. He looked a shade paler than on the first
day of the trial, but no want of resolution was expressed in his
firm-set face. He gazed with an unquailing glance round the faces
eagerly bent forward to catch his words, and then spoke in distinct
tones as follows:--

"I have only got a word or two to say concerning Serjeant
Brett. As my friend here said, no one could regret the man's
death as much as I do. With regard to the charge of pistols
and revolvers, and my using them, I call my God as a witness
that I neither used pistols, revolvers, nor any instrument on
that day that would deprive the life of a child, let alone
a man. Nor did I go there on purpose to take life away.
Certainly, my lords, I do not want to deny that I did go to
give aid and assistance to those two noble heroes that were
confined in that van--Kelly and Deasey. I did go to do as much
as lay in my power to extricate them out of their bondage; but
I did not go to take life, nor, my lords did anyone else. It
is a misfortune there was life taken, but if it was taken it
was not done intentionally, and the man who has taken life
we have not got him. I was at the scene of action, when there
were over, I dare say, 150 people standing by there when I
was. I am very sorry I have to say, my lord, but I thought I
had some respectable people to come up as witnesses against
me; but I am sorry to say as my friend said. I will make no
more remarks concerning that. All I have to say, my lords and
gentlemen, is that so far as my trial went and the way it was
conducted, I believe I have got a fair trial. So far as my
noble counsel went, they done their utmost in the protection
of my life; likewise, my worthy solicitor, Mr. Roberts, has
done his best; but I believe as the old saying is a true one,
what is decreed a man in the page of life he has to fulfil,
either on the gallows, drowning, a fair death in bed, or
on the battlefield. So I look to the mercy of God. May God
forgive all who have sworn my life away. As I am a dying man,
I forgive them from the bottom of my heart. God forgive them."

As Larkin ceased speaking, O'Brien, who stood to the right of him,
moved slightly in advance, and intimated by a slight inclination to
the Court his intention of addressing them. His stalwart form seemed
to dilate with proud defiance and scorn as he faced the er