Page:Life of Richard Turpin (1).pdf/6

6 obstinate for all that, imagining that he meant only to threaten her; and so very fond was she of her darling gold, that she even suffered herself to be served as he had declared, and endured it for some time, till the anguish at last forced her to make a discovery, which when she had done, they took her off the grate, and robed her of all they could find. Some persons talk of a much more larger sum, but it is certain they stole upwards of four hundred pounds, and decamped safely with the booty.

The next place they robbed was a farmer’s at Ripple Side, near Barking, where the people of the house not coming to the door as soon as they wanted them, they broke it open. They first of all, according to their old scheme, gagged, tied, and blind-folded all they found in the place capable of opposing them; and then robbed the house of about 700l. which delighted Turpin so much, that he exclamed “Aye that is the thing! That’s your sort for the rag, (a cant term for money) if it would but last!” and they safely retired with their prize, which amounted to above 80l. a man. This robbery was committed in the beginning of the year 1726. This success so much flushed Turpin and his associates that several others joined them, insomuch, that they became a formidable crew and many times, when together, defied the legal authority of the magistrates; and their adroitness was such, that they escaped detection for many months.

Some time after they determined to attack the house of Mr. Mason, the keeper of Epping Forest, who was pitched upon to feel the effects of their resentment for his former vigilence in disturbing their poaching incursions into his district. But Turpin was not concerned in this affair; for he happened at that time to be at London, whcrewhere [sic] drinking too freely, he forgot his appointment; but