Once or twice I asked what was the matter, but the people neglected
answering me, and I was not very importunate; but after the crowd was
wholly past, I took my opportunity to turn about and take up what was
behind me and walk away. This, indeed, I did with less disturbance
than I had done formerly, for these things I did not steal, but they
were stolen to my hand. I got safe to my lodgings with this cargo,
which was a piece of fine black lustring silk, and a piece of velvet;
the latter was but part of a piece of about eleven yards; the former
was a whole piece of near fifty yards. It seems it was a mercer's shop
that they had rifled. I say rifled, because the goods were so
considerable that they had lost; for the goods that they recovered were
pretty many, and I believe came to about six or seven several pieces of
silk. How they came to get so many I could not tell; but as I had only
robbed the thief, I made no scruple at taking these goods, and being
very glad of them too.
I had pretty good luck thus far, and I made several adventures more,
though with but small purchase, yet with good success, but I went in
daily dread that some mischief would befall me, and that I should
certainly come to be hanged at last. The impression this made on me
was too strong to be slighted, and it kept me from making attempts
that, for ought I knew, might have been very safely performed; but one
thing I cannot omit, which was a bait to me many a day. I walked
frequently out into the villages round the town, to see if nothing
would fall in my way there; and going by a house near Stepney, I saw on
the window-board two rings, one a small diamond ring, and the other a
gold ring, to be sure laid there by some thoughtless lady, that had
more money then forecast, perhaps only till she washed her hands.
I walked several times by the window to observe if I could see whether
there was anybody in the room or no, and I could see nobody, but still
I was not sure. It came presently into my thoughts to rap at the
glass, as if I wanted to speak with somebody, and if anybody was there
they would be sure to come to the window, and then I would tell them to
remove those rings, for that I had seen two suspicious fellows take
notice of them. This was a ready thought. I rapped once or twice and
nobody came, when, seeing the coast clear, I thrust hard against the
square of the glass, and broke it with very little noise, and took out
the two rings, and walked away with them very safe. The diamond ring
was worth about #3, and the other about 9s.