ining satisfaction for the injuries he had done me.

When I deemed myself sufficiently master of my business I began to cast
about for an opportunity of launching into the world, in hope of
finding some provision that might make amends for the difficulties I
had undergone; but, as this could not be effected without a small sum of
money to equip me for the field, I was in the utmost perplexity how to
raise it, well knowing that Crab, for his own sake, would never put me
in a condition to leave him, when his interest was so much concerned
in my stay. But a small accident, which happened about this time,
determined him in my favour. This was no other than the pregnancy of his
maidservant, who declared her situation to me, assuring me at the same
time that I was the occasion of it.

Although I had no reason to question the truth of this imputation, I was
not ignorant of the familiarities which had passed between her master
and her, taking the advantage of which I represented to her the folly
of laying the burden at my door, when she might dispose of it to much
better purpose with Mr. Crab. She listened to my advice, and next day
acquainted him with the pretended success of their mutual endeavours.
He was far from being overjoyed at this proof of his vigour, which he
foresaw might have very troublesome consequences; not that he dreaded
any domestic grumblings and reproaches from his wife, whom he kept
in perfect subjection; but because he knew it would furnish his rival
Potion with a handle for insulting and undermining his reputation, there
being no scandal equal to that of uncleanness, in the opinion of those
who inhabit the part of the island where he lived. He therefore took a
resolution worthy of himself, which was, to persuade the girl that she
was not with child, but only afflicted with a disorder incidental
to young women, which he could easily remove: with this view (as he
pretended) he prescribed for her such medicines as he thought would
infallibly procure abortion; but in this scheme he was disappointed,
for the maid, being advertised by me of his design, and at the same time
well acquainted with her own condition, absolutely refused to follow his
directions; and threatened to publish her situation to the world if he
would not immediately take some method of providing for the important
occasion, which she expected in a few months. It was not long before I
guessed the result of his deliberation, by his addressing