the
road and their money taken from them. All the rest, to the number of
seventeen, as they drew nigh to Edinburgh, were arrested and thrown
into gaol upon suspicion of they knew not what; however, the magistrates
were not long at a loss for proper accusations, for two of the gang
offering themselves for evidences were accepted of, and the others were
brought to a speedy trial, whereof nine were convicted and executed.

Kennedy having spent all his money, came over from Ireland and kept a
public-house on Deptford Road, and now and then it was thought, made an
excursion abroad in the way of his former profession, till one of his
household gave information against him for a robbery, for which he was
committed to Bridewell; but because she would not do the business by
halves she found out a mate of a ship that Kennedy had committed piracy
upon, as he foolishly confessed to her. This mate, whose name was Grant,
paid Kennedy a visit in Bridewell, and knowing him to be the man,
procured a warrant, and had him committed to the Marshalsea prison.

The game that Kennedy had now to play was to turn evidence himself;
accordingly he gave a list of eight or ten of his comrades, but, not
being acquainted with their habitations, one only was taken, who, though
condemned, appeared to be a man of a fair character, was forced into
their service, and took the first opportunity to get from them, and
therefore received a pardon; but Walter Kennedy, being a notorious
offender, was executed July 19, 1721, at Execution Dock.

The rest of the pirates who were left in the ship _Rover_ stayed not
long behind, for they went ashore to one of the West India islands. What
became of them afterwards I cannot tell, but the ship was found at sea
by a sloop belonging to _St. Christophers_, and carried into that island
with only nine negroes aboard.

Thus we see what a disastrous fate ever attends the wicked, and how
rarely they escape the punishment due to their crimes, who, abandoned to
such a profligate life, rob, spoil, and prey upon mankind, contrary to
the light and law of nature, as well as the law of God. It might have
been hoped that the examples of these deaths would have been as marks to
the remainder of this gang, how to shun the rocks their companions had
split on; that they would have surrendered to mercy, or divided
themselves for ever from such pursuits, as in the end they might be sure
would subject them to the same law and punishment,