humour they had not been discovered and waylaien and which is worst sometimes you chuse a guard to succor you and to take your part in whom you trust who ost doth bring you into danger without the least suspition on your part for when they bid you stand hee 'l draw as in a valiant rage and with some one appointed for that use hack swords while anothyer threarens his leath if he stand on those tearms of seeming honour you seeing his salse danger fear his death bid him yield which he though willing seems loth to do nay more he knowing wel which way they fled will send the Hue and cry another way and if you suppose you know any of them that did the robbery and do hit right he perswades you that whilest they sought his disguise fell off and therefore he markt him and knows 't is not the man and with pensive look he will lament your bad hap and thus your bosome friend betraies you CHAP. II. How to carry themselves in their Inns. IT is as common a custom as a cunning policy in thievs to place Chamberlains in such great Inns where Cloathiers and Grasiers use to lye and by their large bribes to infect others who were not of their own preferring who noting your purses when you draw them they 'l gripe your cloak-bags and feel the weight and so inform the Master thievs of what they think and not those alone but the Host himself is oft as base as they if it be left in charge with them all night he to his roaring guests either gives item or shews the purse it self who spend liberally in hope of a speedie recruit and all this is occasioned by want of discretion in managing your business for the best therefore be secret and let little be made known to those that watch to do you wrong CHAP. III. Shewing the daâ—ger of travelling on the Sabbath day HE that expects a blessing from the Father of blessings above must so behave himself in the eyes of Heaven whilst on earth that he must live here as if he were there already and the only way so to do is to stear our actions by Gods command which saith Keep holy my sabbath-Sabbath-day in which wee ought to remember Gods rest from labour and rest our selves from sin for when wee come short of this Gods love and protection goes so far beyond us that wee can feel no joy in that dark night which is out of his presence which made Moses say Except thou O God go along with us let us not go hence thence it is that few which Travell on this day escape the hands of thievs for they know none ride at that time but on great and urgent business and that can scarse be don without great store of Coin so that if they once are seen they sure are robb'd imediately and though the Countrie are in joyned to paie what you shall lose by daie yet not on this because it is a daie of rest â— and as you are remediless being robb'd so helpless before for there is no Companie to aid the honest Traveller as at other times CHAP VI. How to know a Thief from an gonest man BEe sure on the Road to associate with none but such as you find inclin'd rather to leave your company then keep it for such as press to be near you though against your will are very dangerous But I 'le presently inform you how to know if they be thievs or not Take occasion to make some staie then note whether they staie or keep their pace or else alight and go on foot that you may overtake them follow some halfe an hour after a slow pace and if you overtake them take heed for that 's the surest symptome of a Thief The other usuall marks of Thieves bee these which as you ride you may discern so plain that you need not doubt the truth of what you think They muffle their faces with their cloaks or else their cloak or coat hides all their clothes they have a hand-kercher or scarfe which with their hand they 'l rear up to their eies over their faces just when they bid you stand And if by occasion of my discoverie they leav off this that you may misse your observayour eie full in their face and you shall see them turn their faces on one side which if they do then keep you distance ride from them and marke whether their face and beards agree together are not counterfeit and above all things shun him that rides in a Mountier-Cap and such as whispers oft and are inquisitive after your businesse or what your imployments are for 't is to know what you have about you CHAP. V. Shewing how dangerous it is to grow familiar with any stranger upon the Way WHen you take your Journie whither the occasion calls you with a friend you passe not far before your companie is increased by a third when there is two to one there is no fear of him being alone before you call him fellow-tra veller and joie in his company and hee in yours but before you have rid 10 miles together on your way he overtakes some three more of his Company then he shakes and trembles and seems afraid and cries Directly friends we are fore-laid if ye have Charge about you let me know 't wee 'l fighr it out if we have nought to lose wee were best yield By these like words hee 'l quickly finde whether the prize be rich and whilest you thought there had been three to three there 's four to two If they find you armed then one who they find fittest for the work they cloath in Russet like a Country-bore in his high-shoo's with twists of Hay instead of Boots a goad in his hand riding aside upon a saddle moade of a wispe of straw who rides cheek by joul with you and causes mirth by his most simple talk you not so much as think he is capable of hurt but when he hath brought you into their snare he seizes one and your new fellow-traveller the other the rest come in and then it is in vain to strive for nothing lesse then your money will ransome you out of their hands CHAP. VI. How when and where to wide THose so many prodigion waies to rob the Innocent bids every man be warie how and when he 〈◊〉 and where if he have any charge about him let mee advise you not to ride by day but by night but for those base sheep-stealing punie rogues that hazard their necks for a Noble I am unacquainted with their actions therefore I do not undertake to shew their deceits but for those Cutters on the road I can assure you you are free from any horsman whatsoever for 't is their rule that surely none by night will ride that are worth robbing Next they must keep civill hours for fear that through mistrust they are apprelien ded therefore it 's their chief care to take
their Inn betimes and more they hardly dare advenuture in the dark because they cannot see either your dangerous defences or their own advantages or spie pistols or other private weapons you have time your money to convey from them and divers other advantages the day denies but since this is ordained for rest I can say no more but it 's my best advice to keep you from the dangers of the road and it 's a general rule with high-way-men to keep their station upon the greatest roads that of those number which passe by they may select such as they think are richest prize but on your petty rodes where searce any use to pass they never use to come there you may passe secure which I advise you choose if possible you can rather then on great roads But 't is a foolish custom you have gotten when you ride by any place that commonly speaks danger you bussle up together side by side which is most commonly your overthrow but take my counsel here when e're you ride in fear especially ride far asunder a Buts length at least and then bee sure they will never attempt to rob you when your stragling order will give some of you leave undoubtedly to escape and to raise the Countrie in their pursuit Besides their Company is set in several parties when should you ride in a cluster they will surely sallie out and seiz their purchase when if they should fall upon a stragling partie before they can do any thing it 's strange but rescue comes which easily will make the Cutters flie CHAP. VII If hee bee beset I Have thus trac'd them in every meander of their sinful courses whereby to discover them to you that you may avoid them it shall be my next work to instruct you how to behave your self if unhappily you are beset Look not as if amazed about as if you hoped for rescue this incourages them to height of resolution but look as stern as they and so as if to fear you were a stranger and make your brow the throne of rage and furie and this is the readiest and most certain way to save your monie and your reputation too for they fighting with a guilty conscience within and without against a Countrie-Law and Justice right and equitie which I speak by experience if nobly you resist will make the most undaunted spirit of them all stoop to discouragement for I have known them that of themselvs have been of so unresistable a resolution that they durst out-brave the roaring Canon to the mouth and scorn to stoop to basceness yet in this act when men have but seemed to resist they have shook and trembled even to a remorse of their wickednesse for though they swear to shoot you if you yield not 't is but to fright you for they dare not do it because they know that murther never escapes the hand of heavens just punishment and by thus doing oftentimes Thievs may be taken and so others freed by their apprehension from the like danger you were in and by this act you will gain honor and repute CHAP. VIII By telling them of a fault most Travellers are guilty of if Thievs assault them YOur meanest hearts submit too soon and oft-times yield almost before they bid you stand and then wish they may escape that so the Hundred may repair your loss if they are not apprehended by the Hue and Crie and unworthily you oft-times ad to and if not double the summ knowing the Hundred will be glad for to compound and so you cozen both the Countrie and the Thievs and to convince them that you fought like men you cut and flash your cloaths and swear they did it in the fight who robb'd them when yet ten to one your blows were tears crying for life and then bid them take all but these ignoble spirits I hate and by my work intend no love to them but to the nobler sort CHAP. IX If by chance he be unawares surprised how to behave himself BUt if by your own negligence and the frowns of fate the pleasure of your Journie be eclips'd and clouded by a sudden surprisal blame not me who indeavour if you please to hinder those accidents if you be careful else the fault 's your own Yet let me still advise you what to do if you see no hopes but you must yield strive not at all when 't is too late but give the fairest words you can racking your finest wits to please their ear and most devoutly wish you had more monie to supplie their wants and with a kind of chearfulnesse deliver some and so perhaps they 'l let you passe without further to do but if they make an offer seem to yield freely to it then will they sift you soundly but do not hold your hand upon your monie but seem to be a stranger unto fear and that will vanish their suspition of a greater summe for when I have took so much as pleased me well I have by men's fear had grounds to think that they had more and so by laying my hand upon their arme or thigh or near where it lay hid they would crie out they were undone when I as yet found nothing more but by their temeritie have been incouraged to make a stricter search and found considerable sums that secretly laie hid when if they had been disetect they had been secure and safe from me CHAP. X. Being Robb'd how to follow them which way to set Heu-and-cry how to coast and where to find the Thievs IF you have lost your wealth their is no help but to indeavour to surprise the thievs by strict pursuit therefore be wary and follow with all speed tell you obtain your wish and seiz the rogues that lately seized you But bee carefull as it becomes you to follow undiscerned lest they lay Ambuscadoe to surprize your liberty and it subdue to bonds for if they see you in your chase the formost hee 'l slip into some by place when you supose no ill ride on but when you do draw nigh they sally and secure you in strong bonds where fast bound they leav you and then hee that comes next releases you to him you tell your adverssfates and say they left the road but whither they went you know not how to tell but admit mee to your counsell and I 'le tell you how to shun their escape and by example the surest Shool-Master I shall direct you what to do in this as suppose in Coal-brook-road you lost your purse the Thievs to Vxbridg-road or Stanes will surely ride and not fail to take up their lodging there for that night this is most certain and the soundest precept in their law and truly for invention the wittiest secret that I er'e knew or heard and stands with reason therefore let reason guid you to secure these Thievs if they have robb'd you for they know full well none use to travell from road to road no not the
arm them with bows and arrows Muskets or good Carbines or Fowling-pieces and with a horse or two let them coast up and down this may do good that they may not be so abused as I have shewn but if occasion bee may follow on to purpose and this is my advice proceeding from experience CHAP. XII Divers Instructions for the Inn-keeper how to know Thieves from his honest Guests THus have I traced them from their first entrance to their action and from their action to their flight and I hope therein given so clear light to those that desire their apprehension that yet may occasion either their Conversion or Imprisonment and that their Conviction and having spoke sufficiently unto the Travilor to be carefull in his carriage in each particular Give me leave to add a word unto the honest Inn-keeper that so he may discern between the honest Travilor and the Thief which I shall perform in a word which to doe let him make it his chiefest care not to wink at such dishonesty for hope of gain least that sweet be imbittered by futer trouble and disgrace therefore let thy respects who ever thou art that reads in this be levelled at honesty more then gain knowing that a certain little with a godly peace of contentment is a greater gain and a higher happinesse then an uncertain deal with a terrour of conscience And to discover them is easie if you observe my Rules First let the Ostler observe and he shall discern their extraordinary curiosity about their Horses they must be strangely drest and as strangely fed with mashes bread and mingled provender and that in an unusuall quantity and if he wonder at this they cannot forbear but praise their Tricks and shew how by their good abilities they doe deserve it and sometimes they will boast their worthy services will soon repay the cost or some dark words to that effect that are palpable grounds for to suspect them and then they will ask whose Horse is that and what is the owner that stands there what function is their Master what manner of men whither they travell how far and when So by his answer they surmise which will be the riche st purchase And secondly if you not their Clokebags they are empty onely they carry them to make ashew And then thirdly when the Chamberlain has ushured them to their Chamber he strait is sent away but let him hearken and if they are surely Thieves t is ten to one but they fall of share what prize they have got that day and let him prie narrowly into their Chamber and he shall see them share as well as hear the money and every one shall take what is his lot this they never defer if they have had any purchase lest he that hath the purse should cheat the rest this done they hug each other and then they knock in hast complaining at his negligence that should attend and call for Sack and then they want my Hosts company whom with the highest strain of Complement they salute and bid him welcome but if my Host mark their discourse he may conjecture much and know what men they are as also by the saucy carriage of their men and if their severall Names you do inquire injoyn your servants to doe the like and you shall soon perceive they have more Names then one a piece and when they are at supper let some one hastily knock at your gate and bid him that attends observe their carriage then and he shall see them start as in a fearfull maze and stare each other in the face with gastly looks and if you are in the Chamber ask what Officers are those who doe they look for Or if forth from them ask aloud that they may hear what would Mr. Constable have who doth he seek or what is the Constable mad to knock so hastily or the like and if they Weem much frighted bid them not fear none shall come up or offer him that wrong to search his house so to disparage him for he was no guests but honest Gentlemen and if they command him he will use his authority that none shall enter there by this you may prie into their private thoughts so far that they will confess something and reply they shall be much ingaged for your succour and then you may use your own discretion And you may see by their needlesse stay their disregard of time what they expect for they but bait to stand and gaze what purchase they can see go by and when they have spied a likely money booty passe by them they pretehd immediate businesse calls them to be gone And when they come to take up Inne to lodge they commonly come in divided and come in several companies to frustrate the Hue and Cry as to their number besides if one part be surprized the other may escape and when the residue comes in they seem as strangers and of mine Host they will enquire what their Companions are and what Country-men whether he know them and if they find he hair a jealousie or suspect either to them they will presently will some businesse to be gone with speed but if for honest Travilers you take them as it is like you may in your kitchen they doe meet by seeming chance they as mear strangers one another salute and drinking there together ere they part they become familiarly acquainted and conclude to sup together when if you mark them well you shall find by their behavior that they are not strangers but bosome friends there they imbrace rejoyce and praise their plot and laugh at mine Host that he suspect them not The fairest Innes they usually frequent presuming that they will not so much disparage mine Host as to make search among his guests which commonly are persons of account Thus have I laid open their devises and deceits that so the honest traveller mauescape their hand and then fall into the hands of justice thereby indeavouring to repaire the wrongs my Country hath suffered by indeavouring to prevent others from living in the like sin and so subvert sin that would raise its own dominion by their fall and ruine to which end that it may become effectuall the Lord assist my indeavours to discover and others by this discovery to apprehend them and that apprehension expose them to the Law of justice if they reject the Law of mercy Some Observations of the Hector and his Rum-Mort THis Dammce Captain by his Wit Sword and Baskethilt-Oathes the two last he makes use of to frighten Rum-Cullies out of their cash As Horses get their livings by their backs as Swine and Women live for their flesh so this Creature lives by his wits for what should he do he hath neither Lands nor Mannors but what lies commonly in a crosse-way yet he makes London by a new denomination called Fools-Paradise his Tenement from which he receives good round summes of money for rent And thus he doth it he is excellently