Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-07-28

ethereal throne fSom which God seems
to look down upon US; at one moment
our voice rising in solemn prayer for one
we have loved, and the next the splash
of divided waters, as they receive in
their bosom the creature he has made
all these, at such moment, make the
heart thrill with deeper awe, closer
fellowship with its Creator than any
resident on shore can know; conscious
ness of the Grandeur of God and the
feebIeness of man, which those alone can
feel who "go down in ships to see the
wonders of the deep"
I took my place with the other passen-
gers. Not a word was spoken, for we
all believed we were about to witness
the last rites performed over our late
friend, and consequently stood and
waited :in anxious silence; when sud-
denly steady tramp was heard, and
the larboard watch, with drawn cutlass-
es. slowly marched down the deck,
escorting the murderer, and conducted
him to the side of the corpse, then with
drew a few PAGES and formed 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 yet what else could it be for
Had it beeu for trial las we have often
heard the Danes proceeded to instant
Investigation and summary punish
ment,) we should probably have seen
the tackle prepared for hanging the
culprit at the yard arm. This, how
ever 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 officer read from paper which
he held in his hand the full power dele.
gated to the Captain to hold court mar
tials and carry their sentences into
effect, the law in similar cases, &C., and
called on the prisoner to know whether
he would be tried in the Danish lam
guage. To this he sullenly assented,
and the court was declared to be 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The flag was suddenly withdrawn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 look of
him whom he had SO foully murdered.
The trial now proceeded in the most
solemn manner. Evidence of the strong
est kind was adduced and the deed
clearly brought home to the accused. 1
confess that my blood turned cold when
1 saw the knife which had been used as
the instrument of the murder, and the
demon-like smile of the prisoner as he
beheld it, stained as it was with the
blood of one who had been compelled 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 OH their hats and the
Captain proceeded to pass sentence.
Great was my surprise mot understand
ing one word which the commander
said) to see the culprit throw himself on
his knees and begin to sue for mercy.
After the unfeeling and obdurate man.
ner in which he conducted himself such
an appeal was unaccountable; for it was
quite evident that he did not fear death,
or repent the deed he had committed.
What threatened torture could thus bend
his hardened spirit was at loss to con-
lecture.
Four men now approached and lifted
up the corpse. A similar number seized
the prisocer, while ten or twelve Others
approached with strong cords. In q
moment ] understood the whole, and
could not wonder at the struggles of the
murderer as saw him lashed back to
back firmly, tightly, without the power
to move, to the dead body of his victim
His cries were stopped by a sort of gag
and with the body he was laid on the
grating, and carried to the gangway
The crew mounted on the nettings anG
up the shrouds. A few prayers from tht
Danish burial service were read by {
chaplain on board, and the dead ant
living, the murderer and the victim
were launched into eternity bount
together.
AS the dreadful burden separated th'
clear water, 1 caught a glance of the liv
ing mans eye as he was falling; /
haunts me even to this moment; Their
was more than agony in it.
j We paused only for few moment
and turned away, and sought to forge
i the stern and awe-inspiring punish
ment we had seen inflicted.
Twas glad when a sudden breeze drov
us away from the tragic scene.