_High flyer_, _&c._ they know how and when to supply him. Full fraught with this good fortune, and so laden I was ready to sink, I resolved to moor my Vessel in the next Harbour. The Landlord whence I came, was very loath to entertain me, his lodger having served him a scurvy trick the night before, conveying out of the window, the Furniture of a room that cost him 40 _l._ besides a great silver Tankerd, which the Gentleman would have filled with stale Beer and Sugar, to stand by his bed-side all night, pretending it was his custome. But I desiring him to lay up a parcel of money for me till the next morning, quite put out the eye of his Jealousie. I shewed my self that night very exceeding noble, concealing my success at play, that he might conclude the greatness of my expence proceeded from the nobleness of my nature, having a good estate to back it. I was conducted to bed with many Ceremonies, and abundance of respect. Sleep I could not, for thinking how to dispose of my self. I had experimented the various exigences and extremities an unsetled condition is accompanied withall; and knowing how securely I could purloin from my Master, if I would moderate my theft, I concluded to supplicate my Master by a Letter for my reception into his service, not forgetting my Mistresses _quondam_ kindnesses. If my Master should refuse to re-entertain me, I had by me what might supply my necessities, till I had re-considered how to improve my stock, or bestow my self. Not to delay time, the next day I wrote him this Letter. _SIR_, _Having seriously considered the greatness of my folly in running from so good a Master, (whom I may more rightly intitle Father) with tears I beg mercy from Heaven, and forgiveness from you. Mitigate my offence by revolving in your mind the fewness of my years, which makes me (as it doth most others) prone to rambling fancies: look then favourably on my long absence from you, as a meer exiliency, a youthful elapse, which maturity of age may rectifie. If you can forgive my follies, I will study to forget them, and daily endeavour the propagation of my fidelity in the remainder of my time. By the Bearer hereof you may signifie your pleasure._ _Sir, I am_ Your cordially penitent Servant, _&c._ With much joy my Master read this Letter, and hastened the Bearer away to bring me to him. Having converted my silver into Gold, sowing it in my Collar and Wastband, and putting my self into a Garb convenient for his sight, I went to him. CHAP. XVII. _His Master sheweth him more kindness than formerly; the ill requital he made him, by Cuckolding him: an accident that fell out thereupon, which produced two remarkable stories, deduced from the strength of Imagination._