Larkin was frequently interrupted, during the delivery of this address, by the loud shouts and laughter of the crowd; but, at its close, a perfect tornado of applause swept over the multitude, and a hundred voices called out:
'No; doan't ye hang him.' 'Give him one more chance.' 'Doan't gwo more'n the tar.' 'Larkin's a loryer, shore.'
Amid these and similar exclamations, the jury retired to the little grove of liveoaks. In about fifteen minutes they returned to their seats.
'Gentlemen of the jury,' said Gaston, 'have you agreed on your verdict?'
''Greed on one thing, Major Gaston,' said the foreman, rising; 'hain't on t'other.'
'On what have you agreed?'
'On whippin' th' young 'ooman.'
'What say you on that—guilty, or not guilty?'
'Guilty.'
'And so say you all?'