The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Second PartHead, Richard
General
The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Second Part
Head, Richard
Rogues and vagabonds -- England -- Fiction
suddenly, and was so much out of danger, and that evening I proceeded
further on in my way towards _London_; but being well furnished with
Silver and Gold, I took up my Quarters in a very good Inn, where I had a
good Supper and soft Bed, and slept very well, considering the trouble I
was in. At this Inn I stayed several days to hear what would become of
my Companions, for the Assizes were then at hand. I received this
satisfaction, that they being Tryed, were all cast for their Lives; the
Coach-man hang’d, and the other two were to be transported. This was the
end of my piece of Thievery, and I did then resolve never to hazard my
self again in such matters, lest I came off with as bad success as the
Coach-man. I stayed so long in this Inn, pretending to wait the coming
of a sister of mine, that one day who should arrive there but the
Maid-servant who lived with the Plaisterer I had served, and as I
suppose was the cause of his drowning: now was I in greater fear than
before, for I had lately escaped hanging for theft, and now expected it
for murther; and I knew that this wench was malicious enough against me,
and would rather injure me by her exclamations, than secure me by her
silence; I therefore intended to give her the go-by, but could not, for
she had now cast her eye upon me and discovered me, and came straight up
to me to speak with me. How now, says she, you have made a fair Ramble!
Is it not time to return? Well, said I, be silent a little, and let me
speak with you in private; and thereupon taking her by the hand, I led
her into a private room, where calling for some drink, I enquired of her
how all our Friends did, and more particularly for my Master. Why, said
she, you know well enough that he is dead. At this word I was more dead
than alive, neither was I for the present able to ask her any more
questions.
The Drink being brought in, she drank to me; Well, said she, however I
am glad to see you here; so am not I (thought I:) but recovering my lost
senses, I demanded of her how long my Master had been dead. She replyed,
a fortnight. Nay, thought I, then the Case is not so bad as I suspected,
and therefore I proceeded in questioning of her how he died, and many
other questions. She answered, that he died of a Feaver, which kept him
not above fourteen days sick; and he being dead, she was now returning
into the Country to visit her Friends.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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