The resolution
I have already mentioned was still warm in his imagination; and he
looked upon this young mendicant as a very proper object for the
performance of his vow. He, therefore, entered into a conference
with the mother, and for a small sum of money purchased her property
in the wench, who did not require much courtship and entreaty,
before she consented to accompany him to any place that he should
appoint for her habitation.
This contract being settled to his satisfaction, he ordered Pipes
to seat his acquisition behind him upon the crupper, and, alighting
at the first public-house which they found upon the road, he wrote
a letter to Hatchway, desiring him to receive this hedge inamorata,
and direct her to be cleaned and clothed in a decent manner, with
all expedition, so that she should be touchable upon his arrival,
which, on that account, he would defer for the space of one day.
This billet, together with the girl, he committed to the charge
of Pipes, after having laid strong injunctions upon him to abstain
from all attempts upon her chastity, and ordered him to make
the best of his way to the garrison, while he himself crossed the
country to a market town, where he proposed to spend the night.
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