Page:Life of Richard Turpin, a most notorious highwayman.pdf/8

8 putting some drops in it, gave it to her, and were very careful to recover her. They staid a considerable time in the house, after feasting, and packing up their booty; and when they departed, they declared, that if any of the family gave out the least alarm within two hours, or even advertised the marks of the plate they had taken, they would remember them for it, for they would return and murder them at a future time. This robbery was concerted at the George at Woolwich, from whence they proceeded to put their design in execution; and when they had effected it, they crossed the water, and brought their goods to an empty house in Ratcliffe Highway, provided for them by one of Dick Swift’s acquaintance, where they deposited their plunder, and divided the produce.

They next proceeded into Surrey, where Turpin, Rust, Swift, Fielder, and Walker, robbed Mr Sheldon’s house, a lone building, near Croydon Church, where they arrived about seven o’clock in the evening. They began their operations here by securing the coachman in the stable attending the horses, whom they bound hand and foot, and afterwards locked him safe in. His master being in an out-house, and hearing some strange voices in the yard, was proceeding that way to know the cause, when he was met by Turpin and Walker, who seizing hold of him, compelled him to show them the way into the house, which, when they had got into, they secured the door, and confined the rest of the family in one room, over which, within and without, they set a guard. Mr Sheldon’s servant man unluckily coming to tho door from abroad, was first knocked down, and then dragged into the passage and tied, while they ransacked the house. But they were very much disappointed; for they found but little plate, and no cash. From Mr Sheldon’s person they took eleven