"I decline answering that question," answered Ithuel, with an air of dignity.
"Witness, have you any personal knowledge of the prisoner?"
"I decline answering that question, too."
"Do you know anything of such a person as Raoul Yvard?"
"What if I do?--I'm a native American, and have a right to form acquaintances in foreign lands if I see it's to my interest, or it's agreeable to my feelin's."
"Have you never served on board His Majesty's ships?"
"What majesty?--There's no majesty in Ameriky, as I know, but the majesty of heaven."
"Remember that your answers are all recorded, and may tell against you on some other occasion."
"Not lawfully; a witness can't be made to give answers that tell ag'in himself."
"Certainly not made to do it; still he may do it of his own accord."