Page:Life and adventures of David Haggart.pdf/12

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

12

him too well before, quickly took to his heels, and Haggart instantly turned through the field, and made to Jock's Lodge. Then, crossing the Forth, he went through Cupar to Dundee, disguised in sailors' clothes; there he committed a number of depredations, then returned to Newhaven and went up to Edinburgh. Here the first thing he saw was a bill posted up, offering 70 guineas reward for his apprehension. This determined him to go north again. He arrived in Dundee, and from thence went to Perth, and attended the fairs in Perth, Dunkeld, Kenmore, &c., and robbed some cattle-dealers to a considerable amount. One night, in his lodgings in Perth, two policemen came in upon him, but the determined manner in which he received them, made them hesitate in apprehending him, and Haggart gained an opportunity to escape. He left Perth for Glasgow, and made up his mind to go to Ireland, and started in the steam-boat. Here he was recognized by the Provost of Kirkaldy, who went ashore at Lamlash; Haggart, suspecting all was not right, was ready to jump overboard, but the boat went off without the Provost. He landed in Belfast, where he attended fairs &c., and was in continual scenes of robbing and knocking down. At Drummore market he was seized and taken before a magistrate. When asked what name he had, he answered, it was John M'Colgan, from Armagh. He was cross-examined and shown a Dublin paper, with a description of his person; he denied being a Scotsman, and passed off the brogue so well, that the magistrate was in doubts, but he was ordered to be detained, and three yeoman sat in the court-house to guard him. He plied them so well with drink, that he prevailed on them to let a young woman bring him supper; and