Page:Life of Richard Turpin (1).pdf/5

5 These followed deer-stealing in the daytime beginning to be too well known by the keepers, & not finding money come in so fast as they expected they formed themselves into a body, by Turpins directions, and went round the country at night, and whatever house they knew had any valuables, they marked. Their method was one to knock at the door, and the rest to rush in and plundered; & such was their impudence, that they were not always satisfied with the money, plate, watches, and rings they found, but even took away the household goods that suited them.

Somehow or other, Turpin became acquainted with the circumstances of an old woman who lived at Loughton, that always kept a great quantity ready cash by her; whereupon he and the gang agreed to rob her, and when they came to the, Wheeler knocked at it, and Turpin and the rest forced their way into the house, blindfolded the eyes of  old woman and her maid, and tied the legs of her son, a well-grown lad to the bed-stead and proceeded to rob the house; but not at first finding the wished-for booty, they all set about a consultation what to do to get at it; for they were certain she must have a considerable sum concealed somewhere or other about the house  Turpin began to examine her where her money and effects were hid, telling her at the same time, that he knew she had money, and it was in vain to deny it, for have it they would. The old gentlewoman being very loath to part with her money, persisted in it that she had none, and would not declare any thing more of the matter; upon which some of the gang were inclined to believe her, and were sorry for their disappointment, but Turpin as strenuously insisted she had money, as she said that she had none, and at last, with horrid oaths and imprecations, swore he would put her on the fire. She continued