y be
complied with both by the Court and the prosecuting officer.
"The appearance and demeanor of Captain Gilbert are the same as when we
first saw him; his eye is undimmed, and decision and command yet sit
upon his features. We did not discern the slightest alteration of color
or countenance when the verdict of the jury was communicated to him; he
merely slightly bowed and resumed his seat. With _De Soto_ the case was
different. He is much altered; has become thinner, and his countenance
this morning was expressive of the deepest despondency. When informed
of the contents of the paper read by the foreman of the jury, he
appeared much affected, and while being removed from the Court, covered
his face with his handkerchief."
Immediately after the delivery of the verdict, the acquitted prisoners,
on motion of Mr. Hillard, were directed to be discharged, upon which
several of the others loudly and angrily expressed their dissatisfaction
at the result of the trial. Castillo (_a half-caste_, with an extremely
mild and pleasing countenance,) pointed towards heaven, and called upon
the Almighty to bear witness that he was innocent; _Ruiz_ uttered some
words with great vehemence; and _Garcia_ said "all were in the same
ship; and it was strange that some should be permitted to escape while
others were punished." Most of them on leaving the Court uttered some
invective against "the _picaro_ who had sworn their lives away."
On _Costa_, the cabin boy, (aged 16) being declared "Not Guilty" some
degree of approbation was manifested by the audience, but instantly
checked by the judge, who directed the officers to take into custody,
every one expressing either assent or dissent. We certainly think the
sympathy expressed in favor of _Costa_ very ill placed, for although we
have not deemed ourselves at liberty to mention the fact earlier, his
conduct during the whole trial was characterized by the most reckless
effrontery and indecorum. Even when standing up to receive the verdict
of the jury, his face bore an impudent smile, and he evinced the most
total disregard of the mercy which had been extended towards him.
About this time vague rumors reached Corunna, that a Captain belonging
to that place, engaged in the Slave Trade, had turned Pirate, been
captured, and sent to America with his crew for punishment. Report at
first fixed it upon a noted slave-dealer, named Begaro. But the
astounding intelligence soon reached Senora de Sot
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