Page:Life of Richard Turpin (1).pdf/20

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he decamped, without being perceived. He disposed of his horse at Long Sutton for ready money, to a young farmer, and found another credulous enough to lct him have one upon security of the hardware and goods of which he robbed the jew.

Soon after this he met a young woman in a neat dress sitting under a tree that grew on the road side, and being in a melancholy posture, he was very importunate to know the occasion of her being in that situation. The young woman after returning rcturning him thanks for his civility assured him she was only resting herself from hcr fatigue, being going on foot to her father’s house, not far distant. Upon hearing this, Turpin dismounted, and requested her to take his place, and sit upon the saddle, which she declined. However, at the next inn, he borrowed a pillion, and got up before her; and in that manner they reached the village where the young woman’s father dwelt. He called upon her next day, and was well entertained by the family; and putting himself forward as a horse dealer, travelling upon business, procured himself the credit of two good draught horses, whieh he soen sold but forgot to pay for them. His temerity could now only be equalled by his impudenee. His depredations were now the talk of the whole kingdom. His activity and success were equal; and although a reward of two hundred pounds was offered by his Majesty, with a free pardon to any of his accomplices, it failed of bringing him up; and the newspapers continually reported fresh feats of his felonies. This proclamation and reward appeared in the Gazette on June 14, 1737, as may be seen in the London Magazine for the year, vol. 6th. page 335.

He could never throughly leave off visiting his old haunts; for the afore-mentioned Magazine mentions a robbery eommittcd by him singly upon a gentleman in his own chaise at Holloway, from whom