The Adventures of Roderick Random

Chapter LXV: I set out for Sussex——consult Mrs. Sagely——atchieve an interview with Narcissa——return to the ship——we get clear of the Channel——I learn our destination——we are chaced by a large ship——the company are dismayed, and encouraged by the captain’s

342 The Adventures of Roderick Random supposition.—Without explaining myself any further, I told him he was mistaken in his conjecture; that I had been for some time past with the relation of whom he had frequently heard me speak; and that as I should set out next day upon my travels, I had come to take my leave of my friends, and to receive of him the money he had borrowed from me, which now that I was going abroad, I should certainly have occasion for.— He was a little disconcerted at this demand; but recollecting himself in a moment, swore in an affected passion, that I had used him extremely ill, and he would never forgive me, for having, by this short warning, put it out of his power to free himself of an obligation he could no longer bear.—I could not help smiling at this pretended delicacy , which I commended highly, telling him, he needed not be uneasy on that score, for I would give him a direction to a merchant in the city, with whom I would leave a discharge for the sum, to be delivered upon payment.—He professed much joy at this expedient, and with great eagerness asked the person’s name and place of abode, which he forthwith wrote in his pocket-book, assuring me, that he should not be long in my debt—This affair, which I knew he would never after think of, being settled to his satisfaction , I sent cards to all my friends, desiring the favour of their company at a tavern in the evening, when they honoured my invitation, and I had the pleasure of treating them in a very elegant manner, at which they expressed equal admiration and applause. Having enjoyed ourselves till midnight, I took my leave of them, and was well-nigh stifled with caresses; next day I set out with Strap in a post-chaise for Gravesend, where we went on board, and the wind serving, weighed anchor in less than twelve hours.— Without meeting with any accident, we reached the Downs, where we were obliged to come to an anchor, and wait for an easterly wind to carry us out of the channel. chapter lxv. I set out for Sussex——consult Mrs. Sagely——atchieve an interview with Narcissa——return to the ship——we get clear of the Channel——I learn our destination——we are chaced by a large ship——the company are dismayed, and encouraged by the captain’s speech——our pursuer happens to be an English man of war——we arrive at the coast of Guinea, purchase 400 negroes, sail for Paraguay, get safe into the river of Plate, and sell our cargo to great advantage. It was now I put in execution the scheme I had projected at London; and asking leave of the captain, for Strap and me to stay on shore till the wind should become favourable , my request was granted, because he had orders to remain in the Downs until he should receive some dispatches from London, which he did not expect in less than a Volume Two, Chapter LXV 343 week.—Having imparted my resolution to my trusty valet, who (tho’ he endeavour’d to dissuade me from such a rash undertaking) would not quit me in the enterprize, I hired horses, and set out immediately for that part of Sussex where my charmer was confined, which was not above thirty miles distant from Deal, where we mounted.—As I was perfectly well acquainted with the extent of the Squire’s estate and influence, I halted within five miles of his house, where we remained ’till the twilight, at which time we set forward , and, by the favour of a dark night, reached a copse about half a mile from the village where Mrs. Sagely lived.—Here we left our horses tied to a tree, and went directly to the house of my old benefactress, Strap trembling all the way, and venting ejaculatory petitions to heaven for our safety. Her habitation being quite solitary, we arrived at the door without being observed, when I ordered my companion to enter by himself, and in case there should be company with her, deliver a letter which I had writ for the purpose , and say that a friend of hers in London, understanding that he intended to travel this road, had committed it to his care.—He rapped at the door, to which the good old...