Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/253

Rh were found guilty, and they would have received sentence of death, but for the explosion of the plot occasioned by Davies's splitting.

Ben Johnson's offence was in like manner house-breaking. With aggravated circumstances he induced his victim to rob a friend's house, and betrayed him before hand; ordering the usual watchman, who would have prevented the robbery, from interfering. This was the second victim he avers that he had so convicted; and boasting to the surviving relations of the first man that such was the fact, he seemed to glory in the crime he had committed and exulted over the wounds which he thus opened afresh. Just as we are writing these incoherencies, the caitiff, who is the subject of them, struts past our view, and exhibits in his gait the improved manners of an unchained felon. He was assisted by one Donelly, who was convicted of the same offence.

Brock, Pelham, and Power, were more complex in their attempt upon three labourers from the sister island, one of whom could speak none but his native Irish. Going to the Cheapside stand, whereon Monday mornings labourers offer themselves by scores, these villains agreed with one Renorden and his two countrymen, for a job of work which should be pointed out to them.