FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152  
153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   >>   >|  
prove that I do not deserve an ignominious punishment from my fellow-sinners--men! 'My lord, I know not the subtleties of the laws, nor the intricacy of pleadings. First, let me assert that I have never robbed; but I have restored unto the plundered: I have never murdered; but I have stood between the assassin's knife and his victim. For this have I been hated and reviled by my associates, and for this is my life now threatened by those laws against which I never have offended. The man who last addressed you has told you that I am the pirate captain's son; it is the assertion of the only irreclaimable and utterly remorseless villain among those who now stand before you to be judged--the assertion of one whose glory, whose joy, whose solace, has been blood-shedding. 'My lord, I had it from the mouth of the captain himself, previous to his murder by that man, that I was not his son. His son! thank God, not so. Connected with him and in his power I was most certainly and most incomprehensibly. Before he died, he delivered me a packet that would have told me who I am; but I have lost it, and deeply have I felt the loss. One only fact I gained from him whom they would call my father, which is, that with his own hand he slew--yes, basely slew--my mother.' The address of Francisco was here interrupted by a low deep groan of anguish, which startled the whole audience. It was now quite dark, and the judge ordered the court to be lighted previous to the defence being continued. The impatience and anxiety of those present were shown in low murmurs of communication until the lights were brought in. The word 'Silence!' from the judge produced an immediate obedience, and the prisoner was ordered to proceed. Francisco then continued his address, commencing with the remembrances of his earliest childhood. As he warmed with his subject he became more eloquent; his action became energetical without violence; and the pallid and modest youth gradually grew into the impassioned and inspired orator. He recapitulated rapidly, yet distinctly and with terrible force, all the startling events in his fearful life. There was truth in the tones of his voice, there was conviction in his animated countenance, there was innocence in his open and expressive brow. All who heard believed; and scarcely had he concluded his address, when the jury appeared impatient to rise and give their verdict in his favour. But the judge stood up, and addressin
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152  
153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
address
 

captain

 

previous

 

ordered

 

continued

 
Francisco
 
assertion
 

commencing

 
warmed
 

earliest


remembrances

 

childhood

 
subject
 

violence

 
pallid
 

modest

 
energetical
 
proceed
 

eloquent

 

action


produced

 

impatience

 

anxiety

 

present

 

deserve

 

defence

 

ignominious

 

lighted

 

murmurs

 

Silence


gradually

 
obedience
 

brought

 

communication

 

lights

 
prisoner
 

impassioned

 
believed
 

scarcely

 
concluded

innocence
 

expressive

 
appeared
 
favour
 

addressin

 

verdict

 
impatient
 

countenance

 
animated
 

rapidly