Page:Life of David Haggart, who was executed at Edinburgh, 18th July, 1821, for the murder of the Dumfries jailor (1).pdf/18

18. Some seemed sorry, some terrified for him; but there was not  of them all so sorry, or so terrified  himself. He plunged through them, his chains, and making a great  of courage, but his heart was shaking  the thought of poor Morrin. As he went up the narrow stair to the cells, he had pass the very spot where he struck him and, oh! it was like fire under his feet.

He was locked up in his old cell, the greater part of the Irish irons  taken off him. He was kept at for about three weeks, during which he  twice examined before the Sheriff;  they could not get what they call a declaration out of him, for he knew that would be used against him, so he thought it  well to keep his tongue within his teeth and this he would advise every man who is accused of a crime to do, whether he  innocent or guilty. But when the examination was over, he offered to tell whole of his story to them privately  he did tell a good deal of it.

From Dumfries he was conveyed Edinburgh jail, and placed once more under the charge of Captain Sibbald, the kindest and the best jailor in the world. His word may be taken for this, as he had some experience. He was soon