I I - American Memory

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trace Wm, when to their farther Amazement, they
found the Doors ready open'd to their Hands, and the
ftrong Locks, Screws and Bolts, broken in Pieces, and
fcattered about tlie Gaol; fix great Doors (one whereof
having not been open'd for feven Years paft) were forc'd,
and it appeared, that he had defcended from the Leads
of Ne-xvgate by a Blanket (which he faften'd to the Wall
by an Iron Spike he had taken from the Hatch of the
Chapel) on the Houfe of Mr. Birt/, and the Door of
the Leads being left open, it was very reafonable to
conclude he paffed diredlly to the Street Door down the
Stairs, Mr. Birdcind his Wife hearing an odd fort of a
Noife on the Stairs as they lay in their Bed, a fhoit
Time before the Watchman alarm'd thrt-'amily.
Infinite Numbers of Citizens came to Neivgate to
behold SbepparcTs Workmanlhip, and Mr. Pitt and his
Officers very readily conduiled them up Stairs, th;it the
World might be convinc'd there was not the leaft room
to fufpeft either a Negligence or Connivance in the Ser-
vants. Every one expreffed the greateft Surprize ima-
ginable, and declar'd themfelves fatislied with the Mea-
furcs they had taken for the Security of their Prifoner.
One of the Sheriffs came in Perfon, and went up to-
the Caflk, to be fitisfied of the Situation of the Place,
i^c. attended by feveral of the City Officers.
The Court being fat at the Seffions-Haufi, the Keeper
were fent for and examin'd, and the Magiftrates were
in great Confternation, that fo horrid a Wretch had ef-
cap'd their Juftice, being intended that he fhou'd have
been brought down to the Court the laft Day of the
Seffions, and order'd for Execution in two or three Days
after, if it appear'd that he was the Perfon condemu'd
for the breaking Mr. Kiteebonc'% Houfe, and had been
included in the Warrant for Execution, i^c.
He undoubtedly perform'd moft of thefe Wonders of
his laft Efcape in the darkcft Part of the Night, and
without the leaft Glimpfe of a Candle. In a Word, he
aflually did with his own Hands in a few Hours, what
feveral of the moH fliillful Artifts allow, could not
VOL. U. K have
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