m to notify the master.
"Circumstances are suspicious; he was seen in company with a negro of
very bad habits; but if you can identify the boy, you had better come
quick, or he'll be sent to jail, and you'll have some trouble to get him
out," said the messenger, giving the Captain a description of the boy.

"Oh yes!" said the Captain, "that's my Tommy. I verily believe they'll
have us all in jail before we get away from the port." Numerous
appointments engrossed his time, and he had promised to meet the consul
at an early hour that morning. Notwithstanding this, he gave a few
orders to the mate about getting the hatches ready and receiving
the port-wardens, and then immediately repaired to the all-important
guard-house. He was just in time to receive the mortifying intelligence
that the mayor's court had concluded its sitting, and to see little
Tommy, with a pair of handcuffs on his hand, in the act of being
committed to jail by a Dutch constable. He stopped the constable, and
being told that his honor was yet in the room, put a couple of dollars
into his hand to await his intercession. Another fortunate circumstance
favored him; just as he stopped the constable, he saw his friend,
Colonel S--, approaching. The colonel saw there was trouble, and with
his usual, characteristic kindness, hastened up and volunteered his
services.

We must now return to the arraignment, as it proceeded after the
messenger had been despatched.

The negro confined with Tommy presented a wretched picture when brought
into the light room among the other prisoners. His head was so swollen
that no trace of feature was left in his face. Cuts and gashes were
marked with plaster all over his neck and face; his head tied up with
an old red handkerchief; his eyes, what could be seen of them, more like
balls of blood than organs of sight; while the whiskey and water with
which his head had been washed, had mixed with the blood upon his
clothes, and only served to make its appearance more disgusting.
Altogether, a more pitiful object never was presented to human sight.

Some minutes before the clock struck nine, an intelligent-looking
gentleman, very well dressed, and portly in his appearance, entered
the room. He was evidently kindly disposed, but one of those men whose
feelings prompt them to get through business with despatch, rather
than inquire into the circumstances of aggravated cases. He held a
consultation with the officer for some minutes