This company that I thus happened into was a _Crew_ of _Canting Beggars_, Pilgrims of the vast earth, the offspring of _Cain_, vagabonds and wanderers over the whole world, fit Companions for such who make a trade for Idleness and Roguery, and these were at this time fit companions for me, who seeing the merry life they led, resolved to make one of their company, whereupon (after I had a little more ingratiated my self amongst them, and taken two or three cups more of _Rum-booz_) I imparted my inventions to one of the chief of them, telling him that I was a Prentice who had a curst Master, whose cruelties had caused me to run away from him, and that what ever fortune might betide me, yet should not the most necessitous condition I could be plunged into, ever make me to return to him again, and therefore if I might be admitted into their society, I should faithfully observe and perform what rules and orders were imposed upon me. He very much applauded me for my resolutions, telling me that to be a _Beggar_ was to be a _brave man_ since it was now in fashion for brave men to beg. Do not we (said he) come all into the world like arrant _Beggars_, without a rag upon us; and do not we all go out of the world like _Beggars_, without any thing saving only an old sheet to cover us? shall we then be ashamed to walk up and down in the world like _Beggars_, with old Blankets pinn’d about us? no, no, that were a shame to us indeed; have we not the whole kingdom to walk at our pleasure? are we afraid of the approach of Quarter-day? do we walk in fear of Bailiffs, Serjeants and Catch-poles? whoever knew an arrant _Beggar_ arrested for debt? is not our meat drest in every mans Kitchen? does not every mans cellar afford us beer? and the best mens purses keep a penny for us to spend?