Page:Devonshire Characters and Strange Events.djvu/818

694 "with his hands in his breeches' pockets "; and William Wakelin, who deposed to Shortland pushing one of the prisoners (James Reeves).

John Bennett, store clerk. "I heard Captain Shortland tell the prisoners in the market-place to go back to their different prisons, and say how sorry he should be to use force. &hellip; Some minutes after a musket went off, and soon after many others. I was then so near Capt. Shortland that I am sure I should have heard it had he given the orders to fire; but I did not, nor did I hear an order from anybody. I did not see the charge."

John Collard, sergeant of the 1st Somerset Militia, heard Shortland give the order to charge. "An order was then given to fire on them (the prisoners); I heard the word given to fire by some one; I think the word given was in my rear. &hellip; The prisoners were crying out 'Fire!' I could not then see Captain Shortland. I did not look out for him. I had something else to think of when the order to fire was given. Two or three men fired; immediately they obeyed the order; one musket was discharged first, and one or two very soon after. &hellip; I think the soldiers fired over their heads; then some prisoner or prisoners said, 'You——why don't you fire? You have nothing but blank cartridges.' Afterwards the firing became general, and the prisoners were driven into the yard. I heard no word of command for the second firing; the firing was not in a volley, but in small numbers at a time. &hellip; I know nothing of what happened afterwards in the prison yard."

Stephen Lapthorn, private in the 1st Somersetshire Militia. "I heard an order given to fire, but don't know who gave it. I can't say whose voice it was; am not sure whether it was from the prisoners or the