Sim held out his piece, while, choking with rage and astonishment, Gray stood speechless in their midst.
The piece was examined, and it had just been discharged.
“Show me your piece, Gray,” said Captain Smithers.
Gray held it out, and it was quite clean. It was not loaded, and it had not lately been discharged.
“I tried as hard as I could, captain!” whined Sim; “but he came upon me so sudden like, that I was mastered at once.”
“What were you doing there, Gray? You were not on duty. Your place was in bed.”
“I could not sleep, sir,” said Gray. “I doubted this man, and I came to see.”
“Why, you jumped right on me, sudden like, out of the darkness!” said Sim.
“Silence, Sim!” said the Captain. “Gray, this charge must be investigated. You are under arrest. Sergeant, put this man in irons!”
“But, Captain—”