"So you are not contented," said Todd, "to cage me as though I were some wild animal, but you must load me with irons?"
"And a good job too."
"And you think to hang me?"
"Rather!"
"Then thus I disappoint you, and be my own executioner!"
As he spoke, he snatched up one of the smith's hammers, and made a blow at his own forehead with it, which if it had taken effect, would unquestionably have fractured his skull, and killed him instantly; but one of the officers just managed to strike his arm at the moment and confuse his aim, so that although he did strike himself, it was not with anything like sufficient force to do himself any hurt.
The hammer was wrested from him in a moment, and he was thrown to the floor of the cell, and the heavy irons placed upon him.
Todd's Second Attempt At Suicide In The Condemned Cell At Newgate.