I get up and crawl into a barn, where I am in danger of perishing, through the fear of the country people — their inhumanity — I am succoured by a reputed witch — her story — her advice — she recommends me as a valet to a single lady, whose character she explains
But as I lay ruminating1, my passion insensibly abated2; I considered my situation in quite another light, from that in which it appeared to me at first, and the result of my deliberation was to rise if I could, and crawl to the next inhabited place for assistance. With some difficulty I got upon my legs, and having examined my body, found I had received no other injury than two large contused wounds, one on the fore3 and another on the hinder part of my head, which seemed to be occasioned by the same weapon, namely, the butt-end of a pistol. I looked towards the sea, but could discern no remains4 of the ship; so that I concluded she was gone to pieces, and that those who remained in her had perished: but, as I afterwards learned, the gunner, who had more sagacity than Crampley, observing that it was flood when he left her, and that she would probably float at high water, made no noise about getting on shore, but continued on deck, in hopes of bringing her safe into some harbour, after her commander should have deserted5 her, for which piece of service he expected, no doubt, to be handsomely rewarded. This scheme he accordingly executed, and was promised great things by the Admiralty for saving his Majesty’s ship: but I never heard he reaped the fruits of his expectation. As for my own part, I directed my course towards a small cottage I perceived, and in the road picked up a seaman’s old jacket, which I suppose the thief who dressed himself in my clothes had thrown away: this was a very comfortable acquisition to me, who was almost stiff with cold: I therefore put it on; and, as my natural heat revived, my wounds, which had left off bleeding, burst out afresh; so that, finding myself excessively exhausted6, I was about to lie down in the fields, when I discovered a barn on my left hand, within a few yards of me; thither7 I made shift to stagger, and finding the door open, went in, but saw nobody; however, I threw myself upon a truss of straw, hoping to be soon relieved by some person or other. I had not lain here many minutes, when I saw a countryman come in with a pitchfork in his hand, which he was upon the point of thrusting into the straw that concealed9 me, and in all probability would have done my business, had I not uttered a dreadful groan10, after having essayed in vain to speak. This melancholy11 note alarmed the clown, who started back, and discovering a body all besmeared with blood, stood trembling, with the pitchfork extended before him, his hair bristling12 up, his eyes staring, his nostrils13 dilated14, and his mouth wide open. At another time I should have been much diverted by this figure, which preserved the same attitude very near ten minutes, during which time I made many unsuccessful efforts to implore15 his compassion16 and assistance; but my tongue failed me, and my language was only a repetition of groans17. At length an old man arrived, who, seeing the other in such a posture18, cried, “Mercy upon en! the leaad’s bewitched! why, Dick, beest thou besayd thyself!” Dick, without moving his eyes from the object that terrified him, replied, “O vather! vatber! here be either the devil or a dead mon: I doant know which o’en, but a groans woundily.” The father, whose eyesight was none of the best, pulled out his spectacles, and, having applied19 them to his nose reconnoitered me over his son’s shoulder: but no sooner did he behold20 me, than he was seized with a fit of shaking, even more violent than Dick’s, and, with a broken accent, addressed me thus: “In the name of the Vather, Zun, and Holy Ghost, I charge you, an you been Satan, to be gone to the Red Zen; but an you be a moordered mon, speak, that you may have a Christom burial.”
As I was not in a condition to satisfy him in this particular, he repeated his conjuration to no purpose, and they continued a good while in the agonies of fear. At length the father proposed that the son should draw nearer, and take a more distinct view of the apparition21; but Dick was of opinion that his father should advance first, he being an old man past his labour and, if he received any mischief22, the loss would be the smaller; whereas he himself might escape, and be useful, in his generation. This prudential reason had no effect upon the senior, who still kept Dick between me and him. In the meantime I endeavoured to raise one hand as a signal of distress23, but had only strength sufficient to produce a rustling24 among the straw, which discomposed the young peasant so much, that he sprang out at the door, and overthrew25 his father in his flight. The old gentleman would not spend time in getting up, but crawled backwards26 like a crab27, with great speed, till he had got over the threshold, mumbling28 exorcisms all the way. I was exceedingly mortified29 to find myself in danger of perishing through the ignorance and cowardice30 of these clowns; and felt my spirits decay apace, when an old woman entered the barn, followed by the two fugitives31 and with great intrepidity32 advanced to the place where I lay, saying, “If it be the devil I fearen not, and for a dead mon a can do us no harm.” When she saw my condition, she cried, “Here be no devil, but in your en fool’s head. Here be a poor miserable33 wretch34 bleeding to death, and if a dies, we must be at the charge of burying him; therefore, Dick, go vetch the old wheelbarrow and put en in, and carry en to goodman Hodge’s backdoor; he is more able than we to pay out money upon poor vagrants35.” Her advice was taken, and immediately put in execution; I was rolled to the other farmer’s door, where I was tumbled out like a heap of dung; and should certainly have fallen a prey36 to the hogs37, if my groans had not disturbed the family, and brought some of them out to view my situation. But Hodge resembled the Jew more than the good Samaritan, and ordered me to be carried to the house of the parson, whose business it was to practise as well as to preach charity; observing that it was sufficient for him to pay his quota38 towards the maintenance of the poor belonging to his own parish. When I was set down at the vicar’s gate, he fell into a mighty40 passion, and threatened to excommunicate him who sent, as well as those who brought me, unless they would move me immediately to another place. About this time I fainted with the fatigue41 I had undergone, and afterwards understood that I was bandied from door to door through a whole village, nobody having humanity enough to administer the least relief to me, Until an old woman, who was suspected of witchcraft42 by the neighbourhood, hearing of my distress, received me into her house, and, having dressed my wounds, brought me to myself with cordials of her own preparing. I was treated with great care and tenderness by this grave matron, who, after I had recovered some strength, desired to know the particulars of my last disaster. This piece of satisfaction I could not refuse to one who had saved my life, therefore related all my adventures without exaggeration or reserve. She seemed surprised at the vicissitudes43 I had undergone, and drew a happy presage44 of my future life from my past suffering, then launched out into the praise of adversity, with so much ardour and good sense, that I concluded she was a person who had seen better days, and conceived a longing39 desire to hear her story. She perceived my drift by some words I dropped, and smiling told me, there was nothing either entertaining or extraordinary in the course of her fortune; but, however, she would communicate it to me, in consideration of the confidence I had reposed45 in her. “It is of little consequence,” said she, “to tell the names of my parents, who are dead many years ago; let it suffice to assure you, they were wealthy, and had no other child than me; so that I was looked upon as heiress to a considerable estate, and teased with addresses on that account. Among the number of my admirers, there was a young gentleman of no fortune, whose sole dependence46 was on his promotion47 in the army, in which, at that time, he bore a lieutenant’s commission. I conceived an affection for this amiable48 officer, which, in a short time, increased to a violent passion. and without entering into minute circumstances, married him privately49. We had not enjoyed one another long in stolen interviews, when he was ordered with his regiment50 to Flanders; but, before he set out, it was agreed between us, that we should declare our marriage to my father by letter, and implore his pardon for the step we had taken without his approbation51. This discovery was made while I was abroad visiting, and just as I was about to return home, I received a letter from my father, importing that, since I had acted so undutifully and meanly as to marry a beggar, without his privity or consent, to the disgrace of his family as well as the disappointment of his hopes, he renounced52 me to the miserable fate I had entailed53 upon myself, and charged me never to set foot within his doors again. This rigid54 sentence was confirmed by my mother, who, in a postscript55, gave me to understand that her sentiments were exactly conformable to those of my father, and that I might save myself the trouble of making any applications, for her resolutions were unalterable. Thunderstruck with my evil fortune I called a coach, and drove to my husband’s lodgings56, where I found him waiting the event of his letter. Though he could easily divine by my looks the issue of his declaration, he read with great steadiness the epistle I had received; and with a smile full of tenderness, which I shall never forget, embraced me, saying, “I believe the good lady your mother might have spared herself the trouble of the last part of her postscript. Well, my dear Betty, you must lay aside all thoughts of a coach, till I can procure57 the command of a regiment.” This unconcerned behaviour, while it enabled me to support my reverse of fortune, at the same time endeared him to me the more, by convincing me of his disinterested58 views in espousing59 me. I was next day boarded in company with the wife of another officer, who had long been the friend and confidant of my husband, at a village not far from London, where they parted with us in the most melting manner, went to Flanders, and were killed in sight of one another at the battle of the Wood.
“Why should I tire you with a description of our unutterable sorrow at the fatal news of this event, the remembrance of which now fills my aged60 eyes with tears! When our grief subsided61 a little, and reflection came to our aid, we found ourselves deserted by the whole world, and in danger of perishing by want; whereupon we made application for the pension, and were put upon the list. Then, vowing62 eternal friendship, sold our jewels and superfluous63 clothes, retired64 to this place (which is in the county of Sussex) bought this little house, where we lived many years in a solitary65 manner, indulging our mutual66 sorrow, till it pleased Heaven to call away my companion two years ago; since which time I have lingered out an unhappy being, in hopes of a speedy dissolution, when I promise myself the eternal reward of all my cares. In the meantime,” continued she, “I must inform you of the character I bear among my neighbours. My conversation being different from that of the inhabitants of the village, my recluse67 way of life, my skill in curing distempers, which I acquired from books since I settled here, and lastly, my age having made the common people look upon me as something preternatural, and I am actually, at this hour, believed to be a witch. The parson of the parish, whose acquaintance I have not been at much pains to cultivate, taking umbrage68 at my supposed disrespect, has contributed not a little towards the confirmation69 of this opinion, by dropping certain hints to my prejudice among the vulgar, who are also very much scandalised at my entertaining this poor tabby cat with the collar about her neck, which was a favourite of my deceased companion.”
The whole behaviour of this venerable person was so primitive70, innocent, sensible, and humane71, that I contracted a filial respect for her, and begged her advice with regard to my future conduct, as soon as I was in a condition to act for myself. She dissuaded72 me from a design I had formed of travelling to Louder, in hopes of retrieving73 my clothes and pay, by returning to my ship, which by this time I read in the newspaper was safely arrived in the River Thames: “because,” said she, “you run the hazard of being treated not only as a deserter in quitting the sloop74, but also as a mutineer, in assaulting your commanding officer, to the malice75 of whose revenge you will moreover be exposed.” She then promised to recommend me, as servant to a single lady of her acquaintance, who lived in the neighbourhood with her nephew, who was a young foxhunter of great fortune, where I might be very happy, provided I could bear with the disposition76 and manners of my mistress, which were somewhat whimsical and particular. But, above all things, she counselled me to conceal8 my story, the knowledge of which would effectually poison my entertainment; for it was a maxim77, among most people of condition, that no gentleman ought to be admitted into a family as a domestic, lest he become lazy, and insolent78. I was fain to embrace this humble79 proposal, because my affairs were desperate; and in a few days was hired by this lady, to serve in quality of her footman, having been represented by my hostess as a young man who was bred up to the sea by his relations against his will, and had suffered shipwreck80, which had increased his disgust to that way of life so much, that he rather chose to go to service on shore, than enter himself on board of any other ship. Before I took possession of my new place, she gave me a sketch81 of my mistress’s character, that I might know better how to regulate my conduct.
“Your lady,” said she, “is a maiden82 of forty years, not so remarkable83 for her beauty as her learning and taste, which is famous all over the country. Indeed, she is a perfect female virtuoso84, and so eager after the pursuit of knowledge that she neglects her person even to a degree of sluttishness; this negligence85, together with her contempt of the male part of the creation, gives her nephew no great concern, as by these means he will probably keep her fortune, which is considerable. in the family. He therefore permits her to live in her own way, which is something extraordinary, and gratifies her in all her whimsical desires. Her apartment is at some distance from the other inhabited parts of the house; and consists of a dining-room, bedchamber, and study; she keeps a cook maid, a waiting-woman, and footman, of her own, and seldom eats or converses86 with any of the family but her niece, who is a very lovely creature, and humours her aunt often to the prejudice of her own health by sitting up with her whole nights together; for your mistress is too much of a philosopher to be swayed by the custom of the world, and never sleeps nor eats like other people. Among other odd notions, she professes87 the principles of Rosicrucius, and believes the earth, air, and sea, are inhabited by invisible beings, with whom it is possible for the human species to entertain correspondence and intimacy88, on the easy condition of living chaste89. As she hopes one day to be admitted into an acquaintance of this kind, she no sooner heard of me and my cat, than she paid me a visit, with a view, as she has since owned, to be introduced to my familiar; and was greatly mortified to find herself disappointed in her expectation. Being by this visionary turn of mind abstracted as it were from the world, she cannot advert90 to the common occurrences of life; and therefore is frequently so absent as to commit very strange mistakes and extravagancies, which you will do well to rectify91 and repair, as your prudence92 shall suggest.”
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1
ruminating
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| v.沉思( ruminate的现在分词 )；反复考虑；反刍；倒嚼 | |
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abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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dilated
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| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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overthrew
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| overthrow的过去式 | |
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backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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crab
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| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
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mumbling
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 ) | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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intrepidity
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| n.大胆，刚勇；大胆的行为 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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vagrants
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| 流浪者( vagrant的名词复数 )； 无业游民； 乞丐； 无赖 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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hogs
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| n.（尤指喂肥供食用的）猪( hog的名词复数 )；（供食用的）阉公猪；彻底地做某事；自私的或贪婪的人 | |
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quota
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| n.（生产、进出口等的）配额，（移民的）限额 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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witchcraft
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| n.魔法，巫术 | |
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vicissitudes
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| n.变迁，世事变化；变迁兴衰( vicissitude的名词复数 )；盛衰兴废 | |
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presage
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| n.预感，不祥感；v.预示 | |
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reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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52
renounced
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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entailed
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| 使…成为必要( entail的过去式和过去分词 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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postscript
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| n.附言，又及；(正文后的)补充说明 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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espousing
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| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的现在分词 ) | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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vowing
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
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superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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recluse
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| n.隐居者 | |
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umbrage
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| n.不快；树荫 | |
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confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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70
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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71
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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72
dissuaded
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| 劝（某人）勿做某事，劝阻( dissuade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
retrieving
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| n.检索（过程），取还v.取回( retrieve的现在分词 )；恢复；寻回；检索（储存的信息） | |
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74
sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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75
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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76
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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77
maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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78
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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79
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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80
shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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81
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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82
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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83
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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84
virtuoso
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| n.精于某种艺术或乐器的专家，行家里手 | |
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85
negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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86
converses
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的第三人称单数 ) | |
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87
professes
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| 声称( profess的第三人称单数 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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88
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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89
chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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90
advert
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| vi.注意，留意，言及；n.广告 | |
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91
rectify
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| v.订正，矫正，改正 | |
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92
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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