He passeth for a Batchellor, Courts several under the pretence of Marrying them, by which he perswades some out of their Maiden-heads; others out of their Money, with which he goes for England; At Chester he cheats his Landlord, where having all things requisite to compleat an Highway-man, followeth that trade: he is met with by some of that gang, who intending to rob him, he discovers his intentions, and they admit of him into their society.

Being left now to shift for my self, having lost the main prop that sustain’d me in all conditions, husbanding well the advantage of this contrary wind, I presently set the engine of my brain to work, and thus it was; I addrest my self to Courtship. Beauty was not the mark I aimed, the purchase thereof producing little profit, since it self is most commonly the sole reward; neither can a man attain to it but by great expence, outvying all therein, least any interpose. Either wealthy and aged widdows, or thrifty Maids, who had laid up what they had gotten in Service as a bait to procure an Husband, such did I daily hunt out and visit by turns. I was not sparing of amorous expressions, shewing therein the height of zeal, by which means I deluded several. Some I was forced to give earnest to for their Goods, before they would trust me with what they had. This course I followed till I was generally taken notice of for a grand deceiver. Having now gotten a round sum of money by me, I borrowed where ever I could; so crossing S. Georges Channel, in twenty four hours I landed at Chester. I took up my quarters in a very graceful Inn, and gave out immediately that I had an hundred head of Cattel coming. The Master of the house taking notice of my extraordinary Garb, and believing the report which I had caus’d to be spread abroad, lodg’d me with much respect in one of the best Chambers of his house.

The Wind favoured my design as much as I could desire, for it blew East-North-East, by which no Shipping could come out of Ireland. One day I came to my Landlord, and telling him that by reason of the non-arrival of my Cattel, I was disappointed of Moneys, and therefore I desired him to lend me ten pounds, and he should satisfie himself in the first choice of the best of my beasts when they came, and swore to him I would perform my promise to him upon the word of a Gentleman. So that without any scruple he lent me the money. Being Market-day, I bought an excellent Gelding with Furniture thereunto belonging, with Sword and Pistols, and in this Equipage mounted; I taking my leave of my credulous Landlord without speaking a word to him: I had not rid far, before three well mounted rid by me, (I found them afterwards to be the Van-guard) having as many more in the Rear. At the bottome of an Hill they before faced about, and bidding me stand, those in the Rear reinforc’d the Van. One of them clapping a Pistol at my breast, commanded me forthwith to deliver, Swearing three or four full-mouth’d Oaths. I saw it was now to little purpose to resist, although I was so well arm’d, and therefore endeavoured a conquest some other way, viz. by smooth expressions. Gentlemen (said I) ye are all mistaken; neither do I greatly wonder thereat, since I verily believe ye are fresh-men, men of a days standing in the study of this noble Science, otherwise you might have distinguisht me from an honest man; for I think in this Garb and posture, I look as suspitiously as any of ye; onely I think I take a better course then ye to avoid apprehension, and reap to my self greater satisfaction. For ye rob in companies, and if any one be taken, his just fears frequently betray himself, but oftner the rest to destruction: whereas I robbing singly, I rob securely. Now Sirs freely examine my Pockets, where finding store of Coyn, they demanded how I came by it? I invented a lye to their general satisfaction; which was, I had met with a Booty a little before I met with them, which was the occasion of my being so well furnisht; but that which confirm’d them most, was my being so well provided with Pistols in my Holsters, Pockets and Boots. Instead of doing what they intended, they were then of another opinion, and all of them carest me in a very high manner; resolving to be merry at the next Inn, and there to admit me as a Brother.

Having set up their Horses, they went into a Room before, whil’st I stayed some time after for the benefit of easing nature; coming in among them I thought my self mistaken in my company, and made a proffer to go out again; but they laughing heartily called me back. I knew not one person, for they had pull’d off their false Beards, Vizards, Hoods, Patches, Wens, Mufflers and Perriwigs, together with those other disguises that obscured the natural proportion of their faces, so that they appeared as other men. Come said the chief (as I guest him to be by the sway he bore over the rest) you are a freshman, and therefore want some of our instructions, which in due time you shall receive from us. In the first place it is fit that you take an Oath which every young Thief must observe that is admitted into the Brother-hood, or at his investation into the honour of one of the Knights of the Road: which was to this effect. First, they read a charge of secrecy, that whatever misfortune happened to cloud their freedom by rendring them as an object to Justice and the Law, they should conceal their Complices to the death, or against any other jeopardy whatsoever, burying in oblivion not only his Confederates, but also his manner of entrance into this way.

And further, they proceeded to swear me, that if the Judges should press me to a discovery of particulars, that then I must cunningly create some men in my fancy, devising not only Names, but to give each man a particular feature, describing their stature, complexion and age, as also their dwelling place. Still provided that the place of their abode be far enough off: And then before enquiry be made, the danger of the tryal may be over or past; and then again this pretended discovery may purchase favour from the Bench.

Further, if I should be examined, why, and how I fell into these courses, I must then tell them that I was born a Gentleman, and well educated; but being a younger brother, I had not wherewithal allowed me for a subsistance, and rather then I would live beneath my birth, or disparage the stock from whence I came (here fetching a deep sigh, and looking very sadly) necessity constraining me to supply my wants, I fell into these wicked courses; which will make them think you are some misled young man whom temptations had drawn aside, and so cause them to take pity of your condition; and if their mercy extend to the remision of your guilt, it shall not only rest you from the punishment of the Law, but from the persecution of your past evils.

By this means we may have liberty to fall to our old courses; nor must conscience trouble us, but dispence with every impiety, and glory in the greatest iniquities, counting him most honourable who is grown the oldest and most exquisite experienced Practitioner of all manner of vice. Much more was committed to my memory for future observation, which for brevity sake I shall omit.