I gave him his head, let him go which way, and as fast as he pleased; in troth he was better acquainted with the Road than his Master, and would not be perswaded out on’t by any such ignorant Hawl-bowling as my self; that night my Horse, and I, (for I must give his Horseship the preheminence) came to _Marlbrough_; entring the Town, he went directly to his Inn, and was known to the Hostler, calling him by some familiar term, I know not what now; and askt me whether the Horse was mine, I replyed that he was so, that I had bought him the day before at _Newberry_: and why should not I own him, since he intitled me by running away with me, not I with him; and since by an unexpected chance I had a benefit thrown into hands, I was resolved to make use of it, and so I did for the next day, very early I rode away with him for _Bristol_, never hearing of the right owner since: his heat and fury by this time were pretty well qualified, and could ride him then my own pace, where as before I would willingly condescend to have had a leg or an arm broke, to have secured the bone of my neck.
_Bristol_, the place of my nativity I entred with a strange confidence, if you remember how I was born, and what roguish exploits I acted during my abode in that City; but as good luck would have it, as length of time had altered my countenance, so it had quite obliterated the memory of my former nefarious actions. Here did I spend my Money in all manner of riot and excess, finding a many jovial boon blades, although for the most part very strict and precise; and though none are permitted any thing late to tipple, yet there is time enough in the day to spend the Cargo of an _East-India-man_, especially if a man hath nothing else to do. The natural love I had to this place made me insensibly stay much longer than I intended, and though I was some weeks there, nothing occur’d worth the taking notice of, but furnishing my self with a pair of Bootes. My money began to grow somewhat low, so that I saw there was a necessity of removing thence; the inconveniences I was put to for want of Boots, made me resolve to try how I might procure them without either money or credit; I ponder’d with my self, and took many a walk in the _Marsh_, yet could project no feasible way to obtain my ends. I pitcht upon this at last; evening the account with my Landlord, I caused the Hostler to saddle my Horse and bring him out, mounting, I rid him to a quite contrary part of the City, where I lay, (my lodging was near the Castle, and I rode to the higher end of _Ratcliff-street_,) near the Gate, I tyed my Horse, and walkt down again backward where I observed some Shooe-makers, entring one of their Shops, I askt the Master thereof to shew me some Boots he did, and withal fitted me; having both the Boots on, I talked to him about the price, I refusing to give so much since they were too dear, he protesting on the other side that he would not abate a farthing, stepping to the Threshold (as if I intended to settle my feet in them) I started, though not fairly, running with all my speed, the Shooe-maker thought it was to no boot for him to stand still, whilst I was in action; wherefore leaving his shop, he betook himself to his heels, crying out as he ran, _stop him, stop him; Stop me not,_ quoth I, _we run for a Wager, and I give him the advantage of running in Shooes against my self in these heavy Boots_; hearing me say so, they gave way which I repeated to every one as I came near them; they encouraging me, crying out, _O brave Boots, O brave Boots_; Others animating the other with _O brave Shooes, O brave Shooes_; getting to my Horse, I mounted him, and without Spurs, for he needed none, I rode clear through _Ratcliff-gate_, and was soon out of sight, and never since heard of my Shooe-maker.