252 
Accords of the Aising in the dest, 
JOHN PENRUDDOCK, HUGH GROVE, ET SOCII. 
(Continued from Page 188.) 
on the Western Circuit” in the seventeenth century, 
Cf 3 Warr 
ae was an affair of labour, if not of adventure. Some of the 
Judges, and perhaps some of the leading counsel may have crawled 
in their coaches over the rough grass tracks, protected by a retinue 
of servants, or the sheriff’s guard; some bolder spirits, such as 
Maynard, walked; but by far the larger number rode; three, four, or 
half-a-dozen together, well armed to guard their fees, and their 
throats, over the pleasant uplands of the West. Labour there was, 
though not professional, in the long rides from early morn till night; 
adventure too for the solitary, the unwary, or the laggard; high- 
waymen and foot-pads plied their trade with varying success. The 
Lord Protector set his face against these marauders with his usual 
vigour. 
\ 
& 
‘* Many robbers on Salisbury Plain are apprehended, and to be tryed for their 
lives; it would be wel if all robbers were served in the like kind.” * 
Some kindred worthies were in Hampshire a month later, and 
broke into the house of a Mr. Ball, whilst he was away from home; 
his wife unfortunately fell into their hands, and on her refusing to 
disclose the valuables of the place, they hung her with her 
garters ; and then made off, possibly being disturbed by the rescuers, 
who arrived just in time to save Mrs. Ball’s gallant life. The thieves 
were all taken in London, recognized by their victim, and committed 
to Newgate.! 
There is an entry in the Western Cireuit Order Book of a later 
date, which also discloses the insecurity of one of the great western 
roads at that time. The county of Southampton, Winchester Castle, 
* Weekly Intelligencer, February 20th, 1655. K.P., Sm. Qto. No. 635. 
1 Perfect Account, March 28th, 1655. K.P., Sm. Qto. No. 637. 
