TURPIN'S DEATH. 287 



wide-Strained nostrils, poor Bess panted for breath ; 

 the trembHng sinews shook, although the power to rise 

 had gone. Another groan ; she fell back prostrate ; 

 a sob, a gasp, a choking rattle, and blood gushed from 

 her nostrils ; one fond look up into her master's face, 

 and, at last, the heart of the gallant Black Bess was 

 broken. 



After the mare had died, Turpin heard a horseman 

 approaching. A few minutes afterwards he was at 

 that horseman's side, crying: "Stand and deliver!" 

 Thereupon Turpin forced the new-comer to dismount. 

 " I shall not take your purse, sir," he said, "but shall 

 require your horse for the day ; to-morrow, if you will 

 pledge me your word as a gentleman not to proceed 

 further in this affair, the horse shall be returned to 

 you. 



And, In a few minutes, the favourite hack of Sir 



W. L was seen by Its owner galloping away 



towards York. 



Turpin, not content to rest quiet In York, got 

 Into a quarrel at a low public-house, and, being 

 marched off to prison, was recognised as the celebrated 

 highwayman. 



He was executed shortly after this at York, the 

 year being 1739, and was followed to his grave, at his 

 own particular request, by six young unmarried women, 

 dressed In white, to whom he left sufficient money to 

 purchase what they required for the occasion. 



An attempt was made by some body-snatchers to 

 remove his body from the grave, but this was 

 frustrated by a woman who was sincerely attached to 

 him. 



Some of these particulars are confirmed by a 

 narrative of his early life, 8vo., York, 1739, in the 



