Chapter Sixty Two.
A good defence not always good against a bad accusation—Peter wins the hearts of his judges, yet loses his cause, and is dismissed his ship.
The next day I commenced my defence: I preferred calling my own witnesses first, and, by the advice of my counsel, and at the request of Swinburne, I called him. I put the following questions:—
“When we were talking on the quarter-deck, was it fine weather?”
“Yes, it was.”
“Do you think that you might have heard any one coming on deck, in the usual way, up the companion ladder?”
“Sure of it.”
“Do you mean, then, to imply that Captain Hawkins came up stealthily?”