Page:Life, strange voyages, and uncommon adventures of Ambrose Gwinett.pdf/3

Rh depended upon it, I could not have got so far as my sister's that night, she living, as I have already said, three miles beyond that place.

At this time there was a great many of her Majesty Queen Anne's ships lying in the harbour, the English being then at war with the French and Spaniards; besides which, I found this the day for holding the yearly fair, so that the town was filled to that degree that a bed was not to be had for love or money. I went seeking a lodging from house to house to no purpose, till being quite spent, I returned to the public house where I had first made enquiry, desiring leave to sit by their kitchen fire to rest myself till the morning.

The publican and his wife where I put up, happened, unfortunately for me, to be acquainted with my brother and sister, and, finding by my discourse that I was a relation of theirs, and going to visit them, the landlady presently said she would endeavour to get me a bed; and going out of the kitchen, she quickly after called me into a parlour that let from it. Here I saw, sitting by the fireside, a middle aged man in a night gown and cap, who was reckoning money at a table. "Uncle, (said the woman as soon as I entered) this is a brother of our friend Mrs Sawyer; he cannot get a bed any where, and is tired with his journey. You are the only one that lies in this house alone, will you give him part of yours?" To this the man answered, that he had been blooded that day, and consequently a bed-fellow could not be agreeable; "However, said he, rather than the young man shall sit up, he is welcome to sleep with me." After this we sat a while together, when, after putting his money in a canvas bag, into the pocket of his night-gown, he took the candle, and I followed him up to bed. How