Todd Goes To Take His Trial.
Even he recoiled when he was brought into the court of the Old Bailey, for it was a complete sea of heads; and from the dock he could hear the roar and the shout, and the shrieks of people outside, who were still struggling for admission.
It was then that the idea first seemed to strike him that the public, in him, had recognised one of those notorious criminals, that awaken in no small degree popular indignation by their acts. Indeed, upon his first appearance in the court, there was a strange kind of groan of execration, which was tolerably evident to all, and yet not defined enough for the judge to take any notice of.
The strife continued at the door of the court, and it was quite evident that the officers were engaged in a severe struggle with the crowd outside.
"Let the doors be closed," said the judge; "the court is already inconveniently crowded."
Upon this order, the officers redoubled their exertions; and being assisted by some of the spectators already within the court, who were fearful of being trampled to death if the crowd should once get in, the doors were made to shut, and fastened.
A yell of rage and disappointment came from the mob; and then a loud voice, that towered above all other noises, shouted—
"Bring Todd out and we will hang him at once without any further trouble. We only want Todd!"
The countenance of the prisoner turned as white as paper, and his glaring eyes were fixed upon the doors of the court.
"It is quite impossible," said the judge, "that the business of the court can be carried on under these circumstances; I hope that the civil power will be sufficient to repress this tumult without, otherwise it will be my duty to send for a guard of military, and then bloodshed may be the consequence, from which those who create this riot alone will be in any way answerable."