A species of highway robbery is not unknown to them.

A _gang_ will be informed that such a fellow has three or four gold pieces in the money-bag, so-called, or purse, which many tars wear round their necks, tucked out of sight.

Upon this, they deliberately lay their plans; and in due time, proceed to carry them into execution.

The man they have marked is perhaps strolling along the benighted berth-deck to his mess-chest; when of a sudden, the foot-pads dash out from their hiding-place, throw him down, and while two or three gag him, and hold him fast, another cuts the bag from his neck, and makes away with it, followed by his comrades.

This was more than once done in the Neversink.
At other times, hearing that a sailor has something valuable secreted in his hammock, they will rip it open from underneath while he sleeps, and reduce the conjecture to a certainty.
To enumerate all the minor pilferings on board a man-of-war would be endless.