[2] Law-latin: “Hostes humanis generis”, etc.
[3] A co-defendant.
“Speak to the point, my man.”
And, “What have you more to say?”
If we had had anything to saw, how could we have said it with no lawyer to pilot us over the law language and to throw outlandish words back at our prosecutors?
Nay, more. From jury to judges they were all land crabs. Asks Judge Holt—
“What do you mean by ‘conning a ship?’”
Begging their honors’ pardon, I ask, Could that be a fair trial for sailormen? A baby at the breast ought to know that conning a ship is a-steering of her.
Did I have to ship on the Charles the Second? Was I pressed? Never has the press-gang picked up old Bill May when he was sober. How often have I led the gang myself! Who was it grabbed half a score knock-kneed apprentices for the Hector and other of the king’s ships under Admiral Tiddiman? Only Bill May, the pirate.
No, indeed. Captain Brake of the Wave, East Indiaman, was begging me to voyage with him to Calicut, but I said, “No, here is Sir James Houblon outfitting costa-gardas for the Spanish South Americas; here,” said I, “is where they need men who can keep an edge to a cutlass, and where I am wanted there I always try to be.”