“‘By all means,’ said he graciously. ‘Let me inform you what is the custom of the Court. You have first to stand and ask yourself the question; you shall then stand up again and reply to it.’
“Kneeling, I struck the pavement of the court three times with my forehead as is the custom, and rising again turned towards the empty space upon the little block of wood and said:
“‘Now, witness, remember you are upon your oath; did you or did you not receive the Charter from the King and his Council in the terms you have mentioned?’
“I then leapt upon the little block of wood and turning to the place I had just occupied, I said:
“‘I did.’
“I then jumped down again (luckily I was still a young man and the exercise did not affect me or cause me loss of breath) and I asked:
“‘What did you do with that document?’
“I leapt upon the little block of wood again and turned to the place I had just occupied and answered:
“‘I brought it into court.’