h a contracted leg, mounted the
table. He was speedily sworn, and his examination commenced. After a
few questions as to his trade,--he was a tailor,--and where he had
lived latterly, he was asked whether he remembered, amongst his former
acquaintance, a certain bailiff on the Corrig-O'Neal estate, commonly
called Black Sam?

"By coorse I do," said he; "he was always making mischief between Mr.
Godfrey and ould Peter."

"You have not been asked that question, sir." interposed Wallace.

"No, but he shall be by-and-by," cried Hipsley. "Tell me, now, what kind
of a man was this same Black Sam?"

"As cruel a man as ever you seen."

"That is not exactly what I am asking. I want to hear what he was like."

"He was like the greatest villain--"

"I mean, was he short or tall; was he a big man and a strong man, or was
he a little fellow like you or _me?_"

"Devil a bit like either of us. He 'd bate us both with one hand,--ay,
and that fellow there with the wig that's laughing at us, into the
bargain."

"So, then, he was large and powerful?"

"Yes, that he was."

"Had he anything remarkable about his appearance,----anything that might
easily distinguish him from other men?"

"Tis, maybe, his eyes you mane?"

"What about his eyes, then?"

"They could be lookin' at ye when ye 'd aware they were only lookin' at
the ground; and he 'd a thrick of stopping himself when he was laughing
hearty by drawing the back of his hand over his mouth, this way."

As the witness accompanied these words by a gesture, a low murmur
of astonishment ran through the court, for more than once during the
morning Meekins had been seen to perform the very act described.

"You would probably be able to know him again if you saw him."

"That I would."

"Look around you, now, and tell me if you see him here. No, no, he's
not in the jury-box; still less likely it is that you 'd find him on the
bench."

The witness, neither heeding the remark nor the laughter which followed
it, slowly rose and looked around him.

"Move a little to one side, if ye plase," said he to a member of the
inner bar. "Yes, that's him." And he pointed to Meekins, who, with
crossed arms and lowering frown, stood still and immovable.

The bystanders all fell back at the same instant, and now he remained
isolated in the midst of that crowded scene, every eye bent upon him.

"You 're wearing well, Sam," said the witness, addressing him
familiarly. "Maybe it's the bl