until the following day, when a singular occurrence happened to him.
Passing by a small coppice between two hills, a gentleman, as he
supposed, darted out upon him, and commanded him to stand and deliver.
Rumbold requested him to have patience, and he would surrender all his
property; when, putting his hand in his pocket, he drew a pistol, and
fired at his opponent without the shot taking effect. “If you are for
sport,” cried the other, “you shall have it!” and instantly shot him
slightly in the thigh; and at the same moment drawing his sword, he
cut Rumbold’s reins at one blow; thus rendering him unable to manage
his horse. Rumbold fired his remaining pistol, and again missed his
adversary, but shot his horse dead. Thus dismounted, the gentleman made
a thrust at him with his sword, which, missing Rumbold, penetrated
his horse, and brought them once more upon an equal footing. After
hard fighting on both sides, our adventurer threw his adversary, bound
him hand and foot, and proceeded to his more immediate object of
rifling. Upon opening his coat he was amazed to discover that he had
been fighting with a woman. Raising her up in his arms, he exclaimed,
“Pardon me, most courageous Amazon, for thus rudely dealing with you:
it was nothing but ignorance that caused this error; for, could my
dim-sighted soul have distinguished what you were, the great love
and respect I bear your sex would have deterred me from contending
with you: but I esteem this ignorance of mine as the greatest
happiness, since knowledge, in this case, might have deprived me of
the opportunity of knowing there could be so much valor in a woman.
For your sake, I shall forever retain a very high esteem for the worst
of females.” The Amazon replied, that this was neither a place nor
opportunity for eloquent speeches, but that, if he felt no reluctance,
she would conduct him to a more appropriate place; to which he readily
assented. They entered a dark wood, and, following the winding of
several obscure passages, arrived at a house upon which, apparently,
the sun had not been accustomed to shine. A number of servants
appeared, and bustled about their lady, whose disguise was familiar to
them; but they were astonished to see her return on foot, attended by a
stranger.
Being conducted into an elegant apartment, and having been refreshed
by whatever the house afforded, they became very familiar, and Rumbold
pressed his companion to relate her history, which, with great
frankness, she did in the following words:--
“I cannot, sir, deny your request, since we seem to have formed a
friendship which, I hope, will turn out to our mutual advantage. I am
the daughter of a sword-cutler: in my youth my mother would have taught
me to handle a needle, but my martial spirit gainsaid all persuasions
to that purpose. I never could bear to be among the utensils of the
kitchen, but was constantly in my father’s shop, and took wonderful
delight in handling the warlike instruments he made; to take a sharp
and well-mounted sword in my hand, and brandish it, was my chief
recreation. Being about twelve years of age, I studied by every means
possible how I might form an acquaintance with a fencing-master. Time
brought my desires to an accomplishment; for such a person came into my
father’s shop to have a blade furbished, and it so happened that there
was none to answer him but myself. Having given him the satisfaction
he desired, though he did not expect it from me, among other questions
I asked him if he was not a professor of the noble science of
self-defence, which I was pretty sure of from his postures, looks, and
expressions. He answered in the affirmative, and I informed him I was
glad of the opportunity, and begged him to conceal my intention, while
I requested he would instruct me in the art of fencing. At first, he
seemed amazed at my proposal; but, perceiving I was resolved in good
earnest, he granted my request, and appointed a time which he could
conveniently allot to that purpose. In a short time I became so
expert at buck-sword and single rapier, that I no longer required his
assistance, and my parents never once discovered this transaction.
“I shall waive what exploits I did by the help of my disguise, and
only tell you that, when I reached the age of fifteen, an innkeeper
married me, and carried me into the country. For two years we lived
peaceably and comfortably together; but at length the violent and
imperious temper of my husband called my natural humor into action.
Once a week we seldom missed a combat, which generally proved very
sharp, especially on the head of the poor innkeeper; the gaping wounds
of our discontent were not easily salved, and they in a manner became
incurable. I was not much inclined to love him, because he was a
man of a mean and dastardly spirit. Being likewise stinted in cash,
my life grew altogether comfortless, and I looked on my condition
as insupportable, and, as a means of mitigating my troubles, I was
compelled to adopt the resolution of borrowing a purse occasionally.
I judged this resolution safe enough, if I were not detected in the
very act; for who could suspect me to be a robber, wearing abroad
man’s apparel, but at home a dress suitable to my sex? Besides, no one
could procure better information, or had more frequent opportunities
than myself: for, keeping an inn, who could ascertain what booty their
guests carried with them better than their landlady?
“As you can vouch, sir, I knew myself not to be destitute of courage;
what, then, could hinder me from entering on such enterprises? Having
thus resolved, I soon provided myself with the necessary habiliments
for my scheme, carried it into immediate execution, and continued with
great success, never having failed till now. Instead of riding to
market, or travelling five or six miles about some piece of business,
(the usual pretences with which I blinded my husband,) I would, when
out of sight, take the road to the house in which we now are, where I
metamorphosed myself, and proceeded to the road in search of prey.
Not long since, my husband had one hundred pounds due to him about
twenty miles from home, and appointed a certain day for receiving it.
Glad I was to hear of this, and instantly resolved to be revenged
on him for all the injuries and churlish outrages he had committed
against me; I knew very well the way he went, and understood the time
he intended to return. I waylaid him, and had not to wait above three
hours, when my lord and master made his appearance, whistling with joy
at his heavy purse. I soon made him change the tune to a more doleful
ditty in lamentation of his bad fortune. I permitted him to pass, but
soon overtook him, and keeping close by him for a mile or two, at
length found the coast clear, and, riding up and seizing his bridle,
presented a pistol to his breast, and in a hoarse voice demanded his
purse, else he was a dead man. This imperious don, seeing death before
his face, had nearly saved me the trouble by dying without compulsion;
and so terrified did he appear, that he looked more like an apparition
than any thing human. ‘Sirrah!’ said I, ‘be expeditious;’ but a dead
palsy had so seized every part of him, that his eyes were incapable of
directing his hands to his pockets. I soon recalled his spirits by two
or three sharp blows with the flat of my sword, which speedily wakened
him, and, with great trembling and submission, he resigned his money.
After I had dismounted him, I cut his horse’s reins and saddle-girths,
beat him most soundly, and dismissed him, saying: ‘Now, you rogue, I
am even with you; have a care, the next time you strike a woman, (your
wife, I mean,) for none but such as dare not fight a man, will lift up
his hand against the weaker vessel. Now you see what it is to provoke
them, for, if once irritated, they are restless till they accomplish
their revenge to their satisfaction: I have a good mind to end your
wicked courses with your life, inhuman varlet, but I am loth to be
hanged for nothing, I mean for such a worthless fellow as you are.
Farewell! this money shall serve me to purchase wine to drink a toast
to the confusion of all such rascally and mean-spirited things!’ I
then left him, and--”
This extraordinary character was about to proceed with the narration of
her exploits, when the servant announced the arrival of two gentlemen.
Our heroine left the room, and returning with her friends, apologized
to our adventurer for the interruption, but hoped he would not find
the company of her companions disagreeable, whom he soon discovered to
be likewise females in disguise. The conversation now became general,
and, upon condition of Rumbold stopping all night with them, the Amazon
promised to finish her adventures next day. This accorded with the
wishes of Rumbold; and when they retired to rest, he found the same
room was destined for them all. His curiosity was, however, overcome by
his covetousness; for, rising early next morning, and finding all his
companions asleep, he rifled their pockets of a considerable quantity
of gold, and decamped with great expedition, thus disappointing the
reader in the continuation of a narrative almost incredible from its
singularity.
Our adventurer had frequently observed a goldsmith in Lombard street
counting large bags of gold, and he became very desirous to have a
share of the glittering hoard. He made several unsuccessful attempts;
but having in his possession many rings, which he had procured in the
way of his profession, he dressed himself in the habit of a countryman,
attended by a servant, and going to the goldsmith’s shop, proposed
to sell one of these rings. The goldsmith, perceiving it to be a
diamond of considerable value, and from the appearance of Rumbold
supposing he was ignorant of its real worth, after examining it, with
some hesitation estimated its value at ten pounds. To convince the
countryman that this was its full value, he showed him a diamond ring
very superior in quality, which he would sell him for twenty pounds.
Rumbold took the goldsmith’s ring to compare with his own, and, fully
acquainted with its value, informed him that he had come to sell, but
that it was a matter of small importance to him whether he purchased
or sold. He accordingly pulled out a purse of gold, and laid down the
twenty pounds for the ring. The goldsmith stormed and raged, crying
that he had cheated him, and insisted on having back his ring. Rumbold,
however, kept hold of his bargain, and replied, that the other had
offered him the ring for twenty pounds; that he had a witness to his
bargain; there was his money, and he hoped that he would give him a
proper exchange for his gold.
The goldsmith’s indignation increasing at the prospect of parting with
his ring, he carried the matter before a justice. Being plaintiff, he
began his tale by informing the magistrate, that “the countryman had
taken a diamond ring from him worth a hundred pounds, and would give
him but twenty pounds for it.” “Have a care,” replied Rumbold, “for if
you charge me with taking a ring from you, which is, in other words,
stealing, I shall vex you more than I have yet done.” He then told the
magistrate the whole story, and produced his servant as a witness to
the bargain. The goldsmith now became infuriated, exclaiming, that “he
believed the country gentleman and his servant were both impostors and
cheats!” Rumbold replied, that “he would do well to take care not to
make his cause worse; that he was a gentleman of three hundred pounds
per annum; and that, being desirous to sell a ring at its just price
to the goldsmith, the latter endeavored to cheat him, by estimating it
far below its value.” The magistrate, accordingly, decided in favor of
our adventurer, only appointing him to pay the twenty pounds in gold,
without any change.
The gold of Lombard street still continuing to attract the attention of
Rumbold, he with longing eyes one day traversed that street, attended
by a boy whom he had trained in his service. The boy ran into a shop
where they were counting a bag of gold, seized a handful, then let
it all fall upon the counter, and ran off. The servants pursued,
seized the boy, and charged him with having some of the money. Rumbold
approached to the assistance of the boy, insisting that the youth had
not stolen a farthing of their money, and that the goldsmith should
suffer for his audacity. The goldsmith and Rumbold came to high words,
and mutual volleys of imprecations were exchanged. The latter then
inquired what sum he charged the boy with having stolen. The goldsmith
replied, that he did not know, but that the bag originally contained a
hundred pounds.
Upon this, Rumbold insisted that he would wait until he saw the money
counted. He tarried about half an hour, and the money was found
complete. The goldsmith made an apology to Rumbold for the mistake;
but the latter replied, that, as a gentleman, no one should put upon
him such an affront with impunity. After some strong expressions on
both sides, Rumbold took his leave, assuring his antagonist that he
should hear from him. The goldsmith was arrested the day following, in
an action of defamation. The bailiff who arrested him, being bribed
by our adventurer, advised him to compromise the matter; urging,
that the gentleman he had injured was a person of quality, and if he
persisted in the action, it would expose him to severe damages. With
some difficulty the matter was settled, by the goldsmith giving Rumbold
twenty pounds in damages.
A jeweller in Foster lane next supplied the extravagances of Rumbold.
He had often disposed of articles for that jeweller, who had full
confidence in Rumbold’s fidelity. One day, having observed in his shop
a very rich jewel, he acquainted the jeweller that he could sell it for
him. Happy at such information, he delivered it to Rumbold, who carried
it to another jeweller to have a false one, exactly similar, prepared.
He then embraced an opportunity to leave the counterfeit jewel with
the jeweller’s wife, in his absence. Shortly afterwards, he met the
jeweller in the street, who said he never expected to have been so used
by him, and threatened to bring the matter under the cognizance of a
judge; but Rumbold retreated to a remote part of the city.
Rumbold was one day travelling in the vicinity of Hackney, when his
attention was directed towards a house, which he earnestly desired to
possess. He approached the house, knocked at the door, and inquired
if the landlord was at home. He soon appeared; when Rumbold politely
informed him, that, having been highly pleased with the appearance of
his house, he was resolved to have one built after the same model, and
requested the favor of being permitted to send a tradesman to take its
exact dimensions. This favor was readily granted; when our adventurer
went to a carpenter, and informed him that he wished him to go along
with him to Hackney to measure a house, in order that he might have one
built on a similar construction. They accordingly went, and found the
gentleman at home, who kindly entertained Rumbold, while the carpenter
took the dimensions of every part of the house.
The carpenter, being amply rewarded, was dismissed, and, by the aid of
the draught of the house taken by him, Rumbold drew up a lease, with a
very great penalty in case of failure to fulfil the agreement. Being
provided with witnesses to the deed, he went and demanded possession.
The gentleman was surprised, and only smiled at the absurdity of the
demand. Rumbold commenced a lawsuit for possession of the house, and
his witnesses swore to the validity of the deed. The carpenter’s
evidence was also produced, many other circumstances were mentioned to
corroborate the fact, and a verdict was obtained in favor of Rumbold’s
claim. But the gentleman deemed it proper to pay the penalty rather
than to lose his house.
Rumbold, disguised in the apparel of a person of quality, one day
waited on a scrivener, and acquainted him that he had immediate
occasion for a hundred pounds, which he hoped he would be able to
raise for him upon good security. The scrivener inquired who were the
securities, and Rumbold named two respectable citizens, whom he knew
to be at that time in the country; which satisfying the money-lender,
he desired our adventurer to call next day. In the mean time, the
lender made inquiry after the stability of the securities, and found he
had not been imposed upon as to their respectability. Our adventurer
again waited upon the scrivener, who having agreed to advance the sum,
Rumbold sent for two of his accomplices, who personated his securities,
and, after a little preliminary caution, signed the bond for him under
their assumed names; and, upon Rumbold’s receiving the money, they
immediately took their leave. The name which Rumbold assumed on this
occasion was of further service to him; for it happened to be that of
a gentleman in Surrey, whom he met with, after this adventure, at an
inn. Having learned what time the gentleman intended to remain in town,
and the name and situation of his estate, he determined to render his
chance meeting of service to him. He accordingly again waited on the
same scrivener, and informed him he had occasion for another hundred,
but did not wish to trouble any of his friends to become security for
such a trifle; for that, as he possessed a good estate, it might be
advanced upon his own bond; and that if the scrivener could spare a
servant to ride the length of Surrey, he would then learn the extent of
his estate, and be enabled to remove any scruple whatever. A servant
was accordingly sent, and directed to go and make inquiry after the
property of the stranger whom Rumbold had met at the inn. Returning
in a few days, Rumbold found the scrivener very condescending, and
prodigal of congratulations upon the possession of so pleasant and
valuable a property, and said he would not have scrupled though the
loan had been for a thousand. Rumbold, finding him thus inclined,
doubled the sum, and, after giving his own bond for two hundred pounds,
left the scrivener to seek redress as he best could.
Rumbold thus supported himself by exercising his ingenuity at the
expense of others, and by this means amassed a considerable sum of
money. He was not so addicted to these bad habits but that he felt an
inclination to retire from scenes so fraught with danger and infamy.
For this purpose he placed his money in the hands of a private banker,
with a design of living frugally and comfortably upon the interest.
This banker unfortunately failed, and made off with all Rumbold’s
property; so that he was once more reduced to the necessity of having
recourse to his old employment.
The first exploit recorded of Rumbold after his reappearance in public,
is the following:--He stopped at a tavern, where he called for a flagon
of beer, which was handed him in a silver cup, as was customary at that
time. Being in a private room and alone, he called to the landlord to
partake of his noggin, and they continued together for some time, until
the landlord had occasion to leave him. Soon after, he went to the bar
and paid for his beer, while the waiter at the same time went for the
cup: missing which, he called Rumbold back and asked him for the cup.
“Cup!” said Rumbold, “I left it in the room.” A careful search was
made, but to no effect; the cup could not be found, and the landlord
openly accused Rumbold of the theft. He willingly permitted his person
to be searched, which proved equally unsuccessful; but the landlord
still persisted in maintaining that Rumbold must have it, or, at all
events, that he was chargeable with the loss, and would have the matter
investigated by a justice, before whom they immediately went. The
landlord stated the case, while Rumbold complained loudly of the injury
done him by the suspicion; and from his never endeavoring to run off
when he was called back, and submitting so readily to be searched, the
justice dismissed him, and fined the landlord for his rashness.
During their visit to the justice, some of Rumbold’s associates entered
the same inn, where, according to arrangement, they found the cup fixed
under the table with soft wax, and made off with it without the least
suspicion.
The last recorded adventure of Rumbold was one which is now very common
in the metropolis. Having observed a countryman pretty flush of money,
he and his accomplices followed him; but, from Hodge’s attention to his
pocket, they failed in several attempts to pick it. Our practitioners,
however, taking a convenient opportunity and place, one of them
went before and dropped a letter, while another kept close by the
countryman, and upon seeing it cried out, “See, what is here?” But,
although the countryman stooped to take it up, our adventurer was too
nimble for him; and having it in his hand, observed, “Here is somewhat
else besides a letter.” “I cry halves,” said the countryman. “Well,”
said Rumbold, “you stooped, indeed, as well as I; but I have it.
However, I will be fair with you; let us see what it is, and whether it
is worth dividing;” and thereupon broke open the letter, in which was
enclosed a chain or necklace of gold. “Good fortune,” said Rumbold, “if
this be real gold.” “How shall we know that?” replied the countryman;
“let us see what the letter says;” which ran as follows:--
“BROTHER JOHN,
“I have here sent you back this necklace of gold you have sent me, not
from any dislike I have to it, but my wife is covetous, and would have
a bigger. This comes not to above seven pounds, and she would have one
of ten pounds; therefore, pray get it changed for one of that price,
and send it by the bearer to your loving brother,
JACOB THORNTON.”
“Nay, then we have good luck,” observed the cheat. “But I hope,” said
he to the countryman, “you will not expect a full share, for, you know,
I found it; and, besides, if one should divide it, I know not how to
break it in pieces without injuring it; therefore, I had rather have
my share in money.” “Well,” said the countryman, “I will give you
your share in money, provided we divide equally.” “That you shall,”
said Rumbold, “and therefore I must have three pounds ten shillings,
the price in all being, as you see, seven pounds.” “Ay,” said the
countryman, thinking to be cunning with our adventurer, “it may be
worth seven pounds in money, fashion and all: we must, however, not
value that, but only the gold; therefore I think three pounds in money
are better than half the chain, and so much I’ll give, if you’ll let
me have it.” “Well, I’m contented,” said Rumbold: “but then you shall
give me a pint of wine, over and above.” To this the other agreed, and
to a tavern they went, where the bargain was ratified. There Rumbold
and the countryman quickly disposed of two bottles of wine. In the
mean time one of Rumbold’s companions entered the inn, inquiring for a
certain person who was not there. Rumbold informed the stranger (as he
pretended to be) that he would be there presently, as he had seen him
in the street, and requested him to come in and wait for him. Upon this
the stranger sat down to wait the arrival of his friend. In a little
time Rumbold proposed to remove into a larger apartment, where they
commenced playing at cards, to amuse themselves until the gentleman
expected should arrive.
Rumbold and his associate began their amusement, the countryman being
a stranger to the game. After he had continued a spectator of the good
fortune of our adventurer, who in general vanquished the stranger,
the countryman was at length prevailed upon to run halves with the
fortunate gamester. For a while the same good fortune smiled upon them,
and the stranger, in a rage at his great losses, refused to proceed.
But after a few bottles more were emptied, the long-expected gentleman
never appearing, they renewed their amusement; and fortune deserting
Rumbold and the countryman who seconded him, in a short time the latter
found himself without a shilling.