Page:Life of Richard Turpin, a most notorious highwayman.pdf/15

15 the Waltham side of Epping, near the sign of the King's Oak. Here they excavated, and covered with thicket, wood, and quickset, a place large enough to receive them and their horses: and while they lay quite concealed themselves, could, through several holes, discover the passengers as they went along the road; and as they thought proper, would issue out, and rob them in such bold and daring style, that they were more admired than blamed. The very higglers on the road did not always escape their requisitions; but they were mostly repaid again; whilst those who went armed, lost their pieces, were wounded, and robbed of all they carried about them. Turpin's wife was their messenger; went to market for victuals for them, supplied them with linen, and frequently remained there a whole week at a time. In this place, Turpin lived, eat, drank, and lay, for the space of six years, during the first three of which he was enlivened by the drollery of his companion, Tom King, who was a fellow of infinite humour in telling stories, and of unshaken resolution in attack or defence; but it is supposed he lost his life before a chaise, where he was attempting to change his lead for gold. These forest partners used frequently to issue from their cell, like the thieves from the cave of Gil Blas, and take a ride out in quest of plunder. Riding towards Bungay, in Suffolk, they met two young women who had just received a considerable sum for corn. King proposed to rob them; Turpin endeavoured to dissuade him from it, alleging that they were two pretty inoffensive girls, and he would not be concerned in it. King swore he would rob them, and accordingly did, against Turpin's consents, which occasioned a dispute between them.

Turpin having lost his horse, he stole one out of a close. This was a black one; and some people being at work in a field within sight, he threw a