Page:A Journal of the Plague Year (1722).djvu/159

 comes there, theſe could hear the Women ſay, as if frighted, Do not go near them, how do you know but they may have the Plague? And when one of the Men ſaid, Let us but ſpeak to them; the Women ſaid, No, don’t by any means, we have eſcap'd thus far by the Goodneſs of God, ''do not let us run into. Danger now, we beſeech you.''

Our Travellers found by this that they were a good ſober ſort of People and flying for their Lives: as they were; and, as they were encourag’d by it, ſo John ſaid to the Joyner his Comrade, Let us Encourage them too as much as we can: So he called to them, Hark ye good People ſays the Joyner, we find by your Talk, that you are fleeing from the ſame dreadful Enemy as we are, do not be afraid of us, we are only three poor Men of us, if you are free from the Diſtemper you ſhall not be hurt by us; we are not in the Barn, but in a little Tent here in the outſide, and we will remove for you, we can ſet up our Tent again immediately any where elſe; and upon this a Parly began between the Joyner, whoſe Name was Richard,. and one of their Men, who ſaid his Name was Ford. Ford. And do you aſſure us that you are all Sound Men. Rich. Nay, we are concern’d to tell you of it, that you may not be uneaſy, or think your ſelves in Danger; but you ſee we do not deſire you ſhould put your ſelves into any Danger; and therefore I tell you, that as we have not made uſe of the Barn, ſo we will remove from it, that you may be Safe and we alſo. Ford. That is very kind and charitable; But, if we have Reaſon to be ſatisfied that you are Sound and free from the Viſitation, why ſhould we make you remove now you are ſettled in your Lodging, and it may be are laid down to Reſt? we will go into the Barn if you pleaſe, to reſt our ſelves a while, and we need not diſturb you.