Antigua and the Antiguans, Volume 2 (of 2): A full account of the colony and its inhabitants from the time of the Caribs to the present dayLanaghan, Mrs.
History
Antigua and the Antiguans, Volume 2 (of 2): A full account of the colony and its inhabitants from the time of the Caribs to the present day
Lanaghan, Mrs.
Antigua -- Description and travel; Antigua -- History
Long did the overseer upon the property wait the following
morning for the appearance of his employer; anxiously did he
watch the door, as hour after hour rolled away; but the door
still remained closed, and his patience becoming exhausted, and
fearful of some misfortune, he at length determined to burst it
open. This effected, the dreadful truth quickly forced itself
upon his conviction; there lay Mr. Ogilvie stiff and cold, who
only the day before exulted in all the glow and strength of
youth. As no information could be obtained from either of the
servants, as to whether Mr. Ogilvie had complained of
indisposition during the night, it was thought necessary to call
a coroner’s inquest to sit upon the body; and consequently,
Martin, on account of his being the deceased’s most constant
attendant, was despatched to convey the necessary information to
the coroner.
Mr. Ogilvie’s estate was situated at the extreme west end of the
island, and at that period, the person who exercised the office
of coroner resided at the extreme east end. Martin, who knew too
well the cause of his unfortunate master’s death, found his
interest lay in retarding, rather than urging on his journey, and
from this cause, the coroner did not reach Mr. Ogilvie’s
residence until the following day, when the body was found to be
in such a decomposed state, that the coroner’s jury could form no
correct opinion as to the cause of his death, and therefore
returned a verdict of “Died by the visitation of God.”[25]
So far all was well with Martin and his associates; no hand
pointed to them, no eye watched their movements. Suspicion was at
rest; and no “foul whisperings” were abroad which would tend to
urge further inquiry into the tragic event. In this manner, three
years rolled away; but murder will out; sooner or later, such
deeds are published in the broad front of heaven. Like the savage
tiger, who, having once tasted human blood, longs for more,
Martin and his accomplices, finding how well they got through
their first murder, resolved to attempt the life of the manager,
Mr. David Simon.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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