"Enter that the prisoner says he is not guilty," said the President,
addressing the Secretary; "and do thou, Philip Joy, remember where
thou art, and express thyself in a manner more becoming this
presence."

"It is hard to be tied up like a mad dog and not get angry," replied
the accused.

"Sirrah!" cried the gentleman, whose appearance was described next
after the President, "dost thou bring a contumacious spirit here to
bandy words with the right worshipful Governor? Silence, and answer
peremptorily to the questions of thy betters."

"Nay, worthy Deputy Governor Dudley, the poor man is, I doubt not,
already sensible of his error, and sinned more out of ignorance than
design," observed the President.

"The honored Governor," spoke an assistant from near the bottom of the
table, "is, I fear, disposed to be too lenient in respect of these
foul-mouthed carrion."

"Our law condemns no man unheard; nor will I be more stern," answered
the mild Governor Winthrop, (for it was he). "It seems to me to be the
part of a judge to allow no harsh suspicions to enter his mind, lest
they throw baleful shadows over his decisions. Philip Joy," he added,
turning to the prisoner, "thou hast declared thyself innocent; wilt
thou be tried by a jury, or art content to trust thy cause to the
judgment of the honorable Court of Assistants?"