offender is promised a pardon and a reward of 50l. to any one of them who would impeach his accomplices. This, however, had no effect on the villains, who continued their depredations, and, flushed with their success, seemed to bid defiance to the laws.
On the 7th of February, six of them assembled at the White Bear inn, in Drury Lane, where they agreed to rob the house of Mr. Francis, a farmer, near Mary-la-bonne. Arriving at the place at dusk, they found a servant in the cowhouse, whom they bound fast, and threatened to murder, if he was not perfectly silent: this being done, they led him into the stable, where they found another servant, whom they bound in the same manner, Mr. Francis happening to come home in the interim, they presented their pistols to his breast, and threatened instant destruction to him, if he made the least noise or opposition. Having bound the master in the stable with his servants, they rushed into the house, and found Mrs. Francis, her daughter, and the maid-servant, beating them in a most cruel manner. One of the thieves stood as sentry, while the rest rifled the house, in which they found a silver tankard, a medal of Charles the First, a gold watch, several gold rings, a considerable sum of money, and a variety of valuable linen and other effects, which they conveyed to London.
Hereupon a reward of 100l. was offered for the apprehension of the offenders; in consequence of which two of them were taken into custody, tried, convicted on the evidence of an accomplice, and hanged.
