Page:History and adventures of Jack Mansong.pdf/11

11, and attacked him. This negro was an intimate of Jack's in his days of slavery ; but Jack would now acknowledge no friendship, and 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 drove, 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 the ground ; then, seizing as much booty as he could dispose of, fled to his cave.

The slaves recovering from their fright, ran to the planter, and informed him of the appearance of Three Finger'd Jack. He was as much surprised as themselves, tho' differently instigated ; their surprise was mingled with excessive fear ; his was at the daring impudence of this bold marauder,