having rendered his name so notorious, he went under the denomination of George Anderson, and lived in a very private manner till the money he had thus obtained was expended. He now procored a knife eighteen inches long, and determined to levy contributions on passengers on the highway. In the road between Kentish-town and Hampstead, he attempted to rob a countryman, who being of an intrepid temper, a desperate contest ensued, in which Everett proved the conqueror, and dangerously wounded his antagonist, from whom. he, however, obtained but a small booty. The same evening he stole a quantity of ribbons from a haberdasher's shop, but was immediately pursued, apprehended, and secured in prison. He was soon brought to trial, and the prosecutor having laid the indictment capitally, he was convicted and sentenced to be hanged. For some time after convic tion he behaved in a decent manner, and appeared to be resigned to the fate that awaited him: but upon learning that the order for his execution was received by the gaoler, he became perfectly outrageous, violently threatening those who were near him, and uttering the most blasphemous expressions. A report being circulated that he meditated a design against the life of the gaoler, his cell was carefully searched, but no suspicious instruments were found. He denounced vengeance against the man who gave the information, declaring, with horrid imprecations, that if he could procure a. pistol, or any other offensive weapon, he would put him to death He applied the most opprobrious epithets to the keeper of the prison; and such was his ungovernable conduct, that it was judged necessary to chain him down to the floor.His behaviour was more decent and composed on

2 E 2

the

the day preceding that of his execution; but he did not appear to be conscious of the enormity of his guilt, or to be earnest in repentance. He joined in prayer with the ordinary of Newgate at the place of execution, and a little time before he was turned off, said he considered death as too severe a punishment for the crime he had committed. He suffered at Tyburn, Dec. 31, 1750.

F.

Now

FERGUSON, RICHARD, (HIGHWAYMAN,) familiarly called Galloping Dick, was the son of a gentleman's servant, and a native of Hertfordshire. He was sent to school at a very early age, but to little purpose, and was afterwards employed as a stable boy where his father was hired. At the age of 16 he came to London with the family.During their stay in town, the postillion was taken ill, and Dick was appointed to supply his place till he recovered, which was not very long. stripped of his fine livery, and sent to occupy his station as a stable boy, his haughty spirit could not brook the degradation. Fond of dress, and being thought a man of consequence, he resolved to look out for another place. Accordingly he told his father of his resolution, and asked his advice. His father knowing he was well qualined, in respect to the management of horses, told him he would look out for one for him. A circumstance happened, that very afternoon, highly gratifying to his pride. A lady who frequently visited the family, being in want of a postillion, asked Dick's master what was become of his late postillion. Being informed he was in his place, and was very fit for her employ,

he

he was sent for and hired. Dick was now com pletely his own master, and for some time behaved to the satisfaction of his mistress. He was a great ,favourite in the family, particularly among the female part; but his mistress discovering him in an improper situation with one of her female servants, he was immediately discharged; nor could any intercession prevail upon her to reinstate him. Soon afterwards he got another place, in which he did not long remain. He had at this time got cons nected with some other servants of a loose character, and their manner of drinking, gaming, and idleness, suiting his disposition, he soon became one of them. After losing several good places by negligence, he applied to a livery stable in Picca dilly, and obtained employment. His father having now died, left him the sum of 371. which he had saved during the time he lived in the family. With this he commenced gentleman. He left his place, bought mourning, frequented the theatres, &c. One evening, at Drury-lane, he got seated by a female, who particularly engaged his attention; he took her to be a modest lady, and was very much chagrined at finding her readily granting his request to conduct her home. He resolved to leave her, but found his resolution fail him, and at the end of the play he attended her to her residence in St. George s-fields, and staid with her the whole night. Next morning, after making her a handsome present, he took his leave, with a pronise of soon repeating his visit. He went honiebut this artful courtezan had so completely enamoured him, that he could not test many hours without paying her another visit, and only for the accidental visit of some companions he would have returned immediately. With them he reluctantly

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spen

in her power.

spent the day, and in the evening flew again on the impatient wings of desire to his dear Nancy. She, suspecting him to be a person of considerable property, from the specimen she had of his generosity, received him with every mark of endearment At this time she was the first favourite of several noted highwaymen and housebreakers, who, in their turn, had all their favoured hours. Unfortunately for himself, Ferguson became as complete a dupe as ever she had ensnared. What money he possessed, what he could obtain by borrowing or otherwise, was all lavished on this female, and he was, after all, in danger of being discarded. He was a total stranger to her connections with the gentlemen of the road, though he knew she bestowed her favours on others. Not able to bear the thoughts of entirely parting with his dear Nancy, he went to an inn in Piccadilly, offered himself as a postillion, and was accepted. Whenever he could obtain a little money, he flew with impatience to his fair dulcinea, and squandered it away in the same thoughtless manner. As he drove post-chaises on the different roads round the metropolis, he frequently saw his rivals on the road gaily mounted and dressed. One day driving a gentleman on the north road, the chaise was stopped by the noted Abershaw and another, with crapes over their faces. Abershaw stood by the driver till the other went up to the chaise and robbed the gentleman. The wind being very high, blew the crape off his face, and gave Ferguson a full view of his person. They stared at each other, but before a word could pass, some company coming up, the two highwaymen gallopped off, Ferguson, who at this time was under the frowns of his mistress, for want of money, well knew and

was

was known by Abershaw, whom he had often seen at Nancy's. Abershaw was very uneasy at the discovery, which he communicated to his companion. A consultation was immediately held, and it was resolved to wait at an inn on the road for the return of Ferguson, and bribe him, to prevent a discovery. They accordingly went to the inn, and when Ferguson came back, and stopped to water his horses, the waiter was ordered to send him in. After some conversation, Dick accepted of the present offered him, and agreed to meet them that night, to partake of a good supperWith this fr sh recruit of cash he flew to his Nancy; but she being otherwise engaged, and not expecting him so soon to possess sufficient for her notice (being now acquainted with his situation in life) absolutely refused to admit him, and shut the door in his face. Mad with the reception he had experienced, he quitted the house, and resolved never to repeat his visit, which resolution he strictly adhered to. He was now proceeding homewards, when he met the highwayman who accompanied Abershaw, and went with him to the place of rendezvous in the Borough, where he was received by those assembled with every mark of attention.They supped sumptuously, drank wine, and spent the time in noisy mirth. This exactly suited Ferguson; he joined in their mirth, and when suffi ciently elevated, very eagerly closed with a proposition to become one of their number. He was, according to their forms, immediately initiated.— When the plan of their next depredation on the public was settled, Ferguson was not immediately called into action, as it was suggested by one of the members that he could be better employed in