Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 1.djvu/223

 when the defence is over, the court is cleared, the doors are shut, and the minutes which have been taken down by the judge-advocate, are carefully read over, the credibility of the witnesses weighed, and the president puts the question to the youngest member first, "Proved, or not proved?"

All having given their answer, if seven are in favour of proved, and six against, proved is recorded. The next question—if for mutiny or desertion, or other capital crime—"Flogging or death?" The votes are given in the same way: if the majority be for death, the judge-advocate writes the sentence, and it is signed by all the members, according to seniority beginning with the president, and ending with the judge-advocate.

The court is now opened again, the prisoner brought in, and an awful and deep silence prevails. The members of the court all put their hats on, and are seated; every one else, except the provost-martial, is uncovered. As soon as