‘Yes, sir. Me saw William and Robert, they sleep in the hall of the Great House.’

‘So William and Robert McKellar knew each other well?’

‘Yes sir, Mister Jackson. Is William always bring Robert to Rock Pleasant. Try get him some work when Massa need it. McKellar start out as friend to old cripple Jonnie and then him come to be a very, very special friend to Stella,’ she say, and look at Stella like she looking at a trapped rat.

Yes is true, I did try get work for Robert. And me happy to do it. Him always looked out for us. Bring down extra food from the mountains when the provision grounds dried up.

‘Morning time, Stella and Massa have one big, big quarrel,’ Sydney continue. ‘Massa say him will nail the hall door shut. The door that lead to the parlour, because Massa say William make a Negro house of it. Him angry because William do nuttin’ but walk all over the country, pick up strangers and bring dem home. Him tell Stella, that when him return from muster, him going beat William for bringing people into the place.’

Mister Jackson go and stand beside Sydney.

‘So, Stella and the master fought on the morning of the accident and he told Stella he would beat William.’

‘Yes sir. That is what me say. You want me to say it again?’

The crowd laugh, and the judge smile, but Mister Jackson don’t seem to mind. Is then I see. Him is wanting Sydney to be in good favour with the judge and jury.

‘What happened next, Sydney?’

‘Massa tell me to “turn Robert out”, but when Massa gone, Stella bring food for Robert. Tell him to stay. While him eating, me hear her complain bout how Massa sell off her fowl dem. Sell off her hog. Tell her him need the money and what is hers belong to him.’

‘So Stella tells Robert McKellar to stay and gives him food? And complains about her treatment from her master?’

‘Yes, sir. Is what me tell you before. You want me to tell you again?’

The crowd laugh, but this time the judge come down on Mister Jackson.

‘Please control your witness. This is no laughing matter.’

‘Yes, of course, Your Honour,’ Mister Jackson say, making a little bow. ‘Please continue, Sydney.’

‘A little while later. Me see Robert with a hatchet in him hand. Him say him do the job, but me don’t know what job him mean. The hatchet look like it covered in blood and when me ask him bout it, him say is William give him the hatchet.’

The crowd start to murmur.

‘Go on, Sydney. What else did you hear?’ Mister Jackson ask.