The Pleasant and Delightful HISTORY OF Captain Hind: Wherein is set forth a more full and perfect Relation of his several Exploits, Stratagems, Robberies, and Progress, both in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Holland: the like never heard of throughout all Ages. Together with his Letter to the King of Scots: And the manner of his life and carriage: Further showing, How he robbed a Gentleman in Gloucestershire by laughing: how he robbed old Peny-Father the Excise-man: how he ro'd a Gentleman of 15 pounds, by laying a Cloak-bag in the high-way: and how he neatly cozened a Lawyer of his Watch. Likewise, divers other remarkable passages; in relation to his proceedings, full of mirth; and a discovery of his strange and unparallelled Escapes. Published according to Order. depiction of scenes from the adventures of Captain James Hind: right, a male figure in cavalier dress holding up a sword; left, a group of male figures with swords and pike or spear, in the background a city in flames; top, a male figure with a sword and a female figure or girl standing; bottom, a male figure leaning over a kneeling female figure London, Printed for GEORGE HORTON, 1651. The most pleasant and delightful History of Captain james Hind; and a full Relation of all his strange Exploits and Robberies. How Hind being left alone, and most of his crew dispersed by a Hue-and Cry, not having his own horse, and in distress for Money, robbed five Gentlemen as they were riding to a Wedding; and how he was taken prisoner. HIND having intelligence of a great Feast made by a country Gentleman, where were many Gentlemen to meet, who lived some 4, or 6, or 10. miles off the place appointed, there being a wedding, takes his horse in the morning, and coasting the country, meets with a Gentleman and his man riding towards the foresaid house, bids them stand, and without much dispute the Gentleman delivers him 20 li. in gold, thinking it better to scape with a whole skin then lose his money, and be beaten to boot. 〈…〉 they were partend comes to his view an ancient Penifather, with 〈…〉 Heir, who one would not have thought would have partend with their money so quietly: Hind knowing 'twas no time to dally, bids them stand, sets his pistol to the breast of the young Gallant; the old man being struck with a panic fear, cries out, Save his life, and take his Money, which was quickly done, together with his Sword; and then it came to the old mans turn to deliver, who was as ready to give, as he to ask: their pockets being both emptied; Hind threw the young Gallant his sword again; and bad him learn to make better use of it, and draw it as occasion was offered. But the old m●●, willing to save the credit of his son, resolved to make no words of it, and the Gentleman before( being robbed) had taken the same resolution also, that the Ladies should not laugh at their hard fortune. Hind immediately taking another road, meets another Gentleman riding to the same house and he resolving to make his forenoons work worth his labour, bids him stand, the Gentleman drew, Hind showed him his pistol; You may thank that for your prise( quoth the Gentleman) your sword should not have won my money. At which gallantry Hind was well pleased, and gave him 5 of his 15 pieces back again. By this time Hind thought his mornings work was over, it growing towards dinner time intended to march towards his Comradoes, who were dispersed by a Hue-and-Cry, which followed them 3 dayes before for another Robbery: and having not his own horse under him, thought it not best to stay too long thereabouts: having no sooner taken this resolution, but he espies another young Gentleman( supposed to be a younger brother) upon a good Gelding rides that way; and being full of confidence, resolved to take his money and be gone, bids him Stand, at which words the Gentleman dismounts, and draws his sword, quoth Hind, Shall I be troubled more with thee, then all that be gone before? Since thou art so gallant, thou shalt have fair play for thy money: puts up his Pistol, dismounts also, and draws his sword: and having made a close or two, neither being wounded, Hind would as willingly have been rid of his Gamester, as the Gentleman would have been of him; But ere they could agree on the matter, came riding an old Gentleman with a surly Serving-man, who knew the engaged Gentleman, and was quickly off his horse with his sword drawn, quoth Hind, We are two fair Gamesters, we need no third man: Yes always, quoth the Serving-man, at in-and-in, which I suppose is your sport; With that the Gentleman made a close with Hind, & quickly the Serving-man had his hand in Hinds pocket, but drew forth nought but his pistol, at which he yielded himself prisoner. 2. How hind, after he was taken prisoner by the last Gentleman and Serving man, was carried to Dinner with them, where he met withall those he had robbed that morning; and after much pleasant discourse gave them the slip with a good Gelding worth 50 pounds. hind being taken Prisoner by the young Gentleman and Serving-man, thought it good to go quietly with them, that so he might be the better able to make an escape when he saw occasion; and said, Sir, I am now your Prisoner pray let me know whither you are riding, Quoth he, but to a Gentlemans house about two miles off, to dine with some friends, whither I intend you shall march; quoth hind, I believe there be some Gentlemen gone before will be glad to see me. You shall be civilly used, quoth the Gentleman, and dine with us, and then shall I deliver you to the Justice. They being come to the house, Dinner being set, the Master of the house saluted hind, and bad him welcome, as the young Gentlemans friend, and caused him to sit down at Table; hind takes a glass of wine in his hand, and drinks to all the Company, especially to those of his acquaintance( as he called them) whom he had robbed in the morning: quoth the old Penifather, Couldst thou not be content with so good a breakfast but must thou come and affront my son and me at Dinner? At which words the whole business was understood, and the one said, he was robbed of so much, and another of so much and all acknowledged what they had lost. I thank ye all Gentlemen, quoth hind, for my breakfast; but I am most engaged to this Gentleman, for he would not let me pass till he brought me to a plentiful Dinner. Much mirth past at the Table, and hind fitted them with very good discourse for the day; That pleased the company so well, that each man endeavoured to show him what favour they could; so that after Dinner they took him out into the Court, where the Master of the House had a gallant young Gelding never backed before that day, which war very unruly, and had thrown two or three Riders; quoth hind, if it please you Gentlemen to give me leave, I shall bring this Gelding to a place in a quarter of an hour; There being a high wall round the yard, none mistrusted his intention, he mounts the Gelding with the Masters leave, and was commended by all the Gentlemen for a very good horseman, having sufficiently chased and madded the metta●some Beast, and spying a little broken place in the wall, with a full carrier leaped the Gelding over, and turning about, said I thank you all Gentlemen for my Breakfast and dinner, but I must sup above forty miles off this kight. So the clerk lost his labour in making his Mittimus, and his Master a Gelding worth fifty pounds. 3 How hind cozened an innkeeper, by pretending himself to be some great Lord to the value of threescore pounds. THere is no game comes rmiss, but hind hath skill in it, in his low estate he hath his conceits, and now he is a pretended Lord, here he shall show you how he sends some of his Comradoes in the habit of Serving men to take up a Lodging for their Master in an Inn, telling that ee was a great Lord, and was desirous to lie there about some business, but withall they told him he must have extraordinary fare, as Rabbits and Chickens, and all other dainties, no Butchers meat would go down with him, and to colour the business, he sent him two great Iron bound Chests, with strong locks, and mailed with corys, and gave order they should be put in the best room in the House, as if there had been some rich business in it: So when the Lodging was fitted, the next day comes in hind like a great Lord, or Don of spain, and was weleomed by the Host with a great deal of respect and honor, nothing was omitted that might any way give him content, And thus he continued for some certain time; for he went out upon his Robbery, and came in again in his Coach, and none suspected or mistrusted; and when he thought he had lain there long enough, for fear of discovery he took an occasion to burrow threescore pounds of his Host, pretending some extraordinary business; the credulous Host believes him, and lends it him, he having( as he thought) such good good security; But the bide being now slegged, it is time to take wing and be gone,) hind goes out in the morning in his Coach, but was too w●se to come any more there; he is expected at night; but no Lord comes, his Lordship was gone another progress; he stays a week, and appears not, a month expires and he is not seen. At last the Host begins to be jealous, and mistrusts, That all is not Gold that glisters; He now begins to think, ther, s some knavery; and( to be short) calls a Constable, and he sits ready to take an Inventory of the goods in the Chests; The two great Chests are unmailed, or uncorded, the Locks are broken open; which being done; alas then his grief appears; For in stead of rich treasure, he finds nothing but two Chests full of stones and old rubbish crammed together. 4 How hind cozened a Merchant in Holland of 300 Crowns, by giving a counterfeit Chain for a pledge. THis jovial gamester, hind, being in Holland, having spent his money, casts his wits about how to counterfeit himself, and you know good Workmen never want their toos: You may remember I told you how he served the Inn keeper, just almost in the same manner he beguiles the Dutchmen; he goes after the fashion of a Gallant, the better to set a gloss upon his knavery; he hath his man to wait upon him, and by his gallant garb insinuates into a rich Merchants acquaintance, makes the World believe he hath brought the wealth of the Indies with him, he pretends he hath great wealth, and happy were he that could be acquainted with him, for it is the nature of the Dutchmen to strike sail for their own profit, to offer any kindness where they perceive they may be any way a gainer. Amongst the rest, a Merchant of no mean quality perceiving his deportment; invites him to his house; this Gudgeon with little entreaty quickly swallows the Bait, and accepts his proffer: when come to his house, the Merchant entertains him with a great deal of civility. Hind pretends to sand one of his men to his two Chests which were aboard of a ship in the Key, for some money, which made the Merchant say, Sir, I much wonder you being a stranger, dare trust your Wealth in such a place; if you please Sir, my house shall be at your pleasure. But Hind takes an occasion upon discourse to pull out of a Box a Chain of pure Gold before the Merchant, which he much admiring said, Sir, you need not want money so long as you have this to engage. Hind replied, I should be loathe to engage it but upon necessity; which I am now driven to. For although I have money, yet I cannot command it, because I must pay it presently upon a Bill of Exchange. How Hind escaped being closely followed with a Hue and Cry for a great Robbery that he had done in the habit of a country grazier. HInd having done a great robbery in derbyshire, and thinking himself secure, betook himself to an Inn, which are as Sanctuaries to robbers; and staying there somewhat longer then his time, he was pursued into the Town by some Horsemen; he knowing the matter, got his Horse out of the stable, and took a back way, having on a gray Coat in the habit of a grazier: After he had been sometime gone, the puriuers had intelligence which way he went, his horse being almost weary, they came within sight of him, and perceived him to take into a field where were some Horses at grass, in which he no sooner came but he pulled off his Saddle and Bridle, and threw them into a Ditch, with his Sword & pistol, and turned up his Horse to grass, pulled off his own Coat, and turned it, which was black within, and with a Priests girdle he had in his pocket gird it to him, taking a little Book out of his pocket, and walking under a hedge, as if he had been in study for a Sermon: this was no sooner done, but his pursuers came to the place, seeing as they thought a Divine in meditation, courteously desired of him, if he saw any man come riding that way; Yes quoth Hind, with much speed in a gray Coat, and the colour of his Horse was much like that yonder you see at grass, pointing to his own Horse. He was the man quoth they pray which way did he take? he took the Hedge quoth hide, I suppose if you ride hard, you may take him ere he comes to the next Town; they all gave him thanks, and with much speed hasted the way he directed them, when they were gone, Hind laughed at their credulity, and taking his Horse, saddled him again, and road his way. How Hind robbed a Gentleman of his Watch on the high way, HInd, as his custom was, coasting the country, being never out of his way meets with a Gentleman; quoth Hind, pray Sir, how far ride you this way? the Gentleman answered to Coven●ry, I shall rejoice in your Company, quoth Hind, I thank you Sir said the Gentleman, for there is some danger in this road, for seldom a week passes but one or other is robbed near this place, but the best on't is, I have no money to loose, if I can keep my Watch I care not, I have been twice or thrice in danger of losing it already. Hind hearing that the Gentleman had no money, thought it best to take what he could get, and look for some other Companion. I pray Sir, quoth he, What time of the day think you it is by your Watch? that you shall know presently quoth the Gentleman and looking on the same, said it's near eleven? pray let me see quoth Hind? the Gentleman gave him the Waech into his hand, it's true indeed quoth Hind; and putting the wretch into his pocket; said I should have been 10 miles off 〈…〉, and you must mend your pact if you 〈…〉 ●ook his 〈…〉 the Gentleman, 〈…〉 How Hind and his Myrmidons robbed a Company of Tories in Ireland. WHen Hind was in his progress in Ireland, he would sometimes scout out, and lurk about for a prey, with the rest of his Comradoes, and by chance he met 2. or 3. Tories, who had got a prise of money and plunder, and were returning to their Fastues, or quarters, but they had not so good luck with it as they expected, for Hind and his Myrmidons fall into them, and make them believe they were of their profession, as indeed they were, but in another way; but one of the Tories had a jealous mind that Hind was not a true Brother; whereupon he asked him what he was: What am I, quoth Hind? A Brother of the Blade, and that thou shalt know before we part; therefore deliver, or believe it, this sword shall speak other Language then you expect. The Gentlemen were much amazed at this unexpected answer: They asked him what he meant? What do I mean? I mean to try a touch whether or no that money you have shall be yours or ours; and to't they went; but Hind so played his Game, that he made them be glad to be rid of him upon such conditions as he liked, and they disliked, which was, to leave their money behind them, and go home by the weeping-cross, and cry, O hone, O hone. How Hind having lost his horse, robbed a countryman in Gloucestershire, by laughing. HInd upon a time having lost his Horse, meeting with a countryman in Gloucester-shire; the countryman being a pretty nimble fellow, got away from him: but Hind he as cunning, seeing he could not overtake him, fell a laughing hearty, which made the Countrey-fellow return, thinking him to be some old acquaintance of his grown out of remembrance, that in jest had pursuid him, returned back towards him; still Hind laughed at his seeming acquaintance, till the fellow came within danger, that he surprised him, and took 10 l. away from him, but gave him 20 s. again, and told him, Believe me not when I laugh again. How Hind robbed a Butcher in York-shire, by drawing him from his Company by discourse, and keeping place with his horse. HInd coming into Yorkshire in the West-riding, met with a Company of Butchers, which were going to a Fair to buy some cattle; he hearing them discourse of their business, and what each party had to bestow, he begins to take acquaintance of the chiefest of them, and telling him he was of the same fraternity, and in that he lied not, for he had been a Butcher, and therefore could discourse exactly of their profession; so cunningly did he disguise his knavery, and in his discourse being not mistrusted, he trotted pretty hard before the rest; the Butcher whom he singled out, strived to keep place with him to hold discourse with him, till Hind seeing his opportunity, and being a pretty way from the Company, said to the Butcher, Friend, I must require you to deliver your purse; the Butcher denied: he presently presents his Pistol before him, which startled the Butcher, and made him deliver his money unto him, the sum being 80 l. and so sent the Butcher to his fellows again. How Hind in the habit of a Serving-man, robbed a Traveller of 15 l. by laying a Cloak-bag in the high-way. ALL Professors are some more excellent in the Art then another, and this Hind he is in his profession: as sometimes he went in the habit of a Gentleman of great fortunes, sometimes in poor habit, and sometimes in a Serving-mans habit: It fortuned, that lying in wait for some booty, sent out one of his gang that laid a Cloak-bag in the high-way, where Travellers must of necessity come by, where one coming by, seeing the Cloak-bag lye in the way, lighted form his horse, and went to take up the Cloak-bag: presently Hind steps to him, and takes and robs him of 15 l. this he did in the habit of a Serving-man. How Hind put a trick upon a Dutch Mountebank in Holland. NOw Hind being in Holland, and wanting money, being in a strange country, he had not that command as he had in England, and to rob in the high-way as in England, hearing of a rich Mountebank that went about quacking of it, how he went never without store of money, his name was Henrick van Veldes, he was something fortunate in Cures, therefore by every one desired: this Mountebank going to visit his sick patients in divers parts of the City, having received divers sums of money, for his particular Cures, was watched by this Hind, and as he passed through by a by-street, he runs to him as in great hast, and salutes him in a kind manner, thus: Sir, I have heard much of your renown in Cures of dangerous consequence, and since it is my happiness to meet with you, I live not far from this place, if you please to go along with me to my house, I have a wife much troubled with a Flux in her Belly for these 14. dayes, and you by your experience may do her much good, if you please to give her a visit; I humbly request you to go along with me, and what content you desire, I shall willingly satisfy. Well, he goes with Hind to his Lodging, and having locked the door upon him, he takes in one hand a Pistol, in the other a great empty purse, and furiously looking upon him, he said, Sir, here is my wife, meaning the empty purse, she hath been a long time troubled with the Flux in her belly, and you are the onely man that can onely remedy and find out a means to cure this Disease; else I myself, by the help of this pistol, am resolved to remedy it. This Mountebank seeing himself thus cunningly & suddenly surprised, began suddenly to cry out, but was presently silenced by the sight of the pistol, was fain to let go his own purse to cure that purse which had the Flux; but according to his wonted charity, seeing the man in this trembling condition, he restored him some part of his money again, promised to convey him to his Lodging, and did with his pistol cocked, for fear of an out cry, and in the midway left him and his lodging both together. How Hind and his Comrades robbed a Company of thieves of an hundred pounds. THere was a certain company of mad Blades, having spent their patrimony, the next work they take in hand is, God dam them, they would go take a purse too, to maintain them in their luxurious courses, and combined together to take the next opportunity: So it was the ill fortune of a Gentleman in Lincolnshire to be surprised by these gallants of all his money; when they had their booty they went out of that Country, and came to an Inn where Hind used to be; to there they were very frolic and merry; and Hind observing their actions, with the rest of his Companions way-laid them, and at the foot of an hill bid them Stand, and deliver: The Youngsters were much startled at it, and cry out, Why we are your friends: What thieves fall out? We will fall in, saith Hind, and so fell upon them, took all their money; and so left them and crost the country. How Hind cozened an Inn-keeper in Oxfordshire. HInd had many wifts, when put to a pinch, he sent some of his Comrades in the habit of serving-men to take up lodging for their Master in an inn, telling the innkeeper, there was a great Lord to lye there about some business for some time, and wished him to provide the best cheer could be devised, for he cared not for Butchers meat; and to colour the business, he sent two great iron Chests bounds and corded about, as if some rich Treasure were in them, and gave order they should be set in the best room in the house; so when the lodging was fitted, the next day came in Hind like a great Lord, or Don of Spain, in his Coach, attended by two Lacquaies,, and two Serving-men, having extraordinary respect from the Master of the house, and so continued for a certain time, going in and out upon his robberies, but( having been there about a month, paying for what he had) the Host mistrusted nothing, he coming in and out in his Coach in that manner: Hind took an occasion to borrow threescore pounds of his Host, pretending some extraordinary business, and goes out in the morning in his Coach, but came in no more: his Host thought he had been gone into the country and would return again, and consequently mistrusted not, because he conceived he had so good a pledge: but after he had been about a month absent, he made bold to open the chests, wherein was nothing but stones and brick-bats; So Hind had royal entertainment, and money too boot. How Hind cheated a Lawyer of his Watch. HInd meeting with a Lawyer in a Tavern near the road, fell into company, and were very merry together, Hind perceiving the Lawyer had a Watch in his pocket( by the key and string hanging out) made bold with it, which the Lawyer soon after missed, and enquired after; whereupon Hind restored it to him again with this Poetical compliment. A Watch in Tavern lost? Oh, that's a crime: See how in drinking men do lose their time. The string hang out, and you forget to lock it, And so the Watch did slip out of your pocket. If you would keep your Watch, thus must you do, Pocket your Watch, but watch your Pocket too: FINIS.