_Being now upon the _Pad_ alone, he baits at an Inn with
which he was acquainted, and there by the Hostler is
informed of a Booty, which he pursued, but was soundly
banged for his pains, losing both his Horse, and what
small matter he had left._
Very loath I was to part with these _Amazons_, neither should I, had not
scarcity of Money called me away to look out for more. For no man could
ever be better pleased with society, then I was in theirs, enjoying such
persons whose courage and fidelity might vie with the most approved
male-friend, and reaping at the same time the choicest favours _Venus_
can confer on her chiefest Favourites.
One remarkable passage concerning this _Female Robber_, I had like to
have forgot; which was this: She would frequently _Pad_ or rob on foot
in Womans apparel, but so disguised, that she could not easily be known:
Getting a Cushion, or some such thing, (by putting it under her Cloaths
to make her seem big with Child) she would usually walk abroad, it may
be three or four miles at length, near some beaten Road. Thus had she
the benefit of viewing all that rid by. If she saw any single person by
whose equipage she might imagine him to have his Pockets well furnished,
before he came near her, she used to feign her self both exceeding sick
and weary, groaning in a most pitiful manner. What mans heart could be
so obdurate as to pass her by neglected, and without taking any notice
of her? Who would not proffer a big-bellied Woman (tired and indisposed)
the courtesie of riding behind him for a little way to refresh her? As
she told me, she met with very few that did not take her up behind them,
seeing her in that deplorable condition. Having rid a pretty way, seeing
the Coast clear, and coming to a convenient place for to execute her
design, she would pretend the Gentlemans hat that rid before her
offended her eyes; most in point of civility would put it off, though
they immediately put it on again: then would she with a Cord with a
nooze, which she had ready for the purpose, clap it over his head, and
so whipping off the Horse pull the Man after her; oftentimes half
strangling him, serving him as the _Mutes_ do the _Bassa’s_ with their
black box and Silk string therein, when they are designed for death by
the _Grand Seniors_ appointment and command. Taking the advantage of
their being half suffocated, she could easily first bind their leggs,
making them so secure, that they were so far from resisting, that they
were totally at her devotion.
But to return where I left off: before I took my leave of her,
perceiving the temper of this brave noble Spirit, and that it was
Poetically inclined, out of my true resentment of her due merit, I gave
her these lines, which she thankfully received, though modestly denied
to concern her in the least.
_Stand back ye _Muses_, _Mars_, come guide my Pen,
To rank this Female Heroe ’mongst thy Men.
So, so, ’tis well. Now let us to the matter,
’Tis such a subject that I cannot flatter.
The Pantalooners strut, and Muffetoons;
Taking great pains for to appear Buffoons.
They do seem men, and like ’em wear their Swords:
But dare not draw; such may be kill’d with words:
These love a Lady, and affect perfumes:
Who _lighter_ are, (then what they wear) their _Plumes_.
Thou scornst such shadows, or _Chimæra’s_, which
Are good for nothing, but a Womans itch.
Thou lovest that man alone, that dares in spight
Of fate, scorn _Death_ himself in fight.
Thy actions speak thee _man_, who dares deny it?
Believe this truth, or if you dare, then try it;
’Twill be a favour to her, for they’l find.
That never man injoy’d so brave a mind._
Bidding this my _Minerva_ and her associates adieu, I rid on in the next
road, without meeting any I thought requisite to fasten on. At length I
came to an Inn, where I was very well acquainted, and intended there to
have refresht my self; but the Hostler prevented it, not suffering me to
alight, telling me hastily, that there was a Gentleman not an hour since
baited there, who had in his Portmantue a considerable purchase; that he
was a poor spirited fellow, whom he knew, and that he ever had an
absolute antipathy to a naked Sword, and that he was gone such a road,
_&c._ I stay’d not so long as to drink, but with all possible expedition
made after him; ascending a small Hill, I discovered him, who rid an
ordinary pace, wherefore I slacked mine to cool my Horse; however I soon
overtook him, and rode by him, not without viewing him well; riding down
the Hill I did alight, purposely that he might overtake me, which he
did; being past I mounted, and at the very bottom I bid him stand and
deliver instantly, or he was a dead man. Sis, sis, sir, (said he lisping
very much) I-I-I-I am going home. I bid him not make these proposed
delays, lest he smarted, and therefore wisht him to dispatch and give me
his money, for I was informed (I told him) that he had a sum behind him.
T-t-t ’tis true (he reply’d) b-b-but it is my Fathers m-m-money. Hang
your Father and his fluttering Coxcomb too, (said I) I must have what
you have. W-wh-why then you shall, (said he) and with that drew out a
pocket-pistol and fired it at me; which made my horse start, and very
much surprizing me, expecting not the least resistance from such a
seemingly ignorant and cowardly fellow; by that means he had time and
liberty to draw his sword (which was almost as broad as a
Chopping-knife) and came upon me so furiously, that I am sure I had not
time to defend my self: he so laid about him, that I soon lay at his
mercy. I was forced to beg very hard for my life, which I obtained with
very much ado: then he fell to my pockets, not leaving any suspected
place for money unsearcht: by which I guest him to have belonged to our
profession, and was not mistaken, as you shall understand by and by. He
went to my horse, and viewing him, he seemed to like him very well.
Wherefore coming to me (for he had cut me off my horse) ha-ha-hark you
(said he) you are but a raw Thief, a me-me-meer Child, & it is but fit
that you should be sent to a ma-ma-Master to be ta-ta-taught knowledge,
and be whipt for your foo-foo-lishness. You said you must have my
Fa-Fa-Fathers money, but I tell you I must have your hau-hau-Horse, and
so farewell. He was so kind as to leave me his, which was a pitiful
Jade, however necessity compelled me to mount him, and anger spurr’d me
on to be revenged of the Hostler, but I better considered with my self,
that probably that horse was known there, and so I should be detected;
wherefore I rid a contrary way, and took up my lodging in a place I
never had been in before. As soon as I alighted, abundance of people
flockt about me, seeing me all bloody, to know the cause thereof.
Whereupon I related in a very doleful manner how this sad accident
befell me. That travelling to such a place with about 150 pieces of
Gold, I was set upon by five or six lusty Rogues, who rob’d me, and
because I made what resistance I could, to save what I had, it being my
whole Estate, they had thus barbarously mangled me, hacking and hewing
me till I grew weary, and at last with much difficulty escapt with my
life. There was a general sorrow for me, pitying me so much that the
Inhabitants strove one with another, who should shew me most kindness. A
Chyrurgeon was presently sent for, who (as he was a Barber too)
_Barbarian_ like, drest my wounds; some were employed in procuring me
Cordials, and getting me things necessary; others were sent out to make
inquisition after the Thieves.
This Gentleman that serv’d me this trick, was (as I understood
afterwards) an High-way-man himself, who being well born and bred, but
his Father being either at that time unable or unwilling to supply him
with what monies his lavish expences required: Nature having bestowed on
him a stout resolute heart, and strength answering his courage, betook
himself to the _Pad_. In which profession he behaved himself so
gallantly, that he was styled the Father or Governour of his Tribe. But
his attempts prov’d not always successful, so that there was hardly a
County in _England_, wherein he had not been in Prison; being frequently
arraigned for his life, but having eminent and potent friends, he still
came off; this did his Father and Kindred so frequent, that they grew
weary, and he narrowly escaping with his life one time, and finding that
his kindred matter’d not much if he were hanged, he submitted himself to
his Father, making a solemn protestation that he would never follow the
like courses again: whereupon his Father setled an Annual Estate upon
him, on which he now liveth very orderly. Thus much briefly of my
overcomer.
I had not laid above a night in this place for the cure of my wounds,
before I was question’d about my Horse by some persons that knew him
well, and taken on suspition for murdering the Gentleman the right
owner; which seem’d more than probable by various circumstances. First,
this Gentleman was not to be found, which well might be his late
success, having conveyed him on the wings of speed to an obscure place,
there to revel and congratulate his good Fortune by the speedy spending
his late purchase. Next, my many and dangerous wounds sufficiently
declared the great hazard of the two Combitants lives; but that which
chiefly committed me, was the Gentlemans horse, which I like an impudent
insipid Coxcomb must ride on, which reason must needs say was the ready
way to ride Post to the Gallows. Notwithstanding the miserable condition
of my Carbonadoed body, I was inclosed between a pair of walls, and had
undoubtedly been hang’d for being robb’d, had not the Gentleman appear’d
again amongst his friends; then did my accusers slip their necks out of
the collar, and none prosecuting me, I was discharged. Staying a little
while in the Town for refreshment, an old acquaintance there found me,
of whom I cannot but give you a character, since the passages of his
life hath been so remarkable and notorious, and from the short relation
of which I question not but the Reader will reap much benefit and
satisfaction. For indeed examples have so great an influence and power
upon the actions of mans life, as that we find men are more wrought upon
by president than precept. To this intent preceeding Generations have
made it their grand care and labour, not only to communicate to their
Posterity the lives of good and honest men, that thereby man might fall
in love with the smooth and beautiful face of virtue, but have also
taken the same pains to recount the actions of criminal and wicked
persons, that by the dreadful aspects of _Vice_, they may be deterred
from imbracing her.