This Night he had a narrow Escape, one Mr. Ireton a Sheriffs Officer seeing him and Page pass thro’ Drury-Lane, at about Ten o’clock pursu’d ’em, and laid hold of Page instead of Sheppard, who got off, thus Ireton, missing the main Man, and thinking Page of no Consequence, let him go after him.

Edgworth Bess had been apprehended by Jonathan Wild, and by Sir Francis Forbes one of the Aldermen of London, committed to the Poultry-Compter, for being aiding and assisting to Sheppard in his Escape; the Keepers and others terrify’d and purg’d her as much as was possible to discover where he was, but had it been in her Inclination, it was not in her Power so to do, as it manifestly appear’d soon after.

The People about the Strand, Witch-street and Drury-Lane, whom he had Robb’d, and who had prosecuted him were under great Apprensions and Terror, and in particular Mr. Kneebone, on whom he vow’d a bloody Revenge; because he refus’d to sign a Petition in his behalf to the Recorder of London.  This Gentleman was forc’d to keep arm’d People up in his House every Night till he was Re-taken, and had the same fortify’d in the strongest manner.  Several other Shop-keepers in this Neighbourhood were also put to great Expence and Trouble to Guard themselves against this dreadful Villian.

The Keepers of Newgate, whom the rash World loaded with Infamy, stigmatiz’d and branded with the Title of Persons guilty of Bribery; for Connivance at his Escape, they and what Posse in their Power, either for Love or Money did Contribute their utmost to undeceive a wrong notion’d People.  Their Vigilance was remarkably indefatigable, sparing neither Money nor Time, Night nor Day to bring him back to his deserv’d Justice.  After many Intelligences, which they endeavour’d for, and receiv’d, they had one which prov’d very Successful.  Having learnt for a certainty that their Haunts was about Finchly Common, and being very well assur’d of the very House where they lay; on Thursday the 10th of September, a posse of Men, both of Spirit and Conduct, furnish’d with Arms proper for their Design, went for Finchley, some in a Coach and Four, and others on Horseback.  They dispers’d themselves upon the Common aforesaid, in order to make their View, where they had not been long e’re they came in Sight of SHEPPARD in Company of WILLIAM PAGE, habited like two Butchers in new blue Frocks, with white Aprons tuck’d round their Wastes.