Everyone who could spare the time was evidently determined to be present at this the first trial held in the new colony. People of all grades were there, squatters from the west, traders, fishermen, sailors, diggers and storekeepers, all curious to know if the white man's death would be avenged. The Court room was well arranged. One end was reserved for the judge, and opposite to him were the prisoners. On one side the Royal marines were drawn up, and opposite to them were the captains and officers of the _Albatross_ and _Hygeia_; the rest of the mob having to content themselves with squatting on the floor a la native. The learned Judge (Mr. Winter) and the "Crown Prosecutor" (Mr. Thomson[4]) took their seats. [4] Son of the late Archbishop of York. Mr. Thomson then read the charge, which was duly interpreted to the accused. The prisoners were undefended. Ketabu, a boy belonging to "Sariba," acted as interpreter. Mr. E. G. Edelfelt gave evidence to the effect that on 25th October last he cleared the ketch _Star of Peace_, Captain Ancell, with two boys on board, one a native of the Louisiades, the other of Queensland, for Chad's Bay, for general trading purposes. The first witness called was the boy Charlie, a native of Pig Island, who was one of the boys on the ketch. He spoke English fairly well, and gave his evidence in a clear and straightforward manner. He identified most of the prisoners as being those on board when the captain was killed. He was cross-examined by his Honour. After the captain had been killed, Charlie was taken prisoner and confined in one of the native houses on shore. He managed, however, to escape from his gaolers, and after some hardships reached Samarai. The other boy, who was a native of Queensland, was not so fortunate. In attempting to run away, his relentless pursuers attacked him with tomahawks and knives, inflicting terrible wounds. He had a gash in his skull several inches deep. I examined it myself. How he managed to escape death is a mystery to me. The blacks of Queensland are noted for the thickness of their skulls, but this boy beat them all. They left him for dead. He then crawled away and managed somehow to reach "Samarai," 30 miles distant. He was alive, but that was all. He could not speak for several weeks, and when he recovered, he had changed from a bright, intelligent boy into a stupid lad. His speech returned to him, and, practically speaking, he is all right again. When the cross-examination of Charlie had concluded, Mr. Thomson objected to Ketabu the interpreter, goodness knows why, for he was thoroughly to be relied upon, and suggested that a double interpretation by Kumatti, a native of Milne Bay, and about as big a liar as could well be found, and Mr. English, who is conversant with the "Motu" language, would be more satisfactory.