Page:Life of Richard Turpin, a most notorious highwayman.pdf/18

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and the horse proved to have been stolen in Plaistow Marshes; and the saddle which he had kept, was stolen from one Arrowsmith. This robbery was committed on Saturday night: and on the Monday following, Mr Bayes received intelligence that such a horse as Mr Major had lost, was left at the Red Lion Inn, in Whitechapel. He accordingly went thither, and found it to be the same; and then resolved to wait till somebody came to fetch it. Nobody came at the time it was left for; but about eleven o'clock at night, King's brother (as it was afterwards proved) came for the horse; upon which they seized him immediately, and taking him into the house, he said he bought it, and could produce proof of it. But Mr Bayes looking on the whip in his hand, found the button half broke off and the name Major upon it, which proved a confirmation of the thing. They charged a constable with him but he seemed frightened, and they declaring that they did not believe but the horse was for somebody else, and if he would tell them where they waited he should be released, he told them that there was a person in a white duffel coat, waiting for it at Red Lion Street. They then immediately went out; and finding him as directed, perceived that he was King, and coming round upon him, attacked him. King immediately drew a pistol, which he clapped to Mr Bayes's breast; but it luckily (illegible text) in the pan; upon which King struggled to (illegible text) out his other, that had twisted round his pocket but could not. Turpin, who was but at a small distance on horseback, came up, when King cried out "D———n ye, shoot him Dick, or we shall be taken" at which instant, Turpin let fly one of his pistols and the other directly afterwards. Both shots missed Bayes, but severely wounded King in two places, who cried out, "Why, Dick, you have killed me nearly so." Turpin hearing this, and finding