DICK TURPIN. 263 



half-an-hour before ; it was one of those huge carriages 

 common enough in those clays ; they were generally, 

 as was the case in this instance, drawn by clumsy, 

 high- crested Flemish horses, and, consequently, they 

 travelled very slowly. When the carriage approached, 

 Turpin and his accomplice, who had been hidden 

 amongst some trees by the roadside, moved swiftly 

 out into the middle of the road ; Turpin was quickly at 

 the door of the coach, crying out, " Stand and deliver," 

 whilst the other highwayman sprang to the horses' 

 heads and arrested their further progress. Four stout 

 canvas bags, containing the rent, were, after much 

 hesitation, thrown out on the road by the alarmed 

 steward, who was then allowed to continue his journey ; 

 but, as the two highwaymen were picking up the bags, 

 the steward, having recovered from his fright, managed 

 to fire a parting shot, which whistled harmlessly over 

 their heads. Nevertheless, shortly after this, they 

 were pursued by a party of foxhunters, who had been 

 informed of the robbery ; and it is alleged that on 

 Hearing the Thames, at a spot formed by the evi- 

 bouchtire of the creek dividing Plaistow Level from 

 the broad level of Barking, and known as Creek Point, 

 they took to the Thames, and with their horses swam 

 across the river, hiding their money-bags before they 

 proceeded to do s^ ; after which they plunged boldly 

 into the stream, and with much difficulty reached the 

 opposite bank in safety. This is one of the many 

 tales told of Turpin's daring exploits, and is men- 

 tioned very positively in an old book of the period ; 

 his companion on this occasion was named Fielder. 

 Not long after this he stopped Tom King, another 

 celebrated highwayman who knew Turpin, although 

 Turpin did not know him. "What!" cried King, 

 '• dog rob dog ? Why, strike me ugly, if that's not 



