, 1864-02-20

"Captain Sherbourne," said the boat
swain, in an offended tone, do you question
my honory"
"I permit no such interruptions, SIR
said the captain; "we sit here to deal with
facts, not with honor. Go on with your
charge"
"When," resumed Rigby, I" / overheard
him plotting his escape from the service, and
ommanded him to his duty, he haughtily
rebelled; and, on my ordering the strangers
on shore, he sprang forward, and dashing me
on the deck, stamped his foot upon my breast
threatening and attempting to murder me-
as these witnesses will prove"
"Stand forward, my good fellows" said
Captain Sherbourne, addressing two Of the
seamen, who had been witnesses of the as.
sault, and assisted in rescuing the boatswain.
"Give your evidence truly. What do you
know Of this AFFAIR.""
"Why, your honor" said the first seaman,
"just that the boatswain was lying upon the
deck, and that Bill there had his foot upon
his breast"
"Do you suppose" inquired the captain,
she had design upon his life"
"Please your honor" answered the sea.
man, al can say; but you had better ask
himself If he had, he won't deny it; for
III take my Bible oath that Bill, poor fel-
low, never hove the hatchet in his life-and
don believe he would do it to save his
life. could always be rs sure Of what be
said as am Of our latitude when your hon
or's own hand works it out"
"Well," inquired the captain, addressing
the other seaman, "what evidence have you
to offer I"
81 don't know anything about evidence,
your honors," answered the seaman. The
boatswain was lying on the deck, and poor
Bill had his foot upon his breast sure enough,
and was laughing In such dismal way Us
made me think that he had gone maddish
through ill.usage or something. For, poor
fellow, he was never easily raissd, and though
brave as lion, was harmless Is a lamb-all
the crew will swear that Of him.
"PrisoRer," said the captain, I" am sorry
that the evidence Of these witnesses, who
seem as sorry for your fate as l am, but too
strongly confirm at least a part Of the charges
against you. If you have anything to say
in your defence, the court is inclined to hear
you"
al am neither insensible Of nor migrate
full for the kindness Of my commander"
answered William; "and for the sake Of her,
and her only, Of whom the bOatswain dared
to speak as one dishonored. do not hold
life without its value. But disdain to
purchase it by the humiliation Of vindicat-
ing myself farther from the accusations Of
q wretch whom despisc. Let the law take
its award. Death is preferable to being the
servant Of q slave"
al know not" whispered Captain Sher-
bourne to his first lieutenant, how my lips
shall pronounce sentence Of death on this
brave young fellow. His heroic courage and
his talents compel me TO revere and love
him; and there is something, l know not
what, in his features, hannts me as lost
remembrance" Then turning toward the
prisoner, he added" Before the sentence
Of the court is passed, whatever requests
you may wish to have performed, ! will see
them faithfully carried into effect"
"Thanks! thanksw replied William 81
have but little to offer in return for your
goodness; but the same spirit that made me
resent the indignity Of my aecuser would,
were my hands free, cause me to embrace
your knees. have but three requests to
make. Iwish my watch to be given TO her
who is dearest to me on earth-Mary Dam
vers; my quadrant and other matters to my
friend jenkins, who sails in the ship En-