part8-第6章
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therefore he could not have any patience when he did but
think of being transported。
I used the utmost of my endeavour to persuade him； and joined
that known woman's rhetoric to itI mean； that of tears。 I told
him the infamy of a public execution was certainly a greater
pressure upon the spirits of a gentleman than any of the
mortifications that he could meet with abroad could be； that
he had at least in the other a chance for his life； whereas here
he had none at all； that it was the easiest thing in the world
for him to manage the captain of a ship； who were； generally
speaking； men of good…humour and some gallantry； and a
small matter of conduct； especially if there was any money
to be had； would make way for him to buy himself off when
he came to Virginia。
He looked wistfully at me； and I thought I guessed at what he
meant； that is to say； that he had no money； but I was mistaken；
his meaning was another way。 'You hinted just now； my dear；'
said he； 'that there might be a way of coming back before I
went； by which I understood you that it might be possible to
buy it off here。 I had rather give #200 to prevent going； than
#100 to be set at liberty when I came there。' 'That is； my dear；'
said I； 'because you do not know the place so well as I do。'
'That may be；' said he； 'and yet I believe； as well as you know
it； you would do the same； unless it is because； as you told
me； you have a mother there。'
I told him； as to my mother； it was next to impossible but
that she must be dead many years before； and as for any other
relations that I might have there； I knew them not now； that
since the misfortunes I had been under had reduced me to the
condition I had been in for some years； I had not kept up any
correspondence with them； and that he would easily believe；
I should find but a cold reception from them if I should be
put to make my first visit in the condition of a transported
felon； that therefore； if I went thither； I resolved not to see
them； but that I had many views in going there； if it should be
my fate； which took off all the uneasy part of it； and if he
found himself obliged to go also； I should easily instruct him
how to manage himself； so as never to go a servant at all；
especially since I found he was not destitute of money； which
was the only friend in such a condition。
He smiled； and said he did not tell me he had money。 I took
him up short； and told him I hoped he did not understand by
my speaking； that I should expect any supply from him if he
had money； that； on the other hand； though I had not a great
deal； yet I did not want； and while I had any I would rather
add to him than weaken him in that article； seeing； whatever
he had； I knew in the case of transportation he would have
occasion of it all。
He expressed himself in a most tender manner upon that head。
He told me what money he had was not a great deal； but that
he would never hide any of it from me if I wanted it； and that
he assured me he did not speak with any such apprehensions；
that he was only intent upon what I had hinted to him before
he went； that here he knew what to do with himself； but that
there he should be the most ignorant； helpless wretch alive。
I told him he frighted and terrified himself with that which
had no terror in it； that if he had money； as I was glad to hear
he had； he might not only avoid the servitude supposed to be
the consequence of transportation； but begin the world upon
a new foundation； and that such a one as he could not fail of
success in； with the common application usual in such cases；
that he could not but call to mind that is was what I had
recommended to him many years before and had proposed it
for our mutual subsistence and restoring our fortunes in the
world； and I would tell him now； that to convince him both
of the certainty of it and of my being fully acquainted with the
method； and also fully satisfied in the probability of success；
he should first see me deliver myself from the necessity of
going over at all； and then that I would go with him freely；
and of my own choice； and perhaps carry enough with me to
satisfy him that I did not offer it for want of being able to live
without assistance from him； but that I thought our mutual
misfortunes had been such as were sufficient to reconcile us
both to quitting this part of the world； and living where
nobody could upbraid us with what was past； or we be in any
dread of a prison； and without agonies of a condemned hole
to drive us to it； this where we should look back on all our
past disasters with infinite satisfaction； when we should
consider that our enemies should entirely forget us； and that
we should live as new people in a new world； nobody having
anything to say to us； or we to them。
I pressed this home to him with so many arguments； and
answered all his own passionate objections so effectually that
he embraced me； and told me I treated him with such sincerity
and affection as overcame him； that he would take my advice；
and would strive to submit to his fate in hope of having the
comfort of my assistance； and of so faithful a counsellor and
such a companion in his misery。 But still he put me in mind
of what I had mentioned before； namely； that there might be
some way to get off before he went； and that it might be
possible to avoid going at all； which he said would be much
better。 I told him he should see； and be fully satisfied； that I
would do my utmost in that part too； and if it did not succeed；
yet that I would make good the rest。
We parted after this long conference with such testimonies of
kindness and affection as I thought were equal； if not superior；
to that at our parting at Dunstable； and now I saw more plainly
than before； the reason why he declined coming at that time
any farther with me toward London than Dunstable； and why；
when we parted there； he told me it was not convenient for
him to come part of the way to London to bring me going； as
he would otherwise have done。 I have observed that the
account of his life would have made a much more pleasing
history than this of mine； and； indeed； nothing in it was more
strange than this part； viz。 that he carried on that desperate
trade full five…and…twenty years and had never been taken；
the success he had met with had been so very uncommon； and
such that sometimes he had lived handsomely； and retired in
place for a year or two at a time； keeping himself and a
man…servant to wait on him； and had often sat in the
coffee…houses and heard the very people whom he had robbed
give accounts of their being robbed； and of the place and
circumstances； so that he could easily remember that it was
the same。
In this manner； it seems； he lived near Liverpool at the time
he unluckily married me for a fortune。 Had I been the fortune
he expected； I verily believe； as he said； that he would have
taken up and lived honestly all his days。
He had with the rest of his misfortunes the good luck not to
be actually upon the spot when the robbery was done which
he was committed for； and so none of the persons robbed
could swear to him； or had anything to charge upon him。 But
it seems as he was taken with the gang； one hard…mouthed
countryman swore home to him； and they were like to have
others come in according to the publication they had made；
so that they expected more evidence against him； and for that
reason he was kept in hold。
However； the offer which was made to him of admitting him to
transportation was made； as I understood； upon the intercession
of some great person who pressed him hard to accept of it before
a trial； and indeed； as he knew there were several that might
come in against him； I thought his friend was in the right； and
I lay at him nigh
