human
Ah, I forgot. We have not yet heard your story. You say that you found the miner, John Stackpole, found him wounded? he asked eagerly.
gpt
Then he is still alive?
human
Yes, we found him, Thure answered slowly,
gpt
Died! And in your hands! and again the alcalde's face grew stern, and again that hoarse unbelieving laugh came from the crowd.
human
Young man, do you realize that you are telling a very improbable-sounding story? But, and the alcalde resumed his judicial gravity of countenance,
gpt
I am forgetting that you are not on the witness stand. The button, it appears then, came from the prisoner's coat,
human
It does,
gpt
The prisoner may return to his place by the side of the sheriff. Now, and the alcalde's eyes searched the surrounding faces,
human
I reckon the testimony is plenty sufficient as it now stands, and a huge brutal-looking man pushed his way through the crowd and faced the alcalde.
gpt
Haven't two reputable witnesses sworn that they saw the prisoners kill the man? Didn't one of them find a buttom that has been proven to belong to the coat of one of the prisoners on the very spot where the man was killed? And what can be offered in disproof of all this? Nothing but the word of the prisoners themselves, who certainly would lie to save their necks, if they would kill a man to get his gold. I move, and he whirled about and faced the crowd, now muttering and growling like a huge beast,
human
Wait! The alcalde's voice rang out clear and imperative; and, as he spoke, he stepped out in front of the barrel, one of the big revolvers held in each hand.
gpt
Before you put your motion I have a few words to say; and, after I have said my few words, you can put your motion; and we will see whether the men of Sacramento City stand for law and justice or for mob brutality.
human
Hear! Hear! shouted a number of voices.
gpt
The alcalde shall be heard!
human
Men, continued the alcalde, his voice ringing with intense earnestness,
gpt
I stand not here to plead for mercy in behalf of these two young men, although their youth might almost justify such a plea. I am here to demand justice. If this court, after fair trial shall find them guilty of the brutal murder charged against them, then, in the name of the same justice that I now invoke to protect them, they must hang; for, in a community situated as we are, self-protection compels us to deal with murderers with stern and relentless hands. But--Hear my words!--the prisoners have not yet been proven guilty before this court. They have not yet had fair trial. They have not yet even been heard in their own defense. When I took my oath of office to serve you as alcalde, that oath, the oath you yourselves compelled me to swear, bound me to see that every prisoner brought before me had fair and speedy trial. I meant to keep that oath then; and, by the Eternal Andrew Jackson! I mean to keep it now, if need be with my life. Now, you can put your motion,