human
Go ahead, Colonel! shouted a rough voice.
gpt
Thar's enough of y'ur old men here tew see that you git a fair hearin'.
human
Thank you, gentlemen, and Fremont bowed.
gpt
The alcalde tells me, he continued, after a moment's pause,
human
and he pointed to Thure and Bud,
gpt
But, three men swore that they saw the prisoners kill the man, Colonel! called someone from the crowd.
human
This has been no mob trial; but a regular court trial by jury; and the jury found them guilty, unanimous.
gpt
Where are those witnesses? Let us have a look at them?
human
Here's one on 'em, Colonel, and the huge frame of Hammer Jones loomed up in front of Fremont, with the trembling Skoonly still in the grip of his right hand.
gpt
I swun, but I am glad tew see you right now,
human
Ham, Hammer Jones! and Fremont gripped the extended hand with glad cordiality.
gpt
It's like old times to see your face again. But this is no time for idle talk, and his fine face hardened.
human
So that is one of the witnesses against Thure and Bud, and his piercing eyes looked searchingly into the face of Skoonly.
gpt
What did he swear to?
human
He swore, answered the alcalde,
gpt
Three days ago! snorted Ham wrathfully.
human
He saw th' prisoners kill a man three days ago in th' Sacermento Valley! Not unless he's got a double-barreled long-shot gun ahind him that can shoot his body clean from Hangtown tew th' Sacermento Valley in less time than I could take a chaw of ter-backer; for three days ago I seen this identickle man, Skoonly, run out of Hangtown for tryin' tew steal th' gold-dust of a sick miner. S'cuse me for interrupting
gpt
What! and the alcalde's eyes brightened and his whole face lightened, as if a great load had been suddenly lifted off his soul.
human
You saw this man run out of Hangtown three days ago! The very time that he swore he was on his way from San Francisco to the diggings! The very day that he swore he saw the prisoners kill the miner in the Sacramento Valley!
gpt
Right. He sart'in was in Hangtown three days ago. I reckon I otter know, seein' I was one on 'em tew help run him out. Ay, Skoonly, and Ham jerked the cringing man around in front of the alcalde.
human
Now, what might be th' trouble with that arm?
gpt
He said, answered the alcalde,
human
Huh! and again Ham snorted scornfully, then a sudden gleam came into his eyes, and he turned quickly to the alcalde.
gpt
Supposing he grinned,
human
Good! and the alcalde smiled.
gpt
Skoonly can't object, because it will be a strong point in his favor, if we find the arm really broken.
human
But I do object, protested Skoonly emphatically, his face becoming livid.
gpt
Th' pain'll be sumthin' awful; an' doc said that it mustn't be taken out of the splints for a month on no account.
human
Objection overruled, declared the alcalde, who had been watching the man's face.
gpt
Here, and he turned to the foreman of the jury,