The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the famous Moll Flanders Read Online

in Money taken, besides some of the Lace Merchants that always Travel that way had been visited too; as to the three Gentlemen, that remains to be explain'd hereafter.

Well, this Allarm stop'd us another Day, tho' my Spouse told me it was always safest Travelling after a Robbery, for that the Thieves were sure to be gone far enough off when they had allarm'd the Country; but I was uneasy, and indeed principally least my old Acquaintance should be upon the Road still, and should chance to see me.

I never liv'd four pleasanter Days together in my life, I was a meer Bride all this while, and my new Spouse strove to make me easie in every thing: O could this State of Life have continu'd! how had all my past Troubles been forgot, and my future Sorrows been avoided! but I had a past life of a most wretched kind to account for, some of it in this World as well as in another.

We came away the fifth Day; and my Landlord, because he saw me uneasie, mounted himself, his Son, and three honest Country Fellows, with good Fire-Arms, and, without telling us of it, follow'd the Coach, and would see us safe into Dunstable; we could do no less than treat them very handsomely at Dunstable, which Cost my Spouse about Ten or Twelve Shillings, and something he gave the Men for their Time too, but my Landlord would take nothing for himself.

This was the most happy Contrivance for me that could have fallen out, for had I come to London unmarried, I must either have come to him for the first Night's Entertainment, or have discovered to him that I had not one Acquaintance in the whole City of London, that could receive a poor Bride for the first Night's Lodging with her Spouse: But now I made no scruple of going directly home with him, and there I took Possession at once of a House well Furnished, and a Husband in very good Circumstances, so that I had a prospect of a very happy Life, if I knew how to manage it; and I had leisure to consider of the real Value of the Life I was likely to live; how different it was to be from the loose part I had acted before, and how much happier a Life of Virtue and Sobriety is, than that which we call a Life of Pleasure.

O had this particular Scene of Life lasted, or had I learnt from that time I enjoy'd it, to have tasted the true sweetness of it, and had I not fallen into that Poverty which is the sure Bane of Virtue, how happy had I been, not only here, but perhaps for ever? for while I liv'd thus, I was really a Penitent for all my Life pass'd, I look'd back on it with Abhorrence, and might truly be said to hate my self for it: I often reflected how my Lover at Bath, strook by the Hand of God, repented and abandon'd me, and refus'd to see me any more, tho' he lov'd me to an extreme; but I, prompted by that worst of Devils, Poverty, return'd to the vile Practice, and made the Advantage of what they call a handsome Face, be the Relief to my Necessities, and Beauty be a Pimp to Vice.

Now I seem'd landed in a safe Harbour, after the Stormy Voyage of Life past was at an end; and I began to be thankful for my Deliverance: I sat many an Hour by my self, and wept over the Remembrance of past Follies, and the dreadful Extravagances of a wicked Life, and sometimes I flatter'd my self that I had sincerely repented.

But there are Temptations which it is not in the Power of Human Nature to resist, and few know what would be their Case, if driven to the same Exigences: As Covetousness is the Root of all Evil, so Poverty is the worst of all Snares: But I wave that Discourse till I come to the Experiment.

I liv'd with this Husband in the utmost Tranquility; hewasa Quiet, Sensible, Soberman, Virtuous, Modest, Sincere, and in his Business Diligent and Just: His Business was in a narrow Compass, and his Income sufficient to a plentiful way of Living in the ordinary way; I do not say to keep an Equipage, and make a Figure as the World calls it, nor did I expect it, or desire it; for as I abhorred the Levity and Extravagance of my former Life, so I chose now to live retir'd, frugal, and within ourselves; I kept no Company, made no Visits; minded my Family, and obliged my Husband; and this kind of Life became a Pleasure to me.

We liv'd in an uninterrupted course of Ease and Content for five Years, when a sudden Blow from an almost invisible Hand, blasted all my happiness, and turn'd me out into the World in a Condition the reverse of all that had been before it.

My Husband having trusted one of his Fellow Clarks with a Sum of Money, too much for our Fortunes to bear the Loss of, the Clark fail'd, and the Loss fell very heavy on my Husband, yet it was not so great, but that if he had had Courage to have look'd his Misfortunes in the Face, his Credit was so good, that as I told him, he would easily recover it; for to sink under Trouble is to double the Weight, and he that will Die in it, shall Die in it.

It was in vain to speak comfortably to him, the Wound had sunk too deep, it was a Stab that touch'd the Vitals, he grew Melancholy and Disconsolate, and from thence Lethargick, and died; I foresaw the Blow, and was extremely oppress'd in my Mind, for I saw evidently that if he died I was undone.

I had had two Children by him and no more, for it began to be time for me to leave bearing Children, for I was now Eight and Forty, and I suppose if he had liv'd I should have had no more.

I was now left in a dismal and disconsolate Case indeed, and in several things worse than ever: First it was past the flourishing time with me when I might expect to be courted for a Mistress; that agreeable part had declin'd some time, and the Ruins only appear'd of what had been; and that which was worse than all was this, that I was the most dejected, disconsolate Creature alive; I that had encourag'd my Husband, and endeavour'd to support his Spirits under his Trouble could not support my own; I wanted that Spirit in trouble which I told him was so necessary for bearing the burthen.

But my Case was indeed Deplorable, for I was left perfectly Friendless and Helpless, and the Loss my Husband had sustain'd had reduc'd his Circumstances so low, that tho' indeed I was not in Debt, yet I could easily foresee that what was left would not support me long; that it wasted daily for Subsistence, so that it would be soon all spent, and then I saw nothing before me but the utmost Distress, and this represented it self so lively to my Thoughts, that it seem'd as if it was come, before it was really very near; also my very Apprehensions doubl'd the Misery, for I fancied every Sixpence that I paid for a Loaf of Bread, was the last I had in the World, and that To-morrow I was to fast, and be starv'd to Death.

In this Distress I had no Assistant, no Friend to comfort or advise me, I sat and cried and tormented myself Night and Day; wringing my Hands, and sometimes raving like a distracted Woman; and indeed I have often wonder'd it had not affected my Reason, for I had the Vapours to such a degree, that my Understanding was sometimes quite lost in Fancies and Imaginations.

I liv'd two Years in this dismal Condition, wasting that little I had, weeping continually over my dismal Circumstances, and as it were only bleeding to Death, without the least hope or prospect of help; and now I had cried so long, and so often, that Tears were exhausted, and I began to be Desperate, for I grew poor apace.

For a little Relief, I had put off my House and took Lodgings; and as I was reducing my Living, so I sold off most of my Goods, which put a little Money in my Pocket, and I liv'd near a Year upon that, spending very sparingly, and eeking things out to the utmost; but still when I look'd before me, my Heart would sink within me at the inevitable approach of Misery and Want: O let none read this part without seriously reflecting on the Circumstances of a desolate State, and how they would grapple with want of Friends and want of Bread; it will certainly make them think not of sparing what they have only, but of looking up to Heaven for support, and of the wise Man's Prayer, Give me not Poverty least I steal.

Let 'em remember that a time of Distress, is a time of dreadful Temptation, and all the Strength to resist is taken away; Poverty presses, the Soul is made Desperate by Distress, and what can be done? It was one Evening, when being brought, as I may say, to the last Gasp, I think I may truly say I was Distracted and Raving, when prompted by I know not what Spirit, and as it were, doing I did not know what, or why; I dress'd me, for I had still pretty good Cloaths, and went out: I am very sure I had no manner of Design in my Head, when I went out, I neither knew or consider'd where to go, or on what Business; but as the Devil carried me out, and laid his Bait for me, so he brought me to be sure to the place, for I knew not whether I was going or what I did.

Wandring thus about I knew not whether, I pass'd by an Apothecary's Shop in Leadenhall-street, where I saw lye on a Stool just before the Compter a little Bundle wrapt in a white Cloth, beyond it stood a Maid Servant with her Back to it, looking up towards the top of the Shop, where the Apothecary's Apprentice, as I suppose, was standing up on the Compter, with his back also to the Door, and a Candle in his Hand, looking and reaching up to the upper Shelf, for something he wanted, so that both were engag'd, and no Body else in the Shop.

This was the Bait; and the Devil who laid the Snare, prompted me, as if he had spoke, for I remember, and shall never forget it, 'twas like a voice Spoken over my Shoulder, take the Bundle; be quick; do it this Moment; it was no sooner said but I step'd into the Shop, and with my Back to the Wench, as if I had stood up for a Cart that was going by, I put my Hand behind me and took the Bundle, and went off with it, the Maid or Fellow not perceiving me, or any one else.

It is impossible to express the Horror of my Soul all the while I did it. When I went away I had no Heart to run, or scarce to mend my pace; I cross'd the Street indeed, and went down the first turning I came to, and I think it was a Street that went thro' into Fenchurch-street, from thence I crossed and turn'd thro' so many ways and turnings, that I could never tell which way it was, nor where I went, I felt not the Ground I stept on, and the farther I was out of Danger, the faster I went, till tyr'd and out of Breath, I was forc'd to sit down on a little Bench at a Door, and then found I was got into Thames-street, near Billingsgate: I rested me a little and went on, my Blood was all in a Fire, my Heart beat as if I was in a sudden Fright: In short, I was under such a Surprize that I knew not whether I was a going, or what to do.

After I had tyr'd my self thus with walking a long way about, and so eagerly, I began to consider and make home to my Lodging, where I came about Nine a Clock at Night.

What the Bundle was made up for, or on what Occasion laid where I found it, I knew not, but when I came to open it, I found there was a Suit of Child-bed Linnen in it, very good and almost new, the Lace very fine; there was a Silver Porringer of a Pint, a small Silver Mug and Six Spoons, with some other Linnen, a good Smock, and Three Silk Handkerchiefs, and in the Mug in a Paper, Eighteen Shillings and Six-pence in Money.

All the while I was opening these things I was under such dreadful Impressions of Fear, and in such Terror of Mind, tho' I was perfectly safe, that I cannot express the manner of it; I sat me down and cried most vehemently: Lord, said I, what am I now? a Thief! why I shall be taken next time and be carried to Newgate and be Try'd for my Life! and with that I cry'd again a long time, and I am sure, as poor as I was, if I had durst for fear, I would certainly have carried the Things back again; but that went off after a while: Well, I went to Bed for that Night, but slept little, the Horror of the Fact was upon my Mind, and I knew not what I said or did all Night, and all the next Day: Then I was impatient to hear some News of the Loss; and would fain know how it was, whether they were a Poor Bodies Goods, or a Rich; perhaps, said I, it may be some poor Widow like me, that had pack'd up these Goods to go and sell them for a little Bread for herself and a poor Child, and are now starving and breaking their Hearts, for want of that little they would have fetch'd, and this Thought tormented me worse than all the rest, for three or four Days.

But my own Distresses silenc'd all these Reflections, and the prospect of my own Starving, which grew every Day more frightful to me, harden'd my Heart by degrees; it was then particularly heavy upon my Mind, that I had been reform'd and had, as I hop'd, repented of all my pass'd wickednesses; that I had liv'd a sober, grave, retir'd Life for several Years, but now I should be driven by the dreadful Necessity of my Circumstances to the Gates of Destruction, Soul and Body; and two or three times I fell upon my Knees, praying to God, as well as I could, for Deliverance; but I cannot but say, my Prayers had no hope in them; I knew not what to do, it was all Fear without, and Dark within; and I reflected on my pass'd Life as not repented of, that Heaven was now beginning to punish me, and would make me as miserable as I had been wicked.

Had I gone on here I had perhaps been a true Penitent; but I had an evil Counsellor within, and he was continually prompting me to relieve my self by the worst means; so one Evening he tempted me again by the same wicked Impulse that had said, take that Bundle, to go out again and seek for what might happen.

I went out now by Day-light, and wandred about I knew not whether, and in search of I knew not what, when the Devil put a Snare in my way of a dreadful Nature indeed, and such a one as I have never had before or since; going thro' Aldersgate-street, there was a pretty little Child had been at a Dancing-School, and was a going home all alone, and my Prompter, like a true Devil, set me upon this innocent Creature; I talk'd to it, and it prattl'd to me again, and I took it by the Hand and led it a long till I came to a pav'd Alley that goes into Bartholomew-Close, and I led it in there; the Child said that was not its way home; I said, yes, my Dear, it is, I'll show you the way home; the Child had a little Necklace on of Gold Beads, and I had my Eye upon that, and in the dark of the Alley I stoop'd, pretending to mend the Child's Clog that was loose, and took off her Necklace, and the Child never felt it, and so led the Child on again: Here, I say, the Devil put me upon killing the Child in the dark Alley, that it might not Cry, but the very thought frighted me so that I was ready to drop down, but I turn'd the Child about and bad it go back again, for that was not its way home; the Child said so she would, and I went thro' into Bartholomew-Close, and then turn'd round to another Passage that goes into Long-lane, so away into Charterhouse-Yard, and out into St. John's-street; then crossing into Smithfield, went down Chick-lane, and into Field-lane, to Holbourn-bridge, when mixing with the Crowd of People usually passing there, it was not possible to have been found out; and thus I made my second Sally into the World.

The thoughts of this Booty put out all the thoughts of the first, and the Reflections I had made wore quickly off; Poverty harden'd my Heart, and my own Necessities made me regardless of anything: The last Affair left no great Concern upon me, for as I did the poor Child no harm, I only thought, I had given the Parents a just Reproof for their Negligence, in leaving the poor Lamb to come home by it self, and it would teach them to take more Care another time.

This String of Beads was worth about Twelve or Fourteen Pounds, I suppose it might have been formerly the Mother's, for it was too big for the Child's wear, but that, perhaps, the Vanity of the Mother to have her Child look Fine at the Dancing School, had made her let the Child wear it, and no doubt the Child had a Maid sent to take care of it, but she, like a careless Jade, was taken up perhaps with some Fellow that had met her, and so the poor Baby wandred till it fell into my Hands.

However, I did the Child no harm, I did not so much as fright it, for I had a great many tender Thoughts about me yet, and did nothing but what, as I may say, meer Necessity drove me to.

I had a great many Adventures after this, but I was young in the Business, and did not know how to manage, otherwise than as the Devil put things into my Head; and indeed he was seldom backward to me: One Adventure I had which was very lucky to me; I was going thro' Lombard street in the dusk of the Evening, just by the end of Three King Court, when on a sudden comes a Fellow running by me as swift as Lightning, and throws a Bundle that was in his Hand just behind me, as I stood up against the corner of the House at the turning into the Alley; just as he threw it in, he said, God bless you Mistress let it lie there a little, and away he runs: After him comes two more, and immediately a young Fellow without his Hat, crying stop Thief, they persued the two last Fellows so close, that they were forc'd to drop what they had got, and one of them was taken into the bargain, the other got off free.

I stood stock still all this while till they came back, dragging the poor Fellow they had taken, and lugging the Things they had found, extremely well satisfied that they had recovered the Booty, and taken the Thief; and thus they pass'd by me, for I look'd only like one who stood up while the Crowd was gone.

Once or twice I ask'd what was the matter, but the People neglected answering me, and I was not very importunate; but after the Crowd was wholly pass'd, I took my opportunity to turn about and take up what was behind me and walk away: This indeed I did with less Disturbance than I had done formerly, for these things I did not steal, but they were stolen to my Hand: I got safe to my Lodgings with this Cargo, which was a Peice of fine black Lustring Silk, and a peice of Velvet; the latter was but part of a Peice of about 11 Yards; the former was a whole Peice of near 50 Yards; it seems it was a Mercer's Shop that they had rifl'd; I say, rifled, because the Goods were so considerable that they had Lost; for the Goods that they Recover'd were pretty many, and I believe came to about six or seven several Peices of Silk: How they came to get so many I could not tell; but as I had only robb'd the Thief, I made no scruple at taking these Goods, and being very glad of them too.

I had pretty good Luck thus far, and I made several Adventures more, tho' with but small Purchase, yet with good Success, but I went in daily dread that some mischief would befal me, and that I should certainly come to be hang'd at last: The impression this made on me was too strong to be slighted, and it kept me from making attempts, that for ought I knew might have been very safely perform'd; but one thing I cannot omit, which was a Bait to me many a Day. I walked frequently out into the Villages round the Town to see if nothing would fall in my Way there; and going by a House near Stepney, I saw on the Window-board two Rings, one a small Diamond Ring, and the other a plain Gold Ring, to be sure laid there by some thoughtless Lady, that had more Money than Forecast, perhaps only till she wash'd her Hands.

I walk'd several times by the Window to observe if I could see whether there was any Body in the Room or no, and I could see no Body, but still I was not sure; it came presently into my Thoughts to rap at the Glass, as if I wanted to speak with some Body, and if any Body was there they would be sure to come to the Window, and then I would tell them to remove those Rings, for that I had seen two suspicious Fellows take notice of them: This was a ready Thought, I rapt once or twice and no Body came, when I thrust hard against the Square of Glass, and broke it with little Noise, and took out the two Rings, and walk'd away, the Diamond Ring was worth about 3l., and the other about 9s.

I was now at a loss for a Market for my Goods, and especially for my two Peices of Silk, I was very loth to dispose of them for a Trifle; as the poor unhappy Thieves in general do, who after they have ventur'd their Lives for perhaps a thing of Value, are forc'd to sell it for a Song when they have done; but I was resolv'd I would not do thus, whatever Shift I made; however, I did not well know what Course to take: At last I resolv'd to go to my old Governess, and acquaint my self with her again; I had punctually supply'd the 5l. a Year to her for my little Boy as long as I was able; but at last was oblig'd to put a stop to it: However, I had written a Letter to her, wherein I had told her that my Circumstances were reduc'd; that I had lost my Husband, and that I was not able to do it any longer, and beg'd the poor Child might not suffer too much for its Mother's Misfortunes.

I now made her a Visit, and I found that she drove something of the old Trade still, but that she was not in such flourishing Circumstances as before; for she had been Sued by a certain Gentleman, who had had his Daughter stolen from him; and who it seems she had helped to convey away; and it was very narrowly that she escap'd the Gallows; the Expence also had ravag'd her, so that her House was but meanly Furnished, and she was not in such repute for her Practice as before; however, she stood upon her Legs, as they say, and as she was a bustling Woman, and had some Stock left, she was turn'd Pawn Broker, and liv'd pretty well.

She receiv'd me very civilly, and with her usual obliging manner told me, she would not have the less respect for me, for my being reduc'd; that she had taken Care my Boy was very well look'd after, tho' I could not pay for him, and that the Woman that had him was easie, so that I needed not to Trouble my self about him, till I might be better able to do it effectually.

I told her I had not much Money left, but that I had some things that were Monie's worth, if she could tell me how I might turn them into Money; she ask'd what it was I had? I pull'd out the string of gold Beads, and told her it was one of my Husband's Presents to me; then I show'd her the two Parcels of Silk which I told her I had from Ireland, and brought up to Town with me; and the little Diamond Ring; as to the small Parcel of Plate and Spoons, I had found means to dispose of them my self before; and as for the Childbed Linnen I had, she offer'd me to take it her self, believing it to have been my own; she told me that she was turn'd Pawn-Broker, and that she would sell those things for me as pawn'd to her, and so she sent presently for proper Agents that bought them, being in her Hands, without any scruple, and gave good Prizes too.

I now began to think this necessary Woman might help me a little in my low Condition to some Business; for I would gladly have turn'd my Hand to any honest Employment if I could have got it; but honest Business did not come within her reach; if I had been younger, perhaps she might have helped me, but my Thoughts were off of that kind of Livelihood, as being quite out of the way after 50, which was my Case, and so I told her.

She invited me at last to come, and be at her House till I could find something to do, and it should cost me very little, and this I gladly accepted of; and now living a little easier, I enter'd into some Measures to have my little Son by my last Husband taken off; and this she made easie too, reserving a Payment only of 5l. a Year, if I could pay it. This was such a help to me, that for a good while I left off the wicked Trade that I had so newly taken up; and gladly I would have got Work, but that was very hard to do for one that had no Acquaintance.

However, at last I got some Quilting Work for Ladies Beds, Petticoats, and the like; and this I lik'd very well and work'd very hard, and with this I began to live; but the diligent Devil who resolv'd I should continue in his Service, continually prompted me to go out and take a Walk, that is to say, to see if any thing would offer in the old Way.

One Evening I blindly obeyed his Summons, and fetch'd a long Circuit thro' the Streets, but met with no purchase; but not content with that, I went out the next Evening too, when going by an Alehouse I saw the Door of a little room open, next the very Street, and on the Table a silver Tankard, things much in use in publick Houses at that time; it seems some Company had been drinking there, and the careless Boys had forgot to take it away.

I went into the Box frankly, and setting the silver Tankard on the Corner of the Bench, I sat down before it, and knock'd with my Foot, a Boy came presently, and I bad him fetch me a pint of warm Ale, for it was cold Weather; the Boy run, and I heard him go down the Cellar to draw the Ale; while the Boy was gone, another Boy come, and cried, d'ye call, I spoke with a melancholly Air, and said, no, the Boy is gone for a pint of Ale for me.

While I sat here, I heard the Woman in the Bar say, are they all gone in the FIVE, which was the Box I sat in, and the Boy said, yes; who fetch'd the Tankard away? says the Woman, I did, says another Boy, that's it, pointing it seems to another Tankard, which he had fetch'd from another Box by Mistake; or else it must be, that the Rogue forgot that he had not brought it in, which certainly he had not.

I heard all this, much to my satisfaction, for I found plainly that the Tankard was not mist, and yet they concluded it was fetch'd away; so I drank my Ale, call'd to Pay, and as I went away, I said, take care of your Plate, Child, meaning a silver pint Mug which he brought me to Drink in; the Boy said, yes, Madam, very welcome, and away I came.

I came Home to my Governess, and now I thought it was a time to try her, that if I might be put to the Necessity of being expos'd she might offer me some assistance; when I had been at Home some time, and had an opportunity of Talking to her, I told her I had a Secret of the greatest Consequence in the World to commit to her, if she had respect enough for me to keep it a Secret: she told me she had kept one of my Secrets faithfully; why should I doubt her keeping another? I told her the strangest thing in the World had befallen me, even without any design; and so told her the whole Story of the Tankard: And have you brought it away with you my Dear, says she, to be sure I have, says I, and shew'd it her. But what shall I do now, says I, must not I carry it again?

Carry it again! says she, Ay, if you want to go to Newgate; why, says I, they can't be so base to stop me, when I carry it to them again? You don't know those Sort of People Child, says she, they'll not only carry you to Newgate, but hang you too without any regard to the honesty of returning it; or bring in an Account of all the other Tankards as they have lost for you to pay for: What must I do then? says I; Nay, says she, as you have plaid the cunning part and stole it, you must e'en keep it, there's no going back now; besides Child, says she, Don't you want it more than they do? I wish you cou'd light of such a Bargain once a Week.

This gave me a new Notion of my Governess, and that since she was turn'd Pawn-Broker, she had a Sort of People about her, that were none of the honest ones that I had met with there before.

I had not been long there, but I discover'd it more plainly than before, for every now and then I saw Hilts of Swords, Spoons, Forks, Tankards, and all such kind of Ware brought in, not to be Pawn'd, but to be sold down right; and she bought them all without asking any Questions, but had good Bargains as I found by her Discourse.

I found also that in following this Trade, she always melted down the Plate she bought, that it might not be challeng'd; and she came to me and told me one Morning that she was going to Melt, and if I would, she would put my Tankard in, that it might not be seen by any Body; I told her with all my Heart; so she weigh'd it, and allow'd me the full value in Silver again; but I found she did not do so to the rest of her Customers.

Sometime after this, as I was at Work, and very melancholly, she begins to ask me what the Matter was? I told her my Heart was very heavy, I had little Work, and nothing to live on, and knew not what Course to take; she laugh'd and told me I must go out again and try my Fortune; it might be that I might meet with another Peice of Plate. O, Mother! says I, that is a Trade that I have no skill in, and if I should be taken I am undone at once; says she, I could help you to a School-Mistress, that shall make you as dexterous as her self; I trembled at that Proposal, for hitherto I had had no Confederates, nor any Acquaintance among that Tribe; but she conquer'd all my Modesty, and all my Fears; and in a little time, by the help of this Confederate, I grew as impudent a Thief, and as dexterous, as ever Moll Cut-Purse was, tho' if Fame does not belie her, not half so Handsome.

The Comrade she helped me to, dealt in three sorts of Craft. (viz.) Shop-lifting, stealing of Shop-Books and Pocket-Books, and taking off Gold Watches from the Ladies Sides; and this last she did so dexterously that no Woman ever arriv'd to the Perfection of that Art, like her: I lik'd the first and the last of these things very well, and I attended her some time in the Practice, just as a Deputy attends a Midwife without any Pay.

At length she put me to Practice, she had shewn me her Art, and I had several times unhook'd a Watch from her own Side with great dexterity; at last she show'd me a Prize, and this was a Young lady with Child who had a charming Watch, the thing was to be done as she came out of the Church; she goes on one side of the Lady, and pretends, just as she came to the Steps, to fall, and fell against the Lady with so much violence as put her into a great fright, and both cry'd out terribly: in the very moment that she jostl'd the Lady, I had hold of the Watch, and holding it the right way, the start she gave drew the Hook out and she never felt it; I made off immediately, and left my School-Mistress to come out of her Fright gradually, and the Lady too; and presently the Watch was miss'd; ay, says my Comrade, then it was those Rogues that thrust me down, I warrant ye; I wonder the Gentle-woman did not miss her Watch before, then we might have taken them.

She humour'd the thing so well that no Body suspected her, and I was got home a full Hour before her: This was my first Adventure in Company; the Watch was indeed a very fine one, and had many Trinkets about it, and my Governess allow'd us 20l. for it, of which I had half, and thus I was enter'd a compleat Thief, harden'd to a Pitch above all the Reflections of Conscience or Modesty, and to a Degree which I never thought possible in me.

Thus the Devil who began, by the help of an irresistible Poverty, to push me into this Wickedness, brought me on to a height beyond the common Rate, even when my Necessities were not so terrifying; for I had now got into a little Vein of Work, and as I was not at a loss to handle my Needle, it was very probable I might have got my Bread honestly enough.

I must say, that if such a prospect of Work had presented it self at first, when I began to feel the approach of my miserable Circumstances; I say, had such a prospect of getting Bread by working presented it self then, I had never fallen into this wicked Trade, or into such a wicked Gang as I was now embark'd with; but practice had hardened me, and I grew audacious to the last degree; and the more so, because I had carried it on so long, and had never been taken; for in a word, my new Partner in Wickedness and I went on together so long, without being ever detected, that we not only grew Bold, but we grew Rich, and we had at one time One and Twenty Gold Watches in our Hands.

I remember that one Day being a little more serious than ordinary, and finding I had so good a Stock beforehand, as I had, for I had near 200l. in Money for my Share; it came strongly into my Mind, no doubt from some kind Spirit, if such there be; that as at first Poverty excited me, and my Distresses drove me to these dreadful Shifts; so seeing those Distresses were now relieved, and I could also get something towards a Maintenance by working, and had so good a Bank to support me, why should I not now leave off, while I was well; that I could not expect to go always free; and if I was once surpris'd, I was undone.

This was doubtless the happy Minute, when, if I had hearken'd to the blessed hint from whatsoever hand it came, I had still a cast for an easie Life; but my Fate was otherwise determin'd, the busie Devil that drew me in, had too fast hold of me to let me go back; but as Poverty brought me in, so Avarice kept me in, till there was no going back; as to the Arguments which my Reason dictated for perswading me to lay down, Avarice stept in and said, go on, you have had very good luck, go on till you have gotten Four or Five Hundred Pound, and then you shall leave off, and then you may live easie without working at all.

Thus I that was once in the Devil's Clutches, was held fast there as with a Charm, and had no Power to go without the Circle, till I was ingulph'd in Labyrinths of Trouble too great to get out at all.

However, these Thoughts left some Impression upon me, and made me act with some more caution than before, and more than my Directors us'd for themselves. My Comerade, as I called her, 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 Linnen-Draper in Cheapside, but were snap'd by a Hawk's-ey'd Journey-man, and seiz'd with two pieces of Cambrick, 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 prov'd upon them, they were both condemn'd to Die; they both pleaded their Bellies and were both voted Quick with Child; tho' my Tutress 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, that I could not bear it, so I left off going to see them.

And O! cou'd I but have 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 fill'd up.

My Comerade, having the Brand of an old Offender, was Executed; the young Offender was spar'd, 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 Governesses House, they cry'd, Fire; my Governess look'd out, for we were all up, and cry'd immediately that such a Gentlewoman's House was all of a light Fire a top, and so indeed it was: Here she gives me a jog, now, Child, says she, there is a rare opportunity, the Fire being so near that you may go to it before the Street is block'd 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 any Body 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).

Away I went, and coming to the House I found them all in Confusion, you may be sure; I run in, and finding one of the Maids, alas! Sweetheart, said I, how came this dismal Accident? where is your Mistress? Is she safe? And where are the Children? I come from Madam – to help you; away runs the Maid, Madam, madam, says she, screaming as loud as she cou'd yell, here is a Gentlewoman come from Madam – to help us: The poor Woman half out of her Wits, with a Bundle under her Arm, and two little Children, comes towards me, Madam, says I, let me carry the poor Children to Madam –, she desires you to send them; she'll take care of the poor Lambs, and so I takes one of them out of her Hand, and she lifts the tother up into my Arms; ay, do, for God sake, says she, carry them; O thank her for her kindness: Have you anything else to secure, Madam? says I, she will take care of it: O dear! says she, God bless her, take this bundle of Plate and carry it to her too; O she is a good Woman; O, we are utterly ruin'd, undone; and away she runs from me out of her Wits, and the Maids after her, and away comes I with the two Children and the Bundle.

I was no sooner got into the Street, but I saw another Woman come to me; O! says she, Mistress, in a piteous Tone, you will let fall the Child; come, come, this is a sad time, let me help you, and immediately lays hold of my Bundle to carry it for me; no, says I, if you will help me, take the Child by the Hand, and lead it for me but to the upper end of the Street, I'll go with you and satisfie you for your pains.

She cou'd not avoid going, after what I said, but the Creature, in short, was one of the same Business with me, and wanted nothing but the Bundle; however, she went with me to the Door, for she cou'd not help it; when we were come there I whisper'd her, go Child, said I, I understand your Trade, you may meet with Purchase enough.

She understood me and walk'd off; I thundered at the Door with the Children, and as the People were rais'd before by the noise of the Fire, I was soon let in, and I said, is Madam awake, pray tell her Mrs. – desires the favour of her to take the two Children in; poor Lady, she will be undone, their House is all of a Flame; they took the Children in very civily, pitied the Family in Distress, and away came I with my Bundle; one of the Maids ask'd me, if I was not to leave the Bundle too; I said no, Sweetheart, 'tis to go to another Place, it does not belong to them.

I was a great way out of the hurry now, and so I went on, and brought the Bundle of Plate, which was very considerable, strait home, to my old Governess; she told me she would not look into it, but bad me go again and look for more.

She gave me the like Cue to the Gentlewoman of the next House to that which was on Fire, and I did my endeavour to go, but by this time the allarm of Fire was so great, and so many Engines playing and the Street so throng'd with People, that I cou'd not get near the House, whatever I cou'd do; so I came back again to my Governesses, and taking the Bundle up into my Chamber, I began to examine it: It is with Horror that I tell what a Treasure I found there; 'tis enough to say, that besides most of the Family Plate, which was considerable, I found a Gold Chain, an old-fashion'd thing, the Locket of which was broken, so that I suppose it had not been us'd some Years, but the Gold was not the worse for that; also a little Box of burying Rings, the Lady's Wedding-Ring, and some broken bits of old Lockets of Gold, a Gold Watch, and a Purse with about 24l. value in old Pieces of Gold Coin, and several other things of Value.

This was the greatest and the worst Prize that ever I was concern'd in, for indeed, tho', as I have said above, I was harden'd now beyond the Power of all Reflection in other Cases, yet it really touch'd me to the very Soul, when I look'd into this Treasure; to think of the poor disconsolate Gentlewoman who had lost so much besides; and who would think to be sure that she had sav'd her Plate and best things; how she wou'd be surpriz'd when she should find that she had been deceiv'd, and that the Person that took her Children and her Goods, had not come, as was pretended, from the Gentlewoman in next Street, but that the Children had been put upon her without her own knowledge.

I say, I confess the inhumanity of this Action mov'd me very much, and made me relent exceedingly, and Tears stood in my Eyes upon that Subject: But with all my Sense of its being cruel and Inhuman, I cou'd never find in my Heart to make any Restitution: The Reflection wore off, and I quickly forgot the Circumstances that attended it.

Nor was this all, for tho' by this jobb I was become considerably Richer than before, yet the Resolution I had formerly taken of leaving off this horrid Trade, when I had gotten a little more did not return; but I must still get more; and the Avarice had such Success, that I had no more Thoughts of coming to a timely Alteration of Life; tho' without it I cou'd expect no Safety, no Tranquility in the Possession of what I had gain'd; a little more, and a little more, was the Case still.

At length yielding to the Importunities of my Crime, I cast off all Remorse and all the Reflections on that Head, turn'd to no more than this, that I might perhaps come to have one Booty more that might compleat all; but tho' I certainly had that one Booty, yet every hit look'd towards another, and was so encouraging to me to go on with the Trade, that I had no Gust to the laying it down.

In this Condition, harden'd by Success, and resolving to go on, I fell into the Snare in which I was appointed to meet with my last Reward for this kind of Life: But even this was not yet, for I met with several successful Adventures more in this way.

My Governess was for awhile really concern'd for this Misfortune of my Comerade that had been hang'd, for she knew enough of my Governess to have sent her the same way, and which made her very uneasy; indeed she was in a very great fright.

It is true, that when she was gone and had not told what she knew; My Governess was easy as to that Point, and perhaps glad she was hang'd; for it was in her power to have obtain'd a Pardon at the Expence of her Friends; But, the loss of her, and the Sense of her Kindness in not making her Market of what she knew, mov'd my Governess to Mourn very sincerely for her: I comforted her as well as I cou'd, and she in return harden'd me to Merit more compleatly the same Fate.

However as I had said it made me the more wary, and particularly I was very shie of Shop-lifting, especially among the Mercers and Drapers who are a Set of Fellows, that have their Eyes very much about them: I made a Venture or two among the Lace Folks, and the Mileners, and particularly at one Shop, where two young Women were newly set up, and [had] notbeenbred to Trade: There, I carried off a Peice of Bonelace, worth six or seven Pound, and a Paper of Thread; but this was but once, it was a Trick that would not serve again.

It was always reckon'd a safe Job when we heard of a new Shop, and especially, when the People were such as were not bred to Shops; such may depend upon it, that they will be visited once or twice at their beginning, and they must be very Sharp indeed if they can prevent it.

I made another Adventure or two after this, but they were but Trifles: Nothing considerable offering for a good while; I began to think that I must give over Trade in Earnest; but my Governess, who was not willing to lose me, and expected great Things of me, brought me one Day into Company with a young Woman and a Fellow that went for her Husband, tho' as it appear'd afterwards she was not his Wife, but they were Partners in the Trade they carried on; and in something else too. In short, they robb'd together, lay together, were taken together, and at last were hang'd together.

I came into a kind of League with these two by the help of my Governess, and they carried me out into three or four Adventures, where I rather saw them commit some Coarse and unhandy Robberies, in which nothing but a great Stock of impudence on their Side, and gross Negligence on the Peoples Side who were robb'd, could have made them Successful; so I resolv'd from that time forward to be very Cautious how I Adventur'd with them; and indeed when two or three unlucky Projects were propos'd by them, I declin'd the offer, and perswaded them against it: One time they particularly propos'd Robbing a Watchmaker of 3 Gold Watches, which they had Ey'd in the Day time, and found the Place where he laid them; one of them had so many Keys of all kinds, that he made no Question to open the Place, where the Watchmaker had laid them; and so we made a kind of an Appointment; but when I came to look narrowly into the Thing, I found they propos'd breaking open the House, and this I would not Embark in, so they went without me: They did get into the House by main Force, and broke up the lock'd Place where the Watches were, but found but one of the Gold Watches, and a Silver one, which they took, and got out of the House again very clear; but the Family being alarm'd cried out Thieves, and the Man was pursued and taken, the young Woman had got off too, but unhappily was stop'd at a Distance, and the Watches found upon her; and thus I had a second Escape, for they were convicted, and both hang'd, being old Offenders, tho' but young People; and as I said before, that they robb'd together, so now they hang'd together, and there ended my new Partnership.

I began now to be very wary, having so narrowly escap'd a Scouring, and having such an Example before me; but I had a new Tempter, who prompted me every day, I mean my Governess; and now a Prize presented, which as it came by her Management, so she expected a good Share of the Booty; there was a good Quantity of Flanders-Lace lodg'd in a private House, where she had heard of it; and Flanders Lace, being Prohibited, it was a good Booty to any Custom-House Officer that could come at it: I had a full Account from my Governess, as well of the Quantity as of the very Place, where it was conceal'd, so I went to a Custom-House Officer, and told him, I had a Discovery to make to him, if he would assure me that I should have my due Share of the Reward: This was so just an offer, that nothing could be fairer; so he agreed, and taking a Constable, and me with him, we beset the House; as I told him, I could go directly to the Place, he left it to me, and the Hole being very dark, I squeez'd myself into it, with a Candle in my Hand, and so reach'd the Peices out to him, taking care, as I gave him some, so to secure as much about myself as I could conveniently Dispose of: There was near 300l. worth of Lace in the whole; and I secur'd about 50l. worth of it myself. The People of the House were not owners of the Lace, but a Merchant who had entrusted them with it; so that they were not so surpriz'd as I thought they would be.

I left the Officer overjoy'd with his Prize, and fully satisfy'd with what he had got, and appointed to meet him at a House of his own directing, where I came after I had dispos'd of the Cargo I had about me, of which he had not the least Suspicion; when I came, he began to Capitulate, believing I did not understand the right I had in the Prize, and would fain have put me off with Twenty Pound, but I let him know that I was not so ignorant as he suppos'd I was; and yet I was glad too, that he offer'd to bring me to a certainty; I asked 100l. and he rose up to 30l.; I fell to 80l. and he rose again to 40l.; in a Word, he offered 50l. and I consented, only demanding a Peice of Lace, which I thought came to about 8 or 9 Pound, as if it had been for my own Wear, and he agreed to it, so I got 50l. in Money paid me that same Night, and made an End of the Bargain; nor did he ever know who I was, or where to enquire for me; so that if it had been discover'd, that part of the Goods were embezzel'd; he could have made no Challenge upon me for it.

I very punctually divided this Spoil with my Governess, and I pass'd with her from this time for a very dexterous Manager in the nicest Cases; I found that this last was the best, and easiest sort of Work that was in my way, and I made it my business to enquire out prohibited Goods; and after buying some usually betray'd them, but none of these Discoveries amounted to any thing considerable, not like that I related just now; but I was Cautious of running the great Risques which I found others did, and in which they Miscarried every Day.

The next thing of Moment, was an attempt at a Gentlewoman's gold Watch, it happen'd in a Crowd, at a Meeting-House, where I was in very great Danger of being taken; I had full hold of her Watch, but giving a great Jostle, as if some body had thrust me against her, and in the Juncture giving the Watch a fair pull, I found it would not come, so I let it go that Moment, and cried as if I had been kill'd, that somebody had Trod upon my Foot, and that there was certainly Pick-pockets there; for some body or other had given a pull at my Watch, for you are to observe, that on these Adventures we always went very well Dress'd, and I had very good Cloths on, and a Gold Watch by my Side, as like a Lady as other Folks.

I had no sooner said so, but the other Gentlewoman cried out a Pick-pocket too, for some body, she said, had try'd to pull her Watch away.

When I touch'd her Watch, I was close to her, but when I cry'd out, I stop'd as it were short, and the Crowd bearing her forward a little, she made a Noise too, but it was at some Distance from me, so that she did not in the least suspect me, but when she cried out a Pick-pocket, some body cried out Ay, and here has been another, this Gentlewoman has been attempted too.

At that very instant, a little farther in the Crowd, and very Luckily too, they cried out a Pick-pocket again, and really seiz'd a young Fellow in the very Fact. This, tho' unhappy for the Wretch, was very opportunely for my Case, tho' I had carried it handsomely enough before, but now it was out of Doubt, and all the loose part of the Crowd ran that way, and the poor Boy was deliver'd up to the Rage of the Street, which is a Cruelty I need not describe, and which however, they are always glad of, rather than be sent to Newgate, where they lie often a long time, and sometimes they are hang'd, and the best they can look for, if they are Convicted, is to be Transported.

This was a narrow Escape to me, and I was so frighted, that I ventur'd no more at Gold Watches a great while; there were indeed many Circumstances in this Adventure, which assisted to my Escape; but the chief was, that the Woman whose Watch I had pull'd at was a Fool; that is to say, she was Ignorant of the nature of the Attempt, which one would have thought she should not have been, seeing she was wise enough to fasten her Watch, so that it could not be slipt up; but she was in such a Fright, that she had no Thought about her; for she, when she felt the pull scream'd out, and push'd herself forward, and put all the People about her into disorder, but said not a Word of her Watch, or of a Pick-pocket, for at least two Minutes; which was time enough for me, and to spare; for as I had cried out behind her, as I have said, and bore myself back in the Crowd as she bore forward, there were several People, at least seven or eight, the Throng being still moving on, that were got between me and her in that time, and then I crying out a Pick-pocket, rather sooner than she, she might as well be the Person suspected as I, and the People were confus'd in their Enquiry; whereas, had she with a Presence of Mind needful on such an Occasion, as soon as she felt the pull, not skream'd out as she did, but turn'd immediately round, and seiz'd the next Body that was behind her, she had infallibly taken me.

This is a Direction not of the kindest Sort to the Fraternity; but 'tis certainly a Key to the Clue of a Pick-pocket's Motions, and whoever can follow it, will as certainly catch the Thief as he will be sure to miss if he does not.

I had another Adventure, which puts this Matter out of doubt, and which may be an Instruction for Posterity in the Case of a Pick-pocket; my good old Governess to give a short touch at her History, tho' she had left off the Trade, was as I may say, born a Pick-pocket, and as I understood afterward, had run thro' all the several Degrees of that Art, and yet had been taken but once; when she was so grossly detected, that she was convicted and order'd to be Transported; but being a Woman of a rare Tongue, and withal having Money in her Pocket; she found Means, the Ship putting into Ireland for Provisions, to get on Shore there, where she practised her old Trade some Years; when falling into another sort of Company she turned Midwife and Procuress, and play'd a hundred Pranks, which she gave me a little History of, in Confidence between us as we grew more intimate; and it was to this wicked Creature that I ow'd all the Dexterity I arriv'd to, in which there were few that ever went beyond me, or that practis'd so long without any Misfortune.

It was after those Adventures in Ireland, and when she was pretty well known in that Country, that she left Dublin, and came over to England, where the time of her Transportation being not expir'd, she left her former Trade, for fear of falling into bad Hands again, for then she was sure to have gone to Wreck: Here she set up the same Trade she had followed in Ireland, in which she soon, by her admirable Management, and a good Tongue, arrived to the Height, which I have already describ'd, and indeed began to be Rich, tho' her Trade fell again afterwards.

I mention thus much of the History of this Woman here, the better to account for the concern she had in the wicked Life I was now leading; into all the Particulars of which she lead me, as it were, by the Hand, and gave me such Directions, and I so well follow'd them, that I grew the greatest Artist of my time, and work'd myself out of every Danger with such Dexterity, that when several more of my Comrades run themselves into Newgate, by that time they had been half a Year at the Trade: I had now practis'd upwards of five Year, and the People at Newgate did not so much as know me; they had heard much of me indeed, and often expected me there; but I always got off, tho' many times in the extreamest Danger.

One of the greatest Dangers I was now in, was that I was too well known among the Trade, and some of them whose hatred was owing rather to Envy, than any Injury I had done them began to be Angry, that I should always Escape when they were always catch'd and hurried to Newgate. These were they that gave me the Name of Moll Flanders: For it was no more of Affinity with my real Name, or with any of the Names I had ever gone by, than black is of Kin to white, except that once, as before I call'd my self Mrs. Flanders, when I sheltered my self in the Mint; but that these Rogues never knew, nor could I ever learn how they came to give me the Name, or what the Occasion of it was.

I was soon inform'd that some of these who were gotten fast into Newgate, had vowed to Impeach me; and as I knew that two or three of them were but too able to do it, I was under a great concern, and kept within Doors for a good while; but my Governess who was Partner in my Success, and who now plaid a sure Game, for she had no Share in the hazard, I say, my Governess was something impatient of my leading such a useless unprofitable Life, as she call'd it; and she laid a new Contrivance for my going Abroad, and this was to Dress me up in Men's Cloths, and so put me into a new kind of Practice.

I was Tall and Personable, but a little too smooth Fac'd for a Man; however, as I seldom went Abroad, but in the Night it did well enough; but it was long before I could behave in my new Cloaths; it was impossible to be so Nimble, so Ready, so Dexterous at these things, in a Dress contrary to Nature; and as I did every thing Clumsily, so I had neither the success, or easiness of Escape that I had before, and I resolv'd to leave it off; but that Resolution was confirm'd soon after by the following Accident.

As my Governess had disguis'd me like a Man, so she joyn'd me with a Man, a young Fellow that was Nimble enough at his Business, and for about three Weeks we did very well together. Our principal Trade was watching Shop-Keepers Compters, and Slipping off any kinds of Goods we could see carelessly laid any where, and we made several good Bargains as we call'd them at this Work: And as we kept always together, so we grew very intimate, yet he never knew that I was not a Man; nay, tho' I several times went home with him to his Lodgings, according as our business directed, and four or five times lay with him all Night: But our Design lay another way, and it was absolutely necessary to me to conceal my Sex from him, as appear'd afterwards: The circumstances of our Living, coming in late, and having such Business to do as requir'd that no Body should be trusted with coming into into our Lodgings, were such as made it impossible to me to refuse lying with him, unless I would have own'd my Sex, and as it was I effectually conceal'd my self.

But his ill, and my good Fortune, soon put an end to this Life, which I must own I was sick of too: We had made several Prizes in this new way of Business, but the last would have been extraordinary; there was a Shop in a certain Street which had a Warehouse behind it that look'd into another Street, the House making the Corner.

Through the Window of the Warehouse we saw lying on the Compter or Show-board which was just before it, five peices of Silks, besides other Stuffs; and tho' it was almost dark, yet the People being busie in the fore Shop had not had time to shut up those Windows, or else had forgot it.

This the young Fellow was so overjoy'd with, that he could not restrain himself, it lay within his reach he said, and he swore violently to me that he would have it, if he broke down the House for it; I dissuaded him a little, but saw there was no Remedy, so he run rashly upon it, slipt out a Square out of the Sash Window dexterously enough, and got four Peices of the silks, and came with them towards me, but was immediately persued with a terrible Clutter and Noise; we were standing together indeed, but I had not taken any of the Goods out of his Hand, when I said to him hastily, you are undone! he run like Lightning, and I too, but the pursuit was hotter after him, because he had the Goods; he dropt two of the Peices, which stop'd them a little, but the crowd encreas'd, and pursued us both; they took him soon after with the other two Peices, and then the rest follow'd me; I run for it and got into my Governesses House, whether some quick-ey'd People follow'd me so warmly as to fix me there; they did not immediately knock at the Door, by which I got time to throw off my Disguise, and dress me in my own Cloaths; besides, when they came there, my Governess, who had her Tale ready, kept her Door shut, and call'd out to them and told them there was no Man came in there; the People affirm'd there did a Man come in there, and swore they would break open the Door.

My Governess, not at all surpriz'd, spoke calmly to them, told them they should very freely come and search her House, if they would bring a Constable, and let in none but such as the Constable would admit, for it was unreasonable to let in a whole Crowd; this they could not refuse, tho' they were a Crowd; so a Constable was fetch'd immediately, and she very freely open'd the Door, the Constable kept the Door, and the Men he appointed search'd the House, my Governess going with them from Room to Room; when she came to my Room she call'd to me, and said aloud; Cousin, pray open the Door, here's some Gentlemen that must come and look into your Room.

I had a little Girl with me, which was my Governesses Grand-child, as she call'd her; and I bad her open the Door, and there sat I at work with a great litter of things about me, as if I had been at Work all Day, being undress'd, with only Night-cloaths on my Head, and a loose Morning Gown about me: My Governess made a kind of excuse for their disturbing me, telling partly the occasion of it, and that she had no Remedy but to open the Doors to them, and let them satisfie themselves, for all she could say would not satisfie them: I sat still, and bid them search if they pleas'd, for if there was any Body in the House, I was sure they was not in my Room; and for the rest of the House I had nothing to say to that, I did not understand what they look'd for.

Every thing look'd so innocent and so honest about me, that they treated me civiller than I expected, but it was not till they had search'd the Room to a nicety, even under the Bed, and in the Bed, and every where else, where it was possible any thing cou'd be hid; when they had done and cou'd find nothing, they ask'd my Pardon, and went down.

When they had thus searched the House from Bottom to Top, and then from Top to Bottom, and cou'd find nothing, they appeas'd the Mob pretty well; but they carried my Governess before the Justice: Two Men swore that they see the Man, who they pursued, go into her House: My Governess rattled and made a great noise that her House should be insulted, and that she should be used thus for nothing; that if a Man did come in, he might go out again presently for ought she knew, for she was ready to make Oath that no Man had been within her Doors all that Day as she knew of; which was very true; that it might be, that as she was above Stairs, any Fellow in a Fright might find the Door open, and run in for shelter when he was pursued, but that she knew nothing of it; and if it had been so, he certainly went out again, perhaps at the other Door, for she had another Door into an Alley, and so had made his escape.

This was indeed probable enough, and the Justice satisfied himself with giving her an Oath, that she had not receiv'd or admitted any Man into her House to conceal him, or protect or hide him from Justice: This Oath she might justly take, and did so, and so she was dismiss'd.

It is easie to judge what a fright I was in upon this occasion, and it was impossible for my Governess ever to bring me to Dress in that Disguise again; for, as I told her, I should certainly betray myself.

My poor Partner in this Mischief was now in a bad Case, for he was carry'd away before my Lord Mayor, and by his Worship committed to Newgate, and the People that took him were so willing, as well as able, to Prosecute him, that they offer'd themselves to enter into Recognisances to appear at the Sessions, and persue the Charge against him.

However, he got his Indictment deferr'd, upon promise to discover his Accomplices, and particularly, the Man that was concern'd with him in this Robbery, and he fail'd not to do his Endeavour, for he gave in my Name, who he call'd Gabriel Spencer, which was the Name I went by to him, and here appear'd the Wisdom of my concealing my self from him, without which I had been undone.

He did all he could to discover this Gabriel Spencer; he describ'd me; he discover'd the Place where he said I Lodg'd; and in a Word, all the Particulars that he could of my Dwelling; but having conceal'd the main Circumstances of my Sex from him; I had a vast Advantage, and he could never hear of me; he brought two or three Families into trouble, by his Endeavouring to find me out, but they knew nothing of me, any more than that he had a Fellow with him, that they had seen, but knew nothing of; and as to my Governess, tho' she was the Means of his coming to me, yet it was done at second Hand, and he knew nothing of her neither.

This turn'd to his Disadvantage; for having promis'd Discoveries, but not being able to make it good, it was look'd upon as trifling, and he was the more fiercely persued by the Shopkeeper.

I was however terribly uneasie all this while, and that I might be quite out of the Way, I went away from my Governess for a while; but not knowing whither to wander, I took a Maid Servant with me, and took the Stage-Coach to Dunstable to my old Landlord and Landlady, where I lived so handsomely with my Lancashire Husband: Here I told her a formal Story, that I expected my Husband every day from Ireland, and that I had sent a Letter to him, that I would meet him at Dunstable at her House, and that he would certainly Land if the Wind was fair, in a few Days; so that I was come to spend a few Days with them till he could come, for he would either come Post, or in the West-Chester Coach, I knew not which, but which soever it was, he would be sure to come to that House to meet me.

My Landlady was mighty glad to see me, and my Landlord made such a Stir with me, that if I had been a Princess I could not have been better used, and here I might have been Welcome a Month or two if I had thought fit.

But my Business was of another Nature, I was very uneasie, (though so well disguis'd that it was scarce possible to Detect me) least this Fellow should find me out; and tho' he could not charge me with the Robbery, having perswaded him not to venture, and having done nothing of it myself, yet he might have charg'd me with other Things, and have bought his own Life at the Expence of mine.

This fill'd me with horrible Apprehensions: I had no Recourse, no Friend, no Confident but my old Governess, and I knew no Remedy but to put my Life into her Hands; and so I did, for I let her know where to send to me, and had several Letters from her while I stay'd here, some of them almost scar'd me out of my Wits; but at last she sent me the joyful News that he was Hang'd, which was the Best News to me that I had heard a great while.

I had stay'd here five Weeks, and liv'd very comfortably indeed (the secret Anxiety of my Mind excepted) but when I receiv'd this Letter I look'd pleasantly again, and told my Landlady that I had receiv'd a Letter from my Spouse in Ireland, that I had the good News of his being very well, but had the bad News that his Business would not permit him to come away so soon as he expected, and so I was like to go back again without him.

My Landlady complimented me upon the good News however, that I had heard he was well, for I have observ'd Madam, says she, you han't been so pleasant as you us'd to be; you have been over Head and Ears in Care for him, I dare say, says the good Woman; 'tis easie to be seen there's an Alteration in you for the better, says she: Well, I am sorry the Esquire can't come yet, says my Landlord; I should have been heartily glad to have seen him, when you have certain News of his coming, you'll take a Step hither again, Madam, says he, you shall be very welcome whenever you please to come.

With all these fine Complements we parted, and I came merry enough to London, and found my Governess as well pleas'd as I was; and now she told me she would never recommend any Partner to me again, for she always found, she said, that I had the best Luck when I ventur'd by my self; and so indeed I had, for I was seldom in any Danger when I was by my self, or if I was, I got out of it with more Dexterity than when I was entangled with the dull Measures of other People, who had perhaps less forecast, and were more impatient than I; for tho' I had as much Courage to Venture as any of them, yet I us'd more Caution before I undertook a Thing, and had more Presence of Mind to bring my self off.

I have often wondered even at my own hardiness another way, that when all my Companions were surpriz'd, and fell so suddenly into the Hand of Justice, yet I could not all this while enter into one serious Resolution to leave off this Trade; and especially considering that I was now very far from being Poor, that the Temptation of Necessity, which is the general Introduction of all such Wickedness, was now removed; that I had near 500l. by me in ready Money, on which I might have liv'd very well, if I had thought fit to have retir'd; but, I say, I had not so much as the least Inclination to leave off; no, not so much as I had before, when I had but 200l. beforehand, and when I had no such frightful Examples before my Eyes as these were: From hence 'tis evident, that when once we are harden'd in Crime, no Fear can affect us, no Example give us any Warning.

I had indeed one Comrade, whose Fate went very near me for a good while, tho' I wore it off too in Time, that Case was indeed very unhappy; I had made a Prize of a Piece of very good Damask in a Mercer's Shop, and went clear off my self; but had convey'd the Piece to this Companion of mine, when we went out of the Shop; and she went one way, I went another: We had not been long out of the Shop, but the Mercer mist the Piece of Stuff, and sent his Messengers, one, one way, and one another, and they presently seiz'd her that had the Piece, with the Damask upon her; as for me, I had very luckily stept into a House where there was a Lace Chamber, up one Pair of Stairs, and had the Satisfaction, or the Terror indeed of looking out of the Window, and seeing the poor Creature drag'd away to the Justice, who immediately committed her to Newgate.

I was careful to attempt nothing in the Lace-Chamber, but tumbl'd their Goods pretty much to spend Time; then bought a few Yards of Edging, and paid for it, and came away very sad Hearted indeed; for the poor Woman, who was in Tribulation, for what I only had stolen.

Here again my old Caution stood me in good stead; tho' I often robb'd with these People, yet I never let them know who I was; nor could they ever find out my Lodging, tho' they often endeavour'd to watch me to it. They all knew me by the Name of Moll Flanders, tho' even some of them rather believ'd I was she, than knew me to be so; my Name was publick among them indeed; but how to find me out they knew not, nor so much as how to guess at my Quarters, whether they were at the East End of the Town, or the West; and this Wariness was my Safety upon all these Occasions.

I kept close a great while upon the Occasion of this Woman's Disaster; I knew that if I should do any thing that should miscarry, and should be carry'd to Prison she would be there, and ready to witness against me, and perhaps save her Life at my Expence; I consider'd that I began to be very well known by Name at the Old Baily, tho' they did not know my Face; and that if I should fall into their Hands, I should be treated as an old Offender; and for this Reason, I was resolv'd to see what this poor Creatures Fate should be before I stirr'd, tho' several times in her Distress I convey'd Money to her for her Relief.

At length she came to her Tryal, she pleaded she did not steal the Things; but that one Mrs.