CHAPTER XIV.
_Of our coming to London (with incidents by the way), and of the greataddress whereby Moll confounds Simon, the steward._
On the third day of July, all things falling in pat with the Don'sdesign, we bade farewell to Elche, Dawson and I with no sort of regret,but Moll in tears at parting from those friends she had grown to lovevery heartily. And these friends would each have her take away somethingfor a keepsake, such as rings to wear on her arms and on her ankles (asis the Moorish fashion), silk shawls, etc., so that she had quite alarge present of finery to carry away; but we had nothing whatever butthe clothes we stood in, and they of the scantiest, being simply longshirts and "bernouses" such as common Moors wear. For the wise Don wouldlet us take nought that might betray our sojourn in Spain, making useven change our boots for wooden sandals, he himself being arrayed nobetter than we. Nor was this the only change insisted on by ourgovernor; for on Dawson bidding Moll in a surly tone to give over ashedding of tears, Don Sanchez turns upon him, and says he:
"It is time to rehearse the parts we are to play. From this day forthyour daughter is Mistress Judith Godwin, you are Captain Robert Evans,and you" (to me), "Mr. Hopkins, the merchant. Let us each play our partwith care, that we do not betray ourselves by a slip in a moment ofunforeseen danger."
"You are in the right, Senor," answers Jack, "for I doubt it must be ahard task to forget that Mistress Judith is my daughter, as it is for aloving father to hold from chiding of his own flesh and blood; so I prayyou, Madam" (to Moll), "bear that in mind and vex me no more."
We lay this lesson seriously to heart, Dawson and I, for the Don's hintthat we might end our career in gaol did still rankle woundily in ourminds. And so very soberly we went out of the forest of Elche in thenight on mules lent us by Sidi ben Ahmed, with a long cavalcade of mulescharged with merchandise for embarking on board the pirates' vessel, andan escort of some half-dozen fierce-looking corsairs armed with longfirelocks and a great store of awesome crooked knives stuck in theirwaist-cloths.
After journeying across the plain, we came about midday to the seaboard,and there we spied, lying in a sheltered bay, a long galley with threemasts, each dressed with a single cross-spar for carrying aleg-of-mutton sail, and on the shore a couple of ship's boats with acompany of men waiting to transport our goods and us aboard. And hereour hearts quaked a bit at the thought of trusting ourselves in thehands of these same murderous-looking pirates. Nevertheless, when ourtime came we got us into their boat, recommending ourselves veryheartily to God's mercy, and so were rowed out to the galley, where wewere very civilly received by an old Moor with a white beard, who seemedwell acquainted with Don Sanchez. Then the merchandise being all aboard,and the anchor up, the men went to their oars, a dozen of each side, androwed us out of the bay until, catching a little wind of air, the sailswere run up, and we put out to sea very bravely.
"Senor," says Dawson, "I know not how I am to play this part of asea-captain when we are sent on board an English ship, for if they askme any questions on this business of navigating, I am done for acertainty."
"Rest easy on that score, Evans," replies the Don. "I will answer foryou, for I see very clearly by your complexion that you will soon bepast answering them yourself."
And this forecast was quickly verified; for ere the galley had dipped adozen times to the waves, poor Dawson was laid low with a most horridsickness like any dying man.
By sundown we sighted the island of Maggiore, and in the roads there wecast anchor for the night, setting sail again at daybreak; and in thislatitude we beat up and down a day and a night without seeing any sail,but on the morning of the third day a fleet of five big ships appearedto the eastward, and shifting our course we bore down upon them withamazing swiftness. Then when we were near enough to the foremast to seeher English flag and the men aboard standing to their deck guns for adefence, our old Moor fires a gun in the air, takes in his sails, andruns up a great white flag for a sign of peace. And now with shrewdhaste a boat was lowered, and we were set in it with a pair of oars, andthe old pirate bidding us farewell in his tongue, clapt on all sail andstood out before the wind, leaving us there to shift for ourselves. DonSanchez took one oar, and I t'other,--Dawson lying in the bottom and notable to move a hand to save his life,--and Moll held the tiller, and sowe pulled with all our force, crying out now and then for fear we shouldnot be seen, till by God's providence we came alongside the Talbot ofLondon, and were presently hoisted aboard without mishap. Then thecaptain of the Talbot and his officers gathering about us were mightycurious to know our story, and Don Sanchez very briefly told how we hadgone in the Red Rose of Bristol to redeem two ladies from slavery; howwe had found but one of these ladies living (at this Moll buries herface in her hands as if stricken with grief); how, on the eve of ourdeparture, some of our crew in a drunken frolic had drowned a Turk ofAlger, for which we were condemned by their court to pay an indemnityfar and away beyond our means; how they then made this a pretext toseize our things, though we were properly furnished with the Duke'spass, and hold our men in bond; and how having plundered us of all wehad, and seeing there was no more to be got, they did offer us ourfreedom for a written quittance of all they had taken for theirjustification if ever they should be brought to court; and finally, how,accepting of these conditions, we were shipped aboard their galley withnothing in the world but a few trifles, begged by Mistress Judith inremembrance of her mother.
This story was accepted without any demur; nay, Captain Ballcock, beingone of those men who must ever appear to know all things, supported itin many doubtful particulars, saying that he remembered the Rose ofBristol quite well; that he himself had seen a whole ship's crew soldinto slavery for no greater offence than breaking a mosque window; thatthe Duke's pass counted for nothing with these Turks; that he knew thegalley we were brought in as well as he knew Paul's Church, havingchased it a dozen times, yet never got within gunshot for her swiftsailing, etc., which did much content us to hear.
But the officers were mighty curious to know what ailed Captain RobertEvans (meaning Dawson), fearing he might be ill of the plague; however,on the Don's vowing that he was only sick of a surfeit, Captain Ballcockdeclared he had guessed it the moment he clapt eyes on him, as hehimself had been taken of the same complaint with only eating a dish ofpease pudding. Nevertheless, he ordered the sick man to be laid in apart of the ship furthest from his quarters, and so great was the dreadof pestilence aboard that (as his sickness continued) not a soul wouldventure near him during the whole voyage except ourselves, which alsofell in very well with our wishes. And so after a fairly prosperousvoyage we came up the Thames to Chatham, the third day of August.
We had been provided with some rough seamen's clothes for our bettercovering on the voyage; but now, being landed, and lodged in the Crowninn at Chatham, Don Sanchez would have the captain take them all back.
"But," says he, "if you will do us yet another favour, Captain, will yousuffer one of your men to carry a letter to Mistress Godwin's steward atChislehurst, that he may come hither to relieve us from our presentstraits?"
"Aye," answers he, "I will take the letter gladly, myself; for nothingpleases me better than a ramble in the country where I was born andbred."
So Moll writes a letter at once to Simon, bidding him come at once toher relief; and Captain Ballcock, after carefully enquiring his way tothis place he knew so well (as he would have us believe), starts offwith it, accompanied by his boatswain, a good-natured kind oflick-spittle, who never failed to back up his captain's assertions,which again was to our great advantage; for Simon would thus learn ourstory from his lips, and find no room to doubt its veracity.
As soon as these two were out of the house, Dawson, who had been carriedfrom the ship and laid in bed, though as hale since we passed theGodwins as ever he was in his life before, sprang up, and declared hewould go to bed no more, for all the fortunes in the world, till he hadsupped on roast pork and onions,--this being a dish he greatly loved,but not to
be had at Elche, because the Moors by their religion forbidthe use of swine's flesh,--and seeing him very determined on this head,Don Sanchez ordered a leg of pork to be served in our chamber, whereofDawson did eat such a prodigious quantity, and drank therewith such avast quantity of strong ale (which he protested was the only liquor anEnglishman could drink with any satisfaction), that in the night he wasseized with most severe cramp in his stomach. This gave us the occasionto send for a doctor in the morning, who, learning that Jack had beenill ever since we left Barbary, and not understanding his presentcomplaint, pulled a very long face, and, declaring his case was verycritical, bled him copiously, forbade him to leave his bed for anotherfortnight, and sent him in half a dozen bottles of physic. About middayhe returns, and, finding his patient no better, administers a bolus; andwhile we are all standing about the bed, and Dawson the colour of death,and groaning, betwixt the nausea of the drug he had swallowed and thecramp in his inwards, in comes our Captain Ballcock and the littlesteward.
"There!" cries he, turning on Simon, "did not I tell you that my oldfriend Evans lay at death's door with the treatment he hath received ofthese Barbary pirates? Now will you be putting us off with your doubtsand your questionings? Shall I have up my ship's company to testify tothe truth of my history? Look you, Madam," (to Moll), "we had all thetrouble in the world to make this steward of yours do your bidding; buthe should have come though we had to bring him by the neck and heels,and a pox to him--saving your presence."
"But this is not Simon," says Moll, with a pretty air of innocence. "Iseem to remember Simon a bigger man than he."
"You must consider, Madam," says Don Sanchez, "that then you were verysmall, scarce higher than his waist, maybe, and so you would have tolook up into his face."
"I did not think of that. And are you really Simon, who used to scold mefor plucking fruit?"
"Yea, verily," answers he. "Doubt it not, for thou also hast changedbeyond conception. And so it hath come to pass!" he adds, staring roundat us in our Moorish garb like one bewildered. "And thou art my mistressnow" (turning again to Moll).
"Alas!" says she, bowing her head and covering her eyes with her hand.
"Han't I told you so, unbelieving Jew Quaker!" growls Captain Ballcock,in exasperation. "Why will you plague the unhappy lady with her loss?"
"We will leave Evans to repose," says Moll, brushing her eyes andturning to the door. "You will save his life, Doctor, for he has givenme mine."
The doctor vowed he would, if bleeding and boluses could make him whole,and so, leaving him with poor groaning Dawson, we went into the nextchamber. And there Captain Ballcock was for taking his leave; but Moll,detaining him, says:
"We owe you something more than gratitude--we have put you to muchexpense."
"Nay," cries he. "I will take nought for doing a common act of mercy."
"You shall not be denied the joy of generosity," says she, with a sweetgrace. "But you must suffer me to give your ship's company some token ofmy gratitude." Then turning to Simon with an air of authority, she says,"Simon, I have no money."
The poor man fumbled in his pocket, and bringing out a purse, laid itopen, showing some four or five pieces of silver and one of gold, whichhe hastily covered with his hand.
"I see you have not enough," says Moll, and taking up a pen she quicklywrote some words on a piece of paper, signing it "Judith Godwin." Thenshowing it to Simon, she says, "You will pay this when it is presentedto you," and therewith she folds it and places it in the captain's hand,bidding him farewell in a pretty speech.
"A hundred pounds! a hundred pounds!" gasps Simon, under his breath, inan agony and clutching up his purse to his breast.
"I am astonished," says Moll, returning from the door, and addressingSimon, with a frown upon her brow, "that you are not better furnished tosupply my wants, knowing by my letter how I stand."
"Mistress," replies he, humbly, "here is all I could raise upon suchsudden notice"--laying his purse before her.
"What is this?" cries she, emptying the contents upon the table. "'Tisnothing. Here is barely sufficient to pay for our accommodation in thisinn. Where is the money to discharge my debt to these friends who havelost all in saving me? You were given timely notice of their purpose."
"Prithee, be patient with me, gentle mistress. 'Tis true, I knew oftheir intent, but they were to have returned in six months, and whenthey came not at the end of the year I did truly give up all for lost;and so I made a fresh investment of thy fortune, laying it out all inlife bonds and houses, to great worldly advantage, as thou shalt see ingood time. Ere long I may get in some rents--"
"And in the meanwhile are we to stay in this plight--to beg forcharity?" asks Moll, indignantly. "Nay, mistress. Doubtless for yourpresent wants this kind merchant friend--"
"We have lost all," says I, "Evans his ship, and I the lading in whichall my capital was embarked."
"And I every maravedi I possessed," adds the Don.
"And had they not," cries Moll, "were they possessed now of all theyhad, think you that I with an estate, as I am told, of sixty thousandpounds would add to the debt I owe them by one single penny!"
"If I may speak in your steward's defence, Madam," says I, humbly, "Iwould point out that the richest estate is not always readily convertedinto money. 'Tis like a rich jewel which the owner, though he bestarving, must hold till he find a market."
"Thee hearest him, mistress," cries Simon, in delight. "A man ofbusiness--a merchant who knows these things. Explain it further, friend,for thine are words of precious wisdom."
"With landed property the case is even more difficult. Tenants cannot beforced to pay rent before it is due, nor can their messuages be soldover their heads. And possibly all your capital is invested in land--"
"Every farthing that could be scraped together," says Simon, "and not arood of it but is leased to substantial men. Oh! what excellentdiscourse! Proceed further, friend."
"Nevertheless," says I, "there are means of raising money upon credit.If he live there still, there is a worthy Jew in St. Mary Axe, who uponcertain considerations of interest--"
"Hold, friend," cries Simon. "What art thee thinking of? Wouldst delivermy simple mistress into the hands of Jew usurers?"
"Not without proper covenants made out by lawyers and attorneys."
"Lawyers, attorneys, and usurers! Heaven have mercy upon us! Verily,thee wouldst infest us with a pest, and bleed us to death for our cure."
"I will have such relief as I may," says Moll; "so pray, sir, do sendfor these lawyers and Jews at once, and the quicker, since my servantseems more disposed to hinder than to help me."
"Forbear, mistress; for the love of God, forbear!" cries Simon, in anagony, clasping his hands. "Be not misguided by this foolish merchant,who hath all to gain and nought to lose by this proceeding. Give me buta little space, and their claims shall be met, thy desires shall besatisfied, and yet half of thy estate be saved, which else must be alldevoured betwixt these ruthless money-lenders and lawyers. I can make acovenant more binding than any attorney, as I have proved again andagain, and" (with a gulp) "if money must be raised at once, I know anhonest, a fairly honest, goldsmith in Lombard Street who will lend atthe market rate."
"These gentlemen," answers Moll, turning to us, "may not choose to wait,and I will not incommode them for my own convenience."
"Something for our present need we must have, Madam," says the Don, witha significant glance at his outlandish dress; "but those wants supplied,_I_ am content to wait."
"And you, sir?" says Moll to me.
"With a hundred or two," says I, taking Don Sanchez's hint, "we may dovery well till Michaelmas."
"Be reasonable, gentlemen," implores Simon, mopping his eyes, which ranafresh at this demand. "'Tis but some five or six weeks to Michaelmas;surely fifty pounds--"
"Silence!" cries Moll, with an angry tap of her foot. "Will threehundred content you, gentlemen? Consider, the wants of our good friend,Captain Evans, may be more pressin
g than yours."
"He is a good, honest, simple man, and I think we may answer for hisaccepting the conditions we make for ourselves. Then, with somereasonable guarantee for our future payment--"
"That may be contrived to our common satisfaction, I hope," says Moll,with a gracious smile. "I owe you half my estate; share my house atChislehurst with me till the rest is forthcoming. That will give me yeta little longer the pleasure of your company. And there, sir," turningto me, "you can examine my steward's accounts for your own satisfaction,and counsel me, mayhap, upon the conduct of my affairs, knowing so muchupon matters of business that are incomprehensible to a simple,inexperienced maid. Then, should you find aught amiss in my steward'sbooks, anything to shake your confidence in his management, you will, injustice to your friends, in kindness to me, speak your mind openly, thatinstant reformation may be made."
Don Sanchez and I expressed our agreement to this proposal, and Moll,turning to the poor, unhappy steward, says in her high tone ofauthority:
"You hear how this matter is ordered, Simon. Take up that purse for yourown uses. Go into the town and send such tradesmen hither as may supplyus with proper clothing. Then to your goldsmith in Lombard Street andbring me back six hundred pounds."
"Six--hundred--pounds!" cries he, hardly above his breath, and with apause between each word as if to gain strength to speak 'em.
"Six hundred. Three for these gentlemen and three for my own needs; whenthat is done, hasten to Chislehurst and prepare my house; and, as youvalue my favour, see that nothing is wanting when I come there."
And here, lest it should be thought that Moll could not possibly playher part so admirably in this business, despite the many secretinstructions given by the longheaded Don, I do protest that I have setdown no more than I recollect, and that without exaggeration. Further,it must be observed that in our common experience many things happenwhich would seem incredible but for the evidence of our senses, andwhich no poet would have the hardihood to represent. 'Tis true that inthis, as in other more surprising particulars to follow, Moll didsurpass all common women; but 'tis only such extraordinary persons thatfurnish material for any history. And I will add that anything ispossible to one who hath the element of greatness in her composition,and that it depends merely on the accident of circumstances whether aMoll Dawson becomes a great saint or a great sinner--a blessing or acurse to humanity.