“If any title can be devised suitable to Jack’s character it must be that of director-general of the united forces of highwaymen, house-breakers, pickpockets, and private thieves.
“Now the maxims by which he supported himself in this capacity were these:—
“In the first place, he continually exhorted the plunderers to let him know precisely what goods they at any time took.
“By which means he had it in his power to give a direct answer to those who came to make inquiries of him.
“If they complied faithfully with his injunctions he was a certain protector on all occasions.
“And sometimes he had interest enough to procure them liberty when apprehended.
“But if they pretended to become independent and despise his rules, or throw out any threatening speeches against their companions, or grumbled at the composition made for them, in such cases as these Jack took the first opportunity of informing some of his creatures of the first fresh act they committed.
“He immediately set about to apprehend them, and laboured so indefatigably therein that they never escaped him.
“Thus he not only procured the reward for himself, but also gained an opportunity of pretending that he not only restored goods to their rightful owners, but also apprehended the thief as often as lay in his power.
“In those parts of his business which were not hazardous, Captain Jack made the people themselves take the first steps by publishing advertisements of things lost, and directing them to be brought to him, who was empowered to receive them, and pay such a reward as the person who lost them thought fit to offer.