The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Fourth PartHead, Richard
General
The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Fourth Part
Head, Richard
Rogues and vagabonds -- England -- Fiction
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
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