Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-07-27

corpse, then withdrew few PAGES and form.
ed line which completed the hollow square.
! We now began to exchange glances. Sure
ly the assassin had not been brought here to
witness the burial of his victim and yet
what else could it be for? Had it been for
trial las we had often heard the Danes pro
ceed to instant investigation 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 ali, therefore, 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 delegated to
the Captain to hold court martials. and to
carry their sentences in effect; the law in
similar cases, &c, and called on the prisoner
to know whether he would be tried in the
Danish language To this he suIlenly as
sentcd, 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The flag was suddenly withdrawn from the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 lock of him whom he had
so foully murdered The trial now proceed
ed in the most solemn manner. Evidence
of the strongest kind was adduced and the
deed clearly brought home to the accused.
| confess that my blood turned cold when /
saw the knife produced which had been used
as the instrument of the murder. and the
demon-like smile of the prisoner as he be-
held it, stained as it was with he blood of
one who had been compelled by his duty TO
punish him.
After a stric: investigation, the Captain
appealed to ali present, when the prisoner
was unanimously declared guilty. The Off
GERS put or their hats and the Captain pro.
ceeded to pass sentence. Great was my
surprise (not understanding one word which
the commander said, TO see the culprit
throw himself on his knees and begin to sue
for mercy. After the uDfeeling and obdu-
rate manner in which he lad conducted him.
self such an appeal was unaccountable for
it was quite evident he did not fear death,
or repent the deed he had committed What
threatened torture could thus bend his har-
dened spirit | was at loss to conjecture.
-Four men now approached and lifted up
the corpse. A similar number seized the
prisoner, while ten or twelve others ap-
preached with strong cords In a moment
| understood the whole, and could not won
der 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 sort of gag, and with the body he was
laid on the grating, and carried to the gang
way. The crew mounted on the nettings
and up the shrouds A few prayers from
the Danish burial service were read by
chaplain on board, and the dead and the liv-
ing, the murderer and the victim, were
launched into eternity, bound toi ether.
As the dreadful burden separated the clear
water, caught glimpse of the living mans
eye as he was falling; it haunts me even to
this moment; there was more than agony
in it,
We paused only for few moments aud
turned away, and sought to forget the stern
and awe-inspiring punishment we had seen
inflicted. l was glad when sgsudden breeze
drove US away from the tragic scene