More adventures, which we hope will as much please
as surprize the reader.
Neither the facetious dialogue which passed between
the poet and the player, nor the grave and truly solemn
discourse of Mr Adams, will, we conceive, make the
reader sufficient amends for the anxiety which he
must have felt on the account of poor Fanny, whom we
left in so deplorable a condition. We shall therefore
now proceed to the relation of what happened to that
beautiful and innocent virgin, after she fell into
the wicked hands of the captain.
The man of war, having conveyed his charming prize
out of the inn a little before day, made the utmost
expedition in his power towards the squire’s
house, where this delicate creature was to be offered
up a sacrifice to the lust of a ravisher. He
was not only deaf to all her bewailings and entreaties
on the road, but accosted her ears with impurities
which, having been never before accustomed to them,
she happily for herself very little understood.
At last he changed his note, and attempted to soothe
and mollify her, by setting forth the splendor and
luxury which would be her fortune with a man who would
have the inclination, and power too, to give her whatever
her utmost wishes could desire; and told her he doubted
not but she would soon look kinder on him, as the
instrument of her happiness, and despise that pitiful
fellow whom her ignorance only could make her fond
of. She answered, she knew not whom he meant;
she never was fond of any pitiful fellow. “Are
you affronted, madam,” says he, “at my
calling him so? But what better can be said of
one in a livery, notwithstanding your fondness for
him?” She returned, that she did not understand
him, that the man had been her fellow-servant, and
she believed was as honest a creature as any alive;
but as for fondness for men—“I warrant
ye,” cries the captain, “we shall find
means to persuade you to be fond; and I advise you
to yield to gentle ones, for you may be assured that
it is not in your power, by any struggles whatever,
to preserve your virginity two hours longer. It
will be your interest to consent; for the squire will
be much kinder to you if he enjoys you willingly than
by force.” At which words she began to
call aloud for assistance (for it was now open day),
but, finding none, she lifted her eyes to heaven,
and supplicated the Divine assistance to preserve
her innocence. The captain told her, if she persisted
in her vociferation, he would find a means of stopping
her mouth. And now the poor wretch, perceiving
no hopes of succour, abandoned herself to despair,
and, sighing out the name of Joseph! Joseph!
a river of tears ran down her lovely cheeks, and wet
the handkerchief which covered her bosom. A horseman
now appeared in the road, upon which the captain threatened
her violently if she complained; however, the moment
they approached each other she begged him with the
