My heart gave an anxious "thud" against my ribs, as if I myself were to form the "ram for the sacrifice." I hurried through with my bath, and, dressing myself as if for a holiday, in cocked hat, sword, and undress coat, I went on deck. We were at anchor in Simon's Bay. All the minutiae of the scene I remember as though it were but yesterday, morning was cool and clear, the hills clad in lilac and green, seabirds floating high in air, and the waters of the bay reflecting the line of the sky and the lofty mountain-sides, forming a picture almost dreamlike in its quietness and serenity. The men were standing about in groups, dressed in their whitest of pantaloons, bluest of smocks, and neatest of black silk neckerchiefs. By-and-bye the culprit was led aft by a file of marines, and I went below with him to make the preliminary examination, in order to report whether or not he might be fit for the punishment. He was as good a specimen of the British marine as one could wish to look upon, hardy, bold, and wiry. His crime had been smuggling spirits on board. "Needn't examine me, Doctor," said he; "I ain't afeard of their four dozen; they can't hurt me, sir,--leastways my back you know--my breast though; hum-m!" and he shook his head, rather sadly I thought, as he bent down his eyes. "What," said I, "have you anything the matter with your chest?" "Nay, Doctor, nay; its my feelins they'll hurt. I've a little girl at home that loves me, and--bless you, sir, I won't look her in the face again no-how." I felt his pulse. No lack of strength there, no nervousness; the artery had the firm beat of health, the tendons felt like rods of iron beneath the finger, and his biceps stood out hard and round as the mainstay of an old seventy-four. I pitied the brave fellow, and--very wrong of me it was, but I could not help it--filled out and offered him a large glass of rum. "Ah! sir," he said, with a wistful eye on the ruby liquid, "don't tempt me, sir. I can bear the bit o' flaying athout that: I wouldn't have my messmates smell Dutch courage on my breath, sir; thankee all the same, Doctor." And he walked on deck and surrendered himself.