The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard - Containing a Particular Account of His Many Robberies and Escapes by Daniel Defoe
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page 17 of 43 (39%)
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from _Windsor_, appointing that he, together with _Joseph Ward_ and
_Anthony Upton_ should be Executed on the _Friday_ following, being the 4th of _September_. The Keepers acquainted him therewith, and desired him to make good use of that short Time. He thank'd them, said _he would follow their Advice_, and _prepare_. _Edgworth Bess_, and another Woman had been with him at the Door of the Condemn'd Hold best part of the Afternoon, between five and six he desir'd the other Prisoners, except _Stephen Fowles_ to remain above, while he offer'd something in private to his Friends at the Door; they comply'd, and in this interval he got the Spike asunder, which made way for the Skeleton to pass with his Heels foremost, by the Assistance of _Fowles_, whom he most ungenerously betray'd to the Keepers after his being retaken, and the Fellow was as severely punish'd for it. Having now got clear of his Prison, he took Coach disguis'd in a Night Gown at the corner of the _Old Baily_, along with a Man who waited for him in the Street (and is suppos'd to be _Page_ the Butcher) ordering the Coachman to drive to _Black-Fryers Stairs_, where his prostitute gave him the Meeting, and they three took Boat, and went a Shoar at the _Horse-Ferry_ at _Westminster_, and at the _White-Hart_ they went in, Drank, and stay'd sometime; thence they adjourn'd to a Place in _Holbourn_, where by the help of a Saw he quitted the Chains he had brought with him from _Newgate_; and then like a Freeman took his Ramble through the City and came to _Spittle-Fields_, and there lay with _Edgeworth Bess_. It may be easy to imagine what an alarm his Escape gave to the Keepers of _Newgate_, three of their People being at the farther End of the _Lodge_, engag'd in a Discourse concerning his wonderful Escape from _New-Prison,_ and what Caution ought to be us'd, lest he should give |
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