 Fate should depend entirely on the Truth of his
Story. Upon this the poor Fellow immediately expressed so much Alacrity, that
Jones was perfectly satisfied with his Veracity, and began now to entertain
Sentiments of Compassion for him. He returned the Fellow his empty Pistol,
advised him to think of honester Means of relieving his Distress, and gave him a
couple of Guineas for the immediate Support of his Wife and his Family; adding,
»he wished he had more for his Sake, for the hundred Pound that had been
mentioned, was not his own.«
    Our Readers will probably be divided in their Opinions concerning this
Action; some may applaud it perhaps as an Act of extraordinary Humanity, while
those of a more saturnine Temper will consider it as a Want of Regard to that
Justice which every Man owes his Country. Partridge certainly saw it in that
Light; for he testified much Dissatisfaction on the Occasion, quoted an old
Proverb, and said, »He should not wonder if the Rogue attacked them again before
they reached London.«
    The Highwayman was full of Expressions of Thankfulness and Gratitude. He
actually dropt Tears, or pretended so to do. He vowed he would immediately
return home, and would never afterwards commit such a Transgression; whether he
kept his Word or no, perhaps may appear hereafter.
    Our Travellers having remounted their Horses, arrived in Town without
encountering any new Mishap. On the Road much pleasant Discourse passed between
Jones and Partridge, on the Subject of their last Adventure. In which Jones
exprest a great Compassion for those Highwaymen who are, by unavoidable
Distress, driven, as it were, to such illegal Courses, as generally bring them
to a shameful Death. »I mean,« said he, »those only whose highest Guilt extends
no farther than to Robbery, and who are never guilty of Cruelty nor Insult to
any Person, which is a Circumstance that, I must say, to the Honour of our
Country, distinguishes the Robbers of England from those of all other Nations;
for Murder is, amongst those, almost inseparably incident to Robbery.«
    »No doubt,« answered Partridge, »it is better to take away one's Money than
one's Life, and yet it is very hard upon honest Men, that they can't travel
about their Business without being in Danger of these Villains. And to be sure
it would be better that all Rogues were hanged out of the Way, than that one
honest Man should suffer. For my own Part, indeed, I should not care to have the
Blood of any of them on my
