stle about a year ago, in expectation of journeywork, along with
three young fellows of his acquaintance who worked in the keels; that he
had the good fortune of being employed by a very civil master, with whom
he intended to stay till the spring, at which time he proposed to go
to London, where he did not doubt of finding encouragement. When I
communicated to him my situation and design, he did not approve of my
taking a passage by sea, by reason of the danger of a winter voyage,
which is very hazardous along that coast, as well as the precariousness
of the wind, which might possibly detain me a great while, to the no
small detriment of my fortune; whereas, if I would venture by land, he
would bear me company, carry my baggage all the way, and if we should be
fatigued before we could perform the journey it would be no hard matter
for us to find on the road either return horses or waggons, of which we
might take the advantage for a very trifling expense.

I was so ravished at this proposal that I embraced him affectionately,
and assured him he might command my purse to the last farthing; but he
gave me to understand he had saved money sufficient to answer his own
occasions; and that he had a friend in London who would soon introduce
him into business in that capital, and possibly have it in his power to
serve me also.

Having concerted the plan and settled our affairs that night, we
departed next morning by daybreak, armed with a good cudgel each (my
companion being charged with the furniture of us both crammed into one
knapsack), and our money sewed between the linings and waistbands of
our breeches, except some loose silver for our immediate expenses on the
road, We travelled all day at a round pace, but, being ignorant of the
proper stages, were benighted at a good distance from any inn, so that
we were compelled to take up our lodging at a small hedge alehouse, that
stood on a byroad, about half-a-mile from the highway: there we found
a pedlar of our own country, in whose company we regaled ourselves with
bacon and eggs, and a glass of good ale, before a comfortable fire,
conversing all the while very sociably with the landlord and his
daughter, a hale buxom lass, who entertained us with great good humour,
and in whose affection I was vain enough to believe I had made some
progress. About eight o'clock we were all three, at our own desire,
shown into an apartment furnished with two beds, in one of which Strap
and I