I felt greatly annoyed at
the way he was treated; but as I should have been accused of mutiny had
I made any further attempt to get him released, I was obliged, as he
was, to submit. He begged me not to make myself unhappy about him.

"It will be over in a few days," he remarked; "and I trust I shall be
able to exonerate myself from the absurd charges which may be brought
against me. The very fact that I had assumed a civilised costume,
proves that I was about to return to the settlement. Had I been
captured dressed as a hunter, at the head of a party of blacks or
Indians, my conduct might have been open to suspicion."

I was very glad when at last the buildings of Roseville appeared in
sight; though somewhat annoyed when Captain Nockelles ordered me to
remain with the main body, while he took his prisoner, under charge of a
guard, before Judge Shurtleff. I begged to go likewise, urging that
there was no possible reason why I should remain behind, when I had not
even a command in the regiment. At last, not having the face longer to
refuse me, he consented, and I followed the party which had gone on
before.

Our old friend was seated in his judicial chair, at a small table, with
pen, ink, and paper before him. I arrived just in time to hear him say,
"A rebel caught in the very act. Bring him in--bring him in." And
Rochford, with Captain Nockelles on one side, and a guard armed with a
brace of pistols on the other advanced towards the table.

"What! a white man having the audacity to induce blacks to rebel against
the authority of the State!" exclaimed the judge not recognising him.
"What have you to say to this accusation?"

Rochford seemed to have an idea that the judge intended to ignore any
former acquaintance with him, and replied--

"It has not been proved that I am a rebel; and I certainly had no
intention of committing any act contrary to the laws of the United
States."

"Bless my heart! are you my friend Rochford?" exclaimed the judge,
jumping up, almost overturning the table in his eagerness to shake
hands. "Gentlemen, there is some mistake here. Mr. Rochford came out
with me from England, and I know him to be a thoroughly honest and
excellent young man. He cannot possibly be guilty of the crime of which
you charge him. Set him at liberty immediately. These ropes must make
him feel very uncomfortable." And the judge commenced pulling away at
the knots, not thereby expediting his object; whi