He would win liberty for his fellows as well as for himself, and
after a brief council a murderous plot was framed and executed. A stone
slung in a handkerchief sent Morrin, the gaoler, to sleep; the keys
found on him opened the massy doors; and Haggart was free with a reward
set upon his head. The shock of the enterprise restored his magnanimity.
Never did he display a finer bravery than in this spirited race for his
life, and though three counties were aroused he doubled and ducked to
such purpose that he outstripped John Richardson himself with all his
bloodhounds, and two days later marched into Carlisle disguised in the
stolen rags of a potato-bogle.
During the few months that remained to him of life he embarked upon a
veritable Odyssey: he scoured Scotland from the Border to St. Andrews,
and finally contrived a journey oversea to Ireland, where he made the
name of Daniel O'Brien a terror to well-doers. Insolent and careless,
he lurched from prison to prison; now it was Armagh that held him,
now Downpatrick, until at last he was thrust on a general charge of
vagabondage and ill-company into Kilmainham, which has since harboured
many a less valiant adventurer than David Haggart. Here the culminating
disgrace overtook him: he was detected in the prison yard by his ancient
enemy, John Richardson, of Dumfries, who dragged him back to Scotland
heavily shackled and charged with murder. So nimble had he proved
himself in extrication, that his captors secured him with pitiless
severity; round his waist he carried an iron belt, whereto were
padlocked the chains, clanking at his wrists and ankles.
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