The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

However, these thoughts left some impression upon me, and made me act

with some more caution than before, and more than my directors used for

themselves. My comrade, as I called her, but rather she should have

been called my teacher, with another of her scholars, was the first in

the misfortune; for, happening to be upon the hunt for purchase, they

made an attempt upon a linen-draper in Cheapside, but were snapped by a

hawk's-eyed journeyman, and seized with two pieces of cambric, which

were taken also upon them.

This was enough to lodge them both in Newgate, where they had the

misfortune to have some of their former sins brought to remembrance.

Two other indictments being brought against them, and the facts being

proved upon them, they were both condemned to die. They both pleaded

their bellies, and were both voted quick with child; though my tutoress

was no more with child than I was.

I went frequently to see them, and condole with them, expecting that it

would be my turn next; but the place gave me so much horror, reflecting

that it was the place of my unhappy birth, and of my mother's

misfortunes, and that I could not bear it, so I was forced to leave off

going to see them.

And oh! could I have but taken warning by their disasters, I had been

happy still, for I was yet free, and had nothing brought against me;

but it could not be, my measure was not yet filled up.

My comrade, having the brand of an old offender, was executed; the

young offender was spared, having obtained a reprieve, but lay starving

a long while in prison, till at last she got her name into what they

call a circuit pardon, and so came off.

This terrible example of my comrade frighted me heartily, and for a

good while I made no excursions; but one night, in the neighbourhood of

my governess's house, they cried 'Fire.' My governess looked out, for

we were all up, and cried immediately that such a gentlewoman's house

was all of a light fire atop, and so indeed it was. Here she gives me

a job. 'Now, child,' says she, 'there is a rare opportunity, for the

fire being so near that you may go to it before the street is blocked

up with the crowd.' She presently gave me my cue. 'Go, child,' says

she, 'to the house, and run in and tell the lady, or anybody you see,

that you come to help them, and that you came from such a gentlewoman

(that is, one of her acquaintance farther up the street).' She gave me

the like cue to the next house, naming another name that was also an

acquaintance of the gentlewoman of the house.