The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-10-26

He answered moro than was
asked.
ITS entirely innocent l am"
A small. Sharp. faced man at
table before and to the right OF him
bounced up. II was Mr.. pollcXfen.
the judge advocate.
Are you guilty or not gulltyG"
snapped this peppory gentleman.
You must take the words"
Words, Is IL" said Peter Blood.
1h-not guilty" And he went on.
q addressing himself TO the bench. ION
this same subject OF words. may Il
please your lordships. am guilty OF
nothing 10 justify any OF those words
have heard used 20 describe me.
unless IL be OF want OF patience at
having been closely confined for two
months and longer in n foetid gaol
with great peril 10 my health and
even life"
Being started. he would have added
n deal more; but NJ this point the lord
chief justice lnterposed in a gentle.
rather plalntive voice.
Look you. sir; because We must
observe the common and usual
methods OF trial. I must interrupt
You now. You are no doubt ignor.
ant OF the forms OF law2"
Not only ignorant. my lord. but
hitherto most happy in that ignor-
ance. could gladly have lorgono
this acquaintance with them"
A l. A. a
the wistful countenance.
II believe you. You shall be fully
heard when you come TO your de.
Tense. But anything you say now Is
altogether Irregular and improper"
Enhearteened by that apparent
sympathy and consideration, Mr.
Blood answered thereafter. as was
required OF him, that he would be
tried by God and his country. Where
upon. having prayed 20 God to send
him good deliverance. the clerk
called upon Andrew Baynes 70 hold
up his hand and plead.
From Baynes. who pleaded not
aiilty. the clerk passed on 20 Pitt,
lio boldly owned his guilt. The
lord chief justice stirred AZ that.
Come; that's better" quoth he.
and his four scarlet brethren nodded.
II all were as obstinate as his two
fellow rebels, there would never be
an end"
After that omlnous Interpolation.
delivered with an inhunan icincss
that sent n SILVER thru the court, Mr.
Poliexfen rot to his feet. With great
prollxity he stated the general case
against the three men. and the par.
ticalar case against Peter Blood.
whose indictment was TO b taken
first.
The only witness called for the
king was Captain Hobart. He testI
fled briskiy 10 the manner In which
he had found and taken tho three
prisoners. together with Lord Gil.
doy. Upon the orders OF his colonel
he would have hanged Pitt out OF
hand, but was restrained by the lies
OF the prisoner Blood. who led him
to believe that Pitt was peer OF tho
realm and person OF consideration.
As the captains evidence con.
Nled. Lord Jcffreys looked across
Peter Blood.
"win the prisoner Blood ask the
witness any questions?-
None. my lord. He has correctly
related what occurred"
II am glad to have your admission
Of that without any OF the preyarica.
tons that are usual In your kind.
And ! win say this. that here pre-.
varicatiou would avaIi you little. For
we always have the truth In the end
Be sure OF that"
Baynes and Pitt similarly admitted
the accuracy OF the captains evi.
dsnce. whereupon the scarlet figure
Of the lord chief justice heayed a
sigh OF relief.
This being so, let us get on. in
Gods name; for we have much to
do" There was now no trace OF
gentleness in his voice. II was brisk
and rasping. and the lips thru which
II passed were curved In scorn. II
take It. Mr.. PoIIexfen. that the wick.
ed treason Of these three rogues be
ing ablished-indeed. admitted by
them-there Is no more TO be said
Peter Blood's voice rang out crisp.
iy. on a note that almost seemed Il
contain laughter.
'ifay It please your lordship. but
there's deal moro to be said"
His lordship looked at him. first In
blank amazement at his audacity
then gradually with an expression Of
dull anger. The scarlet lips fell in
to unpleasant, cruel lines that trans
figured the whole countenance.
How now. rogue7 Would yor
Aste our time with Idle subterfuge?'
n would have your lordship anC
30 gentlemen Of the jury hear ms
on my defense, as your lordshiI
promised that should be heard"
why, so you shall. villain; so yot
shall" His lordship's voice was
harsh as a file. He writhed as h,
spoke, and for an instant his features