Page:Life of Richard Turpin, a most notorious highwayman.pdf/17

17 there; and going to her through the kitchen, he saw a butcher to whom he owed £5. The butcher taking him aside, "Come, Dick, (says he,) would be of great service." Turpin replied, his wife was in the next room, she had money, and he would get some of her, and pay him presently. The butcher apprised two or three that were present who it was, and that he would get his £5 first, and then take him; but Turpin, instead of going to his wife, jumped out of the next window, took horse, and went away immediately, without seeing her; while the butcher waited some time in expectation of receiving his £5. Affairs wore a serious aspect in a while; and Turpin was forced to be very cautious in his approaches to the metropolis.

King and Turpin being driven about, they joined with one Potter, a daring roadsman, who had a small horse. In his company they stopped several gentlemen on horseback, and in post-chaises, from whom they levied considerable sums. Turpin, the better to disguise himself, now wore sometimes a er's frock, quite white; at other times he had a smock one on, like a waggoner. In this disguise, upon a good horse, he ventured over the forest towards London; when, within about 300 yards of the Green Man, he overtook one Mr Major, the owner of White Stockings the race horse; and, although they were so near the houses, Turpin ventured to rob him. He took from him his whip, and saying he had a better horse than his, made him dismount, change, and stay till he had changed clothes likewise, and then rode towards London. Mr Major got to the Green Man, and acquainted Mr Bayes of it, who immediately said, "I dare wager it is Turpin has done it, or one of that crew, that'll endeavour to get intelligence of your horse. that they have left you, is stolen, and I would  you advertise it." This was accordingly done,