Page:Life of Richard Turpin, a most notorious highwayman.pdf/11

11 head. Another of them took a kettle of water off the fire, and flung it upon him; but it did no other harm than wetting him, by reason the maid had just before taken out the greatest part of the boiling water, and filled it again with cold. After this they dragged him about him, swearing they would "do for him," if he did not immediately inform them where the rest of his money was hid. They then proceeded to make further search ; and found 20l. in a chest, which, with plate, linen, &c. they packed up; then locked all the people in the parlour, and swore they would shoot every one they found loose, when they returned, which would be in half an hour.

Such frequent robberies, and the particulars of this atrocious one, being represented to the King, a proclamation was issued for the apprehension of the offenders, and a pardon and £50 was offered to any of the party who would impeach his accomplices. This, however, had no effect, for they continued their depredations with more systematic ingenuity, and at such distances that none could be aware of their approach. The success they met with elated their spirits, and encouraged them to bid defiance to the executive laws of the country.

In the mouth of danger, and in the midst of alarm which their audacities had occasioned, Turpin and his gang were as careless as they were heedless. The White Hart, at the upper end of Drury Lane, was their place of rendezvous. Here they planned their nightly visits, and there divided their nightly spoil, and spent the property they unlawfully acquired. The gang all this time consisted of a great number, from the bold adventurer on horseback, to the pitiful stripper of children’s clothes. From hence there issued a select band to rob a Mr Francis, a farmer, near Marybone, where they arrived about dusk: and while they were making their observations on