96 THE TRIAL.

“ How?” interrupted Rollo.

“QO, it went ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-
ding, almost as fast as it could go. Iran
out to see what was the matter, and found
all the people going to court. I followed on.
We went across the common, and thence into
the court-house. I went in with the rest,
and stood near the door. After the judges,
and the clerks, and the lawyers were all
seated, and the room was pretty still, the
judge ordered the prisoner to be brought in.

“Mhen the sheriff went out for him. The
sheriff had a stout, painted pole in his hands,
and he had a little box or pew, where he sat
near the prisoner, when he had brought him
in, and put him at the bar.”

“Ts that the sheriff’s business ?’’ said Rollo.

“Yes,” replied Jonas. “ He has the care
of the prisoners, and brings them in, and
takes them out; and he keeps order in the —
court, and does other things which the judge —
wants to have done. ‘The sheriff went out,
and presently came in at a side door with —
the prisoner. He put him to the bar, and
then took his own place. .

“The prisoner was a poor-looking man ;
his name was Eben Daniell, and I thought