Page:Famous Negro robber, and terror of Jamaica, or, The history and adventures of Jack Mansong.pdf/11

 ants, and set the civil power and the neighbouring militia of the island at defiance, for nearly two years.

It would be tedious to enumerate all the exploits of this famous robber; we shall therefore only relate a few of the most prominent. One day, as Jack was reconnoitring on the top of Lebanus, he beheld a negro beneath, armed, and bearing provisions. Jack rushed down the mountains, and attacked him. This negro was an intimate of Jack's in his days of slavery; and Jack would now acknowledge no friendship, but commanded him to deliver. Quashee, who was also bold and resolute, refused; Jack drew his sabre; Quashee pulled a pistol from his girdle, fired, and shot off two of his antagonist's fingers, from which he acquired the name of Three-Finger'd Jack. This enraged Jack, and he used his sword in savage fury. Quashee received several wounds; and no longer capable of maintaining the contest, he fled; while Jack took charge of the booty, and retired to his cave.

Another time Jack was sorely driven, having had no food for some days. There stood a plantation not far from Lebanus, the proprietor of which had given his slaves a holiday, it being his daughter's birth-day, and they were making merry. Jack beheld with gloating eye, from his retreat, the festivity of the assembled, and trusting to the terror of his name, he seized a musket and descended. When he came near, he hid himself behind the entwined branches of a fig-tree, and taking a good aim, he shot the presider of the feast, who instantly dropped dead. The negroes were struck with a general panic; and Jack appeared among them. Not one was bold enough to seize him; he held up his three-finger'd hand, and they all fell upon their faces to