exploit so rarely well, I whipt up a Paper of six pair of Stockins, and sent them into my Breeches undiscovered, to keep company with the Shoes; having finished this work, I had so cunningly plotted I called to the Hosier, Master, Master, said I, let the cowardly Lubber come, and let me see what he dare do, I commend the little Boy said the Hosier, and so loosing him, he ran furiously upon me, I being less by much than he, dodg’d him, and so got clear out of the dore, the Hosier holding him in the Shop, till I had cleerly escap’d him; The Hosier, (as I understood afterwards) presently missing his Stockings, overtakes this Boy, that made not half the haste that I did, to be far enough from the Shop, and dragging him back, charg’d him with stealing a Paper of Stockins who stifly denied it, as well he might. The other told him that though he lookt like a simple ignorant Dolt-head, yet he had found him the cunningest Knave that ever he met with: These are new tricks indeed, spick and span new, piping hot. I have heard, _when Knaves fall out honest men come by their own_; but I never heard when two such Young Rogues fall out, honest men should loose their Goods. Sirrah, not only produce the Stockins you now have stoln but those I have lately mist, and that presently: you are like to pay for all. A Young Lad (one of my Confederates afterwards) stood by all the while, and told me, that his Gestures at that time out-did all the changlings that ever had been before him; all that the Hosier could get out of him was, that the boy he would have beaten had them; This would not serve the turn, but caused the Constable to carry him before the Mayor, who hearing the whole story, wondred at the subtility of the Plot, especially proceeding from such Green Heads (concluding us Partners) and that his Worship might hinder him from the like, or worse attempts, committed him to _Bridewell_, there to remain one whole Month, and thrice a week to be severely lasht. I was glad to hear of his confinement being freed from the fear of meeting him in the Street, neither durst I much ramble abroad for fear of meeting the Hosier; wherefore I was resolved to make what hast I could to get me and my _Cargo_ aboard; to the increasing whereof I found the acquaintance I got among young Apprentices, with my skill in _Span-farthing_ and _Chuck_, to be very instrumental; For being busie at play whilst their Masters were at Dinner or Break-fast, (which were my chief Market times) I could with ease slip into the Shop, and so whatever came to my hands was lawful Prize. What I had gotten at _Chuck_, _Span-Farthing_, and such like Juvenil Games, I found sufficient to provide me sustenance for the day, and had spare hours enough to exercise my Art of Pilfring; what each days Theft had produced, I warily carried to my Magazine, a place that I had found out, secret and secure enough for that purpose, _viz._ a ruinated old Castle, not far distant from the Town, rarely frequented by any.