"This is Judge Elliott," the Marshal answered, motioning.
"Jedge Elliott!"
"Yes, I am Judge Elliott."
He stood looking straight at the Judge. "Then, suh, I can't say that I'm glad to meet you."
"Nor I to meet you, under such circumstances, Mr. Starbuck. I am indeed sorry to see so venerable a looking man brought here on a charge so serious. And I request from you a straightforward statement."
Old Jasper turned toward Foster. "I can't talk while he's in here, Jedge. He seed me in jail and I can't talk befo' no man that has seed me there."
"You needn't hesitate to speak within his hearing, Mr. Starbuck. He was a soldier, too."
"What, all soldiers? Then I have been tuck into camp."
"But not into the camp of your enemies. At a time when your state took up arms against the Federal government, you stepped forth to fight for the Union, and it is in consideration of this fact that I grant to you an examination here in chambers, to save you every possible humiliation. And now I ask you—"
"Jedge, I didn't come here to beg."