"Words, is it?" said Peter Blood. "Oh - not guilty." And he went
on, addressing himself to the bench. "On this same subject of words,
may it please your lordships, I am guilty of nothing to justify any
of those words I have heard used to describe me, unless it be of a
want of patience at having been closely confined for two months and
longer in a foetid gaol with great peril to my health and even life."

Being started, he would have added a deal more; but at this point
the Lord Chief Justice interposed in a gentle, rather plaintive
voice.

"Look you, sir: because we must observe the common and usual methods
of trial, I must interrupt you now. You are no doubt ignorant of
the forms of law?"

"Not only ignorant, my lord, but hitherto most happy in that
ignorance. I could gladly have forgone this acquaintance with them."

A pale smile momentarily lightened the wistful countenance.

"I believe you. You shall be fully heard when you come to your
defence. But anything you say now is altogether irregular and
improper."

Enheartened by that apparent sympathy and consideration, Mr. Blood
answered thereafter, as was required of him, that he would be tried
by God and his country. Whereupon, having prayed to God to send him
a good deliverance, the clerk called upon Andrew Baynes to hold up
his hand and plead.