Jamaica Inn, Part 3, Strange goings-on "

Mary narrator I’ve not seen my uncle much since I arrived. I am glad because he’s got a violent temper and treats my aunt badly. This morning, I’ve been exploring the country around the inn…

There is nothing but heather and grass for miles. In the distance I can see the marsh. It was in this wild and lonely land that my uncle lived as a boy with his two brothers. Last night he told me their story.

Joss If you had lived here, you would have taken to drink, like I did… it makes you do things. I had a family once: a father, mother, two brothers, but each one of them disappeared one way or another. My father was hanged . He killed a man. My brother Jem is clever - but they’ll catch him, too and hang him. My brother Matthew - well, he drowned in the marsh. They found him one summer when the marsh dried up…

Mary narrator
When I get back to the inn my uncle is there…

Joss Well, did you miss me?

Mary Did you have a nice trip?

Joss Nice, be damned . I’ve been riding for four days. There was a bit of money involved - that’s all I care about.

Mary Well, I’ll go and help my aunt…

Joss It’s me you’ll be helping tonight, in the bar…

Mary narrator It’s Saturday night - the bar is crowded. The air is full of smoke and the smell of unwashed bodies. All of them are drunk. Some men are so drunk that they lie on the benches like dead men.

Harry (man in bar) Another pint…

Joss Hurry up there, girl.

Mary Uncle, I cannot bear this. I’m going upstairs.

Joss Too good for us are you? Well it’s almost midnight now. Go to your room and lock your door …

Mary Oww! Let go of my wrist! You’re hurting me!

Joss Hear this: Keep your mouth shut, and you won’t get hurt - but if you start to ask…

Mary Oh! What’s that noise? It’s coming from under my room…

Mary narrator The moonlight pours into my room creating ghostly shadows. I creep over to the window. My uncle is below and I recognise other men from earlier this evening. There are four or five wagons. The men have been taking big boxes from them into the inn.

Harry That’s the last of them.

Joss Good. Get going now. Be quick…

Man What will you do about him?

Joss Don’t worry. Harry and I will deal with him later…

Mary narrator I understand now. They are smuggling! Jamaica Inn is a perfect place for it. But what’s my uncle doing at the moment? I have to go and see…

As I get closer to the bar, I hear voices. I hide in the shadows.

Man No, and no again - I will not be a part of it - that’s murder you are talking about Mr Merlyn … killing innocent women and children - no!

Joss Not so fast! By God, you will do as I say. Another man said the same and he was hanging at the end of a rope a few minutes later! Harry - you go and lock the door behind you. I’ll finish here…

Mary narrator I feel sick. My heart has been beating so loudly, I am sure they have heard it. I go back to my room quietly…

Mary What shall I do? If I had a gun or a knife, I could perhaps hurt my uncle so that the man can escape…But I have nothing …I must do something, though ….

Mary narrator I creep downstairs again. The door to the bar is shut. There is silence. I suddenly know I have to open the door to find out.

Mary There’s no one here! Just the tables and a few empty glasses…The door is open at the back. But wait… what’s that hanging in the middle of the room? It’s swinging… A rope hanging from a hook in the ceiling! But there’s nothing on the end of it. What’s happened to that man? I fear the worst…

Mary narrator
Next time we meet, an interesting visitor arrives at Jamaica Inn. But who is he and can he be trusted?