I shall sue out a writ of _habeas corpus_, and take this prisoner out of custody.

I'll sue this court on its bond! I'll take a change of venue! We'll leave no stone unturned to set this innocent man free and restore him to the bosom of his family!" This speech produced a great effect on the audience, as murmurs of approbation testified, but the doughty Justice of the Peace was not so easily to be reckoned with.

He pointed out that there was no officer to serve a writ of _habeas corpus_; that the court had given no bond to anybody and did not propose to do so; that there was no other court to which to apply for a change of "vendew," as he termed it; and reiterated once more that the "trile must go on." The prosecution was, therefore, once more called upon to state the case.

Again the attorney for the defence protested, a foreshadowing of his fighting blood reddening his face.
"I call for a jury," said he.

"Does this court suppose we are going to leave the liberty of this prisoner in the hands of a judge openly and notoriously prejudiced as to the facts of this case?
I demand a trial by a jury of the defendant's peers." Blackman reddened, but was game.