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Tuckey, wild with terror, fled; and Jack seizing the senseless body of Orford, slung it down the mountain's side. Tuckey was proceeding homeward, when a groan struck his ear—he listened—another groan succeeded—and the compassionate boy wished to learn from whence they came, Winding down the intricacies of the mountain, the body of Captain Orford arrested his step! His master was not dead, but very much bruised, and his skull fractured. Tuckey raised him from the ground, and with much difficulty bore him to the plantation of Mr. Chapman. Rosa was in an agony of grief when she beheld the helpless situation of Orford. She dressed his wounds, and constantly attended him in his illness, and he soon recovered; for wounds are cured to a miracle in the West Indies in any part of the body, except the legs, where they are seldom cured.
This fresh proof of Jack's valour spread his fame parts of the island. He was said to be the head of a gang of negro robbers, which was false; for he had no associates.
Captain Orford was now perfeetly recovered; and Mr. Chapman, eager to have the marriage solemnized, fixed the day so earnestly looked for by the young lovers. To dispel the time, he proposed a variety of entertainments, and the next day was appointed for a shooting party. The morning was fine; and the party, consisting of Mr. Chapman, Captain Orford and his boy Tuckey, with several planters and their servants, proceeded along the banks of the river Morant. Near the bay the game was pretty fair; Captain Orford, being too eager after the game he and his boy were unfortunately separated from the rest of the company. They spring a covey of wild fowl; the Captain fired and
