“The young man would have resigned himself quietly, but you incited him to resist the law and escape.”
“It is quite true. I have sinned, sir,” said Vine, in a low pained voice, “and I am ready to answer for what I have done.”
“But that is not all,” continued the officer. “Not content with aiding my prisoner to escape, you attacked me, sir, and twice over you struck me in the execution of my duty.”
“Is this true, George?” cried Uncle Luke, excitedly.
“Yes,” said his brother, calmly bending to this new storm: “yes, it is quite true.”
“Well, sir, what have you to say?”
“Nothing.”
“You know, I suppose, that it is the duty of every citizen to help the officers of the law?”
“Yes.”
“And yet you not only fought against me, but struck me heavily. I have the marks.”