Page:Visits from the world of spirits (NLS104185233).pdf/4

4 some of the Court that offered to speak, and which would have perhaps brought the man back again to himself---"Hold" says the judge, the man sees sees [sic] something more than we do, I begin to understand him" and then speaking to the prisoner "why" says he "is he not a legal witness? I believe the Court will allow his evidence to be good, when he comes to speak." "No, my lord, it cannot be just: it can't be allowed," says the prisoner (with a confused eagerness in his countenance, that shewed he had a bold heart, but a guilty conscience) "Why not, friend? what reason do you give for it?" says the Judge. 'My lord' said he, 'no man can be a witness in his own case; he is a party, my lord: therefore, he can't be a witness.'

'But you mistake,' says the Judge, 'for you are indicted at the suit of the King, and the man may be a witness for the King; as in case of a robbery on the highway, we allow the person robbed is a good witness: and without this the highwayman could not be convicted: but we shall hear what he says, when he is examined." This the Judge spoke with much gravity, and in so easy and natural a tone, that the criminal at the bar answered, 'Nay, if you will allow him to be a good witness, then I am a dead man.' The last words he said with a, lower voice than the rest, but withal called for a chair, which, if he had not had, it was thought he would have sunk down at the bar; as he sat down,