"I saw Mr. Stepaside get up, and I thought he was going to attack Wilson. There was a look of murder in his eyes, as I thought, but he didn't do owt. He simply said that he'd pay him out for this, or summat of that sort. And I said to my mate, 'Stepaside'll kill Wilson for that.'"
This evidence, which was given in the rough Lancashire dialect, was nevertheless very impressive. The witness and Mr. Bakewell made the jury see, as if in a picture, the two men quarrelling, Wilson striking an angry blow, and Paul breathing out murder against him.
"John Scott," said Paul, when he rose to cross-examine him, "you've known me a good many years?"
"Ay; I've known you ever since you came to Brunford."
"You know the kind of man I am?"
"Ay; I think so."
"You say you saw me walk away from Wilson, who lifted his stick and struck me down?"
"Ay, I did."
"After I had been stunned for two or three minutes I rose to my feet?"
"Ay."