The constable was a good man, and told Joseph that the mob was going to try to take him and perhaps kill him; but he would protect Joseph.  In driving to another town where the court was to be held, the mob lay in waiting by the road, but the constable whipped up his horse and they got away.

The next day when Joseph was called to be tried, there was a large crowd and much excitement as many wished to see and hear the young prophet.  The trial commenced and many persons who knew Joseph were called to tell something about him.  Among the number was Mr. Stoal, for whom Joseph had worked.

“Did not the prisoner, Joseph Smith, have a horse of you?” was asked of Mr. Stoal.

“Yes, sir,” was the answer.

“Did not he go to you and tell you that an angel had appeared unto him and told him to get the horse from you?”

“No; he told me no such story.”

“Well, how had he the horse of you?”

“He bought him of me as another man would do?”

“Have you had your pay?”

“That is not your business.”

The same question was asked again.

“I hold his note for the price of the horse,” replied Mr. Stoal, “which I consider as good as the pay, for I am well acquainted with Joseph Smith, Jr., and know him to be an honest man, and if he wishes, I am ready to let him have another horse on the same terms.”

Many other witnesses were called, but the above is a fair sample of the questions and the answers received.  Nothing wrong was proved against Joseph and he was discharged.

But no sooner was Joseph released than another constable appeared and arrested him again.  This officer mistreated Joseph shamefully.  He would give him nothing to eat, and he allowed a crowd of men to spit upon him and otherwise abuse him.

The next day Joseph was tried again, this time at Colesville.  His friends again gathered around to protect him while his enemies tried harder than ever to have him convicted of some crime.  Many witnesses were called who told untrue stories of Joseph, but when they were questioned they contradicted each other so that everybody, including the court, could see they were not telling the truth.

Newel Knight was called as a witness.

“Did the prisoner, Joseph Smith, Jr., cast the devil out of you?” asked the lawyer who was against Joseph.

“No, sir,” was the reply.

“Why, have you not had the devil cast out of you?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And had not Joe Smith some hand in its being done”

“Yes, sir.”

“And did he not cast him out of you?”

“No, sir; it was done by the power of God, and Joseph Smith was the instrument in the hands of God to do it.  He commanded him out of me in the name of Jesus Christ.”

The lawyer could make nothing out of him or the others who were called to tell of some supposed wrong Joseph had done.  Nothing could be found against him that would send him to prison, and I suppose the judge thought that even casting the devil out of a man was not such a great crime.  So Joseph was once more released and a free man.