"'I am neither insensible of, nor ungrateful for the kindness of my commander,' answered William; 'and for the sake of her and her only, of whom the boatswain dared to speak as one dishonoured, I do not hold life without its value. But I disdain to purchase it by the humiliation of vindicating myself farther from the accusations of a wretch whom I despise. Let the law take its award. Death is preferable to being the servant of a slave.' "'I know not,' whispered Captain Sherbourne to his first lieutenant, 'how my lips shall pronounce sentence of death on this brave young fellow. His heroic courage and his talents compel me to revere and love him--and there is something, I know not what, in his features, haunts me as a lost remembrance.' Then turning toward the prisoner he added--'Before the sentence of the court is passed, whatever requests you may wish to have performed, I will see them faithfully carried into effect.' "'Thanks! thanks!' replied William; 'I have but little to offer in return for your goodness; but the same spirit that made me resent the indignity of my accuser, would, were my hands free, cause me to embrace your knees. I have but three requests to make. I wish my watch to be given to her who is dearest to me on earth--Mary Danvers; my quadrant and other matters to my friend Jenkins, who sails in the ship '_Enterprise_,' now lying in the river; and my last request is, that, with the ten guineas belonging to me, and now in the possession of the purser, a stone may be placed upon my mother's grave--which Mary Danvers will point out--with these words chiseled upon it-- TO THE MEMORY OF THE AMIABLE AND UNFORTUNATE MATILDA STANLEY. BY DESIRE OF HER UNFORTUNATE SON. "'Matilda Stanley!' exclaimed Captain Sherbourne in a tone of agitation, 'was that the name of your mother?' "'It was, your honour,' replied William, 'and there were few such mothers.' "'And your father!--your father!' repeated the Captain, with increased agitation; 'what knew you of him?' "'Alas! nothing!' exclaimed the prisoner bitterly, and the tears gushed down his cheeks; 'but, oh, recal not to my memory in a moment like this--recal not my mother's--No! no! my sainted mother!' "'O conscience! conscience!' exclaimed the Captain, starting to his feet, and gasping in eagerness as he spoke. 'One question more--and your mother's father was a dissenting clergyman in the village of--name!--name the place! on that depends your life, and my happiness or misery.' "'In the village of ---- in Westmoreland,' replied William; 'but he survived not his daughter's broken heart. You knew them, then? Oh, did you know my father?' "'My son! my son! come to a father's heart,' exclaimed the Captain, springing forward and falling on his neck; '_I am your father!_ Shade of my wronged Matilda! look on this!' "'My father!' exclaimed William, 'have I found him! and in such an hour! But, if you loved my mother, wherefore'--