"Call Ithuel Bolt," said the Judge Advocate, reading the new witness's name from a list before him.
Raoul started, for the idea of the American's being brought forward in this capacity had never occurred to him. In a minute Ithuel appeared, was sworn, and took his place at the foot of the table.
"Your name is Ithuel Bolt?" observed the Judge Advocate, holding his pen in readiness to record the answer.
"So they say aboard here," answered the witness, coolly--"though, for my part, I've no answer to give to such a question."
"Do you deny your name, sir?"
"I deny nothing--want to say nothing, or to have anything to do with this trial or this ship."
Raoul breathed easier; for, to own the truth, he had not much confidence in Ithuel's constancy or disinterestedness; and he apprehended that he had been purchased with the promise of a pardon for himself.
"You will remember that you are under oath, and may be punished for contumacy on refusing to answer."
"I've some gineral idees of law," answered Ithuel, passing his hand over his queue to make sure it was right, "for we all do a little at that in Ameriky. I practised some myself, when a young man, though it was only afore a justice-peace. We used to hold that a witness needn't answer ag'in himself."
"Is it, then, on account of criminating yourself that you answer thus vaguely?"