From Baynes, who pleaded not guilty, the clerk passed on to Pitt,
who boldly owned his guilt. The Lord Chief Justice stirred at that.

"Come; that's better," quoth he, and his four scarlet brethren
nodded. "If all were as obstinate as his two fellow-rebels, there
would never be an end."

After that ominous interpolation, delivered with an inhuman iciness
that sent a shiver through the court, Mr. Pollexfen got to his feet.
With great prolixity he stated the general case against the three
men, and the particular case against Peter Blood, whose indictment
was to be taken first.

The only witness called for the King was Captain Hobart. He
testified briskly to the manner in which he had found and taken the
three prisoners, together with Lord Gildoy. Upon the orders of his
colonel he would have hanged Pitt out of hand, but was restrained
by the lies of the prisoner Blood, who led him to believe that Pitt
was a peer of the realm and a person of consideration.

As the Captain's evidence concluded, Lord Jeffreys looked across at
Peter Blood.

"Will the prisoner Blood ask the witness any questions?"

"None, my lord. He has correctly related what occurred."

"I am glad to have your admission of that without any of the
prevarications that are usual in your kind. And I will say this,