with an air of keen investigation, and asked the following questions:—
"Are you a constable of this county, sir?"
"No, sir," said Hiram, "I'm only a justice-peace."
"I ask you, Mr. Doolittle, in the face of this court, putting it to your conscience and your knowledge of the law, whether you had any right to enter that man's dwelling?"
"Hem!" said Hiram, undergoing a violent struggle between his desire for vengeance and his love for legal fame; "I do suppose—that in—that is—strict law—that supposing maybe I hadn't a real—lawful right;—but as the case was—and Billy was so backward—I might come for'ard in the business."
"I ask you, again, sir," continued the lawyer, following up his success, "whether this old, this friendless old man, did or did not repeatedly forbid your entrance?"
"Why, I must say," said Hiram, "that he was considerable cross-grained; not what I call clever, seeing that it was only one neighbour wanting to go into the house of another."
"Oh! then you own it was only meant for a neighbourly visit on your part, and without the sanction of law. Remember, gentlemen, the words of the witness, 'one neighbour wanting to enter the house of another.' Now, sir, I ask you if Nathaniel Bumppo did not again and again order you not to enter?"
"There was some words passed between us," said Hiram, "but I read the warrant to him aloud."
"I repeat my question; did he tell you not to enter his habitation?"
"There was a good deal passed betwixt us—
