I I - American Memory

I
[2l6]
• On Thui-fiay the 15 th of Oaoler, between one and
two in the Afternoon, Mr. Auftin, one of the Head
Turnkeys, a Man reputed to be a very diligent and
faithful Servant, went to Sheppard in the ftrong Room,
called the Cnftle, with his Neceflaries, as was his Cu-
ftom every Day; there went along with him Captain
Geary, the Keeper of Netv-Prifon, Mr. Cough, be-
longing to the Gaie-houfe in Wrjiniiiijler, and two other
Gentlemen, who had the Curiofity to fee the Prifoner,
Mr, Jujiin very ftrialy examin'd his Fetters and Hand-
CufFs, and found them very fafe, he eat his Dinner,
and talk'd with his ufual Gaiety to the Company, they
took leave of him, and wifh'd him a good Evening.
The Court being fitting at the Old-Bailey, the Keepers
and moft of the Servants were attending there with their
Prifoners, and Sheppard was told, that if he wanted any
1'hing more, then was his Time, becaufe they could
not come to him till the next Morning ; he thank'd
them for their Kindnels, and defired them to be as
early as pojjihle.
The fame Night, foon after \ 2 o'Clock, Mr. Bird
who keeps a Turner's Shop adjoining to Ne-zvgate, was
difturb'd by the Watchman, who found his Street Door \
open, and called up the Family, they concluding the
Accident was ovt'ing to the Carelefsneis of fome in the
Houfe, Ihut their Doors and went to Bed again.
The next Morning Friday, about eight o'Clock, Mr.
Auftin went up as ufual to wait on Sheppard, and Jia-
ving unlock'd and u.-ibolted the double Doors of the
Caftle, lie beheld almoft a Cart Load of Bricks and
Rubbifl). about the Room, and his Prifoner gone, was
ready to fink, and came trembling down again, and was
fcarce able to acquaint the People in the Lodge with what
had happen'd.
The wlicle Poffe of the Prifon ran up, and flood like
Men depriv'd of their Senfes ; their Surprize being
over, they were in HopCi that he might not have yet
entirely made his Efcape, and got their Keys to open
all the itrong Rooms adjacent to the Cafik, in order to
trace