From such a martyrdom, then, so near to me, how could I turn away?
and I determined, if I could, to speak with Father Whitbread, and get his blessing.
When I got near Newgate the press grew greater every instant; but as we were on horseback and the greater number of the folks on foot, we got through them at last, and so came to the foot of the stairs by the chapel, where the sleds were laid ready with a pair of horses to each.

I had never before seen an execution done in England, so I observed very carefully everything that was to be seen.

The sleds were three in number, and were each made flat of strong wood with runners about an inch high; and there was a pair of horses harnessed to each, with a man to guide them.

I got close to these, next behind the line of yellow trainbandmen who kept the way open, as well as the stairs.

We were in the shadow here, in a little court of which the gates were set open, but the people were all crowded in behind the trainbandmen as well as in the street outside, and from them rose a great murmuring of talk, of which I did not hear a word spoken in sympathy, for I suppose that the Catholics there held their tongues.
We had not very long to wait; for, by the appointment of God, I was come just to time; and very soon the door at the head of the stairs was opened and men began to come out.