Page:History and adventures of that famous negro robber, 3 finger'd Jack.pdf/12

( 12 ) who could aſſume courage enough to venture before ſeven hundred negroes!

Jack had now continued his ravages for near a year Captain Orford a young Engliſhman of good birth and a moſt amiable dispoſition had come over ta Jamaica' with a party of ſoldiers, who were to be garriſoned here Roſa the daughter of a Mr. Chapman an eminent planter in Maroon's Town had caſt a favourable eye upon Orford, wo) alſo affectionately beheld her.

Mr. Chapman who had much at heart the happineſs of his daughter, finding that Orford really loved her, conſented to their ſpeedy nuptial. The lovers were tranſported with the joyful preſage of future happineſs; but their joy was ſoon damped by an unexpected event.

Captain Orford, unacquainted with fear, or the true character of our hero, frequently traverſed the Blue Mountains, accompanied by his favourite negro-boy Tuckey, to enjoy the breeze which lightly fanned the mountain tops. One day, thoughtleſs of danger, he proceeded till he came near the mouth of Jack's cave. Jack was ſeated upon a crag, who no ſooner ſaw Orford than he leaped down. Tuckey gave a loud ſcream, and Oxford preparing for the combat, drew his ſword, Jack ſmiled upon him with contempt; and lifting up his gun by the muzzle, knocked him down with the but-end.

Tuckey, wild with terror fled; and Jack ſeizing the fenfelels body of Orfurd, flung it down he mountain's ſide. Tuckey was proceeding home ward, when a groan (track his ear-helittened anothergroan fucceeded--and the compaſſionate boy wiſhed to learn from whence they came. Winding down the intricacies of the mountain, the body of Captain Oxford arreſted his ſtep! His maſters was not dead, but very much bruiſed,