ghosts, their natures and dispositions and their actions on the old
sod of Ireland, where green-faced ghosts no doubt abounded. As his
story confirmed old Pete's, things looked dubious for Tom and Jo.

Their attorney, however, made an eloquent plea for the life and
liberty of the two prisoners at the bar. He said in part:

"I ask your Honors to deal leniently with these two lads and to recall
how much they have had to contend with in their short young lives.
They have had only the harshest surroundings. Having come under the
baleful influence of Captain Bill Broom, the former owner of this
vessel, you cannot rightly blame them for their strong sense of humor.

"I think that a reprimand is due them for their infraction of the
ship's discipline and for resisting their _superior_ officer" (a grin
from Jim), "but I ask this Honorable Court to remember their tender
years and to deal gently with the prisoners. If you do not, I fear
that ghosts with green faces will haunt your fevered sleep forever. I
leave their fate in your hands."

Bowing low, the attorney for the prisoners sat down. Then the culprits
were sent back to their cabin-cell while the judges took their fate
under advisement. There was quite a lengthy discussion. Juarez being
influenced by his friend, the engineer, was in favor of having the
captain give them a severe call down, and let it go at that. While the
captain himself favored the rope's end and imprisonment in the
lazaret that had not been used since old Broom's day.

It was their resistance to the skipper that added to his severity, for
he was a firm believer in discipline. But Jim suggested a more
reasonable course that would better favor the ends of justice (which
was not the rope's end)--than that which the other two judges
recommended. His plan was finally adopted; then the bound prisoners
were summoned before the August Court. (That is a pun the writer will
have to make for Jo, as he is not in his normal spirits.)

They stood at the end of the table, looking sullen and defiant, and
evidently expecting the worst.

"It is the finding of the court that you, Joseph Darlington and Thomas
Darlington," read Jim with much emphasis and in a sonorous voice, "are
guilty on both charges of the specifications, and by the unanimous
judgment of the court, you are sentenced," Jim paused to give due
impressiveness to the following words; meanwhile the two boys paled
slightly, "sentenced to hard labor, shove