Page:Life of John Boyle O'Reilly.djvu/76

42 Deputy Judge Advocate ruled that the evidence was legal and proper.

Witness to Prosecutor:

I never made a speech on Fenianism, to my recollection, at any place. I might have said things when I was drunk that I would not answer for afterwards. I was drunk every time I went there afterwards. I swear positively I was never present on an occasion when there was a conversation about electing a president of a republic. I might have been present at such conversation when drunk, and not know anything about it.

The Court. Why was Williams sent to tell you of the Fenian meeting if, as you say, you had previously refused to become a Fenian?

Witness. He was sent, I don't know by whom, but he used to go round to Island Bridge and Richmond Barracks for that purpose.

(re-examined by prosecutor):

Having heard the evidence of Lance-Corporal Fitzgerald, I have not the least doubt that I met him at Barclay's in February last. The reason I did not, on Corporal Chambers's trial, mention prisoner, as being present at Barclay's in February, was that I had some doubts of his name. I have now no doubt that he was present.

To the Prisoner:

I did mention your name to the prosecution about a fortnight ago.

This ended the examination of Informer Foley. He was followed by a duller, but more malicious knave, Private Meara, who boasted, with low cunning, that he had taken the Fenian oath out of curiosity, and with the intention of betraying his fellows; repeated his own smart repartees, and put into the mouth of the prisoner the wholly imaginary atrocious promise, that he would hamstring the cavalry horses in case of emergency. One can almost form a picture of this ruffian from his own words. The official report reads:

, First Battalion, Eighth Regiment, deposed: He was a member of the Fenian Society and attended several meetings of that body, at which were present other soldiers. He saw the prisoner at a meeting' in Hoey's public-house in January, in company with Devoy and Williams, whom he knew to be Fenians, and with other soldiers, as also with Baines, Rynd, and others. On that occasion he saw a sketch of Island Bridge Barracks in the prisoner's hand, which he was explaining to Devoy.

The President. You are asked what was said.