CHAPTER XLVI.
THE WITNESS.
Mr.Grantly brightened up at once, Grace looked happily to Heaven, and Roger Acton shouted out, "Thank God! thank God!--there's Ben Burke!" Yes, he had heard miles away of his friend's danger about an old shawl and a honey-pot full of gold, and he had made all speed, with Tom in his train, to come and bear witness to the innocence of Roger.

The sensation in court, as may be well conceived, was thrilling; but a vociferous crier, and the deep anxiety to hear this sturdy witness, soon reduced all again to silence.
Then did they swear Benjamin Burke, who, to the scandal of his cause, would insist upon stating his profession to be "poacher;" and at first, poor simple fellow, seemed to have a notion that a sworn witness meant one who swore continually; but he was soon convinced otherwise, and his whole demeanour gradually became as polite and deferent as his coarse nature would allow.

And Ben told his adventure on Pike island, as we have heard him tell it, pretty much in the same words, for the judge and Mr.Grantly let him take his own courses; and then he added (with a characteristic expletive, which we may as well omit, seeing it occasioned a cry of "order" in the court), "There, if that there white-livered little villain warn't the chap that brought the crocks, my name an't Ben Burke." "Good Heavens! Mr.Jennings, what's the matter ?" said a briefless one, starting up: this was Mr.Sharp, a personage on former occasions distinguished highly as a thieves' advocate, but now, unfortunately, out of work.

"Loosen his cravat, some one there; the gentleman is in fits." "Oh, Aunt--Aunt Quarles, don't throttle me; I'll tell all--all; let go, let go!" and the wretched man slowly recovered, as Ben Burke said, "Ay, my lord, ask him yourself, the little wretch can tell you all about it." "I submit, my lurd," interposed the briefless one, "that this respectable gentleman is taken ill, and that his presence may now be dispensed with, as a witness in the cause." "No, sir, no;" deliberately answered Jennings; "I must stay: the time I find is come; I have not slept for weeks; I am exhausted utterly; I have lost my gold; I am haunted by her ghost; I can go no where but that face follows me--I can do nothing but her fingers clutch my throat.

It is time to end this misery.