Mr. Wallace, said the Captain, I admit the force of your reasoning as to the cause that produced this difficulty, yet I see no escape. The law is imperative, and these men must stand trial, and if convicted, they must be executed. Show me an honorable way, and I will save them.
There is a way, Captain, a legal way to save the lives of these men.
How? exclaimed the Captain excitedly. I did not know that you were versed in marine law.
Because you have no power to try and execute these men.
What! No power to punish for mutiny at sea?
I do not deny that power, but there has been no mutiny at sea. It was a riot on land. Have you jurisdiction over crimes committed on land?
Really, my boy, that is an idea I had not thought of.
I had, replied Walter. And even if the difficulty had taken place on board of the ship, I don’t think that you could legally try and execute these men. Vattel says that it is only in extreme cases that this summary proceeding can be resorted to. Where you have proof of a deep laid conspiracy to murder the officers and take the ship, you may resort to this summary trial. Unless this danger exists, you must turn the men over to be tried by the laws of the land.
I will consult my officers, replied the Captain.
With your consent, I would like to visit these men, said Walter.