Intention was to have cut off his Head, and thrown it into the Sessions
House-Yard among the Rabble, and Curs'd both his Hand and the Knife for
not Executing it Effectually.

Mr. _Wild_ instantly had the Assistance of three able Surgeons, _viz._
Mr. _Dobbins_, Mr. _Marten_ and Mr. _Coletheart_, who sew'd up the
Wound, and order'd him to his Bed, and he has continu'd ever since, but
in a doubtful State of Recovery.

The Felons on the Common Side of _Newgate_, also animated by
_Sheppard's_ Example, the Night before they were to be Shipt for
Transporation, had cut several Iron Bars assunder, and some of them had
saw'd off their Fetters, the rest Huzzaing, and making Noises, under
pretence of being Joyful that they were to be remov'd on the Morrow, to
prevent the Workmen being heard; and in two Hours time more, if their
Design had not been discover'd, near One Hundred Villians had been let
loose into the World, to have committed new Depredations; nothing was
wanted here but _Sheppard's_ great Judgment, who was by himself in the
strong Room, call'd the _Castle_, meditating his own Deliverance, which
he perfected in the manner following.

On _Thursday_ the 15th of this Instant _October_, at between One and Two
in the Afternoon, _William Austin_, an Assistant to the Keepers, a Man
reputed to be a very diligent, and faithful Servant, went to _Sheppard_
in the strong Room, call'd the _Castle_, with his Necessaries, as was
his Custom every Day. There went along with him Captain _Geary_, the
Keeper of _New Prison_, Mr. _Gough_, belonging to the _Gate-house_ in
_Westminster_, and two other Gentlemen, who had the Curiosity to see the
Prisoner, _Austin_ very strictly examined his Fetters, and his
Hand-Cuffs, and found them very Safe; he eat his Dinner and talk'd with