“ The very higglers on the road did not always escape their requisitions, but they were mostly repaid again; whilst those who went armed, lost their pieces, were wounded and robbed of all they carried about them. Turpin’s wife was their messenger, went to the market for victuals for them, supplied them with linen, and frequently remained there a whole week together. ”

“ The old gentlewoman being very loath to part with her money, persisted in it that she had none, and would not declare any thing more of the matter; upon which some of the gang were inclined to believe her, and were sorry for their disappointment, but Turpin as strenuously insisted she had money, as she said that she had none, and at last, with horrid oaths and imprecations, swore he would put her on the fire. ”

“ Somehow or other, Turpin became acquainted with the circumstances of an old woman who lived at Loughton, that always kept a great quantity of ready cash by her; whereupon he and the gang agreed to rob her, and when they came to the door, Wheeler knocked at it, and Turpin and the rest forced their way into the house, blindfolded the eyes of the old woman and her maid, and tied the legs of her son, a well-grown lad to the bed-stead and proceeded to rob the house; but not at first finding the wished-for booty, they all set about a consultation what to do to get at it ”

“ Turpin cut down his breeches; and they fell to rifling his pockets, out of which they took one guinea, and a Portugal piece of thirty six shillings, about fifteen shillings in silver, and his keys. They said that money was not enough that they must have more, and drove Mr. Lawrence up stairs, where coming to a closet, although they had taken the key from Mr. Lawrence before and had it in their custody, yet they broke open the door, and took out from hence two guineas, ten shillings in silver, a silver cup, thirteen silver spoons, two gold rings, and what they could find ”

“ Early in the morning he set off, and robbed a gentleman of fifty guineas and a valuable watch, in the environs of London. Apprehensive of being known and pursued, he spurred his horse on and took the northren, road and, astonishing to relate, reached York the same evening, and was noticed playing at the bowls in the bowling-green with several gentlemen there, which circumstance saved him from the hands of justice for that time. ”

“ These forest partners frequently issued from from their cell like the theives from the cave in Gil Blas, and take a ride out in quest of plunder. King and he once riding towards Bungay, in Suffolk, met two young market women, who had just received a considerable sum of money for corn. King proposed to rob them, but Turpin dissuaded him from it, alleging for a reason, that they were two pretty inoffensive girls, and he would not be concerned in it. ”

“ Amongst the rest was the ranger Thomson’s man i in company with a higgler. Turpin was unarmed, standing alonc, and not knowing the man, took him for one poaching for hares, and told him he would get no hares near that thicket. “No" says says the fellow, “but I have got a Turpin,” and presented his gun at him, commanded him to surrender. Turpin stood talking with him, and receding back to his cave, laid hold of his carbine, and shot him dead, at which the higgler made off. The man’s death obliged Turpin to make off precipitately; so he went farther into the country in search of King ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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. ”

“ The next robbery they committed was about seven or eight o’ clock in the evening. Rust, Turpin, Fielder, Walker, and three others, came to the house of Mr. Saunders, a wealthy farmer at Charlton, in Kent, and knocked at the door, inquired if Mr. Saunders was at home. Being answered that he was, and the door opened, thcy all rushed in & went directly to the parlour, where Mr. Saunders, his Wife, and some friends, were at cards: they desired them not to be frightened ”

“ That’s your sort for the rag, (a cant term for money) if it would but last!” and they safely retired with their prize, which amounted to above 80l. a man. This robbery was committed in the beginning of the year 1726. This success so much flushed Turpin and his associates that several others joined them, insomuch, that they became a formidable crew and many times, when together, defied the legal authority of the magistrates ”