for I had never been taught any thing, but to be a thief; except, as I said, to read and write, and that was all, before I was ten years old; but I had a natural talent of talking, and could say as much to the purpose as most people that had been taught much more than I.
I passed among my comrades for a bold resolute boy, and one that durst fight any thing; but I had a different opinion of myself, and therefore shunned fighting as much as I could, though sometimes I ventured too, and came off well, being very strong made, and nimble withal. However, I many times brought myself off with my tongue, where my hands would not be sufficient; and this, as well after I was a man, as while I was a boy.
I was wary and dexterous at my trade, and was not so often catched as my fellow rogues, I mean while I was a boy, and never, after I came to be a man, no, not once for 26 years, being so old in the trade, and still unhanged, as you shall hear.
As for my person, while I was a dirty glass-bottle-house boy, sleeping in the ashes, and dealing always in the street dirt, it cannot be expected but that I looked like what I was, and so we did all; that is to say, like a black your shoes your honour, a beggar boy, a blackguard boy, or what you please, despicable, and miserable, to the last degree; and yet I remember, the people would say
