Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/135

Rh here in these woods? I was exceedingly surprised. "You must pass the meeting-house, sir; and a little way farther on, you will see the other house, where you will find fish enough." I went forward, I came to the door; there was indeed a large pile of fish of various sorts, and at a little distance stood a tall man, rough in appearance and evidently advanced in years: Pray, sir, will you have the goodness to sell me one of those fish? "No, sir." That is strange, when you have so many, to refuse me a single fish! "I did not refuse you a fish, sir; you are welcome to as many as you please, but I do not sell this article; I do not sell fish, sir, I have them for taking up, and you may obtain them the same way." I, thanked him: "But," said he, "what do you want of those fish?" I informed him, that the mariners, who belonged to the sloop at a distance, were at the tavern, and would be glad, if I could procure them something for supper. "Well, sir, I will send my man over with the fish; but you can tarry here, and have some dressed for yourself." No, sir, it is proper I should see how they are accommodated. "Well, sir, you shall do as you please; but, after supper, I beg you would return, and take a bed with us, you will be better pleased here, than at a tavern." I gratefully thanked him, and cheerfully accepted his offer. I was astonished to see so much genuine politeness and urbanity, under so rough a form; but my astonishment was greatly increased on my return. His room was prepared, his fire bright, and his heart open. "Come," said he, "my friend, I am glad you have returned, I have longed to see you, I have been expecting you a long time." I was perfectly amazed. What do you mean, sir? "I must go on in my own way, I am a poor ignorant man, I neither know how to read, nor write; I was born in these woods, and my father did not think proper to teach me my letters. I worked, on these grounds, until I became a man, when I went coasting voyages from hence to New-York. I was then desirous of becoming a husband, but, in going to New-York, I was pressed on board a man of war, and I was taken, in admiral Warren's ship to Cape-Breton. I never drank any rum, so they saved my allowance; but I would not bear an affront, so if any of the officers struck me, I struck them again, but the admiral took my part, and called me his new-light man. When we reached Louisbourg, I ran away, and travelled barefooted through the country, and almost naked, to New-York, where I was known, and supplied with clothes and money, and soon returned to this place, when I found my girl married; this rendered me very unhappy, but I recovered my tranquillity and married her sister. I sat down to work; got forward very fast;