Tbe prisoner was convicted of setting fire to a barn and stables. Tbe only exception is to tbe refusal of a prayer that there was no evidence to justify submitting tbe case to tbe jury. It was in evidence that at daylight next morning, after the burning,tracks were found around tbe bam and stables and leading off in tbe direction of tbe prisoner’s bouse, which, when followed up, came into tbe road about fifty yards from and opposite bis bouse; that going on to tbe prisoner’s bouse, bis shoes, which were a new pair, were taken and were found to exactly fit tbe aforesaid tracks around tbe bam and stable; also that a short time prior thereto the prisoner bad bad two difficulties with tbe owner of tbe barn and stables, about different matters, and became very angry; that be said to one witness shortly before tbe fire that be was “mad with Dr. Williams (tbe owner of tbe bam and stables), and that be would bum bis tail,” and be also said be “would go down to Dr. Williams’ and -do him up.” Other witnesses testified to tbe same or similar threats shortly before tbe fire; also, other witnesses testified to seeing the prisoner’s shoes tried in tbe tracks around tbe barn and stables, and that they fitted. Tbe prisoner, on cross-examination, said be saw tbe light of tbe fire at Dr. Williams’ that night, but did not go out of his house, nor give any alarm.
Upon this evidence tbe Judge properly submitted tbe case to tbe jury (State v. Green, 117 N. C., 695; State v. Kiger, 115 N. C., 746), subject to his power to set aside tbe verdict, if tbe Court did not deem tbe verdict was altogether sufficiently supported by tbe evidence, which power tbe Court saw fit not to exercise.
There was certainly evidence from which an inference of guilt might be properly drawn.
There are cases of circumstantial evidence in which each circumstance depends upon the truth of tbe preceding one, in *732which case the evidence may be likened to a chain which is no stronger than its weakest link, but usually that simile is inapplicable. Ordinarily, thé circumstances accumulate, each one by itself being of no great weight, but like the bundle of twigs in the fable, or the several strands twisted into a rope or cable, becoming, when united, of great strength. State v. Christmas, 101 N. C., 749; State v. Powell, 94 N. C., 965; State v. Mitchell, 89 N. C., 521; State v. Wilson, 76 N. C., 120; State v. Thompson, 97 N. C., 496. In State v. Rhodes, 113 N. C., 647, there was no evidence against the defendant except threats.
No error.
Eaibcloth, 0. J., dissents.