Jane Harding has escaped from her kidnappers and tries to steal Swiftnick's horse, Ceasar. Refusing to explain herself to Dick or Swiftnick, She eventually manages to get away on Turpin's nag, Bess. When Turpin finally catches up with her, she has fallen into the hands of the traitorous Noll Bridger, who quickly becomes an enemy to Dick.

Turpin, Swiftnick and Jane run afoul of the religious maniac Ignatius Slake and his followers. Slake promptly puts Turpin on trial and sentences him to a 'running'. This means he is to be tied to a burning cartwheel.