A Gentleman having had his pocket several times pick’d of moneys and Watches, was much troubled and resolv’d if possible to find out, and catch one Pick-pocket that should pay for all; wherefore he advises with a Smith, an ingenious fellow of that quality, to make him a band of Iron or Steel, with some prickles about the side of his pocket, and a spring towards the bottom, which when it should be touch’d, would cause the band of Iron or Steel, at the top to close together, so that if a Pick-pocket should come there, it would catch and hold him fast by the hand: this he had made to his desire, and then he went to the next Assembly, which was at a tryal of causes, and it was not long e’re his project took; he heard his Engine discharge, and the fowl was caught; he knew which Pocket it was, and therefore lookt on that side one stood with hat off, and both his hands were upon his Hat, which were held up as high as his face; he therefore wondring whose hand he had caught, and seeing the man in that posture, doubted that his Engine had deceived him, and had given false fire, but putting his hand towards his pocket he found a hand there, which was in vain strugling to get out; wherefore that he might know who this hand belonged to, he got out of the press of people, and the man who held his Hat in that posture went with him; when they were gone a little to the one side, the poor fellow cryed out; I pray Sir, let me have my hand; how! replyed the Gentleman, I see you have two already, and therefore if you have a third, you may well spare me that to guard my pocket for the future: the fellow saw that he was caught, and therefore replyed to the Gentleman; truly Sir, it is but a tryal of skil, a new invention, and I hope you will not be angry with a piece of ingenuity; but if you are, rather than fail, if you please to let me go, and not discover me, ile give you any satisfaction; what security shall I have for that said the Gentleman? all that I can give, said the Diver; and thereupon he drew out a purse of money from his own pocket, which it is like had an another owner but lately, but now it helped to make his composition, for the Gentle-man and Pick-pocket going to the Tavern they clapt up an agreement; he not only receiving satisfaction for what he had formerly lost, but also discovered to him the Nature, Use, and quality of a Wooden hand. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAP. XX. _Mistress_ Mary _continues the story of the young Gentleman; relates how a Cheat (with two more) pretending to be a Countrey man, performed a very profitable but most comical exploit on a Shop keeper; she is interrupted by the Arrival of her comrades;_ Meriton Lattroon _enters into a Pleasant Dialogue with her; his_ Indian _wife falls in love with Mistress_ Mary _and Mistress_ Dorothy, _disguis’d in mans apparel: and a pleasant Adventure there upon._