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第4章

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my importunity prevailed; and; while I was still pressing; she 

answered me in a few words; thus:  'Why; you have money; 

have you not?  Did you ever know one in your life that was 

transported and had a hundred pounds in his pocket; I'll warrant 

you; child?'says she。



I understood her presently; but told her I would leave all that 

to her; but I saw no room to hope for anything but a strict 

execution of the order; and as it was a severity that was 

esteemed a mercy; there was no doubt but it would be strictly 

observed。  She said no more but this:  'We will try what can 

be done;' and so we parted for that night。



I lay in the prison near fifteen weeks after this order for 

transportation was signed。  What the reason of it was; I know 

not; but at the end of this time I was put on board of a ship in 

the Thames; and with me a gang of thirteen as hardened vile 

creatures as ever Newgate produced in my time; and it would 

really well take up a history longer than mine to describe the 

degrees of impudence and audacious villainy that those thirteen 

were arrived to; and the manner of their behaviour in the 

voyage; of which I have a very diverting account by me; which 

the captain of the ship who carried them over gave me the 

minutes of; and which he caused his mate to write down at large。



It may perhaps be thought trifling to enter here into a relation 

of all the little incidents which attended me in this interval of 

my circumstances; I mean; between the final order of my 

transporation and the time of my going on board the ship; and 

I am too near the end of my story to allow room for it; but 

something relating to me any my Lancashire husband I must 

not omit。



He had; as I have observed already; been carried from the 

master's side of the ordinary prison into the press…yard; with 

three of his comrades; for they found another to add to them 

after some time; here; for what reason I knew not; they were 

kept in custody without being brought to trial almost three 

months。  It seems they found means to bribe or buy off some 

of those who were expected to come in against them; and they 

wanted evidence for some time to convict them。  After some 

puzzle on this account; at first they made a shift to get proof 

enough against two of them to carry them off; but the other 

two; of which my Lancashire husband was one; lay still in 

suspense。  They had; I think; one positive evidence against 

each of them; but the law strictly obliging them to have two 

witnesses; they could make nothing of it。  Yet it seems they 

were resolved not to part with the men neither; not doubting 

but a further evidence would at last come in; and in order to 

this; I think publication was made; that such prisoners being 

taken; any one that had been robbed by them might come to 

the prison and see them。



I took this opportunity to satisfy my curiosity; pretending that 

I had been robbed in the Dunstable coach; and that I would go 

to see the two highwaymen。  But when I came into the press…yard; 

I so disguised myself; and muffled my face up so; that he could 

see little of me; and consequently knew nothing of who I was; 

and when I came back; I said publicly that I knew them very well。



Immediately it was rumoured all over the prison that Moll 

Flanders would turn evidence against one of the highwaymen; 

and that I was to come off by it from the sentence of transportation。



They heard of it; and immediately my husband desired to see 

this Mrs。 Flanders that knew him so well; and was to be an 

evidence against him; and accordingly I had leave given to go 

to him。  I dressed myself up as well as the best clothes that I 

suffered myself ever to appear in there would allow me; and 

went to the press…yard; but had for some time a hood over my 

face。  He said little to me at first; but asked me if I knew him。  

I told him; Yes; very well; but as I concealed my face; so I 

counterfeited my voice; that he had not the least guess at who 

I was。  He asked me where I had seen him。  I told him between 

Dunstable and Brickhill; but turning to the keeper that stood 

by; I asked if I might not be admitted to talk with him alone。  

He said Yes; yes; as much as I pleased; and so very civilly 

withdrew。



As soon as he was gone; I had shut the door; I threw off my 

hood; and bursting out into tears; 'My dear;' says I; 'do you not 

know me?'  He turned pale; and stood speechless; like one 

thunderstruck; and; not able to conquer the surprise; said no 

more but this; 'Let me sit down'; and sitting down by a table; 

he laid his elbow upon the table; and leaning his head on his 

hand; fixed his eyes on the ground as one stupid。  I cried so 

vehemently; on the other hand; that it was a good while ere I 

could speak any more; but after I had given some vent to my 

passion by tears; I repeated the same words; 'My dear; do you 

not know me?'  At which he answered; Yes; and said no more 

a good while。



After some time continuing in the surprise; as above; he cast 

up his eyes towards me and said; 'How could you be so cruel?'  

I did not readily understand what he meant; and I answered; 

'How can you call me cruel?  What have I been cruel to you in?'  

'To come to me;' says he; 'in such a place as this; is it not to 

insult me?  I have not robbed you; at least not on the highway。'



I perceived by this that he knew nothing of the miserable 

circumstances I was in; and thought that; having got some 

intelligence of his being there; I had come to upbraid him 

with his leaving me。  But I had too much to say to him to be 

affronted; and told him in few words; that I was far from 

coming to insult him; but at best I came to condole mutually; 

that he would be easily satisfied that I had no such view; 

when I should tell him that my condition was worse than his; 

and that many ways。  He looked a little concerned at the 

general expression of my condition being worse than his; but; 

with a kind smile; looked a little wildly; and said; 'How can 

that be?  When you see me fettered; and in Newgate; and two 

of my companions executed already; can you can your condition 

is worse than mine?'



'Come; my dear;' says I; 'we have along piece of work to do; 

if I should be to related; or you to hear; my unfortunate history; 

but if you are disposed to hear it; you will soon conclude with 

me that my condition is worse than yours。'  'How is that possible;' 

says he again; 'when I expect to be cast for my life the very 

next sessions?'  'Yes; says I; ''tis very possible; when I shall 

tell you that I have been cast for my life three sessions ago; 

and am under sentence of death; is not my case worse than yours?' 



Then indeed; he stood silent again; like one struck dumb; and 

after a while he starts up。  'Unhappy couple!' says he。  'How 

can this be possible?'  I took him by the hand。  'Come; my 

dear;' said I; 'sit down; and let us compare our sorrows。  I am 

a prisoner in this very house; and in much worse circumstances 

than you; and you will be satisfied I do not come to insult you; 

when I tell you the particulars。'  Any with this we sat down 

together; and I told him so much of my story as I thought was 

convenient; bringing it at last to my being reduced to great 

poverty; and representing myself as fallen into some company 

that led me to relieve my distresses by way that I had been 

utterly unacquainted with; and that they making an attempt at 

a tradesman's house; I was seized upon for having been but 

just at the door; the maid…servant pulling me in; that I neither 

had broke any lock nor taken anything away; and that 

notwithstanding that; I was brought in guilty and sentenced 

to die; but that the judges; having been made sensible of the 

hardship of my circumstances; had obtained leave to remit the 

sentence upon my consenting to be transported。



I told him I fared the w

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