Page:Life of Richard Turpin (1).pdf/22

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in that city; but on being in the stable, and his rider at play, and all in the space of four and twenty hours, his alibi was admitted; for the magistrates at York could not believe it possible for one horse to cover the ground, being upwards of one hundred miles, in so short a space. He is reported, upon this occasion, to have used his horse to raw beef upon the bit in his mouth. Some go so far as to say he always rode with fowls’ guts tied round it. Be this so or not, it was a race that equalled, if not surpassed, the first achievements of turf velocity.

Notwithstanding the dreadful scenes of robbery (and sometimes cruelty) in which Turpin was engaged, he gave several proofs of his possessing a heart capable of feeling for the distresses of a fellow creature, and a spirit of generosity. Hc once met a country dealer coming up to market on the Essex road, whom he commanded to stop, and deliver his money. The poor man told him he had but fifteen shillings and sixpence, which he said was his all, and if it was taken from him he should be reduced to absolute want. Turpin, whosc finances were quite exhausted, auswered, there was no time to be lost; his money he must have; but at the same time, desired him to be in a certain part of Newgate Street on a particular hour next day, with his hat in his hand: and if any person walked by and dropped any thing into his hat, to take no notice. but go immediately about his business. The man accordingly took his station at the time appointed, and had not been there more than half an hour, before he felt something fall into his hat, and upon opening the small packet, to his great joy, he found it to contain ten guineas.

Justice though slow, overtook him at last. One of the farmers in Essex, from whom he had stolen a horse, traced the robbery to him, and having followed him into Yorkshire, caused him to be