He seems to have taken a particular interest in this daring gaol-breaker.

Mr.Lee, in fact, finds evidence that he had gained Sheppard's affectionate esteem.

He certainly turned his acquaintance to admirable account.

He procured a letter for _Applebee's Journal_ from Jack, with "kind love," and a copy of verses of his own composition.

Both letter and verses probably came from a more practised pen, but, to avert suspicion, the original of the letter was declared to be on view at Applebee's, and "well known to be in the handwriting of John Sheppard." Next Defoe prepared a thrilling narrative of Jack's adventures, which was of course described as written by the prisoner himself, and printed at his particular desire.