"I care not who tries me," replied Joy. "I am a true man; and, though
I don't belong to the congregation, am as honest as a great many who
do, and he is a horrid villain, who--"

"Enough," interrupted the Governor, "a quick tongue often prejudices,
while a slow one seldom doth. Do I understand that it is thy desire to
be tried by the Assistants?"

"It is not my desire to be tried by any one," said Joy; "but, sith I
am to be put on my deliverance, I think that I shall stand a better
chance in the hands of honorable gentlemen, some of whom have been
soldiers, than in the dirty paws of tinkers, and cobblers, and mere
mechanicals."

No smile mantled over the faces of his grave judges, but it was
obvious, from the twinkling of eyes and glances shot by one to
another, that the speech of Joy had done him no harm with those who,
even thus early, began to feel annoyed at the approach of the clouted
shoe.

"Art thou prepared for thy trial? inquired the President.

"At any moment, and the sooner the better, your worship. I had rather
mount guard, for a week, in steel helmet and corselet, with breast,
back, culet, gorget, tasses, sword, musket and bandoliers, in the
hottest sun that ever roasted a blackamoor, or stand up to my knees,
six months, in snow, without my mandilion, than lie a day longer in
that ace--I mean that kennel of a lock-up."

"It, meseems, thou art in a hurry to have justice done thee, good