"About what length of time?"
"About four years. He served with me in my last ship."
"Has his character been good, or bad?"
"Unquestionably bad. But he is a good seaman, and knows his duty."
"You had to find fault with him soon after he was drafted to the ship? State to the court what then occurred."
"I was obliged to stop his leave for insolence, the very day he joined the Stinger; and though I spoke kindly to him, he continued this line of conduct, barely doing the work he was appointed to, and that in a sullen, disrespectful manner."
"He deserted from the Stinger, did he not?"
"He did."
"Knowing his character, you were obliged to send a strong force to bring him on board, were you not?"