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
Mr. Simon had been living upon another estate belonging to the
Ogilvie family and for some time before had been suffering from
severe indisposition. When in a convalescent state, he was
invited by Dr. Ogilvie (who had taken charge of the estates,
after the demise of Mr. Adam Ogilvie) to spend some time with
him, for change of air. The room appropriated for his reception
was the one in which Mr. Adam Ogilvie met his fate: and here it
was that Martin and his party determined to strangle him, as they
had formerly done their master. Night, “sable goddess,” from her
ebon throne, “stretched her leaden sceptre o’er a slumbering
world,” and Mr. Simon retired to rest; but before he courted the
embrace of sleep, his thoughts dwelt upon that kind Power who had
so graciously supported him throughout a severe fit of illness,
and at length brought him to that state of convalescence when he
could again enjoy those things which make life sweet. Whilst
ruminating upon these subjects, his attention was drawn to a
slight rustle in his apartment, and listening more intently, he
heard a whispering voice exclaim, “Hold him!” His first plan was
to spring from his bed, but in the act of doing so, he was
grappled by one or two of his assassins. Fearful was the struggle
which ensued—the one striving for his life, the others for their
safety, which they well knew would be lost did their intended
victim escape. At length, wonderfully renewed with a sufficient
degree of strength, Mr. Simon was enabled to jump to the back of
the bed, which fortunately happened to be distant two or three
feet from the partition—a place not calculated for the murderers
following up their attack. Here, keeping his assassins at bay,
Mr. Simon redoubled his cries of murder, which at length were
fortunately heard by Dr. Ogilvie, who occupied a distant chamber,
and who quickly coming to his assistance, the culprits became
alarmed, and endeavoured to make their escape by the windows.
This they finally succeeded in doing, but not before Martin (the
individual who, it will be remembered, was sent to call the
coroner on the occasion of Mr. Ogilvie’s untimely death) was
fully recognised by the manager and Dr. Ogilvie. The next
morning, it was discovered that Martin and his accomplices had
absconded, upon which, search was made, and in the course of a
short time, they were apprehended and brought up for trial.
Molly, the faithless paramour of Mr. Ogilvie, turned king’s
evidence; and in the course of her examination, admitted the
facts of that gentleman’s murder, and her own share in that
shocking deed. It may be necessary to observe, that when the
murder of Mr. Ogilvie was determined, the ranger upon the estate,
a man of the name of Jacob, was fully sensible of their
intentions, although he would not aid them in the completion; he
was therefore found guilty as an accessary before the fact, and
with Martin and the others, condemned and executed; his body hung
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account