he was sent for and hired. Dick was now completely his own master, and for some time behaved to the satisfaction of his mistress. He was a geat favourite in the family, particularly among the female part; but his mistress discovering him in an improper situation with one of her female servants, he was immediately discharged: nor could any intercession prevail upon her to reinstate him. Soon afterwards he got another place, in which he did not long remain. He had at this time got con

nected with some other servants of a loose character, and their manner of drinking, gaming, and idleness, suiting his disposition, he soon became one of them. After losing several good places, by negligence, he applied to a livery stable in Picca dilly, and obtained employment. His father having now died, left him the sum of 571. which he had saved during the time he lived in the family. With this he commenced gentleman. He left his place, bought mourning, frequented the theatres, &c. One evening, at Drury-lane, he got seated by a female, who particularly engaged his attention; he took her to be a modest lady, and was very much chagrined at finding her readily granting his request to conduct her home. He resolved to leave her, but found his resolution fail him, and at the end of the play he attended her to her residence in St. George's fields, and staid with her the whole night. Next morning, after making her a handsome present, he took his leave, with a promise of soon repeating his visit. He went homebut this artful courtezan had so completely enamoured him, that he could not rest many hours without paying her another visit; and only for the accidental visit of some companions, he would have returned immediately. With them he reluctantly spent

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spent the day, and in the evening flew again on the impatient wings of desire to his dear Nancy. She, suspecting him to be a person of considerable property, from the specimen she had of his generosity, received him with every mark of endearment in her power. At this time she was the first favourite of several noted highwaymen and housebreakers, who, in turn, had all their favoured hours. Unfortunately for himself, Ferguson became as complete a dupe as ever she had ensnared. What money he possessed, what he could obtain by borrowing or otherwise, was all lavished on this female, and he was, after all, in danger of being discarded. He was a total stranger to her connections with the gentlemen of the road, though he knew she bestowed her favours on others. Not able to bear the thoughts of entirely parting with his dear Nancy, he went to an inn in Piccadilly, offered himself as a postillion, and was accepted. Whenever he could obtain a little money, he flew with impatience to his fair dulcinea, and squandered it away in the same thoughtless manner. As he drove post-chaises on the different roads round the metropolis, he frequently saw his rivals on the road gaily mounted and dressed. One day driving a gentleman on the north road, the chaise was stopped by the noted Abershaw and another, with crapes over their faces. Abershaw stood by the driver till the other went up to the chaise and robbed the gentleman. The wind being very high, blew the crape off his face, and gave Ferguson a full view of his person. They stared at each other, but before a word could pass, some company coming up, the two highwaymen gallopped off. Ferguson, who at this time was under the frowns of his mistress, for want of money, well knew and

was known by Abershaw, whom he had often seen at Nancy's. Abershaw was very uneasy at the discovery, which he communicated to his companion. A consultation was immediately held, and it was resolved to wait at an inn on the road for the return of Ferguson, and bribe him, to prevent a discovery. They accordingly went to the inn, and when Ferguson came back, and stopped to water his horses, the waiter was ordered to send him in. After some conversation, Dick accepted of the present offered him, and agreed to meet them that night, to partake of a good supper.With this fresh recruit of cash he flew to his Nancy; but she being otherwise engaged, and not expecting him so soon to possess sufficient for her notice (being now acquainted with his situation in life) absolutely refused to admit him, and shut the door in his face. Mad with the reception he had experienced, he quitted the house, and resolved never to repeat his visit, which resolution he strictly adhered to. He was now proceeding homewards, when he met the highwayman who accompanied Abershaw, and went with him to the place of rendezvous in the Borough, where he was received by those assembled with every mark of attention.They supped sumptuously, drank wine, and spent the time in noisy mirth. This exactly suited Ferguson; he joined in their mirth, and when suffi. ciently elevated, very eagerly closed with a proposition to become one of their number. He was, according to their forms, immediately initiated.When the plan of their next depredation on the public was settled, Ferguson was not immediately called into action, as it was suggested by one of the members that he could be better employed in

giving information at their rendezvous of the departure of gentlemen from the inn where he lived, &c. whereby those who were most likely to afford a proper booty might be way laid and robbed.This diabolical plan he followed too successfully for some time: taking care to learn from the drivers the time post chaises were ordered from other inns, &c. He shared very often considerable sums, which he quickly squandered away in gambling, drunkenness, and dissipation. At length he lost his place, and consequently his knowledge respecting travellers becoming confined, he was obliged himself to go on the road. As a highwayman he was remarkably successful. Of a daring disposition, he defied danger-and, from his skill in horses, took care to provide himself with a good one, whereby he could effect his escape, when others ran every risk of being taken. Of this we shall mention one remarkable instance. Two others and himself stopped two gentlemen on the Edgware road, and robbed them; soon after three other gentlemen coming up, they pursued, and Ferguson's two companions were taken, tried, and executed.When his associates complimented him on his escape, he triumphantly asserted, that he would gallop a horse with any man in the kingdom, and that he was known among the 'gentlemen of the whip,' by the appellation of Galloping Dick.'Through this circumstance he obtained that name among his companions, which afterwards became general. He now indulged himself in every excess. His amours were very numerous, particularly among those married women he could, by presents or otherwise, induce to listen to his desires. He prevailed upon he wives of two publicans in

the