The Adventures of Roderick Random

The Footpad Adventure

One night, the narrator returns home late from a patient’s house and hears a disturbance in the street. He discovers two gentlemen being held by three watchmen—one appears to be a Scotchman who is badly treated, his hat and wig missing. Driven by patriotism for his native country, the narrator strikes the watchman holding the Scotchman with his cudgel. The man immediately runs away, leaving the narrator to face the consequences alone. The narrator receives a blow to his eye that nearly blinds him. When he reaches home, he learns that Captain Gawky has been robbed and abused by footpads and requires medical treatment.

Exposing Gawky’s Cowardice

The narrator realizes that Gawky, who came home without his hat and wig, was the very man he rescued. The next day, after hearing Gawky tell elaborate lies about his own bravery in escaping the footpads, the narrator exposes the truth before Mr. and Mrs. Lavement and their daughter. He produces his bruised eye as evidence and accuses Gawky of cowardice and ingratitude. Gawky is struck speechless, but the mistress reprimands the narrator and threatens to dismiss him. Gawky then recovers his composure and, with pretended magnanimity, forgives the “mistake.” The apothecary, more perceptive than his family, privately remarks that his wife and daughter are “diablement sage” while Gawky is merely a braggart.

Gawky Marries the Daughter

Miss Lavement skillfully cultivates Gawky’s affection as a new lodger, and within a fortnight, they elope together to the Fleet for marriage under the pretense of attending the theatre. They return the next morning to seek their parents’ blessing. The prudent apothecary and his wife accept the hasty match: the father is pleased to have his daughter married to a young man of good prospects who says nothing about dowry, while the mother is glad to be rid of a rival and spy.

The Conspiracy

The narrator’s exposure of Gawky’s adventure and his accusations have deeply stung Gawky, who bears a grudge and shares his indignation with his new wife. Mrs. Gawky is equally desirous to destroy someone who not only slighted her embraces but also knows damaging particulars about her character. They readily join together in a conspiracy that, had it succeeded, would have brought the narrator to an ignominious death.

Falsely Accused of Theft

Mr. Lavement repeatedly discovers large quantities of medicines missing and accuses the narrator of embezzling them for his own use. When the narrator can offer only his word in defense, the apothecary demands the key to his chest. In a fury, the narrator tears open his eyes weeping, which is taken as a sign of guilt. He surrenders the key, and the apothecary, accompanied by the whole family, opens the chest to find a handful of the missing medicines inside. Everyone present condemns the narrator, and Mrs. Gawky proposes committing him immediately to Newgate.

Dismissed and Deserted

Despite the narrator’s protestations that Gawky has framed him, Mrs. Gawky spits in his face and threatens to leave if her father does not prosecute him. The narrator vows revenge, threatening to slit Gawky’s nose when opportunity arises, which so terrifies the household that Gawky and his father-in-law tumble down the stairs together. Mr. Lavement, though unwilling to prosecute due to the cost and trouble, dismisses the narrator from his house. The narrator seeks help from the schoolmaster and other acquaintances, but his story has spread through the servants’ gossip, and no one will hear him. He finds himself worse off than ever—his reputation ruined, money gone, friends alienated, and his body afflicted with disease.

Lodging in St. Giles’s

The narrator stores his clothes at a former lodging place while he searches for a new position, hoping Mr. Concordance might help clear his name. However, Lavement has anticipated him and poisoned everyone against him. Even the schoolmaster refuses to listen, declaring he will trust no man and will be looked upon as the narrator’s accomplice if he associates with him. Unable to vindicate himself, the narrator hires a cheap garret apartment near St. Giles’s for ninepence per week.