“And thy other relatives?”
“I have none but him,” pointing to the dumb youth.
“_Het is jammer!_ but how will he get rid of the charge of this foul murder?”
“I will question him,” said the mother, who now made various signs, which were replied to by the youth in the same way.
“What does he say?” asked the worthy magistrate.
“He says that he went forth early in the morning of the day; he was found standing over the dead body, as soon as the gate was opened to admit the country people, where he saw the dead man lying under a tree, and was seized while thus occupied. He knows nothing more.”
“_Onbegrypelik!_ how can you understand all this?”
“Oh, sir, I have been used to study every look and action of his life since he was a child, and can comprehend his inmost thoughts.”
“_Goeden Hemel!_ is all this true? but he must go back to prison, while I wait on the governor to solicit his pardon. Wilt thou accompany him?”
“Oh yes!—but no. I will go with thee to the governor. He will not deny the petition of a mother for the life of her only child.”