On the 19th of _May_ last in the Evening, _Sheppard_ with another Robber named _Benson_, were passing thro' _Leicester-fields_, where a Gentleman stood accusing a Woman with an attempt to steal his Watch, a Mobb was gathered about the Disputants, and _Sheppard's_ Companion being a _Master_, got in amongst them and pick'd the Gentleman's Pocket in good earnest of the Watch; the Scene was surprizingly chang'd, from an imaginary Robbery to a real one; and in a moment ensued an Out-cry of _stop Thief_, _Sheppard_ and _Benson_ took to their Heels, and _Sheppard_ was seiz'd by a Serjeant of the Guard at _Leicester_ House, crying out _stop Thief_ with much earnestness. He was convey'd to St. _Ann's Round House_ in _Soho_, and kept secure till the next Morning, when _Edgworth Bess_ came to visit him, who was seiz'd also; they were carried before Justice _Walters_, when the People in _Drury-Lane_ and _Clare-Market_ appeared, and charged them with the Robberies aforemention'd: But _Sheppard_ pretending to Impeach certain of his Accomplices, the Justice committed them to _New-Prison_, with intent to have them soon removed to _Newgate_, unless there came from them some useful Discoveries. _Sheppard_ was now a second time in the hands of Justice, but how long he intended to keep in them, the Reader will soon be able to Judge. He and his MATE were now in a strong and well guarded Prison, himself loaded with a pair of double _Links_ and _Basils_[17] of about fourteen pounds weight, and confined together in the safest Appartment call'd _Newgate Ward_; _Sheppard_ conscious of his Crimes, and knowing the _Information_ he had made to be but a blind Amusement that would avail him nothing; he began to Meditate an Escape. They had been thus detained for about four Days, and their Friends having the Liberty of seeing them, furnish'd him with Implements proper for his Design, accordingly Mr. _Sheppard_ goes to work, and on the 25th of May being _Whit-son Monday_ at about two of the Clock in the Morning, he had compleated a practicable breach, and sawed of his Fetters; having with unheard of Diligence and Dexterity, cut off an Iron Bar from the Window, and taken out a Muntin, or Bar of the most solid Oak of about nine Inches in thickness, by boring it thro' in many Places, a work of great Skill and Labour; they had still five and twenty Foot to descend from the Ground; _Sheppard_ fasten'd a Sheet and Blanket to the Bars, and causes Madam to take off her Gown and Petticoat, and sent her out first, and she being more Corpulent than himself, it was with great Pain and Difficulty that he got her through the Interval, and observing his Directions, was instantly down, and more frighted than hurt; the _Phylosopher_ follow'd, and lighted with Ease and Pleasure; But where are they Escap'd to? Why out of one Prison into another. The Reader is to understand, that the _New Prison_ and _Clerkenwell Bridewell_ lye Contiguous to one another,