tion.

Out in the street a score of carriages and as many _quilez_ and
_carromattas_ stood waiting by the curb, and gallant Captain Taylor, of
the Esmeralda, could have added gold by the hundred to his well-earned
store would he but have promised to hold his ship until the court--not
the tide--served. But an aide of the commanding general had driven to
the ship towards two o'clock and said something to that able seaman,--no
power of the press could tell what,--and all importunity as to delaying
his departure there was but one reply,--

"Five sharp, and not a second later!"

It was after three--yes, long after--that witnesses of consequence came
up for examination. Dr. Brick had got the floor and was pleading
_post-mortem_ at once. In this climate and under such conditions
decomposition would be so rapid, said he, that "by tomorrow his own
mother couldn't recognize him." But the provost-marshal drawled that he
didn't see that further mutilation would promote the possibility of
recognition, and Brick was set aside.

It was quarter to four when young Mellen was bidden to tell whether he
knew, and what he knew of, the deceased, and all men hushed their very
breath as the lad was conducted to the blanket-shrouded form under the
overhanging gallery in the open _patio_. The hospital steward slowly
turned down the coverlet, and Mellen, well-nigh as pallid as the corpse,
was bidden to look. Look he did, long and earnestly. The little weights
that some one had placed on the eyelids were lifted; the soft hair had
been neatly brushed; the lips were gently closed; the delicate,
clear-cut features wore an expression of infinite peace and rest; and
Mellen slowly turned and, facing the official group at the neighboring
table, nodded.

"You think you recognize the deceased?" came the question. "If so, what
was his name?"

"I think so, yes, sir. It's Foster--at least that's what I heard it
was."

"Had you ever known him?--to speak to?"

"He was in the same detachment on the train. Don't know as I ever spoke
to him, sir," was the answer.

"But you think you know him by sight? Where did you first notice him?"

"Think it was Ogden, sir. I didn't pay much attention before that. A man
called Murray knew him and got some money from him. That's how I came to
notice him. The rest of us hadn't any to speak of."

"Ever see him again to speak to or notice particularly after you left
Ogden? Did he sit near you?" was the somewhat causti