_He here reneweth his acquaintance with a cunning fellow,
that formerly studyed the Law, and since made it his
sole business to practise the abuse thereof._
About four dayes after I was discharged, there came into the same Inn
where I lay a Gentleman, who hearing some of the house discoursing of
the Robbery that was lately committed, he desired to be particularly
informed, which they did, adding that the robb’d Gentleman lay wounded
in the house; he inquired of them my name, which they told him, as I had
told them, having a name for every month in the year. Very desirous he
was, if it might be no disturbance to me, to give me a visit, unto which
I condescended, a servant to that intent desiring to know my pleasure.
As soon as he entred the Room, I verily thought I knew him, though I
could not for the present call to mind where I had seen him. I was so
muffled about the Chops, that it was impossible for him to have any
knowledge of me. He sate down by me, & askt me various questions, to
which I gave him _convenient_ satisfaction. At last I recalled my
memory, and askt him if his name was not so —— he answered me
affirmatively. Dear friend (said I) I am glad to see you: come, be not
amazed; my right name is so —— with that he embraced me, and was
overjoyed that he so casually found me out. Laying aside all formal
niceties, I unbosomed my self to him, not mincing the truth in the
least; for we know our selves _Birds of a Feather, Rogues together_. He
condol’d my wounded condition, and comforted me, by telling me that he
would not leave me till I was well, and that he would procure me such a
_Plaister_ for the wounds I had received, that should prove very
effectual. In short it was this; by following closely the footsteps of
his crafty advice I got of the Country the one hundred and fifty pounds
I pretended to be robb’d of. He stayed with me above a fortnight,
enjoying what pleasures the Country was capable to afford us. Being by
our selves (for so we designed the major part of every day;) we
discoursed interchangeably of nothing but our adventures, _&c._ how we
might lay new plots for our advantage: I gave him the epitome of what I
had done, since I left him, who took more pleasure in the relation of my
Rogueries, than the _Quaker_ did in Courting his Mistress _Mare_ near
_Rochester_. But when he began to relate his Villanies, I was struck
dumb with admiration; and what cannot a man do if indued with the
strength of his natural parts, sharpness of wit, quickness of
apprehension, depth and solidness of judgement, with a tenacious memory?
Now because he ever had a smooth and insinuating tongue, with the
command thereof, I shall give him leave to tell his own tale.