After several adventures of a similar nature, Nevison one day robbed a rich grazier of 450_l._ and then proposed to himself to retire with the spoil. Accordingly, he returned home, and, like the prodigal son, was joyfully received by his father, who, not having heard of him during seven or eight years, supposed that he had been dead. He remained with his father until the day of the old man’s death, living as soberly and honestly as if no act of violence had ever sullied his reputation. Upon the death of his father, however, he returned to his former courses, and in a short time, his name was a terror to every traveller upon the road. To such an extent did he carry his plans, that the carriers and drovers who frequented that road willingly agreed to leave certain sums at such places as he appointed, to prevent their being stripped of their all. Continuing his wicked course, he was at last apprehended, thrown into Leicester gaol, put in irons, and strictly guarded; but, in spite of all the precautions of the county, he effected his escape. One day, two or three of his trusty friends visited him, one of whom, being a physician, gave out that he was infected with the plague, and that, unless he was removed to a larger room, where he might enjoy free air, he should not only himself perish, but communicate the infection to all the inhabitants of the gaol. He was instantly removed, and the gaoler’s wife would not allow her husband to go farther then the door of his room, for fear of the infection, which afforded Nevison and his friends time to perfect their scheme. The physician came twice or thrice every day to see him, and continued to declare his case hopeless. At last a painter was brought in, who painted all his body with spots, similar to those that appear upon a person infected with the pestilence. In a few days after, he received a sleeping draught, and was declared to be dead. The inquest who sat upon his body were afraid to approach in order to make a minute inspection, and thus a verdict was returned that he had died of the plague. His friends now demanded his body, and he was carried out of prison in a coffin. This insertion into a coffin only rendered him more callous and daring in vice. He, with redoubled vigor, renewed his depredations, and, meeting his carriers and drovers, informed them, that it was necessary to increase their rents, in order to refund his expenses while in gaol and his loss of time. It was at first supposed, that it was his ghost, who carried on the same pranks that he had done in his lifetime. The truth of this, however, came to be suspected, and the gaoler offered a reward of 20_l._ to any person who would restore him to his former domicile.