uring
them that both he and they were not only invincible, but bullet proof,
and that they could never die.

[Picture: Death of Sir Wm. Courtenay. (Thom). 1838]

The following account, which appears to me to be the most succinct of
those I have seen, is from the _Times_ of 1 June:

"On Monday (28 May) they sallied forth from the village of Boughton,
where they bought bread, and proceeded to Wills's house, near
Fairbrook. A loaf was broken asunder, and placed on a pole, with a
flag of white and blue, on which was a rampant lion. Thence they
proceeded to Goodnestone, near Faversham, producing throughout the
whole neighbourhood the greatest excitement, and adding to their
numbers by the harangues occasionally delivered by this ill-fated
madman. At this farm Courtenay stated that 'he would strike the
bloody blow.' A match was then taken from a bean stack, which had
been introduced by one of the party. They next proceeded to a farm
at Herne Hill, where Courtenay requested the inmates to feed his
friends, which request was immediately complied with. Their next
visit was at Dargate Common, where Sir William, taking off his shoes,
said, 'I now stand on my own bottom.' By Sir William's request, his
party went to prayers, and then proceeded to Bossenden farm, where
they supped, and slept in the barn that night. At 3 o'clock, on
Tuesday morning they left, and proceeded to Sittingbourne to
breakfast, where Sir William paid 25s.; they then visited Newnham,
where a similar treat was given at the 'George.' After visiting
Eastling, Throwley, Selwich Lees and Selling, and occasionally
addressing the populace, holding out to them such inducements as are
usually made by persons desirous of creating a disturbance, they
halted, in a chalk pit, to rest, and, on Wednesday evening, arrived
at Culver's farm, called Bossenden, close to the scene of action.
Mr. Curling, having had some of his men enticed from their work,
applied for a warrant for their apprehension. Mears, a constable, in
company with his brother, proceeded to Culver's house, when, on
application being made for the men alluded to, Sir William
immediately shot the young man who accompanied his brother in the
execution of his duty. Such was the excitement, and the desperate
menaces of Sir William and his party, that it became necessary