The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-06-19


teusy 20 take advantage Of a bost just
then getting under weigh for Tangisrs
but tha, hs refused. This was, ofeoufse,
insufficient to alter the complexion Of the
crime, or to change i,s penalty. "Un-
less wa can bring private Donovan TO
sible to extend pardon 10 Lieutenant
Courtenay," And Courtsney was ac-
cordiagly ndjudged worthy Of death.
"Genilemen," said Courlensy, address
sing himself to the Court; ~ have one
favor to beg; defer until tomorrow
morning the execution Of the sentence,
and, in tho meantime, remove the arrest
from my person."
The frst part ofthe petition the Court
Immediately granted but the second oc-
casioned some demur--it was quite un-
usual, and old officers are very sverse to
innovation.
NJ pass my honor" said Courtenay,
"as British officer, and an English
gentleman, that I will be present ut the
appointed hour to meet the penalty.
Surely you do not distrust me ~
A few words were whispered among
the members Of the Court, and Gen. l..
then said
"The desertion Of your post was not
only military crime, but also some
stigma on your honor and your request
is granted, that you may have a good
opportunity--the only one that you can
ever have-of wiping it out !"
To have looked upon Courtenay at the
same moment tha: his petition was
granted, one might have thought that he
had suddenly reached the summit of hui
man felicity, or that he had just awoke
from disturbed sleep, and found that he
had been but dreaming Of horrors that
were unreal. 1t can scarcely be suppos-
ed that the court, in granting Courtenay's
petition, ever contemplated the possibili-
ty of second visit to Gibraltar, for this
would have been granting license to
break through the command of non-in-
tercourse. There was, indeed, no proof,
upon trial, that Courtenay had visited
Gibraltar he was tried for deserting his
post hut that he visited Gibraltar was
undoubtedly suspected-the spot ap-
pointed for carrying the sentence into
execution being the same as that select
ed in the case ofprivate Donovan, who,
it was supposed, might possibly -commu-
nicate infection; this was the sands atlOw
water, far within water mark, so that
the rising waves might soon wash away
the infected person.
"Mr. Courtenay," said Gen. l.,
'you are now at liberty; tomorrow
morning, two hours after gun-fre, the
troops will muster"
The moment the court broke up,
walked slowly towards my tent, and
Courtenay walked by my side-both in
silence. Courtenay reached the tent
first, and he held aside the canvass for
msto enter.
81 will follow" said.
II do not enter," said he. "Pass by,
but do not touch me-"
| / raised my eyes to his countenance,
and saw The unfailing signs, which, ow-
ing to the excitement he was under dur
ing the whole of the trial, had until now
escaped me.
"Yes, Seymour" said he, "the hand
of the plague is upon me. Ifeel it hero
and here" pressing his forehead and his
chest "and God be thanked for it, for
now know that death was awaiting us
both, and would have baffled precautions.
But hope it may give me time to re-
deem my promise to the court--to live
till two hours after gun fire--and once
more to see hcr-all ] now desire" And
before could reply he had dropped the
curtain and dlsa 2peared.
Iremained many hours within my tent,
sunk in deep and most oppressive
thought. Alas what revolution had
three days accomplished recalled
the evening Of the sixteenth, when ] had
looked on happy countenances, and lis
tened to projects of enjoyment that
stretched into far years. Now they were
all annihilated, and those who had pro-
jected them, had done with the world
and its concerns.
was reused from my meditation by
a messenger, who came to inform me,
that signal had been made from Glib
raltar for one of the medical officers. 1t
had been agreed upon, before the troops
evacuated The town that if the medical
assistance there should prove insufficient,
and if disease had not made its appear
ance in the camp, the medical officers
should be recalled by certain signals.
i accordingly Immediately left the en-
campment and having bribed the SER