formed an object of discussion and interest throughout the whole army, a bloody fight took place at Brooklyn, between the Royal troops and the rebels, in which the former proved victorious. A number of prisoners was taken, and, among them the deserter and degraded officer. It is needless to say that he was immediately brought to a court-martial; and, if ever a case was more indubitably clear against an accused man than another, it was this that I am now alluding to. When the case for the prosecution was closed, there was not the remotest hope for him, although, when he drew his noble figure to its height, and looked with a bold unflinching gaze round the Court, and began, in a calm, though husky voice, his defence, not a syllable faltered from his tongue, and his semblance was that of the wronged rather than the doer of wrong.

"You are aware,' said he, after the formal introduction, that there have been instances where, for the attainment of information of

importance, officers have consented, and generally with great reluctance, to become spies within the camp of the enemy. I will not dwell upon the danger and discreditable service, nor the countless objections raised by me, when urged to accept it by the General in command. All that a man could say, ungifted with eloquence or sophistry, I said in the endeavour to excuse myself from the obnoxious duty; but I was sternly told that I had been selected to perform it, and that my promotion depended upon my ready compliance. In a sad and evil moment I consented, and then, having pledged my honour to fulfil them, sealed instructions were given me. God help me!' ejaculated the wretched man, clasping his hands in despair, while globes of cold sweat trickled from his brow, I cannot describe what I felt when I found that, to appear a deserter, in order to insure the greater chances of success, was among the odious conditions required of The rest is quickly told. I went over to

me.

the enemy, and endeavoured to act a part but ill suited to me, and was at once suspected. An incessant watch was kept upon my movements, and I had no opportunity of communicating the required information relative to their forces, nor of getting away. In order to prove me, I was placed in one of the foremost ranks in the last engagement, with orders, that if I exhibited the slightest intention of deserting from my post, to shoot me instantly on the spot. Determined, however, to run the risk of my life rather than stand in the ranks of the enemy of my country, I was, at the very moment, prepared to make the effort to escape, when a charge was made by my own regiment, and I was taken prisoner. This,' concluded he, placing his hand energetically upon his breast,' is the simple truth, simply told.'

"Who was the General Officer giving you the instructions?' was a question from the Court. 'General,' replied the prisoner, who was shot on the day that I was taken.'

"Where is the document to which you

have referred?' asked the Court.

66 6

Destroyed,' was the reply,' in accordance

with my orders.'

"Have you no evidence to offer?' """None.'

"So closed the trial, and, after a painful suspense of nearly six hours, the verdict was,

Guilty,' and the sentence Death.'

"At such times, and in such matters, the period given is short between the sentence and the execution of it. The following morning, at sun-rise, the dread punishment was fixed to be carried into effect.

"With regard to the verdict, there were various opinions concerning its justness, although the greater number by far considered the prisoner guilty of the imputed charge. I, however, was one of the few who did not; and was the first to visit him and declare my conviction of his entire inocence.

"You are right,' returned he, pacing to

and fro the narrow room in which he was con

6

fined, guarded by two sentries. You are right; I am innocent, and as free from dishonour as, and he pointed to the inanimate form of his wife stretched upon the floor, and beside which the chaplain was kneeling6 as the child of whom she will be the mother in, perhaps, a few hours. Heaven have mercy upon her!' exclaimed he, in a tone of agony that showed the torture he was suffering.

"I scarcely knew what to say by way of consolation and assuaging the grief that now seemed ready to anticipate the awful doom; but I clutched his hand, and asked him if there was any request that he had to make, or anything that I could do for him or any one belonging to him?

66 6

Yes,' replied he, regaining, by a superhuman effort, an approach to calmness.

You can, and I am sure will, do much for me. I need not scarcely,' continued he, in a hoarse whisper, tell you that there is no provision,