The Knight of the Golden Melice | Page 7

the tuft of hair that
hung below his chin.
"You are a soldier, Captain Endicott, and can look a man straight in the
eyes," paid Joy; "and, though people give you credit for a hot temper, I
will trust you."
Endicott elevated his eye-brows at this ambiguous compliment, and for
a moment seemed at a loss how to take it, especially as he remarked a
peculiar expression on the faces of his colleagues.
"Being a soldier thyself," he replied, fastening his eyes sternly on the
face of the prisoner, "thou art bound to know that it becomes not one in
the ranks to prattle."
Joy made no answer, but returned a cool and unabashed look to the
gaze of the other.
"If the witnesses have been called, let them appear," said the President.
Two men, of a rather moan appearance, now stepped forward; an oath
by the uplifted hand was administered, and one commenced his
testimony.
The substance of his story was, that Joy, on a certain occasion, and, at a
certain place, in his presence and hearing, had declared, with a profane
exclamation, that there were men in the colony, wiser, and more
learned, than either the magistrates or ministers; and that, between them
both, what with their long prayers and intermeddling in every body's

affairs, they were like to ruin the plantation.
Upon the conclusion of the testimony, the witness was sharply
cross-questioned by Governor Winthrop, and some inquires were made
by various Assistants, but nothing further was elicited. As for Joy, he
disdained to ask a question, declaring that his accuser, Timpson, had
already been in the stocks for leasing; and, besides, had been cudgelled
by himself for stealing.
Hezekiah Timpson, a villainous, lean, crop-haired fellow, with a
hang-dog look, and sanctimonious air, upon hearing himself charged
with delinquencies, which were notorious to the whole Court, raised to
heaven his eyes, which, until now, he had kept fastened on the floor,
and, sighing deeply, exclaimed:
"I do confess my iniquities and my sins are ever before me. Verily, was
I thus given over to Satan to be buffeted but by free-grace have I been
snatched, as a brand from the burning, even as I yet hope to see thee,
Philip."
"Canting rogue, I want none of thy hopes, good or bad," said Joy.
"Cease thy reviling," cried Dudley, starting from his seat. "What! are
we to sit here to listen to malapert railings against men of godly life and
conversation?" he added, addressing himself to Winthrop. But before
the Governor could reply, one of the Assistants interposed.
"Let the poor man unbosom himself freely," he said, "that the whole
truth may come to light."
"Our worshipful brother Spikeman," answered the Deputy Governor,
with a sneer, (which he did not attempt to suppress,) "was not always
ready to allow such free-speech, as witness the case of Martin
Wrexham, banished for speaking to his disparagement."
"I trust that I shall be able to give the worshipful Deputy Governor such
reasons for my conduct, as will satisfy him," said Spikeman.

Dudley threw himself back into his chair, as if not half satisfied; and
Winthrop, who had calmly listened to the colloquy, took advantage of
the pause that ensued, to direct the other witness to testify.
From the examination, it appeared that he had been present at the
conversation referred to by Timpson, that, indeed, it was between Joy
and himself, and that the former had not been aware of the presence of
the informer, until on turning round, when Timpson was standing at his
elbow. He recollected nothing said by Joy about the ministers, except
that he had, any day, rather listen to one of Corporal Joly's songs, than
Mr. Cotton's long sermons; nor respecting the magistrates, but that
there were better judges in England.
The testimony being concluded, the prisoner was asked what he had to
say for himself, to which he replied:
"Only that Hezekiah Timpson was an eves-dropping, lying villain, and
that the other witness had told the truth. He meant no harm by anything
he had said."
"Dost think it advisable to retract anything?" inquired Spikeman.
"I know not why I should deny the truth," answered Joy.
"Remand the prisoner, and clear the court-room," cried the President;
and Joy was accordingly led out, followed by the spectators.
As soon as the members of the Court were left to themselves, Winthrop
began to collect the opinions of the Assistants, commencing with the
youngest, who were placed most remote from him. At first, a
considerable diversity of sentiment prevailed, several seeming disposed
to discredit Timpson, and to acquit Joy. They pronounced their
opinions shortly and pithily, giving their reasons in a few words, until it
came to Spikeman's turn, who spoke more at length.
"The vice," he said, "of backbiting