He here reneweth his acquaintance with a cunning fellow, that formerly studyed the Law, and since made it his sole business to practise the abuse thereof.

About four dayes after I was discharged, there came into the same Inn where I lay a Gentleman, who hearing some of the house discoursing of the Robbery that was lately committed, he desired to be particularly informed, which they did, adding that the robb’d Gentleman lay wounded in the house; he inquired of them my name, which they told him, as I had told them, having a name for every month in the year. Very desirous he was, if it might be no disturbance to me, to give me a visit, unto which I condescended, a servant to that intent desiring to know my pleasure. As soon as he entred the Room, I verily thought I knew him, though I could not for the present call to mind where I had seen him. I was so muffled about the Chops, that it was impossible for him to have any knowledge of me. He sate down by me, & askt me various questions, to which I gave him convenient satisfaction. At last I recalled my memory, and askt him if his name was not so —— he answered me affirmatively. Dear friend (said I) I am glad to see you: come, be not amazed; my right name is so —— with that he embraced me, and was overjoyed that he so casually found me out. Laying aside all formal niceties, I unbosomed my self to him, not mincing the truth in the least; for we know our selves Birds of a Feather, Rogues together. He condol’d my wounded condition, and comforted me, by telling me that he would not leave me till I was well, and that he would procure me such a Plaister for the wounds I had received, that should prove very effectual. In short it was this; by following closely the footsteps of his crafty advice I got of the Country the one hundred and fifty pounds I pretended to be robb’d of. He stayed with me above a fortnight, enjoying what pleasures the Country was capable to afford us. Being by our selves (for so we designed the major part of every day;) we discoursed interchangeably of nothing but our adventures, &c. how we might lay new plots for our advantage: I gave him the epitome of what I had done, since I left him, who took more pleasure in the relation of my Rogueries, than the Quaker did in Courting his Mistress Mare near Rochester. But when he began to relate his Villanies, I was struck dumb with admiration; and what cannot a man do if indued with the strength of his natural parts, sharpness of wit, quickness of apprehension, depth and solidness of judgement, with a tenacious memory? Now because he ever had a smooth and insinuating tongue, with the command thereof, I shall give him leave to tell his own tale.