Page:The Art of Cross-Examination.djvu/66

 The people finally rested. The tall lawyer (Lincoln) stood up and eyed the strong witness in silence, without books or notes, and slowly began his defence by these questions:

"Lincoln. 'And you were with Lockwood just before and saw the shooting?'

"Witness. 'Yes.'

"Lincoln. 'And you stood very near to them?'

"Witness. 'No, about twenty feet away.'

"Lincoln. 'May it not have been tenfeet?'

"Witness. 'No, it was twenty feet or more.'

"Lincoln. 'In the open field?'

"Witness. 'No, in the timber.'

"Lincoln. 'What kind of timber?'

"Witness. 'Beech timber.'

"Lincoln. 'Leaves on it are rather thick in August?'

"Witness. 'Rather.'

"Lincoln. 'And you think this pistol was the one used?'

"Witness. 'It looks like it."

"Lincoln. 'You could see defendant shoot—see how the barrel hung, and all about it?'

"Witness. 'Yes.'

"Lincoln. 'How near was this to the meeting place?'

"Witness. 'Three-quarters of a mile away.'

"Lincoln. 'Where were the lights?'

"Witness. 'Up by the minister's stand.'

"Lincoln. 'Three-quarters of a mile away?'

"Witness. 'Yes,—I answered ye twiste.'