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_The Author relates a Story how he and six other Padders robb’d a Carrier of six hundred pounds, and that one of the company in consideration of an hundred pounds paid him by the Countrey where the Robbery was committed, owned the Fact, and thereby saved the Countrey (who were sued) from payment of the rest, and at length by their assistance gained his pardon. Also how a young Pick-pocket is put on by an old one, to cut an old womans Purse whilest she is at prayers in a Church-yard by a Tomb-stone; the Boy performs the Exploit, but is discover’d and shew’d by the old pick-pocket to the people, who coming to stare on the Boy had their Pockets pickt by the old one and his companions; And also how an old Padder being in danger to be hang’d for a Robbery, a young one for fifty pounds took the Fact upon himself, discharged the old one, and in the end came clearly off himself._
I Finding by Mistress _Dorothy’s_ pausing that she was somewhat weary of her large Discourse, and being desirous to know the conclusion of her Adventures, desired her to refresh her self with a Cup of Wine which stood by us, and then we all three, _viz._, Mistress _Mary_, Mistress _Dorothy_, and my self, having drank off a quart of the best, I thus bespake her; Truly Mistress _Dorothy_, you have taken much pains in reciting these pleasant adventures that befel whil’st you liv’d in the Inn, and you must needs have very great experience by what you have related; for although I was well acquainted with knaveries and rogueries enough whilest I lived in _England_, yet all our adventures are very new, being such whose like I have seldom heard; and although I did follow the _Padding_-Trade, especially at that time when I had the good fortune at the first to meet with, and be acquainted with you, yet I seldom knew, nor indeed ever heard of the like escape that your six _Padders_ had; it was a neat and cleanly conveyance: but lest you should be tyred with too long speaking, and that I might enable you the better to give us a full and exact account of the rest of your adventures, I will relate to you some of my former Adventures, and especially one, which was somewhat like that of your six _Padders_, and thus it was.