f the young commander,
she would have seen more of pity there than of anger, more of surprise
than of reproach, even. But in the meantime, while these feelings were
moving him, the case was steadily progressing, and began to wear a most
serious aspect as it regarded the fate of Captain Will Ratlin.

There still remained one other witness to examine, whose illness had
kept him on board ship up to the last moment, and who it was said could
identify the prisoner as one of the party engaged in defending the deck
of the slaver. He was a servant of Captain Bramble's, had attended his
master in the attack, but having received a blow from a handspike upon
the head, was rendered insensible at the first of the action, and had
been carried on board his ship in that condition, from which state he
had gradually recovered until it was thought he would be able to testify
before the court at the present time. After a few moments of delay, the
man made his appearance, evidently not yet recovered from the fearful
blow he had received, but yet able to take his place at the witness's
post, and to perform the part expected of him.

No sooner had the court, through its head, addressed the witness, than
he answered promptly the preliminary queries put to him, while the
effect upon Captain Ratlin seemed to be like magic. Was it guilt that
made him start so, rub his eyes, look about him so vaguely, and then
sitting down, to cover his face with his hands, only to go through the
same pantomime again? We ask, was it guilt that made him act thus? The
judges noted it, and even made memorandums of the same upon their record
of evidence. It was observed as significant also by every one present.
Captain Bramble himself looked at the prisoner with surprise to see him
thus effected by the presence of his servant.

"For the love of Heaven!" exclaimed the prisoner aloud, as though he
could bear this intensity of feeling no longer, "who is this man?"

"It is my servant--an honest, faithful man, may it please the court.
Leonard Hust, by name, born in my father's service," said Captain
Bramble.

"Leonard Hust," mused the young commander, thoughtfully; "Leonard Hust!"

"Ay, sir," added Captain Bramble, somewhat pertly, "do you find any
objection to that name? If so, sir, I pray you will declare it to the
court."

"Leonard Hust!" still mused the prisoner, without noticing this
interruption. "There is a strange ring upon my ears in repeating that
name!"