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Jack and his associates now once more returned to the city, but it may be well imagined that their guilty conscience would not let them rest.
Having committed a robbery in the country, he and his companions were both apprehended, tried and condemned. Jack was only twenty-four years of age when he suffered the punishment due to his crimes. He confessed the horrid murder he had committed some weeks before.
THE GENEROUS IRISHMAN.
Lieutenant Fleming was the youngest son of a respectable gentleman in the county of Louth, and was sent at an early age on board a British man-of-war in the situation of midshipman. He had a fine open manly countenance, an easy air, and a heart that diffused the irresistible charm of good humour over a tolerable set of features, setting at defiance both ill-temper and ill-breeding.
After an absence of twelve years, spent with honour to himself and advantage to his country, having by his bravery and good conduct been promoted to the rank of lieutenant, he obtained permission to visit his native place. He had not been long seated on the top of the coach, before he perceived that his next neighbour was either very ill, or in great trouble, by several deep sighs which seemed reluctantly to force their way from an overcharged bosom.
His heart beat responsive to the sound; it was too dark to distinguish faces, nor did he recollect to have observed, on his getting up, whether it was a male or a female next to him, nor was that a consideration: he chewed his quid sometime in silence, till a sudden violent jolt of the coach drew forth a faint shriek from a female voice, and threw her in contact with the lieutenant's shoulder.
"Avast," cried he, "take care how you steer, or we may all roll over, d'ye see; besides here seems to be one longside not able to stem the upsetting. Take courage, my good lass, lean against me and welcome; we shall soon come into some port."
"You are very kind, good sir," answered a feeble voice; "I am, indeed but little able to bear the motion of the carriage, much less the sudden shakes, but I will be better by and by."
"I hope so, I hope so," rejoined the lieutenat, "we shall get into smooth water immediately, when we are off the stones."
