An Highwayman

is a wild Arab, that lives by robbing of small Caravans, and has no Way of living but the King’s High-Way. Aristotle held him to be but a kind of Huntsman; but our Sages of the Law account him rather a Beast of Prey, and will not allow his Game to be legal by the Forest Law. His chief Care is to be well mounted, and when he is taken, the Law takes care he should be so still while he lives. His Business is to break the Laws of the Land, for which the Hangman breaks his Neck, and there’s an End of the Controversie. He fears Nothing, under the Gallows, more than his own Face, and therefore when he does his Work conveys it out of Sight, that it may not rise up in Judgement, and give Evidence against him at the Sessions.

SAMUEL BUTLER