got away. But juſt as I came to the Gate, I ſaw two more coming croſs the Yard to come out with Hats alſo on their Heads, and under their Arms; at which I threw the Gate too behind me, which having a Spring Lock faſtened it ſelf; and turning to the Women, forſooth ſaid I, what are ye doing here? and ſeiz’d upon the Hats, and took them from them. One of them, who I confeſs, did not look like a Thief. Indeed ſays ſhe, we are wrong; but we were told, they were Goods that had no Owner; be pleas’d to take them again, and look yonder, there are more ſuch Cuſtomers as we: She cry’d and look’d. pitifully; ſo I took the Hats from her, and opened the Gate, and had them be gone, for I pity’d the Women indeed; But when I look’d towards the Ware-houſe, as ſhe directed, there were ſix or ſeven more all Women, fitting themſelves with Hats, as unconcerned and quiet, as if they had been at a Hatters Shop, buying for their Money.
I was ſurpriz’d, not at the Sight of ſo many Thieves only, but at the Circumſtances I was in; being now to thruſt my ſelf in among ſo many People, who for ſome Weeks, had been ſo ſhye of my ſelf, that if I met any Body in the Street, I would croſs the Way. from them.
They were equally ſurpriz’d, tho’ on another Account: They all told me, they were Neighbours, that they had heard any one might take them, that they were no Bodies Goods, and the like. I talk’t big to them at firſt; went back to the Gate, and took out the Key; ſo that they were all my Priſoners; threaten’d to Lock them all into the Warehouſe, and go and fetch my Lord Mayor's Officers for them,
They beg’d heartily, proteſted they found the Gate open, and the Ware-houſe Door open; and that it had no— oubt been broken open by ſome, who expected to find Goods of greater Value;
