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KYnchin-Morts are Girles of an Year or two old, which the Morts their Mothers carry at their backs in slates or sheets; if they have no children of their own, they will steal or borrow them from others.
Let this suffice of what I have spoken of the old Professors of the Art of Canting; I shall now pro∣ceed and give you a short Character, with the names of such as are the late Professors hereof.
LEt me take them in Order, and first for the High-Pad, or Knight of the Road; Before he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this dangerous enterprize in hand, he first ••urni••heth himself with a good Horse, Sword and Pistols, with supernumerary killing Instruments, if need require; And thus equipt, sometimes sing∣ly, but most commonly in company with others, he robs all he can meet with: his usual times for
scouring the Roads, is when the Sun begins to de∣cline, and the place of soure, yet advantagious for the prospect of the eye, so that it may quickly dis∣cern approaching booties; thus enriching their own condition by the ruine of others, each honest mans los•• being these Rogues gain.
They have a Vizard-Mask and Perruke to dis∣guise themselves therewith, and by that means ob∣scure themselves from the knowledge of such as are constrained to pay them an unwilling Tribute. Nay, they have a trick to alter their voice, so that as their habit, face and hair are helps to their non∣discevery; so their speech (which one should think) is undisguisable, adds very much to their concealment and security.
When they meet with a prize upon the Road, they have a Watch-word among themselves, which is no sooner pronounced, but every one falls to his work. This is the general rule they have among them, the strongest and best at grasp seize first; the weaker only bid stand at first, and afterwards fall in according as occasion requires; the instru∣ctions given them, is to catch the bridle by the left hand, and to have the sword in the right; if any opposition be made to cut soundly, and if likely to be over-powred, to kill as fast as they can, and then either with booty or without, to fly with all ex∣pedition. If they are pursued by an Hue and Cry, they were wont to obscure themselves in some place or other, and let it pass by them. How much the Roads of late have been pester'd by them is un∣known to few, notwithstanding so many of them have been taken and Executed at Tyburn; Now to the intent you may be wary of them, take these following safe and wholsome Instructions.
First, If you are about to take a Journy, con∣ceal the time as near as you can, and the charge you intend to carry with you; it is a Custome no less common then indiscreet, for persons to blaze abroad among their reputed friends, the time of their intended departure, and out of meer vain∣glory, tell what sum of money they carry with them; this hath been often times the cause of their being way-laid, for there is not so found a Flock of Sheep, but there may be one scabby, so in a So∣ciety one Judas, that for gain to share a fourth of the prize, will betray a man to these Bully-Ruf∣fins of the Road.
Secondly, When you come into your Inn, have a care you discover nothing of your concern to the Hostler, Chamber lain or Host himself; the two first are commonly bribed, or are in Pention with the High-Pad, and the last in expectation of a share, or good store of Money spent in his house profusely, will either from your own mouth vo∣luntarily, or by pumping, endeavour to discover where the booty lieth, and how much, and infor∣mation instantly given to the High-Pad.
Be not easily perswaded to associate your self with Strangers on the Road, but rather endeavour to shun such as are too forward to press into your com∣pany; if you have a suspition of such company, lag a little behind; and if you see them halt also before, by alighting or otherwise, provide for your safety with what speed you can.
Suspect all those that disguise themselves in any manner, by throwing a long Cloak over there shoulders, wearing a Vizard Mask, false be ard, Perruke, &c. Or if they have none of these dis∣guises, yet still appead suspitious, look their full in the face, and if they turn their heads aside being
unwilling to be viewed by you; this is an infallible mark of an High-way man: there are many more marks to discover these Desperado's, by which I omit, because they will take up too much time in the Description.
I shall therefore give you some instructions for your safety in Travelling: If you ride with a consi∣derable Charge, choose rather to Travel by night then by day; for this is held as an undeniable truth among these Catter-pillars, that none will ride by night that are worth the robbing: besides, these High-way men in prudence take up their Inn be∣times, to avoid the suspition of being accounted and apprehended for Rogues by being abroad so late.
Choose when you travel, the By-Roads; for your High-way men generally select the Roads which are most common and beaten, that they may have their choise of booties, and not streightned in their prize.
If you are five or six in Company, keep a consi∣derable distance one from the other when you come to some noted place for Robbery, and do not hud∣dle all together; this will conduce much to your safety, for by this means the Pads will be affraid to assault you thus stragling, least one or other escape and so raise the Country: What else hath been or may be said of this Subject, I shall refer you to the first part of the ENGLISH ROGƲE; wherein you may be more fully informed.
I shall conclude this discourse of them, with this Padding-Song.