Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-11-23

ture he has made-all these, at such a
lmoment, make the heart thrill with a
deeper awe-a closer fellowship with
mis- Creator any resident on the
shore can know-a consciousness of the
grandeur of God and leebleness of man,
which those alone can feel who "gc
down in ships and see the wonders Of
the deep"
took my place among the other
passengers. Not a word was spoken,
and | discovered that we were about to
witness the last rites performed over our
late friend, and, consequently, stood in
anxious silence; when suddenlya steady
tramp was heard, and the larboard
watch, with drawn cutlasses, slowly
marched down the waist, escorting the
murderer, whom they conducted to the
side of the corpse, and then withdrew a
few PAGES, and formed a line, which
completed the hollow square.
We now began to exchange glances.
Surely the assassin had not been brought
here to witness the burial of his victim :;
and what else could it be? Had it been
Tor trial Gas we had heard that the Danes
often proceeded to Instant investi cation
and summary punishmenD we would
probably have seen the tackle prepared
for hanging the cul prit at the yard arm.
This was not the case; and we all, there
fore, felt puzzled as to the meaning of
the scene.
| We were not long kept in doubt.
The second mate read from the paper
which he held in his hand the full pow
ers delegated to the captain to hold
court martial, and carry the sentence
into effect, the law in similar cases, etc,
etc.; and called on the prisoner to know
whether he would consent to be tried
in the Danish language To this he
willingly assented, and the court was
declared open.
The flag was Withdrawn from the face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 be had stricken. The
trial proceeded in the most solemn man
ner. Evidence of the crime was ad-
duced, and the deed clearly brought to
the accused. | must confess that my
blood turned cold when | saw the knife
p. oduced which had been used as the
instrument of the murder, and the de-
mon-like smile of the prisoner as he
beheld it, stained as it was by the blood
of one who had been forced by his duty
to punish him.
After strict investigation, the cap
tain appealed to all present, when the
prisoner was unanimously declared
guilty.
The officers put on thoir hats, and
the captain proceeded to pass sentence.
Great was my surprise, not understand
ing one word which the captain said
to see the prisoner throw himself upon
his knees, and begin to sue for mercy.
After the unfeeing and obdurate man
ner in which he had conducted himself,
such an appeal was unaccountable; for
it was quite evident he did not fear
death, or repent the deed he had COM
mitted. What threatened torture could
thus bend his hardened spirit?
Four men now approached and lifted
up the corpse. \ similar number seiz-
ed the prisoner, while ten or twelve
others approached with strong CO. DIS.
n a moment | understood the whole,
and conld not wonder at the struggles
of the murderer, as | saw him lashed
back to back-frml y, tightly, without
the power to move-to the dead body
of his victim His cries were stopped
by sort of gag; and, writhing as he
was, he, with the body, was laid on the
grating and carried to the gangway
The crew mounted on the MEETINGS and
the shrouds. y few prayers from the
Danish burial service were read by to
captain on board, and the dead aud the
living, the murderer and his victim,
were launched into eternity, bound to-
gether.
As the dreadful burden separated the
Ciedi HdtclJ Sduucu udoh @ltou
through their transparency: and gen
eral shudder went around, as each one
felt it was the expectant shark that
rushed forward for his prey. | caught
a glance of the living mans eye as he
was falliog 1t haunts NE even to this
moment-there was more than agony
in it
We paused only for few moments,
and imagined We saw some blood stains
rising to the surface. Not one among
US could remain to see more. We turn
ed away, and sought to forget the ave-
inspiring punishment we had seen in-
ficted.
OF course, strange sights were related
as having appeared to the watches that
night. For myself, | can only say that
was glad when a sudden breeze drove
US far from the tragic scene.
A CLOSE observer of the newspapers
says there is a marked difference in the
owners description of horse for sale
and that of the same quadruped stolen,
The animals defects are apt to be
set forth rather strongly in the last
case.
WHEN you rise in the morning, form
the resolution to make the day happy
one to fellow creature. 1t is SO easily
done a kind word, an encouraging
REPRESENTATIVES in themselves light
as air-may make some heart light for
at least fuentv four bourr - Children e