_He passeth for a Batchellor, Courts several under the
pretence of Marrying them, by which he perswades some
out of their Maiden-heads; others out of their Money,
with which he goes for _England_; At _Chester_ he cheats
his Landlord, where having all things requisite to
compleat an Highway-man, followeth that trade: he is met
with by some of that gang, who intending to rob him, he
discovers his intentions, and they admit of him into
their society._
Being left now to shift for my self, having lost the main prop that
sustain’d me in all conditions, husbanding well the advantage of this
contrary wind, I presently set the engine of my brain to work, and thus
it was; I addrest my self to Courtship. Beauty was not the mark I aimed,
the purchase thereof producing little profit, since it self is most
commonly the sole reward; neither can a man attain to it but by great
expence, outvying all therein, least any interpose. Either wealthy and
aged widdows, or thrifty Maids, who had laid up what they had gotten in
Service as a bait to procure an Husband, such did I daily hunt out and
visit by turns. I was not sparing of amorous expressions, shewing
therein the height of zeal, by which means I deluded several. Some I was
forced to give earnest to for their Goods, before they would trust me
with what they had. This course I followed till I was generally taken
notice of for a grand deceiver. Having now gotten a round sum of money
by me, I borrowed where ever I could; so crossing S. _Georges_ Channel,
in twenty four hours I landed at _Chester_. I took up my quarters in a
very graceful Inn, and gave out immediately that I had an hundred head
of Cattel coming. The Master of the house taking notice of my
extraordinary Garb, and believing the report which I had caus’d to be
spread abroad, lodg’d me with much respect in one of the best Chambers
of his house.
The Wind favoured my design as much as I could desire, for it blew
East-North-East, by which no Shipping could come out of _Ireland_. One
day I came to my Landlord, and telling him that by reason of the
non-arrival of my Cattel, I was disappointed of Moneys, and therefore I
desired him to lend me ten pounds, and he should satisfie himself in the
first choice of the best of my beasts when they came, and swore to him I
would perform my promise to him upon the word of a Gentleman. So that
without any scruple he lent me the money. Being Market-day, I bought an
excellent Gelding with Furniture thereunto belonging, with Sword and
Pistols, and in this Equipage mounted; I taking my leave of my credulous
Landlord without speaking a word to him: I had not rid far, before three
well mounted rid by me, (I found them afterwards to be the Van-guard)
having as many more in the Rear. At the bottome of an Hill they before
faced about, and bidding me stand, those in the Rear reinforc’d the Van.
One of them clapping a Pistol at my breast, commanded me forthwith to
deliver, Swearing three or four full-mouth’d Oaths. I saw it was now to
little purpose to resist, although I was so well arm’d, and therefore
endeavoured a conquest some other way, _viz._ by smooth expressions.
Gentlemen (said I) ye are all mistaken; neither do I greatly wonder
thereat, since I verily believe ye are fresh-men, men of a days standing
in the study of this noble Science, otherwise you might have
distinguisht me from an honest man; for I think in this Garb and
posture, I look as suspitiously as any of ye; onely I think I take a
better course then ye to avoid apprehension, and reap to my self greater
satisfaction. For ye rob in companies, and if any one be taken, his just
fears frequently betray himself, but oftner the rest to destruction:
whereas I robbing singly, I rob securely. Now Sirs freely examine my
Pockets, where finding store of Coyn, they demanded how I came by it? I
invented a lye to their general satisfaction; which was, I had met with
a Booty a little before I met with them, which was the occasion of my
being so well furnisht; but that which confirm’d them most, was my being
so well provided with Pistols in my Holsters, Pockets and Boots. Instead
of doing what they intended, they were then of another opinion, and all
of them carest me in a very high manner; resolving to be merry at the
next Inn, and there to admit me as a Brother.
Having set up their Horses, they went into a Room before, whil’st I
stayed some time after for the benefit of easing nature; coming in among
them I thought my self mistaken in my company, and made a proffer to go
out again; but they laughing heartily called me back. I knew not one
person, for they had pull’d off their false Beards, Vizards, Hoods,
Patches, Wens, Mufflers and Perriwigs, together with those other
disguises that obscured the natural proportion of their faces, so that
they appeared as other men. Come said the chief (as I guest him to be by
the sway he bore over the rest) you are a freshman, and therefore want
some of our instructions, which in due time you shall receive from us.
In the first place it is fit that you take an Oath which every young
Thief must observe that is admitted into the Brother-hood, or at his
investation into the honour of one of the Knights of the Road: which was
to this effect. First, they read a charge of secrecy, that whatever
misfortune happened to cloud their freedom by rendring them as an object
to Justice and the Law, they should conceal their Complices to the
death, or against any other jeopardy whatsoever, burying in oblivion not
only his Confederates, but also his manner of entrance into this way.
And further, they proceeded to swear me, that if the Judges should press
me to a discovery of particulars, that then I must cunningly create some
men in my fancy, devising not only Names, but to give each man a
particular feature, describing their stature, complexion and age, as
also their dwelling place. Still provided that the place of their abode
be far enough off: And then before enquiry be made, the danger of the
tryal may be over or past; and then again this pretended discovery may
purchase favour from the Bench.
Further, if I should be examined, why, and how I fell into these
courses, I must then tell them that I was born a Gentleman, and well
educated; but being a younger brother, I had not wherewithal allowed me
for a subsistance, and rather then I would live beneath my birth, or
disparage the stock from whence I came (here fetching a deep sigh, and
looking very sadly) necessity constraining me to supply my wants, I fell
into these wicked courses; which will make them think you are some
misled young man whom temptations had drawn aside, and so cause them to
take pity of your condition; and if their mercy extend to the remision
of your guilt, it shall not only rest you from the punishment of the
Law, but from the persecution of your past evils.
By this means we may have liberty to fall to our old courses; nor must
conscience trouble us, but dispence with every impiety, and glory in the
greatest iniquities, counting him most honourable who is grown the
oldest and most exquisite experienced Practitioner of all manner of
vice. Much more was committed to my memory for future observation, which
for brevity sake I shall omit.