of their Prisoner.

One of the Sheriffs came in Person, and went up to the _Castle_ to be
satisfy'd of the Situation of the Place, _&c._ Attended by several of
the City Officers.

The Court being sat at the _Sessions-House_, the Keepers were sent for
and Examin'd, and the Magistrates were in great Consternation, that so
horrid a Wretch had escap'd their Justice. It being intended that he
should have been brought down to the Court the last Day of the
_Sessions_, and order'd for Execution in two or three Days after; if it
appear'd that he was the Person Condemn'd for the breaking Mr.
_Kneebone's_ House, and included in the Warrant for Execution, _&c._

Many of the Methods by which this miraculous Escape was effected, remain
as yet a Secret, there are some indeed too Evident, the most reasonable
Conjecture that has hierto been made, is, that the first Act was his
twisting and breaking assunder by the strength of his Hands a small Iron
Chain, which together with a great Horse Padlock, (as went from the
heavy Fetters about his Legs to the staples) confin'd him to the Floor,
and with a Nail open'd the Padlock and set himself at Liberty about the
Room: A large flat Iron Bar appears to have been taken out of the
Chimney, with the Assistance thereof 'tis plain he broke thro' a Wall of
many Foot in Thickness, and made his way from the _Castle_ into another
strong Room Contiguous, the Door of it not having been open'd since
several of the _Preston_ Prisoners were Confin'd there about seven Years
ago: Three Screws are visibly taken off of the Lock, and the Doors as
strong as Art could make them, forc'd open. The Locks and Bolts, either
wrench'd or Broke, and the Cases and other Irons made for their Security
cut assunder: An Iron Spike broke off from the Hatch in the _Chapel_,
which he fix'd in the Wall and fasten'd his Blanket to it, to drop on
the Leads of Mr. _Bird_'s House, his Stockings were found on the Leads
of _Newgate_; 'tis question'd whether sixty Pounds will repair the
Damage done to the Jayl.

It will perhaps be inquir'd how all this could be perform'd without his
being heard by the Prisoners or the Keepers; 'tis well known that the
Place of his Confinement is in the upper part of the Prison, none of the
other Felons being Kept any where near him; and 'tis suppos'd that if
any had heard him at Work, they would rather have facilitated, than
frustrated his Endeavours. In the Course of his Breaches he pass'd by a
Door