Portsmouth, May 3.
A Gentleman of Hammersmith, Whose Affairs had call’d him to Petersfield, which being but a small Ride from this Place, had a mind to see it, and on Friday last in the Morning he set out from thence; but at his entering the Forrest of Deer, he met with two well dress’d Persons on Horseback, who told him they were going to Portsmouth, and should be glad of his Company: He took them for Gentlemen, so they rid on together; but alas he soon found his Mistake; the Rogues discovering him to be a Stranger to that Road, they led him to a By Part of the Forest, where they robb’d him of Seven Guineas and Two Broad Pieces; and afterwards turn’d his Horse loose and were going to bind him to a Tree; but he mov’d their Pity by telling them he might starve there perhaps before any one would come to his Assistance; so they gave him a Shilling to drink their Healths, and then left him. In the Afternoon he came here, and related the Fact to one of our Justices, who immediately dispatch’d Hue and Cries after them; but the Villains are not yet taken. There have not been such Robbery committed in the Place for many Years past.
