They may as well have their
fun; and itll be shorter for him.
STRAPPER. Young Jack has brought a boxful up. Theyre all ready.
THE SHERIFF [going to the dais and addressing Blanco] Your place
is at the bar there. Take it. [Blanco bows ironically and goes to
the bar]. Miss Evans: youd best sit at the table. [She does so,
at the corner nearest the bar. The Elder takes the opposite
corner. The Sheriff takes his chair]. All ready, Strapper.
STRAPPER [at the door] All in to begin.
(The crowd comes in and fills the court. Babsy, Jessie, and Emma
come to the Sheriff's right; Hannah and Lottie to his left.)
THE SHERIFF. Silence there. The jury will take their places as
usual. [They do so].
BLANCO. I challenge this jury, Sheriff.
THE FOREMAN. Do you, by Gosh?
THE SHERIFF. On what ground?
BLANCO. On the general ground that it's a rotten jury.
[Laughter].
THE SHERIFF. Thats not a lawful ground of challenge.
THE FOREMAN. It's a lawful ground for me to shoot yonder skunk at
sight, first time I meet him, if he survives this trial.
BLANCO. I challenge the Foreman because he's prejudiced.
THE FOREMAN. I say you lie. We mean to hang you, Blanco Posnet;
but you will be hanged fair.
THE JURY. Hear, hear!
STRAPPER [to the Sheriff] George: this is rot. How can you get an
unprejudiced jury if the prisoner starts by telling them theyre
all rotten? If theres any prejudice against him he has himself to
thank for it.
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