and the midshipman who had been officer
of the deck the night the men escaped, together with two coxswains.

Dan walked to the opposite side of the room, where he leaned against a
bulkhead.

The captain's dining-room table had been cleared and stood in the
center of the room, four chairs having been placed around it.
Presently three commissioned officers filed in, the executive officer
of the ship taking his place at the head of the table as president of
the court. It was his duty to swear in the judge advocate, who, in
this instance, was a lieutenant. Following this the judge advocate
swore in the others of the court and then proceeded to read the
specifications, which were as follows:

"'That on the 25th of August, 19--, while the United States battleship
"Long Island" lay at anchor inside the Delaware Breakwater, after
tattoo, when all hands had turned in for the night, save those on
regular duty, among them being Ordinary Seaman Charlie Vavitao and
Ordinary Seaman William Takaroa, the said men did secretly leave their
billets and without permission take to one of the ship's dinghies, in
which they rowed away from the ship with intent to desert. Secondly,
it is charged that the said men did make a felonious assault on Seaman
Daniel Davis while he was carrying out the orders of his superior
officer, resulting in the seaman's disability, from which he has not
yet wholly recovered.' How do you plead!"

The prisoners pleaded "not guilty." All witnesses were then excluded
from the room. Midshipman Carter, who had been the officer of the deck
on the night in question, was called to testify. He was questioned by
the judge advocate, who acted as the prosecutor and the attorney for
the defence at the same time.

The midshipman related briefly all that had come under his observation.
He had but little information that was of value to the court, and he so
told the court.

"Seaman Davis, then, is the witness who knows the whole story?"
questioned the judge advocate.

"Yes, sir."

"Call Seaman Daniel Davis to the witness chair."

Dan was summoned by the sentry. The boy's face was still bandaged; his
face was pale and there was a livid mark across the right cheek where
an oar blade had struck him.

Dan gave his name, age and date of enlistment, together with his
station on shipboard.

"You were on the anchor watch on the evening of the twenty-fifth of
August, were you not?"

"Yes, sir."

"State what occ