The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Fourth PartHead, Richard
General
The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Fourth Part
Head, Richard
Rogues and vagabonds -- England -- Fiction
I was not so much troubled that by being shut out of dores I was
destitute of a lodging as to think how basely I was turn’d off by this
Yeoman of the Hempen Collar. Neither did I trouble my self at the
thoughts of lying underneath a Stall, (for I had too lately been
intimately acquainted with lying on the boards) but my mind was somewhat
perplext when I thought of meeting the Constable and his Watch, I fear’d
no lodging so much as one of their providing. To avoid which, I crept
under a Stall, and slept there that night. The Sun had lookt into our
Hemisphere with half an Eye, when I awaked, and glad I was I had so much
light to see which way I pleased to steer my Course. I directed my Feet
toward the Key, where I knew I should find diversity of Objects to
please my roving mind. I walkt there so long, still my stomack grew
enraged to that height that nothing could pacify it but a good
Breakfast, which I knew not how to obtain, or give it the least
satisfaction, but by begging. Whilst I was thus plotting how to support
Life, a Man in good habit steps ashore from one of the Ships which lay
by the Key, and walking a turn or two with me, askt me who I belonged
to, if to none, whether I wanted a Service? To whom I replyed, I was an
Orphan and Masterless, and that I should be glad to hear of a good
Service, and be thankful to him that should help me to one. That I will
said he, if thou wilt Sail with me to the _Barbadoes_, thou shalt fare
as I do, and since thou art a well favoured Lad, I will have a care of
thee as of my own Son (it may be so, if he loved him no worse than my
Father loved me) thou shalt do well ne’re question. He askt me whether I
would eat or drink, I told him I was both hungry and thirsty; come
aboard with me (said he) and thou shalt be satisfied in both. I thought
it no prudence, but rather very hazardous to go aboard then, and
therefore beg’d his excuse; he perceived my fearfulness, insisted on
that no farther, and so carried me to a Cooks Shop where he called
plentifully for Meat and Drink; and that I might not want sawce to my
Meat, he recounted to me the pleasures of going to Sea, what idle Lives
they lived, doing nothing but imploying their thoughts in what past time
they shall next divert themselves in; Sometimes playing at _Hob_, (a
usual Game amongst Sea-men in a calm) afterwards at Cards, Dice, Tables,
Talking, Walking, Smoaking, Drinking or Fishing, and then speaking of
_Barbadoes_ and other Islands they usually touch upon, he told nothing
but wonders of them. Though I had not the Faith to believe all he said,
yet I could not but be much pleased at the Relation. He spent some hours
with me to possess me with a belief of the verity of what he said; and
when he had exprest himself so largely that he could not utter any more
without Repetition, he demanded whether I would resolve to go with him;
I promised faithfully I would, but desired of him respit till the next
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