Lieutenant Crushe was the first witness called; and his deposition which was taken down in writing by the Judge advocate, was in substance as follows, Captain Puffeigh being allowed to put a most unwarrantable amount of leading questions. Having deposed that he was first lieutenant of the Stinger, and identified the prisoner as an able seaman, belonging to her, the following questions were asked by the prosecutor: "You know the prisoner?" "Yes." "About what length of time?" "About four years. He served with me in my last ship." "Has his character been good, or bad?" "Unquestionably bad. But he is a good seaman, and knows his duty." "You had to find fault with him soon after he was drafted to the ship? State to the court what then occurred." "I was obliged to stop his leave for insolence, the very day he joined the Stinger; and though I spoke kindly to him, he continued this line of conduct, barely doing the work he was appointed to, and that in a sullen, disrespectful manner." "He deserted from the Stinger, did he not?" "He did." "Knowing his character, you were obliged to send a strong force to bring him on board, were you not?" "Yes. I sent an armed party of marines, as I was aware that, being a desperate man, he would offer resistance." "Where was he found secreted by the non-commissioned officer?" Here the president assumed a grave air and informed Puffeigh that he could not put the last question, as Lieutenant Crushe could not testify to hearsay. The examination then proceeded. "You had other reasons for sending an armed party to secure the prisoner? Please state them." "Yes. I was aware that he consorted with people of the worst character." "Some of them had visited him on board the Stinger, I believe. State if that be so." "Yes, a young woman, whose conduct while on board led me to suppose that she had come for no good. She came down with some of the worst characters in Woolwich. He was afterwards arrested in her company." When Crushe stated that the man was arrested in the company of bad people, Clare bit his lips, and tried to address the court, when he was informed that "he would have an opportunity of asking questions at a later period, but at present he must remain silent." Upon receiving this rebuke his face flushed with shame, seeing which, the members of the court, who took it for a sign of passion and rebellion, looked at each other, as much as to say, "See what a ruffian the prisoner is." The corporal was the next witness. With a military salute that concise individual stated his name and rank, and was thus examined by Puffeigh. "You received orders to arrest the prisoner, and take a strongly-armed party with you?" "I did" (with a salute). "State to the court what occurred on that occasion." (Saluting) "Well, sir, you see, being a corporal of the Rile Marine division at Woolwich, I knowed that where the prisoner wor a hiding wor a werry bad place, so I went prepared."