'Did you ever say, in reply to a question put to you by Mr. Townsend Trench as to why you were not shot, that you had told the tenants that if anything happened to you he would succeed you as agent?'
'Yes, I did say so; but it is not original, because it is what Charles II. said to James II.'
This historic reference, which elicited laughter in Court, did not seem intelligible to my questioner, but some better informed person probably soon quoted it to him:—
'Depend on it, brother James, they will never shoot me to make you king.'
From the kid-glove amenities of Mr. Davitt to the aggressive harshness of Mr. Biggar was a sharp contrast. He heckled me vigorously, and I retorted to him pretty hotly. A great deal had been expected of this cross-examination, but the general opinion was that I gave rather better than I received. Coolness is the despair of cross-examiners, and I think mine made more impression on the Court than the impulsiveness of a dozen inaccurate Nationalists.
Mr. Biggar asked:—
'You said you were popular in the district up to 1880?'
I retorted with emphasis:—
'I never had a serious threat until you mentioned my name in Castleisland, and then people told me, 'Get police protection at once, or you will be shot!'
That made the Court laugh. Mr. Biggar did not appreciate the humour. He returned to the charge viciously:—