Page:History of John M'Pherson, Dick Balf, and Gilder Roy.pdf/6



6                  order for carrying it off; mean while some workmen, that were employed above stairs, came down and set the rest loose, who all fell upon him together, with clubs and other instruments, till he was almost overpowered; at last he got hold of the woman of the house, whom he cast over his shoulder, to screen himself from the blows, (knowing very well they would                  not strike for tear of hurting her,) and ran away with her into a little wood just before the house, where he laid her down and clapped his foot upon her petticoats to prevent her from stirring, while the rest stood at some distance holding a par- ley, and threatening for they were afraid to do any more, but it was all to no pur- pose, he parleyed them out of twenty pieces of gold before he quitted her, and then left their coasts. This method of                  taking up the women, when he was hard set, he always practised after, and it still answered his ends; and these are two examples of his common way of robbing. He was never known to murder any bo- dy; nay, he was very cautious of sriking unless in his own defence. However, he was at last taken by treachery, and af- ter being tried and found guilty, was