 

could think of to oblige him; and to make him appear; as he 

really was; a very fine gentleman。  I ordered a good quantity 

of such household stuff as we yet wanted; with linen of all 

sorts for us both。  As for myself; I wanted very little of clothes 

or linen; being very well furnished before。  The rest of my 

cargo consisted in iron…work of all sorts; harness for horses; 

tools; clothes for servants; and woollen cloth; stuffs; serges; 

stockings; shoes; hats; and the like; such as servants wear; 

and whole pieces also to make up for servants; all by direction 

of the Quaker; and all this cargo arrived safe; and in good 

condition; with three woman…servants; lusty wenches; which 

my old governess had picked for me; suitable enough to the 

place; and to the work we had for them to do; one of which 

happened to come double; having been got with child by one 

of the seamen in the ship; as she owned afterwards; before 

the ship got so far as Gravesend; so she brought us a stout 

boy; about seven months after her landing。



My husband; you may suppose; was a little surprised at the 

arriving of all this cargo from England; and talking with me 

after he saw the account of this particular; 'My dear;' says he; 

'what is the meaning of all this?  I fear you will run us too 

deep in debt:  when shall we be able to make return for it all?'  

I smiled; and told him that is was all paid for; and then I told 

him; that what our circumstances might expose us to; I had 

not taken my whole stock with me; that I had reserved so 

much in my friend's hands; which now we were come over 

safe; and was settled in a way to live; I had sent for; as he 

might see。



He was amazed; and stood a while telling upon his fingers; 

but said nothing。  At last he began thus:  'Hold; let's see;' says 

he; telling upon his fingers still; and first on his thumb; 'there's 

#246 in money at first; then two gold watches; diamond rings; 

and plate;' says he; upon the forefinger。  Then upon the next 

finger; 'Here's a plantation on York River; #100 a year; then 

#150 in money; then a sloop load of horses; cows; hogs; and 

stores'; and so on to the thumb again。  'And now;' says he; 'a 

cargo cost #250 in England; and worth here twice the money。'  

'Well;' says I; 'what do you make of all that?'  'Make of it?' 

says he; 'why; who says I was deceived when I married a wife 

in Lancashire?  I think I have married a fortune; and a very 

good fortune too;' says he。



In a word; we were now in very considerable circumstances; 

and every year increasing; for our new plantation grew upon 

our hands insensibly; and in eight years which we lived upon 

it; we brought it to such pitch; that the produce was at least 

#300 sterling a year; I mean; worth so much in England。



After I had been a year at home again; I went over the bay to 

see my son; and to receive another year's income of my 

plantation; and I was surprised to hear; just at my landing there; 

that my old husband was dead; and had not been buried above 

a fortnight。  This; I confess; was not disagreeable news; 

because now I could appear as I was; in a married condition; 

so I told my son before I came from him; that I believed I 

should marry a gentleman who had a plantation near mine; 

and though I was legally free to marry; as to any obligation 

that was on me before; yet that I was shy of it; lest the blot 

should some time or other be revived; and it might make a 

husband uneasy。  My son; the same kind; dutiful; and obliging 

creature as ever; treated me now at his own house; paid me 

my hundred pounds; and sent me home again loaded with presents。



Some time after this; I let my son know I was married; and 

invited him over to see us; and my husband wrote a very 

obliging letter to him also; inviting him to come and see him; 

and he came accordingly some months after; and happened to 

be there just when my cargo from England came in; which I 

let him believe belonged all to my husband's estate; not to me。



It must be observed that when the old wretch my brother 

(husband) was dead; I then freely gave my husband an account 

of all that affair; and of this cousin; as I had c

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