The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-08-28

then withdrew few PAGES and formed hnes
which completed the hollow square
We now beganto exchange glances surely, me
assassin had not been brought here to witness me
burial of his innocent victim, and yet what else
could it be for Had it been for trial (as we had
heard that the Danes often proceed to instant nVes
tgation and summary punishment,) we should
probably have seen the tackle prepared for hanging
the culprit at the yard-arm This, however, was
not the case and we ALL therefore, feit puzzleo as
to the meaning of the scene.
We We're not long kept in doubt. The second
mate read from paper which he held IN MS haIu
the full powers delegated to the Captain to hold a
Court Martial, and to carry the sentence OF II mo
eftect-reading also, the law in similar cases. etc.,
etc. and called on the prisoner to know whether No
would consent to be tried in the Danish language.
To this he willingly assented and the Court was
declared open.
The flag was suddenly Withdrawn from the face
of the corpse and even the monster who had
struck the blow shuddered as he beheld the calm,
almost seraphic look Of him whom he had stricken
The trial now proceeded in the most solemn man.
ner Evidence of the crime was adduced, and the
! deed clearly brought home 10 the accused. con-
fess that my blood turned cold when saw the
knife produced which had been used as the lnstru-
| ment of the murder, and the demon-like smile Of
the prisoner as he behed it, stained as it was with
the blood of one who had been forced by his duty
| TO punish him.
After strict investigation, the captain appealed
TO all present, when the prisoner was UNANIMOUSLY
| declared guilty.
| The officers put on their hats, and the captain
| proceeded to pass sentence. Great my sur
! prise mot understanding one word which the CON-
mander said) TO see the culprit throw himself on his
! knees, and begin to sue for mercy After the UNI
| feeling and obdurate manner in which he had con-
| Quoted himself such an appeal was unaccountable
for it was quite evident he did fear death, repent
the deed he had committed. What threatened tor
ture could thus bend his hardened spirit was at a.
! loss TO conjecture.
-Four men now approached and ntfed up lhe
! corpse. A similar number seized the prisoner,
while ten or twelve Orthers approached with strong
| cords. In a moment ] understood the whole, and
could not wonder at the struggles OF the murderer
| as saw him dashed back to back, firmly, tightly,
without the power to mOve to the dead body OF his
| victim His cries were stopped by sort OF gag,
| and, writing as he was, he, with the body, was
| laid on the grating and carried TO the gangway-
| The crew mounted on the MEETINGS and up the
/ shrouds few prayers from the Danish burial
service were read by a chaplain on board, and thes
dead and living the murderer and his victim, were
| launched into eternity bound together
| As the dreadful burden separated the clear
| waters, sudden flash darted through their clear
TRANSPARENCY and general shudder went round, as
each one felt it was the expectant shark that rushed
forward for his prey. caught glance OF the nv
ing mans eye as he was falling it haunts me even
| to this moment there was more than agony IN Il.
We paused only for a few minutes, and mag lned
we saw some blood-stains rising to the surface mol
! one among us could remain to see more we Turn
ed and sought to forget the stern and aWe-hspHlng
| punishment we had seen inflicted.
| Of course strange sights were related as having
| appeared to the watches that night. For myself, L
can only say that was glad when sudden breeze
drove us far away from the tragic scene.