Clarissa Harlowe, Samuel Richardson [black authors fiction .txt] 📗

Well, then, we will imagine them on board. I will be there in disguise. They know not any of ye four⁠—supposing (the scheme so inviting) that thou canst be one.

’Tis plaguey hard, if we cannot find, or make a storm.

Perhaps they will be seasick: but whether they be or not, no doubt they will keep their cabin.

Here will be Mrs. Howe, Miss Howe, Mr. Hickman, a maid, and a footman, I suppose: and thus we will order it.

I know it will be hard weather: I know it will: and, before there can be the least suspicion of the matter, we shall be in sight of Guernsey, Jersey, Dieppe, Cherbourg, or anywhere on the French coast that it shall please us to agree with the winds to blow us: and then, securing the footman, and the women being separated, one of us, according to lots that may be cast, shall overcome, either by persuasion or force, the maidservant: that will be no hard task; and she is a likely wench, (I have seen her often): one, Mrs. Howe; nor can there be much difficulty there; for she is full of health and life, and has been long a widow: another, (that, says the princely lion, must be I!) the saucy daughter; who will be much too frightened to make great resistance, (violent spirits, in that sex, are seldom true spirits⁠—’tis but where they can): and after beating about the coast for three or four days for recreation’s sake, and to make sure work, till we see our sullen birds begin to eat and sip, we will set them all ashore where it will be most convenient; sell the vessel, (to Mrs. Townsend’s agents, with all my heart, or to some other smugglers), or give it to Ganmore; and pursue our travels, and tarry abroad till all is hushed up.

Now I know thou wilt make difficulties, as it is thy way; while it is mine to conquer them. My other vassals made theirs; and I condescended to obviate them: as thus I will thine, first stating them for thee according to what I know of thy phlegm.

What, in the first place, wilt thou ask, shall be done with Hickman? who will be in full parade of dress and primness, in order to show the old aunt what a devilish clever fellow of a nephew she is to have.

What!⁠—I’ll tell thee⁠—Hickman, in good manners, will leave the women in their cabin⁠—and, to show his courage with his breeding, be upon deck⁠—

Well, and suppose he is!⁠—Why then I hope it is easy for Ganmore, or anybody else, myself suppose in my pea-jacket and great watch coat, (if any other make scruple to do it), while he stands in the way, gaping and staring like a novice, to stumble against him, and push him overboard!⁠—A rich thought⁠—is it not, Belford?⁠—He is certainly plaguey officious in the ladies’ correspondence; and I am informed, plays double between mother and daughter, in fear of both.⁠—Dost not see him, Jack?⁠—I do⁠—popping up and down, his wig and hat floating by him; and paddling, pawing, and dashing, like a frighted mongrel⁠—I am afraid he never ventured to learn to swim.

But thou wilt not drown the poor fellow; wilt thou?

No, no!⁠—that is not necessary to the project⁠—I hate to do mischiefs supererogatory. The skiff shall be ready to save him, while the vessel keeps its course: he shall be set on shore with the loss of wig and hat only, and of half his little wits, at the place where he embarked, or anywhere else.

Well, but shall we not be in danger of being hanged for three such enormous rapes, although Hickman should escape with only a bellyful of seawater?

Yes, to be sure, when caught⁠—But is there any likelihood of that?⁠—Besides, have we not been in danger before now for worse facts? and what is there in being only in danger?⁠—If we actually were to appear in open day in England before matters are made up, there will be greater likelihood that these women will not prosecute that they will.⁠—For my own part, I should wish they may. Would not a brave fellow choose to appear in court to such an arraignment, confronting women who would do credit to his attempt? The country is more merciful in these cases, than in any others: I should therefore like to put myself upon my country.

Let me indulge in a few reflections upon what thou mayest think the worst that can happen. I will suppose that thou art one of us; and that all five are actually brought to trial on this occasion: how bravely shall we enter a court, I at the head of you, dressed out each man, as if to his wedding appearance!⁠—You are sure of all the women, old and young, of your side.⁠—What brave fellows!⁠—what fine gentlemen!⁠—There goes a charming handsome man!⁠—meaning me, to be sure!⁠—who could find in their hearts to hang such a gentleman as that? whispers one lady, sitting perhaps on the right hand of the recorder: (I suppose the scene to be in London): while another disbelieves that any woman could fairly swear against me. All will crowd after me: it will be each man’s happiness (if ye shall chance to be bashful) to be neglected: I shall be found to be the greatest criminal; and my safety, for which the general voice will be engaged, will be yours.

But then comes the triumph of triumphs, that will make the accused look up, while the accusers are covered with confusion.

Make room there!⁠—stand by!⁠—give back!⁠—One receiving a rap, another an elbow, half a score a push a piece!⁠—

Enter the slow-moving, hooded-faced, down-looking plaintiffs.⁠—

And first the widow, with a sorrowful countenance, though half-veiled, pitying her daughter more than herself. The people, the women especially, who on this occasion will be five-sixths of the spectators, reproaching her⁠—You’d have the conscience, would you, to have five such brave gentlemen as these hanged