"Why, they call him Captain Will Ratlin, and we know him to be a
slaver."

The servant still hesitated, looking from the prisoner to his principal
accuser, the English officer, then at the court, and finally drawing his
master a little on one side, the man again went through the pantomime
described, and placing his mouth to his master's ear whispered something
which startled him as though a gun had been fired at his very ear. The
shock was like electricity, and made him stagger for support. Two or
three times he repeated "Impossible! impossible!" and finally begged the
court to stay the proceedings, as he was taken suddenly ill, and should
not be able to attend until to-morrow. Being the principal prosecutor
and witness, of course his presence was requisite to the progress of the
trial, and therefore as he made this request it was at once formally
granted, and the court adjourned for the time, while the prisoner was
remanded on ship-board for safe keeping until the next day.

That the reader may understand the singular conduct of both the young
commander and Leonard Hust, he must follow the latter worthy into his
master's private room in the government house, where they proceeded at
once after the occurrences described.

"In Heaven's name, Leonard, what do you mean by such an assertion?"
asked Captain Bramble, throwing himself into a chair, and wiping the
cold perspiration from his face.

"I mean, sir, that the man on trial to-day is no more nor less than your
brother!"