"But being placed on half-pay at the end of the war, Ensign Macshane
took to evil courses; and, frequenting the bagnios and dice-houses,
was speedily brought to ruin.
"Being at this pass, he fell in with the notorious Captain Wood, and
they two together committed many atrocious robberies in the inland
counties; but these being too hot to hold them, they went into the
west, where they were unknown. Here, however, the day of
retribution arrived; for, having stolen three pewter-pots from a
public-house, they, under false names, were tried at Exeter, and
transported for seven years beyond the sea. Thus it is seen that
Justice never sleeps; but, sooner or latter, is sure to overtake the
criminal.
"On their return from Virginia, a quarrel about booty arose between
these two, and Macshane killed Wood in a combat that took place
between them near to the town of Bristol; but a waggon coming up,
Macshane was obliged to fly without the ill-gotten wealth: so true
is it, that wickedness never prospers.
"Two days afterwards, Macshane met the coach of Miss Macraw, a
Scotch lady and heiress, going, for lumbago and gout, to the Bath.
He at first would have robbed this lady; but such were his arts,
that he induced her to marry him; and they lived together for seven
years in the town of Eddenboro, in Scotland,--he passing under the
name of Colonel Geraldine.
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