_He returns to his Brethren the Knights of the _Road_, whom
he finds with two or three Gentlemen, strangers; he
cheats one of them of a very fair and rich Watch._
My Companions took little notice of me at my return, which made me think
there was some design in hand; but according to their usual course, fell
to drink high: observing two or three faces, I tipt a wink to one of my
Brethren, being in another room; I asked him, who they were; he replied,
Gentlemen that were travelling into the _North_; to which he added, We
have been pumping them (ever since we did thrust our selves into their
company) to know what store of Cash they had about them; but we find
little more then will defray their necessary expences on the Road; only,
said he, there is one of them hath a very rich Watch: I bid him return
to his place, and I would warrant him to have it before he stirred. I
came in again to the company, not taking the least cognizance of any,
but shewed much respect and civility to them all, as a stranger; I
purposely askt what it was a clock: one of the Gentlemen, and of my
friends both, pulled forth their Watches, striving who should first give
me satisfaction to my question; after this, they viewed interchangeably
the workmanship of one & the other, both praising the seeming goodness
of each others Watch. At last my friend makes a proposition; Come, Sir,
if you please we will make an exchange upon sentence and repentance. The
stranger desired to understand his meaning: Why, Sir, said he, we will
commit them both into the hands of any one indifferent person, and what
difference he shall judge there is between them, shall be given in money
by him whose Watch is least worth. It was concluded upon; but they could
not agree into whose hands to put them. At last it was mutually agreed
upon between them, that I being a stranger to them both, should be the
decider: I seemingly refused it, but they would not hear me alledge any
arguments to the contrary; whereupon I went out, and immediately causing
my horse to be brought forth, without the least delay I mounted, and
away I rid. My Comrades knew where to meet me at the next stage. The
next morning they found me out, telling me how they all stormed to be so
cheated, to avoid suspition: and now did they all embrace me, promising
to themselves great hopes in me from this adventure.