In part," replied Butler. "I left it in March, the bearer of despatches
to Congress."

"And you were in arms on the night of the thirteenth, at Grindall's
Ford?" continued the same questioner.

"I confess it, sir."

"That's enough," interrupted Innis. "In the ninth article of the
capitulation of Charleston we read: 'all civil officers, and the
citizens who have borne arms _during the siege_, must be prisoners on
parole.'"

"I should say," interposed St. Jermyn, who now, for the first time,
opened his lips, "that the prisoner scarcely falls within that
description. The words 'during the siege' would seem to point to a
service which lasted to the end. They are, at least, equivocal; and I
doubt Lord Cornwallis would be loath to sanction a judgment on such a
ground."

Upon this ensued a consultation amongst the officers at the table,
during which Butler was withdrawn to a short distance in the rear of the
assemblage. Several of the unoccupied soldiers of the camp, at this
stage of the trial, had crowded into the neighborhood of the court; and
the sentinels, yielding to the eagerness of the common curiosity, had
relaxed their guard so far as to allow the spectators to encroach beyond
the lines. Among those who had thrust themselves almost up to the
trial-table were a few children, male and female, bearing on their arms
baskets of fruit and vegetables, which had been brought within the camp
for sale. A smart-looking girl, somewhat older than the rest, seemed to
have gained more favor from the crowd than her competitors, by the
temptation which she presented of a rich collection of mellow apples;
and perhaps her popularity was in some degree increased by the soft and
pleasant-toned voice in which she recommended her wares, no less than by
the ruddy, wholesome hue of her cheek, and an agreeable, laughing, blue
eye, that shone forth from the shade of a deep and narrow sun-bonnet,
the curtain of which fell upon her shoulders and down her back.

"Buy my apples, gentlemen," said the pretty fruit-merchant, coming up
fearlessly to Colonel Innis, in the midst of the consultation.

"Three for a penny; they are very ripe and mellow, sir."

The colonel cast his eye upon the treasures of the basket, and began to
select a few of the choicest fruit. Thus encouraged, the girl set her
load upon the table, in the midst of the hats and swords with which it
was encumbered, and very soon every other member of the court followed
the exam