_The Author relates a Story how he and six other Padders robb’d a
Carrier of six hundred pounds, and that one of the company in
consideration of an hundred pounds paid him by the Countrey where the
Robbery was committed, owned the Fact, and thereby saved the Countrey
(who were sued) from payment of the rest, and at length by their
assistance gained his pardon. Also how a young Pick-pocket is put on
by an old one, to cut an old womans Purse whilest she is at prayers in
a Church-yard by a Tomb-stone; the Boy performs the Exploit, but is
discover’d and shew’d by the old pick-pocket to the people, who coming
to stare on the Boy had their Pockets pickt by the old one and his
companions; And also how an old Padder being in danger to be hang’d
for a Robbery, a young one for fifty pounds took the Fact upon
himself, discharged the old one, and in the end came clearly off
himself._
I Finding by Mistress _Dorothy’s_ pausing that she was somewhat weary of
her large Discourse, and being desirous to know the conclusion of her
Adventures, desired her to refresh her self with a Cup of Wine which
stood by us, and then we all three, _viz._, Mistress _Mary_, Mistress
_Dorothy_, and my self, having drank off a quart of the best, I thus
bespake her; Truly Mistress _Dorothy_, you have taken much pains in
reciting these pleasant adventures that befel whil’st you liv’d in the
Inn, and you must needs have very great experience by what you have
related; for although I was well acquainted with knaveries and rogueries
enough whilest I lived in _England_, yet all our adventures are very
new, being such whose like I have seldom heard; and although I did
follow the _Padding_-Trade, especially at that time when I had the good
fortune at the first to meet with, and be acquainted with you, yet I
seldom knew, nor indeed ever heard of the like escape that your six
_Padders_ had; it was a neat and cleanly conveyance: but lest you should
be tyred with too long speaking, and that I might enable you the better
to give us a full and exact account of the rest of your adventures, I
will relate to you some of my former Adventures, and especially one,
which was somewhat like that of your six _Padders_, and thus it was.
A stout gang of us who were _Knights of the Road_, were one time
assembled together at an Inn, from whence we understood a good round Sum
of money was to be carryed, and we only waited the departure and motions
of the Pack-horses, that we might put our project in execution, the Sum
was six hundred pounds, and we knew it was to be carried in a pack, but
which pack and which horse was to carry it, we were ignorant of, and
that we doubted would be a hindrance or at leastwise a trouble to our
design; for the Carrier having such a charge of money was resolv’d to
travel only by day light, and not in the night time, whereby if it
should happen he were robb’d, he might not bear the loss; and we knowing
this, and doubting that he would keep in as much company as he could, we
fear’d it would be troublesome and dangerous to rob him of that money,
unless we knew in what pack it was; for it would take up much time to
cut up and examine all the rest of the Packs, which were near twenty in
number; wherefore one of our Comrades made it his business to discover
that matter, but although he was watchful, yet the Carrier and Owners
were as shie, so that he could not possibly attain to his desires;
wherefore he was resolv’d to under-feel the Hostler, who upon a little
acquaintance and a Reward given him, and more promised if the project
should take, engaged to give him a certain Token how he should know the
Horse and Pack, and to that end directed him to wait the next morning
early when the Pack-horses went out: Our Companion did so, sitting in a
Drinking-room in the Yard where he could see all passages. The Horses
being loaded, went out one after another, and the Moneyed-horse in the
middle, when he came the Hostler lifted up his hand, and gave him a Clap
over the Buttock, saying, _Goe thy ways_ Dun, _for thou wilt never be
sold to thy worth_: This was _Item_ enough to our Companion to mark, and
know what he had to do; so that the Horses being all gone, and he having
dispatcht his drink, came up to us who attended him; And then he telling
us that he knew how to execute our Design, and that he had knowledge
enough, we rested contented, neither did we leave that Inn till noon,
although the Carrier went out in the morning early, and this we did that
we might not be suspected to have any design upon him, but soon after we
had din’d we all mounted and away we rode. It was not many hours before
we over-took the Carrier, or at least came near him, and then we sent
one of the company to scour the Road, and discover in what condition the
Carrier was in, and as occasion serv’d to come back to us and acquaint
us; one hour before night he came to us, who were not far off, and told
us, that then was the opportunity, for the Carrier had engag’d company
all the while before, but now the night coming on, and the Company being
to travel further than the Carrier, they had newly left him, and then he
was alone, onely with his man and two or three passengers; we being
eight in number, quickly made up to the Carrier, and one with Sword
drawn and Pistol cock’d seiz’d on him, another on his man, and the rest
of our Companions on the rest of the Passengers; he of our Companions
that knew the Horse and Pack onely went to him, singl’d him out, cut his
Girts, ripp’d up the Pack, and took forth the money, without medling
with any thing else; we the rest of his Companions in the mean time had
dismounted the Carrier, his man, and the Passengers, and having tyed
their hands, we left them to shift for themselves, and six of us taking
each of us a hundred pounds, and the other two riding one in the Van,
and the other in the Rere, away we march’d, but at that rate that in two
hours we were got thirty miles from the place where the robbery was
committed, and we had so cross’d the Country to prevent discovery, that
it was almost impossible to overtake or finde us. We took up our
Quarters at an Inn where we were very well acquainted, and for joy of
our purchase wanted for nothing that money could produce us, and there
we spent some time in all manner of delights, till being weary of the
place, and some of the Company having a desire to depart and separate,
we accordingly did so; and one of our Companions who had occasion to
ride that way where we committed this Robbery performed one of the
boldest exploits that I have ever heard of, and thus it was.
He had an Uncle who kept an Inn in the Town near to the place where this
Robbery was done, to whose house he came & was welcom’d; he pretended he
was a Soldier, and was newly come from the Garrison at _Bristol_, and
with such kind of imaginary Stories he discours’d his Uncle, and telling
him the best news he could, and his Uncle likewise acquainted him with
the news of the Town, and as the chiefest told him that there had lately
been a great robbery done, for a Carrier was robb’d of six hundred
pound, and therefore it being done in the day time, that Town must pay
for it, and truely Cousin, said he, our Town hath been so mightily
pestred with Soldiers that we are very poor and not able and my share
comes to thirty pound of the money: but said our companion, can you not
meet with the thieves? no replyed his Uncle; we have offered a hundred
pound, to any that can discover them, but hitherto all hath been in
vain. This was the Hosts discourse with his Kinsman, who very well knew
he was one of the number; and a conceit came into his head, that it was
possible that as he had got almost a hundred pounds already by this
robbery, so he might get another whole hundred pounds; and therefore
being resolved what to do, he thus discovered himself to his Uncle: it
is now said he, three years since I left my Father, and ever since that
I have led a troublesome life, so that I am almost weary of it; and it
is not long since that for a misdemeanor I had done in our Garrison, I
was condemned to be hang’d, but I thank my stars I escaped it, and being
so near death and escaping, I soon after came acquainted with a cunning
man, who telling me my Fortune, told me that I had lately escaped a
danger, which I very well knew; and he withal added, that I should run
into many other dangers, and should escape them; and that he was certain
I was not born to be hang’d: and now therefore Uncle said he, I will
once again tempt my fate, and being assured that I shall not be hang’d,
I care not, if I may be ensured the hundred pounds you spake of, if I
take upon me and own the Robbery; and I think it will be no difficult
matter to do, for as I remember one of the Gentlemen Padders who did
that feat was habited and mounted just as I am. His Uncle having heard
his discourse, stared at him, and asked him if he were mad? no, replyed
he, but if you will warrant me the money I’le undertake the matter: his
Uncle seeing him thus resolved, began to consider a little more
seriously of the matter, and told his kinsman, that if he would do the
one, he would not only ensure him of the other, but also endeavour his
pardon, and thereupon he sent for some of the Neighbors whom he might
trust; and told them that there was a wild young man his kinsman, who
would save them five hundred pounds, and told them the manner how, they
were well enough satisfied with the proposition, and not only promised
him the money which was agreed on, should be presently put into any
friends hand, but also that they would undertake his pardon, or at
least-wise a reprieve that he might sue out his pardon; this being
agreed upon, they next proceeded in their discourse how this affair was
to be managed, and after several propositions made, it was concluded,
that as he came into the Town, so he should go out, and the next day he
should re-enter the Town when the Officers who should be then appointed
to search for suspitious persons should seize on him, and he should at
the first deny the fact, but upon examination should so vary and waver
in his discourse, that he should give just cause of suspition; they
having agreed on this, and several other particulars, and the money
being deposited in a young maidens hand, who was his Uncles Daughter; he
took horse and privately left the Town. The next day the Officers of the
Town being charged to keep strict watch, and search all suspitious
places; they did so, and as they had been a little way out of the town,
and were returning our Adventurer overtook them; who rides here says
one, sure that man is cloathed just as the Carrier described one of the
Padders were? he hearing them say this, made some stand, and offered to
turn his back, they therefore imagining that he might be suspected,
asked of him what he was? and came near to encompass him, he still
withdrawing drew his pistol and fired at them, they then staring on each
other, and seeing that none of their company was kill’d or wounded, were
encouraged to make up to him; and although he drew his sword yet they
being armed adventured upon him, and seizing on him, pull’d him from his
horse back, he then asked them, what was the matter, and what they would
have? they told him that he was a high-way man, and that they were very
certain of, or else why did he shoot at them, and were glad they had
caught him, he should pay for all the trouble he had put the Town to;
some railed at him in this manner, whilst others disarmed him and bound
his hands together, and then they led him away to the Town, where with
great noise they carried him before their Justice of the peace; he
strictly examined him and absolutely charged him with the former
Robbery, advising him to confess, and inform against his companions, and
then he told him he would endeavour to get him a pardon: our adventurer
gave him the hearing of all, but denyed all knowledge of the robbery,
but so faintly and with such faultering and uncertainties, that the
Justice committed him to prison. In few dayes after the Carrier came
that wayes, and he was conducted to the Thief, were after a light sight
and discourse with him, he and his servant remembred him, and the Owner
of the money was sent for who was also carried before the Justice; and
there he, the Carrier and his Servant were all bound to prosecute the
Felon, which was much in the vexation of the owner of the moneys, who
expected the next assizes to have a tryal against the Town, and to
recover his money of them, whereas now he saw he was like to lose that,
and only have an Endictment against the Felon, when as if he should find
him guilty, it would be a little satisfaction for such a sum of money as
he had lost. And as he expected, and as the plot was laid, so it fell
out; for the Assizes being come, an Endictment was brought in against
our Delinquent, and although he buss’ld to defend himself, yet he was
found guilty, and then he made an ingenious confession to the Judge of
the manner of the Robbery, only concealing as much as he thought
convenient, alleadging that indeed he was guilty, but it was his first
fact, but he was drawn in by chance being overtaken on the way by the
Robbers; he being coming to the Town to visit his Unkle, and therefore
he pray’d mercy of the court, the Judge told him that if he would
discover his companions somewhat might be done, but not else, he
replyed, that truly he was not in their company, above eight and forty
hours in all, and therefore knew not of their haunts, but if his honor
would spare his life he would if ever he met them, cause them to be
apprehended; to this the Judge made no Answer, so that our Adventurers
Uncle presented a Petition to the Judge in behalf of his Kins-man, and
the other Chief men of the Town pretending for his Unkles sake to do so
assisted him in it, and they drew the Petition so pitifully, that the
Judge at their importunity granted him reprieve for the present, leaving
him to sue out his pardon as fast as he could: and thus all Parties were
content except the owner of the moneys, who went away with a Flea in his
ear: and our Adventurer so plyed his business, wanting for neither money
nor friends, that in short time he gained his pardon, and he was set
free: and I will add this further of our companion, that after this he
turned honest man, for by virtue of the money he had gained in this
robbery, and what was given him, he first set up an Ale-house, and soon
after an Inn, and hath born all Offices in the Parish. And this story,
said I, Mistress _Dorothy_, somwhat resembles yours, for your Thieves
cheated the Country who paid the Knight what he had lost, and here on
the contrary, the Country outwitted the Party rob’d, and saved their
purses; and truly I have known several of these transactions, and
sometimes the guilty escape, and the innocent are punished. And now,
continued I, Mistress _Dorothy_: you see I am acquainted with these kind
of stories and as I have already related one of a Padder, which do
somwhat equal yours, I will now also tell you another of a Pick-pocket,
which shall be much like yours of that nature, and thus it was.
A Crew of Blades of that Profession came to a Countrey-town on a market
day, and finding there was little good to be done without some occasion
to draw the People together more than ordinary, they therefore went to
an Ale-house to consult on what was necessary to be done, and there
after several debates held, it was concluded as follows, that whereas
they had lately taken up a boy of about ten years of age, who was very
desirous of learning their mystery, and whereas they had instructed him
sufficiently in the theory thereof, that it was now time to put him in
practice, and therefore the gravest man in the company was to walk out
with him, shew him what he was to do and help him if he stood in need
thereof, and the rest of the society were to be at hand to do as
occasion should offer; this being agreed upon, the old fellow took the
Boy by the hand, and leads him through the Market, but there was no
probabillity of a prize; and the Boy having promised to do much, the old
man sought out for some what that might be worthy his undertaking, and
so going out of the market they entred the Church-yard and there they
saw an old woman with a great pouch of mony by her side, kneeling by a
Tomb-stone and doing her devotions: Our old fellow seeing this, said to
the Boy, Sirrah, you see that old woman with the Pouch; yes Sir, replyes
the Boy, go thither said he, and bring away her Purse and money; the boy
was not at all daunted at the boldness of the undertaking, but went up
to the woman, and so soon as he came near her, he likewise fell on his
knees, and fell a mumbling as if he were also at his devotions; the old
woman seeing him so devout, permitted him to continue by her, but he
putting down one of his hands by virtue of a Knife and Horn-thimble cut
off her Purse: The old man stood not far off and saw his carriage which
was so cunningly contriv’d that he could not forbear laughing at it, but
bethinking him of a further Design, he was resolved to discover the Boy,
whereupon stopping some passengers that were going by, he said to them,
I pray friends behold yonder Boy how devout he is, do you not think he
will be a good one in time that is so religiously given already? yes
surely, said the people, Oh the cunningness of the young Rogue! said the
old fellow, and how much you are all mistaken for I have stood and seen
that young Rogue cut the old womans Purse, and thereupon he went to his
young practitioner in Roguery, and took him by the hand causing him to
arise, and bringing him to the people, shewed them the Purse he had thus
purchased; the old woman was not so intent at her devotions, but she
casting her eyes aside likewise saw a Purse in the Boys hand, missing
her own soon knew that to be it, wherefore she and all the people came
nearer the Boy, who stood still as a stock and said nothing to them, and
all the people, not only they that went by, but also at their report
most of the people in the market came thither to see this young Rogue,
admiring at the boldness of the fact, but they had been better to have
staid away and minded their own Affairs; for our old Rogue seeing his
opportunity, and that now there was a great many people together, he
fell a diving into their pockets, and got good Pillage, and his
Companions who were not far off at the noise came in to the sport, and
all laid about them so lustily that there were few who escaped without
their pockets being pick’d, onely the old woman had her purse again, but
in exchange of that our old Rogue and his Companions had twenty others
better fraught with moneys; in fine, they being weary with looking on
the boy, & the Pick-pockets thinking they had done sufficiently for that
time, the old fellow came to the boy, and told him that as he had first
of all discovered him, so he should go along with him; the boy who had
learned obedience to his Superiors, consented, and so they march’d off,
and went a little way out of the Town to an Ale-house, where they
divided the plunder of the field, which amounted to above twenty pounds.
And thus having told my Tale, I said to Mistress _Dorothy_ that I
thought this was somewhat like her discourse of the Pick-pockets. She
told me she must needs confess it, and that both my Tales exceeded hers,
and therefore she desired me to remitt her promise of proceeding any
further in her discourse; for, said she, I shall be able to acquaint you
with nothing but what you know already; as for that, said I, I must hear
the conclusion of your story, but since you seem to prove of what I have
told you, I shall proceed a little further, and relate a Story to you
somewhat like my first, and thus it was.
A High-way-man who had used the Trade for a long time, was at length
catch’d, and the evidence was so clear against him that he was likely to
be cast, and then he was sure to go to pot, for he had been singed on
the Fist already, and the Judge who was to try him was very severe on
that account; wherefore he was very melancholly, and much perplexed, and
all the friends he had could not comfort him; however he was one day
drinking with some friends in the Jayl, and telling them the sadness of
his condition, and several ways were propounded for his safety; they
told him that it would be best to compound the fact with the Prosecutor;
I have offered that, said the Felon, and though I did not take above
twenty pounds from the party, yet I have offered him fifty pound for
composition if he will forbear prosecution; but he will not hear of any
thing but the Law, and will make no end but what that shall, and if it
comes to that, then I am certain sorrow will be my Sops; how, said one
that was present, will he not take fifty pounds for twenty? sure he
wants no money, for if he knew the want of it so much as I do, he would
not make so slight of fifty pounds; but I pray, continued he, what is
the reason he is so outragious against you? what is the cause of his
violent proceeding? Truly, reply’d the Thief, it was my misfortune to be
one of those two that met with him one night, and he having twenty
pounds and a Watch about him we eas’d him of them, my Companion escaped,
but I was seized the next night on suspition, and having besides my
share of the twenty pounds the watch about me which we had likewise
taken from him, it was as he said, a clear Testimony & evidence of the
Fact, he earnestly enquired for the ring which my companion had for his
share; & because I cannot help him to the ring he is thus obstinate,
well then, I see said the other, you have confess’d the fact, &
therefore there is no hope of saving you: truly replyed the Padder, I
never yet confessed it to any one that I think will do me any prejudice,
but much less to him; but instead of confessing I have always stoutly
denyed it, alleadging that I bought the Watch that Evening of one in
whose company I was; nay then, replyed the other, your case is not so
desperate as I thought it, and how say you now, continued he, are you
willing to be as good as your word, and give the fifty pounds you speak
of to be discharged of this matter? yes with all my heart, said the
Padder; well then said the other, if you will deposite the money into
another mans hands that I may be sure of it when you are discharged I
will undertake you shall be acquited; content, said the other, but I
pray acquaint me with the manner how you will manage this affair; our
Undertaker replyed, that he had considered of what was to be done, and
was resolved so he might be sure of the money, to venture his own neck
to save the others, and that he would take upon him the fact, and
thereby discharge him. The Padder was content to part with his money,
but withal he desired to have some cleer demonstration how he intended
to manage the business; to which our undertaker replyed, it must be your
care not to be tryed till the last day of the assizes, and then still
deny the fact very stoutly, continuing your allegation that you did buy
the Watch of a stranger, but one whom you knew if you again should see
him, and then I must borrow your Clothes, and the Perriwig you wore when
you committed the Fact, and then I purpose at that time not to be far
from you; and when I see a convenient time I wil appear, & the manner
shal be thus: I will attempt to pick a mans pocket, but I will do it so
unworkman like, that if he be not a very Dolt he shall discover me, I
being discovered must presently be brought before the Judge for the
Fact, and when you see me there you shall cry out as amazed and
surprized, that I am the very man of whom you bought the Watch, and you
shall then see that although I deny it a little at first, yet I will at
last confess my self guilty, and so you shall be discharged: This, said
our Undertaker is my proposition, and now if you can contrive it better,
do, and I will follow your directions. The Padder and all his friends
were hugely well satisfied & pleased with the Undertakers discourse, and
could not find any fault in any particular, wherefore their Agreement
was quickly perfected, and the fifty pounds were delivered into the
custody of one whom they both knew and entrusted, to be kept by him
until the Padder should be discharged. Several persons then present
asked of the Undertaker how he intended to come off himself? as for
that, replyed he, I have it in my head, and I will venture that, and
keep it safe enough too I hope: this business being thus agreed on they
at present parted, and the Undertaker had the Clothes and Perriwig of
the Padder delivered to him; and the Padder did put himself into a habit
quite different from that; Thus Affairs stood when the Assizes began,
which lasted two days, onely the first day was past, and our Padder had
by his endeavours kept himself from being called; the second day was
come and forenoon past, when in the after-noon this Cause was to be
heard; the Judges servant were some of them gone out of the Town to make
provision for their Master at another Town, whither he was that night to
follow, so that there was a necessity for his removal; & then about
three of the clock this prisoner was brought to the bar, his Indictment
was read, which was for robing the Countrey-man, of 20l. in money, and a
silver watch, and a gold Ring, to this the prisoner pleaded _not guilty_
and so put himself upon his tryal, according to the ordinary form; then
was the Countryman called, who did alledge that the prisoner at the Bar
was the party, who with another his companion did rob him as aforesaid;
the prisoner denyed the fact, and desired the Judge to ask his accuser
what habit he was then in, to this the Countrey-man replyed, that indeed
his habit and hair were then different from what he now had, but that
was an easie thing to alter, but he was sure he was the man, for he had
his very watch in his pocket, to this the prisoner replyed as formerly,
that he bought it of a person who indeed was habited as the Country-man
had described. He was come to this part of his tryal when a noise was
heard in the Court of crying out a pick-pocket, a pick-pocket, and soon
after our undertaker was haled into Court; the Judge seeing him, said,
Sirrah, how durst you be so bold? I shall talk with you by and by, set
him by at present; the prisoner at the Bar seeing it was now a fit time,
cryed out, O my Lord! I pray let him stay here now, for indeed my Lord
that is the very person of whom I bought the watch, and whose just fate
hath brought him hither at this time, that my innocency may be cleared,
therefore I beseech you my Lord, let him be examined, and I question not
but you will soon find my innocency. The Judge hearing the exclamations
of the prisoner, and supposing there might be somewhat in the case, and
withal being desirous to execute justice caused the Undertaker to be
brought to the bar, and then he thus began: now, you who are the
prisoner at the bar, and upon your tryal, what do you say to, or charge
this man with; my Lord replyed the padder, I say and alledge that this
Person who now stands here by me, is the very person of whom I bought
the watch, and I gave him fifty shillings for it, let him deny it if he
can, and my Lord I further say, that I suppose he is the person who
committed the robbery, for he is habited just as this Country-man
described one of them to be: what say you to this: said my Lord to the
Country-man, truly my Lord, said he, I am somewhat at a stand, for
indeed one of those who robb’d me was habited as this fellow is,
pointing to the undertaker, but I finding my Watch in the custody of
this other did verily believe and was very confident that it was he that
robb’d me, but I must leave all to your Lord-ship and the Jury: Now, you
Sir, said my Lord to the undertaker, what say you for your self? did you
sell a Watch to this man here? my Lord, replyed he, I have never a
Watch, no, I know that now, said my Lord, but did you not sell a Watch
to this man? my Lord said the undertaker, I am an honest man, that’s a
sign of your honesty, when you pick a pocket in my presence, my Lord it
is a mistake, replyed the Fellow; I believe, said my Lord, we shall not
be mistaken in you by and by, having thus said the Watch it self was
produc’d, and shew’d to the undertaker; and he was asked if he knew it,
yes, my Lord, said he, I had such a watch as this; and where had you it?
I know not said the undertaker: at this the Padder cryed out, O my Lord,
he hath said enough to discharge me and accuse himself, for he ownes he
had the Watch, and I am sure I bought it of him, therefore good my Lord
do me Justice? acquit me, and punish him; all in due time said my Lord,
we must not condemn him before he be lawfully indicted, but I think he
hath confess’d enough against himself, and therefore he shall be
committed, and since I cannot stay now any longer he shall be indicted
the next Assizes, till then he must lye by it and have time to repent:
but I pray my Lord, said the Padder, let me be discharged; I cannot
discharge you reply’d my Lord, now you are upon your tryal, except the
Jury find you not guilty: I put myself upon them, said the Padder,
whereupon the Jury only asking the Undertaker some questions which he
doubtfully answered, the Jury gave their Verdict, _Not guilty_, and thus
was the Padder discharged, but however he was bound to come in evidence
the next Assizes against the undertaker, and so was the Country-man, but
he had been better to have taken fifty pounds than thus to have troubled
himself about the Ring, for in the end he lost all, and no hanging was
in the case; for when the next Assizes came, and our Undertaker was
indicted, the Tale was now of another Hogg, he denyed all knowledge of
the Watch, and as he had owned any thing before, he now again denyed it,
bringing witnesses to prove where he was at that hour, and all the time
of the robbery, and saying, he told them it was a mistake the last time,
that he was then only surprized; and indeed he spake so well, and to the
purpose, that he was acquitted of the robbery, and only whipt a little
for picking the pocket, and so he march’d off with fifty pounds; and the
Padder who did not appear at the Assizes as witness against him, let the
recognizance go against him, leaving the law to find him where they
could catch him.
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