I I - American Memory

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«. Tittle in the back Lanes towards Chejhuni, where I
met a Coach with four Ladies in it, from whom I took
I /. 10 J. they being in an Undrefs were without
Watches; I thought this but very poor Encourage-
ment, and I depended on fomething better before I
got to Town, but my Expeftations were not anfwered,
for 1 attack''d a Man near Balmo^i-Brook, who appeared
well, but had not above 3 j. 6/ which I return'd,
and rode direftly to Town, and met with nothing more
that Night, nor did I ride out again for feveral Days,
my Wife being very ill, I did not think it fafe to
leave her. My next Ride was to Epping-Forreji, where
I ftopp'd the Stratford Stage Coach, out of which I
had about 6 /. and three Silver Watches, but was im-
mediately purfued by four Gentlemen, who I did not
fee, tho' they were very near to me, which oblig'd me
to try my Horfe's Speed. I had not rode half a Mile
before I fell in with fome of his Majefty's Grooms
breathing their Hunters, two of thefe had got the Alarm.
of a Highwayman, which oblig'd me to keep on my
Mafk, and my Piftol in my Hand ; in this manner I
rode between two of them, one of which had a led
Horfe, which on my riding haftily through broke Way,
whereby I got clear of them ; I then bore away for
Waltham-Abbey, but finding my Purfuers very near, I
judg'd it improper to go thro' the Town, took the right
Hand Road, and return'd to part of Efping-Foreji, and
went direftly for Uarbiu, where I ftay'd till Evening,
and then return'd to London, but heard my Purfuers
came thro' Waltham-Abbey, and on-watd to the Poft-
houfe at Endfield, and then gave over the Purfuit; this
Adventure pleafed me much better than the firft, and
brought me to a Pvefolution of ilicking clofe to my
new Occupation, which feem'd to agree very well with
my roving Difpofition. In a few Days I took the
other Ride on HoiinflonM-Heath, where meeting with a
Gentleman, gave him the ufual Salutation, telling him
I was very neceffitous, he feem'd a little unwilling to
part with his Money, but I begg'd him not to trifle,
or