Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 14.pdf/94

 The Black Eagle Q. 4:Case. Does he not know that he hath 65 when he sallied forth to quell the disturbance he was in no very good humor. Cornelius, quite out of breath, arrived upon the scene just at the time of the assault. Instantly he saw a twofold opportunity. Not only could he get rid of this very noisy disturbance, but here was a chance to show how he was diligently enforcing the law. He promptly called the watch, and ordered Van Spreckerhoom to be taken to the jail. The following Friday the sheriff brought the sailor before the Worshipful Court of Burgomasters and Schepens, and complained in most elaborate pleadings of this Ayran Jansen Van Spreckerhoorn for having com mitted a violent assault with drawn knife, and ex officio requested of their honors that this same "Ayran Jansen be punished as an example to others, according to the tenor of the Placard, dated XVI May, 1647." The Herr officer, on being asked for proof, ex plained the facts and requested that the prisoner might be called upon to answer to the charge. Accordingly Ayran came for ward and pleaded that "he did not know what he did, inasmuch as he was drunk, and prays mercy." Whereupon the sheriff de manded a cross-examination of Ayran, which in extenso appears on the records as follows : Question 1 : Does he not know where he drew his knife on the skipper? Answer 1 : No, as he w^as drunk. Q. 2: Did he then draw any knife? A. 2: Yes, against the sailors, who held a knife against his face. Q. 3: Does he not know whether he had anv words with the skipper? A. 3: No.

wounded the skipper? A. 4: No; nor even that he threatened him. Q. 5: Does he not know who was by or about? A. 5: Yes; he says that the skipper struck him. Q. 6: Did he ever quarrel with the skipper before? A. 6. No. Thereupon the Court ordered that the "officer shall produce his proof in support of his action, as he claims, by next Monday. Meanwhile the prisoner shall be again re manded to prison.'' On the following Monday the Court again assembled, and called Ayran before them for sentence. Meantime the skipper appeared in court and interceded in behalf of Ayran, and made light of his wounds. Whereupon "their worships of the Court, in considera tion of the delinquent's youth and the inter cession of the skipper," gave judgment that "the aforesaid Ayran Jansen Van Sprecker hoorn appear in court, and there, with un covered head, ask forgiveness of God, Jus tice and his skipper; that he defray the costs of arrest and pay, in addition, a fine of sixty carolus guilders, to be applied one-half to the officer, the remainder to the City." There is never a word more of the sixty carolus guilders; but the keeper of the records has added in the margin, for the benefit of curious readers, that "Ayran Jansen Van Spreckerhoorn did appear in court and fulfilled the first part of his sen tence, namely, begged the pardon of God, the Court and the skipper."