"Yes! yes! yes!" were the answers.

"It is irregular! It is illegal! It is unprecedented! A new ballot?

Never heard of such a thing in forty years of military life! Lord bless

my soul, what is the service coming to!"

"A new ballot! a new ballot! a new ballot!" was the unanimous cry.

The President groaned in spirit, and recorded a vow never to forgive

Herbert Greyson for this departure from routine.

The new ballot demanded by acclamation had to be held.

The Judge Advocate called the court to order and began anew. The votes

were taken as before, commencing with the young lieutenant, who now

responded sonorously: "Not guilty!"

And so it ran around the entire circle.

"Not guilty!" "Not guilty!" "Not guilty!" were the hearty responses of

the court.

The acquittal was unanimous. The verdict was recorded.

The doors were then thrown open to the public, and the prisoner called

in and publicly discharged from custody.

The court then adjourned.

Traverse Rocke threw himself upon the bosom of his friend, exclaiming

in a broken voice: "I cannot sufficiently thank you! My dear mother and Clara will do

that!"

"Nonsense!" said Herbert laughing; "didn't I tell you that the Lord

reigns, and the devil is a fool? This is only the beginning of

victories!"




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