Page:The Land Claim.pdf/29

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28
THE LAND-CLAIM.

prisoner took when he left witness; and in what position the murdered man stood in reference to that direction.

Witness "could not answer positively. In the excitement of the moment did not notice more than that the prisoner went into the woods behind us; but whether to the right or left, could not say."

The surgeon then uncovered the body, and demonstrated that the ball must have come from the left of where the deceased was standing at the time; and also that it had been fired from a lower point of ground, as the appearance of the wound indicated.

While the body was uncovered there was a strong sensation in the room; and it was noticed and commented upon that the prisoner showed no emotion at the sight, but rather seemed curious to observe the correctness of the surgeon's observations.

Upon the testimony offered, the Judge felt compelled to commit the prisoner for further trial, and to await the impaneling of the Grand Jury. The crowd, who had been waiting in suppressed wrath to obtain this sanction to their already settled convictions, now began to mutter threats, and to talk about "stringing him up," "putting him in the Missouri," and the like methods of executing hasty justice; none of which threats seemed to alarm the prisoner, who, during the whole examination, had been calm, though sullen; and had only said in reply to a question from the, Judge as to what defense he could make, that he "had not killed Edwards; that there was somebody in the woods besides him."

The sheriff, constable and a few others quietly surrounded the prisoner, and the Judge requested the crowd to disperse peaceabl3, as the law was amply able to take care of offenders; and that they must show respect for it by keeping it themselves; counsel to which they reluctantly yielded, after some mutterings.

Then came a scene which. tried the nerves of the spectators. The poor unhappy daughter, who felt that she had done her father so miserable's service, was waiting for the opportunity to beg his forgiveness before leaving him to loneliness and imprisonment. Throwing herself on the floor, she bowed her head on his knees, and gave way to sobs that wrenched her delicate frame with their violence.

"Oh, my father! would I had died before I spoke such words as I did. If they kill you, they shall kill me, too;- for what have I to live for, without mother or father? Oh heaven-! how terrible it-is!"

To these piteous lamentations the offended father turned an indifferent ear. " She could cry and lament, now that she had done what she could to deprive herself -of a father; but she must not expect pity from one she had not pitied; " and, finally, he expressed himself weary of her complaints, and, rising, left her fainting on the floor.

It would have been well for Thomas Newcome if he had shown some compasion for his suffering daughter-the impression of his cruel nature gaining more ground among—those who witnesssed this exhibition of it from this one circumstance, than from the accredited fact of the shooting an enemy.