The After House

Charlie Jones was called first, on the second day of the trial. He

gave his place of birth as Pennsylvania, and his present shore

address as a Sailors' Christian Home in New York. He offered,

without solicitation, the information that he had been twenty-eight

years in the Turner service, and could have been "up at the top,"

but preferred the forecastle, so that he could be an influence to

the men.

His rolling gait, twinkling blue eyes, and huge mustache, as well

as the plug of tobacco which he sliced with a huge knife, put the

crowd in good humor, and relieved somewhat the somberness of the

proceedings.

"Where were you between midnight and 4 A.M. on the morning of

August 12?"

"At the wheel."

"You did not leave the wheel during that time?"

"Yes, sir."

"When was that?"

"After they found the captain's body. I went to the forward

companion and looked down."

"Is a helmsman permitted to leave his post?"

"With the captain lying dead down in a pool of blood, I should

think-"

"Never mind thinking. Is he?"

"No."

"What did you do with the wheel when you left it?"

"Lashed it. There are two rope-ends, with loops, to lash it with.

When I was on the Sarah Winters--"

"Stick to the question. Did you see the mate, Mr. Singleton, during

your watch?"

"Every half-hour from 12.30 to 1.30. He struck the bells. After

that he said he was sick. He thought he'd been poisoned. He said

he was going forward to lie down, and for me to strike them."

"Who struck the bell at three o'clock?"

"I did, sir."

"When did you hear a woman scream?"

"Just before that."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing. It was the Hansen woman. I didn't like her. She was

a bad woman. When I told her what she was, she laughed."

"Were you ever below in the after house?"

"No, sir; not since the boat was fixed up."

"What could you see through the window beside the wheel?"

"It looked into the chart-room. If the light was on, I could see

all but the floor."

"Between the hours of 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., did any one leave or

enter the after house by the after companion?"

"Yes, sir. Mr. Singleton went down into the chart-room, and came

back again in five or ten minutes."

"At what time?"

"At four bells--two o'clock."

"No one else?"

"No, sir; but I saw Mr. Turner--"

"Confine yourself to the question. What was Mr. Singleton's manner

at the time you mention?"

"He was excited. He brought up a bottle of whiskey from the

chart-room table, and drank what was left in it. Then he muttered

something, and threw the empty bottle over the rail. He said he

was still sick."