“Oui, my friend, things may be looking up,” Jean added.
Jonathan couldn’t rememberwhen his nerves had been stretched so tight.He couldn’t seem to sit still as he paced back and forth in his cell.He felt as if he were standing on the edge of a cliff and one wrong step would send him to his death.
He had no idea what today would bring, but in a way, he was almost glad to have the trial at hand.Each day that he remained caged, he became more like an animal, eager to escape.And one way or the other, he was getting out of Newgate.He just hoped it would be as a free man and not as an executed criminal.
He clenched his fists tightly at his sides.If Stanley dared hit him again with that damned stick, Jonathan swore he would kill the man.Then they could add murder to his other charge of treason.It might be worth the price.
Jonathan glanced at the window.He had been digging at the wall a little each day to remove the dry cement, trying to loosen the bars.If escape was the only way he was going to get out of Newgate, then so be it.
Strange and disquieting thoughts began to race through his mind, and he continued to pace.Damn, he was tired.Sleep had eluded him the past two nights, and he was almost too weary to think.Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Elizabeth.She had told him to trust her.But how?And why did she keep running away?The last time he had seen her, he’d wanted to hold her so badly.Instead, he’d given her a punishing kiss.
The hinges of the door creaked as it opened, and Stanley entered with chains dangling from his hand.“It’s time to go, Yer Lordship.”He held the irons up.“Have to put these on ye first.”
Jonathan hated the notion of being chained, but figured he’d best go peacefully.He extended his arms.“Where do we go from here?”
“I’ll take ye to the Old Bailey, where ye’ll be held in another cell underneath the courtroom until you’re called,” Stanley muttered as he snapped the hated iron around Jonathan’s wrist.He shoved Jonathan forward.“Let’s go.”
Jonathan walked in front of Stanley, who seemed to take pleasure in prodding him with his stick.They moved down several hallways until they reached the holding cell.Stanley paused and unlocked the door for Jonathan.
The cell was nearly full with a teeming mass of unwashed bodies.Jonathan turned to Stanley for an explanation.
“They call ye to the courtroom in groups of twelve to hear yer pleas.I’ll see ye after the trial,” Stanley said and shoved Jonathan forward.
Jonathan stepped inside and found a place to stand and wait.He stood with his back to the wall, observing the other men.Some of them looked as rough as Jean’s pirates.A few were scared.Some just stared, but all remained quiet.
It was amazing how subdued this group of men was.The sound of keys jingling down the hall could be heard.Jonathan turned, but the guard kept going.Leaning against the wall with his shoulder, he willed himself to relax as he waited.
Finally, the bailiff came for the next group.Relieved that something was finally going to happen ...he was also worried.But Jonathan marched out with eleven other men, wanting to get the trial over as soon as possible.
When they entered the courtroom, Jonathan immediately scanned the room.He saw his father, Elizabeth, and Jean.My God, Jean Lafitte in England!What a miracle!That actually brought a smile to Jonathan’s lips as he nodded to his friend.
The prisoners approached the bench and waited.The clerk stood and read the names of all present, including the other county officials, sheriff, and mayor.
As Jonathan’s gaze wandered to the gallery, he could see the people peering above each other to see his face.A titled gentleman being tried was indeed a spectacle.
“Court is in session,” the clerk announced, then looked at the prisoners and said, “When your name is called out, please identify yourself by raising a hand.Then plead guilty or not guilty to the indictment against you.”
One by one, the names were called off until they finally came to Jonathan.“Jonathan Hird, the Earl of Longdale.The charge is treason.How do you plead?”
Jonathan raised his hand.“Not guilty.”
“And how would you be so tried?”the clerk asked.
“By God and my country,” Jonathan said.
“So be it.”The clerk nodded to a guard, who hurried over and removed Jonathan’s fetters.He rubbed his wrists and stepped to the side to await his turn.
“Show the jury in,” the clerk instructed the guard.
Jonathan watched the jurymen file past him to their seats.He studied them, wondering how his fate lay in their hands.Would they be able to tell that he was innocent or would they believe the informant and find him guilty?
The proceedings began in rapid succession while the other cases were tried, one by one.Jonathan wondered what chance he had.
The jury heard each case and passed judgment before proceeding to the next prisoner.They didn’t even retire to discuss the cases.The foreman simply took the consensus of the jury and the decision was reached.Jonathan could glean nothing from the jurors’ faces.They might as well have been made of stone.They found the eleven men ahead of him guilty, so Jonathan had a grim feeling about his own case.
Finally, Jonathan’s turn came.He was instructed to stand on a platform within a small enclosure directly in front of the Assize Judge.
The clerk again announced, “This is Jonathan Hird, the Earl of Longdale.The charge is treason, Your Honor.”
