tters! from Clara! and mother! Oh, give them to me!" exclaimed the
young man eagerly.

Herbert handed them, and Traverse eagerly broke the seals, one after
another, and devoured the contents.

"They are well! They are well and happy! Oh, thank God they are so. Oh,
Herbert, never let them know how I shall die! If they think I fell
honorably in battle, they will get over it in time, but if they know I
died a convict's death it will break their hearts. Oh, Herbert, my dear
friend, by all our boyhood's love, never let my poor mother and dear
Clara know the manner of my death!" cried Traverse, in an imploring
voice.

Before he could say another word or Herbert could answer, an orderly
sergeant entered and put into Major Greyson's hands a paper that proved
to be a summons for him to attend immediately at headquarters to serve
upon a court-martial, to try Private Traverse Rocke upon the charge of
sleeping on his post.

"This is done on purpose to prevent me becoming a witness for the
defense!" whispered Herbert to his friend, "but take courage. We will
see yet whether you shall succeed!"

CHAPTER XXII.

THE COURT-MARTIAL.

I wish I could
Meet all accusers with as good excuse,
As well as I am certain I can clear
Myself of this.

--SHAKESPEARE.

Pursuant with the general orders issued from headquarters, the
court-martial, consisting of thirteen officers, convened at Tacubaya,
for the trial of Traverse Rocke, private in the--Regiment of Infantry,
accused of sleeping on his post.

It was a sultry morning, early in September, and by seven o'clock the
drum was heard beating before the Archiepiscopal palace, where it was
understood the trial, involving life or death, would come off.

The two sentinels on guard before the doors and a few officers off
duty, loitering about the verandas, were the only persons visible near
the well-ordered premises, until the members of the court-martial, with
the prosecutors and witnesses, began to assemble and pass in.

Within a lofty apartment of the building, which was probably at one
time the great dining-hall of the priests, were collected some twenty
persons, comprising the court-martial and its attendants.

An extension table covered with green cloth occupied the middle of the
long room.

At the head of this table sat General W., the president of the court.
On his right and left, at the sides of the table, were arranged the