Prosecutions might have been brought against him, but this was thought
sufficient to rid the World of so Capital an Offender: He beg'd
earnestly for Transportation, to the most extream Foot of his Majesty's
Dominions; and pleaded Youth, and Ignorance as the Motive which had
precipitated him into the Guilt; but the Court deaf to his
Importunities, as knowing him, and his repeated Crimes to be equally
flagrant, gave him no satisfactory Answer: He return'd to his dismal
Abode the Condemn'd Hold, where were Nine more unhappy Wretches in as
dreadful Circumstances as himself. The Court being at _Windsor_, the
Malefactors had a longer Respite than is usual; during that Recess,
_James Harman_, _Lumley_, _Davis_ and _Sheppard_ agreed upon an Escape,
concerted Measures, and provided Instruments to make it effectual; but
put off the Execution of their Design, on Account the two Gentlemen
having their hopes of Life daily renewed by the favourable Answers they
receiv'd from some considerable Persons; but those vanishing the day
before their Execution, and finding their Sentence irreversible, they
two dropt their hopes, together with the Design, they form'd for an
Escape, and so in earnest prepar'd to meet Death on the Morrow, (which
they accordingly did.). 'Twas on this Day Mr _Davis_ gave _Sheppard_ the
Watch Springs, Files, Saws, _&c._ to Effect his own Release; and knowing
that a Warrant was Hourly expected for his Execution with Two others, on
the _Friday_ following; he thought it high time to look about him, for
he had waited his Tryal, saw his Conviction, and heard his Sentence with
some patience; but finding himself irrespitably decreed for Death, he
could sit passive no longer, and on the very Day of the Execution of the
former; whilst they were having their Fetters taken off, in order for
going to the Tree, that Day he began to saw, _Saturday_ made a progress;
but _Sunday_ omitted, by Reason of the Concourse in the _Lodge_:
_Edgworth Bess_ having been set at Liberty, had frequent Access to him,
with others of his Acquaintance. On _Monday_ the Death _Warrant_ came