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Show Page 239 could hear me rue and curse the time of my birth, you would release me, your child, from this bondage and save my miserable life, else I shall be slain by the infidel or starve unto my death. I thought no head able to hold so much water as has and does still flow from mine eyes. Pity me, dear parents. Bring me home to you." We three were quiet for a moment as Richard lowered himself to the step beside us. "And then I added that if my wish is impossible to fulfill," Richard continued, "would they please in the very least send me some beef, butter and cheese." "Very fine words indeed," said John, when Richard was once again silent. "Now tell us if you will, what is this new contagion you mentioned?" "'Tis said it was caused by the beer supplied the Abigail by Duppa, the London brewer. It stunk so, I could not endure the deck because of it. During the voyage we saw little but throwing dead folks overboard, and now Lady Wyatt says the contagion has come from ship to shore. Soon we shall all be dead. Then I shall not get my beef and cheese," he pouted. "I wonder when Lieutenant Parkinson goes to Martin's Hundred?" I asked John later, when Richard had at last minced away. "Methinks it would be safer there, even with little food to eat, than here amongst this dread disease, though God knows we have had many such before this latest." |