Part 18

Soon after this passage, there happened one as pleasant, thought not so roguish, and thus it was: A Crew of Divers, Bung nippers, or Pick pockets came to our house, and there being a Fair in the Town they brought home very good Purchase, and spent their moneys very freely, but their trade did not continue so good as it began, and they in expenses were so profuse and prodigal, that they had out-run the Constable, spent more than they were able to pay, and they were always us’d to pay their Host well, and so they were resolv’d to do now, or set their Wits on the Tenters; many Projects they had, and many Essays they made, some of them going abroad by turns, and then returning and sending others, but our Town was but thinly peopled, and they could not raise any considerable Purchase, wherefore knowing that if they could get any number of people together, they might then have the more convenient opportunity of getting a Prize, they therefore thus laid their Plot; Three of them went out, two whereof were to act the drunken mans part, and so they did very Comically, for they reeling along the streets, tumbled down several people who were in their way. The people believing them to be what they appear’d, _viz._, drunk, let them pass on without much interruption; their sober Companion seeing that no body else would take them up, he therefore was resolv’d to do it, and thereupon meeting them as by chance, they gave him the Justle, which he not taking so patiently as the other had done, not onely worded it with them, but they proceeded to blows, so that two being against one it was thought unequal, and they having been abusive to others, a great company were assembled, and among them the Constable, who seizing upon all three carried them before a Justice, who hearing the matter, and finding by the testimony of the people who went with them, that the two were wholly to blame, and believing them to be as drunk as they seemed to be, he therefore ordered that they should be set in the Stocks for two hours, and the third be discharged. This his Order was obeyed, and they were conducted to the Stocks, where they behav’d themselves so pleasantly in foolish discourse to the people, that a very great number of people were about them; their Companion who was at freedom seeing his conveniency, and being his Arts-Master in the Mystery of Diving, fished money out of their pockets, so that in two hours time that they were in the Stocks, he plyed his work so well that he had gained near seven pounds; being thus fraighted, he came to our house, and it was not long ere his Companions followed him; when they finding so considerable a Purchase, paid my Landlord the Reckoning and call’d for a new one, where they drank roundly, remembring all those by whom they fared the better; and then having done the business they came for, they paid their Shot and march’d off to the next Town to see if they could fare any better than they had done at ours. And these, continued Mistress _Dorothy_, were the Guests we now entertained, _Padders_ and _Pick pockets_, who as they got their money easily, so they spent it as lightly, to the great profit of mine Host, for he gained at least fifty pounds of the four hundred, and still put in for a share: but as the Pitcher goes not so often to the water, but it comes home broken at last, so in short time not onely his Guests, but he himself was caught and brought to condign punishment.

CHAP. XVII.

_The Author relates a Story how he and six other Padders robb’d a Carrier of six hundred pounds, and that one of the company in consideration of an hundred pounds paid him by the Countrey where the Robbery was committed, owned the Fact, and thereby saved the Countrey (who were sued) from payment of the rest, and at length by their assistance gained his pardon. Also how a young Pick-pocket is put on by an old one, to cut an old womans Purse whilest she is at prayers in a Church-yard by a Tomb-stone; the Boy performs the Exploit, but is discover’d and shew’d by the old pick-pocket to the people, who coming to stare on the Boy had their Pockets pickt by the old one and his companions; And also how an old Padder being in danger to be hang’d for a Robbery, a young one for fifty pounds took the Fact upon himself, discharged the old one, and in the end came clearly off himself._

I Finding by Mistress _Dorothy’s_ pausing that she was somewhat weary of her large Discourse, and being desirous to know the conclusion of her Adventures, desired her to refresh her self with a Cup of Wine which stood by us, and then we all three, _viz._, Mistress _Mary_, Mistress _Dorothy_, and my self, having drank off a quart of the best, I thus bespake her; Truly Mistress _Dorothy_, you have taken much pains in reciting these pleasant adventures that befel whil’st you liv’d in the Inn, and you must needs have very great experience by what you have related; for although I was well acquainted with knaveries and rogueries enough whilest I lived in _England_, yet all our adventures are very new, being such whose like I have seldom heard; and although I did follow the _Padding_-Trade, especially at that time when I had the good fortune at the first to meet with, and be acquainted with you, yet I seldom knew, nor indeed ever heard of the like escape that your six _Padders_ had; it was a neat and cleanly conveyance: but lest you should be tyred with too long speaking, and that I might enable you the better to give us a full and exact account of the rest of your adventures, I will relate to you some of my former Adventures, and especially one, which was somewhat like that of your six _Padders_, and thus it was.

A stout gang of us who were _Knights of the Road_, were one time assembled together at an Inn, from whence we understood a good round Sum of money was to be carryed, and we only waited the departure and motions of the Pack-horses, that we might put our project in execution, the Sum was six hundred pounds, and we knew it was to be carried in a pack, but which pack and which horse was to carry it, we were ignorant of, and that we doubted would be a hindrance or at leastwise a trouble to our design; for the Carrier having such a charge of money was resolv’d to travel only by day light, and not in the night time, whereby if it should happen he were robb’d, he might not bear the loss; and we knowing this, and doubting that he would keep in as much company as he could, we fear’d it would be troublesome and dangerous to rob him of that money, unless we knew in what pack it was; for it would take up much time to cut up and examine all the rest of the Packs, which were near twenty in number; wherefore one of our Comrades made it his business to discover that matter, but although he was watchful, yet the Carrier and Owners were as shie, so that he could not possibly attain to his desires; wherefore he was resolv’d to under-feel the Hostler, who upon a little acquaintance and a Reward given him, and more promised if the project should take, engaged to give him a certain Token how he should know the Horse and Pack, and to that end directed him to wait the next morning early when the Pack-horses went out: Our Companion did so, sitting in a Drinking-room in the Yard where he could see all passages. The Horses being loaded, went out one after another, and the Moneyed-horse in the middle, when he came the Hostler lifted up his hand, and gave him a Clap over the Buttock, saying, _Goe thy ways_ Dun, _for thou wilt never be sold to thy worth_: This was _Item_ enough to our Companion to mark, and know what he had to do; so that the Horses being all gone, and he having dispatcht his drink, came up to us who attended him; And then he telling us that he knew how to execute our Design, and that he had knowledge enough, we rested contented, neither did we leave that Inn till noon, although the Carrier went out in the morning early, and this we did that we might not be suspected to have any design upon him, but soon after we had din’d we all mounted and away we rode. It was not many hours before we over-took the Carrier, or at least came near him, and then we sent one of the company to scour the Road, and discover in what condition the Carrier was in, and as occasion serv’d to come back to us and acquaint us; one hour before night he came to us, who were not far off, and told us, that then was the opportunity, for the Carrier had engag’d company all the while before, but now the night coming on, and the Company being to travel further than the Carrier, they had newly left him, and then he was alone, onely with his man and two or three passengers; we being eight in number, quickly made up to the Carrier, and one with Sword drawn and Pistol cock’d seiz’d on him, another on his man, and the rest of our Companions on the rest of the Passengers; he of our Companions that knew the Horse and Pack onely went to him, singl’d him out, cut his Girts, ripp’d up the Pack, and took forth the money, without medling with any thing else; we the rest of his Companions in the mean time had dismounted the Carrier, his man, and the Passengers, and having tyed their hands, we left them to shift for themselves, and six of us taking each of us a hundred pounds, and the other two riding one in the Van, and the other in the Rere, away we march’d, but at that rate that in two hours we were got thirty miles from the place where the robbery was committed, and we had so cross’d the Country to prevent discovery, that it was almost impossible to overtake or finde us. We took up our Quarters at an Inn where we were very well acquainted, and for joy of our purchase wanted for nothing that money could produce us, and there we spent some time in all manner of delights, till being weary of the place, and some of the Company having a desire to depart and separate, we accordingly did so; and one of our Companions who had occasion to ride that way where we committed this Robbery performed one of the boldest exploits that I have ever heard of, and thus it was.

He had an Uncle who kept an Inn in the Town near to the place where this Robbery was done, to whose house he came & was welcom’d; he pretended he was a Soldier, and was newly come from the Garrison at _Bristol_, and with such kind of imaginary Stories he discours’d his Uncle, and telling him the best news he could, and his Uncle likewise acquainted him with the news of the Town, and as the chiefest told him that there had lately been a great robbery done, for a Carrier was robb’d of six hundred pound, and therefore it being done in the day time, that Town must pay for it, and truely Cousin, said he, our Town hath been so mightily pestred with Soldiers that we are very poor and not able and my share comes to thirty pound of the money: but said our companion, can you not meet with the thieves? no replyed his Uncle; we have offered a hundred pound, to any that can discover them, but hitherto all hath been in vain. This was the Hosts discourse with his Kinsman, who very well knew he was one of the number; and a conceit came into his head, that it was possible that as he had got almost a hundred pounds already by this robbery, so he might get another whole hundred pounds; and therefore being resolved what to do, he thus discovered himself to his Uncle: it is now said he, three years since I left my Father, and ever since that I have led a troublesome life, so that I am almost weary of it; and it is not long since that for a misdemeanor I had done in our Garrison, I was condemned to be hang’d, but I thank my stars I escaped it, and being so near death and escaping, I soon after came acquainted with a cunning man, who telling me my Fortune, told me that I had lately escaped a danger, which I very well knew; and he withal added, that I should run into many other dangers, and should escape them; and that he was certain I was not born to be hang’d: and now therefore Uncle said he, I will once again tempt my fate, and being assured that I shall not be hang’d, I care not, if I may be ensured the hundred pounds you spake of, if I take upon me and own the Robbery; and I think it will be no difficult matter to do, for as I remember one of the Gentlemen Padders who did that feat was habited and mounted just as I am. His Uncle having heard his discourse, stared at him, and asked him if he were mad? no, replyed he, but if you will warrant me the money I’le undertake the matter: his Uncle seeing him thus resolved, began to consider a little more seriously of the matter, and told his kinsman, that if he would do the one, he would not only ensure him of the other, but also endeavour his pardon, and thereupon he sent for some of the Neighbors whom he might trust; and told them that there was a wild young man his kinsman, who would save them five hundred pounds, and told them the manner how, they were well enough satisfied with the proposition, and not only promised him the money which was agreed on, should be presently put into any friends hand, but also that they would undertake his pardon, or at least-wise a reprieve that he might sue out his pardon; this being agreed upon, they next proceeded in their discourse how this affair was to be managed, and after several propositions made, it was concluded, that as he came into the Town, so he should go out, and the next day he should re-enter the Town when the Officers who should be then appointed to search for suspitious persons should seize on him, and he should at the first deny the fact, but upon examination should so vary and waver in his discourse, that he should give just cause of suspition; they having agreed on this, and several other particulars, and the money being deposited in a young maidens hand, who was his Uncles Daughter; he took horse and privately left the Town. The next day the Officers of the Town being charged to keep strict watch, and search all suspitious places; they did so, and as they had been a little way out of the town, and were returning our Adventurer overtook them; who rides here says one, sure that man is cloathed just as the Carrier described one of the Padders were? he hearing them say this, made some stand, and offered to turn his back, they therefore imagining that he might be suspected, asked of him what he was? and came near to encompass him, he still withdrawing drew his pistol and fired at them, they then staring on each other, and seeing that none of their company was kill’d or wounded, were encouraged to make up to him; and although he drew his sword yet they being armed adventured upon him, and seizing on him, pull’d him from his horse back, he then asked them, what was the matter, and what they would have? they told him that he was a high-way man, and that they were very certain of, or else why did he shoot at them, and were glad they had caught him, he should pay for all the trouble he had put the Town to; some railed at him in this manner, whilst others disarmed him and bound his hands together, and then they led him away to the Town, where with great noise they carried him before their Justice of the peace; he strictly examined him and absolutely charged him with the former Robbery, advising him to confess, and inform against his companions, and then he told him he would endeavour to get him a pardon: our adventurer gave him the hearing of all, but denyed all knowledge of the robbery, but so faintly and with such faultering and uncertainties, that the Justice committed him to prison. In few dayes after the Carrier came that wayes, and he was conducted to the Thief, were after a light sight and discourse with him, he and his servant remembred him, and the Owner of the money was sent for who was also carried before the Justice; and there he, the Carrier and his Servant were all bound to prosecute the Felon, which was much in the vexation of the owner of the moneys, who expected the next assizes to have a tryal against the Town, and to recover his money of them, whereas now he saw he was like to lose that, and only have an Endictment against the Felon, when as if he should find him guilty, it would be a little satisfaction for such a sum of money as he had lost. And as he expected, and as the plot was laid, so it fell out; for the Assizes being come, an Endictment was brought in against our Delinquent, and although he buss’ld to defend himself, yet he was found guilty, and then he made an ingenious confession to the Judge of the manner of the Robbery, only concealing as much as he thought convenient, alleadging that indeed he was guilty, but it was his first fact, but he was drawn in by chance being overtaken on the way by the Robbers; he being coming to the Town to visit his Unkle, and therefore he pray’d mercy of the court, the Judge told him that if he would discover his companions somewhat might be done, but not else, he replyed, that truly he was not in their company, above eight and forty hours in all, and therefore knew not of their haunts, but if his honor would spare his life he would if ever he met them, cause them to be apprehended; to this the Judge made no Answer, so that our Adventurers Uncle presented a Petition to the Judge in behalf of his Kins-man, and the other Chief men of the Town pretending for his Unkles sake to do so assisted him in it, and they drew the Petition so pitifully, that the Judge at their importunity granted him reprieve for the present, leaving him to sue out his pardon as fast as he could: and thus all Parties were content except the owner of the moneys, who went away with a Flea in his ear: and our Adventurer so plyed his business, wanting for neither money nor friends, that in short time he gained his pardon, and he was set free: and I will add this further of our companion, that after this he turned honest man, for by virtue of the money he had gained in this robbery, and what was given him, he first set up an Ale-house, and soon after an Inn, and hath born all Offices in the Parish. And this story, said I, Mistress _Dorothy_, somwhat resembles yours, for your Thieves cheated the Country who paid the Knight what he had lost, and here on the contrary, the Country outwitted the Party rob’d, and saved their purses; and truly I have known several of these transactions, and sometimes the guilty escape, and the innocent are punished. And now, continued I, Mistress _Dorothy_: you see I am acquainted with these kind of stories and as I have already related one of a Padder, which do somwhat equal yours, I will now also tell you another of a Pick-pocket, which shall be much like yours of that nature, and thus it was.

A Crew of Blades of that Profession came to a Countrey-town on a market day, and finding there was little good to be done without some occasion to draw the People together more than ordinary, they therefore went to an Ale-house to consult on what was necessary to be done, and there after several debates held, it was concluded as follows, that whereas they had lately taken up a boy of about ten years of age, who was very desirous of learning their mystery, and whereas they had instructed him sufficiently in the theory thereof, that it was now time to put him in practice, and therefore the gravest man in the company was to walk out with him, shew him what he was to do and help him if he stood in need thereof, and the rest of the society were to be at hand to do as occasion should offer; this being agreed upon, the old fellow took the Boy by the hand, and leads him through the Market, but there was no probabillity of a prize; and the Boy having promised to do much, the old man sought out for some what that might be worthy his undertaking, and so going out of the market they entred the Church-yard and there they saw an old woman with a great pouch of mony by her side, kneeling by a Tomb-stone and doing her devotions: Our old fellow seeing this, said to the Boy, Sirrah, you see that old woman with the Pouch; yes Sir, replyes the Boy, go thither said he, and bring away her Purse and money; the boy was not at all daunted at the boldness of the undertaking, but went up to the woman, and so soon as he came near her, he likewise fell on his knees, and fell a mumbling as if he were also at his devotions; the old woman seeing him so devout, permitted him to continue by her, but he putting down one of his hands by virtue of a Knife and Horn-thimble cut off her Purse: The old man stood not far off and saw his carriage which was so cunningly contriv’d that he could not forbear laughing at it, but bethinking him of a further Design, he was resolved to discover the Boy, whereupon stopping some passengers that were going by, he said to them, I pray friends behold yonder Boy how devout he is, do you not think he will be a good one in time that is so religiously given already? yes surely, said the people, Oh the cunningness of the young Rogue! said the old fellow, and how much you are all mistaken for I have stood and seen that young Rogue cut the old womans Purse, and thereupon he went to his young practitioner in Roguery, and took him by the hand causing him to arise, and bringing him to the people, shewed them the Purse he had thus purchased; the old woman was not so intent at her devotions, but she casting her eyes aside likewise saw a Purse in the Boys hand, missing her own soon knew that to be it, wherefore she and all the people came nearer the Boy, who stood still as a stock and said nothing to them, and all the people, not only they that went by, but also at their report most of the people in the market came thither to see this young Rogue, admiring at the boldness of the fact, but they had been better to have staid away and minded their own Affairs; for our old Rogue seeing his opportunity, and that now there was a great many people together, he fell a diving into their pockets, and got good Pillage, and his Companions who were not far off at the noise came in to the sport, and all laid about them so lustily that there were few who escaped without their pockets being pick’d, onely the old woman had her purse again, but in exchange of that our old Rogue and his Companions had twenty others better fraught with moneys; in fine, they being weary with looking on the boy, & the Pick-pockets thinking they had done sufficiently for that time, the old fellow came to the boy, and told him that as he had first of all discovered him, so he should go along with him; the boy who had learned obedience to his Superiors, consented, and so they march’d off, and went a little way out of the Town to an Ale-house, where they divided the plunder of the field, which amounted to above twenty pounds. And thus having told my Tale, I said to Mistress _Dorothy_ that I thought this was somewhat like her discourse of the Pick-pockets. She told me she must needs confess it, and that both my Tales exceeded hers, and therefore she desired me to remitt her promise of proceeding any further in her discourse; for, said she, I shall be able to acquaint you with nothing but what you know already; as for that, said I, I must hear the conclusion of your story, but since you seem to prove of what I have told you, I shall proceed a little further, and relate a Story to you somewhat like my first, and thus it was.