Page:Black Jacob, a monument of grace.djvu/21

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
jacob hodges.
13

shot was not mortal. Jacob, on seeing the prostrate condition of his aged victim, and reflecting upon what lie had done, was filled with horror, and being about to go away, his accomplice ran to him, and exclaimed, profanely, "He is not dead yet; will you undertake a piece of business, and not finish it?" Springing forward, the white man seized the gun, and struck Jennings several times upon the head, till the stock was broken in pieces, and the old man was quite dead.

The body was left in its blood, unburied and unconcealed. Jacob returned to the house of Mrs. T., and told her what he had done. She appeared pleased, and gave him more ardent spirits. Given over to delusion and madness, she manifested no symptoms of remorse or contrition. It was not so with Jacob. Neither the attempts of the murderous party to convince him that he had done right; nor the promise of large pecuniary reward, with the power of stimulants, could quiet the agitated mind of this poor negro. He

2