The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

At the end of this time, behold my husband came on board. He looked

with a dejected, angry countenance, his great heart was swelled with

rage and disdain; to be dragged along with three keepers of Newgate,

and put on board like a convict, when he had not so much as been

brought to a trial. He made loud complaints of it by his friends, for

it seems he had some interest; but his friends got some check in their

application, and were told he had had favour enough, and that they had

received such an account of him, since the last grant of his

transportation, that he ought to think himself very well treated that

he was not prosecuted anew. This answer quieted him at once, for he

knew too much what might have happened, and what he had room to expect;

and now he saw the goodness of the advice to him, which prevailed with

him to accept of the offer of a voluntary transportation. And after

this his chagrin at these hell-hounds, as he called them, was a little

over, he looked a little composed, began to be cheerful, and as I was

telling him how glad I was to have him once more out of their hands, he

took me in his arms, and acknowledged with great tenderness that I had

given him the best advice possible. 'My dear,' says he, 'thou has

twice saved my life; from henceforward it shall be all employed for

you, and I'll always take your advice.' The ship began now to fill; several passengers came on board, who were

embarked on no criminal account, and these had accommodations assigned

them in the great cabin, and other parts of the ship, whereas we, as

convicts, were thrust down below, I know not where. But when my

husband came on board, I spoke to the boatswain, who had so early given

me hints of his friendship in carrying my letter. I told him he had

befriended me in many things, and I had not made any suitable return to

him, and with that I put a guinea into his hand. I told him that my

husband was now come on board; that though we were both under the

present misfortune, yet we had been persons of a different character

from the wretched crew that we came with, and desired to know of him,

whether the captain might not be moved to admit us to some conveniences

in the ship, for which we would make him what satisfaction he pleased,

and that we would gratify him for his pains in procuring this for us.

He took the guinea, as I could see, with great satisfaction, and

assured me of his assistance.