But his chivalrous bearing and noble words woke no
response within the prejudice-hardened hearts of the majority of his
auditors; they felt that the fearless words of the fearless youth
would overbear all that his accusers had uttered, and that the world
would read in them the condemnation, of the government and of the
people whose power he so bravely defied.
Michael Larkin spoke next. He looked a shade paler than on the first
day of the trial, but no want of resolution was expressed in his
firm-set face. He gazed with an unquailing glance round the faces
eagerly bent forward to catch his words, and then spoke in distinct
tones as follows:--
"I have only got a word or two to say concerning Serjeant
Brett. As my friend here said, no one could regret the man's
death as much as I do. With regard to the charge of pistols
and revolvers, and my using them, I call my God as a witness
that I neither used pistols, revolvers, nor any instrument on
that day that would deprive the life of a child, let alone
a man. Nor did I go there on purpose to take life away.
Certainly, my lords, I do not want to deny that I did go to
give aid and assistance to those two noble heroes that were
confined in that van--Kelly and Deasey. I did go to do as much
as lay in my power to extricate them out of their bondage; but
I did not go to take life, nor, my lords did anyone else.
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