Page:Life and adventures of David Haggart.pdf/19

 him in a minute, and asked him if ever he was in Drummore? he said, "twenty times." He then asked him if he recollected him, or of bribing a constable, and breaking away. He said he had never seen him before, or been in custody in Drummore in his life. He then asked if ever he took thothe [sic] name of John M'Colgan? he answered, he never did, and did not know what he meant. He then told the jailor, if he did not clap the irons on him, he would be off in half an hour. The jailor said he knew well enough that my name was O'Brien, and he certainly was mistakeumistaken [sic]; but Mr. Blackart was too sure of him to listen to the jailor. He was immediately loaded with hand-cuffs and irons, and remained in that state three days, when he was removed to Kilmainham jail, and was three days upon the road. When he arrived there, he was put amongst a great number of convicts of every description; he was but a few days there, when he thought of effecting his escape, and began digging the back wall, with the assistance of some others, having first secured the entrance-door to their apartment. But some of the prisoners, who did not care about joining them, gave information, and, being the first man who made his appearance through the hole, he got a bat from the outside with a shillelah, the mark of which was visible ever after, and disfigured his right eyebrow. The boys rushed after him, but having still a high wall to get over, they were all secured by a party of soldiers, and locked up in their cells.

Next day the whole of the prisoners were called out into the court-yard, and in a few minutes John Richardson from Dumfries made his appearance, and began his examination. He passed him once, but upon a second look over he recognized him,