_He finds out his two Comerades (the _Gamesters_) and after
some consultation had, they resolved to re-assume their
_quondam_ trade of _Padding_; are taken, and committed
to _Newgate_._
From this house of pleasure, (where I must ingenuously confess I never
received more for so little expence) I went in search of my two
Gamesters, whom casually I met: The next Tavern was our Council-chamber,
where Wine was the dictator. We there unanimously concluded, it was a
thing beneath us to pick up here and there Crowns or Angels but resolved
on Have at all, knowing that a five hours adventure might make us
possessors of 500 _l._ With this resolution we went and bought us
horses, with all things requisite for our intended expedition: being all
ready and well prepared, we took our leaves of _London_ for a while; we
had not rid above fifteen miles, but we baited: the Hostler knowing me,
and what designs I had formerly been upon, and imagining I was steering
the same course, whispered me in the ear, that he had a desire to speak
with me instantly: taking my opportunity, under the pretence of looking
to my horse, he informed me, that there were three within drinking, that
on the next morning would travel such a Road, and that they had a great
charge with them. I thankt him, bidding him come to my chamber at night,
where I would discourse farther with him. Then he gave me a summary
account of all; and after a smart drinking bout, with promises to him of
reward if we prospered, we betook our selves to our rest: in the morning
very early we called for our horses, and rid in that very Road through
which those three Travellers were to pass, where we planted our selves
very conveniently: about three hours after, we could discern them at a
distance: by that time we had made our selves ready, they were at hand:
just at the bottom of a small hill we bid them stand; they askt us to
what intent: We told them, that we were younger Brothers, and wanted
mony, and therefore must borrow some of them. With that, they all in an
instant drew their swords; being not unprovided with Pocket-pistols, we
fired at them, and they again at us: we were all at level-coyl, and very
equally matcht; the second shot killed my horse, and a fourth bereaved
my Consort of life; the third Rogue ran away: being in a labyrinth of
perplexity, I thought it the best way to sell my life at as dear a rate
as I could (knowing very well that if I were taken I should be hanged.)
I fought with my sword as long as I could stand upon my legs, wounding
both them and their horses; but at last one unhappily ran me through the
sword-hand, and thereupon I was disarmed. I was carried by them before
the next Justice of Peace, whom they enquired out, and by a _Mittimus_
was committed. I could not now expect any thing but death: but the next
news I heard was, that I must be removed to _Newgate_, there being other
things to be alleadged to my charge. I was mounted again, in order to my
removal, but very ill hors’d, being bound thereunto and pinnion’d, my
greatest grief (when I came into _London_-streets) was to hear the
various discants of the good women on me; some saying, What a pity it is
such an handsome young man should come to the gallows so soon? Others
judged I had deserved it, otherwise I should not have rid to Town in
that posture pinnion’d, and so attended with a guard. As soon as the
keeper saw me, leaping for joy, O Sir, are you come again? we will take
care that you shall not be any more annoyed with smells proceeding from
the Vault; and so without more ado, laid as much iron on me, as there is
in some Smiths shops, and confined me close Prisoner to the Dungeon.
_Which made me curse those acts the Fates have done,
To cause a setting ere a rising Sun:
But since my doom is now decreed by Fate,
I must indur’t, repentance is too late._