The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-05-18

told that'a theft had been cdfnmtted. The
supercargo's stateroom' had been entered,
and the pockets of a pair Of iaptaloons rified
Of a small sum in gold Til stewasd and
Els premises had been searched, andnothiug
asscevered to confirm suspicious, !, As the
sfeerpge communicated withitse cabin. ana
Asal y indiscriminately had fro:ss ness and
Regtess to the former place, alt Ns.S liable 10
suspicion, and each must consent, TO the
searching Of his chest and clothing. All
were indignant at the suspicion, and eagerly
demanded the search. The pet was at the
helm wien the search was Instituted, and as
each individual kit was overhauled, without
affording clue to the theft or robbcr, the
faces of officers, and men frightened. I'm
agine the feelings Of all, when, in the chest
Of the f;@orite, wrapped in y colored rag,
was found the lost gold.
II evei men seemed prone to doubt their
senses, here was an instance. Nothing short
of proof Eke this could have raised suspi-
cion even as to the honesty of him, who now,
in the minds of all, stood convicted Poor
lad-,unscouscious Of the deed he Was in a
certain measure found guilty, or, as he pur-
sued hisitask his mind was freer from care
than any OF his companions. lie was order
ed to reRnquish the helm to the hand of an
other, and arraigued upon the quarter deck,
and in presence of all on board, accused of
theft; and the light hearted and happy
boy of the moment previous, was now order
ed to solitary confinement in the sail-room
abaft, and Judged guilty to await punish
ment. He protested his innocence with sobs
and tears, but there was nothing he could
advance to refute the testimony against him.
The flushed cheek and continued manner
arising from shame, were imputed to guilt !;
and the only kind word addressed him by
his judges, was the promise Of mitigation
of punishment If he would confess his guilt
His response of innocence was unbelieved,
and considered as one hardened in sin; he
was, hurried below. ..
Heavy at heart were the worthy foremast
hands, but there was one still heavier the
paid oheeL and settled frown of the master,
together with his hurried walk, told of the
feelings ofthe inner man.
Two or three days had elapsed, and still
the crew had been spared Witnessing the de-
grading punishment they felt it would be the
lot of the lad to receive; and hopes were
arising in the bosoms of most that they would
be spared the sight of the application of the
ashland that confinement and civil pro-
cess at the end the voyage would be al
lowed to supersede the barbarous custom.
But these hopes were dissipated by their
being addressed by the Captain, to the effect
that he even had entertained delusive feel.
ing that something might occur, or some hid
den fact be brought to light to weaken the
proof against the boy. Never, since have
been master Of vessel, have been placed
in such a trying situation; were he son OF
mine, my feelings could not be more poig-
nant We will wait longer yet with the
same hopes, but if at the end of this week
no new Eight is gained, were he ten times my
son, he must be logged
The dreaded day came, and as the men
turned their dogged looks 70 the clear blue
sky, it seemed as though they would rebuke
nature for wearing au aspect so lily according
with their feelings. Silently and sadly
heightened did the hours drag. Twas now
late in the afternoon when the suppressed
voice of the mate summoned all hands to wit,
ness the punishment. AS they assembled
they wore more the looks Of culprits than
many bonk criminals could assume. The
rough manner and hardy bearing of the
sailor had become lost in the ascendancy Of
their finer feelings as fide men. Men, appar
emily callous TO grief, who would have suffer
ed the amputation of limb without groan,
or looked death on alee-shore in the face with.
out a shudder, forgot they ever assumed the
bearing Of the stole, and now congregated in
tears.
i could have sewed that lad up in his
hammock, aye, or tipped the plank that
launched his corpse to Dayy, without blub-
bering but as to this here, say, shiver the
man that can see it with dry eye
All felt with the speaker, and the exam
pie of an older man give free license to
tears, to which the bronzed faces Of the mass
were unwonted. Unresisting stood, or rath-
er was supported, the boy, his extended arms
secured by settings to theshrouds, his weak
ened frame, swollen eye, pallid check, and
throbbing breast, told Of his sutferings, past
and present. A word or look only, and he
would be levelled with tue degraded brute
Say that you are gniity,' exclaimed the
master, 'and the lash shall mot touch your
back Own it, and you shall be forgiven |!
4 cannot. Before God and man ! am in.
nocent =
The Captaini turned his head. and buried
his face in hisbandkerchief At his feet was
his son, grasping his knees, and exclaiming
oh, father, believe him, forgive him, he
10 ;nn.,f ent :odaod ba e.