Page:Life of Richard Turpin, a most notorious highwayman.pdf/14

14 but not till one Bob Berry, a cork-cutter, had his arm dangerously cut across a little below the elbow. During the scuffle, Turpin made his escape out of a window; and getting a horse, rode away immediately. Wheeler turned evidence, and the two others were hanged in chains. This affair broke up the gang. Turpin being now left to himself, had more prudence than to follow the house-robbing immediately after, particularly as he was so well known; and having some money in his pockets, he took a resolution to be concerned with no other gang, but to act entirely on his own bottom. With this view he set off to Cambridge, which he judged would be the best place; as he was not known in that part of the country. Near Alton he met with an odd encounter, which got him the best companion he ever had; as he often declared. King, the highwayman, as he was returning from this place to London, being well dressed and mounted, Turpin seeing him have the appearance of a substantial gentleman, rode up to him, and thinking him a fair mark, bid him stand and deliver, and therewith producing the things, (i. e. pistols) King fell a laughing at him, and said, “What, dog rob dog! come, come, brother Turpin, if you don’t know me, I know you, and should be glad of your company.” After a mutual communication of circumstances to each other, they agreed to keep company, and divide good or ill fortune as the trumps might turn up. In fact, King was true to him to the last which was for more than three years, when King met his fate by a ball on the road. They met with various fortune ; but being both too well known to remain long in a place, and as no house that knew them would receive them in it, they formed the resolution of making themselves a cave, covered with bavins and earth. And for that purpose pitched upon a convenient place, enclosed with a thicket, situated on