a mangy lion."

The young man had spoken loudly and contemptuously. Rand, on the
Justice's Bench, and Mocket, in the act of voting, both heard, and both
looked his way. Ludwell Cary knit his brows, and meeting his brother's
eyes, slightly shook his head. Look and gesture said, "Leave abuse
alone, Fair."

Mocket voted for Rand. "I challenge that vote!" cried Major Edward
Churchill. "The man's been in prison."

Amid the noise that followed, the Jackal was heard to cry, "It's a lie!
Lewis, tell them it's a lie! Major Churchill, you'd better be careful! I
was acquitted, and you know it."

"Do I?" answered the Major coolly. "I know that you ought to be making
shoes in the penitentiary! Mr. Sheriff, you should really have this
courtroom sprinkled with vinegar. There's gaol fever in the air."

"I don't see, Mr. Sheriff," came Rand's voice from the Justice's Bench,
"that any more vinegar is needed. Gentlemen, all--whether Federalist or
Republican--I was Mr. Mocket's lawyer in the case referred to. Twelve
good men and true--men of this county--pronounced him innocent. It is
not surprising that my friends the Federalists should wish to gain
time,--they are leagued with old Time,--but I protest against their
gaining it by such means. This is not a matter of parties; it is a
matter of a man being held innocent till he is proved guilty. A hundred
men here can testify as to the verdict in this case. Mr. Mocket,
gentlemen--" He paused and regarded the sandy-haired and freckled Tom,
the brother of little Vinie, the sometime door-boy in Chancellor Wythe's