Part 3

Mary narrator

I've not seen my uncle 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?

Source: bbclearningenglish.com