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Robberies: Beckman

The old keeper now raised himself, and, freeing his mouth from the gag, cried, "Treason! Murder !" which, being heard by his daughter, she rushed out of doors and reiterated the cries, with the addition, "The Crown is stolen !" The alarm being thus given, young Edwards and Captain Beckman, his brother-in-law, pursued the robbers, who were advanced beyond the main guard (at the White Tower), and were hastening towards the draw-bridge. Here the warder "put himself into posture to stop them," but, on Blood firing a pistol at him, he fell, though unhurt, and the thieves got safe to the little Ward-house Gate, where one Sill, who had been a soldier under Cromwell, stood sentinel; "but he offering no opposition, they passed over the drawbridge, and through the outward gate upon the wharf." Horses were stationed for them "at St. Katherine's Gate, called the Iron Gate," and, as they ran that way, they raised a cry of "Stop the rogues!" by which device they proceeded unopposed, until overtaken by Captain Beckman, at whose head Blood discharged his second pistol; but the Captain avoided the shot by stooping down, and immediately seized the ruffian. The crown was still beneath his cloak; and although every chance of escape was now over, he struggled vigorously to retain his prey; and when it was wrested from him, said, "It was a gallant attempt, however unsuccessful, for it was for a crown!"