At length, the fellow was
secured, and led before a magistrate; the boy, to whom he was heard
to say something which nobody understood, and to whom, after the
man's capture, no one paid much attention, was no more seen.
"The rest, as far as this man was concerned, may be told in a few
words; nothing to criminate him was found on his person, but on his
baggage being examined, a quantity of spurious notes were
discovered. Much of his hardihood now forsook him, and in the hope
of saving his life he made some very important disclosures; amongst
other things, he confessed that it was he who had given me the
notes in exchange for the horses, and also the note to be changed.
He was subsequently tried on two indictments, in the second of
which I appeared against him. He was condemned to die; but, in
consideration of the disclosures he had made, his sentence was
commuted to perpetual transportation.
"My innocence was thus perfectly established before the eyes of the
world, and all my friends hastened to congratulate me. There was
one who congratulated me more than all the rest--it was my beloved
one, but--but--she was dying--"
Here the old man drew his hand before his eyes, and remained for
some time without speaking; at length he removed his hand, and
commenced again with a broken voice: "You will pardon me if I
hurry over this part of my story, I am unable to dwell upon it.
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