"But, Captain Hawkins, do you not think, allowing that you came up on deck in your usual way, as you term it, that you would have done better to have hemmed or hawed, so as to let your officers know that you were present? I should be very sorry to hear all that might be said of me in my supposed absence."
To this observation Captain Hawkins replied, that he was so astonished at the conversation, that he was quite breathless, having, till then, had the highest opinion of me.
No more questions were asked, and they proceeded to the second charge. This was a very trifling one—for lighting a stove, contrary to orders; the evidence brought forward was the sergeant of marines. When his evidence in favour of the charge had been given, I was asked by the president if I had any questions to put to the witness. I put the following:—
"Did you repeat to Captain Hawkins that I had ordered the stove to be lighted?"—"I did."
"Are you not in the custom of reporting, direct to the captain, any negligence, or disobedience of orders, you may witness in the ship?"—"I am."
"Did you ever report anything of the sort to me, as first lieutenant, or do you always report direct to the captain?"
"I always report direct to the captain."
"By the captain's orders?"—"Yes."
The following questions were then put by some of the members of the court:—
"You have served in other ships before?"—"Yes."