At this instant Fanny, whom the apprehension of Joseph’s
danger had alarmed so much that, forgetting her own,
she had made the utmost expedition, came up.
The squire and all the horsemen were so surprized
with her beauty, that they immediately fixed both their
eyes and thoughts solely on her, every one declaring
he had never seen so charming a creature. Neither
mirth nor anger engaged them a moment longer, but
all sat in silent amaze. The huntsman only was
free from her attraction, who was busy in cutting the
ears of the dogs, and endeavouring to recover them
to life; in which he succeeded so well, that only
two of no great note remained slaughtered on the field
of action. Upon this the huntsman declared, “’Twas
well it was no worse; for his part he could not blame
the gentleman, and wondered his master would encourage
the dogs to hunt Christians; that it was the surest
way to spoil them, to make them follow vermin instead
of sticking to a hare.”
The squire, being informed of the little mischief
that had been done, and perhaps having more mischief
of another kind in his head, accosted Mr Adams with
a more favourable aspect than before: he told
him he was sorry for what had happened; that he had
endeavoured all he could to prevent it the moment
he was acquainted with his cloth, and greatly commended
the courage of his servant, for so he imagined Joseph
to be. He then invited Mr Adams to dinner, and
desired the young woman might come with him.
Adams refused a long while; but the invitation was
repeated with so much earnestness and courtesy, that
at length he was forced to accept it. His wig
and hat, and other spoils of the field, being gathered
together by Joseph (for otherwise probably they would
have been forgotten), he put himself into the best
order he could; and then the horse and foot moved
forward in the same pace towards the squire’s
house, which stood at a very little distance.
Whilst they were on the road the lovely Fanny attracted
the eyes of all: they endeavoured to outvie one
another in encomiums on her beauty; which the reader
will pardon my not relating, as they had not anything
new or uncommon in them: so must he likewise
my not setting down the many curious jests which were
made on Adams; some of them declaring that parson-hunting
was the best sport in the world; others commending
his standing at bay, which they said he had done as
well as any badger; with such like merriment, which,
though it would ill become the dignity of this history,
afforded much laughter and diversion to the squire
and his facetious companions.
CHAPTER VII.
A scene of roasting, very nicely adapted to the
present taste and times.
They arrived at the squire’s house just as his
dinner was ready. A little dispute arose on the
account of Fanny, whom the squire, who was a bachelor,
was desirous to place at his own table; but she would
not consent, nor would Mr Adams permit her to be parted
from Joseph; so that she was at length with him consigned
over to the kitchen, where the servants were ordered
to make him drunk; a favour which was likewise intended
for Adams; which design being executed, the squire
thought he should easily accomplish what he had when
he first saw her intended to perpetrate with Fanny.
