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Kay's Originals Vol. 1

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296 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. where he supposed the prisoner had taken refuge, and he gave notice that, if Jefferson was not instantly delivered up, he would blow the town to atoms. A shot or two soon had the desired effect. About three thousand of the natives were seen approaching towards the fort, with Jefferson in the centre. No sooner had the prisoner been brought into the court than the Captain gave him to understand that he had not a moment to live. Then ordering one of the cannons to be prepared, had him instantly lashed to the muzzle of the piece. The prisoner bade one of his comrades beg for one half hour to say his prayers‘; but the answer the Captain returned was-“ No, you rascal ; if any man speaks a word in his favour I will blow out his brains ;I’ at the same time brandishing the pistol which he held in his hand. A portion of the burial-service being read to the prisoner, the Captain ordered the prayer-book to be pulled out of his hands. Jefferson than hastily took leave of his comrades ; and, after upbraiding the tyrant, as he called the Captain, gave the signal. In a moment the match was applied, and the next the prisoner was blown over the wall. His remains were afterwards .picked up by the men and interred. In defence of such an extraordinary and savage stretch of power, Captain M‘Kenzie endeavoured to prove that his company were mutinous-that Jefferson had been a ringleader, and had been repeatedly heard to threaten the life of the Captain. The evidence was by no means conclusive as to this allegation ; and the implicit obedience displayed by the men in the execution of an illegal and shocking sentence does not strengthen his assertion. It appeared, however, from unquestionable authority, that he had a very worthless set of characters under his command ‘--the garrison being mostly composed of convicts ; and besides, he had not the means of forming a court-martial for the trial of the prisoner. The jury found M‘Kenzie guilty of wilful murder ; but, in consideration of the “ desperate crew he had to command,” they recommended him to mercy. During the trial and passing of sentence, the Captain behaved with the utmost composure. His execution was first delayed for a week-then he was respitedand ultimately pardoned. After obtaining his liberty, the Captain returned to his native country ; and, during his stay in Edinburgh, afforded Kay an opportunity of taking his likeness as one of “ The Bucks.’’ On observing the Print in the booksellers’ windows, the Captain was offended at being classed, as he said, “with fiddlers and madmen.” He called on the artist, and offered a guinea to have it altered ; but, finding his entreaty vain, he insisted on leaving half-a-guinea, for which he soon after got a miniature painting of himself. Although M‘Kenzie had incapacitated himself for the British service, yet being still “intent on war,” he resolved to try his hand against the Turks. The unfortunate Murray M‘Kenzie alias Jefferson had been a drummer in the 3d Regiment of Foot Guards ; but unluckily, about twelve years previous to his death, he fell in with a gang of shoplifters. He had been ten times tried, and four times sentenced to be hanged ; but always found friends to obtain a mitigation of his sentence.
Volume 8 Page 415
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