Page:A Journal of the Plague Year (1722).djvu/169

 with the Horſe, went away as if towards Waltham; the other in two Companies, but all a little aſunder, and went towards Epping.

The firſt Night they Encamp’d all in the Foreſt, and not far off of one another, but not ſetting up the Tent, leſt that ſhould diſcover them: On the other hand Richard went to work with his Axe and his Hatchet, and cutting down Branches of Trees, he built three Tents or Hovels, in which they all Encamp’d with as much Convenience as they could expect.

The Proviſions thy had had at Walthamſtow ſerv’d them very plentifully this Night, and as for the next they left it to Providence, they had far’d ſo well with the old Soldier’s Conduct, that they now willingly made him their Leader; and the firſt of his Conduct appear’d to be very good: He told them that they were now at a proper Diſtance enough from London; that as they need not be immediately beholden to the County for Relief, ſo they ought to be as careful the Country did not infect them, as that they did not infect the Country; that what little Money they had they muſt be as frugal of as they could; that as he would not have them think of offering the Country any Violence, ſo they muſt endeavour to make the Senſe of their Condition go as far with the Country as it could: They all referr’d themſelves to his Direction; ſo they left their 3 Houſes ſtanding, and the next Day went away towards Epping; the Captain alſo, for ſo they now called him, and his two Fellow Travellers laid aſide their Deſign of going to Waltham, and all went together. When they came near Epping they halted, chooſing out a proper Place in the open Foreſt, not very near the High-way, but not far out of it on the North-ſide, under a little cluſter of low Pollard-Trees: Here they pitched their little Camp, which conſiſted of three large Tents or Hutts made of Poles, which their Carpenter, and ſuch as were his