Voyagers Tales | Page 7

three debated of this matter at such times as they could
compass to meet together, insomuch that, at seven weeks' end they had
sufficiently concluded how the matter should be, if it pleased God to
further them thereto; who, making five more privy to this their device,
whom they thought that they might safely trust, determined in three

nights after to accomplish their deliberate purpose. Whereupon the
same John Fox and Peter Vuticaro, and the other five appointed to meet
all together in the prison the next day, being the last day of December,
where this John Fox certified the rest of the prisoners what their intent
and device was, and how and when they minded to bring that purpose
to pass, who thereunto persuaded them without much ado to further
their device; which, the same John Fox seeing, delivered unto them a
sort of files, which he had gathered together for this purpose by the
means of Peter Vuticaro, charging them that every man should be ready,
discharged of his irons, by eight of the clock on the next day at night.
On the next day at night, the said John Fox, and his five other
companions, being all come to the house of Peter Vuticaro, passing the
time away in mirth for fear of suspect till the night came on, so that it
was time for them to put in practice their device, sent Peter Vuticaro to
the master of the road, in the name of one of the masters of the city,
with whom this keeper was acquainted, and at whose request he also
would come at the first; who desired him to take the pains to meet him
there, promising him that he would bring him back again. The keeper
agreed to go with him, asking the warders not to bar the gate, saying
that he would not stay long, but would come again with all speed.
In the mean-season, the other seven had provided them of such
weapons as they could get in that house, and John Fox took him to an
old rusty sword-blade without either hilt or pommel, which he made to
serve his turn in bending the hand end of the sword instead of a
pommel, and the other had got such spits and glaves as they found in
the house.
The keeper being now come unto the house, and perceiving no light nor
hearing any noise, straightway suspected the matter; and returning
backward, John Fox, standing behind the corner of the house, stepped
forth unto him; who, perceiving it to be John Fox, said, "O Fox, what
have I deserved of thee that thou shouldest seek my death?"
"Thou villain," quoth Fox, "hast been a bloodsucker of many a
Christian's blood, and now thou shalt know what thou hast deserved at
my hands," wherewith he lift up his bright shining sword of ten years'
rust, and stroke him so main a blow, as therewithal his head clave
asunder so that he fell stark dead to the ground. Whereupon Peter
Vuticaro went in and certified the rest how the case stood with the

keeper, and they came presently forth, and some with their spits ran
him through, and the other with their glaves hewed him in sunder, cut
off his head, and mangled him so that no man should discern what he
was.
Then marched they toward the road, whereinto they entered softly,
where were five warders, whom one of them asked, saying, who was
there? Quoth Fox and his company, "All friends." Which when they
were all within proved contrary; for, quoth Fox, "My masters, here is
not to every man a man, wherefore look you, play your parts." Who so
behaved themselves indeed, that they had despatched these five quickly.
Then John Fox, intending not to be barren of his enterprise, and
minding to work surely in that which he went about, barred the gate
surely, and planted a cannon against it.
Then entered they into the jailer's lodge, where they found the keys of
the fortress and prison by his bedside, and there got they all better
weapons. In this chamber was a chest wherein was a rich treasure, and
all in ducats, which this Peter Vuticaro and two more opening, stuffed
themselves so full as they could between their shirts and their skin;
which John Fox would not once touch and said, "that it was his and
their liberty which he fought for, to the honour of his God, and not to
make a mart of the wicked treasure of the infidels." Yet did these words
sink nothing unto their stomachs; they did it for a good intent. So did
Saul save the fattest oxen to offer unto the Lord, and they to serve their
own turn. But neither did