in bullying a witness, and asking all sorts of questions tending to cast reflections upon his character. He was especially great in insinuating perjury; knowing that that is always open to a counsel who has no other defence.
“Will you swear that?” was asked at almost every answer; sometimes prefaced by the warning, “Be careful, sir—be careful.” If he could get hold of anything against a witness’s character, be it ever so small, and at ever so remote a distance in the man’s life, he brought it out; and being a Queen’s Counsel he did not always receive the reproofs that would have crushed a stuff gownsman into respectable behaviour.
“Were you charged with assaulting a female in the public streets, sir?”
“No, I worn’t.”
“Be careful, sir—she may be in Court.”
“Let her come forward then,” said the courageous Silverspoon, who was by no means wanting in tact.
“Will you be quiet, sir,” retorted Ricochet. “Now Mr. Bumpkin, or whatever your name is, will you swear she did not accuse you of assaulting her?”
“She coomed oop, and it’s my belief she wur in the robbery.”
“Bravo Bumpkin!” said one of the men who had chaffed him. And the jury looked at one another in a manner that showed approval.
“Will you swear, sir, you have never been in trouble?”