Part 21 (1/2)
”Well, all right, judge; I'll do it to oblige you. The most we saw was where a fire had been. Looked like a right smart fire. They was plenty o' ashes layin' there.”
”Did you see anything in the ashes?”
”What business is it o' yourn?”
”Now, now,” said the Court, ”you must answer the questions, Mr.
Haskins.”
”All right, judge,” said Curly. ”Well, I dunno hardly what we did see any mor'n what I tole all the boys when we first brought Juan in. I tole you all.”
”Correct the witness, your Honour,” said Franklin.
”Answer only the questions, Mr. Haskins,” said the Judge.
”Very well,” said the prosecutor; ”what did you see? Anything like a man's figure?”
”We object!” said Franklin, but Curly answered: ”Well, yes, it did look like a feller a-layin' there. But when we touched it--”
”Never mind. Did the prisoner see this figure?”
”Sh.o.r.e.”
”What did he do?”
”Well, he acted plumb _loco_. He gets down an' hollers. '_Madre de Dios_!' he hollers. I 'low he wuz plenty scared.”
”Did he look scared?”
”I object,” cried Franklin.
”S'tained,” said the judge.
”'Ception,” said the prosecuting attorney.
”Well, what did the prisoner say or do?”
”Why, he crawls aroun' an' hollers. So we roped him, then. But say--”
”Never mind.”
”Well, I was--”
”Never mind. Did you--”
”Sh.o.r.e! I foun' the end o' the lariat tied to a tree.”
”But did you--”
”Yes, I tole you! I foun' it tied. End just fits the broke end o' the lariat onto the saddle, when the hoss come back. Them hide ropes ain't no good.”