"'Does anyone ever speak to you now?' I asked.
"'No. I dare not address a cadet. I do not want to provoke them. I simply want to graduate. I am satisfied if they do not strike or harm me; though if I had a kind word now and then I should be happier, and I could study better,' Then the colored boy drew a long sigh.
"To-day I met General Howard, who was present at the colored cadet's court-martial. I asked him to tell me about it.
"'Well, Mr. Perkins,' said the General, 'they tried to make out that the colored boy lied.'
"'Yes,' I interrupted, 'and they all say he did lie at the Point now. How was it?'
"'It was this way: They accused him of talking on parade, and, while trying to convict him out of his own mouth, they asked him "If on a certain day he did not speak to a certain cadet while on drill?" "I did not speak to this cadet while on drill the day you mention," answered Cadet Smith, "for the cadet was not in the parade that day."'
"This answer startled the prosecutors, and, looking over the diary of parade days, they were astonished to find Cadet Smith correct.
"'What then?' I asked.
"'Why they accuse him of telling a lie in spirit, though not in form, for he had talked on a previous day. Just as if he was obliged to say any thing to assist the prosecutors except to answer their questions.'
"General Howard believes Cadet Smith to be a good, honest boy. I believe the same.