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being an old offender； though in that they did not do me strict
justice； for I was not in the sense of the law an old offender；
whatever I was in the eye of the judge； for I had never been
before them in a judicial way before； so the judges could not
charge me with being an old offender； but the Recorder was
pleased to represent my case as he thought fit。
I had now a certainty of life indeed； but with the hard conditions
of being ordered for transportation； which indeed was hard
condition in itself； but not when comparatively considered；
and therefore I shall make no comments upon the sentence；
nor upon the choice I was put to。 We shall all choose anything
rather than death； especially when 'tis attended with an
uncomfortable prospect beyond it； which was my case。
The good minister； whose interest； though a stranger to me；
had obtained me the reprieve； mourned sincerely for this part。
He was in hopes； he said； that I should have ended my days
under the influence of good instruction； that I should not have
been turned loose again among such a wretched crew as they
generally are； who are thus sent abroad； where； as he said； I
must have more than ordinary secret assistance from the grace
of God； if I did not turn as wicked again as ever。
I have not for a good while mentioned my governess； who
had during most； if not all； of this part been dangerously sick；
and being in as near a view of death by her disease as I was
by my sentence； was a great penitentI say； I have not mentioned
her； nor indeed did I see her in all this time； but being now
recovering； and just able to come abroad； she came to see me。
I told her my condition； and what a different flux and reflux
of tears and hopes I had been agitated with； I told her what I
had escaped； and upon what terms； and she was present when
the minister expressed his fears of my relapsing into wickedness
upon my falling into the wretched companies that are generally
transported。 Indeed I had a melancholy reflection upon it in
my own mind； for I knew what a dreadful gang was always
sent away together； and I said to my governess that the good
minister's fears were not without cause。 'Well； well；' says she；
'but I hope you will not be tempted with such a horrid example
as that。' And as soon as the minister was gone； she told me she
would not have me discouraged； for perhaps ways and means
might be found out to dispose of me in a particular way； by
myself； of which she would talk further to me afterward。
I looked earnestly at her； and I thought she looked more cheerful
than she usually had done； and I entertained immediately a
thousand notions of being delivered； but could not for my life
image the methods； or think of one that was in the least feasible；
but I was too much concerned in it to let her go from me without
explaining herself； which； though she was very loth to do； yet
my importunity prevailed； and； while I was still pressing； she
answered me in a few words； thus： 'Why； you have money；
have you not？ Did you ever know one in your life that was
transported and had a hundred pounds in his pocket； I'll warrant
you； child？'says she。
I understood her presently； but told her I would leave all that
to her； but I saw no room to hope for anything but a strict
execution of the order； and as it was a severity that was
esteemed a mercy； there was no doubt but it would be strictly
observed。 She said no more but this： 'We will try what can
be done；' and so we parted for that night。
I lay in the prison near fifteen weeks after this order for
transportation was signed。 What the reason of it was； I know
not； but at the end of this time I was put on board of a ship in
the Thames； and with me a gang of thirteen as hardened vile
creatures as ever Newgate produced in my time； and it would
really well take up a history longer than mine to describe the
degrees of impudence and audacious villainy that those thirteen
were arrived to； and the manner of their behaviour in the
voyage； of which I have a very diverting account by me； which
the captain of the ship who carried them over gave me the
minutes of； and which he caused his mate to write down at large。
It may perhaps be thought trifling to enter here into a relation
of all the little incidents which attended me in this interval of
my circumstances； I mean； between the final order of my
transporation and the time of my going on board the ship； and
I am too near the end of my story to allow room for it； but
something relating to me any my Lancashire husband I must
not omit。
He had； as I have observed already； been carried from the
master's side of the ordinary prison into the press…yard； with
three of his comrades； for they found another to add to them
after some time； here； for what reason I knew not； they were
kept in custody without being brought to trial almost three
months。 It seems they found means to bribe or buy off some
of those who were expected to come in against them； and they
wanted evidence for some time to convict them。 After some
puzzle on this account； at first they made a shift to get proof
enough against two of them to carry them off； but the other
two； of which my Lancashire husband was one； lay still in
suspense。 They had； I think； one positive evidence against
each of them； but the law strictly obliging them to have two
witnesses； they could make nothing of it。 Yet it seems they
were resolved not to part with the men neither； not doubting
but a further evidence would at last come in； and in order to
this； I think publication was made； that such prisoners being
taken； any one that had been robbed by them might come to
the prison and see them。
I took this opportunity to satisfy my curiosity； pretending that
I had been robbed in the Dunstable coach； and that I would go
to see the two highwaymen。 But when I came into the press…yard；
I so disguised myself； and muffled my face up so； that he could
see little of me； and consequently knew nothing of who I was；
and when I came back； I said publicly that I knew them very well。
Immediately it was rumoured all over the prison that Moll
Flanders would turn evidence against one of the highwaymen；
and that I was to come off by it from the sentence of transportation。
They heard of it； and immediately my husband desired to see
this Mrs。 Flanders that knew him so well； and was to be an
evidence against him； and accordingly I had leave given to go
to him。 I dressed myself up as well as the best clothes that I
suffered myself ever to appear in there would allow me； and
went to the press…yard； but had for some time a hood over my
face。 He said little to me at first； but asked me if I knew him。
I told him； Yes； very well； but as I concealed my face； so I
counterfeited my voice； that he had not the least guess at who