The _Blacks_, indeed, immediately made a _Riot_ on this new Settlement, but could not get Possession; and, lately, a _young Jackanapes_ pretended a _Right_ to be _Steward_ to _both Sisters_, by Virtue of a _Patent_ he had got from the last _Steward_, as if he had a Right to dispose of a _Place_ he had been turned out of himself. He came on the Lands, however, with a _bloody-minded_ Crew of _skirtless_ Vagabonds, drove off the Cattle, robbed the _Hen-roosts_, and _swaggered_ at so _unmerciful_ a Rate, that _Blanch_ was frightened out of her Senses, and was fain to _send_ for a Dram of _Gin_ to restore her Spirits. But if she was frightened, her _Guardian_ was not, and had a _Month's Mind_ to find out the _Varlet_ in Person, and tread him under his Feet. But as he could not leave the _Hall-house_ where the _Court was sitting_, he sent a _Lad_ of his own to take Account of him, who did the _Business tightly_. He was a _well-mettled Blade_, and _Steel_ to the _Back_. He came up with him at the Corner of a Farmer's Yard, where he gave him and his _Desperados_ a wofull Drubbing, kicked him i'the A----e, _soused_ him in the _Horse-pond_, which he swam over to save his Bacon, and looked so miserably scared in his Passage, that it's sure he'll never _try the Ford_ again. For a good while before this Alarm happened (which proved nothing but a _Bugbear_) both the _Sisters_ had a fair Opportunity of minding their Concerns, and getting above the World. _Blanch_ might have paid her Debts, and had Money to the fore; but it was ever her Misfortune to be _ill-served_ by almost all she employed. Never, sure, had Lady so _unhandy_ a Pack about her, and, indeed, it was impossible it could well be otherwise; for she did not chuse her _Servants_ because they were _fit_ for this, or that _Office_, but because they asked, and would have it, or be horribly out of Humour else, would make a Noise and _Uproar_ at every _Court-Leet_, terrify the _Tenants_ at every _Ale-house_, with strange Stories of Designs on their _Copy-holds_, and wicked _Plots_ just ready to begin; 'till they turned their Heads, and set them madding. So that the poor Lady was fain to _take them in_, to keep Peace at Home, and to pay them Wages for not doing her Business. The Consequence of which was, she had _Clerks_ could neither write or read; Book, and Cash-keepers, that could not _count_ or cast up, or ever heard of a _Ballance_ in their Lives. And so ridiculous was her Compliance in this Point, that she had once a Lady to curry her Horse, and a _Fishmonger_ for a _Grass Bailiff_.