'It is six or seven years ago--would they still prosecute him,

mother? If he came and stood his trial, what would be the

punishment? Surely, he might bring evidence of his great

provocation.' 'It would do no good,' replied Mrs. Hale. 'Some of the sailors

who accompanied Frederick were taken, and there was a

court-martial held on them on board the Amicia; I believed all

they said in their defence, poor fellows, because it just agreed

with Frederick's story--but it was of no use,--' and for the

first time during the conversation Mrs. Hale began to cry; yet

something possessed Margaret to force the information she

foresaw, yet dreaded, from her mother.

'What happened to them, mamma?' asked she.

'They were hung at the yard-arm,' said Mrs. Hale, solemnly. 'And

the worst was that the court, in condemning them to death, said

they had suffered themselves to be led astray from their duty by

their superior officers.' They were silent for a long time.

'And Frederick was in South America for several years, was he

not?' 'Yes. And now he is in Spain. At Cadiz, or somewhere near it. If

he comes to England he will be hung. I shall never see his face

again--for if he comes to England he will be hung.' There was no comfort to be given. Mrs. Hale turned her face to

the wall, and lay perfectly still in her mother's despair.

Nothing could be said to console her. She took her hand out of

Margaret's with a little impatient movement, as if she would fain

be left alone with the recollection of her son. When Mr. Hale

came in, Margaret went out, oppressed with gloom, and seeing no

promise of brightness on any side of the horizon.




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