The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

So this was a robbery and no robbery, for little was lost by it, and

nothing was got by it, and I was quite sick of going out in a beggar's

dress; it did not answer at all, and besides, I thought it was ominous

and threatening.

While I was in this disguise, I fell in with a parcel of folks of a

worse kind than any I ever sorted with, and I saw a little into their

ways too. These were coiners of money, and they made some very good

offers to me, as to profit; but the part they would have had me have

embarked in was the most dangerous part. I mean that of the very

working the die, as they call it, which, had I been taken, had been

certain death, and that at a stake--I say, to be burnt to death at a

stake; so that though I was to appearance but a beggar, and they

promised mountains of gold and silver to me to engage, yet it would not

do. It is true, if I had been really a beggar, or had been desperate

as when I began, I might perhaps have closed with it; for what care

they to die that can't tell how to live? But at present this was not

my condition, at least I was for no such terrible risks as those;

besides, the very thoughts of being burnt at a stake struck terror into

my very soul, chilled my blood, and gave me the vapours to such a

degree, as I could not think of it without trembling.

This put an end to my disguise too, for as I did not like the proposal,

so I did not tell them so, but seemed to relish it, and promised to

meet again. But I durst see them no more; for if I had seen them, and

not complied, though I had declined it with the greatest assurance of

secrecy in the world, they would have gone near to have murdered me, to

make sure work, and make themselves easy, as they call it. What kind

of easiness that is, they may best judge that understand how easy men

are that can murder people to prevent danger.

This and horse-stealing were things quite out of my way, and I might

easily resolve I would have to more to say to them; my business seemed

to lie another way, and though it had hazard enough in it too, yet it

was more suitable to me, and what had more of art in it, and more room

to escape, and more chances for a-coming off if a surprise should

happen.