Then a boy, William Reddaway, about thirteen years of age, was called,
and by the usual questions, put by the Lord Chief Justice, it was
ascertained that he knew the nature of an oath. And so he was sworn. His
evidence referred to a time about a week later.
_Att._ Now, child, don't be frighted: there is no one here will hurt you
if you speak the truth.
_L.C.J._ Ay, if he speak the truth. But remember, child, thou art in the
presence of the great God of heaven and earth, that hath the keys of
hell, and of us that are the king's officers, and have the keys of
Newgate; and remember, too, there is a man's life in question; and if
thou tellest a lie, and by that means he comes to an ill end, thou art no
better than his murderer; and so speak the truth.
_Att._ Tell the jury what you know, and speak out. Where were you on the
evening of the 23rd of May last?
_L.C.J._ Why, what does such a boy as this know of days. Can you mark the
day, boy?
_W._ Yes, my lord, it was the day before our feast, and I was to spend
sixpence there, and that falls a month before Midsummer Day.
_One of the Jury.
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