Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 1.djvu/230

 like bees, on the side of the rigging facing our ship; a guard of marines, under arms, was placed along each gangway, but on board of our ship they were on the quarter-deck. 'T'wo boats from each ship lay off upon their oars along-side of us, with a lieutenant's and a corporal's guard in each, with fixed bayonets. The hands were all turned up by the boatswain and his mates with a shrill whistle, and calling down each hatchway, "All hands attend punishment!"

You now heard the quick trampling of feet up the ladders, but not a word was spoken. The prisoners stood on the middle of the quarter-deck, while the captain read the sentence of the court-martial and the order from the commander-in-chief for the execution. The appropriate prayers and psalms having been read by the chaplain, with much feeling and devotion, the poor men were asked if they were ready; they both replied in the affirmative, but each requested to have a glass of wine, which was