108 THE HISTORY OF

I, “before you proceed in your wicked pur-
poses, I pray you reflect a little: remember
that you caunot recal an evil action; inno-
cence, when once lost, can never, never be re-
stored.”

I do not remember what was my mistress’s
answer: but the Captain repeated many of the
wicked vows and promises he had made before,
and swore that he would never leave the cot-
tage until I would go with him.

To this I made no reply, but remained silent,
thinking of the plan which I had in my head.
In the meanwhile, my mistress, coming up close
to me, and laying her hand upon my shoulder,
painted to me, in very strong colours, what
would be my situation, if I refused to go with
the Captain: how that my reputation was now,
alas! quite gone; that, when I left her service,
no one would take me in; that I was not strong
enough for lard labour without doors; and
that I should be condemned to idleness, shame,
and beggary.

The Captain then descrived to me the happy
life I should lead with him: the ease in which
1 should live; the rich ornaments with which I
should be decked; the fine countries I should
see; and the respect and honour which would
be paid me.

looked at my mistress, and then at the Cap-
tain. “Alas!” I thought, ‘it is very true, that
if I refuse to go with the Captain, I shall be
exposed to shame, and want, and hard treat-
ment.” But I remembered the promise of our
blessed Saviour, There is no man that hath left