The court listened with the most profound attention and
interest to the words of the prisoner, and they glanced
at each other in a manner that marked their sense of the
truth they attached to his declaration.

"Halloway, prisoner," resumed Captain Blessington, mildly,
yet impressively; "recollect the severe penalty which
the third charge, no less than the others, entails, and
recall your admission. Be advised by me," he pursued,
observing his hesitation. "Withdraw your plea, then, and
substitute that of not guilty to the whole."

"Captain Blessington," returned the prisoner with deep
emotion, "I feel all the kindness of your motive; and if
any thing can console me in my present situation, it is
the circumstance of having presiding at my trial an
officer so universally beloved by the whole corps. Still,"
and again his voice acquired its wonted firmness, and
his cheek glowed with honest pride, "still, I say, I
scorn to retract my words. Of the two first charges I am
as innocent as the babe unborn. To the last I plead
guilty; and vain would it be to say otherwise, since the
gate was found open while I was on duty, and I know the
penalty attached to the disobedience of orders."

After some further but ineffectual remonstrance on the
part of the president, the pleas of the prisoner were
recorded, and the examination commenced. Governor de
Haldimar was the first witness.