Page:Abraham Lincoln, A Story and a Play.djvu/75

 when they were quarrelling together that last night. Armstrong pounded Metzger in the face with a sling shot which he had prepared with great care. That settled Metzger.

,—At what time did this happen?

,—About eleven o'clock at night.

,—How could you see so clearly at that time of night?

(promptly),—By the light of the moon.

,—Was there light enough to see everything that happened?

,—The moon was about in the same place as the sun would be at ten o'clock in the morning, and nearly full.

(turning to an officer of the court),—Bring me an almanac.

(coming forward and placing an almanac in Lincoln's hand),—Here it is, sir.

(opening the almanac and speaking very slowly),—This almanac shows that at the time you speak, the moon was not shining. There was utter darkness. What you have said, then, cannot be true.

(excitedly),—Innocent! Innocent! poor boy! Of course he's innocent.