Back there?—I shall not—
Officer!
The officer took her by the arm to lead her back.
Gently there—gently—gently.
There now! cried Martha, in a peevish, querulous tone—There now; dropping into the seat with her arms a-kimbo, and poking out her chin at the officer. There now; I hope that’ll satisfy you—
Gentlemen of the jury, pursued the judge; You have now the evidence before you. You have gone through the whole proof with me, step by step—it is for you to say what is the value of that proof—
Proof, cried Burroughs—proof! taking away his hands from his pale face—and speaking through his shut teeth. Call you that proof which proves nothing? that which relates to things that occurred, if they ever occurred at all, years and years ago? that which is only a sort of guess-work? that which relates to transactions which the poor soul does not appear to have had either voice or part in?
Bravely said, George Burroughs—bravely put, cried a female, who stood in the dark part of the house.
Such trivial matters too—so trivial that we should mock at them, but for the life we lead here, surrounded by savages, and by death in every shape, and by woods and waters that were never yet explored by man; beset on every side by a foe that never sleeps; afar and away from succor and liable to be surprised every hour of the day and every hour of the night, and butchered among our babes and our household-gods; Proof, say you?—can that be proof, I appeal to you judges—that which, however false it may be, or however mistaken by the witnesses, cannot, in the very nature of things, be explained away nor contradicted; that which calls upon a poor creature worn out with age and misery—an idiot—for of a truth she is little better—I pray you judges—I pray you—on me let your displeasure fall; not on her—I will abide your wrath—I see it in your eyes—but I pray you—I beseech you—can that be proof, that which calls upon a prisoner in such a case to go through the whole history of her life—hour by hour—step by step. Nay, speak to me!—By your oaths, answer me! By your oath here, and by your hope hereafter, may you call upon her, in a matter of life and death, to do this? And not only to do this, but to account for the epilepsy of a babe? for the dreams, the diseases, the very night-mares of them that now accuse her?——
If you do not stop Sir, we shall have to commit you.