Page:Merry life and mad exploits of Captain James Hynd.pdf/24

24 the means of the late duke of Montague, who being aſſured by Mr. Chovet, an anatomiſt of that time, that opening the windpipe would prevent the fatal conſequences of the halter, obtained a pardon for Gordon, on condition he would try the experiment upon himſelf. Dr. Bvis and Chovet attended him ſeveral times in his cell, but it was with difficulty he was prevailed upon to cut his own throat. At length he made a ſlight inciſion, which Chovet opened; the effect of which was, that when Gordon ſtopt his mouth, noſtrils and ears for ſome time, air enough came through the cavity to continue life. But when he came to be ſuſpended in the halter, though there was breath enough to play the lungs, the vains were ſtopt that carried on the circulation of the blood, ſo the man died like the rest of his fellow rogues. On which the duke humourouſly rebuked the ſurgeon, by telling him, he had but half learnt his trade; he knew how to let the air to a man's lungs; but did not underſtand caſing his veins.

[This Gordon had been a bold higwaymanhighwayman [sic] twenty years, had robbed the Cheſter mail and hanged his accomplice, was tried for robbing the Fiſhmongers company in Epping-Foreſt, but proved himſelf in Ireland. The robbery he was hanged for was on Mr. Peters, under treaſurer of the Temple, between Knightſbridge and Hyde-Park, but being drunk was off his guard, and ſoon taken.]