_In prosecution of his begging, he steals a Hen, is taken in the manner,
and whipped, and imprisoned in the Cage; from whence he escapes, and
assists in the robbing of a House, where he gets a good Booty and
escapes, but his Companions are caught; one hanged, and two
transported: He hearing this, makes haste to_ London.
It was then the Spring of the year when I took this laze trade of life
upon me; the harmony of the Birds singing, and the variety of the
Flowers which beautified the verdant Fields, made me the more willing to
embrace this sordid course, not thinking of a winter that would strike
dumb those winged Choristers, and invest the Earth with a robe of Snow,
in stead of all her painted Bravery. Custom had soon habituated me to a
liking of lodging in straw, attracted the more by my amorous Bed-fellow,
and so long as I had my fill of ease, I could well be contented to fast
from Dainties. But for my life I could not bring my tongue to the right
tone of Begging, although I were habited fit for the purpose, with a
dirty Night-cap loathsome to behold, my face all smearen, my cloths set
full with patches upon the whole cloath, a red clout upon my leg, and
supporting my body with a staff as if I had been a meer criple. Many a
mile we rambled, yet keeping still in our own station, for fear of the
_Upright-man_: but my counterfeit plea for begging was at last
discovered, and to all my dainties I had whipping chear added; for going
one day not far off from a Farm house, the stragling Hens invited me to
have a throw at them with my staff, and having struck one of them, I had
forgotten my lameness, but very nimbly ran and took her up, putting her
under my patcht Coat, where I had a bag sewed in that was a receptacle
for all stollen goods. It chanced that the Farmer himself was then on
the other side of the hedge, who undiscover’d by me, saw my activity in
the stealing of his Hen, and was resolved, though I put it up, that he
would not. But I dreading nothing, thinking my self unseen, went
directly to the House, and as soon as I came into the yard fell to my
old trade, leaning on my staff, and drawing my leg after me, as if
scarce able to stand, much less to run. Having gotten to the door, I
began to set up my tone with a _Good tender hearted people be pleased to
bestow your charity upon a poor miserable wretch that is both lame and
hungry; one penny of silver to buy him salve for his sore leg, or one
morsel of victuals to put into his belly that hath had nothing come in
it this couple of dayes_. No sooner had I ended my Maunding, thinking to
mump the Farmer out of some money, or at leastwise some bread to my Hen,
but he having watch’d me now seiz’d hold of my arm, and told me, that
that though it might be true that I had not lately eaten, yet he saw I
was resolved to be better provided for the future, and so turning back
my Coat discover’d my bag, where was not only the Hen, but some other
provant, I had lately purchased. I finding my self caught, would gladly
have given him the slip, but some of his servants, as well as himself
stop’d me, without any more ado the _Harman-beck_ was sent for, who
being a neighbour was quickly come, and by this time I had a great train
of Boys and Girls to attend me: I needed not much examination being thus
taken in the manner, but however they were all desirous to see my sore
leg; I was forced to let them do what they would with me, knowing there
was no remedy but patience, and so I suffer’d them to unrowl and take
off the Clouts and Rowlers that was upon it, when coming to the skin,
that was as whole and as sound as a fish; but though my leg was well and
whole, my heart was now almost broken with consideration of what they
would do with me; some proposed one punishment, and some another, but at
length to the Whipping-Post I was led, where my Doublet and shirt being
stript off, my back was so long lac’d with a Cart-whip, that I Caperd
and flownced like a Horse in a quagmire, and I was as fast too, being
hand cuffd so that I could not stir. It was well it was the spring time,
for I lost blood enough to purge away the gross humors without the help
of a Surgeon, that office being supplyd by a Thrasher who took as much
pains upon me as would have Thrash’d a bushel of Pease; but at length
there was a Cessation, and a new parlee began, wherein it was propounded
that further course should be taken with me, and considering that there
was a kind of Felony committed upon the Hen; they advis’d and agreed to
lead me to the next Justice of the peace to have his Judgement in the
Case, though I thought it unreasonable to suffer punishment first, and
then to be Judged; yet it was to no purpose to complain, and all I could
say would not prevail with them to let me go, but they would conduct me
to the Justice, so that I having put on my Cloaths my shirt stuck to my
back and made me sensible that I had lost leather; but for all that on I
must, and the Justice living a mile off, the Thrasher who had lash’d me,
and two or three others made holliday to attend me: when we came before
the Justice, he hearing that I had been punished already, was content at
my Importunity to acquit me from any other, and only to make a Pass to
send me home to _London_, being the place where I told them I was born:
I not having power to contradict, was forced to consent to what was
commanded, and that Constable attending me out of his liberties to
another Constable, left me: this new Constable, who now had me in
keeping, not being willing to go further with me; for that night put me
up in the Cage, where I was lock’d up, but not so safely, but I made
shift to break out, and travelling all night, by the next morning I was
far enough off for them to o'retake me, for all that day I concealed my
self in a wood, and when night came I proceeded on my Journey; but it so
happened that on the second night of my travel, about midnight I was
overtaken by three persons who demanded where I was going? I told them
any whither: what was I? I replied a wretched person whom fortune had
persecuted, and therefore I was indifferent whether I went, or what I
did. Hearing me say so, they retired a little to consult about their
affairs, and then one of them coming up to me, demanded several
questions of me of my late course of life? To all their questions I
returned them such answers as caused them to conclude me to be a
Rambler, and therefore fit for their society, and therefore they asked
me if I were willing to hazard my self in enterprizing somewhat, that
though it might be something dangerous, yet it should be very
profitable. To this I answered, that they should soon find my
willingness expressed in the boldness of my actions, and if seconded or
assisted by them, I should act anything they would direct and appoint.
They hearing my resolution, soon consented to admit me into their
society, and acquainted me with their present purpose, which was to rob
a House not far from that place: They told me that I must be valiant and
bold, not in fighting, for they knew they should meet with little
occasion to exercise any weapon, but in entring the House, and
performing other such matters as they should instruct me in. I told them
I consented to what they should propose, and therefore desired them to
tell me what part I was to act in this Enterprize, and as for a part of
the purchase, I should leave that to them, which I desired them to give
me as I should deserve. Then one of these persons told me, that he was
very well acquainted in the house, and gave me an account of the several
ways and passages into every Room, and who was lodged in such Chambers.
In fine, I discovered that there was but two men, and three women-kind
in the house, and he being a Coach-man, had lately brought the Master of
the house home with two hundred pound, of which he had a desire to rob
him; and therefore had joyned these two persons with him in the
Confederacy. Being thus instructed, we proceed, and arriving at the
house, I was put in at a window, and directed how to open the doors,
which I did, the Coach-man stayed below stairs, and we other three by
his directions went up into the Chambers; the doors we soon opened, and
coming to the Bed-side where the Master of the house and his Wife was,
we drawing our swords (for I had the Coach-mans delivered to me) opened
our dark Lanthorns, and seeing the man and woman, without many words we
bound and gagg’d them; and they leaving me to watch them, went into the
other Chambers to do the like to the rest: I being left alone in this
Room was not idle, but rummaged about, and found a Gold Watch, a few
Rings, and twenty Pieces of Gold, these I secured for my self, and soon
after my Companions returned; when taking the Keys out of the
Gentlewomans pocket, we soon found what we came for, the two hundred
pound, and so marched off without any stay, or the least interruption:
the Coach-man stayed below in the Hall, where he had made a strict
search, and had likewise plundred something from thence which after
turned little to his profit: but we all left the house with the doors
open, and marched with the spoils of the field, bag and baggage, to a
house about a mile distant, where they were so courteous as to give me
fifteen pound out of the profits of their Adventure. I (being sensible
that I was well enough paid, in regard of the Gold and other things I
had conceal’d) thankfully received it, and so left them, marching on
further to the next great Town, where the next day I understood a great
Fair was to be kept, and therefore I thought that place the most fitting
to conceal my self in, and be freest from suspition, I got in a Barn and
rested my self, taking some sleep; but was much disturbed, being in
great fear lest some mis-fortune might befall me: And to the end that I
might be the freer from suspect, in case of a _Hue and Cry_, I went to a
Sales-mans Booth which was in the Fair, and furnish’d me with a
Sad-coloured Sute and Cloak, Citizen-like, that I might pass for such a
one if occasion were; my old Cloathes I left behind me in the Barn where
I stripped my self. Thus did I escape all danger, but my Companions
fared worse than I, for the covetous Coach-man not having any thing else
whereon to exercise himself, stole a Looking-glass which was below
stairs, while we were above, and to conceal it from the rest of his
Companions, put it in his Codpiece. When they had sufficiently stayed at
the house where I left them, and had shared the prize, they went to go
homewards, but being flustred with the Bottles of Wine they had for joy
drank off, they made it so long, that it was seven of the Clock in the
morning ere they parted, and then were they overtaken by the _Hue and
Cry_, with a Constable, who though he knew the Coach-man very well, and
did not suspect him, yet seeing him and his two Companions so flustred,
and somewhat to hang out at the knees of the Coach-man’s Breeches, they
made some stay, asking whether he had lately been at some Wedding and
had Bride-Laces, which he had put in his Breeches. The Coach-man being
somewhat blank’d at this discovery, knew not what answer readily to
return: This caused them to examine him who they were that were his
Companions, and where they had been? They were all now deeplier
surprized than before, which gave so great suspition that occasioned a
Search, and in the end they found what they sought for, (the Money:) and
that which hung out at the Coach-mans Breeches, were some Ribbons that
were fastned to the Looking-glass. Upon this Discovery they were all
Apprehended, carried before a Justice, and upon examination being found
directly guilty, committed to Goal. This did I hear of at the Fair that
afternoon as I was drinking in a Booth: At the recital of this story, if
any one had observed me, they might easily have conjectured that I was
concerned therein; for I was possessed with so much fear, that I look’d
like one rather dead than alive: but there was no occasion to suspect
me, for the three others my Companions being taken and with them the
greatest part of the money, there was no occasion to make any further
enquiry. Then did I bless my good fortune that I had left them so
suddenly, and was so much out of danger, and that evening I proceeded
further on in my way towards _London_; but being well furnished with
Silver and Gold, I took up my Quarters in a very good Inn, where I had a
good Supper and soft Bed, and slept very well, considering the trouble I
was in. At this Inn I stayed several days to hear what would become of
my Companions, for the Assizes were then at hand. I received this
satisfaction, that they being Tryed, were all cast for their Lives; the
Coach-man hang’d, and the other two were to be transported. This was the
end of my piece of Thievery, and I did then resolve never to hazard my
self again in such matters, lest I came off with as bad success as the
Coach-man. I stayed so long in this Inn, pretending to wait the coming
of a sister of mine, that one day who should arrive there but the
Maid-servant who lived with the Plaisterer I had served, and as I
suppose was the cause of his drowning: now was I in greater fear than
before, for I had lately escaped hanging for theft, and now expected it
for murther; and I knew that this wench was malicious enough against me,
and would rather injure me by her exclamations, than secure me by her
silence; I therefore intended to give her the go-by, but could not, for
she had now cast her eye upon me and discovered me, and came straight up
to me to speak with me. How now, says she, you have made a fair Ramble!
Is it not time to return? Well, said I, be silent a little, and let me
speak with you in private; and thereupon taking her by the hand, I led
her into a private room, where calling for some drink, I enquired of her
how all our Friends did, and more particularly for my Master. Why, said
she, you know well enough that he is dead. At this word I was more dead
than alive, neither was I for the present able to ask her any more
questions.
The Drink being brought in, she drank to me; Well, said she, however I
am glad to see you here; so am not I (thought I:) but recovering my lost
senses, I demanded of her how long my Master had been dead. She replyed,
a fortnight. Nay, thought I, then the Case is not so bad as I suspected,
and therefore I proceeded in questioning of her how he died, and many
other questions. She answered, that he died of a Feaver, which kept him
not above fourteen days sick; and he being dead, she was now returning
into the Country to visit her Friends.
Now was I fully satisfied that I needed not fear any danger, wherefore I
called for a Bottle of Canary, which we drank off; and she related to me
that he was not much hurt by the fall that I gave him, for he went again
to work the next day, and had made much enquiry after me, but as yet in
vain. I told her that I indeed doubted that he had been drowned by the
fall which he had received into the water, and therefore had absented my
self ever since from _London_, wandering up and down in several
Disguises: But, said I, I will now go to _London_ again, but never to
serve out my Time at that Trade; for if I come upon a Scaffold again, I
shall be much frighted with the remembrance of that Disaster. She told
me, that now indeed I was free to dispose of my self since my Master was
dead, and might chuse my Trade and Master.
Thus did we spin out several hours of that day and night together, till
it was time to go to Bed, and then we parted; she the next morning
proceeded in her Journey into the Countrey, and I pursuing my
resolutions of going to _London_, likewise went forward. But by the way
met with an Adventure, which I shall relate to you in the next Chapter.
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