Page:Life of Richard Turpin (1).pdf/7

7 the job was done without him by Rust, Rose and Fielder, who previously bound themselves together by oath not to leave a whole thing in the house. Fielder got over the wall, and broke in backward, when letting in his companions, they proceeded to their business. Mr. Mason was at home sitting up in his bed-room, with his father an aged gentleman. After using their usual means of tying their hands and feet, they asked the old wanman [sic] if he knew them; but answering he did not, they carried him into the kitchen, and put him under the dresser. Mr. Mason had a sack forced over his head, and tied round his waist; and in the flurry his little girl got out of bed, and without any clothes on, hid herself in the hog-sty. Turpin’s absence from this expedition was a very unfortunate circumstance to the forest-keeper’s family for they proceeded to greater length in their mischief then he would have permitted them had he been present, as he was always satisfied with the plunder. without adding cruelty to oppression. They now went up stairs, and broke every article of furniture in the house. The china and glass made a dreadful ringing, the chairs were piled upon the fire; looking-glasses, drawers, and tables, were beat to pieces with bed posts; while the beds and carpets were cut to pieces without remorse. This wanton havoc produced them but little, besides the brutal satisfaetionsatisfaction [sic] of revenge; and they would have retired without a single guinea, had it not been, that in the general wreck of every thing. a china punch bowl was broke, that stood a little out of the way, nponupon [sic] a shelf, and out of it dropped 22 guineas which they picked up and retired with, after they had done as much mischief as they possibly could, and got safe effoff [sic], no doubt, very well satisfied with the severe retaliation that they had made. They then took road to London; and coming through Whitechapel,